
Eternal Durdles
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Eternal Durdles is a weekly Magic: the Gathering podcast focusing on the Legacy format. Hosted by long-time MTG veterans Zac Clark and Phil Blechman.
Latest episodes

Jul 3, 2025 • 46min
What Did The BNR "Data" Reveal? w/ MATT CHOW
Zac Clark, Phil Blechman, and Matt Chow delve into the recent changes in the Banned and Restricted (BNR) list for Magic: The Gathering, focusing on the implications for the Legacy format. They discuss the challenges of obtaining reliable tournament data, the performance of various deck archetypes, and the contrasting experiences of playing in paper versus online. The discussion highlights the importance of community insights and the need for greater transparency from Wizards of the Coast regarding format health and data sharing.

Jul 3, 2025 • 46min
What Did The BNR "Data" Reveal? w/ MATT CHOW
Zac Clark, Phil Blechman, and Matt Chow delve into the recent changes in the Banned and Restricted (BNR) list for Magic: The Gathering, focusing on the implications for the Legacy format. They discuss the challenges of obtaining reliable tournament data, the performance of various deck archetypes, and the contrasting experiences of playing in paper versus online. The discussion highlights the importance of community insights and the need for greater transparency from Wizards of the Coast regarding format health and data sharing.

Jul 1, 2025 • 36min
The Ban List Dilemma: "Sentiment" is less than "Data"
Zac Clark and Max Gilmore discuss the recent ban and restricted list announcement for the Legacy format in Magic: The Gathering. They explore the emotional reactions from the community, the balance between player sentiment and data-driven decisions, and the impact of popular decks on player experience. The discussion delves into the psychological effects of losing to certain decks, the current metagame, and the future of Legacy as a format. Both speakers emphasize the importance of community engagement and innovation in deck building.

Jul 1, 2025 • 36min
The Ban List Dilemma: "Sentiment" is less than "Data"
Zac Clark and Max Gilmore discuss the recent ban and restricted list announcement for the Legacy format in Magic: The Gathering. They explore the emotional reactions from the community, the balance between player sentiment and data-driven decisions, and the impact of popular decks on player experience. The discussion delves into the psychological effects of losing to certain decks, the current metagame, and the future of Legacy as a format. Both speakers emphasize the importance of community engagement and innovation in deck building.

Jun 30, 2025 • 1h 6min
Michael Reed Reacts to Phil's Philosophy of Bans Article
Zac and Phil Invite Michael Reed of the Legacy Small Talk Podcast to discuss a Recent Article on EtenralDurdles.com. They go into the complexities of the Banning and Restricting (BNR) philosophy in Magic: The Gathering's Legacy format. The speakers discuss the nuances of categorizing cards as unfun, offenders, and oppressors, and how community sentiment influences decisions on card bans. They explore the impact of power levels, the shifting meta dynamics, and the future of control decks in the format. Speculations on upcoming bans and the implications of new cards are also discussed, highlighting the ongoing evolution of the Legacy format.

Jun 30, 2025 • 11min
Why This Ban Announcement Is So Shocking!
Zac discusses the recent ban and restricted announcement in Magic: The Gathering, focusing primarily on the implications for the Legacy format while expressing disappointment over the lack of changes the format. He delves into the ongoing issues with the Oops All Spells deck and the community's reaction to the current state of the game, emphasizing the need for player feedback and engagement with Wizards of the Coast.

Jun 30, 2025 • 1h 6min
Michael Reed Reacts to Phil's Philosophy of Bans Article
Zac and Phil Invite Michael Reed of the Legacy Small Talk Podcast to discuss a Recent Article on EtenralDurdles.com. They go into the complexities of the Banning and Restricting (BNR) philosophy in Magic: The Gathering's Legacy format. The speakers discuss the nuances of categorizing cards as unfun, offenders, and oppressors, and how community sentiment influences decisions on card bans. They explore the impact of power levels, the shifting meta dynamics, and the future of control decks in the format. Speculations on upcoming bans and the implications of new cards are also discussed, highlighting the ongoing evolution of the Legacy format.

Jun 26, 2025 • 1h 3min
Counting Down the Craziest Pre-Modern Threats!
Zac and Phil delve into the top threats in the pre-modern Magic: The Gathering format, discussing various cards, their mechanics, and personal experiences. They explore the nuances of cards like Exalted Angel, Celestial Dawn, and Elkin Bottle, while also sharing humorous anecdotes and insights into the game's history and strategy. In this episode, the hosts delve into various strategies and classic cards in Pre-Modern Magic: The Gathering, discussing the significance of cards like Celestial Dawn and TerraVore. They explore existential themes in gaming, the impact of deck donations, and highlight top threats in the format. The conversation also touches on honorable mentions and the evolving landscape of deck strategies, providing insights into the game's depth and community engagement.

Jun 26, 2025 • 1h 3min
Counting Down the Craziest Pre-Modern Threats!
TakeawaysExalted Angel can be a powerful card but has specific mechanics that can lead to unexpected outcomes.Celestial Dawn is a complex card that can change the nature of mana and card types in play.Elkin Bottle's functionality is straightforward, but its artwork can lead to confusion.False Prophet can be a game-changer when used strategically with cards like Tempting Worm.Opalescence serves as a key win condition in enchantment-based decks.Mystic Enforcer is a strong threat with protection from black, making it difficult for opponents to deal with.Combining Celestial Dawn with other cards can create convoluted but powerful combos.Growlub offers unique synergies with cards like Pestilence, allowing for interesting gameplay strategies.The conversation highlights the importance of card interactions and understanding mechanics in Magic: The Gathering.Humor and personal anecdotes enrich the discussion, making it engaging for listeners. Deck strategies often revolve around classic cards that have stood the test of time.Celestial Dawn can significantly alter the dynamics of a game.Existential themes can emerge even in casual gaming discussions.Deck donations allow for community engagement and creativity.Understanding the top threats in a format is crucial for competitive play.Honorable mentions can often reveal hidden gems in deck building.The interaction between cards can create unique strategies and synergies.Players often have strong opinions about the best cards and strategies.The evolution of the game reflects broader trends in gaming culture.Community discussions can lead to deeper insights into gameplay and strategy.

Jun 24, 2025 • 40min
The REAL Reasons Behind Legacy's Banlist
Zac and Phil discuss the upcoming Ban and Restricted announcement for Magic: The Gathering, focusing on the purpose of such announcements, the current meta, and the community's sentiments regarding card bans. They analyze the implications of specific cards on the format, particularly those that are deemed oppressive, and explore the ongoing narrative surrounding control strategies in Legacy. The discussion highlights the need for a collective assessment of the format and the rationale behind banning certain cards. In this conversation, the speakers delve into the complexities of control strategies within the Legacy format of Magic: The Gathering. They discuss the importance of a collective understanding of control, the role of various strategies in the metagame, and the necessity of card selection tools for control players.