The Herald's Horn

Support the show, join the community & get exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/heraldshorn Cal, Dan & Emma discuss a reinforcement of the banned and restricted philosophy, the best format that Isn't Commander, the upcoming Marvel's Spiderman set & Through the Omenpaths! Cal's podcast about retro video games, Level Up: https://linktr.ee/leveluppod_ Follow us: https://bsky.app/profile/heraldshorn.com https://bsky.app/profile/moderatelymtg.bsky.social https://bsky.app/profile/blackgirlmage.bsky.social https://bsky.app/profile/emmapartlow.com https://bsky.app/profile/caljones.com

Support the show, join the community & get exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/heraldshorn Cal & Emma discuss the retirement (at least, temporary retirement) of iconic Magic Artist John Avon and also speculate on how well the prize of an upcoming Spotlight Series will be used. Of course, we have the Product Watch to discuss Final Fantasy & some sick new Secret Lairs as well. IndyStar - "Gen Con heist plea: Man to pay Wizards of the Coast $27,141 and write an apology letter:" https://www.indystar.com/story/news/crime/2025/05/14/gen-con-heist-thomas-dunbar-takes-plea-sentenced-apology-letter-indianapolis-gen-con-theft-2023/83625599007/ Cal's podcast about retro video games, Level Up: https://linktr.ee/leveluppod_ Follow us: https://bsky.app/profile/heraldshorn.com https://bsky.app/profile/moderatelymtg.bsky.social https://bsky.app/profile/blackgirlmage.bsky.social https://bsky.app/profile/emmapartlow.com https://bsky.app/profile/caljones.com ------------------------------------------------------------ 0:00 - Intro 0:46 - Hello Emma! 1:39 - John Avon Retires! 11:52 - Spotlight Series: Secret Lair 22:38 - Gencon Magic Thief Takes Plea 25:20 - Final Fantasy is Almost Here! 35:22 - Sick New Secret Lairs 43:44 - Emma's Final Thoughts

Support the show, join the community & get exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/heraldshorn Ryan started Playing with Power to spread the good word of Competitive EDH. The channel exploded out of the gate - gaining 10,000 subs almost overnight. Surely, we're headed to the promised land of 100,000 subscribers in no time right??? hahaha. Lets talk about the highs, the lows, and the six year long grind. Follow Playing with P0wer: https://x.com/PWPMtG Herald's Horn Substack: https://heraldshorn.substack.com/ Cal's podcast about retro video games, Level Up: https://linktr.ee/leveluppod_ Follow us: https://bsky.app/profile/heraldshorn.com https://bsky.app/profile/moderatelymtg.bsky.social https://bsky.app/profile/blackgirlmage.bsky.social https://bsky.app/profile/emmapartlow.com https://bsky.app/profile/caljones.com ------------------------------------- 0:00 - Intro 1:23 - Welcome Ryan! 2:33 - Playing With Power at 100k! 3:09 - What was the Motivation? 7:47 - Whats With the Video Style? 13:29 - Its Been a Long 6 Years 16:35 - The Highs and Lows 49:40 - Tips for the Next Creator 55:20 - Ryan's Final Thoughts

Support the show, join the community & get exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/heraldshorn Cal, Emma, & Dan talk all things Final Fantasy for nearly a half hour on this one. Did you know its the best selling MTG set of all time before release? How crazy is that? Also - a Canlander points update & Cal opining about dragon control decks in standard. Cal's podcast about retro video games, Level Up: https://linktr.ee/leveluppod_ Follow us: https://bsky.app/profile/heraldshorn.com https://bsky.app/profile/moderatelymtg.bsky.social https://bsky.app/profile/blackgirlmage.bsky.social https://bsky.app/profile/emmapartlow.com https://bsky.app/profile/caljones.com ------------------------------------------------------------ 0:00 - Intro 1:13 - Wecome Dan & Emma! 2:21- Final Fantasy: Best Selling Set Ever 24:00 - Canlander Points Update 37:50 - Constructed Corner: RC Minneapolis 49:05 - The Product Watch 50:24 - Emma & Dan's Final Thoughts 51:31 - Outro (Important Update)

Support the show, join the community & get exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/heraldshorn Tom Marks, executive reviews editor for IGN, has a lot of thoughts of Through the Omenpaths, the new plan to get select Universes Beyond sets onto Magic Arena & Magic: the Gathering Online. Let's just get into it. Follow Tom: https://bsky.app/profile/tomrmarks.bsky.social Herald's Horn Substack: https://heraldshorn.substack.com/ Cal's podcast about retro video games, Level Up: https://linktr.ee/leveluppod_ Follow us: https://bsky.app/profile/heraldshorn.com https://bsky.app/profile/moderatelymtg.bsky.social https://bsky.app/profile/blackgirlmage.bsky.social https://bsky.app/profile/emmapartlow.com https://bsky.app/profile/caljones.com ------------------------------------- 0:00 - Intro 2:38 - Welcome Tom! 6:40 - Some of the Biggest News in Years 9:47 - The Many, Many Issues 13:52 - What Will We Get? 20:22 - Wizards Does Know What They're Doing 21:53 - The Best Possible Version Still Ain't Great 30:35 - We Don't Know What's Coming! 37:34 - Baseless Spiderman Conjecture 39:40 - More Speculation Here 41:51 - Tom's Final Thoughts

Support the show, join the community & get exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/heraldshorn Cal, Emma, & Dan get into the NITTY GRITTY of the news for the week. Sick EDH changes lead the charge, but we also spend a good amount of time discussing Through the Omenpaths and also a Modern 20k! Herald's Horn Substack: https://heraldshorn.substack.com/ Cal's podcast about retro video games, Level Up: https://linktr.ee/leveluppod_ Follow us: https://bsky.app/profile/heraldshorn.com https://bsky.app/profile/moderatelymtg.bsky.social https://bsky.app/profile/blackgirlmage.bsky.social https://bsky.app/profile/emmapartlow.com https://bsky.app/profile/caljones.com ------------------------------------------------------------ 0:00 - Intro 00:50 - Wecome Dan & Emma! 1:40 - Through the Omenpaths 17:32 - Commander Updates 46:46 - Laughing Dragon Modern $20k! 56:15 - Dan & Emma's Final Thoughts

Support the show, join the community & get exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/heraldshorn On this episode, Cal & Dan discuss the results of Spotlight Series: Dragons, Birds of Paradise returning to MagicCons in a new exciting space, and also we talk about the upcoming Commander changes for a half hour. Let's get into it! Herald's Horn Substack: https://heraldshorn.substack.com/ Cal's podcast about retro video games, Level Up: https://linktr.ee/leveluppod_ Follow us: https://bsky.app/profile/heraldshorn.com https://bsky.app/profile/moderatelymtg.bsky.social https://bsky.app/profile/blackgirlmage.bsky.social https://bsky.app/profile/emmapartlow.com https://bsky.app/profile/caljones.com ------------------------------------------------------------ 0:00 - Intro 0:39 - Welcome Dan! 2:23 - BK Wins Spotlight Series: Dragons! 5:46 - Birds of Paradise Return to Magic Events! 11:10 - Baseless Commander Speculation 34:07 - Product Watch: Secret Lair Commander! 41:10 - Dan's Final Thoughts

Support the show, join the community & get exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/heraldshorn Vorthos Month continues with Magic: The Gathering Story Lead Roy Graham. It's not just the written story though - there's a lot more that goes on behind the scene to create a cohesive storytelling experience for all players! Follow Jay: https://bsky.app/profile/vorthosjay.bsky.social Herald's Horn Substack: https://heraldshorn.substack.com/ Cal's podcast about retro video games, Level Up: https://linktr.ee/leveluppod_ Follow us: https://bsky.app/profile/heraldshorn.com https://bsky.app/profile/moderatelymtg.bsky.social https://bsky.app/profile/blackgirlmage.bsky.social https://bsky.app/profile/emmapartlow.com https://bsky.app/profile/caljones.com ------------------------------------- 0:00 - Intro 0:55 - Welcome: Roy Graham! 1:22 - What's the Job? 5:07 - MTG Story in Different Mediums 7:36 - How Do You Tell a Story With Cards 15:38 - Hows the Work Split? 20:21 - The Roy Graham Era 26:58 - Favorite Part of the Job 32:25 - Ideas Made Reality 37:45 - What's Up With Loot Anyways 43:55 - Roy's Final Thoughts

Support the show, join the community & get exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/heraldshorn On this episode, Dan, Emma, & Cal discuss the upcoming Spotlight Series Denver & the resulting return of Sealed & Draft to the big stage! We're excited about the focus on two premier players, LSV & Reid Duke! Also, Tarkir has printing problems & Dan & Emma know what cards they would write a book about. Herald's Horn Substack: https://heraldshorn.substack.com/ Cal's podcast about retro video games, Level Up: https://linktr.ee/leveluppod_ Follow us: https://bsky.app/profile/heraldshorn.com https://bsky.app/profile/moderatelymtg.bsky.social https://bsky.app/profile/blackgirlmage.bsky.social https://bsky.app/profile/emmapartlow.com https://bsky.app/profile/caljones.com ------------------------------------------------------------ 0:00 - Intro 0:48 - Welcome Emma & Dan! 1:45 - Spotlight Series Denver 5:00 - Grand Prix LSV? 14:45 - Dragonstorm Print Quality Issues 17:29 - A Letter to the Editor 25:18 - The Product Watch 29:05 - Dan & Emma's Final Thoughts 30:32 - Outro

Support the show, join the community & get exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/heraldshorn Vorthos Month continues with Magic Loremaster Jay Annelli! We discuss continuity editing the behemoth that is MTG story, his own freelance work writing Magic books, the highs and lows within, and plenty more. Follow Jay: https://bsky.app/profile/vorthosjay.bsky.social Herald's Horn Substack: https://heraldshorn.substack.com/ Cal's podcast about retro video games, Level Up: https://linktr.ee/leveluppod_ Follow us: https://bsky.app/profile/heraldshorn.com https://bsky.app/profile/moderatelymtg.bsky.social https://bsky.app/profile/blackgirlmage.bsky.social https://bsky.app/profile/emmapartlow.com https://bsky.app/profile/caljones.com ---------------------------- 0:00 - Intro 0:58 - Welcome Jay! 1:28 - What Is the Magic Loremaster? 4:10 - How Does Jay Keep It Straight? 8:10 - How Did Jay Get Into MTG Story? 11:10 - The Vorthos Cast 15:33 - Are All Sets Created Equal? 21:24 - Jay's Favorite MTG Character 23:11 - People's Expectations for Story 31:44 - Writing the Books - Literally! 44:24 - The Three Audiences 51:50 - Loot. 1:03:18 - Jay's Final Thoughts

Support the show, join the community & get exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/heraldshorn On this episode, Cal & Emma go wild, talking nearly an hour about the latest bans and unbans and some of their own experiences with cool stuff. Also - a Deadpool Secret Lair. What? Herald's Horn Substack: https://heraldshorn.substack.com/ Cal's podcast about retro video games, Level Up: https://linktr.ee/leveluppod_ Follow us: https://bsky.app/profile/heraldshorn.com https://bsky.app/profile/moderatelymtg.bsky.social https://bsky.app/profile/blackgirlmage.bsky.social https://bsky.app/profile/emmapartlow.com https://bsky.app/profile/caljones.com ------------------------------------------------------------ 0:00 - Intro 0:40 - Welcome Emma! 1:35 - It's Ban Discussion Time! 2:55 - Quick Ban Recap 3:24 - What Do We Think? 7:51 - Modern Bans! 18:34 - Legacy! 25:25 - Pauper! 41:27 - Commander Changes April 22nd! 44:07 - The Product Watch! 44:20 - Tarkir Prerelease Weekend 47:27 - Deadpool Secret Lair 51:51 - Our Final Thoughts 53:24 - Outro

Support the show, join the community & get exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/heraldshorn We kick off the first ever Herald's Horn theme month (Vorthos Month) with Cary Thomas! The prolific Magic archivist (amongst many other things) has Opinions on why it's so hard to get into Magic story & what we can do to help. Heck, they even have a few different places that you can start! Follow Cary: https://bsky.app/profile/acry.bsky.social Check Out Cary's Website: https://mtglore.com/ Herald's Horn Substack: https://heraldshorn.substack.com/ Cal's podcast about retro video games, Level Up: https://linktr.ee/leveluppod_ Follow us: https://bsky.app/profile/heraldshorn.com https://bsky.app/profile/moderatelymtg.bsky.social https://bsky.app/profile/blackgirlmage.bsky.social https://bsky.app/profile/emmapartlow.com https://bsky.app/profile/caljones.com ---------------------------- 0:00 - Intro 1:08 - Welcome Cary! 1:28 - How Does One Get Into MTG Story? 3:50 - MTG Story is Very Unconnected 14:22 - Is a Card Game a Good Story Medium? 16:37 - Magic's Story is Defined by Change 27:11 - Let's Talk About MTGLore.com 40:49 - Wizards Could Do More! 51:28 - Cary's Final Thoughts!

Support the show, join the community & get exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/heraldshorn On this episode, Cal, Dan & Emma discuss yet another round of Secret Lair issues, Arena events, new Tarkir cards, and also do our first ever set retrospective for Aetherdrift. General vibes, our favorite cards, our least favorite cards, and our top art are all up for discussion. Let's get into it! The Week That Was: A Return Like No Other - https://magic.gg/news/the-week-that-was-a-return-like-no-other Metagame Mentor: The Spiciest Decklists from the Spotlight Series and Beyond - https://magic.gg/news/metagame-mentor-the-spiciest-decklists-from-the-spotlight-series-and-beyond Herald's Horn Substack: https://heraldshorn.substack.com/ Cal's podcast about retro video games, Level Up: https://linktr.ee/leveluppod_ Follow us: https://bsky.app/profile/heraldshorn.com https://bsky.app/profile/moderatelymtg.bsky.social https://bsky.app/profile/blackgirlmage.bsky.social https://bsky.app/profile/emmapartlow.com https://bsky.app/profile/caljones.com ----------------------------

Support the show, join the community & get exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/heraldshorn On the 40th interview for the Herald's Horn, Cal is joined by his good friend (and new Magic player) Gabe Pyle! Gabe is an industrial design professor, in addition to other things, which gives him some interesting insights and reflections on his new player experience and that of others. Cal wanted to hear about this experience, being over a decade removed from his own beginnings, so here we are! Learn More about Gabe: https://gabepyle.com/ Herald's Horn Substack: https://heraldshorn.substack.com/ Cal's podcast about retro video games, Level Up: https://linktr.ee/leveluppod_ Follow us: https://bsky.app/profile/heraldshorn.com https://bsky.app/profile/moderatelymtg.bsky.social https://bsky.app/profile/blackgirlmage.bsky.social https://bsky.app/profile/emmapartlow.com https://bsky.app/profile/caljones.com ---------------------------- 0:00 - Intro 0:58 - Welcome Gabe! 2:09 - Reluctance to Get Into Magic 4:00 - Introduction to Magic & More 9:16 - Magic's Complexity is Interesting 15:12 - Is It Harder to Learn Magic Now? 20:59 - What Is It Like to See New Players Learn? 26:23 - User Personas & Player Archetypes 32:25 - How Do You Intro People to MTG? 42:42 - How's Opening Packs Going? 46:49 - Gabe's Final Thoughts!

Support the show, join the community & get exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/heraldshorn Cal rides alone for Episode 40 of the Herald's Horn! On this one, he's discusses the remaining SCGcon schedule for 2025, Tarkir: Dragonstorm previews, Tarkir's Story, the weird cat vs. dog Secret Lair drop, & what Magic card he would write a book about. Herald's Horn Substack: https://heraldshorn.substack.com/ Cal's podcast about retro video games, Level Up: https://linktr.ee/leveluppod_ Follow us: https://bsky.app/profile/heraldshorn.com https://bsky.app/profile/moderatelymtg.bsky.social https://bsky.app/profile/blackgirlmage.bsky.social https://bsky.app/profile/emmapartlow.com https://bsky.app/profile/caljones.com ---------------------------- 0:00 - Intro 00:39 - Thank You Patrons! 01:54 - 2025 SCGCon Slate Announced 07:12 - Go Read the Dang Tarkir Story 09:12 - Introduction: Interview Theme Months 11:47 - The Product Watch 12:26 - Secret Lair: Cats vs. Dogs 16:52 - Tarkir: Dragonstorm Previews! 24:00 - Letter to the Editor 28:31 - Cal's Final Thoughts 29:40 - Outro

Support the show, join the community & get exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/heraldshorn  On the 39th (not 40th, holy L) interview of the Herald's Horn, Cal is joined by Matt Sperling to discuss how the pros prepare for the Pro Tour. Also covered: Judging Discourse, pro team dynamics, how to keep your head up when stuck, common misconceptions about Pro play, and more!  Follow Matt: https://bsky.app/profile/mattsperling.bsky.social  Herald's Horn Substack: https://heraldshorn.substack.com/  Cal's podcast about retro video games, Level Up: https://linktr.ee/leveluppod_  Follow us: https://bsky.app/profile/heraldshorn.com  https://bsky.app/profile/moderatelymtg.bsky.social  https://bsky.app/profile/blackgirlmage.bsky.social  https://bsky.app/profile/emmapartlow.com  https://bsky.app/profile/caljones.com  ---------------------------- 0:00 - Intro 1:00 - Welcome Matt Sperling! 3:30 - Pro Tour Prep: How Does It Work? 8:44 - High Level Magic as a Part-Timer 12:45 - Team Prep is Surprising to Some 18:49 - Pros/Cons of Shorter Prep Times 26:01 - Common Pro Play Misconceptions 31:00 - Sperling's Sick of It: Judging Discourse 36:20 - More Misconceptions 43:00 - Matt's Recent PT Performances 44:38 - Spiking vs. Consistency Incentives 53:49 - Back to Matt's Last Year 58:35 - Advice for Those Who Feel Stuck 1:03:46 - Is Matt Almost Done With Magic? 1:09:08 - Matt's Final Thoughts 1:10:08 - Outro

Support the show, join the community & get exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/heraldshorn On this episode, Cal & Emma discuss the results of Regional Championship Charlotte - and Emma talks about her experience at the event as well. Spongebob is here, what's up with that? Of course, we are gonna talk about Final Fantasy as well! Herald's Horn Substack: https://heraldshorn.substack.com/ Cal's podcast about retro video games, Level Up: https://linktr.ee/leveluppod_ Follow us: https://bsky.app/profile/heraldshorn.com https://bsky.app/profile/moderatelymtg.bsky.social https://bsky.app/profile/blackgirlmage.bsky.social https://bsky.app/profile/emmapartlow.com https://bsky.app/profile/caljones.com ---------------------------- 0:00 - Intro 0:38 - Welcome Emma! 1:55 - Constructed Corner: RC Charlotte 17:52 - Letter the Editor: New Formats? 25:17 - The Product Watch: The Spongeman Cometh 31:44 - Emma on Final Fantasy 39:15 - Emma's Final Thoughts 42:31 - Outro

Support the show, join the community & get exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/heraldshorn On the 38th interview for the Herald's Horn, Cal is by David (also known as MyHandsAreBlank) & Jacob Paris to discuss the D00-DL-Off panels & D00-DL Showdowns they've put together at MagicCons! What goes into it? Where did the idea come from? What's the goal? All that & more. Follow David: https://bsky.app/profile/myhandsareblank.bsky.social Follow Jacob: https://bsky.app/profile/byjacobparis.bsky.social Get the D00-DL-Off mat: https://www.jankmats.com/products/doodle-off-by-jacob-paris-2?_pos=1&_psq=doo&_ss=e&_v=1.0 Herald's Horn Substack: https://heraldshorn.substack.com/ Cal's podcast about retro video games, Level Up: https://linktr.ee/leveluppod_ Follow us: https://bsky.app/profile/heraldshorn.com https://bsky.app/profile/moderatelymtg.bsky.social https://bsky.app/profile/blackgirlmage.bsky.social https://bsky.app/profile/emmapartlow.com https://bsky.app/profile/caljones.com ---------------------------- 0:00 - Intro 1:10 - Welcome David & Jacob! 1:50 - The D00-DL-Offs 5:45 - The Origins of D00-DL-Off 11:52 - It's a Community Project 13:17 - Lessons Learned 17:43 - Why Are You Doing This? 24:51 - Where did D00-DL Come From? 31:55 - Future D00-DL Plans 36:17 - History with Art 50:00 - Vegas & Atlanta D00-DL? 51:28 - David & Jacob's Final Thoughts

Support the show, join the community & get exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/heraldshorn On this episode, Cal & Dan sure do talk about money a lot. Universes Beyond boosters, while Standard legal, will have a higher price point. What's up with that? Also, we answer a Letter to the Editor, Arena Direct winners get a big tax bill, Spider-Man is hear already, & Dan is excited about Vintage cube. Herald's Horn Substack: https://heraldshorn.substack.com/ Cal's podcast about retro video games, Level Up: https://linktr.ee/leveluppod_ Follow us: https://bsky.app/profile/heraldshorn.com https://bsky.app/profile/moderatelymtg.bsky.social https://bsky.app/profile/blackgirlmage.bsky.social https://bsky.app/profile/emmapartlow.com https://bsky.app/profile/caljones.com ---------------------------- 0:00 - Intro 1:34 - Welcome Dan! 2:30 - Thank You Patrons! 3:27 - $7 Universes Beyond Packs 12:51 - The Arena Direct Tax Man Cometh 19:06 - Vintage Cube Returns! 24:04 - Letter to the Editor! 31:07 - The Product Watch - Spider-Man 41:54 - Bring On Tarkir Please! 42:49 - Dan's Final Thoughts 44:37 - Outro

Support the show, join the community & get exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/heraldshorn Sorry about Cal's bad audio on this one. Geesh. On the 37th interview for the Herald's Horn, Cal is joined by Cas, also known as Strix! We start talking about fast mana in Commander before pivoting to a larger discussion on the Bracket and Gamechanger system. Of course, we have to talk about the pros and cons of writing about Magic as well. Follow Cas: https://bsky.app/profile/strixhavendropout.bsky.social Herald's Horn Substack: https://heraldshorn.substack.com/ Cal's podcast about retro video games, Level Up: https://linktr.ee/leveluppod_ Follow us: https://bsky.app/profile/heraldshorn.com https://bsky.app/profile/moderatelymtg.bsky.social https://bsky.app/profile/blackgirlmage.bsky.social https://bsky.app/profile/emmapartlow.com https://bsky.app/profile/caljones.com ---------------------------- 0:00 - Intro 2:00 - Welcome Cas! 3:38 - Fast Mana in a Game Changer World 9:00 - How Do We Feel About the Bracket Beta? 16:29 - Lower Power Levels Have Changed! 29:15 - Making Banned Cards Gamechangers 34:13 - Cas's Final Bracket Thoughts 35:09 - Writing About Magic 46:17 - Cas's Final Thoughts 47:15 - Outro