Category: Blog

[Standard] Goblin Gift $49 (19 tix) By MTGGolfish – Standard Highlights 7/31/18

[Standard] Goblin Gift $49 (19 tix) By MTGGolfish

Are you ready for some standard goblins in the Dominaria and M19 era? Well SaffronOlive from MtgGoldfish has got you covered! Check out this awesome new deck with yes, the infamous Gobling Chainwhirler, but also some not-so-well known characters, and a surprisingly fun and effective syngergy with God Pharoa’s Gift!

Read the full article on mtggoldfish.com: Goblin Gift On MtgGoldfish

Watch the deck tech and gameplay: Goblin Gift By SaffronOlive On Youtube

Want to Build Goblin Gift On MTG Arena?: Read “Goblin Gift in Arena, (Easy to craft from RDW!)”

Decklist:

1 Abrade
4 Bomat Courier
4 Dark-Dweller Oracle
4 Fanatical Firebrand
4 Gate to the Afterlife
4 Goblin Chainwhirler
4 Goblin Instigator
3 Goblin Trashmaster
2 God-Pharaoh’s Gift
23 Mountain
3 Siege-Gang Commander
4 Skirk Prospector

3 Abrade
2 Aethersphere Harvester
2 Banefire
2 Chandra’s Defeat
2 Crook of Condemnation
2 Magma Spray
2 Puncturing Blow

July 31, 2018
MTGO Gameplay: Ghalta Gearhulk (By MTGGoldfish) Budget Modern
I sat down to play a couple games with my new favorite modern/standard deck, Ghalta Gearhulk by Saffron Oliver from MTGGoldfish.

You can pick the deck up for about 30tix on mtgo, so it’s super easy to get. It’s an absolute blast to play. Lots of dinosaurs, a bit of removal, some ramp…and oh yeah, this really sweet combo between Combustible Gearhulk and Ghalta, Primal Hunger…and also, well pretty much all the other dinos in the deck.

Basically, when you play gearhulk, either
1. you get to draw 3 cards OR
2. your opponent lets you reveal the top 3 cards from your library, and they take damage equal to the converted mana cost.
Ghalta costs 12 mana so…there is some wicked potential for damage without anything else happening. I’ve seen it do over 20 damage in a single flip.

So that’s just lurking in the deck, not to mention it’s a fun and decent aggro deck with lots of stompy dinos.

Also, with regosaur alpha, it’s pretty easy and achievable to have a hasty Ghalta pretty quickly…which is naaasty for opponents.

Anywho, here’s the first couple games.

If you like the deck, check it out on MTGGoldfish:

MTGGoldfish Youtube Deck Tech/ Gameplay

Deck summary on MTGGoldfish

Watch Video On Youtube
March 9, 2018

How to Play MTGO on Mac in 2026 — Complete Setup Tutorial

Last Updated: February 2026

Magic: The Gathering Online (MTGO) is a Windows-only application. Daybreak Games has never released a native Mac client. In 2026 there are four reliable methods to run MTGO on a Mac, ranging from free to paid. This guide covers all of them.

Looking for MTG Arena instead? MTG Arena has a native Mac client and is the easier option for newer sets. MTGO is the home for older sets, drafts, leagues, and the full card pool including Legacy and Vintage.

Quick Comparison: MTGO on Mac Methods

Method	Cost	Apple Silicon	Intel Mac	Windows License
CrossOver	~$74/year	Yes	Yes	No
Parallels Desktop	~$100/year	Yes	Yes	Yes (Windows 11)
Boot Camp	Free	No (Intel only)	Yes	Yes (Windows 10)
VirtualBox	Free	Yes (v7.1+)	Yes	Yes

Method 1: CrossOver (Recommended for Apple Silicon Macs)

CrossOver by CodeWeavers is the easiest option for M1, M2, M3, and M4 Mac users. It runs Windows applications directly on macOS without requiring a Windows license. You pay for CrossOver itself (~$74/year or ~$499 lifetime), not for Windows.

MTGO runs reliably through CrossOver and performs well even on Apple Silicon chips, which do not support Boot Camp.

How to install MTGO via CrossOver

Download and install CrossOver for Mac (free 14-day trial available)
Open CrossOver and click Install a Windows Application
Search for “Magic: The Gathering Online” — CrossOver has a pre-configured bottle for it
Follow the installer prompts; CrossOver downloads and installs the Windows runtime automatically
Launch MTGO from the CrossOver app or your Applications folder

Pros: No Windows license needed, works on Apple Silicon, streamlined MTGO install
Cons: Annual subscription cost, occasional compatibility quirks after MTGO client updates

Method 2: Parallels Desktop

Parallels Desktop runs a full Windows virtual machine inside macOS. On Apple Silicon Macs it runs Windows 11 ARM; on Intel Macs it runs standard Windows 10 or 11. Performance is excellent and games run close to native speed.

You will need both a Parallels license (~$100/year) and a Windows license (Windows 11 Home is approximately $140 from Microsoft).

How to set up MTGO via Parallels

Download Parallels Desktop and install it
During setup, Parallels guides you through installing Windows — it can download Windows 11 ARM directly for Apple Silicon Macs
Once Windows is running inside Parallels, open the Windows browser and download MTGO from magic.wizards.com
Install and launch MTGO — it behaves exactly as it would on a native Windows PC

Pros: Best compatibility, seamless copy-paste between Mac and Windows, excellent performance
Cons: Most expensive option (Parallels + Windows license combined), memory-intensive

Method 3: Boot Camp (Intel Macs Only)

Important: Boot Camp is only available on Intel-based Macs. If you have an M1, M2, M3, or M4 Mac, skip this section — Apple removed Boot Camp from Apple Silicon entirely.

Boot Camp installs Windows natively alongside macOS on a separate partition. At startup you choose which OS to boot into. Since MTGO runs in native Windows via Boot Camp, performance is the best of any method. The trade-off is that you must reboot to switch between Mac and Windows.

How to set up Boot Camp

Open Boot Camp Assistant (Applications > Utilities, or search in Spotlight)
Download a Windows 10 ISO from Microsoft
Follow the Boot Camp Assistant wizard to partition your drive and install Windows
Boot into Windows by holding Option at startup, then install Boot Camp drivers
Download and install MTGO from magic.wizards.com

Pros: Best performance of any method, free software (only need Windows license)
Cons: Requires reboot to switch between Mac and Windows, Intel Macs only, requires a Windows 10 license

Method 4: VirtualBox (Free)

VirtualBox is a free, open-source virtualization tool from Oracle. Version 7.1+ added Apple Silicon support so it now works on M-series Macs, though performance is slower than Parallels. On Intel Macs it has been a reliable free option for years.

You will need a Windows license and at least 8GB of RAM on your Mac.

How to set up MTGO via VirtualBox

Download VirtualBox for macOS
Download a Windows 10 or Windows 11 ISO from Microsoft
Create a new VM: 4GB+ RAM, 50GB+ virtual disk, OS type Windows 10/11 64-bit
Mount the Windows ISO and install Windows inside the VM
Install VirtualBox Guest Additions for better graphics performance and screen resolution
Download and install MTGO from within the Windows VM

Pros: Completely free, open source, no ongoing subscription
Cons: Slower performance than Parallels, more setup required, still needs a Windows license

Which Method Should You Choose?

Apple Silicon Mac, do not want to buy Windows: CrossOver
Apple Silicon Mac, want the best performance: Parallels + Windows 11 ARM
Intel Mac, want it free: Boot Camp (best performance) or VirtualBox (no reboot required)
Intel Mac, want convenience: CrossOver or Parallels

Frequently Asked Questions

Does MTGO have a Mac client?

No. MTGO is Windows-only as of 2026. Daybreak Games, which acquired MTGO from Wizards of the Coast, has not announced plans for a native Mac client.

Is MTGO the same as MTG Arena?

No. They are separate products. MTG Arena is a newer free-to-play client with a native Mac app that supports recent Standard and Limited sets. MTGO is the older platform with a much larger card pool, a real card economy where cards hold monetary value, and support for every format including Legacy and Vintage.

Can I run MTGO on an M1, M2, M3, or M4 Mac?

Yes, via CrossOver or Parallels Desktop. Boot Camp does not work on Apple Silicon Macs, but both CrossOver and Parallels support the M-chip lineup well.

Is CrossOver legal to use?

Yes. CrossOver is a commercial product built on Wine, a legal Windows compatibility layer. Using it to run MTGO does not violate any terms of service.

How much disk space does MTGO need?

MTGO requires approximately 3 to 5GB for the client and card assets. If you are using a VM via Parallels or VirtualBox, budget an additional 20 to 30GB for the Windows installation itself.

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November 13, 2017

Kaya, Ghost Assassin – MTG Card Summary

Kaya, Ghost Assassin

Wizards has just released a new spoiler card from the upcoming set Conspiracy: Take The Throne which is set to be released on August 26th, 2016. The first card is a brand new planeswalker, named Kaya Ghost Assassin. If you’re interested in reading Kaya’s sordid back story, you can click here.

According to her backstory, she has the ability to “slip through solid items and physically interact with ghosts and the spirit world.” Hmm…Is Kaya the MTG Shadowcat?!

The same face in the artwork shows a rogueish smirk…while barely attempting to conceal a vicious dagger…and in another, she’s got a look of calculated violence as she plunges the very same dagger into the neck of her spectral assassination victim.

Definitely an interesting choice for inclusion in multiplayer formats, especially.

What do you think? Have you come up with any clever uses of the MTG Shadowcat yet? Feel free to leave them in the comments below, or tweet them @tcpwalker on twitter.

She’s got an interesting dynamic in that she has no ability to gain new loyalty counters, but instead loses them. However, when she exiles, she returns to play with all loyalty counters again.

Flavor wise, that makes sense. She’s a shifty rogue…always dodging and sneaking away to commit some silent act of assassination…then returning with that sly smirk back on her face.

We’ll be interested to see what other great mutiplayer dynamics emerge from Conspiracy: Take The Throne.

What abilities Does Kaya Ghost Assassin have?

Obviously when it comes down to planeswalkers, it’s all about those abilities. Kaya has 3.

Kaya’s 3 abilities :

[0]: Exile Kaya, Ghost Assassin or up to one target creature. Return that card to the battlefield under its owner’s control at the beginning of your next upkeep. You lose 2 life.

[-1]: Each opponent loses 2 life and you gain 2 life.

[-2]: Each opponent discards a card and you draw a card.

Read The “Planeswalker Story” of Kaya Ghost Assassin…

planeswalker-story-kaya

Kaya Artwork

Source: http://magic.wizards.com/en/story/planeswalkers/kaya-ghost-assassin\

Image Source: http://magic.wizards.com/en/story/planeswalkers/kaya-ghost-assassin

Image Source: http://magic.wizards.com/en/story/planeswalkers/kaya-ghost-assassin

August 10, 2016
*NEW* – Eldritch Moon Visual Spoiler

August 7, 2016
*New* Shadows Over Innistrad – Visual Spoiler

November 7, 2015
*NEW* – Zendikar Expeditions Visual Spoiler

October 7, 2015
Paying Tribute to become Inspired

So Born of the Gods has been out for a week now, and people have gotten to try out the new mechanics that were printed and those are Tribute and Inspired. The keyword Tribute is an ability that comes into effect as the creature is cast, allowing the opponent to choose whether to place + 1+1 counters on your creature, or let that creature do something, usually pretty nasty. A couple of good examples are Siren of the Fanged Coast and Fanatic of Xenagos.

Fanatic of Xenagos

I really like the tribute mechanic, but I felt that it was not implemented very well except for a couple of cards. That 3 drop trampler that’s swinging for 4 one way or another is nice, as is the Flame-Wreathed Pheonix, and the siren isn’t terrible, but none of them were exceptional. Oracle of Bones has potential but I was really honestly expecting a demon to have tribute in this set and the closest we got was a hydra that fights something unless you make it a 12/12. Overall I was disappointed in this mechanic, but I am really looking forward to them abusing it in the future. On a side note, tribute is a great way to go in drafts and sealed and could win you some free cards, so keep a look for it in the Limited formats.

On the other side of Born of the Gods, we have Inspired, which is a little keyword that says whenever this creature untaps, do X. This mechanic was very underwhelming as there are only 3 usable cards with this ability, and even they aren’t all that good. You have God-Favored General, which isn’t too bad, Oreskos Sun Guide which was useful in Limited and Siren of the Silent Song which I could see being played next to Ashiok. other than that they are all too expensive, or their abilities cost more mana than it is worth. This is just one of those abilities that might be nice to work in with Spingleaf drum and kiora’s follower, if only there were better effects to them. In EDH if you can get one of those nifty untap chains going one of them might be useful but otherwise, I hope this ability really gets majorly buffed or just done away with in Journey into Nyx.

Siren of the Silent Coast

A couple of mechanics from Theros return in Born of the Gods where we see multiple cards with Bestow and Heroic, and I was impressed with most of these. Hero of Iroas and Hero of Leina Tower really do the Heroic keyword a lot of good, and while that Hero of Iroas also helps out by making bestow creatures cheaper, Eidolon of Countless Battles, Herald of Torment, and Spiteful Returned can all do some nasty things to your opponents all on their own. I really like what they did with these creatures and while I still remain disappointed by no demon with tribute (it’s just too perfect) and no angels with Heroic, all in all, Born of the Gods wasn’t too bad at all.

A nasty combo, resulting in a turn 3 5/5

For those of you wanting to make some themed decks looking to run tribute or inspired, I’ve got a couple things for you. Running Corpsejack Menace turns every tribute into a huge threat, and running the Archetype of Aggression makes them regret every decision they have to make. For maximum meanness run a couple monstrous creatures and bioshifts to move those counters around to double them again with corpsejack or save them from a kill spell.

If you’re running inspired try getting there with hidden strings, kiora’s follower, spingleaf drum and prophet of kruphix for a constant stream of tapping and untapping while still having blockers.

A couple of fun cards for those casual themed decks

Finally, as to what I’m expecting from Journey Into Nyx, I’m really hoping for at least one demon with tribute, something that makes the inspired mechanic worth having been printed, and I would love for them to finally print a green white planeswalker. I’m also quite looking forward to seeing what Kruphix (the blue green god) is going to do and I’m excited for the commander potential for Keranos (the red blue god).

What is it you liked most about Born of the Gods and what are you looking forward to in the next set? Feel free to leave comments! join me next week for some amusing rogue decks ideas just in time for the SGC Qualifiers on the 22nd in Tallahassee!

James

February 14, 2014
Born of the Gods Preview

Hey I’m James, and in honor of launch weekend I’m writing this Born of the Gods Preview and which cards I think will be useful. Enjoy!

So in preparation of the pro tour qualifier coming up in March I’ve been looking over several of the cards in Born of the Gods and I like a lot of what I see. Some of it is overrated and some of it you may have completely glanced past but here is where I’ll talk about the potential that I see.

First up is Xenagos, God of Revels. I hear a lot of people saying he is going to be great, but I actually don’t see it. Jund colors might run it but honestly Exava and rakdos are better 4 drops, especially with all the new removal that can clear out the indestructibles.

Xenegos, God of Revels

Mogis, God of Slaughter on the other hand, looks like he is going to be a powerhouse. The simplest of the gods so far, he makes your opponent choose to lose life or a creature every turn, and in his colors either one is a big loss. Watch out for this guy.

Ephara, God of the Polis is nifty, but won’t really be played unless Bant becomes good and Prophet of Kruphix makes her really shine, though she may see some sideboard play in blue/white aggro or esper control. Won’t see much of her though.

Hero of iroas is a guy that a lot of people are overlooking, but 2/2 heroic for 2 is decent by itself, but the fact he makes things like unflinching courage and gift of orzhova 2 costs makes him great, not to mention that everything with bestow cost one less to bestow. Any deck running white and enchantments should be mainboarding this guy, and he’ll be a welcome new addition to the Sphere of safety decks.

Then we have Brimaz, king of Oreskos. I’m impressed because a 3/4 Vigilant for 3 mana is already great, but one that creates an attacking and blocking token every time he does either is unbelievable. The only problem is that in Standard drown in sorrow and bile blight are going to make those tokens all but obsolete especially when illness in the ranks can hop in from the sideboard. He has a chance to be really good, and Modern and EDH will play the crap out of him.

Brimaz, King of Oreskos

Hero of Leina Tower has the potential to become big but the only current deck that could take advantage of this is Naya Beats. With the release of this set however, Bant has a chance to be a real threat to every current deck and Hero of Leina Tower couldn’t ask for a better set up than Bant-chantments with bestow creatures, or green-white heroic weenies with instants.
Karametra, god of the harvests is at first a little disappointing. In green white there was a good chance to make a decent token pumper or life giver and instead we got a land fetch. After another look though, in bant or naya deck it has the potential to really let you get ahead. Naya beats is full of cheap creatures that could snag out those lands and let you shufle your deck and let you play multiple hasty’s and stormbreaths. In bant when combined with the prophet of kruphix this card becomes a juggeraut and if you’re running elvish mystics and sylvan caryatids this thing could have you up to playing a Worldspine Wurm turn 7.

There are 5 ‘fated’ cards. The first fated retribution is a 7 cost that wipes out creatures and planeswalkers. Awesome for commander but in a format with merciless eviction and supreme verdict everywhere, it won’t really see play.

Fated conflagration is ok, but has the same problem Xenagos the god does. It’s a 4 drop in decks that have better 4 drops. it may be sideboarded in naya beats but don’t look for value here.
Fated Return may not see play in standard but in EDH and possibly Legacy a card that grabs a creature from anyone’s graveyard, makes it indestructible and then lets you scry will be golden. Fated Intervention is interesting and the only reason it’s playable is because it is an instant and lets you drop 2 suprise blockers. Otherwise, not all that great, I’d rather play Advent of the Wurm.

Finally Fated Infatuation looks good, and I feel like it could see play, but esper control will be loosening it’s grip on the meta and this card might not have room as the control players shift towards being more anti green or anti white as the heroic weenies pick up speed.

The archetypes that came in the set are cool, though only the white and red ones will see play instandard. 3 cost creatures that give and take away trample and first strike sound pretty great to me, though I belive the black and green ones will see a lot of play in Commander EDh decks just for the extra kick of everything having hexproof and deathtouch.

Satyr Firedancer

Satyr Firedancer finally makes burndecks not only viable byt good by turning magma jet into a 2 cost 2 damage to a player, 3 damage to a creature and a scry 2.

Spirit of the labrynth is really going to be hurting those esper control players and you can expect to see a lot of this in sideboards to stop blue from gaining too much card advantage, grab these early if you want to get a little value.

Chromanticore has to be my favorite just because I love 5 color cards especially for Commander games and this guy is just there for fun. he may not be great, but he will certainly be fun to play.

Gild finally provides a good and consistent way to get rid of those pesky indestructible gods along with revoke existence and unravel the aether so you can be guarenteed the gods won’t be providing the same force they did beforehand with every color now having access to a way to easily pop them off the field.

And last on my list is the Eidolon of Countless battles. H’ll be ood in Naya beats, but in white weenies with brimaz and Precinct captain running around this card is going to make every hit a little bit worse, and blue white decks are really going to enjoy having this thing to put all their enchantments on. Watch out for this guy here, he’ll see plenty of play.

Thats it for this article but check in next time and I’ll be discussing the merits of Theros block mechanics and what I want to see from Journey into Nyx.

Want deck help? Click here to Check out my gig at fiverr I’ll help you get your deck working in top shape!

February 8, 2014
Video Feature: 4 Color Burn Vs. Bant Flash

Welcome back to another installment of casual planeswalker supporter Josh Pearsall’s versus series.

Today, it’s 4 color burn taking on bant flash. Does the burn have what it takes to stop bant? Find out below.

December 2, 2013