ThNM 10/18/12

Thursday night Magic at Beyond Comics in Frederick, MD.
I took my Jund, but before I did, I opted to take out three Falkenrath Aristocrats (moving them to the sideboard) and put back in Deadbridge Goliath.  I felt that against aggressive decks, having the ability to be a  5/5 blocker was very good.

We had 10 people and played three rounds.

Round 1: Stephen with B/W/G tokens

Stephen came out swinging in game 1 with multiple Rancors, Lingering Souls, and Intangible Virtue.  I played my Deathrite Shaman poorly (forgetting to exile Lingering Souls before he could flash it back in the next turn.)   In games two and three I was able to get Olivia Voldaren and Bonfire of the Damned working to take control of his creatures (getting them to block each other) and wiping his board in general.  He did make at least one error as he played and flashed back a Lingering Souls in the same turn which let my Bonfire of the Damned get full value when I swept his board again.  Vraska the Unseen performed very well here, taking out the Intangible Virtues. (2-1)

Round 2: George with B/R aggro.  George opened up early with an unleashed Rakdos Cackler followed by back to back Vexing Devils.  I got out a Huntmaster of the Fells followed by Thragtusk and played defensively until I drew a Bonfire to sweep him up.  In game two, he drew too many "dependency cards" (Cards that depend on another permanent to use) and was facing down Garruk Relentless and a Vampire Nighthawk.  I finally was able to cast the face-rape-o-matic (Thundermaw Hellkite) to win but it was not close.  George showed his hand of two Flings and two other creature enchantments, perfect for his 9 lands and lone Grafdigger's Cage...
(2-0)

We then played some practice games with me piloting my Bant control deck.

Round 3: Tim with B/R Zombies.
[At this point Tim and I are the only 2-0's and choose to ID to lock up 1 and 2, we decide to play for fun]

Tim: Turn 1: Unleased Rakdos Cackler; Turn 2: Unleased Rakdos Cackler, Gravecrawler, Swing for 2.
I then spent two turns Ramping into a 2 point Bonfire of the Damned.  He finally dropped a Falkenrath Aristocrat (he was having issues getting BBB for Geralf's messenger) who died to FRoM (Face-Rape-o-Matic).  Blood Artist and Geralf's Messenger came down to hang.  I dropped some Thragtusks and Olivia Voldaren and was able to ping and swing.

In game two he got a similar start (Unleashed Rakdos Cackler, Gravecrawler, Gravecrawler)
I went Tapped Blood Crypt, Forest, Farseek for Overgrown Tomb, Forest into two Gatecreeper Vines, Bonfire for 2.  I then asked "cards in hand?" he said five and I Rakdos's Returned him for four of them.  I then dropped Thragtusk and Deathrite Shaman.  He dropped Geralf's messenger.  Messenger attacked, I blocked with Thragtusk, they traded, then with "Undying" on the stack, Deathrite Shaman exiled Geralf's Messenger.  It pretty much ended there.

(ID) [2-0]

So I went 2-1, 2-0, ID(2-0).  My tiebreakers
Got four packs, a Silverblade Paladin Promo, and a Staff of Nin promo. (Not bad)

I am really liking having Deadbridge Goliath instead of Falkenrath Aristocrat for the added value of a Body that does not die to Mizzium Mortars and the ability to Scavenge it out of the Graveyard. (Which I did to a Vampire Nighthawk, giving him 'swing like you are Griselbrand' status).

Vraska the Unseen was excellent as a remover of trouble permanents, although I did not face any Planeswalkers.  Garruk Relentless continues to win games.  Bonfire (despite dropping in price) continues to impress.

Until next time.