In our triumphant return from a vacation hiatus, we promptly decided to skip the show we were going to do and do this one instead.  Please forgive the quality of this episode, both content and sound quality, as it was kind of slapdash.  On Memorial Day, your host dorks got together along with Chris (PhoenixRising422 on the forums) and Michael (Science_Fixes_Everything on the forums) to do a bit of dorking.  Not just any dorking, it turns out, we did a Cube Draft!  After we were done with all that, we rolled over to my apartment to record the show.  So there were six of us sitting in my bedroom (only four real chairs, a video game chair on the floor, and the bed) trying desperately to be heard by the mic.  Plus, I was getting sick when we recorded (am fully sick as I post this episode now) so I might sound a little...terrible.  But enough excuses, what about this Cube thing?

Brian, being as he has more free time than he has sense now that his finals are over, decided to create a Cube so we could do a draft.  A Cube is a whole mess of cards put together for the purpose of being drafted.  He put a lot of effort into balancing the colors, the curve of each color, and putting in plenty of threats as well as answers, and it really turned out to be a whole mess of fun.  So join us as all six of us discuss our decks as well as the games we played.  You can find the entire list of the contents of the Cube on our website.  Here's the link: 
http://themanapool.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=344508

 

Or if you'd rather download the Word file that lists the Cube contents in a handy-dandy table, then there's a link to that too!
http://media.libsyn.com/media/themanapool/Brians_Cube.doc

 

Forum thread for this episode: http://cardshark.freeforums.org/episode-29-to-the-third-power-cubed-t180.html
Email us at themanapool@cardshark.com
Send me an article at submissions@cardshark.com
Cardshark located at http://www.cardshark.com
RSS Feed:  http://feeds.feedburner.com/themanapool

This episode's music:  No music this time, I'm sick.

Pay no attention to the image on the right.  This is NOT what we meant when we said that Brian created a Cube of Magic cards.  Although that is pretty freakin' cool over there.  Yeah, check that out. 

*Ahem*  Here is the list of cards in Brian's cube, separated by color.  Feel free to peruse and offer feedback and comments in the forums.  The Cube episode was Episode 29 - To the Third Power (Cubed), and the link to the forum thread can be found here:
http://cardshark.freeforums.org/episode-29-to-the-third-power-cubed-t180.html

And for those of you who'd rather have a table than a list, here's where the Word file with the Cube is currently being held:
http://media.libsyn.com/media/themanapool/Brians_Cube.doc

White

Exalted Angel

Mageta the Lion

Glory

Savannah Lions

Blinking Spirit

Divine Presence

Second Sunrise

Delaying Shield

Pulse of the Fields

Intervention Pact

Pristine Angel

Oracle’s Attendants

Solar Tide

Weathered Bodyguards

Tivadar of Thorn

Glarecaster

Akroma’s Vengeance

Knight of the Holy Nimbus

Charmed Griffin

Heavy Ballista

Crowd Favorites

Gallantry

To Arms!

Return to Dust

Griffin Guide

White Knight

Eiganjo Free-Riders

Samurai of the Pale Curtain

Nagao, Bound by Honor

Descendant of Kiyomaro

Phantom Flock

Mistral Charger

Belfry Spirit

Oathsworn Giant

Mycologist

Calciderm

Mistmeadow Skulk

Daru Warchief

Slith Ascendant

Whipcorder

Voice of All

Silver Knight

Ghostly Prison

Unquestioned Authority

Bathe in Light

Wing Shards

Swords to Plowshares

Purge

Faith’s Fetters

Test of Faith

Oblivion Ring

Genju of the Fields

Blue

Great Whale

Chronozoa

Fleeting Image

Shapesharer

Volrath’s Shapeshifter

Intruder Alarm

Charisma

Juxtapose

Followed Footsteps

Ertai’s Meddling

Aeon Chronicler

Quicksilver Elemental

Quicksilver Dragon

Spawnbroker

Vesuvan Shapeshifter

Ambassador Laquatus

Mischievous Quanar

Psychic Membrane

Puppeteer

Tinker

Pemmin’s Aura

Telling Time

Riftwing Cloudskate

Standstill

Metamorphose

Circular Logic

Chamber of Manipulation

Covert Operative

Fledgling Mawcor

Foil

Eyes of the Watcher

Hinder

Chain of Vapor

Pongify

Master of the Veil

Wash Out

Zephid’s Embrace

Plasma Elemental

Reality Strobe

Kajin of the Vanishing Touch

Remand

Delay

Thought Eater

Primoc Escapee

Belltower Sphinx

Graxiplon

Thieving Magpie

Slith Strider

Soratami Savant

Merfolk Looter

Jetting Glasskite

Mistform Shrieker

Black

Laquatus’s Champion

Sutured Ghoul

Sorceress Queen

Chainer, Dementia Master

Mindwarper

Vampiric Tutor

Dregs of Sorrow

Twilight’s Call

Animate Dead

Phyrexian Arena

Phage the Untouchable

Death Cloud

Woebringer Demon

Skeletal Vampire

Beacon of Unrest

Sengir Vampire

Undead Gladiator

Filth

Wall of Souls

Dark Ritual

Betrayal of Flesh

Nezumi Graverobber

Withered Wretch

Zombie Infestation

Simulacrum

Zombify

Shrouded Lore

Enslave

Fallen Ideal

Night’s Whisper

Devour in Shadow

Chainer’s Edict

Cabal Therapy

Razorjaw Oni

Bottomless Pit

Nantuko Husk

Skull Collector

Throat Slitter

Hand of Cruelty

Plagued Rusalka

Infest

Ebon Drake

Flayed Nim

Slith Bloodletter

Cabal Executioner

Consume Spirit

Terror

Knight of Stromgald

Grotesque Hybrid

Crypt Rats

Phyrexian Defiler

Phyrexian Gargantua

Red

Shivan Phoenix

Fledgling Dragon

Crater Hellion

Ashling the Pilgrim

Starke of Rath

Breaking Point

Inferno

Bedlam

Starstorm

Final Fortune

Jaya Ballard, Task Mage

Hammerfist Giant

Skarrgan Firebird

Hamletback Goliath

Bloodfire Colossus

Sulfuric Vortex

Decree of Annihilation

Sudden Shock

Goblin Warchief

Flame Javelin

Pyrohemia

Rough//Tumble

Chain of Plasma

Oni of Wild Places

Genju of the Spires

Flame Wave

Vulshok Sorcerer

Frenetic Raptor

Greater Forgeling

Gempalm Incinerator

Atog

Skirk Volcanist

Shattering Spree

Pain Kami

Cleansing Beam

Threaten

Anarchist

Blood Rites

Captive Flame

Scorched Rusalka

Ridgetop Raptor

Shaleskin Bruiser

Snapping Thragg

Mogg Fanatic

Frenzied Goblin

Carbonize

Magma Jet

Slith Firewalker

Custody Battle

Prodigal Pyromancer

Slice and Dice

Flames of the Blood Hand

Green

Kavu Titan

Glissa Sunseeker

Krosan Cloudscraper

Molder Slug

Thriss, Nantuko Primus

Wild Pair

Saproling Burst

Natural Affinity

Squall Line

Nostalgic Dreams

Timbermare

Plated Slagwurm

Rite of Passage

Ursapine

Gaea’s Anthem

Tempting Wurm

Ambush Commander

Stand Together

Deep Reconnaissance

Centaur Glade

Genju of the Cedars

Lure

Time of Need

Explosive Vegetation

Primal Boost

Chain of Acid

Overrun

Might of Old Krosa

Krosan Grip

Harmonize

Creeping Mold

Phantom Wurm

Sporesower Thallid

Deadwood Treefolk

Nacatl War-Pride

Psychotrope Thallid

Nullmage Shepherd

Gristleback

Indrik Stomphowler

Trophy Hunter

Scryb Ranger

Imperiosaur

Brontotherium

Rooting Kavu

Kavu Chameleon

Brawn

Venomspout Brackus

Slith Predator

Hunted Wumpus

Elven Riders

Karstoderm

Krosan Warchief

Artifact

Masticore

Thran Golem

Darksteel Colossus

Eater of Days

Dupliant

Howling Mine

Chimeric Staff

Oblivion Stone

Mesmeric Orb

Crumbling Sanctuary

Damping Matrix

Whirling Catapult

Engineered Explosives

Culling Scales

Liar’s Pendulum

Gauntlet of Power

Cloud Key

Stuffy Doll

Grafted Wargear

Spawning Pit

Darksteel Brute

Skullclamp

Aether Vial

Juggernaut

Arcbound Slith

Myr Retriever

Mourner’s Shield

Ornithoper

Sun Droplet

Mirror Golem

Bottle Gnomes

Cathodion

Mask of Memory

Phyrexian War Beast

Heartsone

Zuran Orb

Black Vise

Fodder Cannon

Guardian Idol

Ensouled Scimitar

Gemstone Array

Vulshok Morningstar

Icy Manipulator

Land

Kor Haven

Academy Ruins

Lake of the Dead

Kher Keeper

Desert

Svogthos, the Restless Tomb

Blinkmoth Well

Skarrg, the Rage Pits

Duskmantle, House of Shadow

Vitu-Ghazi, the City Tree

Archaeological Dig

Quicksand

Mirrodin’s Core

Stalking Stones

Terrain Generator

Ancient Tomb

Nantuko Monastery

Barbarian Ring

Centaur Garden

Temple of the False God

Multicolor

Shadowmage Infiltrator

Simic Sky Swallower

Vhati il-Dal

Razia, Boros Archangel

Stonebrown, Krosan Hero

Autochthon Wurm

Anthem of Rakdos

Invoke the Firemind

Aethermage’s Touch

Death Grasp

Guided Passage

Fervent Charge

Mistmeadow Witch

Inkfathom Infiltrator

Traitor’s Roar

Tattermunge Witch

Mercy Killing

Terminate

Steel of the Godhead

Helm of the Ghastlord

Shield of the Oversoul

Psychatog

Jagged Poppet

Armadillo Cloak

Watchwolf

Consume Strength

Lightning Helix

Plaxcaster Frogling

Mortify

Putrefy

Fire//Ice

Simoon

Charging Troll

Samite Archer

Backlash

Urborg Drake

Runes of the Deus

Hey everybody!  I just thought I'd let everyone know that there won't be a new episode of The Mana Pool for a week or so.  Two of your hosts, including myself who is the one who does all the uploading and whatnot, are going on a week-long vacation to Walt Disney World.  We're leaving tomorrow and I'll be back next Wednesday.  Brian has a second bit of vacation after that, so he won't be back until the following Sunday. 

If you've been enjoying the show, please go check out the forums.  I have a small questionnaire posted there that I'd like as many of you as possible to answer.  It's a series of questions involving some concerns I've had since I started doing the show several months ago.  I'd like you guys to answer honestly and give me some real opinions.  Once we get back, we're all going to go over all the answers we got and use those answers to shape the direction future episodes will take.  Thanks a lot everyone!

There is two of us! If you don't get the reference, please refer to Ali and Ali's sister. If you don't get that reference, then I bet you don't know how to type with boxing gloves on. If you didn't get that one either, you apparently haven't been subjected to the joy that is Strong Bad. But that's for neither here nor there, this is a Magic podcast! So back to the subject at hand.

There is two of us! This time, due to finals, dead internets, and various other issues, Mike and I are the only hosts. But that's okay, because we said so. This is sort of a potpourri episode, where we throw lots of things at you. We figured out a few more slang terms that we didn't cover last time, so first we handle those. Then, of course, we have to talk about the Shadowmoor Launch Party and how we all did there. Spoiler: We didn't all fail horribly this time. We then finish up with a quick announcement about an upcoming project that we want to tackle, but we need your input to help us out. So roll on over to the forums and let us know what you think!

Forum thread for this episode: http://cardshark.freeforums.org/episode-28-a-two-man-assortment-t172.html
Email us at themanapool@cardshark.com
Send me an article at submissions@cardshark.com
Cardshark located at http://www.cardshark.com
RSS Feed: http://feeds.feedburner.com/themanapool

This episode's music: The Search by Swift
Check Swift out at http://www.swift-band.com

In this episode Mike, Dirk, and I finish the discussion of the many, many terms that get thrown around in a game of Magic. Not the usual things like keyword abilities and phases of the turn and whatnot. Oh no, we're talking about the unique language that Magic players have invented to describe what's going on. Have you ever topdecked a fatty? Have you ever looted into burn? How about that time your opponent was tapped out and you decided to roll with an alpha strike, only to have him pitch a card to use his trick? And everyone has chumped with a weenie, whether they want to admit it or not. If you have no idea just what in the name of Jonny Magic I'm talking about, then this is definitely the episode for you.

Since the discussion ran so incredibly long, I had to split it up into two parts. This is the last hour of that discussion, where we cram in more slang than you can fog an alpha strike with. Did that sentence make any sense at all? Keep listening to find out. 

Forum thread for this episode: http://cardshark.freeforums.org/episode-27b-talking-the-talk-part-2-t169.html 
Email us at themanapool@cardshark.com
Send me an article at submissions@cardshark.com
Cardshark located at http://www.cardshark.com
RSS Feed: http://feeds.feedburner.com/themanapool

This episode's music: M-16 by Ill Mic
Check Ill Mic out at http://www.illmic.com

In this episode Mike, Dirk, and I begin the discussion of the many, many terms that get thrown around in a game of Magic. Not the usual things like keyword abilities and phases of the turn and whatnot. Oh no, we're talking about the unique language that Magic players have invented to describe what's going on. Have you ever topdecked a fatty? Have you ever looted into burn? How about that time your opponent was tapped out and you decided to roll with an alpha strike, only to have him pitch a card to use his trick? And everyone has chumped with a weenie, whether they want to admit it or not. If you have no idea just what in the name of Jonny Magic I'm talking about, then this is definitely the episode for you.

Sadly, the discussion about slang terms ran incredibly long, so all you're getting here is the first half of the conversation. Stay tuned for Episode 27b, coming soon to an Internet near you.

Forum thread for this episode: http://cardshark.freeforums.org/episode-27a-talking-the-talk-part-1-t167.html
Email us at themanapool@cardshark.com
Send me an article at submissions@cardshark.com
Cardshark located at http://www.cardshark.com
RSS Feed: http://feeds.feedburner.com/themanapool

This episode's music: M-16 by Ill Mic
Check Ill Mic out at http://www.illmic.com