"We were all forged in the crucible." Welcome to Superior Numbers, where I try to do numerical analysis on cards and deckbuilding trends using slightly more math and slightly less snark than in my usual column. Slightly. So. . It first appeared in Magic in Fifth Dawn way back in 2004, and it's had a couple of […]
Superior Numbers - Crucible of Worlds
September 11, 2019 by
Dana Roach 
#ash barrens, #assassins trophy, #blast zone, #cathartic reunion, #chart a course, #crucible of worlds, #Dana Roach, #despark, #emergence zone, #faithless looting, #generous gift, #lotus field, #myriad landscape, #prismatic vista, #search for azcanta, #strip mine, #superior numbers, #Tectonic Reformation, #underrealm lich, #wasteland Read More »
Core Set 2020 Set Review - Black
July 3, 2019 by
Dana Roach
Which black cards from Core Set 2020 will cast the longest shadow on EDH?
#Audacious Thief, #black, #Blightbeetle, #Blood Burglar, #Blood for Bones, #Bloodsoaked Altar, #Bloodthirsty Aerialist, #Cavalier of Night, #core set 202, #Dana Roach, #Dread Presence, #edh, #Embodiment of Agonies, #Epicure of Blood, #Fathom Fleet Cutthroat, #Gruesome Scourger, #Legion's End, #leyline of the void, #Noxious Grasp, #review, #Rotting Regisaur, #Scheming Symmetry, #Sorin Imperious Bloodlord, #vilis broker of blood, #Yarok's Fenlurker Read More »
Superior Numbers - War of the Stats
June 12, 2019 by
Dana Roach
WAR - What is it good for? Welcome to Superior Numbers, where I try to do numerical analysis on cards and deckbuilding trends using slightly more math and slightly less snark than in my usual column. Slightly. This time around we're going to take a look at some cards from the recent set, War of the Spark, […]
#blast zone, #bolass citadel, #Dana Roach, #despark, #Finale of Eternity, #finale of promise, #Ravnica at War, #superior numbers, #war of the spark Read More »
In the Margins - Mortify
May 15, 2019 by
Dana Roach
Mortify has overstayed its welcome in Commander - here are the cards that should replace it.
#anguished unmaking, #assassins trophy, #beast within, #chaos warp, #Dana Roach, #despark, #in the margins, #oblation, #path to exile, #pongify, #putrefy, #rapid hybridization, #swords to plowshares, #utter end, #vindicate Read More »
Superior Numbers - Cards Caring about Colors: Black
April 11, 2019 by
Dana Roach
Some cards care about colors your opponents play... are they good enough for EDH?
#absolute grace, #compost, #elephant grass, #greater realm of preservation, #lifeforce, #light of day, #reap, #righteous war, #snake pit, #superior numbers Read More »
In the Margins - Divination
March 13, 2019 by
Dana Roach
3,000 players are running Divination, but there are tons of better options available.
#artificers epiphany, #cerebral vortex, #chart a course, #compulsive research, #consult the necrosages, #counsel of the soratami, #divination, #dream cache, #esper charm, #ghastly discovery, #huddle up, #lat-nams legacy, #mulldrifter, #notion rain, #perilous research, #pilfered plans, #pulse of the grid, #scarscale ritual, #Secrets of the Golden City, #see beyond, #thirst for knowledge Read More »
Superior Numbers - Land Counts
February 20, 2019 by
Dana Roach
Are decks running enough lands? Or enough mana rocks? Time for some data analysis.
#birds of paradise, #cmc, #general tazri, #jeleva nephalias scourge, #kess dissident mage, #lands, #mana rocks, #superior numbers, #teysa envoy of ghosts, #wayfarers bauble Read More »
Ravnica Allegiance Set Review - Rakdos
January 17, 2019 by
Dana Roach
Bedevil by Seb McKinnon (@sebmckinnon) Bedeck, Bedazzle, Bedevil Welcome to the Ravnica Allegiance, a set where no matter how many times I type it out, I still have to spellcheck Allegiance. This time around I get to review the Rakdos portion of the set. They're Ravnica's own Insane Clown Posse, except with acid and chainsaws instead […]
#Bedeck//Bedazzle, #Bedevil, #Blade Juggler, #Captive Audience, #Carnival//Carnage, #Cult Guildmage, #Dead Revels, #Drill Bit, #Fireblade Artist, #Footlight Fiend, #Get the Point, #Hackrobat, #Judith the Scourge Diva, #Light Up the Stage, #Macabre Mockery, #Rafter Demon, #Rakdos Firewheeler, #Rakdos Roustabout, #Rakdos the Showstopper, #Rakdos Trumpeter, #Rix Maadi Reveler, #Skewer the Critics, #Spawn of Mayhem, #Theater of Horros Read More »
In the Margins – Eternal Witness
January 7, 2019 by
Dana Roach
Can I Get a Witness? Currently, there are 55,404 decks decks in the EDHREC database running Eternal Witness, and not a single one of them should have it as part of the 99. Welcome back to In the Margins, a monthly Commander-centric column where I start by saying things that are patently untrue. We're gonna refer […]
#down//dirty, #eternal witness, #in the margins, #naya charm, #nostalgic dreams, #noxious revival, #reclaim, #regrowth, #reviving melody, #treasured find Read More »
In the Margins - Pacifism
November 9, 2018 by
Dana Roach
A Non-Pacificistic Approach Currently, there are 2,696 decks in the EDHREC database running Pacifism, and not a single one of them should have it as part of the 99. Welcome back to In the Margins, a monthly Commander-centric column where I get to nerdsplain how your card choices, like your life choices, may not have been […]
#bonds of faith, #crystallization, #darksteel mutation, #imprisoned in the moon, #in the margins, #lignify, #metamorphic alteraton, #pacifism, #song of the dryads, #spectral grasp Read More »