Magic: The Gathering players have developed a unique lingo to describe the complexities of the game:
- Card Advantage
- Tempo
- “I’m the control/aggro deck in this matchup.”
- Inevitability
- Karsten Math
Many of these concepts exist today because dedicated players took the time to document and share their theories with the community.
These ideas first emerged on websites like The Dojo and Neutral Ground in the late ’90s, where they were debated and refined on forums like MTGSalvation and Brainburst in the early 2000s.
From 2010 to 2020, Magic strategy content hit its peak, with platforms like Star City Games, TCGPlayer, and Channel Fireball offering an overwhelming amount of articles and tournament data. For the first time, some players were even able to make a living by writing and playing Magic.
Then, the pandemic altered the landscape of Magic content. With tournaments on hold, many long-time writers were laid off, and strategy websites began to close. The focus shifted to streamers and Discord communities, leading to a dispersion of quality writing, especially in the realm of theory, across social media and Patreon.
If you started playing Magic during or after the pandemic, much of the foundational theory writing may be unfamiliar to you. While the cards and references might seem dated, the underlying concepts remain as relevant as ever. Key figures like Mike Flores, Zvi Mowshowitz, Pat Chapin, and Paulo Vitor Damo da Rosa have authored some of the most influential theory articles, continuing to shape how we understand the game.
Below are the Magic theory articles that have had the greatest impact on me as a player. I consider these mandatory reading for anyone looking to level up their game:
Who’s the Beatdown? by Mike Flores
TL;DR: Who’s the aggressor? Who’s the control deck? Misassignment of role = game loss.
Who’s the Beatdown 2 – Multitasking by Zvi Mowshowitz
TL;DR: This article advances Flores’s theory by asking, “Who has inevitability?” It was the first time inevitability was introduced into Magic theory.
Drafting the Hard Way by Ben Stark
TL;DR: Considered the best article about drafting ever written. Stark emphasizes treating each new draft format as unique, requiring you to learn everything anew, even if you had a favorite color or strategy in the previous format.
Information Cascades by Patrick Chapin
TL;DR: While we often think that more information is better, this article warns that information can lead to bad outcomes if it doesn’t align with reality. Testing within a close-knit group can sometimes lead to asking the wrong questions, resulting in incorrect answers and further missteps.
How Many Colored Sources Do You Need to Consistently Cast Your Spells? by Frank Karsten
TL;DR: Mana base construction isn’t just about intuition—Karsten did the math to determine how to best build your mana base to consistently cast your spells, updating the math as new sets and cards emerged.
PV’s Rule by Paulo Vitor Damo da Rosa
TL;DR: At a high level of play, it’s often better to force a poor outcome than to give your opponent a choice that includes that outcome. This article challenges you to think differently about risk and decision-making.
There’s More to Sideboarding Than You Think by Paulo Vitor Damo da Rosa
TL;DR: You’re probably not considering how sideboards affect gameplay deeply enough. Key points include:
- Sideboarding differently on the play vs. the draw
- Sideboarding against your opponent’s sideboarded deck
- Mulliganing differently in sideboarded games
- Sideboarding differently vs. different opponents
The Elephant Method: A Case Study by Zvi Mowshowitz
TL;DR: This article builds on Zvi’s classic “Elephant Method,” which involves constructing the best 60-card deck for each matchup and then refining the main deck and sideboard against the metagame. It applies this method to Zvi’s 2014 Pro Tour deck.
The Philosophy of Fire by Mike Flores
TL;DR: This might be the single most important article to understand as an aggro player, emphasizing the aggressive strategy in Magic.
Words Mean Things by Patrick Chapin
Note: This article contains slurs and offensive language.
TL;DR: Although not directly related to Magic strategy, this article profoundly impacted how I think about the words we use to discuss games and each other. While our community has made strides since 2012, the phrase “words mean things” continues to remind me to choose my words carefully in any conversation.
This syllabus is not comprehensive, but these are the theories that have stood out to me since I started playing in 2004.
After 30 years, many of Magic’s core theories remain strong. But as the game continues to evolve and competitive play becomes increasingly challenging, it’s clear that the most important aspects of Magic theory may not have been written yet.
So, if you see the game differently than those around you—start writing.
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