Roope Metsa has been playing Magic since Khans of Tarkir and just qualified for his first Pro Tour by making top 8 at Grand Prix Prague 2017. Roope lives in Vantaa, Finland.
Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Roope Metsa when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep178
First Set
Khans of Tarkir
Favorite Set
Shards of Alara
Favorite Card
Opposition
What makes Magic: The Gathering fun for you?
Magic games are hard.Roope likes making decisions.
Worst Magic Moment
At an RPTQ Roope lost in the top 8. Roope learned how to manage loss better.
Proudest Magic Moment
Top 8 at Grand Prix Prague.
Preparation for Success
Roope missed the pre-release but he drafted as much as he could. He wants to the GP with 15-20 drafts under the belt.
What Have You Learned From Magic
Competitive gaming has taught Roope the importance of receiving your actions.
Best Format
Modern
Preferred Deck
Grixis
Post Game Evaluation
Ask your opponent " why do you think you won that game?"
Tournament Day Tips
Drink a lot of water, walk outside between rounds.
Biggest Mistake Players Make
People get drawn in by fancy tricks and don't focus on fundamentals.
Parting Guidance
The best way to improve is to play against better players.
Magic Resource
MTG Top 8, CFB, MTG Reddit
Connect With Roope Metsa
Twitter:@Foleroo
Check Out Magic Story
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Marcio Carvalho has an impressive record of 13 Grand Prix Top 8s including 3 wins, 3 Pro Tour Top 8s, and was a finalist at the 2016 Worlds tournament.
Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Marcio Carvalho when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep177
First Set
Stronghold
Favorite Set
Ravnica
Favorite Card
Wasteland
Early Challenge
Choosing a deck.
Breakthrough Moment
First time competing at Worlds in 2005.
Worst Magic Moment
Getting banned for 6 months for looking at others cards in a draft.
Marcio learned to not try to be the coolest kid in the room.
Proudest Magic Moment
Making Platinum and being a finalist Worlds Moment in 2016.
What Have You Learned From Magic
Slow down and understand it's okay to be wrong.
Best Format
Limited
Advice From Pro
Magic is a game of variance. Prepare it.
Deepest Thing You've Learned About Yourself
Marcio learned he can work hard when he wants to.
Biggest Mistake Players Make
Forcing a pick order in a draft. Drafts are fluid and you shouldn't put blenders.
Shortcomings
Constructed
Daily Habits
Not getting burned out by playing too much.
Tournament Day Tips
Eat well and drink water.
Parting Guidance
Don't force things. Play what you know.
Magic Resource
Connect With Marcio Carvalho
Twitter:@KbolMagic
Check Out Magic Story
Magic Story brings the lore of the Multiverse to life in an audio presentation never before heard in the Magic community.
Listen to Episode 1 here or on www.magicthestory.com
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Florian Koch has been playing Magic since 1994 and played semi-competitively until he got his first Pro Point in 2010. He then won GP Lyon later that year. Since 2010 he’s made the Top 8 of three GPs and is striving for success on the Pro Tour. Florian is from Cologne, Germany.
Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Florian Koch when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep176
First Set
The Dark (Just before)
Favorite Set
Florian doesn't have a favorite set.
Favorite Card
Lightning bolt
What makes Magic: The Gathering fun for you?
At first, it was the interactions between cards. Then it was the competitive scene.
Level Up Moment
Florian watched a friend play who explained that recognizing what matters in a game is the key to winning.
Worst Magic Moment
Florian 9-0 day one of a Grand Prix but flowed out on day two. He learned to prepare for the whole event.
Proudest Magic Moment
Winning GP Lyon.
Best Format
Limited
What Have You Learned from Magic
Make your own decisions and decide what matters. You don't have to use the same yardstick as everyone else to measure yourself.
Biggest Mistake Players Make
Not enjoying yourself. You spend all day at an event, don't make it awful for you or your opponent.
How to Effectively Prepare for a Big Event
Florian played with the best players he could find and talked with the best players at the event.
Shortcomings
Florian is working on being a better control player.
What's in Your Tournament Bag
Deck, Clothes, Hygiene products
Advice From Pro
Florian saw Dirk B. sort cards into tiers for the first time and that help him see Magic differently.
Advice For Aether Revolt Limited
The Improvise mechanic is overvalued at the moment. Aggressive strategies are working. Combat tricks in this format are decent.
Improvement Suggestions
When you go to a Magic tournament, make it fun for you and others. Care for your community.
Magic Resource
Connect With Florian Koch
Twitter:@Odin_FK
Check Out Magic Story
Magic Story brings the lore of the Multiverse to life in an audio presentation never before heard in the Magic community.
Listen to Episode 1 here or on www.magicthestory.com
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Eric English has cashed many Grand Prix and has 1 Grand Prix top 8 and a Pro Tour top 32, both in 2016. He’s a Silver Level Pro looking to continue the success he had last year. Eric is from Rochester, New York.
Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Eric English when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep175
First Set
Onslaught
Favorite Set
Innistrad
Favorite Card
Engineered Explosives
Early Challenge
Eric's deck selection skills were sub par. By consuming content Eric was able to get a better feel for the metagame.
Breakthrough Moment
SCG Open in 2014, Eric played a Rabble Red deck and took 2nd.
Worst Magic Moment
At a local invite is the only tournament Eric lost his chance to make top 8 and he tilted really bad. He made a fool of himself. Now he thinks of the game in terms of resource management. Eric views his emotions and mental energy as a resource.
Proudest Magic Moment
Winning an SCG Open while visiting a friend in Washington.
What have You Learned from Magic
The practice of thinking through multiple scenarios.
Biggest Mistake Players Make
Misunderstanding the flow of the game. Combat this by thinking on your opponent's turn and shortening your gameplay actions.
Shortcoming
Eric loses focus when he's winning.
Improvement Suggestions
Have fun. Play the game. Magic has many forms.
Connect With Eric English
Eric can be found in the MTG Pro Tutor Facebook group.
Check Out Magic Story
Magic Story brings the lore of the Multiverse to life in an audio presentation never before heard in the Magic community.
Listen to Episode 1 here or on www.magicthestory.com
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John Asbach is 25 years old and an active duty military member. He graduated from the United States Military Academy (Westpoint) Class of 2013 and is originally from Buffalo, NY. He loves theater, coffee, and hockey and is the Champion of Grand Prix San Jose 2017.
Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from John Asbach when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep174
First Set
9th / 10th
Favorite Set
Innistrad
Favorite Card
Dark Intimations
What makes Magic: The Gathering fun for you?
It's different everytime you play.
Early Challenge
Constructed. Choosing the right deck. Getting advice from knowledgeable players helps John share this up.
Breakthrough Moment
Grand Prix San Jose validated John's effort.
Worst Magic Moment
GP Portland. John went to time against a grindy Bant company deck. He ended up playing the draw bracket and doing poorly.
Proudest Magic Moment
Winning Grand Prix San Jose 2017.
How to Get from Day 2 to Top 8
Focus on the things you can control. Play, card evaluation (Limited), deck building.
Ask yourself " how does my deck win?"
What Have You Learned from Magic
Thinking ahead and solving problems.
Biggest Mistake Players Make
Not giving enough attention to your mana base in Limited.
How to Effectively Prepare for a Big Event
For a new set, go to the Pre-Release and draft as much as possible before the Grand Prix.
Tournament Day Tips
Water, granola bars, the days are long. Take it one match at a time.
Improvement Suggestions
Be your mentality flexible. Find what works for you and talk to others.
Connect With John Asbach
John can be found in the MTG Pro Tutor Facebook group.
Check Out Magic Story
Magic Story brings the lore of the Multiverse to life in an audio presentation never before heard in the Magic community.
Listen to Episode 1 here or on www.magicthestory.com
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Adam Ragsdale is a former MTGO grinder and content producer turned current occasional traveler. He has 2 Grand Prix Top 8s, both in the last calendar year. Adam lives in Toronto.
Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Adam Ragsdale when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep173
First Set
Torment
Favorite Set
Mirrodin
Favorite Card
Arc-slogger
What makes Magic: The Gathering fun for you?
Adam loves solving the puzzle using all the pieces of Magic.
Early Challenge
Time management. Playing too fast and too slow at different times.
Breakthrough Moment
First PPTQ win in 2006. Know the meta. Check the 5-0 lists from Magic Online and ask questions.
Worst Magic Moment
ProTour-Charleston circa 2006. Lost 4 times, got a bye and dropped.
You can't let one tournament make you feel like you're not good enough.
Proudest Magic Moment
GP Pittsburgh top 8.
If there is a "best" thing to be doing, do that thing. Play that deck.
Best Format
Standard
Deepest Thing You've Learned About Yourself
Adam tends to operate on instinct so he needs to prepare a lot.
Biggest Mistake Players Make
Not playing the best deck. Not understanding the match up on a conceptual level.
What Have You Learned from Magic
Everything has a range of outcomes. Prepare as best as you can to guide to the most positive outcome.
Tournament Day Tips
Get a good amount of sleep and eat well. Book flights to get arrive at a decent time.
Improvement Suggestions
When you're playing in a tournament, focus on your decisions and what you can control.
Connect With Adam Ragsdale
Twitter:@aWinnarIsYou
Check Out Magic Story
Magic Story brings the lore of the Multiverse to life in an audio presentation never before heard in the Magic community.
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Rodrigo Togores has several good finishes at many Magic events, but most notably is the Champion of Grand Prix Prague 2016.
Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Rodrigo Togores when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep172
First Set
Mercadian Masques
Favorite Set
Urza's Saga
Favorite Card
Brainstorm
Tendrils of Agony
Early Challenge
Combat Math.
Breakthrough Moment
2015, Rodrigo won a Vintage tournament in Italy.
What have You Learned from Magic
Planning ahead and being prepared. By traveling a lot Rodrigo has gained skills that are useful all the time.
Worst Magic Moment
Rodrigo traveled to the U.S. to play in an SCG event. He lost his win-and-in to Jim Davis because he miscounted by one. Rodrigo learned to think twice when he plays. It's a skill worth having for any match up.
Proudest Magic Moment
Win GP Prague.
Advice for Beginner Legacy
Not every deck is super expensive. Legacy cards maintain their value so you can sell a deck and buy into another one fairly easily.
Biggest Mistake Players Make
Players give away free information. Always think if it matters to play this card now or later. If you can, play it later.
Tournament Tips
Drink a lot of water, go to the restroom between every round.
Improvement Suggestions
Don't pile shuffle!
Connect With Rodrigo Togores
Twitter:@TogoresTcg
Check Out Magic Story
Magic Story brings the lore of the Multiverse to life in an audio presentation never before heard in the Magic community.
Listen to Episode 1 here or on www.magicthestory.com
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Matt Tabak is a senior editor inside Magic R&D. He is a former level 3 judge, competed at the Pro Tour four times, and holds the record for longest tenured Magic rules manager. He’s the lead editor for Magic Duels and the upcoming Magic sets Amonkhet and Hour of Devastation. Matt lives in Seattle, WA.
Click to Tweet: I got a ton of value from Matt Tabak when he shared his story on #MTGProTutor! Listen here: http://bit.ly/mtgprotutor-ep171
First Set
Alpha
Favorite Set
Ravnica
Favorite Card
Hidden Path
Prodigal Sorcerer
What makes Magic: The Gathering fun for you?
Traveling and meeting the players.
Most Notable Ruling You've Ever Made
Judging a Pro Tour Qualifier. Matt disqualified a player for having a 59 card deck. Matt realized that player experience is very important.
Best Experience Working on Magic
Traveling to PAX 2016. Revealing Kaladesh to the world was awesome.
If You Could Change One Thing About the Rules What Would it be
Make all Instants, Sorceries
Las Vegas Magic Story
A friend got arrested for using a hot tub that wasn't theirs.
What have You Learned from Magic
Matt has learned about collaboration.
Biggest Mistake Players Make
Failures to learn from mistakes. Don't blame luck. Take ownership and learn from mistakes.
Improvement Suggestions
You get out of it what you put into it. Life is ultimately about the connections you make with other people.
Connect With Matt Tabak
Twitter:@TabakRules
Check Out Magic Story
Magic Story brings the lore of the Multiverse to life in an audio presentation never before heard in the Magic community.
Listen to Episode 1 here or on www.magicthestory.com
Sponsors