Best Drafting Archetypes Podcasts (2025)

1
Episode 36 - Fire Nation Cadets 33:03

Play Pause

5d ago33:03

33:03

Can you believe they printed Sol Ring at common? And Embercleave at uncommon? UR - https://www.17lands.com/deck/5ed2d4103c3b4989807688dbada43701/0?view=deck Linktree - https://linktr.ee/roughdraftsBy Sam Pratt

1
Facts In Fiction 33:38

7d ago33:38

33:38

How factual should fiction be? What level of real-world detail is necessary for a story, its plot, and characters to feel authentic? In this episode, Russ and Tim explore the role of facts in fiction, reflect on their own manuscripts, and debate when facts enhance a story and when they get in the way of good storytelling.…

1
Writing the Absurd, Doubting Your Talent, and Recognizing Gifts and Weaknesses - Playwright's Spotlight with James Merolla 1:11:06

7d ago1:11:06

1:11:06

Send us a text Playwright James Merolla streamed onto Playwright's Spotlight. We had an engaging and honest conversation about his background as a director and a theatre reviewer and how that eventually led to becoming a playwright. We discuss his struggles with rejection and doubting your talent and being a late-starting and older playwright and e…

1
Episode 35 - TLA Hot Topics 38:17

11d ago38:17

38:17

Normal limited is back! I'm so excited to jump into TLA, and talk through my thoughts on each of the bending mechanics as well as the set as a whole. Linktree - https://linktr.ee/roughdraftsBy Sam Pratt

1
Episode 34 - Talking Magic with Marc Anderson 50:18

19d ago50:18

50:18

Last month, I sat down and talked Magic with limited enthusiast and former Canadian National Champion Marc Anderson! We dive into some highlights of his pro career, discuss how limited has changed over the years, and talk a little cube too. Marc's socials X - https://x.com/neo_mtg bsky - https://bsky.app/profile/neo-mtg.bsky.social my Linktree - ht…

1
Narrative, Reversals, Mapping the Journey, and Running Away with the Circus - Playwright's Spotlight with Dietrich Smith 1:24:51

21d ago1:24:51

1:24:51

Send us a text Dietrich Smith jumped into the Playwright's Spotlight after the opening of his World Premiere adaptation of Franz Kafka's novel Amerika. We explore his background as the literary manager at the Open Fist Theatre Company and the trends he observed from submissions. We speak about establishing theme and whose story it is in a piece, ma…

1
Foreshadowing 43:16

21d ago43:16

43:16

Foreshadowing is another tool in the writer's toolkit that can enhance a reader's story experience. Early hints that can pay off later to build suspense, tension, and make that climax that much better. This episode, Russ and Tim get into what foreshadowing is, what it isn't, and how they used it in their stories. As a bonus, they work through what …

1
Episode 33 - Rotisserie Draft 39:47

26d ago39:47

39:47

This week I'm recapping a couple Rotisserie drafts of my cube! I had a blast roto drafting with friends last month, so I'm going into detail on how to run one, reviewing my own draft, and pitching why this format is so much fun. Samp's Arena Cube - https://cubecobra.com/cube/list/samp Lightning Bolt Pod spreadsheet - https://docs.google.com/spreads…

1
Inspirational Feedback, Weight-Bearing Walls, and Recognizing and Overcoming Imposter Syndrome - Playwright's Spotlight with Sofia Streisand 1:01:44

28d ago1:01:44

1:01:44

Send us a text Sofia Streisand dropped into Playwright's Spotlight to discuss the U.S. premiere of her play Bluebeard's Castle (that I misspoke as Blackbeard's) November 1st through November 23rd. In this discussion, we discuss the difference between Russian, European, and American theatre, her journey from musical theatre to playwriting, writing m…

1
Episode 32 - CubeCon Recap! 51:42

1M ago51:42

51:42

This week I'm recapping my long weekend in Madison, WI at CubeCon! I'm walking through all SEVEN of my drafts, and making a pitch for why these cube events are the best way to play magic. Cards mentioned - https://sealeddeck.tech/u9mAwcpw2z Prequel Draft - Everywhere Cube https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/everywhere Everywhere Cube deck - Stompy …

1
Applied Theatre, Writing Bilingual, and Dramaturgical Playwriting - Playwright's Spotlight with Ankita Raturi 1:21:19

1M ago1:21:19

1:21:19

Send us a text Ankita Raturi basked under the Playwright's Spotlight for the World Premiere of her play Neha & Neel. In this discussion we break down the concept of applied theatre and being a teaching artist, how it effects character, exercises that extrude character and whether or not the practice makes it into a piece. We unpack earning a monolo…

1
Writing the Climax 35:00

1M ago35:00

35:00

It's what the entire story has been building toward. The climax! The promise set at the beginning of your story comes to a breaking point, all is revealed, and your characters' flaws are resolved (maybe). In this episode, Russ and Tim chat about getting to the climax of a story, what it is, and how it should satisfy your readers.…

1
Episode 31 - Cube 201 32:42

1M ago32:42

32:42

After last week's introduction to the fundamentals of cube draft, I'm diving into some more nuanced discussion on cube (but mostly why you should take the good cards). I'm also showcasing all the creative cube genres the community has cooked up! Sam Black's "Unexploitable Cube Drafting" - https://www.hipstersofthecoast.com/2023/10/unexploitable-cub…

1
Writing Theatrically, Working on the Puzzle, and the Ecosystem of Theatre - Playwright's Spotlight with Crystal Skillman 1:03:26

1M ago1:03:26

1:03:26

Send us a text Playwright Crystal Skillman beamed into the Playwright's Spotlight from Indianapolis for the run of her World Premiere play The Rocket Men. We discuss how one becomes a 4-time NYT's Critics' Pick playwright, what it means to be a "theatrical" writer, writing design on the page and offering solutions, trusting and listening to your au…

1
Episode 30 - Cube 101 27:57

2M ago27:57

27:57

Are you a limited sicko who's cube curious? I'm diving into the subtle differences between booster draft and cube draft, including what makes a card powerful, and how to evaluate interaction and fixing. Linktree - https://linktr.ee/roughdraftsBy Sam Pratt

1
Formulas and Slow Burners, the Process of Radio Dramas, and Making Mystery Interesting - Playwright's Spotlight with John Ballentine 1:10:54

2M ago1:10:54

1:10:54

By James Elden

1
Episode 29 - Eerie Gravestone 21:56

2M ago21:56

21:56

Taking a peek at an unsupported archetype in OM1! Black and green have some particularly synergistic cards that work uniquely well in tandem. Example decks courtesy of Marc Anderson https://www.17lands.com/deck/b88bf57ed797481b939732539748af63/0?view=deck https://www.17lands.com/deck/6baac8a6905e4b9996460bddc0270ecb/0?view=deck https://www.17lands.…

1
Community, Distractions, and Writing Characters You Don't See on Stage - Playwright's Spotlight with Israel López Reyes 1:03:35

2M ago1:03:35

1:03:35

Send us a text Israel López Reyes swung by the studio before the opening of his recent commission to discuss his background leading up to it and his success as an Angeleno playwright. We discuss his journey from actor to playwright, how he fell into theatre and his discovery to figuring out story and telling stories that matter. We unpack the evolu…

1
Episode 28 - BONUS! Deep Dive on my Arena Cube 1:05:27

2M ago1:05:27

1:05:27

An in-depth look at my Arena Cube! Cubecobra list - https://cubecobra.com/cube/list/samp Trophy Decks thread - https://bsky.app/profile/sampratt.bsky.social/post/3lu7e627da225 Recross the Path (cube interview podcast) ft. me and this cube - https://open.spotify.com/episode/1jstoBuLlCW1iqthwGZHly Linktree - https://linktr.ee/roughdrafts…

1
Episode 27 - Wonderweave Aerialist 23:00

2M ago23:00

23:00

A deep dive into Blue White Modified in OM1! Come find out the best little dudes to play and the best ways to make them bigger. https://www.17lands.com/deck/19710276db5442b0a5f9c975e8bb9c1f/0?view=deck https://www.17lands.com/deck/b3f0f22acbd7482ba2c807cc1c66c63c/0?view=deck https://www.17lands.com/deck/900c74ce57524ec097a9c50b7e23bafa/0?view=deck …

1
Audiobooks 37:37

2M ago37:37

37:37

With their popularity increasing year after year Audiobooks are a massive business. Making it a must have in your distribution arsenal as an author. Using Russ' recently launched audiobook for HOST as an example. Russ and Tim discuss the production, distribution, and goals of having an audiobook and why people love them.…

1
Episode 26 - SPM/OM1 Hot Topics (and discussion) 31:36

2M ago31:36

31:36

My thoughts on the controversial Spider-Man set, plus some strategic insight into what I think of Pick 2 drafts and this format! Mark Rosewater's article - https://magic.wizards.com/en/news/making-magic/spider-man-magic-meets-marvel Eric Engelhard's article - https://magic.wizards.com/en/news/feature/spider-man-swinging-into-design Rhystic Studies …

1
Film to Stage, Naturalism to Realism, and Finding Courage to Write - Playwright's Spotlight with David Kohner Zuckerman 58:17

2M ago58:17

58:17

Send us a text Filmmaker turned playwright, David Kohner Zuckerman, dropped into Playwright's Spotlight to talk about the World Premiere of his play Parallel Process. In this interview, we talk unpack his journey from film to stage and how it affect his writing, his approach to naturalism and honesty to his writing, and how his acting and directing…

1
Episode 25 - EOE Retrospective 19:58

2M ago19:58

19:58

Time to take a look back at Edge of Eternities! The final vibe check on Spacecraft, looking back at my early-season slump, and checking after the 10th Play Booster format. Linktree - https://linktr.ee/roughdraftsBy Sam Pratt

1
REPLAY - Story Beats Act III 23:33

3M ago23:33

23:33

Wrapping up our replay series on Story Beats from 2023 with Act III. It all comes down to this...Act III. Our heroes have been removed from their normal world, thrust into a chaotic Act II world, been through the ringer, hit the bottom of the barrel, now it's time for them to shine (or maybe not?) and finish their journey. Join Russ and Tim as they…

1
Implementing Twists, Writing Red Herrings, and Keeping Your Audience Engaged - Playwright's Spotlight with Stuart Brown 1:02:10

3M ago1:02:10

1:02:10

Send us a text Playwright Stuart Brown streamed into Playwright's Spotlight for a second time after technical difficulties with sound, but I hope delved a little deeper this time around. We discuss the Connecticut Theatre Market, being a critic and a playwright and how the former affected the latter, honesty as a critic, and advice to theatre compa…

1
Episode 24 - Divert Disaster 19:30

3M ago19:30

19:30

Grab bag episode for EOE! I talk through a handful of sweet interactions at commons, plus why you should be a little more willing to play a Quench. catscandal's Azorius Midrange article - https://abitterblossom.wordpress.com/2025/08/22/azorius-midrange-in-edge-of-eternities-draft/ Friso's WB writeup - https://docs.google.com/document/d/19PFQ4vazJC_…

1
Episode 23 - Nebula Dragon 19:58

3M ago19:58

19:58

Red week! Drafting red in EOE really clicked for me this week - tune in to learn why you shouldn't be afraid to get deep into the color, and why you should be building your decks around a 7 mana 4/4. UR - https://www.17lands.com/deck/a842280f5b13479880a666a7fec39fc6/0?view=deckBy Sam Pratt

1
REPLAY - Story Beats Act II 23:03

3M ago23:03

23:03

Continuing the Story Beats replays from 2023. Doing their best to avoid strong act II vibes, Russ and Tim continue their deep dive into Save the Cat! Writes A Novel story beats with Act II.By Russ Capasso and Tim Letteney

1
Episode 22 - Perigee Beckoner 24:12

3M ago24:12

24:12

This week I'm diving into Perigee Beckoner, one of the sweetest black commons in EOE, and exploring the myriad of combos and synergy this card provides. BU - https://www.17lands.com/deck/6082db0ccd3e4efea19c5cf4969bd9a0/0?view=deck BU - https://www.17lands.com/deck/c13142f81e02420ca35155e22043ce21/1?view=deck Sierkovitz - Resources in Limited - sho…

1
The Musicality of Dialogue, the Magic of Writing, the Doorway Effect, and the Trick of Eliminating Parenthiticals - Playwright's Spotlight with Lawrence Connolly 1:14:58

3M ago1:14:58

1:14:58

Send us a text Playwright. Screenplay Writer, and Novelist Lawrence C. Connolly streamed into Playwright's Spotlight and, as always, we touched base on many topics not covered in previous episodes. It never ceases to amaze me. In this discussion, we delve into adapting a novel and the allegory of Frankenstein, staging multiple locations on stage, t…

1
Episode 21 - Illvoi Galeblade 24:54

3M ago24:54

24:54

As the format develops, I turn to an old Magic strategy article for gameplay guidance. More specifically, I'm examining how managing your life total (and your opponents'!) can lend you a big leg up in Edge of Eternities. Patrick Chapin - The Theory of Everything - https://articles.starcitygames.com/articles/innovations-the-theory-of-everything/ UB …

1
REPLAY - Story Beats Act I 32:31

4M ago32:31

32:31

Diving into the Writer Syndrome archive we're revisiting our Story Beats episodes from 2023. Using Save the Cat! Writes A Novel as a jumping off point, Russ and Tim do a deep dive into the Act I story beats, and reference how this methodology was useful in crafting their own works.By Russ Capasso and Tim Letteney

1
Episode 20 - Survey Mechan 24:48

4M ago24:48

24:48

Edge of Eternities hasn't been kind to me, but one bright spot is the "differently named lands" payoffs have been sweet! I spend some time talking about pulling out of a slump, how to build decks to not flood, and finally why Survey Mechan and All-Fates Scroll are so much fun. UG Mechans - https://www.17lands.com/deck/46436fc2a4574e7f892fc578abe915…

1
The Business of Playwriting, Laying Breadcrumbs, and Dramatic Truth and the Math of Human Emotion - Playwright's Spotlight with Angelica Cheri 1:06:49

4M ago1:06:49

1:06:49

Send us a text Angelica Cheri swung by Playwright's Spotlight after leaving the rehearsals of her Broadway play Wanted only to jump into the rehearsals for the West Coast Premiere of her play Burta Burta. She was wiling to share her insights of the craft. We delve into the rehearsal process, approaching rewrites and the importance of dramatic truth…

1
Episode 19 - Gene Pollinator 29:19

4M ago29:19

29:19

Talking about my lean, green, mean friend Gene! There's some promising historical precedence for cards like Gene Pollinator, so I'm talking through those as a backdrop before taking a look at some of the things Gene can do in Edge of Eternities. Whole pile of Gx 2-1s - still haven't felt like I've gotten one that's particularly great - https://www.…

1
REPLAY - Story Archetypes 18:21

4M ago18:21

18:21

A replay of an episode recorded in 2023. Story archetypes are a great starting point for building your narrative. In this episode Russ and Tim discuss the seven core story archetypes that can be found in most fiction, how they can be used to create engaging novels, and how they used (or didn't use) them for their own projects.…

1
Episode 100! Jersey Boys, an Egg Timer, Stage Effects, and Organizing Principles - Playwright's Spotlight with Rick Elice 1:14:13

4M ago1:14:13

1:14:13

Send us a text Episode 100! Thanks for supporting us on this journey. We would love to hear how this podcast may have helped you with your creative endeavors. To celebrate this milestone, Rick Elice of Jersey Boys, Peter and the Star Catcher, Water for Elephants, The Addams Family, The Cher Show, and the upcoming Princess Bride Musical, was graciou…

1
Episode 18 - 10 Hot Topics in Edge of Eternities 41:51

4M ago41:51

41:51

The great beyond beckons - Edge of Eternities is almost here, and it's a challenging set to evaluate! I posit 10 big question marks I have before I get my hands on the cards, covering Spacecraft, fixing, and more. Plus - stay tuned for some secret bonus content.By Sam Pratt

1
Episode 17 - Summon: G.F. Ifrit 23:46

4M ago23:46

23:46

I'm saying goodbye to a banger of a limited format - with one part grab bag (miscellaneous card eval) and one part format retrospective. UG Towns - https://www.17lands.com/deck/3a0db8e045374966bb04ccda2bf8882a/0?view=deck Ethan's Steal-n-sac - https://imgur.com/a/S40hpcL BR ft. Summon: Anima - https://www.17lands.com/deck/62c98240248c46e7b0be000fa6…

1
Magical Realism and Heightened Language, Punctuation as Sheet Music, and Locking Opposite Characters in a Room - Playwright's Spotlight with Ashley Griffin 1:08:18

4M ago1:08:18

1:08:18

Send us a text Playwright and performer, Ashley Griffin, swung by the studio to sit in the Playwright's Spotlight before her West Coast Premiere of her Off-Broadway play The Opposite of Love. It's a compelling conversation that tackles so many aspects of playwriting, that the title of the thumbnail became a struggle. In this discussion, we breakdow…

1
The Third Draft & Beyond 36:22

4M ago36:22

36:22

If you've survived the second draft, congrats! But you still have quite a way to go on your journey, which brings us to the third draft and beyond. Refining sentence structure and word choice, incorporating beta reader feedback, eliminating crunch words and phrases, the drafts where the polish happens. In this episode, Russ and Tim reflect on their…

1
Episode 16 - White Auracite 25:01

5M ago25:01

25:01

White is the most aggressive color in FIN for sure. However, aggressive decks carry a different meaning than they did a few years ago. I take a look at some of the ways aggro has changed over the past couple of years, and dive into what my white decks of every color look like. F.I.R.E. Design article - https://magic.wizards.com/en/news/card-preview…

1
Episode 15 - Reach the Horizon 29:08

5M ago29:08

29:08

This week I'm tackling a topic near and dear to my heart - splashing and multicolor! While splashing is somewhat of a rarity in FIN, there are plenty of spots where the third, fourth, or fifth color adds something great. What are our fixing options, and what types of cards ask us to stretch our manabase? Limited Level Ups manabase video - https://w…

1
The Second Draft 36:21

5M ago36:21

36:21

So you've completed a first draft of your manuscript. Now what? The real work begins. Writing is re-writing and the second draft is a heavy lift of fixing those major character and plot issues that creep in during that first vomit draft. This episode Russ and Tim talk about the trials and tribulations of the second draft and how important it is whe…

1
Artistic Visas, Defining Success, and Networking to Find Opportunities - Playwright's Spotlight with Joel Trinidad 57:32

5M ago57:32

57:32

Send us a text I invited Joel Trinidad onto the Playwright's Spotlight after reading about his journey. He streamed in while on tour for his acting performance of Romeo and Juliet as part of a fringe fest in South Dakota. In our conversation, we discussed acquiring an artist visa, producing your own work, the definition of success, the structure of…

1
Episode 14 - Black Mage's Rod 22:19

5M ago22:19

22:19

Armed with a weekend of drafts from Magic Con Vegas, this week I'm looking at Black Mage's Rod. Which decks want Black Mage's Rod, and how does it stack up against the other black 2 drops? Game against Cuneo (UB) - https://www.17lands.com/history/12daee6c80754ff58649d1f9f56e98f3/7/0 My paper UB deck - https://bsky.app/profile/sampratt.bsky.social/p…

1
Episode 13 - Sorceress's Schemes 24:13

5M ago24:13

24:13

Sorceress's Schemes is a really sweet data darling from the first week of FIN limited. It's pretty obvious where it fits in (BR and UR), but why exactly does it perform well in those decks? Are there any other places we can play it? BR (from me) - https://www.17lands.com/deck/3048cce3f745424c882a6eb8b89cab07/0?view=deck UR (from Chonce on Discord) …

1
Plays as Living Things, Staging in Unconventional Locations, and the Definition of Being a Writer - Playwright's Spotlight with Cameron Scott 1:16:02

5M ago1:16:02

1:16:02

Send us a text Broadway marketer turned playwright Cameron Scott came onto Playwright's Spotlight after I received his submission to PLAY Noir to talk about his later-in-life start to playwriting. In this conversation, we delve into what the definition of a writer is, a play being a living thing, audio plays vs stage plays and a play's transition f…

1
The First Draft 39:36

5M ago39:36

39:36

The first draft, often called the "vomit draft," is one of the most important parts of the writing process. Once you type "the end," you can truly begin. In this episode, Russ and Tim revisit their first drafts and discuss the improvements they've made for their upcoming projects.By Russ Capasso and Tim Letteney