Eternal Durdles

It’s the annual Christmas episode, and that means one thing: MTGRemy is back.Zac and Remy sit down for their yearly catch-up to talk about everything from Magic travel slowing down, why MagicCons stopped making sense, and discovering new games like Sorcery: Contested Realm, to childhood Christmas memories, toy commercials, stop-motion specials, sitcom nostalgia, and the weird cultural moments that shaped a generation.Along the way, they cover:Why MagicCons stopped being worth itPlaying Pre-Modern in hotel rooms instead of convention hallsLou Malnati’s pizza (twice, in one night)He-Man toys, Moss Man, and Cabbage Patch insanityTurboGrafx-16, Super Nintendo, and peak Christmas morningsWaiting all year for Rudolph to air one night onlyStop-motion specials, sitcom Christmas episodes, and Nick at Nite nostalgiaSiblings, gym class trauma, and fiercely loyal sistersFirst Magic: The Gathering gifts and early card discoveryComic shops, mall kiosks, Chick Tracts, and growing up between worlds90s comics, Starman, Why th

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/EternalDurdlesTCGPLAYER AFFILIATE LINK:https://partner.tcgplayer.com/OexAAnAll three Eternal Weekends are in the books — and with Entomb and Nadu gone, Legacy has officially entered a new phase.In this episode of Eternal Durdles, Zac and Phil break down what the Legacy metagame actually looks like right now:• Why Aggro exploded overnight• How Delver, Demir Tempo, Affinity, and Eldrazi absorbed combo’s share• Why Orcish Bowmasters still quietly defines deckbuilding• What the rise of Chalice decks tells us about Tamiyo and The One Ring• And whether this “new” Legacy is genuinely healthier — or just temporarily freshUsing real metagame data from the weeks following Eternal Weekend Europe and Asia, this episode digs into play patterns, incentives, and pressure points that will shape Legacy heading into the next few months.If you care about where Legacy is actually going — not just what won last weekend — this one’s for you.

In this episode, Zac interviews European Vintage Champion Franco Chicchini, fresh off his win at the largest Vintage event ever held in Europe! We dive deep into Franco’s run with Esper Lurrus, his experience at Eternal Weekend Italy, the state of the Vintage format, and the key decisions that led him to victory.Franco shares:How he got into VintageWhy he switched from Dimir to EsperWhy Lavinia, Containment Priest, and Swords to Plowshares matter right nowHis thoughts on Lurrus decks, Vintage balance, and potential B&R changesHis most memorable plays (including a clutch Spell Pierce in the finals!)The importance of having a plan — and sticking to itA heartfelt shout-out to Gary Campbell for lending power and supporting the sceneIf you love Vintage, deck techs, and high-level tournament insight, this is the interview for you.

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/EternalDurdlesTCGPLAYER AFFILIATE LINK:https://partner.tcgplayer.com/OexAAnIn this episode, Zac is joined by Legacy legend and coverage icon Julian Knab to break down Eternal Weekend Europe — not from the player’s perspective, but from the streamers, commentators, and production team who made the event happen.Julian pulls back the curtain on how the Four Seasons and Impact Returns crews completely reinvented European coverage this year: early planning, two-team commentary rotation, time-shifted matches, and the massive amount of scouting, research, and coordination required to put on a world-class broadcast.We talk through:• What went wrong at past Eternal Weekends — and how Italy fixed it• How European organizers built a production that rivals (and surpasses) WotC• The secret tech behind time-shifted matches and near-zero downtime• How commentary teams avoid spoilers while scouting the floor• Why Legacy culture in Italy is unmatched• The rise of regional teams &

Phil sits down with Tall Eric — Eternal Weekend North America Top 8 competitor and one of the most committed Doomsday pilots in the format — to break down post-Entomb-ban Doomsday heading into Luca / Eternal Weekend Europe.Eric explains how the deck has evolved now that hybrid Entomb/Doomsday shells are gone, what Turbo vs Tempo Doomsday actually looks like in today’s meta, and why some pivots are traps even if top players can win with them.We cover:• Why Turbo Doomsday remains the real deck• Personal Tutor vs Tamiyo — which is correct now?• Why splashing a 3rd color is almost always a trap• Why two Thassa’s Oracle is still essential• Laboratory Maniac vs Jace in the sideboard• How Doomsday actually lines up into Delver, UB Tempo, Reanimator, Breakfast, and Depths• Why Cavern of Souls is secretly one of the deck’s most important cards• How to evaluate “pile structure” and redundancy post-ban• What (if anything) Doomsday cares about from the new sets (Avatar, Spider-Man, etc.)• Eric’s honest thoughts on Doomsd

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/EternalDurdlesTCGPLAYER AFFILIATE LINK:https://partner.tcgplayer.com/OexAAnInfect is BACK — and Sam “FenrusCloud” Dams joins Zac to explain exactly why the archetype is suddenly one of the scariest and most explosive choices for Eternal Weekend 2025.We break down the real reasons Infect is better positioned now than at any point in the last several years:• Reanimator finally pushed out of its aggro-removal hybrid shell• Massive upgrades like Legolas’s Quick Reflexes and Inbiggen• Meta shifts toward decks Infect preys on — Cloudpost, Show & Tell, Doomsday, Painter, Mystic Forge• Why Spell Pierce matters again• Why Dimir Tempo and Red Stompy are the real predators• Sam’s real league stats and matchup breakdowns• The fear Infect puts into opponents & the skill ceiling behind “when do I go for it?”• Sideboard philosophy, Endurance tech, and why consistency matters more than cute one-ofsIf you’re considering Infect for Eternal Weekend — or you haven’t played a

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/EternalDurdlesTCGPLAYER AFFILIATE LINK:https://partner.tcgplayer.com/OexAAn

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/EternalDurdlesTCGPLAYER AFFILIATE LINK:https://partner.tcgplayer.com/OexAAn

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/EternalDurdlesTCGPLAYER AFFILIATE LINK:https://partner.tcgplayer.com/OexAAnPsychatog players — this one's for you.In this episode, Zac sits down with Adam, the Psychatog aficionado of the Premodern community, to break down exactly why this classic control-combo hybrid still competes at the highest levels of the format.This isn’t just a deck tech — it’s a philosophy session on how Psychatog actually works.We explore:• The true identity of Psychatog (not just control, not just combo)• Why free spells matter more than ever• How to survive turn-one Lackey, turn-two Survival, or StifleNought• What bounce spells really do in this list• Why Prohibit over Counterspell in this build• Why your graveyard isn’t as fragile as players think• How to “stay alive → maintain parity → take over”• Early game heuristics, mulligans, and turn sequencing• How to make Duress feel like the strongest card in the deck• Short math vs. full math on Psychatog kills• Why graveyard hate almost N

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Zac and Phil go deep on Magic: The Gathering’s growing obsession with outside IPs, asking the big question — when did “nods” become “crossovers”?In this episode, they explore how Magic evolved from subtle flavor callbacks (like Theros’s Greek myth inspiration or Arabian Nights’ literary roots) to full-on Universes Beyond product lines. The conversation spans design philosophy, flavor theory, and even a little literary criticism — all centered on why Magic feels different now.From Avatar: The Last Airbender to Spider-Man and beyond, the guys debate what makes some collaborations work and others feel… off. Is it art style? Setting? Narrative tone? Or is it that Magic used to suggest connections rather than define them?

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/EternalDurdlesTCGPLAYER AFFILIATE LINK:https://partner.tcgplayer.com/OexAAn**YouTube Description:**

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/EternalDurdlesTCGPLAYER AFFILIATE LINK:https://partner.tcgplayer.com/OexAAnIn this Premodern Sideboard Guide, Zac and Phil break down how to pilot Landstill through the toughest matchups in the format — from fast combo decks to grindy midrange battles.

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/EternalDurdlesTCGPLAYER AFFILIATE LINK:https://partner.tcgplayer.com/OexAAnIn this week’s episode of Eternal Durdles, Zac and Phil dive deep into the upcoming Legacy Banned & Restricted announcement — and ask the real question: What if Wizards of the Coast actually did something?

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/EternalDurdlesTCGPLAYER AFFILIATE LINK:https://partner.tcgplayer.com/OexAAnIn this conversation, Zac Clark and ForceofPhil discuss their excitement for LobsterCon, a gaming event they look forward to each year. They share their experiences of pre-modern gaming, the vibrant community atmosphere, and the fun of playing games late into the night. The conversation also touches on personal celebrations, such as birthdays, and how these events intertwine with their gaming experiences.TakeawaysLobsterCon is a highly anticipated event for Zac.The experience of playing pre-modern games is akin to a vibrant community gathering.The atmosphere at gaming events is filled with excitement and camaraderie.Celebrating personal milestones like birthdays at gaming events adds to the joy.Late-night gaming sessions create memorable experiences.Food plays a significant role in the enjoyment of gaming events.The connection between friends is strengthened through shared gaming experienc

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/EternalDurdlesTCGPLAYER AFFILIATE LINK:https://partner.tcgplayer.com/OexAAnZac Clark and ForceofPhil discuss various unforced errors in the corporate decision making of Hasbro in regard to Magic: The Gathering, particularly focusing on the implications of the game's curation, the subjective nature of art direction, and the challenges of balancing competitive and casual play. They explore how player experience is affected by these design choices and the need for better format curation over power level curation. The discussion also touches on the impact of new players on the community and the potential for redefining product design to better suit different formats.TakeawaysThe reserve list may unintentionally limit the value of older cards.Unforced errors in game design can lead to player frustration.Art direction in Magic: The Gathering is highly subjective.Power creep is a significant issue that needs addressing.Player experience should be prioritized over me

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/EternalDurdlesTCGPLAYER AFFILIATE LINK:https://partner.tcgplayer.com/OexAAnZac Clark and ForceofPhil discuss various unforced errors in the corporate decision making of Hasbro in regard to Magic: The Gathering, particularly focusing on the implications of the game's curation, the subjective nature of art direction, and the challenges of balancing competitive and casual play. They explore how player experience is affected by these design choices and the need for better format curation over power level curation. The discussion also touches on the impact of new players on the community and the potential for redefining product design to better suit different formats.TakeawaysThe reserve list may unintentionally limit the value of older cards.Unforced errors in game design can lead to player frustration.Art direction in Magic: The Gathering is highly subjective.Power creep is a significant issue that needs addressing.Player experience should be prioritized over me

Zac Clark and ForceofPhil dive into the exciting world of Value Vintage, discussing deck building strategies, innovative card choices, and the evolving landscape of the Vintage format. They explore various deck synergies, share insights on community engagement, and reflect on the thrill of discovering budget-friendly cards. The conversation highlights the importance of creativity in deck construction and the joy of participating in the Magic: The Gathering community.TakeawaysValue Vintage allows for creative deck building on a budget.Decks can be built for under $30, making it accessible.Screenshots are needed to prove deck prices for events.Infinite life strategies can be effective in gameplay.Community engagement enhances the experience of playing Vintage.Exploring the bulk bin can yield valuable cards.Innovative card choices can lead to unique strategies.The format encourages experimentation and creativity.Legacy decks can find new life in Value Vintage.The excitement of upcoming events drives community pa

Zac Clark and ForceofPhil dive into the exciting world of Value Vintage, discussing deck building strategies, innovative card choices, and the evolving landscape of the Vintage format. They explore various deck synergies, share insights on community engagement, and reflect on the thrill of discovering budget-friendly cards. The conversation highlights the importance of creativity in deck construction and the joy of participating in the Magic: The Gathering community.TakeawaysValue Vintage allows for creative deck building on a budget.Decks can be built for under $30, making it accessible.Screenshots are needed to prove deck prices for events.Infinite life strategies can be effective in gameplay.Community engagement enhances the experience of playing Vintage.Exploring the bulk bin can yield valuable cards.Innovative card choices can lead to unique strategies.The format encourages experimentation and creativity.Legacy decks can find new life in Value Vintage.The excitement of upcoming events drives community pa