Yoni Skolnik
@yoniskolnik.bsky.social
MTG Principle Game Designer. Game design lead on M20, STX, BRO, DFT. Lead vision designer for #MTGxFINALFANTASY
Trophied a last minute mixed up draft with Naya stats ft. a deathtouch pinger combo.
If it were up to me every set would have a way to make your own Visara the Dreadful.
Barbed Batterfist has gotta be my favorite limited common. At one point I had a 7/8 vs a 6/8 and then I equip--WOW!
#WotCStaff
If it were up to me every set would have a way to make your own Visara the Dreadful.
Barbed Batterfist has gotta be my favorite limited common. At one point I had a 7/8 vs a 6/8 and then I equip--WOW!
#WotCStaff
June 10, 2025 at 3:20 AM
Trophied a last minute mixed up draft with Naya stats ft. a deathtouch pinger combo.
If it were up to me every set would have a way to make your own Visara the Dreadful.
Barbed Batterfist has gotta be my favorite limited common. At one point I had a 7/8 vs a 6/8 and then I equip--WOW!
#WotCStaff
If it were up to me every set would have a way to make your own Visara the Dreadful.
Barbed Batterfist has gotta be my favorite limited common. At one point I had a 7/8 vs a 6/8 and then I equip--WOW!
#WotCStaff
Super excited to see everyone talking about Final Fantasy! I'm getting my Aerith commander deck ready. 😢
#MTGxFinalFantasy #WotCStaff
#MTGxFinalFantasy #WotCStaff
May 10, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Super excited to see everyone talking about Final Fantasy! I'm getting my Aerith commander deck ready. 😢
#MTGxFinalFantasy #WotCStaff
#MTGxFinalFantasy #WotCStaff
WU aggro worked when I started with early Sibsig Appraisers, and then see Stormbeacon Blade and Sunpearl Kirins late.
Appraiser smooths out the white based aggro plan. Humbling Elder and Ringing Strike Mastery are valuable as 1 mana tempo plays which white otherwise lacks.
11/12 #WotCStaff
Appraiser smooths out the white based aggro plan. Humbling Elder and Ringing Strike Mastery are valuable as 1 mana tempo plays which white otherwise lacks.
11/12 #WotCStaff
April 19, 2025 at 8:45 PM
WU aggro worked when I started with early Sibsig Appraisers, and then see Stormbeacon Blade and Sunpearl Kirins late.
Appraiser smooths out the white based aggro plan. Humbling Elder and Ringing Strike Mastery are valuable as 1 mana tempo plays which white otherwise lacks.
11/12 #WotCStaff
Appraiser smooths out the white based aggro plan. Humbling Elder and Ringing Strike Mastery are valuable as 1 mana tempo plays which white otherwise lacks.
11/12 #WotCStaff
This deck had solid rares. But it was less streamlined than the 5x Champ masterpiece, and often didn't compete with the power of 3+ color decks.
Going forward if I start drafts with Champion of Dusans I’ll keep an eye open for if white or red happen to be the right support color.
10/12 #WotCStaff
Going forward if I start drafts with Champion of Dusans I’ll keep an eye open for if white or red happen to be the right support color.
10/12 #WotCStaff
April 19, 2025 at 8:43 PM
This deck had solid rares. But it was less streamlined than the 5x Champ masterpiece, and often didn't compete with the power of 3+ color decks.
Going forward if I start drafts with Champion of Dusans I’ll keep an eye open for if white or red happen to be the right support color.
10/12 #WotCStaff
Going forward if I start drafts with Champion of Dusans I’ll keep an eye open for if white or red happen to be the right support color.
10/12 #WotCStaff
Now for the aggro portion. Coming into the format I was very excited to build decks around Champion of Dusan. Wow did it deliver with 5x Champion leading to a mono green 7-0.
I first picked a Synch Charge hoping to wheel a Champ in the pack, when I did I knew it was on!
9/12 #WotCStaff
I first picked a Synch Charge hoping to wheel a Champ in the pack, when I did I knew it was on!
9/12 #WotCStaff
April 19, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Now for the aggro portion. Coming into the format I was very excited to build decks around Champion of Dusan. Wow did it deliver with 5x Champion leading to a mono green 7-0.
I first picked a Synch Charge hoping to wheel a Champ in the pack, when I did I knew it was on!
9/12 #WotCStaff
I first picked a Synch Charge hoping to wheel a Champ in the pack, when I did I knew it was on!
9/12 #WotCStaff
I was excited about Smile at Death on Appraisers and Stags as a finisher, but in practice it was usually too slow to catch up as opposed to bombs with more immediate impact.
8/12 #WotCStaff
8/12 #WotCStaff
April 19, 2025 at 8:41 PM
I was excited about Smile at Death on Appraisers and Stags as a finisher, but in practice it was usually too slow to catch up as opposed to bombs with more immediate impact.
8/12 #WotCStaff
8/12 #WotCStaff
Here are a couple non-trophy decks that followed this theory.
Fortress Kin-guard does a nice job of setting up Trade Route Envoy to draw to find Craterhoof or Nature’s Rhythm (to find Craterhoof).
7/12 #WotCStaff
Fortress Kin-guard does a nice job of setting up Trade Route Envoy to draw to find Craterhoof or Nature’s Rhythm (to find Craterhoof).
7/12 #WotCStaff
April 19, 2025 at 8:41 PM
Here are a couple non-trophy decks that followed this theory.
Fortress Kin-guard does a nice job of setting up Trade Route Envoy to draw to find Craterhoof or Nature’s Rhythm (to find Craterhoof).
7/12 #WotCStaff
Fortress Kin-guard does a nice job of setting up Trade Route Envoy to draw to find Craterhoof or Nature’s Rhythm (to find Craterhoof).
7/12 #WotCStaff
I also had a couple nonblue decks that aren’t controlling, but follow the same principle.
The many Equilibrium Adept and Stormshriek Feral give card flow to find the black bombs, giving you power to compete with 3 color decks after your aggro start gets stymied.
6/12 #WotCStaff
The many Equilibrium Adept and Stormshriek Feral give card flow to find the black bombs, giving you power to compete with 3 color decks after your aggro start gets stymied.
6/12 #WotCStaff
April 19, 2025 at 8:40 PM
I also had a couple nonblue decks that aren’t controlling, but follow the same principle.
The many Equilibrium Adept and Stormshriek Feral give card flow to find the black bombs, giving you power to compete with 3 color decks after your aggro start gets stymied.
6/12 #WotCStaff
The many Equilibrium Adept and Stormshriek Feral give card flow to find the black bombs, giving you power to compete with 3 color decks after your aggro start gets stymied.
6/12 #WotCStaff
This deck has two Marang River Regents. You definitely don’t need a third color when you have that.
Otherwise the deck has many shortcomings, but I just tried to build it with a balanced gameplan to try and not fall too far behind before I find the River Regents.
5/12 #WotCStaff
Otherwise the deck has many shortcomings, but I just tried to build it with a balanced gameplan to try and not fall too far behind before I find the River Regents.
5/12 #WotCStaff
April 19, 2025 at 8:39 PM
This deck has two Marang River Regents. You definitely don’t need a third color when you have that.
Otherwise the deck has many shortcomings, but I just tried to build it with a balanced gameplan to try and not fall too far behind before I find the River Regents.
5/12 #WotCStaff
Otherwise the deck has many shortcomings, but I just tried to build it with a balanced gameplan to try and not fall too far behind before I find the River Regents.
5/12 #WotCStaff
Without much removal, this deck uses cheap white creatures to play defense until it finds Elspeth or Naga Fleshcrafter’s rewew ability on a dragon.
Fortress Kin-Guard does good work both controlling the board, and then being the finisher empowered by either of those bombs.
4/12 #WotCStaff
Fortress Kin-Guard does good work both controlling the board, and then being the finisher empowered by either of those bombs.
4/12 #WotCStaff
April 19, 2025 at 8:38 PM
Without much removal, this deck uses cheap white creatures to play defense until it finds Elspeth or Naga Fleshcrafter’s rewew ability on a dragon.
Fortress Kin-Guard does good work both controlling the board, and then being the finisher empowered by either of those bombs.
4/12 #WotCStaff
Fortress Kin-Guard does good work both controlling the board, and then being the finisher empowered by either of those bombs.
4/12 #WotCStaff
1st up is blue controlling decks. Step 1 to success here is game winning bombs.
No need for a 3rd color when you have bombs like Ugin and Scavenger Regent. If you have those and black removal, then the best color to add might be U for card draw to find the bombs reliably.
3/12 #WotCStaff
No need for a 3rd color when you have bombs like Ugin and Scavenger Regent. If you have those and black removal, then the best color to add might be U for card draw to find the bombs reliably.
3/12 #WotCStaff
April 19, 2025 at 8:38 PM
1st up is blue controlling decks. Step 1 to success here is game winning bombs.
No need for a 3rd color when you have bombs like Ugin and Scavenger Regent. If you have those and black removal, then the best color to add might be U for card draw to find the bombs reliably.
3/12 #WotCStaff
No need for a 3rd color when you have bombs like Ugin and Scavenger Regent. If you have those and black removal, then the best color to add might be U for card draw to find the bombs reliably.
3/12 #WotCStaff
I did a Bo1 TDM draft challenge run from platinum to mythic only playing ally color decks (and 1 monocolor deck). All praise to Ojutai, Silumgar, Kologhan, Atarka, and Dromoka!
Here is a thread of my best decks and lessons I learned for drafting the format.
1/12 #MTGTarkir #mtgdraft #WotCStaff
Here is a thread of my best decks and lessons I learned for drafting the format.
1/12 #MTGTarkir #mtgdraft #WotCStaff
April 19, 2025 at 8:37 PM
I did a Bo1 TDM draft challenge run from platinum to mythic only playing ally color decks (and 1 monocolor deck). All praise to Ojutai, Silumgar, Kologhan, Atarka, and Dromoka!
Here is a thread of my best decks and lessons I learned for drafting the format.
1/12 #MTGTarkir #mtgdraft #WotCStaff
Here is a thread of my best decks and lessons I learned for drafting the format.
1/12 #MTGTarkir #mtgdraft #WotCStaff
Not ready to think about Spider-Man? Immerse yourself in a panel on the Aetherdrift design process instead!
youtu.be/rzLiyD3pkaE?...
Come for the in depth worldbuilding, stay for this cameo of Nicol Bolas being wielded by a Grizzly Bear. #MTGAetherdrift #MCChicago #WotCStaff
youtu.be/rzLiyD3pkaE?...
Come for the in depth worldbuilding, stay for this cameo of Nicol Bolas being wielded by a Grizzly Bear. #MTGAetherdrift #MCChicago #WotCStaff
March 1, 2025 at 7:06 PM
Not ready to think about Spider-Man? Immerse yourself in a panel on the Aetherdrift design process instead!
youtu.be/rzLiyD3pkaE?...
Come for the in depth worldbuilding, stay for this cameo of Nicol Bolas being wielded by a Grizzly Bear. #MTGAetherdrift #MCChicago #WotCStaff
youtu.be/rzLiyD3pkaE?...
Come for the in depth worldbuilding, stay for this cameo of Nicol Bolas being wielded by a Grizzly Bear. #MTGAetherdrift #MCChicago #WotCStaff
That was me! Shout out to this pup who was my MagicCon all-star for ending games with commander damage.
February 25, 2025 at 5:42 PM
That was me! Shout out to this pup who was my MagicCon all-star for ending games with commander damage.
I forgot to take screenshots of all my decks, so I'm out of pictures of winning nontraditional decklists now.
Hope you all enjoy the format as much as cowboy Mu Yanling pushing the limit did!
Hope you all enjoy the format as much as cowboy Mu Yanling pushing the limit did!
February 19, 2025 at 8:28 PM
I forgot to take screenshots of all my decks, so I'm out of pictures of winning nontraditional decklists now.
Hope you all enjoy the format as much as cowboy Mu Yanling pushing the limit did!
Hope you all enjoy the format as much as cowboy Mu Yanling pushing the limit did!
4-3 Naya SYE Rise from the Wreck Control
Okay not a great record, but you don't often get Naya control so I wanted to highlight it. Sweeper into Rise from the Wreck for 4 is so satisfying. Tyrox plays defense quite well.
Okay not a great record, but you don't often get Naya control so I wanted to highlight it. Sweeper into Rise from the Wreck for 4 is so satisfying. Tyrox plays defense quite well.
February 19, 2025 at 8:10 PM
4-3 Naya SYE Rise from the Wreck Control
Okay not a great record, but you don't often get Naya control so I wanted to highlight it. Sweeper into Rise from the Wreck for 4 is so satisfying. Tyrox plays defense quite well.
Okay not a great record, but you don't often get Naya control so I wanted to highlight it. Sweeper into Rise from the Wreck for 4 is so satisfying. Tyrox plays defense quite well.
6-3 UR PtL
Only 6 cards to bring back with PtL is a bit lower than you want, but the excellent card selection and early aggro uncommons meant that it worked out.
Only 6 cards to bring back with PtL is a bit lower than you want, but the excellent card selection and early aggro uncommons meant that it worked out.
February 19, 2025 at 8:07 PM
6-3 UR PtL
Only 6 cards to bring back with PtL is a bit lower than you want, but the excellent card selection and early aggro uncommons meant that it worked out.
Only 6 cards to bring back with PtL is a bit lower than you want, but the excellent card selection and early aggro uncommons meant that it worked out.
7-1 RW Push the Limit (PtL)
RW aggro Vehicles are struggling green stat monsters. Luckily, PtL is here to save the day! At least if you get 3x Chariot and a Flagship. Ghoda is key too, dying off to build to 7 mana, and then coming back with PtL for extra points! One loss was to Spell Pierce on PtL.
RW aggro Vehicles are struggling green stat monsters. Luckily, PtL is here to save the day! At least if you get 3x Chariot and a Flagship. Ghoda is key too, dying off to build to 7 mana, and then coming back with PtL for extra points! One loss was to Spell Pierce on PtL.
February 19, 2025 at 8:01 PM
7-1 RW Push the Limit (PtL)
RW aggro Vehicles are struggling green stat monsters. Luckily, PtL is here to save the day! At least if you get 3x Chariot and a Flagship. Ghoda is key too, dying off to build to 7 mana, and then coming back with PtL for extra points! One loss was to Spell Pierce on PtL.
RW aggro Vehicles are struggling green stat monsters. Luckily, PtL is here to save the day! At least if you get 3x Chariot and a Flagship. Ghoda is key too, dying off to build to 7 mana, and then coming back with PtL for extra points! One loss was to Spell Pierce on PtL.
7-2 BG Trample
This deck crossed the line to mythic! I love overstatted vanillas so much. Kalakscion has very layered play patterns. Usually it causes a board stall by making your opponent scared to attack. Late it can trade with a 7/7, or combo finish the game with Bestow Greatness!
This deck crossed the line to mythic! I love overstatted vanillas so much. Kalakscion has very layered play patterns. Usually it causes a board stall by making your opponent scared to attack. Late it can trade with a 7/7, or combo finish the game with Bestow Greatness!
February 19, 2025 at 7:57 PM
7-2 BG Trample
This deck crossed the line to mythic! I love overstatted vanillas so much. Kalakscion has very layered play patterns. Usually it causes a board stall by making your opponent scared to attack. Late it can trade with a 7/7, or combo finish the game with Bestow Greatness!
This deck crossed the line to mythic! I love overstatted vanillas so much. Kalakscion has very layered play patterns. Usually it causes a board stall by making your opponent scared to attack. Late it can trade with a 7/7, or combo finish the game with Bestow Greatness!
7-1 RGwb SYE Aggro Bombs
I love what Starting Column is doing here. Being ready to splash for bombs is a crucial skill in the play booster draft era. Starting Column (and Veloheart Bike) performed really well fixing mana, double spelling with 2 drops, and finding your bombs when the board stalls.
I love what Starting Column is doing here. Being ready to splash for bombs is a crucial skill in the play booster draft era. Starting Column (and Veloheart Bike) performed really well fixing mana, double spelling with 2 drops, and finding your bombs when the board stalls.
February 19, 2025 at 7:53 PM
7-1 RGwb SYE Aggro Bombs
I love what Starting Column is doing here. Being ready to splash for bombs is a crucial skill in the play booster draft era. Starting Column (and Veloheart Bike) performed really well fixing mana, double spelling with 2 drops, and finding your bombs when the board stalls.
I love what Starting Column is doing here. Being ready to splash for bombs is a crucial skill in the play booster draft era. Starting Column (and Veloheart Bike) performed really well fixing mana, double spelling with 2 drops, and finding your bombs when the board stalls.
7-2 WB SYE Aggro
White based aggro is struggling against the big green creatures. But if you have strong low cost removal, those aren't a problem! This deck has an aggro shape, but the Surveyors help you keep your foot on the gas to find your bombs if the opponent survives your 2 drops and tricks.
White based aggro is struggling against the big green creatures. But if you have strong low cost removal, those aren't a problem! This deck has an aggro shape, but the Surveyors help you keep your foot on the gas to find your bombs if the opponent survives your 2 drops and tricks.
February 19, 2025 at 7:47 PM
7-2 WB SYE Aggro
White based aggro is struggling against the big green creatures. But if you have strong low cost removal, those aren't a problem! This deck has an aggro shape, but the Surveyors help you keep your foot on the gas to find your bombs if the opponent survives your 2 drops and tricks.
White based aggro is struggling against the big green creatures. But if you have strong low cost removal, those aren't a problem! This deck has an aggro shape, but the Surveyors help you keep your foot on the gas to find your bombs if the opponent survives your 2 drops and tricks.
7-1 BR SYE Control
While the Start Your Engines! mechanic requires early aggression, it was important that many of the rewards helped the long game, so it wouldn't all be snowball aggro decks. The trio of Hour of Victory, Endrider Spikespitter, Risen Necroregent, ensure your late game is strong!
While the Start Your Engines! mechanic requires early aggression, it was important that many of the rewards helped the long game, so it wouldn't all be snowball aggro decks. The trio of Hour of Victory, Endrider Spikespitter, Risen Necroregent, ensure your late game is strong!
February 19, 2025 at 7:38 PM
7-1 BR SYE Control
While the Start Your Engines! mechanic requires early aggression, it was important that many of the rewards helped the long game, so it wouldn't all be snowball aggro decks. The trio of Hour of Victory, Endrider Spikespitter, Risen Necroregent, ensure your late game is strong!
While the Start Your Engines! mechanic requires early aggression, it was important that many of the rewards helped the long game, so it wouldn't all be snowball aggro decks. The trio of Hour of Victory, Endrider Spikespitter, Risen Necroregent, ensure your late game is strong!
I crossed the finish line! Got from bronze to mythic in Bo1 Aetherdrift draft before it’s time to leave for #MCChicago, where I’ll be on a panel on Sunday about the design of the set from start to finish! #MTGAetherdrift #WotCStaff
Here is a thread to talk about my winning draft decks!
#mtg #draft
Here is a thread to talk about my winning draft decks!
#mtg #draft
February 19, 2025 at 7:35 PM
I crossed the finish line! Got from bronze to mythic in Bo1 Aetherdrift draft before it’s time to leave for #MCChicago, where I’ll be on a panel on Sunday about the design of the set from start to finish! #MTGAetherdrift #WotCStaff
Here is a thread to talk about my winning draft decks!
#mtg #draft
Here is a thread to talk about my winning draft decks!
#mtg #draft
February 14, 2025 at 9:11 PM
me on my way to buff cards #wotcstaff
January 23, 2025 at 4:14 AM
me on my way to buff cards #wotcstaff