what are some of the things i should prioritize to learn that will gain me the most EV if i'm transitioning to live MTTs? i'm a 10/20 live cg player.

Key things to me would be to understand ICM implications and how they apply to playing with shorter stacks. If you can play 10/20 and not get murdered then I assume you can play a deeper stack reasonably competently, it's then just a case of not doing stupid **** in a shallower game

Learn how to play short stack poker and how strategy changes for various effective stack depths. Most importantly you just don't have the implied odds to play some hands that are profitable in 100BB CG, e.g. small pairs setmine or suited connectors. On the other hand some hands increase in value, e.g. Ax, Kx hitting TP on the flop is very often enough to play for all of it. Defend your BB much more often, since the opening size is only 2-2.2x, there is ante and no rake post-flop.

Most importantly you just need to be aware at all times about stack sizes of all players at the table. Also forget about chipEV and think about your survival. ICM only plays a role at the bubble and at the final table. Also improve your HU game, maybe you'll play just one HU per year but the difference between 1st and 2nd payout may be your entire profit for the year.

what are some of the materials out there that is good to learn beginner-intermediate MTT stuff? i'm currently looking at GTOW preflop solutions at various stack depths. any recommendations on courses like bbz/pads/RYE etc?

bump

Your post was more than half way up the first page of the forum, there is no need to bump it. If nobody's replying then it's probably a combination of the question being answered (which imo Shagrat did very well), or people are looking at your post #4, failing to reconcile you saying "beginner-intermediate MTT stuff" with "GTOW preflop solutions" within a dozen words of each other, and considering you to be off your head on some sort of substances

why is it hard to reconcile? there is much more to tournament poker than gtow preflop solutions

In order of importance:

1. Basics of ICM, what the situations are where it matters most and why, and how to adjust.
2. Push/Fold strategy for stacks of 10bb or less.
3. Preflop charts for 40bb stacks
4. Preflop charts for 20bb stacks
5. Preflop charts for 80bb+ stacks
6. ICM in depth

Thankyou Alan. What I was looking for

Two other things to focus on: when players make poor adjustments when increases in blinds should be changing their game, if you see collusion by a stable to build up a super stack NEVER play that tournament again.