Summer of the Gaak | The Story of Hogaak, Arisen Necropolis

[@kylehill]

The Summoning Salt of MTG. And that's a big compliment! Nice to meet you the other day Sam

[@monorayjak4377]

Kyle! Big fan, love your vids, good to see you! (Anyways just wanted to say that and say thank you for making some great videos!)

[@MTG69]

We need Sam, Kyle and Prof at the table together.

[@jamesmorseman3180]

Hey it’s Kyle! I love how a lot of bigger KZbinrs watch Rystic studies because the quality of the content

[@gaugeth]

Kyle watches Summoning Salt and Rhystic Studies, confirming my good taste in YT content. Love your stuff too!

[@horrorspirit]

I always like it when the youtubers i watch have the same taste in youtube as me

[@GoodMorningMagic]

Important design lesson for us: don't make free 8/8s from the graveyard. 😅 Really enjoyed the video Sam, great job!

[@Naccarat]

Can't wait for the video on The One Ring's effect on eternal formats in a couple of years.

[@jackcois6077]

Its a good card in all of them but only broken in modern. Might be the best Plainswalker in legacy but force of will, daze and force of negation are more than enough to balance it out. 4 mana I win is only good if it can resolve. Might make red prison/ stompy worse against control but those decks are built to eat greedy control decks so having some counter play with the ring probably isn't an issue. Basically its of the same calibre as Uro will fluctuate with play depending on the meta.

[@dedfoker]

Modern and older formats highly benefits from the one ring, in arena historic is filled with the one ring because it's so versatile even mono red aggro can benefit from it. For me bowmasters is at the level of hogaak because it's sooo prominent with sheoldred and the one ring i am starting to consider using the stone brain and the pithing needle to stop bowmasters and the one ring.

[@a_fuckin_spacemarine7514]

It's nowhere near Gaak, infact, between ring and Bowmasters, Bowmasters is closer to Gaak than ring is (neither are anywhere near that power level though).

[@dedfoker]

@@a_fuckin_spacemarine7514 agreed. For 2 with flash snd card draw hate... Not even sheoldred

[@ajaxender12]

I honestly think it's helpful. The ubiquity is a problem and that is partly a function of it being broadly useful and colorless, of course, but it's also because there just aren't any other cards like it, or not sufficiently powerful ones anyway. It does not win for you. It does give you time and opportunity to find what will win, sure, but that comes with opportunity for counterplay from your opponent and what seems so far to be a fair cost. What it needs is competition in that kind of space.

[@RossBox]

Ahh... Gaak.. what a long 73 days that was. Always a treat to see new videos from you Sam. ❤

[@joshua_lee732]

it was one of many reasons I quit the game.

[@RossBox]

@@joshua_lee732 an absolute nightmare. Mainboard 4 mistcaller in merfolk. But I just. Took about a month off from modern during that time because it was not fun

[@noahdaglio9362]

The Nadu summer vid is gonna be great in a couple years.

[@sapphicvalkyrja]

These sorts of single-card retrospectives are some of my favorite works in your catalogue. I'm very much looking forward to the inevitable feature on the Thief of Crowns

[@tobkromtob8992]

Same, I love These Single card Videos

[@kaitlyn__L]

Same. Also awesome username!

[@lukehampshire3784]

I'm waiting for phoenix, gonna be a fun vid

[@jaredschroeder7555]

Even knowing oko is op, I still find it hard to believe it was so busted when I just look at its abilities. They all seem so benign to me, or atleast not too busted, but it was.

[@SkeleBoneGuy]

Always a good decade when Rhystic studies posts

[@horsebones727]

😂

[@Nevquin]

Hogaak playing the piano is something I never knew I needed

[@kelm102]

It's almost a little funny when you think about it. The Gaak Attack happened in the summer of 2019, Oko was printed in October, and the COVID-19 pandemic shut the world down the following year.

[@janMelantu]

2019 was a helluva year. War of the Spark, Modern Horizons, M20, and Eldraine.

[@c7o2]

covid was trying to save us

[@ivanorozco2155]

It was intentional, that was the year of the F.I.R.E design philosophy

[@abrahamdrinkin2534]

And after Theros we got Companion from Ikoria.

[@atlys258]

Gaak & Oko did Covid 19 confirmed

[@thevaultwalrus]

Hogaak i remember you, how you won on turn two, and how Bridge from below had to get banned because wizards was scared that their product wouldn’t sell if they banned a chase rare

[@bluewzrd]

The Oko teaser at the end is such a good idea! Brilliant video as always!

[@MehrGills]

I really hope he puts the Wikipedia edit for magic: the gathering, cause that, and mono-R burn splashing UG for him, are the funniest things I remember from that Era. Oko: the Elking, what a game

[@ggpt9641]

I'd leave a comment, but it's now a 3/3 Green Elk with no abilities.

[@nonameimpotantlive9233]

@@ggpt9641 rekt Xd

[@sdfkjgh]

@@ggpt9641: Oko even managed to permanently make his himboey presence felt at Kyle Hill's Facility.

[@SmashPortal]

Just a reminder of what was banned in standard from Throne of Eldraine: - A creature (Cauldron Familiar) - A sorcery (Escape to the Wilds) - An enchantment (Fire of Invention) - An artifact (Lucky Clover) - A planeswalker (Oko, Thief of Crowns) - An instant (One Upon a Time) A land (Mystic Sanctuary) also saw bans in pauper and modern.

[@electra_]

1G Creature - Lhurgoyf This creature's power is equal to the number of card types on the banlist and it's toughness is equal to that number plus one.

[@tygonmaster]

"Let it burn" design mentality. Print broken things. Players buy broken things. Zero sustainability.

[@a_fuckin_spacemarine7514]

@@tygonmaster none of those cards were "broken", not even Oko, technically. None of those cards deserved a ban, save for Oko, and once upon a time, in modern, due primarily to Titan decks.

[@IzzetNilson]

​@@tygonmasterI would not be surprised if the design philosophy was they wanted to make Standard Brawl be an absolute powerhouse, which this was the set they introduced that format iirc. Also why we had a standard legal command tower and first ever printing of arcane signet despite being literally unplayable in standard.

[@tygonmaster]

@@a_fuckin_spacemarine7514 Oko literally was instantly ported into every single format, including vintage. It was broken. Not to mention it completely invalidated the EDH format. As for other cards, if a card warps an entire format around it and instantly invalidates dozens of tiered meta decks in an eternal format, which Hogaak did as it turned modern into play him or counter him, it should not be released. Broken things should not be directly be ported into an eternal format. It's bad design.

[@IIseasquareII]

Well time to drop everything again I guess

[@TheRens1]

I was about to sleep god damnit

[@lukaspollard1048]

Tough shit. Sit there, take it, and enjoy lmao

[@jallen3775]

Soon it will be again

[@kevincastner4541]

Haha so true

[@shesgard37]

​@@TheRens1same

[@aisling_commoddities]

"A new breed of Boogeyman. A menace. A king rising to infamy" As a long time fan, I see what you did there.

[@Galmion]

wow, truly impressive. I wish I was a long time fan too so I too could see what he did there

[@ShogunApple]

@@Galmionhe made a video about jace called “the boogeyman”, one about siege rhino, “the menace” and tarmogoyf, “the king”, which are all amazing videos, I highly recommend watching them if you haven't already.

[@cutecommie]

​@@Galmion reference to his videos on Jace, Siege Rhino, and Tarmogoyf

[@Apkooi1]

The Gaak Gaak 9000, so good it'll send you to the grave

[@alexnunes6389]

And get you out of it for more

[@deejkdeejk]

When Gakk enters the battlefield, you may place up to one sleep counter on target player. Sleep counters persist between games. (A player with a sleep counter cannot speak or take any actions.)

[@SylveonSilver]

What a time to be a magic player during the season of the Gaak - going through the 5 stages of grief in just 2 and a half months

[@Cr3zant]

Man I don't even play Magic, but your way of storytelling is so incredible it always feels as if I'm right there as it's happening and experiencing what the players felt in the moment.

[@youngcyanide1046]

So glad to hear my favourite card of all time "Oko, thief of crowns" is an upcoming video!!!

[@Hangman1313]

Firstly, if the turbulent stories of how cards got under the hammer shaped paper weight is to become a series on this channel, I'm 100% here for it. Secondly, I've been out of the game for some years now and Sam not only reignited an almost lost pastime, but helped transform it into a new passion with his artfully edited and produced analytical examinations of the game from the unique angles. MTG KZbin Holy Trinity: Rhystic Studies, Spice8Rack (dude's insightful and seriously hilarious to me), and the Tolarian Community College. I could only dream of sitting at a commander pod with these 3.

[@Id0nthavename]

Wotc has learned a lot since the days of Gaak. Now they understand that they should introduce half a dozen broken cards to rotate modern at the same time, and then call that diversity that needs no bans.

[@eruantien9932]

Remember when they printed Mind Sculptor and Bloodbraid? Wild that the lesson they've learnt is to just do more of that, rather than less...

[@MrUnreal9111]

MH2 gave us the best meta and format we have ever had cope and seethe baldo

[@feritperliare2890]

​@MrUnreal9111 yeah sure it's the best format with every deck having about at most like 15 card difference because the rest of the nonland slots are the must have mh2 cards

[@LiliumCruorem]

@@eruantien9932but we looooove Bloodbraid xD

[@mindustrial]

*looks at a certain monkey pirate

[@MM-lv7iy]

You know, the Gaak was such a terrifying experience for mtg modern that summer… but my best memory of him was when Jimmy played it on GK. Seeing him flop so spectacularly in the beginning, only to rise to archenemy in the late game… and then crash and burn at the last possible moment so that Graham and his bear army can slam in to take the win. One of the best games of Commander I’ve ever seen 😂.

[@faerie7dragon]

I still love that Graham had a "favor" from letting Jimmy untap with the Hermit Druid, only for everyone to laugh at him, legendary Jimmy Wong bad luck 😂 PS: I forgot that Graham used the favor, so Jimmy didn't end himself and let the Bears finish the job, very good 😂

[@victikirby15]

I love how Hogaak’s focus on filling the graveyard just turns any deck focused around it into a Yugioh deck

[@terrabite87]

As someone who lived through this era of modern, I wanna say thank you for making this. When my memory is fading I'll come back and watch this and remember better times

[@BLKCLVR]

I love these "boogeyman" style videos, these are always my favourites (along with the artist ones). Can't wait to see Lurrus.

[@stbd2773]

Awaiting the inevitable 'Summer of the Bird' video in 1-3 years

[@amc6765]

Great video. Hogaak playing the piano also made me laugh out loud.

[@chillinon3263]

Here because Nadu Is giving me serious déjà vu. 5/8 top decks in the Amsterdam PT were the bird, and the finals were a bant Nadu mirror

[@Doofindork]

The Gaak will always have a place in my heart.

[@VanHornJosh]

I still play it in legacy, poxwalkers and cabal therapy are pretty nice buffs to the deck, I also run grief as well.

[@Anonymous______________]

More like hell.

[@nanot3ch591]

"it was the summer of the GAAK!" makes me giggle every time

[@doctorexam6164]

Every time I watch this video that song gets stuck in my head for weeks. Great vid, you make the best videos

[@AwwhHex]

Coming back to this with Nadu dropping has me feeling like we’re having a bad case of deja vu

[@TheLoinclothLegend]

Today is a glorious day! Another Rhystic Study!

[@MrRib]

Watching again in anticipation of the beautiful Nadu Summer were about to witness

[@violetto3219]

you think it'll be more or fewer days from release to ban than gaak? late august is closer than it seems

[@MrRib]

@@violetto3219 honestly i hope it will be sooner seeing the current state of modern and legacy, mtgo is running tournaments with nadu already banned in them and legacy tournaments are getting cancelled left and right due to grief, if they wait until august its gonna be a pretty sad two months for both formats

[@owenbrooks9735]

Oh yeah! You know it's time for a good time when Rhystic Studies pops up in the notifications!

[@Hymensintact]

As much as I love your discussions on the art and stories of Magic. I'm an even larger fan of your breakdowns of various metagames and deck types. I'd love to see your take on control or combo as deck types. In a similar style to your video for "Red deck wins" discussion of aggro. Discussion of cards like twiddle in a control deck. What they do, what they mean. Why they're inherently bad, yet have fantastic upsides.

[@calebdume582]

I'm glad you mentioned Cardmarket. I'm an American, but those guys make gameplay content than any other MTG channel. I'd be astonished if they didn't hit 500k within a year.

[@ThirdChronicles]

As an historian, I absolutely love videos like this, RDW, and all the other great recaps you've produced. Thanks so much!

[@EsperVeltmanMusic]

literally just watched this video twice. Sam's talent with editing, script writing and setting the mood is masterful. keep it up.

[@DefNotSanta]

Sam, your videos never fail to give me the urge to play magic. I've been in a weird spot with it these last few months but leave it to you to drop an essay and instantly bring the fun, the coolness and the joy back to the game Don't stop man, you're amazing

[@Randomperson-pk3ce]

I keep rewatching this. I am not exaggerating when I say that you are the best artist I have seen on KZbin. Seriously. Your videos are a work of art. Please keep doing what you’re doing.

[@obadijahparks]

This is the type of channel that you never forget about. (No matter how long it's been.)

[@lucyarisato6850]

Always a pleasure to see you in my notifications. Thanks, Sam.

[@lucyarisato6850]

And with a patreon perk like that, how could I say no? Time to put my money where my mouth is.

[@lucyarisato6850]

0:43 Hey, that’s the one I got! ❤

[@joshbtv980]

This is seriously possibly one of my favorite channels in all of KZbin

[@gabrielarchanjo6028]

I love how you use the soundtrack volume. While watching i feel that the song is in my head too.

[@lunarseraph1500]

Loved the reference to the Siege Rhino, Jace, and Goyf videos at the end. Your videos are always some of my favorites to watch and rewatch because there's always one-more-thing that I didn't notice the first time.

[@MehrGills]

A story on KCI and its skill-based dominance in modern would be interesting if you keep coveting dominant decks from modern's past

[@DEVILONBOTHSHOULDERS]

would be a summoning salt type video abt gabriel nasif pretty much

[@Mandolorian1001]

I’m now a proud patreon supporter! I can’t believe it took this long. You’re the definition of what it is to make exceptional culture content. You see it with such depth, even when I’m on the brink of retiring from the game, this content pulls me right back in. You’re awesome, Sam. Rock on!

[@FranklyHerman]

This video is an art piece. I've watched it every single day for a week straight. As someone who played through this modern meta, and suffered from the "Summer of the Gaak", I remember how Modern Horizons warped the format in a way I'd never seen before and haven't seen since. This video does a fantastic job of telling that story. Well done!

[@SnapquesterMage]

Love these continued detailed looks at Magic's recent history. Looking forward to Oko/OUAT!

[@AlluMan96]

I love the nice little touch of how well you framed the summer of 2019 through Hogaak's history. I was not actively playing back in '19 and as a passive onlooker, the horror stories surrounding Oko greatly outshined Hogaak's season of dominance. However, what I do remember of that summer was Rocketman and that sweltering heat. I was not expecting this video to have been as nostalgic as it was, which was nonetheless welcome, as 2019 was a really nice year for me.

[@ninodoko3437]

So I came back to rewatch this as one does. Particularly because I remembered the cute effect of Hogaak playing the keyboard. And I rewatched it and realized something. He's playing the piano from the wrong side.

[@AbstractMarcher]

AS usual, fantastic deep dive Sam. I remember going to the Pittsburgh Modern Teams event. I was on Mill...We were a meme deck team. One of our late round teams matches was against a team of bridgevine mill. Game 1, my opponent fetches, gets a overgrown tomb. I TRIPLE Archive Trap. They look at me, the traps, look to their teammates, then say UUMMMM. I Proceeded to lose. Still one of the funniest things to happen to me. I made a reddit post about it the day after the event.

[@MrMattogreen25]

Can't wait for the Nadu video after we finally get through this summer!

[@BagAccount]

whenever I see a Rhystic Studies video, I set aside the time to enjoy it in its entirety. the best magic content on youtube, by far.

[@superfluous9726]

Somehow yoy manage to continue making every single release better than the last. The Gaak playing the piano was absolutely my favorite moment from your channel!

[@trysixtysnipeco]

Recently got into magic and was onterrested on lore and other things and this channel has a level of quality it's unreal it's thx to channel like yours that people get into magic

[@legmek]

You are easily my most favourite MTG KZbinr! I love the new focus on big events in Moderns history, even though I don't play it myself.

[@RickyChops]

This dude gotta be in the top 5 MTG content creators. Please never stop. 🙏

[@Lava_Spike]

As someone who competed through Eldrazi Winter and Hogaak summer, it was... a journey as a fair Burn player the whole time, especially since I was there at Barcelona, Minneapolis, and Las Vegas. Thanks for a trip down memory lane!

[@JaykPuten]

I don't play magic and haven't since unglued (even then not much) But these videos are just perfect, even if I don't understand every new concept and kinda just like the card art and channels video style, I still feel like I get it enough without being felt left out I really love this channel the videos really each tell a story that doesn't require any magic experience And reminds me that whenever someone is playing a game they enjoy, or a hobby, or an instrument, as long as they enjoy it That's awesome for them, and hearing these stories told, like a sports fan might make a game sound like some spiritual moment, is awesome and just shows that a good story told right, can be about anything and anyone can enjoy it

[@brendancorey7831]

Perfect timing! I was looking for something to watch, and its amazing for something like this to pop up

[@maelstromcarl]

Amazing, Sam never misses!! Video quality winrate so far: 100%.

[@TheArchanjel]

Your videos are amazing, man. Artful. Cheers.

[@richnasty806]

There's no reason you're channel is so good. Thanks for the upload!

[@comedycorpse9768]

my guy, you made me obsessed with Hogaak through this story. and im now building a commander deck with Hogaak as the commander. i regret nothing. I just discovered your channel, i love listening to the stories you tell us. Cant wait to see the next video !

[@lillybareham1257]

A nice sunday learning once more thanks to Rhystic Studies. Sounds perfect

[@flpn2275]

Always a pleasure to watch and listen to your videos. Thankbyou

[@kylereichard1180]

I played two MCQs the last weekend the gaak was legal, where I qualified for my first pro tour. I look back fondly on the Gaak summer. Excellent video

[@theaspirant549]

Amazing and nostalgic as always with your approach. Just as comforting and pleasant as the freedom of summer we had when we were kids. Good job as always Rhystic, I'm looking forward to the next one.

[@loganator326]

I remember Hogaak summer, as it was the summer I was getting back into magic, where I have since stuck. While I wasn't playing modern myself, it was fascinating to observe it from the sidelines what was going on, love the video and gave me some serious flashbacks to the time

[@zninja12345]

I will always watch these at least 5 times. I fall asleep to these sometimes.

[@BarbeqdBrwniez]

I am so happy to have discovered this channel. let the binging continue!

[@flyingtoastr]

I've had Benny and the Jets in my head all day. Awesome video as always.

[@Gaming_Duck]

I think this is my favorite video you've ever made!

[@demolisherman1763]

I just woke up, what perfect timing!

[@PugFeist]

Another great video. I primarily enjoy the game as commander now but I’m digging these lore videos on the format I used to play in high school.

[@gnkstudios6138]

Who would’ve thought there would be such beauty in using arguably one of the most fun songs in the last century to describe the most egregious combo deck in the decade since modern has been a format 😂 What a harmonious creative decision cheers

[@cameronyoutube3367]

feels like a marvel movie with the hype Oko tease at the end

[@mejestic_pie_flavor325]

I’ve never been more hyped for anything than I am for the Rhystic Studies Eldraine/Oko video

[@Summer_Snows]

Love that you teased Eldraine at the end because your comment on Gaak being too powerful but very fun to play immediately had me thinking of Eldraine standard. Simic Food and Jeskai Fires are my two favorite decks to play of all time

[@slivex676]

I remember GP Vegas 2019 so fondly, I'm so happy there is now a Rhystic Studies video to commemorate it!

[@InkScaleDragon]

We absolutely whiffed on the chance to make a "Year of the Cat" by Al Stewart joke. That being said, you are absolutely my favorite MTG youtuber, man. I've watched your Phyrexia video an untold number of times after I started playing mid 2023

[@tehpop]

Foreshadowing at the end: perfect end to another excellently researched, presented, and edited video essay!

[@brimmusic4270]

Every time I hear "This episode is sponsored by Card Kingdom" in this exact tone, I know that I'm in for a treat in the next 20+ minutes.

[@mikeowens40]

Great video as always! I just wanted to say I just finished The Neverending Story for the first time, and at the end you almost echoing "but that is another story, and shall be told another time" gave me a crazy dejavu feeling haha

[@mememaster5748]

You know what I'd like to see? A history of elves or goblins, merfolk. Maybe a general video on the history of tribes, set and card design invloved, star cards/decks in different formats. That would be neat to see in your style.

[@thedeliciousGOD]

I love the argument I had with my buddies when they spoiled Gaak, myself being the only one excited. I have played dredge for a long time and knew this dude was going to be fun to put into my decks. I still have my commander deck I brewed from that time with the first copy I pulled, foil of course...should have sold it when it spiked but it will always hold a special place in my collection. Thanks for this video on one of my favorite cards!

[@kylegonewild]

I've always loved that Dredge players, much like their cards, go away for a while as metas evolve but inevitably make their return when they catch whiff of the next card to supercharge an already powerful mechanic. Manaless dredge was the only Legacy deck I ever played a long time ago and it often feels like you're not even playing Magic, but it really is fun to pilot these kinds of decks.

[@codybryans3323]

Can't wait for your video on Nadu summer

[@miguelfreitas5343]

Gotta love how *the moment* you mentioned Throne of Eldraine, everyone knew what card you were gonna talk about

[@phillipmele8533]

“A lobster kicking back and enjoying the boil.” Beautiful.

[@thadrin]

Not having been around for "The summer of Gaak" I feel like I missed something when I recently traded for one to put into the Slimefoot and Squee commander deck I've been building... Fascinating as ever Sam. Thanks.

[@intelligentcounterspell16]

man your vids give off this vibe of uber nostalgia , like I missed that summer and I still had a little tear running down my cheek lol , so many ups and downs , great video

[@sams.975]

Honestly, I would love a video on Eldraine and an assessment of it's power level design. Specifically I would be interested in your thoughts on how the "three year cycle" might have affected the set's impact on standard.

[@gabrielamaro1470]

Your video on this topic is very timely. A similar form of the “dredge effect” happened in the pokemon tcg world championship this weekend. Lugia and Mew, decks from the previous sets that were powerful came back in full force. Players had stopped respecting them despite zero change in their potency, and had removed their silver bullets for those matchup in favor of combatting newer archetypes. Lugia and Mew proceeded to dominate the tournament with little resistance.

[@malign3158]

Cannot WAIT to see an Oko video since I remember living through that nightmare!

[@SittonSpin]

Babe wake up. New rhystic studies just dropped.

[@soopthedog7236]

Brother deserves millions of views

[@linkal_8097]

Hey Sam, I would really love to see you talk about the Cube format. I'm working on my own cube and I thought the topic perfectly fits your video format, plus, a Rhystic Studies cube would be really awesome to see!

[@Freshest_Fisch]

I got into magic well after the hogaak hype had died down. then maybe two years ago i stumbled on some old modern videos from when gaak was legal and thought it was the wackiest damn card i'd seen so i built a commander deck with it. what started as a weird pile of bulk has quickly turned into probably the most fun casual edh decks i've ever played. shoutout to my main man the gaak, you're too powerful for modern but just silly enough for commander, we love you