The History of the Magic: The Gathering Pro Tour: Season 2 | Pretty Deece

[@Cuesbey]

The MaRo podcast series “Drive to Work” had a 30 minute episode on each of the early pro tours and it may be one of the better resources for this history.

[@Cuesbey]

@Quantum Passport sorry, "better" was not meant as me comparing that resource to this. Instead, I was trying to express "if you are interested in this time period, consider also checking out this other thing. I thought it was a pretty good resource"

[@KingPhn]

For what it's worth, they didn't bring back phasing, per se. They primarily use "phase out," and my only guess as to why is because it makes for a flexible removal/protection tool without causing repeated ETB effects. I choose to blame Teferi's Protection for it's return.

[@85mcarnold]

I was just talking about this: Phase out is pretty simple, the phasing static ability is complex and confusing.

[@Dracinard]

I actually think phasing's fairly intuitive - the thing doesn't exist for a bit - but I can see that the amount of rules wrangling needed to make such a straightforward effect makes it bizarrely unintuitive if you are familiar with the rules.

[@PromotedPawn]

@@Dracinard Phasing is intuitive in the sense that “this thing goes away every other turn” is a simple concept. However it’s not just a matter of getting the rules to work with it, but that many the ways they decided to write the rules around it directly contradicted the rules for other effects that removed things from play, creating a bunch of unique interactions and rules exceptions that only existed for this particular ability.

[@VincentVeak]

That dig at WotC was so heartfelt and deserved. Honestly even if you don't care about competitive play, it still makes up part of Magic's heritage. I myself have been playing for a decade and have never been to a competitive event past a Pioneer league, but it's still so interesting to see how the game has developed over time, and it's a damn shame Wizards doesn't do more to share this. Props to everyone at the TCGPlayer team for picking up the slack

[@jensnielsen4585]

THE best content about competitive magic, anywhere. Thanks Jon!

[@Pengu92]

I never really followed competitive magic but retrospectives like these are fascinating. Love the way you present it, keep it up Jon 👍

[@pokugrf4000]

Another banger video man! 100% agree with you, WotC only seems to care about the history of the game when they can use it as a selling point for packs which is insane because even hearthstone has a mode that comes around periodically that lets you play old world tournament winner decks

[@ryanoconnor5176]

Let’s not forget about that time when wizards tried selling us 4 packs of fake magic cards for $999 that WERE NOT tournament legal. Meanwhile, Konami reprinted old yugioh cards that were tournament legal and only $30 to boot.

[@armenianzombie]

nice, stoked to see this become a regular thing - really neat to have an extended view of the game's history.

[@asgarzigel]

Thank you for these videos! I have seen multiple series about the YuGiOh or Pokemon TCG competetive history, but this kind of content seems weirdly rare for MTG, despite it being the biggest TCG afaik.

[@a_speeder1728]

The way that helps me understand phasing the best is that basically the creature is pushed forward in time. So it never went anywhere, it just went to somewhen else.

[@Tomwithnonumbers]

Phasing's flavour works really well with its effects. Teferi sealing off any area in a time bubble? I can imagine how that works

[@HamfrashTheLegend]

For the algorithm, thank you Jon

[@billepperson2662]

15:20 Still looking forward to that video!

[@firethunder834]

Ah yes, Fifth Edition. The set where Serra Angel and Sengir Vampire were too powerful to print but Necropotence was A OH FRICKIN KAY. Thanks for another great video, Jon!

[@joseph-yt2qk]

In an era when WOTC isn't primarily focusing on the game's history, I am very glad these videos exist to highlight the history of the game!

[@DougBongos]

These are fascinating. In competitive games like these, the little bits of history are so often lost through the cracks, or too hard to track down. Compiling anecdotes and details in these videos is just marvelous content. I commend you AND Tcgplayer for doing what Wizards will not: keeping alive the competitive history of their game.

[@marekvincibr5884]

11:04 the backlash to this and the change in rules following this ruling interestingly led to the existence of Selvalla+Panglacial wurm interaction.

[@22sfs22]

And that's also why Lion's eye diamond got the errata it has. Because if we used it as printed, we could declare the casting of a spell from our hand and then crack the diamond to pay for it

[@Karonar]

@@22sfs22 ehm... Nope? Did you even read the printed card? :D

[@22sfs22]

@@Karonar yes. It specifies "activate this ability at any time you could cast an instant." Because mana abilities can be activated after you declared your intention to cast a spell but instants cannot be cast at that moment. The card as printed didn't have that extra line of text because you had to have the mana already floating before you cast your spell

[@Karonar]

@@22sfs22 ah damnit, you're right... I thought it had already that Instant line on it, but that was the Magic Online Version... >_>

[@22sfs22]

@@Karonar it's all good, there's like a zillion different cards. And at least you had the grace of admitting to your mistake which is a rarity on the internet. It's commendable

[@jayemdaewarehouse9027]

Pro Tour Paris finals was so great to watch, Mike Long stole the show with theatrics which inspire me to this day and a deck which may be my favorite standard deck of all time.

[@Melvinvanharn]

Are you actively looking for old Pro Tour decklists? Even though Wizards themselves did a less than stellar job of preserving them, you should be able to find SOME of them. I would check The Dojo Archives, or maybe even look for old copies of The Sideboard, which was published in 96. Mike Flores wrote a book called Deckade which has decks I think from 94-2004, or thereabouts. Inquest and Scrye magazines might have old decklists too. I don't know how hard you've looked, but there are a couple other Magic historians out there who might be able to help you. I haven't played in about 13 years myself, but I was in as heavy as anyone from 98-2004 and I followed Pro Tour and Grands Prix as best I could.

[@starmanda88]

Excellent content. I’m so hype whenever I see you’ve posted. Thanks for all the great stuff man. You really make me love the game even more.

[@Lockfin]

Really miss this show

[@vsully360]

Awesome video. I was playing during this period, having gotten into the game in summer 1994 right before starting college at the University of South Florida in Tampa. I played pretty heavily until maybe 2000 and have only followed the game a little over the years since. I always love the early history though, which I was there for. I remember driving to Atlanta for the Mirage prerelease. And when Nationals was in Orlando in the late 1990s. Good times.

[@ryanmalinowski7529]

You know it's going to be a good day when there is a new Pretty Deece video! Great stuff, can't wait for the other one. Won a few games in pauper with kaverek's torch pretty gud card;

[@asgar1852]

Even angry/disappointed pretty deece is still pretty deece :)

[@RossCampoli]

Some of the best mtg content on KZbin! So happy to have fallen down the Pretty Deece rabbit hole!

[@kenpachiyugioh1804]

Rarely do I comment at all, but you deserve the algorithm boost. These videos are so informative and entertaining I watch every single one when they're uploaded. Your unique sense of humor and dedication to the topic is inspiring.

[@bruttibler100]

I played in many of these early constructed PTs. Paul McCabe actually came into our hotel room to borrow either infernal darkness or Dystopia, I forget which, right before we registered. A white weenie deck ran by an Englishman (?)was another top eight in Dallas is all I remember. I bombed, which was usual pt performance for me. It's crazy, I was trying to find just a players list just to see how many of these I actually played in, and they are hard to find before a certain date. These vids really are better than WOTC database for me, amazing thank you.

[@terris8172]

these videos are the sleeper hit of mtg youtube right now. your delivery is real deece

[@Tempo_Control]

Love that pretty deece is release at a semi regular pace. I always look forward to what Jon has to tell us about next

[@pauldyson8098]

Clicked because I wanted to relive the 1990s; watched all the through because I absolutely share your animus towards WoTC. Very, very well done, friend. Thank you.

[@efroeli]

Man, I just freaking love this content. Thank you so much for the hard work!

[@OhDearGodPlsHireMe]

Thank you for being a champion for the history of the pro tour.

[@jaceee4154]

more pretty deece bangers always a good day

[@jojosouma809]

I love these so much, thank you for posting.

[@BrendanSauer]

The Jon Bois of magic is back!

[@TheMaskedHero]

Your tangent really rings true to me, the best Wizards will kick out about their own old pro tours is MaRo doing a Drive to Work.

[@skmd92]

I love that these videos get increasingly sassy. Keep up the good work!!

[@kfilarski]

I wish there were so many more of these videos.

[@Squirrel_eater]

I absolutely love this series. Can't wait for the next one!

[@byroncalver9124]

I don't comment on KZbin videos as a general principle, but I'll make an exception for this excellent series's sake, partly because I have Related Thoughts: 1) I played against Tom Wylie on the last round of my first GP (Vancouver 2012, Avacyn Restored Limited -- In Western Canada, you took what you could get). He referred to himself as "The Original Level 5 Judge" and seemed mostly pleasant to interact with, gently encouraging my interest in getting my L1. I lost that match, ending the tournament at 4-5. I'd only been playing for under 3 years at the time so didn't know the early tournament lore enough to have anything interesting to say, which is probably for the best in retrospect. Somehow, despite doing rudimentary research afterward to confirm his role in the early days of the PT, I still hadn't put 2 and 2 together to associate him with some of these particular events until this video. 2) I was a fan of competitive Magic and its history from my first prerelease in 2009 to my last dalliance with Arena in 2020-21, and it frustrated me to care about this stuff for a long time for the reasons expressed here (as well as various OP choices, but I can't start rambling or I'll be here all day). The company didn't always seem so ambivalent about the history as much as they just didn't have the drive to prioritize fleshing it out over a myriad of other ways to use their resources, which is understandable given the niche (though passionate) audience. However, Wizards' relationship with competitive Magic deteriorated for numerous reasons, and the ambivalence toward its past eventually seemed to extend to the present, with the rushed pivot to the MPL era alienating a lot of that remaining audience even before the pandemic. I've come to accept that I'll probably never again have the passion for the game that I had during the pre-MPL era, and that's alright -- fandom is exhausting and spare time is valuable -- but I hope the post-MPL era will satisfy the folks who stuck around.

[@Kakerate2]

thanks for sharing!

[@guilhermelazzari760]

daaamn where are the other episodes? You stopped doing them?

[@anonameis7818]

God damnit jon, you made the series I've always wanted and didn't know.

[@SirCreepalot2]

Seriously the best magic content on KZbin.

[@Reluxthelegend]

9:30 I just want to point out that Rochester draft is a good way to draft for when you only have 3 people It doesn't take that long when you are opening only 9 packs and it works often better than other ways to draft when you have exactly 3 people. Posting this just in case someone comes across that situation.

[@Blackadder75]

but how do you play with 3 people? that is very inconvenient, one has to sit out all the time. better make it 4 people

[@Reluxthelegend]

@@Blackadder75 3-player game is an option. Although I don't mind watching a game of mtg myself. Also "make it 4 people" is not always possible.

[@Blackadder75]

@@Reluxthelegend then you decide to do something else.... you also cannot play baseball with 2 people, so play tennis or whatever. If you are with 3 and want to play magic, go play commander and save the draft boosters for next time when you are with 4

[@Reluxthelegend]

​ @Blackadder75 But it is fun tho lol Why should I stop doping something that is fun?

[@Blackadder75]

@@Reluxthelegend you can do anything you want

[@Egledhron]

Thank you SO so much for more pretty deece!

[@robertpiper6860]

This reminds me of a Jon Bois video. Love it.

[@tomnookyankees3761]

They didn't quite bring back "phasing" it's more that they brought back having single instances where something "phases out".

[@xenken152]

What's the name of the song that plays 15 minutes in? I really like it.

[@Dohdk]

Thank you so much for this!🍻

[@maxvelocity3923]

Thank you very much for this wonderful video!

[@sioparker4860]

The What The Hell joke for weatherlight is probably the most clever magic joke I've ever heard

[@racg174]

i actually started magic pretty much with pro tour avacyn restored (i bought my first cards on the friday and watched the coverage all weekend) so i’ve always found them fascinating

[@KuzaFkto]

Jon explaining phasing made my day. Best MTG content ever.

[@kfsee4035]

Pretty deece (spelled right this time) continues to be the best magic content on the internet.

[@MiaaaaaChan]

I hope you end up finishing every season, this is really fun

[@camfunme]

10:50 Unless I'm misunderstanding something you don't have to tap your mana before you declare a spell. You can (601.2): (a) declare intent to cast, (b) choose modes, (c) choose targets, (d) divide effects, (e) check legality, (f) determine costs, (g) activate mana abilities, (h) pay costs, and (i) put on stack. Only at (g) do you need to tap your lands for mana... Unless something about this call wasn't explained?

[@cousinpatsey2471]

That is the updated ruling, which came about because of the situation in the video.

[@Beghty27]

David racked up judge warnings for tapping his lands after declaring spells?Even though currently that is literally how the game actually works. 601.2g If the total cost includes a mana payment, the player then has a chance to activate mana abilities (see rule 605, “Mana Abilities”). Mana abilities must be activated before costs are paid. 601.2a is where you announce the spell.

[@PhoenicopterusR]

The key word there is "currently". Before Mills' incident, that wasn't the case.

[@Necrotorium888]

Love your vídeos, I just watch several times, thanks! 🇵🇹💯🙏🏻

[@nickfanzo]

I miss playing in the 90s, shuffling the hell out of unsleeved cards….oh the days

[@ChuckMulholland]

Thank you for this ! Keep em coming ☺️

[@thebrycerik9891]

Thank you for your videos and for dealing with the frustration of WOTC being infuriatingly terrible at tracking their own history

[@mattyeow5635]

I really like these history videos

[@Teifling]

I can be wrong, and maybe it was a change from the 6th ed overhaul or something, but I swear I read in a rule book that casting a spell went as follows, but everyone shorthands it; Reveal the card from cand and declare cast. Select targets as needed Tap mana sources and/or designate floating mana to pay for the spell. So, wouldn't making the cast and selections, then tapping lands be in sequence?

[@fearandloathinginnorway7541]

Keep it up! Pretty Deece keeps me alive

[@Categoryonegames]

These two Pro-Tour videos hit close to home. It's when I played and cared about the game. I know many of us are in that same boat. It's sad that Magic doesn't care about this game. You played that clip about this being a game like sports but for the mind and yet those "sports" leagues all care about their product, put out videos, have stats, etc. WotC does not care enough to provide that. They don't treat their own product as a sport, they treat it as a product for people to buy.

[@DrOlavo]

Now I understand why Jon was so pissed/disappointed with the messy new competitive Magic scene. Love the way the man analyses old events, even the weird ones, with such love for the game.

[@JonSteitzer]

Jon you should go in to audiobooks or something. You have a beautiful emotive voice and a delightful cadence to your speech

[@shanetron1146]

i haven’t played magic since khans block, but pretty deece is an instant watch

[@lillimack2131]

Rochester drafts are excellent for 4 and 6 player drafts, and in those forms, the time it takes to draft isn't as much of a problem.

[@nicolasfurger1032]

Pretty Dece just got released?!?! My day went from a 10 to a 12!

[@lancelot717]

The 5 Color Black decklist at the end has the land and spell lists swapped!

[@JoshuaConnelly2005]

Nice series. Keep it up

[@THEFLIGHTCREW5]

why would wotc give a **** about the history of their game when they could just put the bare minimum into literally everything and lean on creators to do all their work for them

[@captiannemo1587]

Phasing is always before Upkeep and Untap... that said.... If it Phases out tapped, morphed, etc... it comes back in, in that state in which it left.... tapped, morphed etc...

[@full_of_blood]

love this series!!

[@berndb3141]

Thank you, John and Team. You do what Wizards should but doesen't.

[@Blakeo32]

Honestly, Pretty Deece was the reason I was subscribed tothe TCG Player channel.

[@drewp9819]

I enjoy this type of MTG content a lot. There's plenty of strategy being made and people complaining about prices. History about the game needs to be created.

[@bryanbiscoll5519]

You love to see more Pretty Deece.

[@darkshot741]

Thank you for at least putting the effort into the vague history of mtg, I dropped a like as always.

[@ZerkMonsterHunter]

Hell yeah more Pretty Deece!

[@wyatt864]

putting a card down and then figuring out how to pay for it is like the inverse of pretending you have gas in your hand by tapping and untapping your lands

[@bstachutheuneatable1727]

6:01 "they don't restrict cards in standard anymore" I'm genuinely curious why not. I feel like restricting combo pieces is a good option to have available.

[@Melvinvanharn]

If you restrict a card, you make things more luck based. Restricted cards were more powerful, so games were often won based on who drew a restricted card. If you look at early restricted cards you see this is easily the case-a card like Channel can INSTANTLY win you the game. A card like Balance might not "win" you the game immediately, but it can set your opponent back so far they might not be able to recover.

[@marekvincibr5884]

Because historically it does not really help, if a card is powerful enough to be restricted it is propably powerful to just tutor.

[@Baatosanabe]

Thanks for the awesome video

[@tcsmagicbox]

Did he say, "This isn't the last we'll hear from Tom Wylie" or "This isn't the last bull we hear from Tom Wylie"?

[@TheMrLinoleum]

I love these videos

[@Jujuboy0]

I love watching your video Great content 🕊

[@flancho3]

Please more history of MTG videos!

[@dictatordauntlessLP]

Please, my life has been changed by these videos so many times I don’t even know who I am anymore, help

[@joshuakemp4726]

You said you’d be back next year. PLEASE COME BACK ILL BUY CARDS FROM YOUR LINK I PROMISE

[@athenayearl8797]

Another banger video ! Can i get a "hey" from the legend himself???

[@weedragonauts4729]

1:42 so.... a draft tournament

[@lilbasedboi]

Love these videos

[@hoowhdis7191]

1:10 my fucking bitrate Jon

[@BirdoHermes]

a TWO part video!? That's not deece.... That's pretty Jon Bois

[@andrewmeyers6243]

Great video!!

[@milanmach2379]

There's been quite a bit written on the 1997 World Championship in Czech since Jakub Šlemr won it back then. With an absolute shitpile of a deck one must add, the fact Frank Karsten didn't put it on his worst decks to ever win list is honestly mindboggling.

[@Melvinvanharn]

Five color blacK? You think THAT list is one of the worst lists ever? What makes it bad? All the efficient creatures? All the good removal? The maindeck Choking Sands? Which are a sweet answer to Thawing Glaciers. I can't even believe I'm even having this conversation. The only thing I don't like about it are the Earthquakes, which seem weird in a deck full of two and three drop creatures. I really don't understand your hate for the deck.

[@zmiller389]

Yessssssss more pretty deece

[@Lunchbox_games]

Haven't finished the video but already liked and leaving this comment :)

[@IslandPonder]

MORE PRETTY DEECE LFG

[@marcrivkin3999]

That wasnt even the BEST ruling from Kastle Borer. "Move to Blockers??"

[@Blackadder75]

In early grand prix, we didn;t think pro's vs amateurs.. It was just 'our play group' vs 'Random Mexicans'