MTG Articles

Pattern Recognition #263 - Mishra's War Features Opinion Pattern Recognition

2022 November 17 by berryjon

Today, in Part Three of the life of Mishra, brother of some random dude named Urza, we look at the real start of the Brothers War, and the initial events that shaped how he would materially effect it for the rest of the conflict.

Pattern Recognition #262 - The Rise of Mishra Features Opinion Pattern Recognition

2022 November 10 by berryjon

From Noble to Archeologist and beyond, Mishra's fortunes would rise after leaving Tocasia. But happened between that fateful night and the War? Read within to find out the highlights of this part of the life of Mishra.

Pattern Recognition #260 - Walls Features Opinion Pattern Recognition

2022 October 27 by berryjon

Put up your defenses, berryjon is about to come huffing and puffing, so you better be prepared for something that just sits there, doing nothing until the end of the game.

Pattern Recognition #259 - Meld Features Opinion Pattern Recognition

2022 October 20 by berryjon

When two become one, what do you really have to say for yourself and your cards? Today, berryjon looks at a mechanic that only has six examples across the whole of Magic's history.

Pattern Recognition #258 - The Lands that (almost) Broke the Game Features Opinion Pattern Recognition

2022 October 13 by berryjon

What lands (almost) broke the game? Well, most of you already have an answer in mind, and it's probably the wrong one! Today, berryjon makes a case for the land cycle whose design still has repercussions to this day.

Pattern Recognition #257 - Player Types (Part 2) Features Opinion Pattern Recognition

2022 September 29 by berryjon

Welcome to this week's Pattern Recognition, where berryjon summarizes the last three archetypes, and how they look at the game. And with all six looked at, where would you place yourself?

Pattern Recognition #256 - Player Types (Part 1) Features Opinion Pattern Recognition

2022 September 22 by berryjon

Spike? Jenny? Timmy? What are you? Today, berryjon looks at the three primary player archetypes in Magic, and summarizes them for the people who have no idea who Vorthos, Steward of Myth is, and why they are all important to the game.

Pattern Recognition #255 - Queza, Commander of Agonies Features Opinion Pattern Recognition

2022 September 15 by berryjon

This week, berryjon takes his Queze, Augur of Agonies Brawl deck and upgrades it to a Commander deck. What 40 cards get added? Well, some are cards you're expecting, but not everything is as cut and dried as that! Read and comment within.

Pattern Recognition #254 - Brawl 2022 Reports Features Opinion Pattern Recognition

2022 September 08 by berryjon

With a new deck in hand, berryjon goes looking for practice and experience with it. How does it fair? Well, he has a couple reports for you today!

Pattern Recognition #253 - Brawl 2022 Features Opinion Pattern Recognition

2022 September 01 by berryjon

Rotation is upon us! And as such, today, berryjon will brew up a Brawl deck to take him through the next year for all you to see and dread and make suggestions over.

Pattern Recognition #252 - Time Travel Features Opinion Pattern Recognition

2022 August 25 by berryjon

What was, yet will be. What will be, never happened. Time Travel is not an easy thing to write about, or to properly plot, so Magic has tended to avoid that plot. Today, however, berryjon looks at the two instances when this plot device was invoked, and looks into the yet for the third.

Pattern Recognition #251 - Linear Decks Features Opinion Pattern Recognition

2022 August 18 by berryjon

What goes in a straight line from start to finish without much in the way of variation? Today, berryjon answers that, and provides an example of his own, as well as official examples from Wizards!

Pattern Recognition #250 - Pattern Recognition Features Opinion Pattern Recognition

2022 August 11 by berryjon

2-5-0! 2-5-0! It's a quarter-millennial mark for Pattern Recognition and so today, berryjon talks about his own subject matter! It'll be fun. I promise.

Pattern Recognition #249 - Firebreathing Features Opinion Pattern Recognition

2022 August 04 by berryjon

Today, berryjon looks at a simple mechanic with some not-so-simple results. Hope you brought something for the hot sauce!

Pattern Recognition #249 - Specialize Features Opinion Pattern Recognition

2022 July 28 by berryjon

Today, beryjon takes a look at an Online Only Mechanic, how it works, and how it relates to similar mechanics in other games. Then he goes on to suggest how it might work in real life.

Pattern Recognition #247 - My First Tribal Features Opinion Pattern Recognition

2022 July 21 by berryjon

After a week's vacation, berryjon is back to talk about the first real Tribal deck he built, and the creature type that went into it. No, it's not Rebels, it's something unique to Magic, and has been in the game for over 20 years now!

Pattern Recognition #246 - Card Advantage Features Opinion Pattern Recognition

2022 July 07 by berryjon

What does Card Advantage mean, and why is it so important? Well, today, berryjon gives a quick look at it for new people who are confused by the concept and tries to explain it with examples. What do you think it is?

Pattern Recognition #245 - To Infinity and Beyond! Features Opinion Pattern Recognition

2022 June 30 by berryjon

Today, berryjon talks about what makes a Combo an Infinite Combo, or one of its lesser versions. And why the Infinite Combo might not be as good as you think it might be.

Pattern Recognition #244 - Lands that are Also Mans Features Opinion Pattern Recognition

2022 June 23 by berryjon

Today, berryjon goes where plenty of people have gone before and looks at ManLands of the self-animating and externally animating kind. He also provides a deck for the concept, the first in a long while!

Pattern Recognition #243 - Into Battle Features Opinion Pattern Recognition

2022 June 16 by berryjon

The Combat step exists to attack and block, but what if that choice is taken away from you? What then?