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You are here: Home / Archives for magic the gathering

They Might Be (Two-Headed) Giants Episode 1: Ikoria Premier Draft

April 21, 2020 by Dave

Mythos of Snapdax

The new set Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths is out, and draftable against other people on Magic Arena. But they are all still but one head, whereas Dennis and Dave are two.

Filed Under: Board, Card, and Miniature Games, Featured, They Might Be (Two-Headed) Giants Tagged With: ikoria, ikoria: lair of behemoths, Magic Arena, magic the gathering

The Selesnya Brief: Introduction

February 8, 2019 by Dave

Guildmaster's Guide to Ravnica

Three Parts Dead put the idea of a fantasy legal thriller in my head. And I knew the Guildmaster’s Guide to Ravnica was coming out soon. Putting them together and The Selesnya Brief was born.

Filed Under: Adventure Prep, Campaign Logs, Critical Threats, Featured, Newest Critical Hits, Roleplaying Games Tagged With: dnd, magic the gathering, mtg, ravnica, the selesnya brief

A Study in CCGs: Magic/Heartstone/Star Wars: Destiny

August 15, 2017 by The Main Event

I would never claim to be a pro, but I’ve played my fair share of collectible card games. In some ways, I think we are in a golden age of the CCG.

Filed Under: Board, Card, and Miniature Games, Editorial, Featured, Newest Critical Hits Tagged With: hearthstone, magic, magic the gathering, star wars, star wars: destiny

Magic: the Gathering Officially Comes to D&D

April 27, 2016 by Dave

For years, gamers have wondered why two of the biggest fantasy brands in the world, Magic: the Gathering and Dungeons & Dragons, couldn’t come together, especially since they’re both made in the same building.

Filed Under: Board, Card, and Miniature Games, News, Roleplaying Games Tagged With: D&D, D&D 5e, eldrazi, magic the gathering, mtg, zendikar

My 2014 as a Freelance Game Designer

January 23, 2015 by Dave

Dave recaps his 2014 as a freelance game designer in both tabletop and RPG, and learn how too much clicking can seriously derail a plan.

Filed Under: Board, Card, and Miniature Games, Critical Threats, Editorial, Featured, Newest Critical Hits, Roleplaying Games Tagged With: Apocalypse World, conventions, fate, game design, heat, magic the gathering, strange new worlds, timewatch, unpub

Stealing From Games (And A Game About Stealing)

June 3, 2014 by Dave

Heat

I see this a lot among game designers of all kinds, both new and experienced: “I really want to use [game mechanism X] but I worry it’ll be too much like [popular game].” I am here to set you free and tell you not to worry about that.

Filed Under: Board, Card, and Miniature Games, Critical Threats, Featured, Game Hacks & Content, Newest Critical Hits Tagged With: drafting, game design, heat, Kickstarter, lords of waterdeep, love letter, magic the gathering, scoundrels of skullport

Tales From Gen Con 2013

September 6, 2013 by Vanir

Hi-ho, Vanir the blog here. Gen Con has come and gone, and (as usual) I returned full of memories, inspiration, and strange ideas. Here are a few of the highlights of my Gen Con 2013 Experience™: PROTIP Do not start a new job the day after Gen Con. WOW that was dumb. My head was […]

Filed Under: Dire Flailings Tagged With: book signing, cosmic patrol, dangerous games, dread, gen con, gencon, magic the gathering, matt forbeck, mercedes lackey, nascrag, rude people

Portrait of a Card Addict as a Young Man

July 6, 2012 by Dave

After over 10 years clean, only playing the occasional draft in the meantime, I’ve gotten back into Magic: The Gathering, in a pretty big way. I’ve played in the last three prereleases held by my FLGS, and am playing another one this Saturday for the release of Magic 2013 core set. I’ve started playing both drafts at the FLGS, and organizing them at home. Perhaps most shockingly of all, I’ve pushed to play Magic at days when we could be doing other gaming like board games or RPGs. The bug has bit hard.

Filed Under: Board, Card, and Miniature Games, Critical Threats Tagged With: magic the gathering

Gen Con Indie

June 26, 2012 by Vanir

As many of you are no doubt rabidly aware, Gen Con Indy 2012 approaches. I am slightly foamier than I usually am since I had to miss all but a few hours of the ‘con last year. That being said, I am a little dumbfounded as to how to spend my time in Indy this year. Sure, there’ll be lots of time spent with old friends and new and many (mis)adventures to be had. But some of that time is going to be spent gaming, and I’ve been struggling with how to fill in the nerdliest 4 days of my year. I looked deep within myself for answers, and after breaking through several layers of E.L. Fudge strata I found my answer in the form of a simple question. “What don’t I get to do at home that I can do at Gen Con?”

Filed Under: Dire Flailings Tagged With: ascension, do the flying pilgrims, fiasco, gen con, gen con indy, indiana, indianapolis, indie games, magic 2013, magic the gathering, microscope, warhammer, wowtcg, yaaay

Origins 2012 Report

June 13, 2012 by Dave

I almost didn’t attend Origins this year, despite having attended for many years prior. The date change meant that a number of people I knew would not be attending this time around, cutting down reasons for attending. Likewise, I was already making other plans for that time off. Then Get Bit! was nominated for an award, and that pretty much settled that. Despite the changes, I still had a good time. Here are some of the highlights for me.

Filed Under: Board, Card, and Miniature Games, Critical Threats, Editorial, News, Roleplaying Games Tagged With: avacyn restored, eventide, flowerfall, get bit!, king of tokyo, magic the gathering, marvel heroic roleplaying, mtg, planechase, set cubed, shelter in place, summoner wars

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About the Author

  • Dave

    Dave "The Game" Chalker is the Editor-in-Chief and Co-Founder of Critical Hits. Since 2005, he has been bringing readers game news and advice, as well as editing nearly everything published here. He is the designer of the Origins Award-winning Get Bit!, a freelance designer and developer, son of a science fiction author, and a Master of Arts. He lives in MD with e and at least three dogs.

    Email: dave@critical-hits.com

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