Incredible work!

This is really amazing stuff. The match sample sizes are enormous in many cases, giving far more credibility than we could ever get from MTGO challenges alone.

Kevin and I didn't do a podcast preview show this year, but we did spend an evening documenting our predictions for the event (which was recorded in a google document). I don't want to reveal Kevin's, but my final prediction was:
18% Shop
12% Xerox
15% Outcome
7% BUG(r)
10% Dredge
9% Eldrazi
9% Oath
3% Big Blue
3% Dark Ritual Combo
3% Survival
4% Blue Control
7% Other
= 100%

I'm in striking distance every year, but this may have been my best estimation ever.

Re: the metagame. Not only do none of the major decks have dominant metagame presences, but none have dominant win percentages either. This is a very balanced Vintage metagame. I am enjoying it greatly.

@griselbrother said in [Free Article] SMIP - The 10-20-18 Vintage Challenge Metagame Report:

Thanks. I think this is a testament that the metagame is pretty well balanced at the moment.

Thanks! I agree. But my view is that the format is not only superficially balanced, the game play is also quite balanced as well - in terms of interesting/skill intensive games.

A great format right now!

http://www.eternalcentral.com/so-many-insane-plays-anatomy-of-a-recent-vintage-challenge/

It has been a while since someone did a Vintage Challenge metagame report. On the eve of the NA Vintage Championship, I am glad to provide one.

Thanks to Matt Murray for the template & TA.

@ten-ten said in Anti-metagame deck ideas:

Perhaps a Modern Vintage "The Deck" is in order?

Many millennia ago, @Smmenen , walked us through his process of building his "The Deck"...I can't find the link at this moment but if someone can help with that, it'd be great. Otherwise, soon as I can find it I will post it here.

Are you talking about this? http://www.vintagemagic.com/blog/old-school-magic-chapter-2-the-history-of-the-deck/

I know that DPS and Landstill made top 4. Not sure what the other two decks were.

Innumerable, but sideboarding is a complex and nuaced set of operations. To pithily reduce it to a sound bite or “tip,” remember to differentiate between sideboard plans on the play vs. the draw. Too many players overlook this with generic instructions.

@fsecco said in Is Old School killing paper Vintage?:

@nedleeds Hum... there's a SCG Con but no Vintage? Pff

That was by design. They don't want to have a bad showing, and thereby doom P9 series. Rather, everyone said they should wait until next June to bring back the P9 series.

@oestrus said in [Free Article] The Evolving 2018 vintage metagame:

@smmenen Hey now, I seem to recall seeing you in some standings at a Vintage Challenge.

My bad I played in 2 this year: both in May, finishing 9th on May 26th. Prior to those I played in June 2017 last.

Why do you hate that challenges are a measurement? Because you don't play in them isnt a good reason. I don't play in them either, but I'm glad they are there. Because I will probably play in a few a year (although I haven't this year).

That's like saying I hate that german tournaments defined the 2002 Type 1 metagame. Just because we don't play in them don't mean they are bad.

Anyway, I thought folks would be glad I posted the September and Q3 data.

@rbartlet said in Vintage @ Eudogames in Berkeley, CA (October 21, 2018):

@smmenen I still wanted to grab a hardback copy...

http://www.eternalcentral.com/product/understandinggush3e/

I think it takes about 2-3 weeks from print to home.