Live Interview
And why does that matter?
This is how a Mato agent talks. Take the other seat: answer a few and feel it follow the thread.
Podcast charts
Published by MTG: Under the Hood
Two friends and Magic: the Gathering players discuss the rules of magic to help educate new players and experienced players alike.
On the charts
Every published chart this podcast appears in, in the snapshot behind this page. Each one links to the chart it came off.
From the feed
The latest episodes published to this podcast’s own RSS feed. Titles and descriptions are the publisher’s.
Chris wants to dive deep into the rules and mechanics of the Trading card game Magic: the Gathering. These episodes are typically tailored to newer players, but experienced players are welcome to join in, as well. What does being lost in the woods, being in a firefight against aliens, or playing a game of Magic all have in common? Well the answer is simple: finding cover can increase your odds of survival. Defender is what this episode is all about, so hunker down and get some snacks. Originally recorded 13 March 2023 Extended Reading: Magic Arcanum https://www.youtube.com/@MagicArcanum/featured Email: mtgunderthehood@gmail.com Facebook: facebook.com/mtgunderthehood Twitter: @mtgunderthehood Music composed/performed/recorded by: Joe Jancura
We are back from the break and bringing you a new episode because we are revisiting one of the Host’s favorite Planes in the Magic: the Gathering Multiverse. With the new set of Phyrexia All will be One, we saw the introduction of a rework of the Infect mechanic, and this is what we now call Toxic. But unlike hazardous materials, this is actually quite fun (and highly recommended) to play with. Email: mtgunderthehood@gmail.com Facebook: facebook.com/mtgunderthehood Twitter: @mtgunderthehood Music composed/performed/recorded by: Joe Jancura Originally recorded 27 February 2023
Magic saw some major changes in 2022. Your hosts break down some of their favorite new mechanics and interactions from the past year. Also, they reflect on the highs and lows of the decks built this year. Email: mtgunderthehood@gmail.com Facebook: facebook.com/mtgunderthehood Twitter: @mtgunderthehood Music composed/performed/recorded by: Joe Jancura Originally recorded 29 December 2022
Stories. Passed generation to generation, they teach us lessons, entertain us, and inform us of our history. Magic is no stranger to telling the stories of their history. Saga enchantment cards reveal some of the oldest tales in all of Magic lore. With the release of Dominaria United, Saga cards have learned to skip ahead to the end of the story. Join Chris and Joe as they reveal the secrets of Saga cards. Chris shows us his excitement for Unfinity in the Scuttlebutt this week. Tolarian Community College interview with Sheldon Menery: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b811XpRWxlA Email: mtgunderthehood@gmail.com Facebook: facebook.com/mtgunderthehood Twitter: @mtgunderthehood Music composed/performed/recorded by: Joe Jancura Originally recorded 3 October 2022
Your hosts discuss a new mechanic from Dominaria United. Enlist enables your attacking creature to become a much more powerful opponent for a turn. But how powerful will the mechanic be out in the wild? Relax and listen as your hosts give their thoughts. Joe gives some brief information regarding “wheeling” in drafts. The provided article breaks down ways to think about wheeling cards to enhance your drafting skills. Email: mtgunderthehood@gmail.com Facebook: facebook.com/mtgunderthehood Twitter: @mtgunderthehood Music composed/performed/recorded by: Joe Jancura Sierkovitz, (2022) “How to Wheel in Drafts” https://mtgazone.com/how-to-wheel-in-drafts/ Originally recorded 19 September 2022
The Domain mechanic has made a triumphant return in Dominaria United. Join Chris and Joe as they discuss this mechanic - originally from the Invasion block - and how it has helped make gameplay feel different for the Dominaria United limited scene. Your hosts also discuss their experiences from pre-release weekend as Dominaria United releases today! Email: mtgunderthehood@gmail.com Facebook: facebook.com/mtgunderthehood Twitter: @mtgunderthehood Music composed/performed/recorded by: Joe Jancura Originally recorded 5 September 2022
In this episode, we want to go fast! Your hosts discuss the haste mechanic. This ability is another one that has been around since Alpha. Unfortunately, not many people think about the benefits of haste these days. Join us as we do a deep dive on this speedy mechanic. Chris and Joe give their first impressions of Dominaria United ahead of prelease weekend. Email: mtgunderthehood@gmail.com Facebook: facebook.com/mtgunderthehood Twitter: @mtgunderthehood Music composed/performed/recorded by: Joe Jancura Originally recorded 23 Aug. 2022
What’s better than having creatures that deal a lot of damage? Having creatures that deal damage before your opponent’s creatures! This episode discusses two related abilities: First Strike and Double Strike. While these both seem simple on the surface, there are some subtle rules that can make these two abilities even more potent than they initially seem. Chris and Joe discuss the retirement of Tribal type cards in Magic the Gathering. Email: mtgunderthehood@gmail.com Facebook: facebook.com/mtgunderthehood Twitter: @mtgunderthehood Music composed/performed/recorded by: Joe Jancura Originally recorded 9 Aug. 2022
Chris and Joe take a deep dive into the Vigilance mechanic. While this mechanic has been around since the beginning of Magic: the Gathering, its power makes this mechanic appear in small doses within each set. Just how do you defend yourself against such power? How do you make the most of this combat altering ability? Find out on this episode! Your hosts give their quick opinions on Double Masters 2022. Both sides defend their rationale in 90 seconds per person. Email: mtgunderthehood@gmail.com Facebook: facebook.com/mtgunderthehood Twitter: @mtgunderthehood Music composed/performed/recorded by: Joe Jancura Originally recorded 26 July 2022
This episode, Chris and Joe discuss two mechanics that have benefits based on dealing damage. Lifelink and Deathtouch each make dealing damage with your creatures more profitable to you. Also, they have been included in almost every set since they were created in the Lorwyn block. Joe discusses the YouTube channel JudingFTW. You can find his YouTube channel page here: https://www.youtube.com/c/JudgingFtW Email: mtgunderthehood@gmail.com Facebook: facebook.com/mtgunderthehood Twitter: @mtgunderthehood Music composed/performed/recorded by: Joe Jancura Originally recorded 5 July 2022
Chris and Joe are taking a break from the new mechanics to talk about an evergreen mechanic. On this show, we take a lesson from the Hulk and smash through defending creatures to deal damage to our opponents. Trample has been around since the beginning and is more complex than people may realize. Let’s get down to the details of how this mechanic works. Chris and Joe discuss their thoughts on Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur’s Gate following release weekend. Email: mtgunderthehood@gmail.com Facebook: facebook.com/mtgunderthehood Twitter: @mtgunderthehood Music composed/performed/recorded by: Joe Jancura Originally recorded 13 June 2022
The Obscura of New Capenna have mastered the ability to connive. Will you? Chris and Joe dive deep into this new mechanic and give our thoughts on how useful it (*cough* Ledger Shredder *cough*) will be to the game as a whole. Chris discusses his experience at his most recent competitive 5K on this episode, as well. Email: mtgunderthehood@gmail.com Facebook: facebook.com/mtgunderthehood Twitter: @mtgunderthehood Music composed/performed/recorded by: Joe Jancura Originally recorded 6 June 2022
This episode covers two mechanics. First, we have Alliance. This ability word plays off of creatures entering your battlefield. We’ve seen this mechanic before, but this is the first time it has received its own ability name. Second, we have Casualty. This new mechanic turns your creatures into fodder for copies of instant and sorcery spells. Chris and Joe break down how this mechanic functions within the game and explain the usefulness of some of these spells. Your hosts also give their first impressions of the upcoming set Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur’s Gate. E-mail: mtgunderthehood@gmail.com Facebook: facebook.com/mtgunderthehood Twitter: @mtgunderthehood Originally recorded 23 May 2022
Please welcome the newest addition to the aggro abilities line up! Blitz is here to be fast, aggressive, and valuable all in one fell swoop. Chris and Joe walk you through the many facets of this ability and give first hand experience to how well it plays. This episode’s scuttlebutt features a discussion of the price increases announced by WotC. Post Episode Discussion. Joe talks about the first ability for Henzie "Toolbox" Torre. The attached link is his source material for this information. DDR #424 - Does Henzie “Toolbox” Torre Work? - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ScHuty-am74&t=68s E-mail: mtgunderthehood@gmail.com Facebook: facebook.com/mtgunderthehood Twitter: @mtgunderthehood Originally recorded 9 May 2022
Streets of New Capenna has arrived! With it, we see a new mechanic in the form of shield counters. What are these new counters? How do they work? Will they be as frustrating for opponents as we anticipate them being? *Spoiler Alert* Yes! Chris and Joe break down their experiences with this new strategy and give you some tips and tricks for using creatures with shield counters on them. Your hosts also discuss their first thoughts on the new set. What do we like? What do we think missed the mark? Originally recorded 25 April 2022 E-mail: mtgunderthehood@gmail.com Facebook: facebook.com/mtgunderthehood Twitter: @mtgunderthehood
The Channel ability has returned in the latest Kamigawa set. This ability was once considered mediocre, at best. Now, Channel has made a come back in a big way. Chris and Joe discuss how this mechanic works and the way to use it most efficiently. Your hosts discuss the return of the Pro Tour by giving some less experienced players some advice for how to get started in this highly anticipated series of events. E-mail: mtgunderthehood@gmail.com Facebook: facebook.com/mtgunderthehood Twitter: @mtgunderthehood Originally recorded 19 April 2022
Are your creatures just not quite up to snuff compared to your opponent’s creatures? Equipment cards are here to save the day. Turn your 1/1 soldier into a fighting force by giving it a massive hammer! Chris and Joe discuss how equipment have become a large part of the game. In addition, we look at the new reconfigure mechanic from Neon Dynasty. Gmail: mtgunderthehood@gmail.com Facebook: facebook.com/mtgunderthehood Twitter: @mtgunderthehood Originally recorded: 4 April 2022
Chris and Joe want to dive deep into the rules and mechanics of the Trading card game Magic: the Gathering. These episodes are typically tailored to newer players, but experienced players are welcome to join in, as well. A harmless little ornithopter is coming your way. Zero power? Low chance of a combat trick? No problem. Suddenly, that ornithopter becomes a rat ninja that causes you to discard cards and you’re taking damage! This is the art of ninjutsu. Potent creatures hide in your opponent’s hand until the opportune moment to strike. Join Chris and Joe as Joe discusses his nostalgia with this mechanic (one of his favorites) and Chris discusses his first interactions with ninjutsu as a primary mechanic of a set. Our extended reading is a short video from Wizards of the Coast employee Gavin Verhey. In it, he discusses some tips and tricks on using the ninjutsu mechanic. Four Ninjutsu Rules Loopholes! Did You Know These? | Magic: the Gathering | Neon Dynasty by Good Morning Magic hosted by Gavin Verhey published on Jan. 14, 2022 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWLMpwd73Ng E-mail: mtgunderthehood@gmail.com Facebook: facebook.com/mtgunderthehood Twitter: @mtgunderthehood Originally recorded 21 February 2022
Chris and Joe want to dive deep into the rules and mechanics of the Trading card game Magic: the Gathering. These episodes are typically tailored to newer players, but experienced players are welcome to join in, as well. Artifacts have been a part of Magic the Gathering history since the days of Alpha. But recently, some artifacts aren’t satisfied with simply sitting on the board doing their job. Some want to smash your opponent’s face! In this episode, Chris and Joe discuss the vehicle artifact type as well as the crew mechanic. This episode features some extended reading. This article discusses how mechanics have changed and evolved over time as well as why some mechanics most likely won’t return. Extended Reading: "Magic: The Gathering - Why Are Some Older Mechanics Replaced?" By Louis Kemner, published May 2021 https://www.cbr.com/agic-gathering-mechanics-replaced/#:~:text=In%20hindsight%2C%20banding%20was%20underpowered,and%20out%20of%20the%20game . Originally recorded 7 February 2022
Chris and Joe want to dive deep into the rules and mechanics of the Trading card game Magic: the Gathering. These episodes are typically tailored to newer players, but experienced players are welcome to join in, as well. Fancy making a deck of where the only creatures can be cats, nightmares, elementals, dinosaurs, or beasts? How about a deck that can only have cards with an odd mana value? What about requiring yourself to add at least 20 cards over the minimum required for your format? If any of these sound enjoyable, then grab yourself a companion! On this episode, Chris and Joe dive deep into the mechanic that warped the entire game of Magic when it first released. Our scuttlebutt looks at the way mechanics are designed. Do we want mechanics that have a chance to break into formats other than Standard? Or would we rather keep the set itself as well as Standard balanced? E-mail: mtgunderthehood@gmail.com Facebook: facebook.com/mtgunderthehood Twitter: @mtgunderthehood Originally recorded 24 January 2022
Ranking source
Apple Podcasts rankings via the Mato Topic Intelligence Platform.
Observed September 20, 2026.
Apple and Apple Podcasts are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.
Pairs with
Bring this source into Mato to read its transferable patterns, then turn them into an original show for your own audience.