hall of fame – Benalish Dad

Posted on May 8, 2025 by Jed Fowler

Personal HoF: Devoteed to Blue

I’ve really been enjoying Dragon-y Tarkir (note: significantly more dragon-y than Dragons of Tarkir). Even though I’ve been doing *a lot* of losing, and my boys in Abzan are just getting mauled, there’s great gameplay and I’m just a sucker for the flavor/art. That said, I did stitch together a very *very* low to the ground, unique-feeling deck.

Boros aggression is one of the top decks in the format, feasting on the durdling 5-color decks and the slower value engines. But it does most of its work with Mobilize tokens, the Salt Road Packbeast and key uncommons. Not this.

Also, uh, where are the islands?

Posted on June 21, 2023June 21, 2023 by Jed Fowler

Personal HoF: Elspeth the Traitor

It turns out that when given the choices of playing Magic, blogging about Magic, and interacting with a second child, it’s a classic “Pick Two” situation. I’ve been able to sneak in a fair amount of March of the Machine, but it’s been all Bo1 and 99% on my phone as Lil Narset has claimed the office for her own bedroom. I snuck in one final draft before LotR released and boy howdy it was a doozy. I had the good fortune to open Elspeth… and then a beautiful BW Phyrexian deck flowed to me.

Posted on December 19, 2021 by Jed Fowler · 2 Comments

Personal HoF: Mono-servos

The “on this day _ years ago” does more than make you feel real old, occasionally it coughs up a deck that time had left behind! Kaladesh, a more innocent time before widespread Arena, pandemics, and such. Also contained the one and only time that I’ve ever drafted a mono-colored deck in a full pod.

Posted on December 10, 2021December 10, 2021 by Jed Fowler · 1 Comment

A Very Me Deck

Been a little quiet on updates, as once again the juggling act of “holidays, Benalish Momma’s new job, drafting Magic, writing about Magic” meant one ball got dropped. But I drafted a fun one that, while isn’t quite a personal HoF, certainly came close.

Posted on November 1, 2021 by Jed Fowler · 2 Comments

Personal HoF: Unblinking Owls

Eldraine, what a set! Definitely on my personal favorites, it really had it all for me. Fantastic draft experience with build-around rares & uncommons, intriguing deckbuilding managing Adamant, and really interesting gameplay with Adventure… top it off with great flavor and art and it’s one of my all-timers. I also put together what may not have been my BEST deck ever… it was certainly my favorite. Owls.

Posted on October 29, 2021 by Jed Fowler · 2 Comments

Personal HoF: the Merfolk Machine Gun

Many years ago, 2018 to be precise, I had a newborn and a clumsy online Magic account called MTGO. Or “Modo” for even more esoteric reasons. However, any drugs are good drugs and Chris came over so we could draft as the Benalish Daddies. And we drafted one of the most memorable draft experiences I’ve ever had.

Posted on October 28, 2021 by Jed Fowler · 4 Comments

Personal HoF: The Sifter Horde

Sometimes… it just all comes together. That perfect mix of good luck, finding a lane, and hilariously unlikely cards being opened in a draft pod. I’ve had a couple of these, a Merfolk Machine gun in Ixalan, triple Arcanist Owl in Eldraine…[announcer voice] and yesterday was another such day for the Benalish Dad.