The Rathe Times

Mechanoid.PEN: Defending the Dash Alternative Compendium gave an intentional boost to the Mechanoid variant of Dash I/O. Alex gets you equipped.

Compendium gave an intentional boost to the Mechanoid variant of Dash I/O. Alex gets you equipped.
rathetimes.com/articles/mec...

An Axe to Grind: The Rhinar Resurgence Meataxe Rhinar builds are here to stay, and will be the way to play Rhinar once Mandible Claws leave.

Meataxe Rhinar builds are here to stay, and will be the way to play Rhinar once Mandible Claws leave.
rathetimes.com/articles/an-...

The Future is Silver Flesh and Blood has finally found its baseline casual experience, one that will truly revolutionize the future of the game.

Flesh and Blood has finally found its baseline casual experience, one that will truly revolutionize the future of the game.
rathetimes.com/articles/the...

Storm Striders, Tempest Dancers, and Wizard Agency Striders gives Wizards proactive agency over timing and interaction in a way reactive, telegraphed alternatives can’t really replace.

Striders gives Wizards proactive agency over timing and interaction in a way reactive, telegraphed alternatives can’t really replace.
rathetimes.com/articles/sto...

Knowing Your Enemy: The Unique Advantage of Huntsman The decisions we make when building Arakni, Huntsman are informed by the decks we expect to face. Know thy enemy.

New author Clément Maillet digs deeper into the strategies of Huntsman.
rathetimes.com/articles/kno...

Strategic Planning: A Blueprint for Testing Adam Ray shares strategies for effective playtesting.

Adam Ray shares strategies for effective playtesting.
rathetimes.com/articles/str...

Preaching to the choir. I loved what Azalea could do with Sandscour, but I'd take a SSGB-designed hero any day.

Cintari Crusade: Kassai on the Road to Nationals While Kassai has struggled on the largest stages of the Flesh and Blood tournament scene, her success at regional Road to Nationals events has told a different story.

While Kassai has struggled on the largest stages of the Flesh and Blood tournament scene, her success at regional Road to Nationals events has told a different story.
rathetimes.com/articles/cin...

Elly, you always put on a fantastic show. Great to see you back in the booth!

Thoughts and Baubles: Reflections and Resolutions Setting goals for your hobby can elevate your experience. Alex reflects on 2025 and sets a course for the new year.

Setting goals for your hobby can elevate your experience. Alex reflects on 2025 and sets a course for the new year.
rathetimes.com/articles/tho...

Flesh and Blood New Year's Resolutions for 2026. Competitive: Verdance, Marlynn, Dash I/O, and Kassai. Concept: Gravy Bones, Katsu, Arakni Huntsman, and Kayo Underhanded Cheat. Performance: Monthly Armory Win, Tier 2 Top 8, Tier 3 Day 2, and Build a Reputation on a Deck.

What are your 2026 FAB goals? Here's a snapshot of what I'm planning for the new year. I'll expand on these in a full article later this week.

Living without Legendaries: Levia While Silver Age will soon provide a budget format, there's still a role for inexpensive decks in Classic Constructed. Today we look at Levia.

While Silver Age will soon provide a budget format, there's still a role for inexpensive decks in Classic Constructed. Today we look at Levia.
rathetimes.com/articles/liv...

Florian for All Seasons: A Technical Guide Few heroes in Flesh and Blood offer the sheer versatility of Florian, Rotwood Harbinger. To make the most of that, you need to understand the strategy that underpins it.

Few heroes in Flesh and Blood offer the sheer versatility of Florian, Rotwood Harbinger. To make the most of that, you need to understand the strategy that underpins it.
rathetimes.com/articles/flo...

Huntsman is Real, and They Can Hurt You Arakni, Huntsman has finally entered the chat. Taylor brings us up to speed on what the deck is all about.

Arakni, Huntsman has finally entered the chat. Taylor brings us up to speed on what the deck is all about.
rathetimes.com/articles/hun...

Thoughts and Baubles: In 2026, LSS Takes Criticism Seriously The Philadelphia Keynote made one thing clear: LSS is not only listening to feedback, but also taking action on it.

The Philadelphia Keynote made one thing clear: LSS is not only listening to feedback, but also taking action on it.
rathetimes.com/articles/tho...

A Treatise on Living Legend Kevin Brayer offers his proposal for refining Living Legend after a rough turn in the spotlight.

Kevin Brayer offers his proposal for refining Living Legend after a rough turn in the spotlight.
rathetimes.com/articles/a-t...

Does this exist for adult heroes? This is so useful!

Bending the Rules with Lyath Lyath requires a brand-new form of card evaluation. New writer Brandon joins us to offer a lens.

Lyath requires a brand-new form of card evaluation. New writer Brandon joins us to offer a lens.
rathetimes.com/articles/ben...

The Long and the Short: Comparing Kassai and Fang Both Fang and Kassai build their identity around two-weapon combat. So when should you choose one over the other?

Both Fang and Kassai build their identity around two-weapon combat. So when should you choose one over the other?
rathetimes.com/articles/the...

The Law of the Gallows Welcome aboard, Gallow! We think you'll fit in just fine.

Welcome aboard, Gallow! We think you'll fit in just fine.
rathetimes.com/articles/the...

Sparking Ideas with Oscilio Abby explains the choices that carried her Oscilio to 3rd place at Battle Hardened: Chicago.

Abby explains the choices that carried her Oscilio to 3rd place at Battle Hardened: Chicago.
rathetimes.com/articles/spa...

Hot take: Your deck should have at least 1 card that wasn't on the netlist.

On Language Revitalization and the Importance of Māori Pleiades By printing a card in the Māori language, LSS has done a remarkable thing. Take it from a linguist.

@fabtcg.com has done something historic with their latest chase card. Our resident linguist explains why.
rathetimes.com/articles/on-...

I don't understand why it needs an acronym at all. Like, sure, Classic Constructed is CC and Living Legend is LL; but Blitz is Blitz, and Commoner is Commoner. Can't Silver Age just be Silver, if we can't type 2 words? (Sage is fine too, but Silver is so much more... exactly what it is.)

Re-Armed and More Dangerous Than Ever: Kayo Super Slam Updates Kayo is going to make a Show of Strength this Pro Quest season. Take a look at the new cards that are set to make the deck go Buckwild

Kayo is going to make a Show of Strength this Pro Quest season. Take a look at the new cards that are set to make the deck go Buckwild!
rathetimes.com/articles/re-...

What Is Talent? With Super Slam, Revered and Reviled join the Talent pool, leading some to question, "What qualifies as a Talent?"

With Revered and Reviled added to the pool, what even is a Talent anymore?
rathetimes.com/articles/wha...

The Old Ways: A Complete Guide to Boomer Ira Midrange Ira has been a staple of the wider game for years, but only recently has she joined the Classic Constructed format. Learn everything there is to know about the Boomer build.

Midrange Ira has been a staple of the wider game for years, but only recently has she joined the Classic Constructed format. Learn everything there is to know about the Boomer build in our latest Pro Series article (for Rathe Times subscribers).
rathetimes.com/articles/col...

Junior League: Cindra The budget for a Cindra deck may give pause, but it's prime for teaching some intermediate skills and strategies to a young player.

The budget for a Cindra deck may give pause, but it's prime for teaching some intermediate skills and strategies to a young player.
rathetimes.com/articles/jun...

And this is why they pay you the big bucks. Fire delivery.

Thank you for the quote and reshare! Personally, I know I made a careful policy of not pushing Sandscour Azalea on my locals too often, lest they resent her disruption. It probably held me back from doing bigger things with her - it's hard to get in the reps!