The End Step of 2025 - Year-End Recap, Best Sellers, Arena Direct Drama & Much More!

PRIMARY SPONSOR:   Use the promo  manapool.com/promo/magicmics  to get 5000 mana, that's $5 free, while supplies last at  manapool.com. Use ManaTraders.com Promo Code: MAGICMICS_4CI for 10% off your next subscription! Check out the twitch channel: http://twitch.tv/magicmics Visit our subreddit: http://www.reddit.com/r/magicmics Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/magicmicscast Like us on Facebook: http://facebook.com/magicmics

PRIMARY SPONSOR:   Use the promo  manapool.com/promo/magicmics  to get 5000 mana, that's $5 free, while supplies last at  manapool.com. Use ManaTraders.com Promo Code: MAGICMICS_4CI for 10% off your next subscription! Check out the twitch channel: http://twitch.tv/magicmics Visit our subreddit: http://www.reddit.com/r/magicmics Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/magicmicscast   First Pick MTGO's Published Decklists Update: https://bsky.app/profile/fireshoes.bsky.social/post/3mf2x4tlo7c2e https://youtu.be/kJNseSKhUi0   Gather the Townsfolk   Multiverse Promos for TMNT Prerelease: https://magic.wizards.com/en/news/announcements/attend-a-teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-prerelease-get-magic-multiverse-promos   Pride 2026: https://magic.wizards.com/en/news/announcements/magic-presents-pride-returns-june-2026-with-a-new-promo-card   Squen and Cragg Roundup Cheering For Team USA: https://bsky.app/profile/magic.wizards.com/post/3metl7xmzzc2o Side Hustle: https://bsky.app/profile/magic.wizards.com/post/3meyomen3o62k   Arena's Challenge Lobbies: https://youtu.be/CwNazt4eSao https://magic.wizards.com/en/news/mtg-arena/announcements-february-16-2026   Arena Championship 11 Standard Metagame: https://bsky.app/profile/fireshoes.bsky.social/post/3mezcm2ovus2b   Momir's Vig: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UA_lhvMBj6c   Eric Klug Alter Sells for $16.3K: https://bsky.app/profile/hobbesq.bolasgang.com/post/3metccymc522l   Desperate Ravings   SpellBot Loses Connection to SpellTable: https://bsky.app/profile/seraphsix.com/post/3menwnkk5ss2s https://www.patreon.com/posts/spelltable-150585185   Splash Damage   Magic Player Designed Bad Bunny's Bush Costumes: https://bsky.app/profile/steelcitysteph.bsky.social/post/3meo6gbys6s2g The Finisher One of the official Ninja Turtle previews from this week is Action News Crew, which has "Channel 6," which of course is the channel number that they broadcast to in universe. What a cute and clever combination of name, mechanic, and number! So tell me: what fun combos are you hoping for in the next year?

PRIMARY SPONSOR:   Use the promo  manapool.com/promo/magicmics  to get 5000 mana, that's $5 free, while supplies last at  manapool.com. Use ManaTraders.com Promo Code: MAGICMICS_4CI for 10% off your next subscription! Check out the twitch channel: http://twitch.tv/magicmics Visit our subreddit: http://www.reddit.com/r/magicmics Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/magicmicscast   First Pick   B&R Day Roundup Everything But Commander: https://magic.wizards.com/en/news/announcements/banned-and-restricted-february-9-2026 Commander: https://magic.wizards.com/en/news/announcements/commander-banned-and-restricted-february-9-2026 Alchemy Rebalancing: https://magic.wizards.com/en/news/mtg-arena/announcements-february-9-2026#AlchemyRebalances   Gather the Townsfolk Hasbro Financial Report: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260209085774/en/Hasbro-Reports-Fourth-Quarter-and-Full-Year-2025-Financial-Results https://investor.hasbro.com/static-files/8cd9c02e-388e-4d85-8c35-e9d21dbe21bb MTG FIN Boosts Square Enix: https://www.hd.square-enix.com/eng/ir/pdf/26q3slides.pdf   Prof Raises $600K for Trans Lifeline   Desperate Ravings   WotC on Harry Potter: https://old.reddit.com/r/magicTCG/comments/1r12ed3/do_we_think_wotc_would_potentially_touch_the_fire/o4metfg/ https://bsky.app/profile/amazonchique.bsky.social/post/3mekkqg2tlc2h   Splash Damage   Baldur's Gate HBO Series: https://deadline.com/2026/02/baldurs-gate-3-tv-show-craig-mazin-hbo-1236710583/   Amber Glenn: https://bsky.app/profile/marioprime.bsky.social/post/3meeoo3pxhs2i https://youtu.be/5sg9awJFZ0c https://apnews.com/article/milan-cortina-olympics-figure-skating-copyright-0d46df364ff67d430b394e40089926f0 https://bsky.app/profile/hobbesq.bolasgang.com/post/3melznjrhzs2e The Finisher   Magic's cool now! And by cool, I mean the Winter Olympics "cool." Gold medal figure skater and social media star Amber Glenn featured her love of MTG in a vignette live on NBC coverage this past week. So tell me: What other snow-covered crossovers could we look forward to with the Winter Olympics?

PRIMARY SPONSOR:   Use the promo  manapool.com/promo/magicmics  to get 5000 mana, that's $5 free, while supplies last at  manapool.com. Use ManaTraders.com Promo Code: MAGICMICS_4CI for 10% off your next subscription! Check out the twitch channel: http://twitch.tv/magicmics Visit our subreddit: http://www.reddit.com/r/magicmics Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/magicmicscast Like us on Facebook: http://facebook.com/magicmics First Pick   Remembering Kai Budde: https://magic.wizards.com/en/news/announcements/remembering-kai-budde https://youtu.be/nELcQYaqTmk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHlP9bgiKVM https://magic.gg/news/the-eternal-juggernaut-a-tribute-to-kai-budde https://www.magic.gg/news/what-kai-budde-meant-to-magic   Pro Tour Roundup Metagame: https://bsky.app/profile/playmagic.com/post/3mdl6arlgmd2a Top 8: https://bsky.app/profile/playmagic.com/post/3mdra24bt7a2a https://bsky.app/profile/playmagic.com/post/3mdsluyxohl2r Champion: https://bsky.app/profile/playmagic.com/post/3mdtfu5lnec2a   Gather the Townsfolk   Prof's ECL Giveaway: https://bsky.app/profile/tolariancommunitycollege.com/post/3me2dzqvg6c24   SOS and MAR Previews: https://www.gamespot.com/gallery/magic-the-gathering-is-bringing-back-the-mystical-archives-and-going-hard-on-marvel-super-heroes/2900-7428/#1   WeeklyMTG Talks Secret Lair: https://old.reddit.com/r/magicTCG/comments/1qvt1h4/a_summary_of_the_secret_lair_team_on_weeklymtg/   Commander B&R Incoming: https://bskx.app/profile/themaverickgirl.bsky.social/post/3mdy25qdl4s2g   Desperate Ravings   Magic Con Turns Down Bryon Wackwitz: https://old.reddit.com/r/magicTCG/comments/1qvr9lk/magic_artist_bryon_wackwitz_turned_down_for_mtg/   Day of Black Sun's Zenith: https://bsky.app/profile/fireshoes.bsky.social/post/3mdo4kwnpck24   Amazonian Not Previewing Alchemy: https://bsky.app/profile/amytheamazonian.bsky.social/post/3mdfxbwm6gk24   Splash Damage   Maro's New Game: https://bskx.app/profile/maro254.bsky.social/post/3mdy4wwzalc2c https://www.tumblr.com/markrosewater/807558480779182080/secret-lair-redacted-presents-not-a-magic-the Mood Swings: https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/143608529653/you-told-me-to-get-back-to-you-after-question-time   Olivia & Brian on Um, Actually: https://bsky.app/profile/dropout.tv/post/3mdv7pkynpm25 The Finisher   January has come and gone, as has Lorwyn Eclipsed. So as the moon wanes out, tell me: what are you hoping for on our third trip back to Lorwyn and Shadowmoor in a few years?

PRIMARY SPONSOR:   Use the promo  manapool.com/promo/magicmics  to get 5000 mana, that's $5 free, while supplies last at  manapool.com. Use ManaTraders.com Promo Code: MAGICMICS_4CI for 10% off your next subscription! Check out the twitch channel: http://twitch.tv/magicmics Visit our subreddit: http://www.reddit.com/r/magicmics Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/magicmicscast Like us on Facebook: http://facebook.com/magicmics   Gather the Townsfolk   Alpha Forest Painting For Sale: https://bsky.app/profile/threeforonetrading.bsky.social/post/3mcjqcqhad22y   INSIDE MTG App: https://x.com/i/status/2011846520178417817   Spotlight Series in Toronto Adds Seats: https://bskx.app/profile/facetofacegames.bsky.social/post/3mbwym2hnqs27   Desperate Ravings   Premodern B&R Update (Parallax Wave banned): https://premodernmagic.com/blog/ban-list-update-2026/   Pokemon Printing Errors on Precon Cards: https://x.com/ligamagicbr/status/2013320851295182982?s=46&t=EpEuTZLm47EcIyaKPL8ooA   Arena Direct Gets More FIN Collector Boxes: https://x.com/i/status/2010030146489930006   Splash Damage   Games Workshop Bans Generative AI: https://frvr.com/blog/news/warhammer-company-games-workshop-bans-generative-ai-for-all-content-to-respect-our-human-creators/ The Finisher Some prereleasers had surprises lurking this weekend when they found Ninja Turtles in their Lorwyn prerelease packs. This is a truly unique spoiler season, and obviously this wasn't intentional… but what if it could inspire future spoiler seasons? So tell me: how would you release future set information as virally and weirdly as this?

PRIMARY SPONSOR:   Use the promo  manapool.com/promo/magicmics  to get 5000 mana, that's $5 free, while supplies last at  manapool.com. Use ManaTraders.com Promo Code: MAGICMICS_4CI for 10% off your next subscription! Check out the twitch channel: http://twitch.tv/magicmics Visit our subreddit: http://www.reddit.com/r/magicmics Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/magicmicscast Like us on Facebook: http://facebook.com/magicmics

PRIMARY SPONSOR:   Use the promo  manapool.com/promo/magicmics  to get 5000 mana, that's $5 free, while supplies last at  manapool.com. Use ManaTraders.com Promo Code: MAGICMICS_4CI for 10% off your next subscription! Check out the twitch channel: http://twitch.tv/magicmics Visit our subreddit: http://www.reddit.com/r/magicmics Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/magicmicscast Like us on Facebook: http://facebook.com/magicmics

PRIMARY SPONSOR:   Use the promo  manapool.com/promo/magicmics  to get 5000 mana, that's $5 free, while supplies last at  manapool.com. Use ManaTraders.com Promo Code: MAGICMICS_4CI for 10% off your next subscription! Check out the twitch channel: http://twitch.tv/magicmics Visit our subreddit: http://www.reddit.com/r/magicmics Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/magicmicscast Like us on Facebook: http://facebook.com/magicmics First Pick   Year End Magic Mics Recap   Best Selling Sets of 2025: https://old.reddit.com/r/MagicArena/comments/1q068h6/the_best_selling_sets_of_2025_were_final_fantasy/   Gather the Townsfolk   Kai Budde Update: https://x.com/i/status/2001743422223454597   Black Nerds in USA Today: https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2025/12/29/black-nerds-magic-the-gathering-community/87846728007/   Urza's Legacy Survey Sheets: https://old.reddit.com/r/magicTCG/comments/1pzq49v/anyone_know_anything_about_these_urzas_legacy/   Desperate Ravings   Arena Direct Distribution Issues: https://x.com/i/status/2003144371039080794 https://bsky.app/profile/jupiterbrando.bsky.social/post/3maa67oqxyc2y   The Finisher   It's New Year's Eve! So as we say goodbye to 2025, tell me: what have you learned this year?

PRIMARY SPONSOR:   Use the promo  manapool.com/promo/magicmics  to get 5000 mana, that's $5 free, while supplies last at  manapool.com. Use ManaTraders.com Promo Code: MAGICMICS_4CI for 10% off your next subscription! Check out the twitch channel: http://twitch.tv/magicmics Visit our subreddit: http://www.reddit.com/r/magicmics Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/magicmicscast Like us on Facebook: http://facebook.com/magicmics   First Pick   Maro's Lorwyn Eclipsed Teaser: https://www.tumblr.com/markrosewater/803004920167120896/maros-lorwyn-eclipsed-teaser-before-previews   Gather the Townsfolk   Plans for Brawl: https://magic.wizards.com/en/news/mtg-arena/brawl-our-plans https://bsky.app/profile/amytheamazonian.bsky.social/post/3ma3ardxuh22r Samma Harr, Judge Program Manager: https://bsky.app/profile/playmagic.com/post/3ma2gbclcny2y   Upping the Flavor Text: https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/802760496210165760/i-wish-more-cards-had-flavor-text https://bsky.app/profile/mtgds.bsky.social/post/3m7tifc77ik2v   Desperate Ravings   Mana Pool's Growth: https://bsky.app/profile/manapool.com/post/3ma5h7ckkjc2r The Finisher   The talk of the town this week was High Perfect Morcant. Not only for the new keyword Blight which is coming in Lorwyn Eclipsed, but also the big lady hoof-toes. Now, I'm no Quentin Tarantino but I am an aficiona-toe and we are on the internet where we enjoy a good tootsie, so tell me: what Magic art feet-ures your favorite trotters?

PRIMARY SPONSOR:   Use the promo  manapool.com/promo/magicmics  to get 5000 mana, that's $5 free, while supplies last at  manapool.com. Use ManaTraders.com Promo Code: MAGICMICS_4CI for 10% off your next subscription! Check out the twitch channel: http://twitch.tv/magicmics Visit our subreddit: http://www.reddit.com/r/magicmics Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/magicmicscast Like us on Facebook: http://facebook.com/magicmics   First Pick   World Championship Roundup Standard Metagame Breakdown: https://magic.gg/news/magic-world-championship-31-standard-metagame-breakdown Trophy: https://bsky.app/profile/cutemonster.bsky.social/post/3m7beisqwcc2u https://bsky.app/profile/playmagic.com/post/3m7bdgaudv22e https://bsky.app/profile/playmagic.com/post/3m7g7fuuf2s2l Top 8: https://bsky.app/profile/playmagic.com/post/3m7eleuqmwa2a Player of the Year Ken Yukuhiro Champion Seth Manfield: https://bsky.app/profile/playmagic.com/post/3m7gqe7jyne22 https://bsky.app/profile/playmagic.com/post/3m7gsd7af3h2u The Take-Back Heard 'Cross the Internet: https://imgur.com/judge-allows-seth-to-takeback-spell-Jwt1Es7 https://youtube.com/shorts/pKQXDecUB7U?si=a8Bh93LRg7Jc_FEs https://youtu.be/Kq5we40GpUs?si=UKgHD6qo9MuM9GB6   Minh (PharmacistJudge) — 8:24 PM I am going to weigh in here.  The policy was made in 2018 and the line is drawn at information gained.  People are arguing that Ken allowing the spell to resolve is information gained.  It isn't.  Look at the boardstate and importantly look at Ken's decklist (which is open information).  Ken has {U/G}{G.B} and Cavern.  His decklist has Bitter Triumph (non-relevant spell to the situation) and Urgent Necropsy (which he can't cast).  He already cycled his 1 copy of Webstrike Elite earlier.  The funny thing is, this takeback is allowed because it is the World Championship.  This is a rare time where decklists are open and public.  So Seth Manfield knows Ken has no responses because he has seen the decklist.  So Ken saying something resolves is not information gained.   If you allow that it resolves as being information if the player has no potential plays, players are incentivized to say "it resolves" as fast as possible to close the takeback window.  That makes the tournament environment much worse.  The rules for takebacks are part of the tournament rules. The tournament rules are the same whether you are at a local FNM or the World Championship.  If you want little timmy at FNM to have takebacks, you must allow the world champions to have some as well.  Consistency is key especially when writing policy.    Gather the Townsfolk   Marvel Super Heroes Preview  https://scryfall.com/search?q=set%3Amsh%2Cmsc%2Cmar+date%3A2026-06-26&order=set&as=grid&unique=prints    Splash Damage   New Star Wars CCG https://www.starwars.com/news/star-wars-collectible-card-game    Riftbound Big Events   The Finisher   The first of the Lorwyn stories dropped this week. Go read them! But for first article spoilers: four Strixhaven students get tricked into Lorwyn and accidentally awaken the Carrier of Twilight. Now, I done messed up a few times in my younger years… but I never tripped and fell and accidentally triggered The Great Aurora, so tell me: what was your biggest mistake in college?