2025 has been a challenging year for a few reasons, but I continue to feel lucky to be able to "see the game, see the world" in the Magic space. Looking forward to running it back next year. Happy New Year, everyone. 🙏

Thinking back when I was at Hipsters of the Coast many years ago, we'd look through some end-of-year data and remember there was one person reading Hipsters content on a Nintendo 3DS. I hope they're doing okay.

Thinking about cool cards that people should probably play more in Commander.

Definitely feeling the lack of gas (also known as card draw) in Anzrag, so I'm making some changes and cutting some of the mana acceleration (not lands) in exchange for a bit more action.

Happy "what day is it? and what do I do with my hands?" week.

Thinking about the design elegance of the Lorwyn Five today.

We may have just had Christmas, but I was lucky enough to have experienced a second one in webcam Canlander earlier today. 🤭

A merry Gilgamesh mail day to those who celebrate 😤⚔️

Thinking about cool cards from Portal Second Age today.

he's making a list he's making another list he's making a third list santa is autistic

Okay, BALL x PIT is hella fun. Reminds me a lot of Loop Hero.

I am cheese.

It is a Canadian Highlander miracle. 🙏

IT IS TIME. Today is the only day you can legally share this. Happy Almost Christmas

My video games of the year (in no order), this also includes games I played/discovered but didn't release this year. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Octopath Traveler 2 The Drifter Blue Prince Avowed Hades 2 Megabonk

tl;dr: GenAI and game design concepts traditionally referred to as "AI" (enemy behaviors, pathfinding, etc.) are not the same thing, and I'm on my knees begging people to learn the difference, lest we see more bullshit claims like what The Escapist put out re: Blue Prince.

Also iconic, the great LSV using multiple oblivion rings to crash magic online youtu.be/AGXG5rNe_tI?...

Thinking about cool cards from MTG—FINAL FANTASY today, a Top 5 Magic set of all time (for me).

Live in 5 trying a more aggressive take on Izzet Looting, featuring Wild Ride! twitch.tv/ross_merriam

Oh, this is a good one.

Thinking about cool cards from Ravnica: City of Guilds today.

Live in 5 streaming a testing session w/ Pete Ingram! Playing my Landfall and Looting lists against Lessons and Jeskai Control! twitch.tv/ross_merriam

DOIN' IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! @nyc-mtg.com @tronisbad.bsky.social

Won the Standard Challenge today with my build of Selesnya Landfall. Deck is sweet. Guide will be coming to my Patreon before the Spotlights so stay tuned! Screenshot with my max damage on the day.

HE'S IN THE TOP 4 OF THE STANDARD CHALLENGE 👀😤 www.twitch.tv/ross_merriam

Donut time, what's the P1P1?

I'm seeing a lot of takes on why Lorwyn Eclipsed preview season is short. It's pretty simple: It's because of the holidays. A normal 2-week preview season would have started Dec. 29 or 30, when our offices are (rightfully) closed. Enjoy your holidays and we'll see you Jan. 5 #wotcstaff

Coming across anything fun online now comes with a necessary pause for a call up to the booth for review. Like waiting to find out if it was a catch or not in the NFL. We are robbed of spontaneous delight.

Getting a league in with the Challenge-winning Selesnya list before running Izzet Looting in the 1pm Challenge. Live in 5 at twitch.tv/ross_merriam

I don't usually give myself something to work towards within Magic, but next year I'm gonna play in Paupergeddon Summer 2026 - the goal is to make Day 2. 😤 #MTGPauper

My response to anything over the next two weeks

Is this good?

Thinking about cool cards from Worldwake today.

You will be visited by three spirits.

Thinking about my favorite Umbra card today.

Big news! I’m working with Wizards of the Coast to share that the Secret Lair Dandân Deck drops in March 2026! Keep an eye on secretlair.wizards.com when March rolls around. Don’t forget!

We're so back, @hamburgertime.bsky.social. #MTGLorwyn

the good that you do persists in this world

Strixhaven: Omens of Chaos is now listed on Libby! Have a library card? Use the app, search the book, click “Notify Me” & your library system is anonymously notified that people want copies! It’s a great way to help the book or audiobook if you aren’t able to monetarily buy or preorder✨ #WOTCStaff

Yesterday we ran a charity tournament for @warchilduk.bsky.social with @battlechads.bsky.social and raised over £1,400! Thank you for all your donations and to @ultraprointl.bsky.social, @magic.wizards.com and @yrstruly.uk! Everyone had the best time! @fireshoes.bsky.social @playmtg.bsky.social

This dog won the game awards in a clean sweep

I think the games I'm looking forward to most from the TGAs are Total War: Warhammer 40k and Mega Man. Everything else seemed, eh? E33 sweeping pretty much everything is incredible. In the decades of playing RPGs, I haven't played anything quite like it before. I'm glad the flowers are coming. 💐

FOR THOSE WHO COME AFTER

MEGA MAN finally gets a new game - Dual Override in 2027

Izzet Lessons got you down? I wrote this week about why I think this deck is easier to fight than Vivi or Cutter, and how you can target it! www.patreon.com/posts/combat...

Today, we are doing the Commander Format Panel member rotation I mentioned when the panel formed last year. Thanks to everybody on the panel for their work, and a warm welcome to @budgetcommander.bsky.social and @highermtg.bsky.social! Read: magic.wizards.com/en/news/anno... #wotcstaff

What is your favorite Magic card this year? It doesn't have to be from a set printed this year; it could be a card you also discovered, too. Mine has to be the reason I started playing Abzan Nightmare in Canadian Highlander, Brightglass Gearhulk. And shoutout to orb, for being - well, an orb.

It is Marvel Super Heroes, not Marvel's Super Heroes. It is Marvel Super Heroes, not Marvel's Super Heroes. It is Marvel Super Heroes, not Marvel's Super Heroes. It is Marvel Super Heroes, not Marvel's Super Heroes. It is Marvel Super Heroes, not Marvel's Super Heroes. It is Marvel Sup— #MTGxMarvel