Explore every episode of the podcast Sloppy Labwork: Bottom of the Beaker - A KeyForge Podcast
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| #148 - Playing With and Against Chains | 25 Mar 2026 | 01:15:47 | |
quickdraw and jt talk strategies for playing with and against chains. Should you play differently than in an unchained matchup? Join us on Discord for discussion, show notes, and more. Link can be found here https://sloppylabwork.com/posts/sloppy-server/. | |||
| #147 - Pet Decks - An Intro and Reprise | 18 Mar 2026 | 01:08:21 | |
quickdraw and jt revisit the topic of pet decks to introduce a mini-series where we'll be bringing in guests talk about meaningful (to them) deck across every set in the game's history. Do you have a pet deck and you'd like to talk about on BotB? Well, have I got a form for you! https://forms.gle/2k6UZmNBbRQayC2u6 Join us on Discord for discussion, show notes, and more. Link can be found here https://sloppylabwork.com/posts/sloppy-server/. | |||
| #138 - KeyTracker ft. Zenzizenzizenzic | 24 Nov 2025 | 01:11:02 | |
Zenzizenzizenzic hops into the lab with quickdraw and jt to talk all about their KeyTracker project for TCO. Our hosts even pick up one tor two surprising insights about their favorite decks long the way! Join us on Discord for discussion, show notes, and more. Link can be found here https://sloppylabwork.com/posts/sloppy-server/. | |||
| #053 - Double Sided Artifacts - Near-Future Lens | 11 Oct 2023 | 00:49:10 | |
jt and quickdraw are back from their summer recess and are already trying to pull a fast one on you. Near-Future Lens? Is that really double sided? | |||
| #052.3 - Yellow Key Interlude | 27 Sep 2023 | 00:30:38 | |
quickdraw and jt round out our interlude series with some discussion on the decks they've been enjoying most over the past couple weeks and what they're looking out for when cracking a fresh pack of WoE. | |||
| #052.2 - Blue Key Interlude ft. not2night | 13 Sep 2023 | 00:48:11 | |
We did it folks, we finally got not2night on the show. What else do I need to say? Enjoy. | |||
| #052.1 - Red Key Interlude | 30 Aug 2023 | 00:50:19 | |
The crew kicks back and talks about how they've spend their past two weeks of vacation. We'll also catch up with BHawk and JDG314, both fresh off VT top cut finishes. | |||
| #052 - A Very Sloppy Year | 16 Aug 2023 | 01:07:54 | |
quickdraw, jtrussell, and strussell reminisce on a full year of the sloppiest insights from the bottom of the beaker. Here's a heartfelt thanks to all the humans and ducks out there who've been with us for the ride (so far)! Also, Rektor. | |||
| #051 - KAGI STATIs ft. Murph | 09 Aug 2023 | 01:20:06 | |
Stand back! We've got two seasons of data from the KAGI adaptive league and we're not afraid to do (sloppy) math! The lab welcomes back special guest Murph aka Fudgenator to dig into some juicy adaptive data. Is it better to play the chained deck in game 3 or dare your opponent to dig themselves out? Do more games end 2-0 or 2-1? Should you bring a strong deck or a weak one? If ten ducks sat down to play poker how many chains would they bid on pocket aces? All those and more are questions we might have answered! | |||
| #050 - Double Sided Artifacts - Heavy Subsidies | 02 Aug 2023 | 00:52:12 | |
We've been holding off on talking Heavy Subsides and just couldn't contain our excitement any longer. This double sided artifacts episode marks the 50th installment of the sloppiest cast in KeyForge and we celebrate the occasion with a brand new host! One thing is for sure, he's a cutie (q-t). | |||
| #049 - The Early/Mid/End Game of KeyForge | 26 Jul 2023 | 01:06:58 | |
BHawk, quickdraw, and jtrussell and dig into the different phases of a KeyForge match. How do you know what phase of the game you're in? What should you be planning to do in each one and what can go wrong if you're not aware? This episode references ideas from our previous episode on Empathy in Strategy featuring Astron - you've already listened to it twice, but a third time can't hurt, right? Check out that episode here: https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/Y1pQq3RCNBb. | |||
| #048 - Efficient WoE - or - Who Needs Logos Anyway? | 19 Jul 2023 | 01:13:50 | |
jt and quickdraw talk about life in a post-Logos world. Where oh where is that efficiency coming from? What's the impact on deck consistency? And what sorts of decks are going to thrive without Sloppy Labwork's very own house? | |||
| #047 - VT Philly, A Retrospective | 12 Jul 2023 | 01:09:56 | |
The lab workers that traveled to Philadelphia circle up for a retrospective on the tour - what worked, what could be improved, and how many ducks does it take to get to the center of a vaultsie-pop? We had a great time and hope to see more of this wonderful community at future events. If you've got feedback for Ghost Galaxy, whether that's notes of praise or opportunities for improvement, the best way to have your voice heard is through their contact form here: https://keyforging.com/contact-us/. | |||
| #137 - The KFC '25 Recap Episode | 14 Nov 2025 | 01:41:08 | |
Crusader, quickdraw, BHawk, and jt recount their highlights and hijinks from KFC 2025. Is the lab going all-in on Alliance?! Join us on Discord for discussion, show notes, and more. Link can be found here https://sloppylabwork.com/posts/sloppy-server/. | |||
| #046.1 Stay Sloppy | 06 Jul 2023 | 00:01:02 | |
Come say hi to jtrussell, quickdraw3457, or strussell at the Vault Tour in Philadelphia this weekend and snag some sloppy swag! Not going to be there? No worries, just send us a DM on Discord with your mailing address and we'll hook you up <3. | |||
| #046 - The Road to Philly | 05 Jul 2023 | 01:03:22 | |
Our lab workers talk preparations and predictions as we look ahead to the upcoming Vault Tour in Philadelphia. | |||
| #045 - Double Sided Artifacts - Autocannon, Shattered Throne, and Ancient Battleground - OH MY! | 28 Jun 2023 | 00:45:23 | |
jtrussell and quickdraw toss a few Brobnar artifacts on the turntable. We get a new spin on two old favorites(?) returning in Winds of Exchange and as well as a brand new one that's sure to have a big impact in any game where its played. | |||
| #044 - Empathy in Strategy ft. Astron | 21 Jun 2023 | 00:52:41 | |
https://www.twitch.tv/astron624 https://www.twitch.tv/astron624 https://www.twitch.tv/astron624 | |||
| #043 - Exchange | 14 Jun 2023 | 00:52:19 | |
Hot off the heels of a very exciting Exchange match to cap quickdraw's ABR season our hosts div into the Exchange format. | |||
| #042 - Sloppy First Impressions (WoE Spoilers) | 07 Jun 2023 | 00:51:22 | |
jtrussell and quickdraw give their first impressions of the new set after having cracked into some of their Winds of Exchange decks. Will either be playing a WoE deck at the upcoming Philly Vault Tour?! There might even be a hot take or two in here ;). | |||
| #041 - Oubliette ft. SecondAct | 31 May 2023 | 00:56:14 | |
Special guest John (aka SecondAct) joins jtrussell in the lab to go deep on the Oubliette variant with notes on Ouroboros as well. Check out the Weekend KeyWarriors podcast here: https://open.spotify.com/show/3e8qaTzJWXweYuH2RhvKD0 When jt promises to put things in the show notes. This is where they should go. | |||
| #040 - A Vault Worth Fighting For ft. Ketzer | 24 May 2023 | 01:01:09 | |
Special guest Ketzer jumps into the lab swinging in the episode all about everyone's favorite way to use creatures that isn't reaping, action, or omni abilities. | |||
| #039 - Double Sided Artifacts - Dry the River - Dark Tidings - Adaptive - KAGI ft. Murph aka Fudgenator | 17 May 2023 | 01:04:58 | |
We welcome Murph back to the lab to wax poetic on not only our marquee double sided artifact for the show, Dry the River, but also to talk adaptive, KAGI, and Dark Tidings in general. Check out Murph's streams and recordings on Twitch and YouTube: Decks features in this episode:
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| #038 - Competing on a Budget - ft. Orion aka PhloxEm_All | 10 May 2023 | 01:05:43 | |
*this space is intentionally left blank* https://www.twitch.tv/phloxem_all https://decksofkeyforge.com/decks/c4924704-0f4d-4125-af74-42aaab08cf21 | |||
| #136 - Playing with Low eFficiency ft. Moosemandude | 04 Nov 2025 | 01:11:44 | |
Join us on Discord for discussion, show notes, and more. Link can be found here https://sloppylabwork.com/posts/sloppy-server/. | |||
| #037 - The Rock/Paper/Scissors of KeyForge | 03 May 2023 | 00:53:08 | |
jt and quickdraw dig into the "D" of Luck/Skill/Deck and talk about what it means to have good and bad matchup in this game where decks cannot change. Do you think an element of rock/paper/scissors (RPS) in matchups is good or bad for the game? One thing is for sure, you're going to love our new corporate sponsors. | |||
| #035 - How to Improve | 26 Apr 2023 | 01:03:02 | |
The Sloppy Labwork motto is ABCDEFGHI - i.e. "Always Be Card Discarding Everyone First Get Help Improving"! Or something like that. Either way, quickdraw and jt are talking tip and strategies for improving in this game of forging keys. | |||
| #036 (035?) - Rules/Tournament Updates - 18APR2023 | 19 Apr 2023 | 01:09:09 | |
We don't usually cover KF news but couldn't resist this opportunity to bring you a very sloppy episode out of order and hot off the presses. jtrussell and quickdraw hash over the latest rules update. Who would have thought folks could get so excited about minor rules clarifications :P! | |||
| #034 - Skill Testing Cards - A Sloppy Top 5 | 12 Apr 2023 | 01:02:34 | |
jtrussell and quickdraw talk skill testing cards! Our top 5s may includes some surprises... and 1,000 UX credits to anyone who can guess jt's honorable mention. | |||
| #033 - Archetypes pt. 2 - Components | 05 Apr 2023 | 00:44:47 | |
Our journey toward archetype nirvana continues as jtrussell and quickdraw hash through their thinking on the components that might go into our grand theory of everything. Who says working sessions can't be fun? Not my boss. Nope. Decks featured in this episode:
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| #032 - Double Sided Artifacts - Gambling Den ft. AV8R | 29 Mar 2023 | 01:03:10 | |
The team has acquired a sample of a truly dicey artifact and we've brough in an outside expert to see if we can make heads or tails of this one. One thing is for sure, you wouldn't like your odds the next time you face Gambling Den if you skip this episode. Many thanks to the Ancient Bear Republic's very own AV8R for joining us this time <3. Decks referenced in this episode:
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| #031 - Archetypes in KF - A Sloppy Journey Begins | 22 Mar 2023 | 00:47:31 | |
The Sloppy Labwork crew is setting off on a quest to demystify archetypes in this game where every deck is unique. Come hear the thoughts of our heroes as they prepare for what promises to be an exciting experiment! | |||
| #030 - NKFL Season 19 Recap 1/??? | 14 Mar 2023 | 00:55:35 | |
jtrussell and quickdraw3457 reflect on the recently concluded season of the NKFL. How did the Labworkers do? What lessons did they learn for next season? Which deck will jtrussell always play first? | |||
| #029 - Dark Tidings... Best Set?! | 08 Mar 2023 | 01:09:03 | |
Is Dark Tidings the best set?! jtrussell and quickdraw3457 pick up this sea urchin and look at it from all sides. One thing is for sure, you can't explain that! | |||
| #028 - Double Sided Artifacts - Hydro Cat, Speed Sigil, Etan's Jar | 01 Mar 2023 | 01:00:29 | |
Three for the price of one?! Don't ask how many UX credits that one cost. One thing's for sure, you don't want to miss JT and quickdraw3457's notes on how great Speed Sigil is in the current meta. | |||
| #135 - 🎃Witch, Please 🎃ft. Orion | 29 Oct 2025 | 01:15:02 | |
Join us on Discord for discussion, show notes, and more. Link can be found here https://sloppylabwork.com/posts/sloppy-server/. | |||
| #027 - Memory | 22 Feb 2023 | 00:46:08 | |
jtrussell and quickdraw3457 try to remember what the heck they were going to talk about this week. Just kidding :P. This episode is all about memory - the role it plays in KF as how your beloved hosts have improved (or not) their own powers of recall as relates to gaming. | |||
| #026 - Sloppy Tracker | 15 Feb 2023 | 00:41:01 | |
Welcome first time co-host kveld as we talk through the results of our recent survey on a potential reboot of the The Crucible Tracker and also share our thoughts on the tracker and data privacy in online play for KeyForge. Recorded on 2023/02/12 | |||
| #025 - Double Sided Artifacts - Peace Accord | 08 Feb 2023 | 00:36:38 | |
Zzzz... hey!? Are you sleeping? No? Well, chances are good you're sleeping on Peace Accord 😎. In this episode the Russell brothers talk about everyone's favorite artifact to glaze over in deck lists while the chat piles onto strussell for his recent NKFL trials and triumphs (and Triumph is much better against an empty board and not when played unexpectedly via Wild Wormhole). | |||
| #024 - Power Creep in KeyForge | 01 Feb 2023 | 00:58:56 | |
No... this isn't jtrussell's new nickname - in this episode quickdraw3457 and jtrussell talk about the rising(?) power level of decks in the game. | |||
| #023 - Double Sided Artifacts - Quixxle Stone | 25 Jan 2023 | 00:31:00 | |
Two things are certain in KeyForge - strussell and jtrussell. Sometimes they're right too but always they're good for a laugh. You know what's not good for a laugh? Quixxle Stone. Unless you play it. In casual. | |||
| Bottom of the Beaker #022 - The Secondary Market ft. x073d (Joe) and SecondAct (John) | 18 Jan 2023 | 01:08:42 | |
The Cartel of J's break down KeyForge's secondary market in this very spicy episode of Bottom of the Beaker. Looking for some of the fine places and resources mentioned in this episode? Use this link to join the ABR Discord server for excellent leagues and bear hugs: https://discord.gg/YtHMAcEP Head over to https://timeshapers.com/ for articles from Aurore and SecondAct where they've written about the secondary market and many other KF topics. | |||
| #021 - WoE Hot Takes | 11 Jan 2023 | 01:05:45 | |
Quickdraw and jtrussell serve up some fresh hot takes on the upcoming set! | |||
| #020 - Bo3 Adaptive | 04 Jan 2023 | 00:46:55 | |
Join the Russell cyber clones for a discussion on Bo3 Adaptive. Is there such a thing as a good (or bad) adaptive deck? We'll be referencing ideas from previous episodes on Luck/Skill/Deck and Bo1 Adaptive. Be sure to give those a listen too if you haven't already 🤓.
Some decks reference in this episode:
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| #019 - The Chota Hazri Christmas Special (Sealed Triad) | 28 Dec 2022 | 00:49:05 | |
Quickdraw is joined by jtrussell and strussell who are sitting shoulder-to-shoulder for maximum banter (and smack talk) efficiency. This episode is best enjoyed mixed with some eggnog and poured over ice. | |||
| #018 - Building a Local Scene Ft. BHawk & SecondAct | 21 Dec 2022 | 01:00:31 | |
Guest hosts BHawk and SecondAct make their way down to the Sloppy Lab to share their thoughts on building a local scene. What's been working, what's not been working as well, and what we looking for with Winds of Exchange on the horizon to kick start local organized play? This episode is a spiritual successor to our recent cast on casual vs competitive play in KF - we'll be paying special attention to engaging with the folks looking for casual play at your LGS. | |||
| #131 - It's Good 2 Be Bad | 23 Oct 2025 | 01:05:37 | |
Join us on Discord for discussion, show notes, and more. Link can be found here https://sloppylabwork.com/posts/sloppy-server/. | |||
| #017 - Double Sided Artifacts: Soul Snatcher | 14 Dec 2022 | 00:41:38 | |
Quickdraw and jtrussell take a look at everyone's favorite vehicle. Some of our all time favorite - and sneakiest - decks feature this artifact. We explore what to look for in a Soul Snatcher deck, what to avoid, when to play it, and when to discard it. Decks features in this episode:
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| #016 - Decks with Low A | 07 Dec 2022 | 01:07:20 | |
Quickdraw and jtrussell explore the topic of decks with low aember control - things to consider when playing them and what you might look for in such a deck that will allow it to still be competitive. Our discussions follow immediately on the heels of ABR's "Jank" week that required players to plays with an aember control score of at most [3 as rated by Decks of KeyForge](https://decksofkeyforge.com/about/sas). This topic was similarly covered not long ago by the good folks over on the Nordic KeyForge Podcast. Handy links:
Decks discussed in this episode:
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| #015 - R U Competitive? | 30 Nov 2022 | 01:00:25 | |
Quickdraw and jtrussell explore what it means to be "casual" or "competitive" in KeyForge. | |||