iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Sierkovitz @sierkovitz.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Today: evolutionary biology, ecology and draft metagames. A new format is upon us, so some thoughts on how to read an emerging limited metagame, and maybe metagames in general. Magic will appear, but first some biology, you can survive it - you are fit. 🧵 1/14

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Sierkovitz @sierkovitz.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

New Magic Numbers are up on YT. Our eccentric, deck-centric set review looks at how my esteemed guest (see below for how to find them) would build decks for all 10 supported archetypes. Through that we learn about the set, synergies, removal data, etc. youtu.be/N99E4pfp0_w 1/4

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Sierkovitz @sierkovitz.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Join me, Rosemary Tea and Springbok7 live now for our traditional Skeleton Crew. We will be looking at Reality Fracture draft deck skeletons in out eccentric, deck-centric set review. twitch.tv/sierkovitz

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Sierkovitz @sierkovitz.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

My group coaching set review was a great experience - we spent hours talking about the FRA and evaluation strategies. So time to try it again - this time the aim of the session will be evaluation of early FRA data and learning on what to do and don't with early 17Lands data. 1/2

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Sierkovitz @sierkovitz.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Thanks to WotC I had the pleasure to participate at least a bit in the Early Access event and boy, do I regret I didn't have more time. Set played phenomenally. Wins, losses all felt fun. And it's a format like we didn't have in years: here's game duration from 3 drafts: 1/4

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Sierkovitz @sierkovitz.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

I've been thinking about life recently. But not as you know it. Life total and how it changes across a game of limited. So here is a thread based on 17L draft replay data for MSH and SOS. We'll see a cumulative trend survival curves and final life total. 1/15

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Sierkovitz @sierkovitz.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

OK - I will attempt a "hot" take. I think this might be sneakily the best landcycler in FRA draft. Not far miles off the Troll, despite being worse in every aspect. But being worse than a Vintage Cube staple banned in Legacy is not a knock on draft common. 1/3

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Sierkovitz @sierkovitz.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Tuesday: a group session on card evaluation, using Fractured Reality commons. Limited card evaluation is a skill you can practise. This is practice with the reasoning shown — my process, out loud, card by card. 10 spots available! 1/2

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Sierkovitz @sierkovitz.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

If you tend to blame your failings in Magic on variance while attributing successes to skill, you'll never become a good player. That's because your player mentality is defined by your sense of entitlement to win and not by your willingness to improve.

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Sierkovitz @sierkovitz.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Had a work away day and they dropped some random stickers on the table and make a sticker based CV to use to introduce ourselves. I found this one too late but I guess thank Uni for providing it.

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Sierkovitz @sierkovitz.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Join me in the recording of the latest Magic Numbers. Today I will be looking at how is pick 2 draft different from the regular one. If you like pick 2 draft - learn more. If you hate it - at least you will end up with an evidence-based hatred. ttv // Sierkovitz

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Sierkovitz @sierkovitz.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

Thoughts about growth today. And I know a lot about that - I am a microbiologist in the end. I have seen it 100s of times. The humble beginnings, the dynamic growth, that feeling of nothing can go wrong, stagnation and then the inevitable death phase of bacterial culture. 1/15

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Sierkovitz @sierkovitz.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

Join me now if you want to hear me rambling merrily about the right cards for right decks in Hobbit draft! ttv // sierkovitz

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Sierkovitz @sierkovitz.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

Ok so some random thought on limited testing at WotC. Recent sets were showing a lot of Arena imbalance. Both MSH and HOB are particular offenders in that area (random thought - a set made of WUG cards from MSH and BR from HOB - discuss). But can WotC process be to blame? 1/10

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Sierkovitz @sierkovitz.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

So, some new developments in my Magic career: I decided to join Metafy for coaching. If you are struggling with Limited, want to improve, or just cant get enough of my dad-jokes, this might be for you. Check out my profile and join the free membership while you ponder. 1/3

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Sierkovitz @sierkovitz.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

Latest Magic Numbers are a recipe for a lazy Sunday*. Get to grips with basics of the latest format - what is the color balance, which cards to look for and which to avoid, how to start exploring Hobbit draft in a prepared way. *Also available on other days. youtu.be/3VgFE4OiEbQ

youtu.be

Magic Numbers #191: Early 17Lands draft data for The Hobbit

YouTube video by Sierkovitz

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Sierkovitz @sierkovitz.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

Early data for Hobbit from 17Lands is here and you can join me now to get the info that will help you win more of your draft. What are the hidden gems? What are the traps? What makes each color pair tick? Join me at ttv // sierkovitz

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Sierkovitz @sierkovitz.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

I'm on a roll with my bargain hunting. New mail day resulted in some Beta and Arabian Nights cards. I never owned any, so that's the first. And a pile of Unlimited lands and OG Snow-Covered ones. £16 this time.

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Sierkovitz @sierkovitz.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

Early data for the format is out and it's better than I predicted. Yes, Simic is trailing, but the difference between Rakdos and the rest is not big. Community came prepared and drafted RB high enough that the lane was not outrageously open. Other pairs did well too. 1/11

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Sierkovitz @sierkovitz.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

"Verify your age" None of the countries my country was bordering when I was born exist anymore.

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Sierkovitz @sierkovitz.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

Important day 1 of the format PSA. Bifur doubles triggers on Dwarves with Enduring Story. There is plenty of Ward going around too. Ward is a triggered ability. So targeting something with removal with one extra mana to pay Ward 1, is not a good idea with storied Bifur on board.

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Sierkovitz @sierkovitz.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

Skeleton episode is up and I try to lay out my predictions for the format. Starting with how removal looks like and what are the consequences of that, through some, what I think are, ground rules for day 1 up to a neat collection of decks I built based on my pondering. youtu.be/xbswbxO6beQ

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Sierkovitz @sierkovitz.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

Going live with the Skeletons stream, this time solo. I will be talking about the upcoming set through the lens of decks rather than individual cards. Join me at ttv / Sierkovitz

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Sierkovitz @sierkovitz.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

🏆 I wanted to send Marvel Super Heroes on a high and behold this absolute masterpiece. Tons of micro synergies but not going ham on any of them. Rewrite history (that is the blue plan you see P13 in the pack) was smashing here. Ant-Men, Moon Girl all triggered reliably. 1/4

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Sierkovitz @sierkovitz.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

How is Hobbit looking like when it comes to creature sizing? Another wild set. And same goes for removal. Remains to be seen how that will impact the draft but it looks to me like it is going to be very aggressive and first turns will decide a lot. Here's why: 1/7

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Sierkovitz @sierkovitz.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

Limited is often driven by card power and that is what most of the content is looking at. What is the best color pair? Which color has the most atrocious bombs? But what about us, the limited community? Are we biased? Do we draft some color pairs more than we should? 1/12

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Sierkovitz @sierkovitz.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

If you needed a proof I am queuing politely - Brian Kibler delivered one. I am also somehow camera aware it seems.

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Sierkovitz @sierkovitz.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

Day 3 and still deluding myself I can get a festival in a box. Today sporting pink Sierko tee. Say hi if you see me!

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Sierkovitz @sierkovitz.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

Going live with the latest Magic Numbers - which cards need a "special" home in MSH draft? Well, I'm gonna tell you. Join me at twitch.tv/Sierkovitz

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Sierkovitz @sierkovitz.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

I think silently we are watching a large revolution of limited set design. Here are some of my thought on it linked to some linked data insights looking at the play - draw advantage and power creep at lower rarities and their impact on draft. 1/21

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Sierkovitz @sierkovitz.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

New Magic Numbers are on YT! You want to solve the draft format? That's your job and it won't happen in week 1. But I can provide a good basis for it. Color stats, key cards, hidden gem, traps - by now you should know the drill. youtu.be/dRywU4dt41Q

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Sierkovitz @sierkovitz.bsky.social · 28/06/2026

Live with the latest Magic Numbers and this time we are looking at the early 17Lands draft data for the Marvel Super Heroes. And it is at least interesting. Join me at twitch.tv/sierkovitz

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Sierkovitz @sierkovitz.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

Latest Skeleton Crew is on YT - so you have a last day to catch up with our vision of the format and look at the draft deck skeletons of Tresio and Rosemary Tea in our eccentric, deck-centric set review (link⏬). And there is a lot to ponder. The design of MSH is wild. 1/6

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Sierkovitz @sierkovitz.bsky.social · 14/06/2026

Magic Numbers are live! We have @zergog.bsky.social and Jess Williams talking about their awesome paper on opening hands and mulligans. Join us at ttv // sierkovitz

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Sierkovitz @sierkovitz.bsky.social · 09/06/2026

Today’s mailday is pure vanity. But hey - I deserve some luxury once in a while.

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Sierkovitz @sierkovitz.bsky.social · 09/06/2026

This is NOT a map of Westeros. This is the result of the clustering 68000 SOS decks to find some trends. I tested a new way of doing it that distinguishes between sub-color pair variants for more insights. Check the results in my latest Magic Numbers (link ⏬)

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Sierkovitz @sierkovitz.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

Been a while but I have been all but idle - working on a new way to look at formats that will hopefully be useful in the future. Join me ttv / Sierkovitz

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Sierkovitz @sierkovitz.bsky.social · 02/06/2026

So - we have seen all the signpost uncommons for Marvel - time to do an "in vacuum" assessment. Mind reader - I cover limited so no need to get angry that card I said was good is rubbish in Legacy, OK? Let's dive into them. 1/10

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Sierkovitz @sierkovitz.bsky.social · 15/05/2026

Ok - annual fancy cake making for my daughter’s bday done. And this year it looks better than last - warming a palette knife works miracles. Still need to do last minute meringue decoration but off to fridge for the night we go.

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Sierkovitz @sierkovitz.bsky.social · 13/05/2026

I know here is a lot of hate/animosity towards UB in Magic community - perhaps this is the reason I got those two lovely 7-1s in EOE draft yesterday? Second one I was WB but decided P2P1 Riddler is a good reason to pivot. It was. EOE is a goat format. Play it while you can. 1/2

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Sierkovitz @sierkovitz.bsky.social · 12/05/2026

If someone asked you to teach them Magic and you want to pretend that you are excited about it (but really want to detract them from it) I have a great vid for you. If they still want to play after watching it, they are a natural Magic gamer. If they are not - you're safe. 1/2

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Sierkovitz @sierkovitz.bsky.social · 12/05/2026

New Magic Numbers are on YT. This episode, we find best homes for each card in the set and try to figure out some game plans based on the color pair-specific win rates. How do we know Quandrix and Prismari have similar plans but different execution? 1/2

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Sierkovitz @sierkovitz.bsky.social · 11/05/2026

Going live with new Magic Numbers - we will be talking about right homes for all the cards in Secrets of Strixhaven draft and trying to uncover best plans for the 5 main archetypes. twitch.tv/sierkovitz

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Sierkovitz @sierkovitz.bsky.social · 27/04/2026

You go! Awesome initiative. Let’s hope they will be allowed to do so as they should be allowed to.

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Sierkovitz @sierkovitz.bsky.social · 25/04/2026

Going live with the Magic Numbers and it is the crowd favourite - Early draft data for the new set, Secrets of Strixhaven. What shows promise, what are the hidden gems, how to navigate the format, you know the drill. Join me at twitch.tv/sierkovitz

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Sierkovitz @sierkovitz.bsky.social · 23/04/2026

So my adventure with SOS draft started with 5 wins in 5 drafts. Nothing seemed to work. And part of it was bad play - I have a right to a bad day. Part was also bad luck. Losing a game where you cast not 1 but 2 one-sided board wipes is not normal. And yet... 1/13

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Sierkovitz @sierkovitz.bsky.social · 22/04/2026

Early data for the SOS draft is in! Do exercise caution. Firstly - samples are small. Secondly - people are still figuring out what they are doing. Don't build your idea of a format on few games by ignorami! But there is definitely some use in it, so also don't ignore it. 1/9

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Sierkovitz @sierkovitz.bsky.social · 20/04/2026

New Magic Numbers are live and we'll talk Secrets of Strixhaven with a very skeleton Skeleton Crew. @zakagan.bsky.social and Tresio are with me to discuss what are our expectations of the upcoming format. Join us at twitch.tv/sierkovitz

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Sierkovitz @sierkovitz.bsky.social · 13/04/2026

This is what I will be chasing in Secrets of Strixhaven Draft. What is your white rabbit?

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Sierkovitz @sierkovitz.bsky.social · 07/04/2026

Isn't it time we started talking how the price of tokens got out of hand?

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