Mana Flare 🍁
@manaflare-mtg.bsky.social
Middle-aged. Father. Gamer. Avid reader of scifi. Ultimate frisbee.
Mostly here to talk about Magic the Gathering limited. May veer in other games and/or book occasionally.
#MTGLimited #MagicTheGathering #SteamDeck #Books #scifi
Mostly here to talk about Magic the Gathering limited. May veer in other games and/or book occasionally.
#MTGLimited #MagicTheGathering #SteamDeck #Books #scifi
Pinned
Mana Flare 🍁
@manaflare-mtg.bsky.social
· Feb 12
I added a few new folks to the MTG Limited Posters list today - love seeing fresh faces here.
bsky.app/profile/did:...
Pin the list to your feed if you want to see what draft players are saying about Aetherdrift!
#mtg #mtglimited
bsky.app/profile/did:...
Pin the list to your feed if you want to see what draft players are saying about Aetherdrift!
#mtg #mtglimited
I hear the #BirdOfTheDay theme is RED.
Let's go way back to October 2025 and this spectacular Pileated Woodpecker on my feeder.
#birds 🪶
Let's go way back to October 2025 and this spectacular Pileated Woodpecker on my feeder.
#birds 🪶
February 8, 2026 at 2:48 PM
I hear the #BirdOfTheDay theme is RED.
Let's go way back to October 2025 and this spectacular Pileated Woodpecker on my feeder.
#birds 🪶
Let's go way back to October 2025 and this spectacular Pileated Woodpecker on my feeder.
#birds 🪶
I know common wisdom states the "proper way" to draft Lorwyn Eclipsed is to hook yourself up to one of the 5 supported creature type decks and hang on for dear life - but that's just so boring.
I'd rather P1P1 Sapling Nursery and build RG stompy than draft on rails.
2-1 result (plus fun equity).
I'd rather P1P1 Sapling Nursery and build RG stompy than draft on rails.
2-1 result (plus fun equity).
February 7, 2026 at 3:15 PM
I know common wisdom states the "proper way" to draft Lorwyn Eclipsed is to hook yourself up to one of the 5 supported creature type decks and hang on for dear life - but that's just so boring.
I'd rather P1P1 Sapling Nursery and build RG stompy than draft on rails.
2-1 result (plus fun equity).
I'd rather P1P1 Sapling Nursery and build RG stompy than draft on rails.
2-1 result (plus fun equity).
I think I've settled on the three Lorwyn Eclipsed cards I'd like to add to The Archive.
Now the hard part begins... how do I puzzle them into the cube while maintaining the 3x/set restriction?!?
List: cubecobra.com/cube/about/t...
Might record a video of all the angst and tears....
#mtgcube
Now the hard part begins... how do I puzzle them into the cube while maintaining the 3x/set restriction?!?
List: cubecobra.com/cube/about/t...
Might record a video of all the angst and tears....
#mtgcube
February 6, 2026 at 8:45 PM
I think I've settled on the three Lorwyn Eclipsed cards I'd like to add to The Archive.
Now the hard part begins... how do I puzzle them into the cube while maintaining the 3x/set restriction?!?
List: cubecobra.com/cube/about/t...
Might record a video of all the angst and tears....
#mtgcube
Now the hard part begins... how do I puzzle them into the cube while maintaining the 3x/set restriction?!?
List: cubecobra.com/cube/about/t...
Might record a video of all the angst and tears....
#mtgcube
🏆 3-0 in paper last night with this scrappy elemental control deck, featuring Vibrance and Sunderflock.
This is a post-board photo after finals - I added the counter-magic to deal with my Elf opponent's Bloodline Bidding, which he been riding all night.
This is a post-board photo after finals - I added the counter-magic to deal with my Elf opponent's Bloodline Bidding, which he been riding all night.
February 6, 2026 at 8:40 PM
🏆 3-0 in paper last night with this scrappy elemental control deck, featuring Vibrance and Sunderflock.
This is a post-board photo after finals - I added the counter-magic to deal with my Elf opponent's Bloodline Bidding, which he been riding all night.
This is a post-board photo after finals - I added the counter-magic to deal with my Elf opponent's Bloodline Bidding, which he been riding all night.
February 6, 2026 at 4:52 PM
More modern-day financial thriller than scifi, but the second Martin Hench books is as gritty as the first - maybe moreso.
A trigger-warning for my American friends: this one delves deep into how the system promotes abuse of the financial apparatus to oppress others while making bank.
#books 🪐📚💙
A trigger-warning for my American friends: this one delves deep into how the system promotes abuse of the financial apparatus to oppress others while making bank.
#books 🪐📚💙
February 6, 2026 at 4:34 PM
More modern-day financial thriller than scifi, but the second Martin Hench books is as gritty as the first - maybe moreso.
A trigger-warning for my American friends: this one delves deep into how the system promotes abuse of the financial apparatus to oppress others while making bank.
#books 🪐📚💙
A trigger-warning for my American friends: this one delves deep into how the system promotes abuse of the financial apparatus to oppress others while making bank.
#books 🪐📚💙
I was exceptionally honoured to sit down and have a discussion with @domrikade.bsky.social about The Archive on his (always excellent) Recross the Paths podcast.
Definitely lots of imposter syndrome - he's interviewed so many great cube designers.
open.spotify.com/episode/0VD3...
#mtgcube #mtg
Definitely lots of imposter syndrome - he's interviewed so many great cube designers.
open.spotify.com/episode/0VD3...
#mtgcube #mtg
Andrew - The Archive
open.spotify.com
February 3, 2026 at 2:11 PM
I was exceptionally honoured to sit down and have a discussion with @domrikade.bsky.social about The Archive on his (always excellent) Recross the Paths podcast.
Definitely lots of imposter syndrome - he's interviewed so many great cube designers.
open.spotify.com/episode/0VD3...
#mtgcube #mtg
Definitely lots of imposter syndrome - he's interviewed so many great cube designers.
open.spotify.com/episode/0VD3...
#mtgcube #mtg
🏆Got the 3-0 with Boros Control in what turned out to be a really interesting draft (I didn't truly lock in until P3P1).
Probably a good example of the HAIL stuff @lordsoflimited.bsky.social was talking about last week.
Log: www.17lands.com/draft/b1d95b...
#mtg #mtglimited
🧵1/6
Probably a good example of the HAIL stuff @lordsoflimited.bsky.social was talking about last week.
Log: www.17lands.com/draft/b1d95b...
#mtg #mtglimited
🧵1/6
February 1, 2026 at 1:44 PM
🏆Got the 3-0 with Boros Control in what turned out to be a really interesting draft (I didn't truly lock in until P3P1).
Probably a good example of the HAIL stuff @lordsoflimited.bsky.social was talking about last week.
Log: www.17lands.com/draft/b1d95b...
#mtg #mtglimited
🧵1/6
Probably a good example of the HAIL stuff @lordsoflimited.bsky.social was talking about last week.
Log: www.17lands.com/draft/b1d95b...
#mtg #mtglimited
🧵1/6
January 27, 2026 at 12:21 AM
I'm toying with the idea of making some short Youtube videos to talk about The Archive, similar to what @andy.luckypaper.co has been doing (tho far less excellent, I'm sure).
This project is a brainworm - and maybe talking more about it will help.
cubecobra.com/cube/overvie...
#mtgcube
This project is a brainworm - and maybe talking more about it will help.
cubecobra.com/cube/overvie...
#mtgcube
Cube Cobra Overview: The Archive
> Featuring at least 3 cards per standard legal Magic set ever printed, The Archive is meant to evoke a trip down memory lane while you navigate your draft. Buckle up and select from a mix of iconic ...
cubecobra.com
January 26, 2026 at 2:07 PM
I'm toying with the idea of making some short Youtube videos to talk about The Archive, similar to what @andy.luckypaper.co has been doing (tho far less excellent, I'm sure).
This project is a brainworm - and maybe talking more about it will help.
cubecobra.com/cube/overvie...
#mtgcube
This project is a brainworm - and maybe talking more about it will help.
cubecobra.com/cube/overvie...
#mtgcube
I assume the actual reason is that when the sets in the line-up are My Little Pony -> Ikea -> NBA Jam, it's extremely challenging to find a coherent through line.
🦄🌈🛋️🍽️🏀⛹️♀️
#mtg
🦄🌈🛋️🍽️🏀⛹️♀️
#mtg
Today’s first “Drive to Work” (#1307) talks about why blocks won’t be returning: share.transistor.fm/s/52adac08 audio.transistor.fm/m/shows/2145... #mtgdtw #WotCStaff
#1307: Why Blocks Aren't Returning | Magic: The Gathering Drive to Work Podcast | Episode 1307
A common topic on my blog is why some players want to return to blocks. I spend this podcast talking through the various reasons this is unlikely to happen.
share.transistor.fm
January 24, 2026 at 4:46 PM
I assume the actual reason is that when the sets in the line-up are My Little Pony -> Ikea -> NBA Jam, it's extremely challenging to find a coherent through line.
🦄🌈🛋️🍽️🏀⛹️♀️
#mtg
🦄🌈🛋️🍽️🏀⛹️♀️
#mtg
Psychopomp is a grungy, dark and brooding novel set on a prison moon where your crime might just be "owed some money".
A slow burn, but the mystery that unravels is well worth the investment.
Heed the trigger warnings the author includes - I'm not kidding - it is dark.
🪐📚💙 #books #scifi
A slow burn, but the mystery that unravels is well worth the investment.
Heed the trigger warnings the author includes - I'm not kidding - it is dark.
🪐📚💙 #books #scifi
January 24, 2026 at 3:19 PM
Spent some time going through the Lorwyn Eclipsed card file to see what I might want to add as the 3x cards from the set for The Archive.
See below for my current thinking. Suggestions welcome.
Cube list: cubecobra.com/cube/list/th...
#mtgcube
See below for my current thinking. Suggestions welcome.
Cube list: cubecobra.com/cube/list/th...
#mtgcube
January 18, 2026 at 11:04 PM
Spent some time going through the Lorwyn Eclipsed card file to see what I might want to add as the 3x cards from the set for The Archive.
See below for my current thinking. Suggestions welcome.
Cube list: cubecobra.com/cube/list/th...
#mtgcube
See below for my current thinking. Suggestions welcome.
Cube list: cubecobra.com/cube/list/th...
#mtgcube
🏆 The good ol' 0-2 into 7-2 with this mod-rangey boros deck in the Arena Powered Cube.
A lot of choices to make in deck-building and it came together nicely.
#mtga
A lot of choices to make in deck-building and it came together nicely.
#mtga
January 17, 2026 at 11:50 PM
🏆 The good ol' 0-2 into 7-2 with this mod-rangey boros deck in the Arena Powered Cube.
A lot of choices to make in deck-building and it came together nicely.
#mtga
A lot of choices to make in deck-building and it came together nicely.
#mtga
The Archive - CHK (2004)
Kamigawa block is a tough one for The Archive - it is full of parasitic mechanics which (mostly) don't translate well outside of its own block format.
Here are the three inclusions I've settled on for now.
#mtgcube
Full cube: cubecobra.com/cube/overvie...
🧵 1/4
Kamigawa block is a tough one for The Archive - it is full of parasitic mechanics which (mostly) don't translate well outside of its own block format.
Here are the three inclusions I've settled on for now.
#mtgcube
Full cube: cubecobra.com/cube/overvie...
🧵 1/4
January 15, 2026 at 5:45 PM
The Archive - CHK (2004)
Kamigawa block is a tough one for The Archive - it is full of parasitic mechanics which (mostly) don't translate well outside of its own block format.
Here are the three inclusions I've settled on for now.
#mtgcube
Full cube: cubecobra.com/cube/overvie...
🧵 1/4
Kamigawa block is a tough one for The Archive - it is full of parasitic mechanics which (mostly) don't translate well outside of its own block format.
Here are the three inclusions I've settled on for now.
#mtgcube
Full cube: cubecobra.com/cube/overvie...
🧵 1/4
Reposted by Mana Flare 🍁
I finally read up on this, and it is hilarious how closely the LEGO world parallels/presages the Magic world.
It’s wild seeing the hate cycle play out in a group I’m not really a part of.
Anyway my 10yo wants these and they look neat. Good Christmas gift.
Anyway my 10yo wants these and they look neat. Good Christmas gift.
LEGO Star Wars Smart Play sets up for preorder on Amazon:
Throne Room Duel & A-Wing $159.99 buff.ly/vgzqQqK
Darth Vader’s TIE Fighter $69.99 buff.ly/BE5beAZ
Luke’s Red Five X-Wing $89.99 buff.ly/wcvt9AL #ad
Throne Room Duel & A-Wing $159.99 buff.ly/vgzqQqK
Darth Vader’s TIE Fighter $69.99 buff.ly/BE5beAZ
Luke’s Red Five X-Wing $89.99 buff.ly/wcvt9AL #ad
January 13, 2026 at 12:53 PM
I finally read up on this, and it is hilarious how closely the LEGO world parallels/presages the Magic world.
Deck skeleton: UW
Azorius in ECL is the home of merfolks and most of the merfolk cards pay you off for tapping them. That said, very few merfolk cards allow you to tap outside of attacking, so you'll need to find other ways to get the job done in many board states.
🧵1/4
#mtglimited
Azorius in ECL is the home of merfolks and most of the merfolk cards pay you off for tapping them. That said, very few merfolk cards allow you to tap outside of attacking, so you'll need to find other ways to get the job done in many board states.
🧵1/4
#mtglimited
January 13, 2026 at 12:21 AM
Deck skeleton: UW
Azorius in ECL is the home of merfolks and most of the merfolk cards pay you off for tapping them. That said, very few merfolk cards allow you to tap outside of attacking, so you'll need to find other ways to get the job done in many board states.
🧵1/4
#mtglimited
Azorius in ECL is the home of merfolks and most of the merfolk cards pay you off for tapping them. That said, very few merfolk cards allow you to tap outside of attacking, so you'll need to find other ways to get the job done in many board states.
🧵1/4
#mtglimited
Another two small orders arrived for v4 of The Archive.
Most of the cards are wonderfully beat-up. I'm buying as low grade as possible for that "well loved" feeling.
#mtgcube
Most of the cards are wonderfully beat-up. I'm buying as low grade as possible for that "well loved" feeling.
#mtgcube
January 10, 2026 at 2:47 PM
Another two small orders arrived for v4 of The Archive.
Most of the cards are wonderfully beat-up. I'm buying as low grade as possible for that "well loved" feeling.
#mtgcube
Most of the cards are wonderfully beat-up. I'm buying as low grade as possible for that "well loved" feeling.
#mtgcube
Cube night last night was.... unique. As P1 wrapped up the house went pitch black. A widescale power-outage took out the entire suburb.
Instead of packing it in we finished the draft by the light of 8 cell phones. 🔦
I went 2-1 with a very mid deck. Will post the pic when I get it.
#mtgcube
Instead of packing it in we finished the draft by the light of 8 cell phones. 🔦
I went 2-1 with a very mid deck. Will post the pic when I get it.
#mtgcube
January 10, 2026 at 2:40 PM
Cube night last night was.... unique. As P1 wrapped up the house went pitch black. A widescale power-outage took out the entire suburb.
Instead of packing it in we finished the draft by the light of 8 cell phones. 🔦
I went 2-1 with a very mid deck. Will post the pic when I get it.
#mtgcube
Instead of packing it in we finished the draft by the light of 8 cell phones. 🔦
I went 2-1 with a very mid deck. Will post the pic when I get it.
#mtgcube
January 8, 2026 at 8:26 PM
I rounded out the Goblins and Zombies packages in my cube yesterday. They're both hovering around 20 cards, which is about the max I want for any package in The Archive - I'm not interested in packages turning into full decks.
Changes in the 🧵.
1/6
Changes in the 🧵.
1/6
January 8, 2026 at 12:55 PM
I rounded out the Goblins and Zombies packages in my cube yesterday. They're both hovering around 20 cards, which is about the max I want for any package in The Archive - I'm not interested in packages turning into full decks.
Changes in the 🧵.
1/6
Changes in the 🧵.
1/6
Snowy morning on the bird feeder. This Northern Cardinal is always one of my first visitors of the day (and often last of the night).
#birds 🪶
#birds 🪶
January 7, 2026 at 10:54 AM
Snowy morning on the bird feeder. This Northern Cardinal is always one of my first visitors of the day (and often last of the night).
#birds 🪶
#birds 🪶