After the IQ (see last post) I thought a lot about how I could improve my deck. I worked on these through last night, even having some revelations while sleeping.
First, the changes.
Main:
-1 Deathrite Shaman
-2 Gatecreeper Vine
-3 Garruk Relentless
+2 Victim of Night
+2 Garruk, Primal Hunter
+1 Sever the Bloodline
+1 Slaughter Games
Side:
-2 Deathrite Shaman
-2 Rakdos Charm
-2 Zealous Conscripts
+2 Ground Seal
+2 Magmaquake
+2 Nightshade Peddler
I also revamped the manabase
-10 Basic Lands
-2 Cavern of Souls
+4 Woodland Cemetery
+4 Rootbound Crag
+4 Dragonskull Summit
The manabase is a lot more usable, I have no idea why I had so MANY basic lands. I cut Gatecreeper Vine as it wasn't an impact on the board and it now only has three Forests as a target.
I think I am finally ready to admit that Garruk, Primal Hunter is better than Garruk Relentless. All I was doing was making 2/2 Wolves while not increasing my loyalty all tournament long. I wished they had been 3/3's with an option to draw 5 or more cards. You may now begin with the "I told you so!".
Deathrite Shaman is useless except against a certain kind of deck, same with Rakdos Charm. I feel Ground Seal is better. I could not care less how many "Lingering Souls" are flashed back against me.
I have never sided in Zealous Conscripts, for any reason, ever. I cut it from the sideboard.
I added two "Victim of Night" for some instant speed removal that can kill Trostani, Huntmaster, Thragtusk, Angel of Serenity, Deadeye Navigator, or Restoration Angel.
Magmaquake is additional removal against aggro-decks (Zombies, Humans) and Instant-Speed removal against Craterhoof Behemoth pumpers (except Lingering Souls)
Nightshade Peddler has become popular on MOTO. I know it is a bit of a Noob-combo (Peddler w/Olivia), but that doesn't make it any less effective. Plus, it protects me against the same combo. (Killing an opposing Peddler in response to the Soulbond trigger)
So, I made those changes and think the deck will be more reliable to play with. I am hoping I can find a FNM this week so that I can hopefully practice and improve my play.
Until Next time.
Sunday, November 25, 2012
SCG IQ 11/24/12
I, along with Nick Ditizio and Jimmy Peyton, went to the Star City Games (SCG) Independent Qualifier (IQ) held at "Thanks for Playing" in Ijamsville, MD.
About 44 people showed up for the event, so we would be playing 6 rounds with a cut to the top 8.
I took my Jund-Juggernaut deck.
Round 1:Dylan Jennings with U/W/B Tokens.
I did not get to see a great deal of Dylan's deck as he got flooded in both games (seriously flooded in the second game) The few threats he presented were dealt with by playing Bonfires for minimal cost to clear the board, then to attack.
2-0
Round 2: Jeremy Bowman with Jund
I remembered Jeremy from the Commander's Arsenal game at J&M from the last post.
Jeremy and I traded games one and two. In game three, he had me on the ropes, at 5 life with 4 creatures and a Kessig Wolf Run in play. I had Olivia Voldaren in play with 4 untapped lands, able to block an attacker, and kill whomever gets pumped by the Wolf Run. We play the blocks out for a bit, then Jeremy reminds me that I die during my upkeep when Huntmaster transforms. I reply that I can kill it with the trigger on the stack, but the trigger still resolves. I block for show, kill a guy then concede.
After the game, I thought about it and I misplayed completely. The Huntmaster trigger is to transform the huntmaster, when it resolves, the damage ability then triggers. I could have indeed killed the huntmaster (and his other creature) during my upkeep and live another turn. I am not saying the outcome of the game would have been different, but I would have had a chance to draw a card and force Jeremy to deal with my Thundermaw Hellkite and 9/9 Olivia Voldaren.
1-2
Round 3: Darryl Donaldson with G/W Seance.
In game one, Darryl curved out perfectly and layed a serious beatdown on me. He curved Farseek, Trostani, Thragtusk, then Armada Wurm. I scooped to the overwhelming life/board presence.
In game two, I sided into a control deck and started to get Slaughter Games going. Leafing through his deck, I notice that he is actually a reanimator deck with tons of self-mill spells, Seance, and Unburial Rites. My back-to-back Slaughter Games caused enough disruption to get me the game two win.
In game three, Darryl got out a Craterhoof Behemoth and hit me for a lot. I stabilized barring any other threats. He cast Restoration Angel on his turn targeting "The Hoof" and that was game. (I could block as long as nothing had trample)
1-2
Round 4: James Lawson with Mono-White Humans.
Now for the most disappointing match of the day.
Game one I get no green lands and die with six green cards in hand.
Game two I keep a two-land hand and turn two Farseek into three lands.
I die on turn eight with three lands, seven uncastable cards in hand, and several more in my graveyard.
I did not provide James with much of a match, casting about four spells total in two games.
0-2
At 2-0, 1-2, 1-2, 0-2 (1-3; 4-6) I dropped.
A very poor showing by me. I made a huge mistake in round 2 and probably MANY more in round 3, as I was unfamiliar how to handle his deck, should I have cast Rakdos's Return into reanimator?
I have a lot of work to do before the SCG Open, in Baltimore, coming up next weekend.
Until next time.
About 44 people showed up for the event, so we would be playing 6 rounds with a cut to the top 8.
I took my Jund-Juggernaut deck.
Round 1:Dylan Jennings with U/W/B Tokens.
I did not get to see a great deal of Dylan's deck as he got flooded in both games (seriously flooded in the second game) The few threats he presented were dealt with by playing Bonfires for minimal cost to clear the board, then to attack.
2-0
Round 2: Jeremy Bowman with Jund
I remembered Jeremy from the Commander's Arsenal game at J&M from the last post.
Jeremy and I traded games one and two. In game three, he had me on the ropes, at 5 life with 4 creatures and a Kessig Wolf Run in play. I had Olivia Voldaren in play with 4 untapped lands, able to block an attacker, and kill whomever gets pumped by the Wolf Run. We play the blocks out for a bit, then Jeremy reminds me that I die during my upkeep when Huntmaster transforms. I reply that I can kill it with the trigger on the stack, but the trigger still resolves. I block for show, kill a guy then concede.
After the game, I thought about it and I misplayed completely. The Huntmaster trigger is to transform the huntmaster, when it resolves, the damage ability then triggers. I could have indeed killed the huntmaster (and his other creature) during my upkeep and live another turn. I am not saying the outcome of the game would have been different, but I would have had a chance to draw a card and force Jeremy to deal with my Thundermaw Hellkite and 9/9 Olivia Voldaren.
1-2
Round 3: Darryl Donaldson with G/W Seance.
In game one, Darryl curved out perfectly and layed a serious beatdown on me. He curved Farseek, Trostani, Thragtusk, then Armada Wurm. I scooped to the overwhelming life/board presence.
In game two, I sided into a control deck and started to get Slaughter Games going. Leafing through his deck, I notice that he is actually a reanimator deck with tons of self-mill spells, Seance, and Unburial Rites. My back-to-back Slaughter Games caused enough disruption to get me the game two win.
In game three, Darryl got out a Craterhoof Behemoth and hit me for a lot. I stabilized barring any other threats. He cast Restoration Angel on his turn targeting "The Hoof" and that was game. (I could block as long as nothing had trample)
1-2
Round 4: James Lawson with Mono-White Humans.
Now for the most disappointing match of the day.
Game one I get no green lands and die with six green cards in hand.
Game two I keep a two-land hand and turn two Farseek into three lands.
I die on turn eight with three lands, seven uncastable cards in hand, and several more in my graveyard.
I did not provide James with much of a match, casting about four spells total in two games.
0-2
At 2-0, 1-2, 1-2, 0-2 (1-3; 4-6) I dropped.
A very poor showing by me. I made a huge mistake in round 2 and probably MANY more in round 3, as I was unfamiliar how to handle his deck, should I have cast Rakdos's Return into reanimator?
I have a lot of work to do before the SCG Open, in Baltimore, coming up next weekend.
Until next time.
Saturday, November 17, 2012
EDH Tournament for a Commander's Arsenal
On Saturday 11/17/12, I went to an EDH tournament to attempt to get my hands on a Commander's Arsenal. The tournament was held at J&M Comics in Sykesville, MD. The cost to enter was $20 and the event attracted the following six players and their decks.
Mike Somerville (Me): Grimgrin, Corpse-Born aggro-control.
Andrew: Oona, Queen of the Fae aggro-control.
Tien: Kemba, Kha Regent voltron-aggro.
Rich: Kaervek the Merciless control.
DJ: Arcum Dagsson combo.
Jeremy: Merieke Ri Berit combo-control.
With only 6 people, we do 3 person pods for two rounds followed by a final pod of any/all winners of the previous two rounds of pods.
Round 1:
Pod 1
-Me
-Tien
-Andrew
(I will get to pod 2 in a moment) We being rather slowly on turn 3, I Spell Crumple Tiens commander. Andrew gets a creature into play with Sword of Feast and Famine and starts bringing the beats to me. I retaliate with Grimgrin and hit him for 6. I have a good amount of acceleration at this point with a few mana-producing artifacts. I top deck Army of the Damned and swing to kill him with Grimgrin via sacrificing Zombie Tokens. Tien hits Grimgrin with Oblivion Ring, but I top-deck Grave Titan and beat him for lethal over the course of two turns.
Pod 2
-DJ
-Jeremy
-Rich
3 control decks, two of which are combo are wiping the board every other turn. I stood there and literally watched a guy use Nevinyrral's Disk three times. Rich finally cast Decree of Annihilation stalling the game to a draw (they would not send a winner to the finals)
Round 2:
Pod 1
-Me
-DJ
-Jeremy
So, I get matched up with the two combo decks. The TO told us that if our match had another draw, or that I won and the other pod drew, that we would have to have another round to get enough people into the finals. I told both of opponents at the start of the match "The first of you to attack me is going to lose this game, as I will kill you. If one of you combos out and kills me and the other combo player, THAT IS FINE". I did NOT want to face two combo decks in the finals. As odds are I could not deal with both. DJ decided to be cheeky and hit me with a Blinkmoth nexus. I then allowed Jeremy to combo-off and hit us both for an infinite-mana exsanguinate. DJ proceeded to complain endlessly about being picked on. Bro, you are playing a mono-blue combo deck that bragged about killing us on turn one. Maybe that is why people balls-out attack you. Just saying.
Pod 2:
-Rich
-Tien
-Andrew
Andrew's deck is just so much better than the other two. They eliminate Rich quickly because he plays a lot of board wipers (like Decree of Annihilation). Andrew is then able to overpower Tien.
FINALS:
-Me (Grimgrin, Tribal Zombies Aggro-Control)
-Jeremy (Merieke Ri Berit combo-control) [IMO, the best deck there]
-Andrew (Oona Aggro-Control)
Before the game we decide to split the Arsenal, rochester-draft style. First place gets the Loyal Retainers.
The game ambiance is quite light, since we know we are all getting something good.
Andrew and I begin by fucking whaling on Jeremy since he is the combo deck. He conceded at 1 life before my combat phase. After that I made some errors and lost to a Vendilion Clique with Sword of Feast and Famine and Sword of War and Peace equipped. I do not mind as I don't actually want Loyal Retainers. (In fact, Andrew had borrowed the TO's deck in exchange to give the TO a card of his choice if he won. The TO got Loyal Retainers.
1st: Andrew
2nd: Me
3rd: Jeremy
Of the three decks in the finals, there were only 3 colors; Blue, Black, and White (and only Jeremy played White) this should tell you something about EDH. Blue is definitely king.
I picked up the following out of the Arsenal:
-Sylvan Library ($50)
-Mirari's Wake ($15)
-Mind's Eye ($8)
-Duplicant ($12)
-Decree of Pain ($12)
-Kaalia of the Vast ($18)
I also got the oversized Grimgrin, Karn, Sliver Queen, and Godo.
I also picked up the Foil sleeves. BALLER.
So, $20 got me $115 dollars in playable cards plus some extras. Not bad for 3 hours of my time. Jimmy, Eric, and Nick are still in playing Standard.
Until next time.
Mike Somerville (Me): Grimgrin, Corpse-Born aggro-control.
Andrew: Oona, Queen of the Fae aggro-control.
Tien: Kemba, Kha Regent voltron-aggro.
Rich: Kaervek the Merciless control.
DJ: Arcum Dagsson combo.
Jeremy: Merieke Ri Berit combo-control.
With only 6 people, we do 3 person pods for two rounds followed by a final pod of any/all winners of the previous two rounds of pods.
Round 1:
Pod 1
-Me
-Tien
-Andrew
(I will get to pod 2 in a moment) We being rather slowly on turn 3, I Spell Crumple Tiens commander. Andrew gets a creature into play with Sword of Feast and Famine and starts bringing the beats to me. I retaliate with Grimgrin and hit him for 6. I have a good amount of acceleration at this point with a few mana-producing artifacts. I top deck Army of the Damned and swing to kill him with Grimgrin via sacrificing Zombie Tokens. Tien hits Grimgrin with Oblivion Ring, but I top-deck Grave Titan and beat him for lethal over the course of two turns.
Pod 2
-DJ
-Jeremy
-Rich
3 control decks, two of which are combo are wiping the board every other turn. I stood there and literally watched a guy use Nevinyrral's Disk three times. Rich finally cast Decree of Annihilation stalling the game to a draw (they would not send a winner to the finals)
Round 2:
Pod 1
-Me
-DJ
-Jeremy
So, I get matched up with the two combo decks. The TO told us that if our match had another draw, or that I won and the other pod drew, that we would have to have another round to get enough people into the finals. I told both of opponents at the start of the match "The first of you to attack me is going to lose this game, as I will kill you. If one of you combos out and kills me and the other combo player, THAT IS FINE". I did NOT want to face two combo decks in the finals. As odds are I could not deal with both. DJ decided to be cheeky and hit me with a Blinkmoth nexus. I then allowed Jeremy to combo-off and hit us both for an infinite-mana exsanguinate. DJ proceeded to complain endlessly about being picked on. Bro, you are playing a mono-blue combo deck that bragged about killing us on turn one. Maybe that is why people balls-out attack you. Just saying.
Pod 2:
-Rich
-Tien
-Andrew
Andrew's deck is just so much better than the other two. They eliminate Rich quickly because he plays a lot of board wipers (like Decree of Annihilation). Andrew is then able to overpower Tien.
FINALS:
-Me (Grimgrin, Tribal Zombies Aggro-Control)
-Jeremy (Merieke Ri Berit combo-control) [IMO, the best deck there]
-Andrew (Oona Aggro-Control)
Before the game we decide to split the Arsenal, rochester-draft style. First place gets the Loyal Retainers.
The game ambiance is quite light, since we know we are all getting something good.
Andrew and I begin by fucking whaling on Jeremy since he is the combo deck. He conceded at 1 life before my combat phase. After that I made some errors and lost to a Vendilion Clique with Sword of Feast and Famine and Sword of War and Peace equipped. I do not mind as I don't actually want Loyal Retainers. (In fact, Andrew had borrowed the TO's deck in exchange to give the TO a card of his choice if he won. The TO got Loyal Retainers.
1st: Andrew
2nd: Me
3rd: Jeremy
Of the three decks in the finals, there were only 3 colors; Blue, Black, and White (and only Jeremy played White) this should tell you something about EDH. Blue is definitely king.
I picked up the following out of the Arsenal:
-Sylvan Library ($50)
-Mirari's Wake ($15)
-Mind's Eye ($8)
-Duplicant ($12)
-Decree of Pain ($12)
-Kaalia of the Vast ($18)
I also got the oversized Grimgrin, Karn, Sliver Queen, and Godo.
I also picked up the Foil sleeves. BALLER.
So, $20 got me $115 dollars in playable cards plus some extras. Not bad for 3 hours of my time. Jimmy, Eric, and Nick are still in playing Standard.
Until next time.
Friday, November 16, 2012
I volunteered to scout out the standard metagame at Alternate Worlds tonight, before the standard tourney for Commander's Arsenal tomorrow. There were 22 players for FNM with Jund the most represented w/ 5+ players. G/W aggro followed with at least 4 players, two of which seemed competent (two were kids). I didn't notice anything else with more than two players. I was the only Naya player, but before I get into the report...
I put together U/W Flash this week, dismantling that crumby U/W Humans I played last week. Despite talking some trash with Nick while play testing it earlier today, I really wasn't impressed. The deck struggles to have the right answers at the right times as the counters are situational and the removal is all temporary. The games it does win are the ones it can play it's cantrips the first few turns and survive long enough to turn Restoration Angels into 4-mana Snapcaster Mages. Augur of Bolas disappoints as well, hitting an Instant maybe 2/3's of the time, as well as frustratingly putting your Runechanter's Pikes (only 2 in the deck) on the bottom of your deck. Combine all that with the inevitable mirror matches that will come with the hype this deck is generating AND every single deck now running at least two Cavern of Souls (including this one!).... I do not want to be playing this deck.
So, yeah, I rocked the Naya that's been performing well for me. I swapped out a basic plains and a basic mountain for two Caverns and moved the three Pillar of Flames to the board for two main-deck Garruk, Primal Hunters and a fourth Loxodon Smiter.
Round 1 vs Tim w/ Golgari
Tim was super nice, running Corpsejack Menace with dumb scavenge dudes. Game one I just trampled over everything with Kessig Wolf Run. Game two he managed to get half my life by exiling sorceries with Deathrite Shaman while sitting on a 12/12 corpsejack menace on defense. I had to over extend this game to get through damage and finished him with a non-miracled Bonfire of the Dammed.
1-0
Round 2 vs Jared w/ Reanimator
Jared certainly wasn't playing a budget deck. I was able to bonfire away spirit tokens and Centaur Healers and used Angel of Serenity to take out his Angel of Serenity to get through for lethal. Game two I muliganed to 6 and get 4 mana dorks and 2 lands. At the end of turn two I had 2 Pilgrims, 2 Elves and 2 Forests in play. I think we both played 3 Thragtusks this game, but I ultimately lost to a Reanimated Craterhoof. Game 3 I started slow and held a Rest in Peace in hand, hoping he would Mulch/Grisly Salvage some good stuff before his turn 4. After dropping Rest in Peace on my turn 4 he followed with Slaughter Games naming Selesnya Charm and saw my hand of Bonfire, Angel of Serenity, Thragtusk and Armada Wurm. I curved 5, 6 and 7 drops for the win before he could get anything going.
2-0
Round 3 vs Bryan w/ U/W Flash (Delvers instead of Augurs)
I actually battled these two decks against each other by myself last night, to learn the matchup. I found out the following:
1) Just run threats into counters.. the flash deck will run out (or have the wrong situational counter).
2) Don't side out Huntmasters, though I do side them out all the time against control and mid-range. The flash deck really doesn't want to play anything sorcery speed and Huntmaster is either going to become 4/4 trample, or they'll have to tap some lands on THEIR turn
3) Rest in Peace hurts them hard! Snapcaster becomes worse than Ambush Viper, Runechanter's Pike becomes worse than Sharpened Pitchfork, Thought Scour becomes worse than Peek, Think Twice becomes worse than any blue card with cycling....
Because of all this I'm super confident about the matchup. I get to overextend game one as the flash deck doesn't maindeck Verdicts. He counters a couple things, puts a couple dudes on top my deck and I think even gets to Sphinx for 3 but dies anyway... my deck is just too dense with threats.
I side out Bonfires, Serenity and a Borderland Ranger for Sundering Growths and Rest in Peace's and he learns first hand how bad his cards become as he didn't have the Syncopate for 1 for my turn two RIP.
3-0
Round 4 vs Eric w/ Jund.
Game 1 he mulls to 5 and stalls on 3 land... meh
Game 2 I mulligan to 4 and keep 2 land, 2 bonfire. I don't think I missed a land drop this game as I was able to bonfire for 2, taking out 2 huntmasters then bonfire for 3 two turns later getting Garruk, Primal Hunter, a beast token and a Thragtusk... unfortunately he drew 5 with Garruk and I couldn't fight back. Game three I had the Bonfires again and was able to draw 5 with Garruk which swung the game in my favor.
4-0
Round 5 vs Chris w/ U/W/R Control
I'd seen Chris go to time the last 3 rounds and he had a record of 3-0-1. Game one is drawn out as he Verdicts twice (2-for-1-ing each time), but I'm able to keep one threat in play and Wolf Run it over chumpers and eat away at extra Sphinx life. Eventually I burn him out with a non-miracled bonfire with about 12 cards left in his deck. Dude seriously needs some Geists or Hellkites.
Game two I can't get the Huntmasters and Bonfires out of my deck fast enough, and bring in Sundering Growth, RIP and Selesnya Charm. Around turn 3 or 4 of game two I witness Chris draw two cards of a flashed back Think Twice. I know I saw it, but hadn't been keeping tabs on the cards in his hand and no one else was paying attention.. I go into a sort of quiet rage and become the card-in-hand Nazi, staring straight into his eyes when not staring at his library every time he draws a card. I want him to know I caught him and that I'm going to beat him anyway. RIP nerfs his Snapcasters and Sundering Growth takes out a Keyrune and nets me a beast. I keep a steady stream of two threats in play and am able to Angel of Serenity his Angel of Serenity to keep the beats going. I sit on my Angel, not allowing him to charm it and finish him off. It felt good.
5-0
It also felt good to roll into a store I don't normally play at and take down 1st place. Honestly, going into tomorrow's tourney at the same store, I'm more worried about facing Mike, Nick and Jimmy than anyone I battled tonight.
-Eric
I put together U/W Flash this week, dismantling that crumby U/W Humans I played last week. Despite talking some trash with Nick while play testing it earlier today, I really wasn't impressed. The deck struggles to have the right answers at the right times as the counters are situational and the removal is all temporary. The games it does win are the ones it can play it's cantrips the first few turns and survive long enough to turn Restoration Angels into 4-mana Snapcaster Mages. Augur of Bolas disappoints as well, hitting an Instant maybe 2/3's of the time, as well as frustratingly putting your Runechanter's Pikes (only 2 in the deck) on the bottom of your deck. Combine all that with the inevitable mirror matches that will come with the hype this deck is generating AND every single deck now running at least two Cavern of Souls (including this one!).... I do not want to be playing this deck.
So, yeah, I rocked the Naya that's been performing well for me. I swapped out a basic plains and a basic mountain for two Caverns and moved the three Pillar of Flames to the board for two main-deck Garruk, Primal Hunters and a fourth Loxodon Smiter.
Round 1 vs Tim w/ Golgari
Tim was super nice, running Corpsejack Menace with dumb scavenge dudes. Game one I just trampled over everything with Kessig Wolf Run. Game two he managed to get half my life by exiling sorceries with Deathrite Shaman while sitting on a 12/12 corpsejack menace on defense. I had to over extend this game to get through damage and finished him with a non-miracled Bonfire of the Dammed.
1-0
Round 2 vs Jared w/ Reanimator
Jared certainly wasn't playing a budget deck. I was able to bonfire away spirit tokens and Centaur Healers and used Angel of Serenity to take out his Angel of Serenity to get through for lethal. Game two I muliganed to 6 and get 4 mana dorks and 2 lands. At the end of turn two I had 2 Pilgrims, 2 Elves and 2 Forests in play. I think we both played 3 Thragtusks this game, but I ultimately lost to a Reanimated Craterhoof. Game 3 I started slow and held a Rest in Peace in hand, hoping he would Mulch/Grisly Salvage some good stuff before his turn 4. After dropping Rest in Peace on my turn 4 he followed with Slaughter Games naming Selesnya Charm and saw my hand of Bonfire, Angel of Serenity, Thragtusk and Armada Wurm. I curved 5, 6 and 7 drops for the win before he could get anything going.
2-0
Round 3 vs Bryan w/ U/W Flash (Delvers instead of Augurs)
I actually battled these two decks against each other by myself last night, to learn the matchup. I found out the following:
1) Just run threats into counters.. the flash deck will run out (or have the wrong situational counter).
2) Don't side out Huntmasters, though I do side them out all the time against control and mid-range. The flash deck really doesn't want to play anything sorcery speed and Huntmaster is either going to become 4/4 trample, or they'll have to tap some lands on THEIR turn
3) Rest in Peace hurts them hard! Snapcaster becomes worse than Ambush Viper, Runechanter's Pike becomes worse than Sharpened Pitchfork, Thought Scour becomes worse than Peek, Think Twice becomes worse than any blue card with cycling....
Because of all this I'm super confident about the matchup. I get to overextend game one as the flash deck doesn't maindeck Verdicts. He counters a couple things, puts a couple dudes on top my deck and I think even gets to Sphinx for 3 but dies anyway... my deck is just too dense with threats.
I side out Bonfires, Serenity and a Borderland Ranger for Sundering Growths and Rest in Peace's and he learns first hand how bad his cards become as he didn't have the Syncopate for 1 for my turn two RIP.
3-0
Round 4 vs Eric w/ Jund.
Game 1 he mulls to 5 and stalls on 3 land... meh
Game 2 I mulligan to 4 and keep 2 land, 2 bonfire. I don't think I missed a land drop this game as I was able to bonfire for 2, taking out 2 huntmasters then bonfire for 3 two turns later getting Garruk, Primal Hunter, a beast token and a Thragtusk... unfortunately he drew 5 with Garruk and I couldn't fight back. Game three I had the Bonfires again and was able to draw 5 with Garruk which swung the game in my favor.
4-0
Round 5 vs Chris w/ U/W/R Control
I'd seen Chris go to time the last 3 rounds and he had a record of 3-0-1. Game one is drawn out as he Verdicts twice (2-for-1-ing each time), but I'm able to keep one threat in play and Wolf Run it over chumpers and eat away at extra Sphinx life. Eventually I burn him out with a non-miracled bonfire with about 12 cards left in his deck. Dude seriously needs some Geists or Hellkites.
Game two I can't get the Huntmasters and Bonfires out of my deck fast enough, and bring in Sundering Growth, RIP and Selesnya Charm. Around turn 3 or 4 of game two I witness Chris draw two cards of a flashed back Think Twice. I know I saw it, but hadn't been keeping tabs on the cards in his hand and no one else was paying attention.. I go into a sort of quiet rage and become the card-in-hand Nazi, staring straight into his eyes when not staring at his library every time he draws a card. I want him to know I caught him and that I'm going to beat him anyway. RIP nerfs his Snapcasters and Sundering Growth takes out a Keyrune and nets me a beast. I keep a steady stream of two threats in play and am able to Angel of Serenity his Angel of Serenity to keep the beats going. I sit on my Angel, not allowing him to charm it and finish him off. It felt good.
5-0
It also felt good to roll into a store I don't normally play at and take down 1st place. Honestly, going into tomorrow's tourney at the same store, I'm more worried about facing Mike, Nick and Jimmy than anyone I battled tonight.
-Eric
FNM 11/16/12 Legacy
I went to Gotham Comics in Westminster, MD tonight for FNM. Tonight was Legacy! The cost to enter was $10 and we had 10 players for 4 rounds.
I took the only Legacy deck I have, Maverick.
Round 1: Alex Gradinetti (apologies if misspelled) with Bloodchief Ascention/Mindcrank combo.
In game one, Alex got a bit of a mana screw on both color and amount. In game two he only got one piece of his combo going and could not stop my bum rush, as it were.
2-0
Round 2: Mike with Reanimator/Dredge
In game one I was on the play and got out a turn 2 Scavenging Ooze with green mana available, he cast a Duress and we went to game two.
In game two he had to mulligan down to five, he was on the play and cast Entomb at the end of my turn for Iona, Shield of Emeria. He cast Animate Dead on it during his turn and named Green. I then hit Iona with Swords to Plowshares and commenced Scavenging Ooze beats.
2-0
Round 3: DJ with Elves
In game one Dj was able to combo off on turn 5, flooding the board with elves, elf lords and, finally, Concordant Crossroads for the beats.
In game two, I got out a turn 3 Linvala, Keeper of Silence to negate the elves, I then equipped an Umezawa's Jitte and commenced elf-slaying.
In game three, I played it slow since he was on the play.
He dropped a turn one Forest into Llanowar Elf, I dropped a Savannah into a Mother of Runes (MoM).
He put 3 more elves and a Gaea's Cradle into play. I played a wasteland and destroyed the Cradle.
On his turn, he played an Elvish archdruid and swung in with 2 2/2 elves. I blocked one with MoM and gave her protection from green. I then cast Path to Exile at the end of his turn, exiling the Archdruid and killing the Elf I had damaged in Combat. I then played a Dryad Arbor and a Noble Hierarch. He played a Priest of Titania and another Forest on his turn and declined an attack.
On my turn I dropped Umezawa's Jitte, equipped it to MoM and swung for 2. He took it and I killed two elves. He scooped after I wiped his board. It turns out he was holding Emrakul, the Aeons Torn in hand the entire time.
2-1
Round 4: Rob Eggert playing Elves.
Rob and I decided to ID and play some EDH, lol. We waited for the round to end.
0-0 (Intentional Draw)
In the end I went 2-0, 2-0, 2-1, ID for a 3-0-1. My tiebreakers put me in first and I received the following for my $10 entry fee.
-Promo Pillar of Flame
-Sylvan Library (not the Foil)
-Foil Grave Titan
-Sudden Spoiling (wut.)
-Declaration of Naught (wut.)
So, the library alone is worth it, IMO.
Tomorrow I have to decide if I am going to play EDH close by or Standard far away, both for a chance to win a Commander's Arsenal. Stay tuned.
Until next time...
I took the only Legacy deck I have, Maverick.
Round 1: Alex Gradinetti (apologies if misspelled) with Bloodchief Ascention/Mindcrank combo.
In game one, Alex got a bit of a mana screw on both color and amount. In game two he only got one piece of his combo going and could not stop my bum rush, as it were.
2-0
Round 2: Mike with Reanimator/Dredge
In game one I was on the play and got out a turn 2 Scavenging Ooze with green mana available, he cast a Duress and we went to game two.
In game two he had to mulligan down to five, he was on the play and cast Entomb at the end of my turn for Iona, Shield of Emeria. He cast Animate Dead on it during his turn and named Green. I then hit Iona with Swords to Plowshares and commenced Scavenging Ooze beats.
2-0
Round 3: DJ with Elves
In game one Dj was able to combo off on turn 5, flooding the board with elves, elf lords and, finally, Concordant Crossroads for the beats.
In game two, I got out a turn 3 Linvala, Keeper of Silence to negate the elves, I then equipped an Umezawa's Jitte and commenced elf-slaying.
In game three, I played it slow since he was on the play.
He dropped a turn one Forest into Llanowar Elf, I dropped a Savannah into a Mother of Runes (MoM).
He put 3 more elves and a Gaea's Cradle into play. I played a wasteland and destroyed the Cradle.
On his turn, he played an Elvish archdruid and swung in with 2 2/2 elves. I blocked one with MoM and gave her protection from green. I then cast Path to Exile at the end of his turn, exiling the Archdruid and killing the Elf I had damaged in Combat. I then played a Dryad Arbor and a Noble Hierarch. He played a Priest of Titania and another Forest on his turn and declined an attack.
On my turn I dropped Umezawa's Jitte, equipped it to MoM and swung for 2. He took it and I killed two elves. He scooped after I wiped his board. It turns out he was holding Emrakul, the Aeons Torn in hand the entire time.
2-1
Round 4: Rob Eggert playing Elves.
Rob and I decided to ID and play some EDH, lol. We waited for the round to end.
0-0 (Intentional Draw)
In the end I went 2-0, 2-0, 2-1, ID for a 3-0-1. My tiebreakers put me in first and I received the following for my $10 entry fee.
-Promo Pillar of Flame
-Sylvan Library (not the Foil)
-Foil Grave Titan
-Sudden Spoiling (wut.)
-Declaration of Naught (wut.)
So, the library alone is worth it, IMO.
Tomorrow I have to decide if I am going to play EDH close by or Standard far away, both for a chance to win a Commander's Arsenal. Stay tuned.
Until next time...
FNM 11/9/12 and Legacy
I went to FNM on 11/9/12 at Gotham Comics in Westminster, MD.
I took my Jund as it seems to be more consistent than the Bant Blink Control.
This occurred a week ago so I am a little fuzzy about the details, but here we go.
Round 1: Tim with Epic Experiment.
This was Tim's first FNM in a couple of months, he borrowed the TO's deck which he was unfamiliar with. I also happen to think that the deck sucks.
Bonfire was a key card here as Tim only had Increasing Devotion for a win-con.
2-0
Round 2: Jimmy Cannon with U/W Control.
Have you ever cast Sphinx's Revelation at the end of your own turn and then been Rakdos's Return'd by your opponent? Jimmy has.
His deck gave me little trouble as he did not apply any pressure. In game two I sided out my bonfires for Slaughter Games and Sever the Bloodline. He just did not have anything to threaten me. (It helps that I never walked into a Supreme Verdict)
2-0
Round 3: Eric Berlett with U/W Humans.
Eric and I had playtested this matchup about 9 times earlier in the day.
My deck turns out to be favored. In game one, I hit him with Rakdos's Return early to empty his hand and overpowered him. In game two, I just drew timely Bonfires.
2-0
Round 4: Chris with RUW midrange?
Sadly, since we had 14 people, I could not offer the draw to Chris. (Well, I could have, but he would have been foolish to accept)
I wasn't exactly sure what Chris's plan was. He played a few good cards, but nothing seemed cohesive. He also had some color issues with his mana.
He seemed unprepared to deal with Thragtusk, which I cast in each of our games.
In this FNM I went 2-0, 2-0, 2-0, and then 2-0 for a 4-0 record and first place.
I received a promo Pillar of Flame and a few packs.
On Sunday, a mere two days later, I played in a Legacy Event at Xanadu Games in Baltimore, MD. I took my only Legacy deck, Maverick.
Round 1: Evan Morris with Sneak and Show.
I lost the roll and Evan is on the play. He drops a fetch for a Volcanic Island, drops an Ancient Tomb and casts Show and Tell for Emrakul. I concede.
I feel much more confidant in this matchup after board.
In game two he doesn't have as fast of a start and needs to get sneak attack in play before he can bring in the fatties. He drops Sneak Attack while I have a small armada of Sigarda, Linvala, MoM, and a Knight in play. He sneaks in Griselbrand and Emrakul and attacks. Sigarda nullifies the Annihilator trigger and blocks Griselbrand. MoM gives her pro-black so Grissles gains Evan no life. I swing back and kill him.
In game three Evan gets another big start and plays an early-game Show and Tell. He drops Progenitus, I reveal Sigarda. On my turn I exclaim "Let's Race", as I drop a Basilisk Collar on Sigarda. I win the race through basilisk collars lifegain, even though Progenitus hit me for 30.
2-1
Round 2: Nate Sturm with Maverick
I have never played the Maverick Mirror before.
In game one, my hand has a Savannah and two plains. I play my Savannah first, like an idiot, into a wasteland. I lose the game with 6 green cards in hand.
In game two I am faring a bit better, getting out an early Sylvan Library. I mis-drew Noble Hierarch instead of MoM and get my Sigarda killed. He plays a Jitte and I lose.
Two huge misplays by me.
0-2
Round 3: Chris Smith with Enchantress
Neither of these games were actually close. Chris plays Humility, Worship, and a ton of other hard lock cards including a couple of hard lock combos.
There was literally nothing I could do around turn 5-6 both games.
0-2
Round 4: Jeff Warwick with Sneak and Show.
In game one he gets out a Sneak Attack through Thalia, he then drops Griselbrand, Emrakul, and Progenitus. LOL game over.
In game two he played another Sneak Attack, which I Krosan Grip before he can activate it. I got out the mandatory Karakas and won game two.
In game three Jeff drew 3 non-land cards, a Brainstorm and two Blood Moons.
Game me.
2-1
Round 5: John Gatzo (spelling?) with Storm
In game one I lost on his turn 2.
In game two, I got out Thalia and Gaddock Teeg, which is super hard for him to deal with.
In game three, I got out Teeg, but he was hit by Grapeshot and killed. I never got out a Thalia, but got John down to three before he went off.
1-2
So I went 2-1, 0-2, 0-2, 2-1, 1-2 (5-8) for a a 2-3 record. I dropped after this round as there was no way I could top 8.
It kind of sucks playing a "fair" deck against so many "unfair"decks. But despite that I felt that I could compete in every game (except the enchantress match-up).
I really liked having Basilisk Collar in the maindeck, although I have yet to test it against Goblins or RDW.
So, one good showing and one not-so-good showing. Well, off to FNM, which is Legacy this week.
Until next time.
I took my Jund as it seems to be more consistent than the Bant Blink Control.
This occurred a week ago so I am a little fuzzy about the details, but here we go.
Round 1: Tim with Epic Experiment.
This was Tim's first FNM in a couple of months, he borrowed the TO's deck which he was unfamiliar with. I also happen to think that the deck sucks.
Bonfire was a key card here as Tim only had Increasing Devotion for a win-con.
2-0
Round 2: Jimmy Cannon with U/W Control.
Have you ever cast Sphinx's Revelation at the end of your own turn and then been Rakdos's Return'd by your opponent? Jimmy has.
His deck gave me little trouble as he did not apply any pressure. In game two I sided out my bonfires for Slaughter Games and Sever the Bloodline. He just did not have anything to threaten me. (It helps that I never walked into a Supreme Verdict)
2-0
Round 3: Eric Berlett with U/W Humans.
Eric and I had playtested this matchup about 9 times earlier in the day.
My deck turns out to be favored. In game one, I hit him with Rakdos's Return early to empty his hand and overpowered him. In game two, I just drew timely Bonfires.
2-0
Round 4: Chris with RUW midrange?
Sadly, since we had 14 people, I could not offer the draw to Chris. (Well, I could have, but he would have been foolish to accept)
I wasn't exactly sure what Chris's plan was. He played a few good cards, but nothing seemed cohesive. He also had some color issues with his mana.
He seemed unprepared to deal with Thragtusk, which I cast in each of our games.
In this FNM I went 2-0, 2-0, 2-0, and then 2-0 for a 4-0 record and first place.
I received a promo Pillar of Flame and a few packs.
On Sunday, a mere two days later, I played in a Legacy Event at Xanadu Games in Baltimore, MD. I took my only Legacy deck, Maverick.
Round 1: Evan Morris with Sneak and Show.
I lost the roll and Evan is on the play. He drops a fetch for a Volcanic Island, drops an Ancient Tomb and casts Show and Tell for Emrakul. I concede.
I feel much more confidant in this matchup after board.
In game two he doesn't have as fast of a start and needs to get sneak attack in play before he can bring in the fatties. He drops Sneak Attack while I have a small armada of Sigarda, Linvala, MoM, and a Knight in play. He sneaks in Griselbrand and Emrakul and attacks. Sigarda nullifies the Annihilator trigger and blocks Griselbrand. MoM gives her pro-black so Grissles gains Evan no life. I swing back and kill him.
In game three Evan gets another big start and plays an early-game Show and Tell. He drops Progenitus, I reveal Sigarda. On my turn I exclaim "Let's Race", as I drop a Basilisk Collar on Sigarda. I win the race through basilisk collars lifegain, even though Progenitus hit me for 30.
2-1
Round 2: Nate Sturm with Maverick
I have never played the Maverick Mirror before.
In game one, my hand has a Savannah and two plains. I play my Savannah first, like an idiot, into a wasteland. I lose the game with 6 green cards in hand.
In game two I am faring a bit better, getting out an early Sylvan Library. I mis-drew Noble Hierarch instead of MoM and get my Sigarda killed. He plays a Jitte and I lose.
Two huge misplays by me.
0-2
Round 3: Chris Smith with Enchantress
Neither of these games were actually close. Chris plays Humility, Worship, and a ton of other hard lock cards including a couple of hard lock combos.
There was literally nothing I could do around turn 5-6 both games.
0-2
Round 4: Jeff Warwick with Sneak and Show.
In game one he gets out a Sneak Attack through Thalia, he then drops Griselbrand, Emrakul, and Progenitus. LOL game over.
In game two he played another Sneak Attack, which I Krosan Grip before he can activate it. I got out the mandatory Karakas and won game two.
In game three Jeff drew 3 non-land cards, a Brainstorm and two Blood Moons.
Game me.
2-1
Round 5: John Gatzo (spelling?) with Storm
In game one I lost on his turn 2.
In game two, I got out Thalia and Gaddock Teeg, which is super hard for him to deal with.
In game three, I got out Teeg, but he was hit by Grapeshot and killed. I never got out a Thalia, but got John down to three before he went off.
1-2
So I went 2-1, 0-2, 0-2, 2-1, 1-2 (5-8) for a a 2-3 record. I dropped after this round as there was no way I could top 8.
It kind of sucks playing a "fair" deck against so many "unfair"decks. But despite that I felt that I could compete in every game (except the enchantress match-up).
I really liked having Basilisk Collar in the maindeck, although I have yet to test it against Goblins or RDW.
So, one good showing and one not-so-good showing. Well, off to FNM, which is Legacy this week.
Until next time.
Monday, November 5, 2012
GPT for Charleston at Xanadu this past Saturday
After the game-day tourney and before the GPT I had tested my Naya deck a bit more against Mike's Jund at his house and against Jimmy's (Shaheen's) Esper Control. I wanted some answers to Thundermaw Hellkite, opposing Angel of Serenity's and planeswalkers, so I make the following changes to the sideboard from the last post:
- 1x Mizzium Mortars
- 1x Ray of Revelation
- 1x Ancient Grudge
- 1x Purify the Grave
+ 2x Zealous Conscripts
+ 2x Selesnya Charm
Nick picks me up Saturday morning and we get to Squabbles as they're "last calling" for SCG IQ sign-ups. Jimmy gets there just in time too and the three of us are registered... One of us jokingly mentions dropping out this 97 person tourney and heading over to Xanadu for the GPT instead... I like this idea and we end up doing just that. We get our money back and head to Xanadu. They end up having only 12 players including the 3 of us, which ends up being 5 rounds w/ cut to top 4.
Round 1 against Hanna playing Junk Tokens. Lots of Lingering Souls, Call the Conclaves and main deck Rootborn Defenses and Druid's Deliverance. Sorin made some Vampire tokens and one emblem this game as well. I remember fearing Intangible Virtue the entire game and was lucky not to see one. Huntmaster flipping and unflipping along with a non-miracled Bonfire while she was tapped out allow me to eek out game 1 with Kessig Wolf Run. I board in my Sundering Growths and Oblivion Rings to make sure Sorin and Intangible Virtue don't stick around. Game 2 Hanna can't find any black sources and I'm able to once again trample over tokens with Wolf Run in not nearly as close of a game, although she did nerf my double Huntmasters and kill the Bonfire in my hand with an unexpected Witchbane Orb.
1-0
Round 2 vs Joe playing Junk Reanimator. I like Joe's build with maindeck Lotleth Troll's and Deathrite Shammans, but he can't find an Unburial Rights game 1 and I beat down with wurms. We then get to take a quick break as we're deck-checked. Game two I open with an Avacyn's Pilgrim followed on consecutive turns by Loxodon Smiter, Restoration Angel, Sigarda and Armada Wurm (each on curve, and a turn early from the pilgrim :). Joe dies with me holding Angel of Serenity in hand.
2-0
Round 3 vs Stephen playing Bant Control. Game one takes a little more than half the time in the round with Stephen overrunning me with Garruk, Primal Hunter's beast tokens. While sideboarding I ask the judge when the round ends as a "polite" way of trying to get my opponent to play faster. I bring in Garruk's to battle his as well as Selesnya Charms and Zealous Conscripts, opting not to bring in Oblivion Rings or Sundering Growths... I'm not sure if that's correct, but I wanted to stay aggressive on the play. Several turns into the game and Stephen is still playing slow as shit. Maybe it was a jerk move but after he taps out for a main phase Sphinx's Revelation and stares at his hand for like 60 seconds I say "you've already played a land and you're tapped out, dude." while the judge is watching. He then passes the turn without attacking, though he probably should have attacked. I get Sigarda into play and bash three or four times, tapping out for Kessig Wolf Run each turn, which is enough to take game 2. He sideboards again, I assume adding Sigarda's and we begin game 3 with about 12 minutes left in the round. Stephen seems to have never ending Thragtusks this game while I'm sitting on Garruk, making beasts and losing board position. He finally swings with enough to definitely kill Garruk so I don't defend. This is pretty pivotal as it was his last turn before time was called and he probably would have won if he'd just come at me instead. In extra turns I steal a Thragtusk with Conscripts, swing him alone then O-ring my temporary Thragtusk turning it into a permanent beast. This ends up being enough to not die on turn 5 and we draw.
2-0-1
Round 4 and Nick and I are paired. He's able to take game one as I mulliganed then leaned on a mana dork heavy hand that doesn't do much after my dorks are Tragic Slipped. Game two I draw all three Pillar of Flames to handle Gravecrawlers and Nick scoops when I Restoration Angel my Thragtusk. Game 3 Nick misses his second land drop 2 or 3 times and Thragtusk and Armada Wurm take the match.
3-0-1
Round 5 vs Dave playing Epic Experiment. Dave is the only 3-1 with Stephen and I 3-0-1 and everyone else 2-2 or worse. Dave and I will both make top 4 regardless, but I want to play. Game one I have multiple Huntmasters that I'm flipping and he's unflipping, so I never get to swing with my 4/4 tramplers. He takes game 1 after a couple experiments. It seems the second Epic Experiment is always WAY better than the first. Game 2 I hit my curve similar to my round 2 and he can't find a Terminus. He dies without any experimenting. Game 3 I have two consecutive turns to find Bonfire and attack for the win but can't find one. Dave kills me with a ton of soldiers the next turn and I die with a Bonfire on top of my deck :(
3-1-1
Nick is the only 3-2 to make top 4 on tie-breakers, along with me, Stephen and Dave. We split the store credit $65-$65-$65-$35 and give Dave the byes for Charleston.
I'm really liking this deck. I want to try out G/W aggro and U/W aggro as well, but need to pick up Silverblade Paladins and Sublime Archangels for both, so I'll be sticking with Naya until that happens.
There's a Legacy tourney at Xanadu next Sunday for a Judge Promo Karakas (like $160). I'm not sure if I'm going, but we'll see. I hate missing Ravens games on Sundays, but have done it once this season already.
-Eric
- 1x Mizzium Mortars
- 1x Ray of Revelation
- 1x Ancient Grudge
- 1x Purify the Grave
+ 2x Zealous Conscripts
+ 2x Selesnya Charm
Nick picks me up Saturday morning and we get to Squabbles as they're "last calling" for SCG IQ sign-ups. Jimmy gets there just in time too and the three of us are registered... One of us jokingly mentions dropping out this 97 person tourney and heading over to Xanadu for the GPT instead... I like this idea and we end up doing just that. We get our money back and head to Xanadu. They end up having only 12 players including the 3 of us, which ends up being 5 rounds w/ cut to top 4.
Round 1 against Hanna playing Junk Tokens. Lots of Lingering Souls, Call the Conclaves and main deck Rootborn Defenses and Druid's Deliverance. Sorin made some Vampire tokens and one emblem this game as well. I remember fearing Intangible Virtue the entire game and was lucky not to see one. Huntmaster flipping and unflipping along with a non-miracled Bonfire while she was tapped out allow me to eek out game 1 with Kessig Wolf Run. I board in my Sundering Growths and Oblivion Rings to make sure Sorin and Intangible Virtue don't stick around. Game 2 Hanna can't find any black sources and I'm able to once again trample over tokens with Wolf Run in not nearly as close of a game, although she did nerf my double Huntmasters and kill the Bonfire in my hand with an unexpected Witchbane Orb.
1-0
Round 2 vs Joe playing Junk Reanimator. I like Joe's build with maindeck Lotleth Troll's and Deathrite Shammans, but he can't find an Unburial Rights game 1 and I beat down with wurms. We then get to take a quick break as we're deck-checked. Game two I open with an Avacyn's Pilgrim followed on consecutive turns by Loxodon Smiter, Restoration Angel, Sigarda and Armada Wurm (each on curve, and a turn early from the pilgrim :). Joe dies with me holding Angel of Serenity in hand.
2-0
Round 3 vs Stephen playing Bant Control. Game one takes a little more than half the time in the round with Stephen overrunning me with Garruk, Primal Hunter's beast tokens. While sideboarding I ask the judge when the round ends as a "polite" way of trying to get my opponent to play faster. I bring in Garruk's to battle his as well as Selesnya Charms and Zealous Conscripts, opting not to bring in Oblivion Rings or Sundering Growths... I'm not sure if that's correct, but I wanted to stay aggressive on the play. Several turns into the game and Stephen is still playing slow as shit. Maybe it was a jerk move but after he taps out for a main phase Sphinx's Revelation and stares at his hand for like 60 seconds I say "you've already played a land and you're tapped out, dude." while the judge is watching. He then passes the turn without attacking, though he probably should have attacked. I get Sigarda into play and bash three or four times, tapping out for Kessig Wolf Run each turn, which is enough to take game 2. He sideboards again, I assume adding Sigarda's and we begin game 3 with about 12 minutes left in the round. Stephen seems to have never ending Thragtusks this game while I'm sitting on Garruk, making beasts and losing board position. He finally swings with enough to definitely kill Garruk so I don't defend. This is pretty pivotal as it was his last turn before time was called and he probably would have won if he'd just come at me instead. In extra turns I steal a Thragtusk with Conscripts, swing him alone then O-ring my temporary Thragtusk turning it into a permanent beast. This ends up being enough to not die on turn 5 and we draw.
2-0-1
Round 4 and Nick and I are paired. He's able to take game one as I mulliganed then leaned on a mana dork heavy hand that doesn't do much after my dorks are Tragic Slipped. Game two I draw all three Pillar of Flames to handle Gravecrawlers and Nick scoops when I Restoration Angel my Thragtusk. Game 3 Nick misses his second land drop 2 or 3 times and Thragtusk and Armada Wurm take the match.
3-0-1
Round 5 vs Dave playing Epic Experiment. Dave is the only 3-1 with Stephen and I 3-0-1 and everyone else 2-2 or worse. Dave and I will both make top 4 regardless, but I want to play. Game one I have multiple Huntmasters that I'm flipping and he's unflipping, so I never get to swing with my 4/4 tramplers. He takes game 1 after a couple experiments. It seems the second Epic Experiment is always WAY better than the first. Game 2 I hit my curve similar to my round 2 and he can't find a Terminus. He dies without any experimenting. Game 3 I have two consecutive turns to find Bonfire and attack for the win but can't find one. Dave kills me with a ton of soldiers the next turn and I die with a Bonfire on top of my deck :(
3-1-1
Nick is the only 3-2 to make top 4 on tie-breakers, along with me, Stephen and Dave. We split the store credit $65-$65-$65-$35 and give Dave the byes for Charleston.
I'm really liking this deck. I want to try out G/W aggro and U/W aggro as well, but need to pick up Silverblade Paladins and Sublime Archangels for both, so I'll be sticking with Naya until that happens.
There's a Legacy tourney at Xanadu next Sunday for a Judge Promo Karakas (like $160). I'm not sure if I'm going, but we'll see. I hate missing Ravens games on Sundays, but have done it once this season already.
-Eric
RtR Game Day & a GPT the last two weekends
So we've been playing a bunch of Standard lately with tourneys each of the last two weekends. The first was RtR Game Day, which Nick also wrote about below. It was my first sanctioned Standard since playing in Games and Stuff's PTQ this past summer. I hadn't played any new Standard yet as I didn't like any of the top decks until I found a Naya list that did well at a SCG IQ in Ijamsville, MD. It didn't hurt that I had opened the required Mythics out of my two boxes when the new set came out. Here's the list I ran that day:
1 Clifftop Retreat
7 Forest
1 Kessig Wolf Run
2 Mountain
2 Plains
3 Rootbound Crag
3 Sunpetal Grove
4 Temple Garden
4 Arbor Elf
4 Avacyn's Pilgrim
3 Bonfire of the Damned
3 Pillar of Flame
3 Borderland Ranger
3 Loxodon Smiter
4 Huntmaster of the Fells
4 Restoration Angel
2 Sigarda, Host of Herons
4 Thragtusk
2 Armada Wurm
1 Angel of Serenity
Sideboard:
3 Purify the Grave
1 Ancient Grudge
1 Mizzium Mortars
1 Ray of Revelation
2 Sundering Growth
2 Centaur Healer
3 Oblivion Ring
2 Garruk, Primal Hunter
Round 1 I lost to a Steelers fan playing Red Deck Wins. I took the first game easily with Thragtusk and Bonfire. Centaur Healers and a Mizzium Mortars came in for game two, in which I kept a land light hand with multiple mana dorks... dorks died and then so did I as I couldn't find lands. Game 3 lasted a bit longer, but I eventually died with two Bonfires and two Pillars in my hand and no red lands :(
0-1
Round 2 I played against a Junk Reanimator/Midrange thing that wasn't very focused. He had Jarad's Orders and lots of odd one-of's like Deathrite Shaman, Jarad, and like 2 each of Mulch and Grisly Salvage. The guy seemed new and took FOREVER to take each turn. It was just a game-day tourney and because he seemed new I didn't hound him about it. I took game one after he dealt with my first Armada Wurm (and token) but I followed with another. Second game he was able to cast Angel of Serenity the turn before I would have won and I couldn't claw back. Game three we drew in extra turns without either of us doing much as the first two games took so long.
0-1-1
Round 3 I was paired up against a 1-1 playing B/R Vampires. Just straight Vampires... with like 3 and 4-drop Stromkirk Noble-like guys. Neither game was eventful or close.
1-1-1
Round 4 I get paired up again against Pete at 2-1. He's playing Epic Experiment! I'm able to Bonfire a couple times to take out pre-experiment Spirits and Soldiers and take game 1. Game 2 Pete makes a lot of tokens, takes a bunch of extra turns and takes me down. Game 3 Pete starts to experiment and makes Soldier tokens but not enough to get me dead through my blockers even though he takes 3 straight turns. And he's not able to make more soldiers during his extra turns thanks to a Purify the Grave taking out both of his Increasing Vengeance's. Pete chumps for a few turns before realizing he has no win conditions left in his deck and scoops.
2-1-1
Round 5 I'm paired up against Jimmy at 2-0-2. The winner of our match will make top 8, but needed to get out of there and buy green pants for my Peter Griffin costume before a Halloween party that night. I scooped to Jimmy and he said he'd split with me. Since he ended up making the finals with Nick I get 4 packs for my $5 entry fee! Not bad at all, especially starting at 0-1-1.
GPT report in the next post!
-Eric
1 Clifftop Retreat
7 Forest
1 Kessig Wolf Run
2 Mountain
2 Plains
3 Rootbound Crag
3 Sunpetal Grove
4 Temple Garden
4 Arbor Elf
4 Avacyn's Pilgrim
3 Bonfire of the Damned
3 Pillar of Flame
3 Borderland Ranger
3 Loxodon Smiter
4 Huntmaster of the Fells
4 Restoration Angel
2 Sigarda, Host of Herons
4 Thragtusk
2 Armada Wurm
1 Angel of Serenity
Sideboard:
3 Purify the Grave
1 Ancient Grudge
1 Mizzium Mortars
1 Ray of Revelation
2 Sundering Growth
2 Centaur Healer
3 Oblivion Ring
2 Garruk, Primal Hunter
Round 1 I lost to a Steelers fan playing Red Deck Wins. I took the first game easily with Thragtusk and Bonfire. Centaur Healers and a Mizzium Mortars came in for game two, in which I kept a land light hand with multiple mana dorks... dorks died and then so did I as I couldn't find lands. Game 3 lasted a bit longer, but I eventually died with two Bonfires and two Pillars in my hand and no red lands :(
0-1
Round 2 I played against a Junk Reanimator/Midrange thing that wasn't very focused. He had Jarad's Orders and lots of odd one-of's like Deathrite Shaman, Jarad, and like 2 each of Mulch and Grisly Salvage. The guy seemed new and took FOREVER to take each turn. It was just a game-day tourney and because he seemed new I didn't hound him about it. I took game one after he dealt with my first Armada Wurm (and token) but I followed with another. Second game he was able to cast Angel of Serenity the turn before I would have won and I couldn't claw back. Game three we drew in extra turns without either of us doing much as the first two games took so long.
0-1-1
Round 3 I was paired up against a 1-1 playing B/R Vampires. Just straight Vampires... with like 3 and 4-drop Stromkirk Noble-like guys. Neither game was eventful or close.
1-1-1
Round 4 I get paired up again against Pete at 2-1. He's playing Epic Experiment! I'm able to Bonfire a couple times to take out pre-experiment Spirits and Soldiers and take game 1. Game 2 Pete makes a lot of tokens, takes a bunch of extra turns and takes me down. Game 3 Pete starts to experiment and makes Soldier tokens but not enough to get me dead through my blockers even though he takes 3 straight turns. And he's not able to make more soldiers during his extra turns thanks to a Purify the Grave taking out both of his Increasing Vengeance's. Pete chumps for a few turns before realizing he has no win conditions left in his deck and scoops.
2-1-1
Round 5 I'm paired up against Jimmy at 2-0-2. The winner of our match will make top 8, but needed to get out of there and buy green pants for my Peter Griffin costume before a Halloween party that night. I scooped to Jimmy and he said he'd split with me. Since he ended up making the finals with Nick I get 4 packs for my $5 entry fee! Not bad at all, especially starting at 0-1-1.
GPT report in the next post!
-Eric
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