👨‍🏫 Want To Make The Pro Tour But Stuck At RCQs? MTG Pro Player Coaching Session! 🏫

[@JimDavisMTG]

❓❓ How do folks feel about the length of this? Most importantly, did you watch the whole thing? If not when did you stop? Is one match enough and can do more in future videos? ❓❓

[@ericiberri9139]

@@JimDavisMTG Watched the whole thing, it was super interesting

[@kranity]

@@JimDavisMTG length totally fine. How could anyone not want to see 41:30....

[@kranity]

@@JimDavisMTG honestly these videos double as podcasts @ work so actual video length doesn't have same level of need In terms of action/visual stimuli

[@arthas635]

Really great content, have been playing magic for fun for some time and it was pretty cool to see the process behind some plays and small decisions…

[@Rufi83]

It's a bit long. I think Id probably enjoy gameplay only in the video and the discussions outside of the game to be bonus content or something? Also, I know they specifically wanted coaching on pioneer but MTGO is so brutal to watch, would much prefer explorer or any other arena format.

[@doublee343]

As someone who is also seeking to improve beyond the RCQ level, I really appreciate you uploading this type of video, it was very helpful and informative! I would definitely be interested in seeing similar content in the future if your schedule permits!

[@JimDavisMTG]

Thanks! If it does well we shall see 😎

[@aribdis]

18 minutes in and this is ridiculous. Just constant, rapid-fire, super interesting and helpful insights and guidance. Thanks to Andrew for allowing us to be a part of this!

[@caleb7882]

Jim, this is so incredibly helpful! PLEASE do more of this kind of content - and more pioneer too!

[@dimamoglu]

Wow this has to be one of the best videos you ever uploaded. What a banger, that was super interesting!

[@Ziriul]

Honestly this video really made me want to see more high level play and play more high level games, loved the video and the length, I would have even loved to see 1 more matchup potentially!

[@Macleseth]

Nassif popping in to point out that he's never the beatdown is the highlight of the video lol.

[@smartkaboose3806]

Watching this really made me internalize how much ive learned from you, Jim, after watching so much of your content. This videos really smooth out the edges in my opinion, thanks for all the explanations :)

[@cliqueatnightvandal]

Watched the whole thing. Was super informative even if you don't do this often, I hope you make more content like this.

[@TheAmazingVector]

Best parts of these kinds of videos is always when the person makes a noticable mental turn and their thinking begins to change. It's also incredibly interesting to hear how competitive MTG is viewed from this new player experience. Fun video!

[@SaltySparrow]

I feel like a lot of competitive folks struggle with rogue decks and "not knowing all the lines" because people just net deck now and "know what a deck is supposed to do". Limited is a great way to learn the types of decks, hone those instincts, and understand how to play to your advantages based on what your deck is trying to do vs your opponent. Card names are different and abilities are obviously different but someone is usually the beat down, etc.

[@JimDavisMTG]

Strong agree

[@flourescentfish]

Leaving chord in hand game 1 was one of those helpful lines I wouldn’t have considered. Thanks Jim!!

[@TalenLee]

This was fascinating and excellent and thank you so much to Airball for being wiling to share this learning experience. It takes guts to step up and go 'I am not as good at this as I want to be, and I am going to make mistakes in public'

[@tbomb50]

I stopped playing Iteration and Trespass in Phoenix for the exact reasons you stated lol, and the added consistency from the cards I added won me an RCQ!

[@toddschulman7941]

I knew I was bad but watching your thought process was so cool. And Airball is a great player too so to hear you talk through the plays was amazing. Hope you do this coaching video again

[@manateerx]

Great video! Glad to see someone else tell Airball to play Limited. Hopefully we will get to see some draft coaching sessions

[@Cloudy573]

I learned a ton from this video. Getting almost 2 hours of concentrated pro wisdom for free seems almost too good to be true!

[@jasonhamburger912]

Wow this was in readably helpful. Great video idea! More of these please!!

[@impishrunt]

This is so incredibly helpful! Would love to see more like it.

[@nokiafusionreactor5447]

Jim makes me learn and smile :]

[@ericiberri9139]

Great video! @Nikachu did something similar with modern merfolk and it was also super helpful

[@notthefakepat2081]

I watched the whole thing. It was super instructive! Hearing both of you discuss lines of possible play, and what would be reasonable to expect in situation x (tactical play) was useful given the particular metagame you were playing in, but the more strategic "what is our plan and what do we need to do to achieve it/win" frames of reference were even more valuable, in terms of cross compatibility. I don't play pioneer, but knowing what the general plan of my deck is vs what my opponent wants to do and how I plan to interact with that is useful for all formats

[@kranity]

This is really really good

[@SOADKID696]

Really love this kind of video! It's the kind of content that I like to rewatch in order to better internalize all of the information. Great stuff, and I hope there's more coming!

[@danielmb3678]

I’m really loving this content tbh 🤓

[@sometimesisetfires]

I LOVE this video, videos like this in general. Please please please can you make more videos like this? I'd really like to go to the next level playing in tournaments.

[@ryanjohannson2142]

Loved this! Would love to see more, especially in limited!

[@jonathanholleman5900]

This is exactly what I needed. Imma crush this rcq season with Saga Scam!

[@teamwestdakota5667]

This was amazing content. More of this. I feel like I learned so so much.

[@dawsonfan83]

This video made me get back into playing Magic. I've been a consumer of Magic content for years without actively playing. Your comments about Draft made me reconsider the format, and have gotten into playing it a bit on Arena.

[@doylerudolph7965]

Excellent video, excellent message. Playing solely decks that are "on rails" like control, combo, and to a bit of a lesser extent aggro, where you can go into a game with an expected gameplan and in a majority of games stick to it, means you're less incentivized to understand how you can go "off the rails" if necessary - and means you're likely to drop winnable games because you just don't see the line that isn't "sit back and hold up Counterspell", "dig for and jam the combo", or "turn creatures sideways and send burn at face", without even realizing that the game was winnable in the first place. My buddy, who I play against most, enjoys playing fast aggro (it's been Kuldotha in Pauper recently), and he just doesn't see the spots where he's lost the tempo of the game and needs to start playing defense - send his Bolts at my creatures, hold back and block, play to his outs with damage-clock math, etc. And when he plays a deck that is heavily dependent on having a feel for the tempo of the game, like Delver, he latches onto one gameplan (say, Boomeranging a land, or turboing out a Serpent/Terror without any form of backup or protection) even if it isn't super beneficial in the current boardstate. It's been the biggest thing I've been working on with him (and it's why he doesn't enjoy Flesh and Blood as much as Magic, because there every single deck, no matter how "aggressive", needs to constantly reevaluate their plan based on cards in hand and the threat presented by the opponent, with nearly every game hanging on that balance, the effect of tempo on even the most "linear aggro" deck being significantly amplified from most Magic decks), because not only do I want to get better, but I want the person I play against most to get better as well so I can play more challenging matches, and your teaching/coaching videos are very helpful in that!

[@BabyBull72]

I definitely enjoyed this! If you were looking to continue, an idea that would force him to "do his homework" at least a little bit would be to have him drive a quick draft (so you're not fighting against the clock) and you provide commentary and support. Then move to premier and finally traditional (most likely several sessions/videos) assuming this is something he's interested in pursuing. This way he gets some reps in the limited space and you can guide his hand and decisions towards mastering more the fundamentals that limited provides.

[@BabyBull72]

I do find it funny because I'm like the opposite of him in that I'm a much bigger fan of limited and not as big a fan of constructed formats outside of commander. I'm not interested in being at any competitive level and therefore revel in the fundamentals, not knowing or having to care about specific cards because I'm looking more at play styles, patterns, play lines, etc.

[@eduardoparma1947]

Thanks for this content! Even as I do not aspire to compete, the in-depth analysis of plays makes me appreciate pro level magic much more than just watch the pros playing, as I get to see how a pro actually thinks. Hope to see more of it!

[@weebikarp1806]

Man I love coaching vids. The full breakdown of every decision and every line is a massive help

[@Svergara1]

No currently playing pioneer, but watched every second of this. I’d pay money to watch you do this with drafting for each set! Such valuable information… who has time to read next level magic lol been sitting on my shelf for too long.

[@nightflyer94]

This was a great vid, Jim! I loved getting to play along with the coaching and would love to see more.

[@Necro_Nurse]

Awesome video, hope to see more coaching content!

[@BearInDespair]

Please make more of those videos. Great watch.

[@GennexMTG]

Please more videos like that! That was awesome!

[@as95ms98]

This is awesome! Despite not being the one coached I feel like I also learned a ton from this video!

[@wolfjob]

Great video Jim. Really good

[@badatreality]

This was great, feel like I learned a ton as well!

[@linkelia7]

Love this kind of content, dont play competitively but I'll take any occasion to improve my game and get better

[@alexmilne1464]

Jim this is INCREDIBLE content

[@austinmayer8647]

Have the same fear of limited. Would love a second one of these about tips in limited!

[@Chris-ro2pu]

Jim makes an amazing series every set. It’s on his other channel: BronzeToMythic. Limited is so fun, please try it

[@chumbogrosso5133]

Great video, don't mind the length at all. I watched it in many instances until I reached the end. Food for thought, I saw a similar video on another channel where they analyzed a replay from game that was already played. This format could help avoid the time management issues

[@josephbright3946]

Content like this focused on limited would be the best content ever!!

[@ciaran.downey]

This was superb content, please do more like it!

[@erichintonband]

Love this video. More coaching plz

[@JellemaDilemma]

I would enjoy a session like this. As a player who plays a variety of decks in multiple formats.

[@thefallenmyst]

Definitely interested in more content like this.

[@Joyverse]

I need more of this. Maybe I should book a coaching session with Jim Sensei. 👀👀

[@refundreplay]

Do it. "I don't really do coaching anymore; I don't have the time." -Jim Davis

[@StaleBranflakes]

Love to see this kind of content. Hope it does well

[@Snowfox11]

One thing I would try to add (if @JimDavisMTG had another session with AirBall) would to let him pilot his own control deck and coach him at certain points of the match. *Mulligans, Macro vs Micro plays, when to turn the corner and throw the punches or jabs* AirBall seems to rely on complete board dominance rather than being able to bob and weave like a boxer.

[@insomnyteq]

i think is great content Jim. the world literally got 90 mins of coaching for free.

[@randomlyrobotic]

Absolutely fantastic video both from the aspect of hoping to make a run in DC this october and as someone who hopes to be running vampires. Any chance you would make more vampires content?

[@pleravens]

I love playing limited because I do not have to spend a bunch of money to get a deck. I understand that a lot of limited events would build up to make it essentially the same cost; however I just usually do prereleases now for time/money constraints.

[@Baritone_RyanHenry]

Torch the tower is a singleton copy for Quintorius Combo, it's not always played but it can be enough to trip up the combo for a turn, note that the 6 drop discover dino is much more difficult to play around with phoenix. It's very difficult to beat as are many combo decks with Phoenix. I would be interested in seeing what a private coaching is worth with you.

[@Life4paintball2]

Man Im in the exact same boat as him. Funnily enough I played UW lotus in Atlanta and UW control in Dallas as well and went 3-3-1 in both events lol

[@AirballMTG]

You clearly have excellent taste.

[@Life4paintball2]

@AirballMTG I'm also a full time lotus field player and love control so we're very similar in our tastes. You earned a new subscriber! I started in 2021 aswell

[@crowbird3680]

It's hard to coach in the beginning because it means you're approaching the game from a position of superiority assuming you have a greater knowledge and experience than your student. Here it's clear though and Jim has his flowers, and a great student to boot, who you can tell in his own right knows the game of magic but favours differing lines. Great stuff¬

[@callofdestiny5671]

such a fire video

[@laloalen7554]

Nice video! Hey Jim, do you recommend reading all the Rule's book in order to become a better player?

[@murdockberk8888]

opt and consider are my favorite frkin cards ever

[@BrewshkiMTG]

I am nowhere near this skill level, but I am getting a lot out of this video. I am having to stop and start due to length or needing to do something else, but I am watching all of it. I also think the format is perfect.

[@Ross444444ff]

Amazing video

[@JonaxII]

Really looking forward to Rebell's new getting coached series I saw her planning on twitter. You're one of the coaches, right?

[@JimDavisMTG]

I saw her post but haven't contacted her or anything

[@jdgarrison9913]

I'm now curious what it says about me that the deck's I have the most success with tend to be decks like Golgari Midrange. I think partly because the Green value creatures satisfy my Inner Timmy, but the black control cards make them actually viable. xD

[@iduumb3062]

Love this style of video. I don't mean to be a jerk but I do wonder where this guy is playing RCQs that he is top 8ing. Some of the missed lines seemed very obvious to me, but maybe it's just that he is used to only playing control and combo decks so he didn't see it. Either his RCQs are very soft (I'm kinda jealous in that case, although that does make RCs harder to train for) or he's just much much better with his regular deck styles.

[@Matt-Hurin]

Hey guys, what would you suggest to someone who wants to try to learn and gain an understanding of the Meta, I love watching the protour but feel kinda lost by the speed and wish I knew the strategies associated with certain deck and the staple cards ect. I've been playing arena on and off for a year or so, definitely still very much at the beginners level, but find I do understand the basics of the game. But the meta feels so overwhelming to try and understand and to know where to start, thanks 😁

[@isaac144]

Pauper is the best format right now no question

[@DeckedOutEDH]

🎉🎉

[@christopherwright8188]

I am really confused as to what the amalia player was going game 1.

[@PatrickStahlitrm]

Any concern when playing through matches at this speed that opponents could end up playing to win on time instead of playing “optimally”?

[@pokedadsam9041]

I think the games go much quicker normally. The opponent also played to take the win in time there. Axe did nothing and they are dead on board. Axe was to time Jim out.

[@PatrickStahlitrm]

@@pokedadsam9041 I’m sure even if Jim were coaching in another context, play would be a bit faster. And maybe in that situation, it didn’t even matter that they were playing slow. They just about won anyway in the first match. Perhaps it’s not worth even voicing the thought that decisions made by the opponent may be impacted by the timer (until 1:26:00 or so) so you have to change your hand prediction accordingly.

[@legendarye172]

i keep doing well at RCQs, i've had a winning record at each one i've gone to but i keep plaving 9th because my breakers are always bad and i keep getting downpaired, is there some trick to beating the pairing RNG?

[@JimDavisMTG]

A little tough love, but win more matches! While maybe the structure of your events aren’t falling your way, winning is always the cure. Obviously easier said than done, but the point is to focus on the things you can control (taking time to improve your game) and not things you can’t (how pairings and tiebreakers line up).

[@VeggieWagon]

I feel like I could beat that guy

[@umtangamandapiano9729]

Pioneer stable... Well...

[@lilymelodie7128]

:)

[@AzurielMist]

Pretty sure most "pros" just cheat at lower tables either via angle shooting or intentional misplays etc. When you have someone who has managed to reach top 8 in like 6/7 events within the same year it kinda speaks for itself, no one can dodge that amount of unfortunate draws/ brick hands. To be sure, they are great players who are fantastic at the game, but to be consistently good without fault time after time, yeah definite cheat/ intentional misplays being made in their favour. Pokemon had a similar issue with a player who won worlds twice, now they they pay attention to his games at large events due to the found out and observed cheating, he has suddenly put up far far less results.... Playing well only gets you so far vs these players.

[@JimDavisMTG]

You watch too many "hate watch"/clickbait videos. Cheating happens infrequently at high level events. Your time would be far better spent watching matches from these excellent, world class players who are crushing and trying to figure out what they are doing that you are not. Here's a hint, 99% of the time it's not cheating.

[@pokedadsam9041]

There are pros with 70% day 2 rates and on feature matches… people are that good and they outplay opponents or take lines that are not intuitive. They are also playing magic far more.

[@AzurielMist]

@@JimDavisMTG When you look back to the continuous misplays by the same players at day 2 of the pro-tour, they only ever seem to be advantageous by the offending player. Kind of a wool over your own eyes take there.