The Upside of Set Champs

This week on Happy Questing, Danny Tripodi is joined by Andrew Buchmann and Brandon Barba for a deep dive into the wild world of Set Championships. We break down Danny’s meta-busting Amber/Sapphire aggro deck that earned him another championship mat, dissect the rise of Ruby/Emerald discard decks shaking up Central NY, and call out some of the event logistics that need fixing (read the rulebook, people!).

But it’s not all decklists and top cuts—we also get real about tournament burnout, learning from losses, and finding joy in the grind. From slow play stigma to reprint fatigue and why best-of-two should make a comeback, this episode is part strategy, part therapy.

If you’re prepping for your next championship run or just looking to stay grounded in the madness, this one’s for you.

🗓️ Plus: Pre-release plans, community shoutouts, and Brandon's "Be a Goldfish" mindset tip.

Happy Questing.