Magic: the Gathering was the gateway game for my passion for writing. Having returned to the game in 2008 after an extended break, I discovered a love of preconstructed decks (Theme Decks, Intro Packs, etc) which allowed me to visit the many sets that had passed in my absence.
This enjoyment led to the founding of Ertai’s Lament in 2009, a blog dedicated to the coverage of preconstructed Magic, heavily incorporating both game design and game history.
My work on Ertai’s Lament led to higher-profile, compensated opportunities.
Quiet Speculation (2010-2012)
Quiet Speculation is the premier Magic finance site, but it also produces more broader-based content for the community at large.
Five Elements of the Best Precon Decks
Not all decks are created equal. Here I explore those elements that the best decks have in common.
The Great Designer Search 2 Theme Deck Challenge
When Wizards of the Coast held its second Great Designer Search, making a preconstructed deck was one of the weekly challenges. Having well-established himself in that area, I had four designers submit their decks for evaluation. In this first of four articles, I looks at Ethan Fleischer’s Intro Pack, “Tooth and Claw.” Fleischer was the eventual winner, but notably two of the others (Scott van Essen and Shawn Main) would go on to become designers for Wizards of the Coast.
Here I explores the world of Cube Drafting, with a primer on building a straightforward “starter Cube” using a Standard template.
Gathering Magic (2012-2013, 2016-2017)
My writing at Quiet Speculation attracted the attention of one of casual Magic’s most established sites, Gathering Magic. In 2012, I joined the team, and continued writing a weekly column.
One of the things I’ve most enjoyed about writing about games is finding a way to appeal to both the veteran and beginner audiences. I’ve often found the latter the most underserved, and my “Meddling” series- which originated on Ertai’s Lament and continued at Gathering Magic- was a great lesson on deckbuilding for the casual audience. By using precon decks rather than top-tier decks, I gave guidance and advice on card selection and building on a budget.
A History of Mono-Blue Precon Decks
My degree is in history, so it’s little surprise that the history of gaming looms large in my writing. With Magic: the Gathering over two decades old, most players now have little connection to the winds and wends of the course of the game, so this post is an example of how I’ve enjoyed being able to connect the present to the past.
Jay Kirkman 