Strictly the Worst Guild Ball Podcast

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Chicago's premier Guild Ball podcast, featuring the voices of Alex Botts, Jordan Nach, and Patrick Van Valzah.

Patrick Van Valzah


    • May 14, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 1h 27m AVG DURATION
    • 132 EPISODES

    4.8 from 19 ratings Listeners of Strictly the Worst Guild Ball Podcast that love the show mention: competitive, theory, becoming, game, etc, worth, guys, hosts, time, information, good, lot, enjoy, favorite, great, best, listen, expected value, guild ball, results oriented thinking.



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    Latest episodes from Strictly the Worst Guild Ball Podcast

    The Marketplace of Hulk Ideas

    Play Episode Listen Later May 14, 2025 159:34


    In this episode we talk all things Squad Goals 2025. Recorded 5/9/25 Join the waitlist for Second Wind - https://secondwindchicago.com Join our discord and tell us why we're wrong at - https://discord.gg/FNVVvfzucm

    Talking about the New Crisis Cards in a timely Manner

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 17, 2025 112:40


    In this episode we discuss the New Crisis Cards and play a goofy "game". Recorded 3/14/25 Come join us at Squad Goals 2025 - https://www.squadgoalsmcp.com Join our discord and tell us why we're wrong at - https://discord.gg/FNVVvfzucm

    Alfredo's Size 2 Soup Boys

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 3, 2025 135:43


    This week we talk about our experiences at LVO 2025 and get sidetracked to argue about 6+ point models. Recorded 1/27/25 Join our discord and tell us why we're wrong at - https://discord.gg/FNVVvfzucm

    End of the Box

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 29, 2024 153:13


    This week we play back of the box, talk about the concept of playstyle in MCP, discuss Midnight Sons roster variations, and play back of the box. Recorded 11/25/24 Join our discord and tell us why we're wrong at - https://discord.gg/FNVVvfzucm

    We Get Chicago'd at Port-eee-oooh's

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 29, 2024 93:53


    This week we're joined by Second Wind 6 winner Erek Wong to talk about his experience at the event. Recorded 10/25/24 Join our discord and tell us why we're wrong at - https://discord.gg/FNVVvfzucm

    Marvel Carsis Prototalk

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 1, 2024 159:15


    This week we talk about Nate and Vince's experiences at this years CarlCon, play back of the box, and talk a lot about Dracula and friends. Recorded 9/23/24 Join our discord and tell us why we're wrong at - https://discord.gg/FNVVvfzucm  

    We Still Don't Talk About Card Rotation

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 22, 2024 110:59


    This week we talk about Apocalypse, have feelings about new Asgard models and play back of the box. Recorded 8/18/24 Join our discord and tell us why we're wrong at - https://discord.gg/FNVVvfzucm

    Buy Low Drink High

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 11, 2024 116:16


    This episode we discuss Namor, Pat's ideal faction, and tournament head space. Recorded 6/?/24 Acquire Alfredo's widgets @ https://www.museonstore.com/products/size3tacotruck-widget-set-for-marvel-crisis-protocol?ref=SIZE3TACOS Join our discord and tell us why we're wrong at - https://discord.gg/FNVVvfzucm

    Air Conditioning is Optional

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 8, 2024 125:52


    This week we talk about grand tournaments, Squad Goals, and newly spoiled models. Recorded 6/2/24 Acquire Alfredo's widgets @ https://www.museonstore.com/products/size3tacotruck-widget-set-for-marvel-crisis-protocol?ref=SIZE3TACOS Join our discord and tell us why we're wrong at - https://discord.gg/FNVVvfzucm

    When One of Your Teammates is Size 3

    Play Episode Listen Later May 11, 2024 109:58


    This week we talk about GTs + MCP worlds, roster building for team events, and Pat is bad at game shows. Second Wind tickets soon at www.secondwindchicago.com Recorded 5/5/24 Acquire Alfredo's widgets @ https://www.museonstore.com/products/size3tacotruck-widget-set-for-marvel-crisis-protocol?ref=SIZE3TACOS Join our discord and tell us why we're wrong at - https://discord.gg/FNVVvfzucm

    Live From Luigi's Mansion 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 1, 2024 142:58


    In this episode we discuss Adepticon. How we did and what was spoiled at the con. Come to Squad Goals! Squad Goals is a 3 person team MCP event in Chicago May 18th-19th 2024. Details and tickets at https://www.squadgoalsmcp.com Recorded 3/29/24 Acquire Alfredo's widgets @ https://www.museonstore.com/products/size3tacotruck-widget-set-for-marvel-crisis-protocol?ref=SIZE3TACOS Join our discord and tell us why we're wrong at - https://discord.gg/FNVVvfzucm

    Nate's Uncanny and Original Takes

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 16, 2024 151:24


    Come to Squad Goals! Squad Goals is a 3 person team MCP event in Chicago May 18th-19th 2024. Details and tickets at https://www.squadgoalsmcp.com This week we discucss the CGR changes, play back of the box, and talk about all the new X-Men models. Recorded 2/11/24 Acquire Alfredo's widgets @ https://www.museonstore.com/products/size3tacotruck-widget-set-for-marvel-crisis-protocol?ref=SIZE3TACOS Join our discord and tell us why we're wrong at - https://discord.gg/FNVVvfzucm

    A Minigame You Can't Lose

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 18, 2024 109:59


    This week we talk about what Alex and Pat have been playing. Recorded 1/12/23 Acquire Alfredo's widgets @ https://www.museonstore.com/products/size3tacotruck-widget-set-for-marvel-crisis-protocol?ref=SIZE3TACOS Join our discord and tell us why we're wrong at - https://discord.gg/FNVVvfzucm

    A Very Merry Back of the Box

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 24, 2023 14:34


    Recorded 12/21/23 Acquire Alfredo's widgets @ https://www.museonstore.com/products/size3tacotruck-widget-set-for-marvel-crisis-protocol?ref=SIZE3TACOS Join our discord and tell us why we're wrong at - https://discord.gg/FNVVvfzucm

    The Only Podcast That Actually Likes Timelines

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 1, 2023 118:20


    This week we talk about timelines, play back of the box, and talk about Cyclops/X-Men/Ultron a bit Recorded 11/26/23 Acquire Alfredo's widgets @ https://www.museonstore.com/products/size3tacotruck-widget-set-for-marvel-crisis-protocol?ref=SIZE3TACOS Join our discord and tell us why we're wrong at - https://discord.gg/FNVVvfzucm

    Winging It: Episode 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 2, 2023 118:06


    This week we're joined by special guest Zach Cohen, winner of Second Wind 5. We talk about his list and experience at the event and make him play a series of guessing games. Recorded 10/27/23 Acquire Alfredo's widgets @ https://www.museonstore.com/products/size3tacotruck-widget-set-for-marvel-crisis-protocol?ref=SIZE3TACOS Join our discord and tell us why we're wrong at - https://discord.gg/FNVVvfzucm

    Live From Luigi's Mansion

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 26, 2023 95:01


    The annual pre Second Wind episode. We talk about the lists Nate and Botts are playing in the event, play back of the box, and draft models we think will be most popular in Second Wind rosters. As is tradition for live episodes, Pat's audio is pretty scuffed, sorry.  Recorded 10/20/23 Acquire Alfredo's widgets @ https://www.museonstore.com/products/size3tacotruck-widget-set-for-marvel-crisis-protocol?ref=SIZE3TACOS Join our discord and tell us why we're wrong at - https://discord.gg/FNVVvfzucm

    4 Hours of Reactions

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 19, 2023 227:59


    This week we talk about the updated models from ministravaganza. Next time we'll talk about the new models. Recorded 9/18/23 Acquire Alfredo's widgets @ https://www.museonstore.com/products/size3tacotruck-widget-set-for-marvel-crisis-protocol?ref=SIZE3TACOS Join our discord and tell us why we're wrong at - https://discord.gg/FNVVvfzucm

    Youtube Thumbnail Tier List

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 6, 2023 99:18


    This week we make a very serious tier list, complain about cuts + timelines, play back of the box, and discuss internal faction balance. Make your own Vince Youtube core box thumbnail tierlist at https://tiermaker.com/create/vinces-new-mcp-core-box-thumbnail-tier-list-15167029 Recorded 8/28/23 Acquire Alfredo's widgets @ https://www.museonstore.com/products/size3tacotruck-widget-set-for-marvel-crisis-protocol?ref=SIZE3TACOS Join our discord and tell us why we're wrong at - https://discord.gg/FNVVvfzucm

    Doin' Crimes

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 2, 2023 112:42


    This week we talk about Pat's criminal syndicate adventures, play back of the box, and Nate has feelings about power creep. Recorded 7/30/23 Acquire Alfredo's widgets @ https://www.museonstore.com/products/size3tacotruck-widget-set-for-marvel-crisis-protocol?ref=SIZE3TACOS Join our discord and tell us why we're wrong at - https://discord.gg/FNVVvfzucm

    Full Hour of AMG Propaganda

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 15, 2023 93:07


    This week we talk about the recent banned + restricted list changes. Recorded 7/10/23 Acquire Alfredo's widgets @ https://www.museonstore.com/products/size3tacotruck-widget-set-for-marvel-crisis-protocol?ref=SIZE3TACOS Join our discord and tell us why we're wrong at - https://discord.gg/FNVVvfzucm

    A Measured Response to Data Deniers

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 22, 2023 64:52


    This week, it's just goofs. Acquire Alfredo's widgets @ https://www.museonstore.com/products/size3tacotruck-widget-set-for-marvel-crisis-protocol?ref=SIZE3TACOS Recorded 6/11/23

    Vince Interviews: Kurtis O

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 21, 2023 59:35


    Watch the video version at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IuLQKT_Z1-o The much maligned A-force affiliation is sitting a top the Longshanks ranking. Vince interviewed Kurtis the man responsible for this very exciting development.   Kurtis' A-Force/Hydra List  Characters: (10) Doctor Voodoo (Jericho Drumm) Threat: 4 Baron Zemo (Helmut Zemo) Threat: 3  ---Red Skull, Master of Hydra (Johann Schmidt) Threat: 5  Winter Soldier (James "Bucky" Barnes) Threat: 3  Black Cat (Felica Hardy) Threat: 3  Domino (Neena Thurman) Threat: 3  Okoye (Okoye) Threat: 2  ---She-Hulk (Jennifer Walters) Threat: 6  Spider-Woman (Jessica Drew) Threat: 4  Beta Ray Bill (Bill) Threat: 4    Tactics: (10) Sacrifice Advanced R&D Sleeper Agent Stalwart Determination Eyes on the Prize Recalibration Matrix Fall Back No Matter the Cost Marked for Death Mission Objective   Secure Crisis: (3) Demons Downtown! Has Our Comeuppance Come Due? (Threat: 19) Gamma Wave Sweeps Across Midwest (Threat: 15) Super-Powered Scoundrels Form Sinister Syndicate! (Threat: 20)   Extract Crisis: (3) Skrulls Infiltrate World Leadership (Threat: 20)  Fear Grips World As "Worthy" Terrorize Cities (Threat: 18) Research Station Attacked! (Threat: 15)  

    Ding Era

    Play Episode Listen Later May 12, 2023 107:22


      This week we talk about the metagame and the concept of opening theory in MCP. Recorded 5/7/23 Second Wind is sold out, find out more and join the waitlist at https://www.secondwindchicago.com Join our discord and tell us why we're wrong at - https://discord.gg/FNVVvfzucm

    We Were Right... Pat Won Adepticon!

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 5, 2023 119:26


    Second Wind tickets go on sale 4/10/23, find out more at https://www.secondwindchicago.com This week we talk about everything that happened at Adepticon 2023. Recorded 3/31/23 Join our discord and tell us why we're wrong at - https://discord.gg/FNVVvfzucm

    Affiliation Battle Champion of the Galaxy

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 29, 2023 115:10


    Note: The audio quality is a bit of a mess on this one, sorry. Should be back to normal for our post Adepticon episode next week. This week we talk about day 1 of Adepticon, Vince reports on the happenings of the rules forum, and the gang decides on a new affiliation for Pat. Recorded 3/24/23 Join our discord and tell us why we're wrong at - https://discord.gg/FNVVvfzucm

    There's Room Between Suck and Great...

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 18, 2023 114:28


    This week we talk about new releases, Psylocke + Emma Frost, play Pat's least favorite game show segment, talk about Adepticon Rosters, and complain about X-Men complaining. Recorded 3/12/23 Join our discord and tell Pat what to play instead of Asguad or tell us why we're wrong at - https://discord.gg/FNVVvfzucm

    How Vince, the Most Deserving Player, Won LVO

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 9, 2023 164:56


    This week we talk about everything that happened at LVO (you may have heard that Vince won. Because he did. And he's very proud). Recorded 1/5/23 Join our discord and tell us why we're wrong at - https://discord.gg/FNVVvfzucm

    Nate Spends $50 to Attempt to Podcast

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 13, 2023 86:39


    This week Pat outsources his LVO list building to Nate, complains about A-Force, and learns he has been playing Nate's Asguard list wrong the whole time.  Recorded 1/8/23 Join our discord and tell us why we're wrong at - https://discord.gg/FNVVvfzucm

    A Very Merry Back of the Box

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 21, 2022 98:31


    This week we discuss the newly updated crisis cards, Nate's recent event experience with the new crises, plus Logan, The Wolverine, and Rhino. Recorded 12/18/22 Join our discord and tell us why we're wrong at - https://discord.gg/FNVVvfzucm

    Winged Cat Tacos

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 8, 2022 81:42


    This week we discuss the Malekith changes and the impact they'll have on the meta moving forward. Recorded 12/3/22 Join our discord and tell us why we're wrong at - https://discord.gg/FNVVvfzucm

    The Malekith Zone

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 20, 2022 99:14


    This week we talk about the event Vince and Pat recently went to, play back of the box, and share our early takes on the Weapon-X tactics cards. Recorded 10/13/22 Join our discord and tell us why we're wrong at - https://discord.gg/FNVVvfzucm

    Raw Maw

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 27, 2022 108:25


    This week we have a special guest on to talk about Second Wind. We talk about Nate's list and games throughout the event as well as Vince's games and Malekith experience.  Recorded 10/23/22 Join our discord and tell us why we're wrong at - https://discord.gg/FNVVvfzucm

    Big Idiot Or Rapid Fire

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 14, 2022 117:13


    This week Pat and Vince talk about their recent tournament experience, a bunch of Vince goofs, and how bad models might actually be good. Recorded 10/14/22 Join our discord and tell us why we're wrong at - https://discord.gg/FNVVvfzucm

    Webster's Dictionary Defines An Invitational As...

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 6, 2022 47:15


    This week we discuss the different aspects of invitaional events in MCP, play back of the box, and have our episode cut short by technical gremlins.  Recorded 9/23/22 Join our discord and tell us why we're wrong at - https://discord.gg/FNVVvfzucm

    Sporty Men On A Ship

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 31, 2022 81:19


    This week we talk about sportsmanship in MCP and tabletop gaming. And also a lot of frisbee chat, which I've since learned is also called flatball which is an incredibly good name. Recorded 8/26/22 Join our discord and tell us why we're wrong at - https://discord.gg/FNVVvfzucm

    Alfredo's Size 3 Taco Truck: Malekith Being Good Is Actually a Mali-myth

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 17, 2022 98:12


    This week we talk about all things Malekith plus some bonus Winter Guard discussion and Field Dressing thoughts. Recorded 8/12/22 Join our discord and tell us why we're wrong at - https://discord.gg/FNVVvfzucm

    Alfredo's Size 3 Taco Truck: Vince is Very Happy so Nate is Very Worried

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 26, 2022 110:24


    This week we discuss all the new cards revealed at Minishieldaganza (AKA why Vince is so happy). Recorded 7/19/22 Join our discord and tell us why we're wrong at - https://discord.gg/FNVVvfzucm

    Alfredo's Size 3 Taco Truck: If You Rotate a Taco Fast Enough, Does it Become a Burrito?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 26, 2022 92:18


    This week we discuss tactics card rotation coming to MCP, the new banned + restricted list, and our thoughts on winners and losers from the changes.  Recorded 6/24/22 Join our discord and tell us why we're wrong at - https://discord.gg/FNVVvfzucm

    Alfredo's Size 3 Taco Truck: Effective Errata Evaluations

    Play Episode Listen Later May 16, 2022 109:19


    This week we take a look back at the November errata and disuss the changes now that we've been playing with them for 6 months.  Recorded 5/8/22 Join our discord and tell us why we're wrong at - https://discord.gg/FNVVvfzucm

    Alfredo's Size 3 Taco Truck: Pie in the Sky

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 27, 2022 65:19


    This week Vince shares his experiences with SHIELD. Join our discord and tell us why we're wrong at - https://discord.gg/FNVVvfzucm

    Alfredo's Size 3 Taco Truck: Episode 24

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 11, 2022 90:54


    This week we talk about our experiences at this year's Adepticon (spoiler alert: We're the laser tag champions of the universe)   Join our discord and tell us why we're wrong at - https://discord.gg/FNVVvfzucm

    Alfredo's Size 3 Taco Truck: Episode 23

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 5, 2022 56:53


    This week we are doing our very first video episode of Alfredo's Size 3 Taco Truck. We are giving you our hot takes on MCP while eating hotter and hotter wings. Video HERE

    Alfredo's Size 3 Taco Truck: Episode 22

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 15, 2022 58:33


    This week we talk about negative play experiences, X-23's compartative damage output, and SHIELD tactics.   Join our discord and tell us why we're wrong at - https://discord.gg/FNVVvfzucm

    Alfredo's Size 3 Taco Truck: Episode 21

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 23, 2022 84:14


    This week we workshop an A-Force / Wakanda roster for Pat. Join our discord and tell us why we're wrong at - https://discord.gg/FNVVvfzucm

    Alfredo's Size 3 Taco Truck: Episode 20

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 9, 2022 76:48


    Nate went to LVO and finished 3rd playing Guardians, so we talk about trends in Web Warriors and the popularity of Doctor Voodoo Join our discord and tell us why we're wrong at - https://discord.gg/FNVVvfzucm

    Alfredo's Size 3 Taco Truck: Episode 19

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 25, 2022 66:31


    This week we talk about how to prepare for tournaments and adjust your roster to best deal with the problem affiliations in the current meta.  Join our discord and tell us why we're wrong at - https://discord.gg/FNVVvfzucm

    Alfredo's Size 3 Taco Truck: Episode 18

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 4, 2022 118:15


    This week, we work through a single-elim bracket of all 105 models to scientifically determine the single best model in all of MCP.   Spoilers Below: You can see the finished bracket at https://challonge.com/xrrqx929

    Alfredo's Size 3 Taco Truck: Episode 17

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 30, 2021 71:25


    This week we talk about the rules update now that all of the cards have been revealed as well as the impacts of the update Banned / restricted list.

    Alfredo's Size 3 Taco Truck: Episode 16

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 18, 2021 83:40


    This week we share our thoughts on what we've seen so far of the updated model cards and how we think the changes will impact the game in the future. 

    Alfredo's Size 3 Taco Truck: Episode 15, Size 4?

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 28, 2021 89:48


    This week we talk about our experiences playing in + running Second Wind, a 31 player in person MCP event + we talk to the winner, Alex Botts about his background with tabletop games + his experience with MCP so far. Apologies for the audio quality

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