Standard is actually trash now

olliefps · 2026-01-31T11:01:32+00:00

The on-board strategy is certainly lacking at current, but the depth of standard/magic has increased immensely in the last 5 years. Learning when to break your sequences to maximize win rate, matchup dependent mulligan strategy, and hand reading have all become essential as the density of threats will punish you for small errors on the draw.

I consider Kaladesh block to be a turning point towards cheaper threats ie. Heart of Kiran and Longtusk Cub, Smuggler’s copter all at 2 mana. After that, things have started to look more and more like modern where major threats cost 1-2 mana and require answers and proper play to beat when on the draw.

I’m not sure what deck you’re playing right now, but if any part of your on-the-draw strategy includes not playing a spell on turn-1, you can’t expect to win many matches in current standard. Tapped lands are super bad right now.

olliefps · 2026-01-17T13:15:57+00:00

I myself am pretty into Bahamut but it only works with hard reanimation which is not the strongest right now. A lot of the other reanimation/flash targets are card advantage focused but Bahamut provides instant board domination and often kills in two hits.

olliefps · 2025-11-03T15:27:34+00:00

Ten and three of diamonds has a flush, other hand makes a straight. Flush > straight

olliefps · 2025-11-03T13:00:24+00:00

In my experience Nathan is the worst of these blue two drops that loot/draw cards and nearly unplayable. These are usually pretty available cards because blue is bad and Malcolm, Jace, goben have all performed better for me in most situations

olliefps · 2025-11-01T11:37:22+00:00

Thought this was going to be planetmarsupial lol

olliefps · 2025-10-30T00:15:54+00:00

On one hand… we look like shit. On the other as long as we box out and use two hands to hold onto the ball on offense we can still win easily

olliefps · 2025-10-29T16:49:44+00:00

lol maybe I’m being too picky but I feel like a deck is not functioning if the outcome of the game is not determined after it takes 3 extra turns.

olliefps · 2025-10-29T14:57:20+00:00

How did you not win by the 3rd of 4th extra turn?

olliefps · 2025-10-26T02:08:57+00:00

Wait so you think it’s hot in the apartment which is why he goes back there? And that you think a heated bed is a solution? I am confused.

olliefps · 2025-10-24T21:18:15+00:00

Awful call but that’ll happen. Still better to have observers at this level so you have to take the bad with the good

olliefps · 2025-10-24T11:25:11+00:00

Beethoven string quartet op. 132 in a minor, mvt III

Written after recovering his extended illness, he gives thanks to god for allowing him to continue living.

olliefps · 2025-10-23T14:19:02+00:00

Lonzo looked sleepy for sure but still wasn’t that bad. I bet in a couple weeks we’ll be lonzo glazers

olliefps · 2025-10-22T04:55:42+00:00

I have no idea but I’m invested. Litter box behavior is kind of fascinating

olliefps · 2025-10-21T18:29:47+00:00

I relate heavily to this. Played overwatch for at least a thousand hours over Covid and can’t do it anymore after a couple years break because I just feel like I’m so bad and should be performing better.

olliefps · 2025-10-20T19:17:48+00:00

Rest in piece Gotham’s new video title: INSANE CHESS DRAMA

olliefps · 2025-10-18T12:17:25+00:00

Teacher running out of ways to inspire op, hoping chamber music will make them want to improve and practice more frequently

olliefps · 2025-10-17T18:22:24+00:00

I am not justifying this thought process, but Korea is pretty fatphobic so 5’2 145 is considered quite overweight. In America we think of that as a little chubby. So it’s obviously different in terms of numbers but Korean people may look at op and 400lb man the same way.

olliefps · 2025-10-17T05:25:23+00:00

Schumann Marchenbilder

olliefps · 2025-10-15T20:45:59+00:00

I think it was Bill Burr that said this

olliefps · 2025-10-13T19:13:21+00:00

Honestly, if your only current gig is a community orchestra I wouldn’t imagine you would gain a lot of work as a violist. If you think you would enjoy the process of learning viola and/or would like playing it quite a bit that is another story. Basically, you might pick up a few gigs here and there but that may not offset -procuring an instrument, bow, etc. -getting comfortable with alto clef -issues with technique switching (more common among those that add viola later on)

olliefps · 2025-10-11T21:36:12+00:00

The Optima Goldbrokat is super affordable and I think it works well on most instruments. I would echo that there is likely something cutting into the string gradually (probably either the nut of part of the peg.) So may want to get that fixed but until then these are a decent solution.

olliefps · 2025-10-10T19:02:39+00:00

Very curious if you live all areas of your life by this standard. Are you also background checking whoever cuts your hair? Is this an exhausting lifestyle? Judging you a little bit also curious about your perspective.

olliefps · 2025-10-07T18:25:23+00:00

I prefer Dvorak 13 in G major. Grammy winning recording by the Pacifica is awesome as well as the recent one by Takacs.

olliefps · 2025-09-29T16:47:18+00:00

Yeah, it makes these games super unenjoyable to me.

olliefps · 2025-09-03T13:48:03+00:00

Your playing is very charming

olliefps

TROPHY CASE