MTG Tournament Reports

[Kamotz]

I figured we should have a thread exclusive to some tournament results and reports - just a space for us MtG players to discuss and share our experiences, successes, and shortcomings. Before I start off, I'll just mention a few guidelines and the format to follow.

Rules:
1. Constructive criticism only.
2. Only discussion on tournament and event happenings, other discussion can be taken elsewhere.
3. More as we go along.

Format:
-Introduction to the event
-Brief deck synopsis
-Rounds breakdown

Round # and brief explanation on opponent's deck.
Game 1:
Game 2:
Game 3 (when necessary):

For the above, try to offer as much detail as you can on the decks and plays made during each game. Make mention of your sideboard choices and winning/losing plays. I'll offer my most recent report as an example.

_______________________________________________________

Tournament Report: November 17th, 2012

So last night was the local shop's first tournament for one of their Commander's Arsenal sets. I think there were a total of 12 people involved. Less than expected, but still enough to get the tournament going. I got there extra early (because I only live a few minutes away) to hang out and do some trading/testing.

And who did I see there but a friend of mine and an AMAZING Magic player, Anthony Lowry. Lowry is all-around a great guy and a fantastic Magic player. He writes for LegitMTG.com, so you can check out all his articles here (you'll be a better player/person if you read them). He's unnervingly serious during his games, but I find that playing him brings out the best in me and pushes me to my limit. We chit-chatted while he deck-tested against another friend of mine (who I'll call Thundermaw Hellkite here), and this let me get a look at the decks they'd be playing later that night.

Lowry and I did some trading. I ended up with a Temple Garden, Overgrown Tomb, Blood Crypt, and 2 Restoration Angels. He got a Tamiyo, a Terminus, an Entreat the Angels, and a Rhox Faithmender. I know...I only got lands and the 2 angels, but Lands are probably the best investment you can ever make when it comes to Magic...EVER (and I had more-than full playsets of all the other cards I traded).

I did some testing of the changes I made in Bant Control against another friend of mine who was playing Four Color Control - Grixis Colors (Red/Black/Blue) and Green for Ramping and Thragtusk. Game 1 I didn't see any of my counterspells at the right time, and he managed to get out his Nicol Bolas, Planeswalker. We boarded and then I swept through games 2 and 3.

I tested my Naya Midrange deck against him too. Lost game 1 but took Games 2 and 3 pretty easily. I was in a great mindset for the tournament with 2 victories under my belt so I just decided to do some scoping out of the competition and talk with people.

Then the Tournament began. Four Rounds and then cutting to the top Four.

I was playing Bant Control (White/Blue/Green), a deck I'd been testing and tweaking for a long time now.

Round One I played against Thundermaw (my friend, not the card). He used to play the WUr Midrange/Tempo deck with Thundermaw Hellkite (which is why I gave him the name), but before the tournament switched over to UW Flash. I think the switch and lack of testing really hurt him. I've played this guy SO many times in the last month. We probably play more than 50 games a week, easily, so we're both very familiar with the other's play-style.

Game 1: He was wearing me down with just a Snapcaster Mage, knowing that he had to get the damage in first. I managed to remove the mage but he had 2 Restoration Angels, and then I was down to 9. I threw a Detention Sphere on the angels and continued taking hits from the Snapcaster until I was down to 5. I took 2 damage off of a Shockland coming in untapped so I could play Centaur Healer and go up to 6. All this time the only damage he'd taken was off a Hallowed Fountain coming in untapped. But I managed to stabilize at 2 life with Sigarda and Angel of Serenity (Thragtusk and a Restoration Angel under it) on the field before Restoration Angel targeted Centaur Healer and I went up to 5. My two big angels swung for 10, dropping Thudermaw to 8 and leaving me with 2 blockers and 5 life. He drew his next card and scooped.

Game 2: I had a much easier time. Side-boarded in Artifact-removal for his Runechanter's Pike; a Jace, Memory Adept, and MANY more Counterspells. I don't have as many notes on this game, but I ended up landing Memory Adept and milling him out. Not my favorite way to win the round, but I still managed to win.

Record: 1-0.
________

Round Two was against another good friend playing Junk (White/Black/Green) Reanimator. It's one of my hardest matchups, and he's very very good.

Game 1: Went back and forth for a while. I just didn't see enough answers and he managed to Unburial Rites a Craterhoof Behemoth with 5 other creatures on board and swung for Lethal.

Game 2: I sided in Graveyard hate and counter-magic, but I saw none of it and couldn't stabilize. I managed to get rid of most of his real threats, but he'd sided in Sigarda which was very tough for me to deal with. I was forced to Terminus at 3 life, but then he played a Selesnya Charm to make a Knight token and attacked with that (and Gavony Township) for lethal.

Record: 1-1
________

Round Three was against another Bant Control deck. This guy and I had played a few weeks before and our first game went over an HOUR AND A HALF long. I was prepared for the long game, so I knew to play with my A-Game.

Game 1: He took a mulligan to 5 cards, and I kept my 7. I was very happy with my hand: farseeks, counterspells, and just the right amount of mana. The game went back and forth. It was a long one, and I went down to 9 while he was all the way at 30 off of Thragtusk life-gain. I killed his Jace, Architect of Thought with one of my own, and played my second one. I got a lot of card advantage off of him and managed to stabilize with Tamiyo. I even got her Emblem. I was swinging with Angel of Serenity and Thragtusk and had infinite ability to counter his spells because of Tamiyo's emblem. He scooped and we went to Game 2.

Game 2: I sided in more countermagic and Jace, Memory Adept. He took a mulligan to 6 again and I kept my hand. I kept all of his threats in check, even when he played Restoration Angel on his Thragtusk to go to 25. But I had Jace, Memory Adept and Tamiyo out on the field, and then played a Garruk, Primal Hunter. We went to time and he scooped (he was 0-2 at that point and admitted he just didn't have the answers to my game position.

Record: 2-1
________

Round Four was, of course, against Lowry. Of all the games we've played, I think I've beaten him once. But I didn't let that get to me and went in with my gameface on.

Game 1: I took a mulligan to 6 and started off trying to get my threats on board. He managed to keep my threats off him and his Tamiyo with Supreme Verdicts and Terminus, allowing him to get her Emblem. At this point he had infinite access to Ghost Quarter (to destroy my land), Sphinx's Revelation (to gain life and draw), and Dissipate (to counter all my spells), so despite being at 31 life to his 17, I decided to scoop and go to game 2.

Game 2: was a bit more back and forth. He got his Tamiyo out early, which I promptly Oblivion-Ringed, only for him to play a second Tamiyo. I killed the second one, but he used a Detention Sphere on my Oblivion Ring to get the first one back. He had several Geist of Saint Traft, too, which I had to spend my resources against. In the end, the plays I made keeping his Tamiyos and Geists in check let him get up to 40 life via Sphinx's Revelation and draw into an Entreat the Angels. He used it and got out 4 angels. At that point I was at 11 life and had only my one Angel of Serenity. He was swinging for lethal next turn. I scooped and wished him luck.

Record: 2-2

I got one prize pack along with the other 2-2's that night. One opened a Jarad, one opened some other junk rare, I opened Armada Wurm.
________

Lessons of the night: Tamiyo was a powerhouse, both for me and against me. Sphinx's Revelation worked better against me than it did for me, since I seemed to always be drawing it in the early game. But it's such a good card when you use it right. Jace, Memory Adept was the breakout star of the night, and I'm very happy with him in my sideboard. Jace, Architect of Thought didn't pull the same weight he usually does, but I played some unfortunate matchups where he just wasn't that well situated.

Overall I'm very happy. My two losses were against two incredibly skilled players and I put up as good a fight as I could. I learned a lot about what was good to do and what not to do. This was one of my best tournaments and the one I felt I did best in (in terms of growing/learning/playing). In the end Lowry and Reanimator-guy ended up splitting the Arsenal. I was not surprised. They were both very good and both played incredibly good decks.

On a side note: my Naya Midrange deck performed pretty decently too. It'll be a fun pet-project for the next few weeks while I continue to tinker with and tech Bant Control.

This is the deck I played, just in case anyone was interested.

Spoiler: Bant Control

Creatures: 12
2 Centaur Healer
3 Restoration Angel
1 Sigarda, Host of Herons
4 Thragtusk
2 Angel of Serenity

Sorceries: 8
4 Farseek
2 Supreme Verdict
2 Terminus

Instants: 7
2 Syncopate
2 Azorius Charm
1 Dissipate
2 Sphinx's Revelation

Enchantments: 3
2 Detention Sphere
1 Oblivion Ring

Planeswalkers: 6
3 Jace, Architect of Thought
1 Garruk, Primal Hunter
2 Tamiyo, the Moon Sage

Lands: 24
1 Alchemist's Refuge
2 Cavern of Souls
2 Forest
2 Gavony Township
2 Glacial Fortress
4 Hallowed Fountain
3 Hinterland Harbor
1 Plains
3 Sunpetal Grove
4 Temple Garden

Sideboard: 15
1 Elixir of Immortality
2 Negate
2 Rest in Peace
1 Selesnya Charm
2 Sundering Growth
1 Centaur Healer
1 Dissipate
1 Supreme Verdict
1 Acidic Slime
1 Jace, Memory Adept
1 Sigarda, Host of Herons
1 Terminus

 

[Kamotz]

NOTE: I hate double-posting, and would avoid it if I could, but no one else has posted, so...


Tournament Report - November 30th, 2012-12-01

Last night was a FNM $5 Standard Tournament. Five dollars to play some competitive magic is always a good thing in my book. It wasn't at my usual LGS, so I went with a few friends on a bit of a road trip. We didn't know what to expect from decks or players, so it was a bit of a wild-card night.

Because it was only $5 for entry, I decided to take it as a chance to test my playing skills with a different deck and played my (probably) less-competitively powerful Naya Midrange deck instead of Bant Control (I also wasn't ready to be playing 45 minute games all night).

I made a few changes to my list before the tournament started, switching out my Sideboarded Gisela for an Angel of Serenity. I also kept a Yeva mainboard instead of a third Thundermaw Hellkite. I'll go into whether I felt these were good changes or not later on.
________


Round 1 vs. America Tempo/Control
I know this was some sort of America deck, but I can't be sure whether it was Tempo or Control. I didn't see any Planeswalkers, so I think it was Tempo. Still, I prefer to call it America Do-Nothing. Because that's essentially what it was.

Game 1: I was on the play and drew a pretty nuts hand. Avacyn's Pilgrim into a T2 Centaur Healer. He played a D-Sphere on my T4 Loxodon Smiter. We stalled for a while until I hit a Thundermaw off of Cavern of Souls. He stalled a bit on that, blocking my Restoration Angels and Azorius Charming my dragon. He then managed to hit my dragon with Zealous Conscripts and hit me for 8 Damage, getting me down to 15. I got my dragon back and kept hitting him. Like I said, his deck DID NOTHING. I got him down to four and then Miracled a Bonfire.

Game 2: He took a mulligan to 5 while I kept at 7. I managed to hit a T2 Thalia and slowed him down completely. He spent a Searing Spear trying to kill it and wasted a Snapcaster on a Syncopate in graveyard when he had a Syncopate in hand. Even with A Bonfire and a Thundermaw countered I managed to hit a T4 Thragtusk and T5 Restoration Angel. I had Gavony Township on Board and killed him two turns later.

Record: 1-0
________


Round 2 vs. Rakdos Aggro
This was the store owner. I learned later that he'd only just started playing Magic rather recently (by comparison, at least). So he did pretty well.

Game 1: We both kept at 7 cards and he was on the play. He it me with Rakdos Cacklers, Shred Freaks, and Ash Zealots until I was down to 9 life. I managed to draw out of my gas and play a Thragtusk on T5, but the addition of a Falkenrath Aristocrat quickly got me back down to 7 and then 2. Two Centaur Healers and a Thragtusk managed to help me prolong defeat, but without any sort of flying I couldn't defend. Unfortunately, I probably misplayed. I had him down to 10 after a single attack, and could have probably won if I had attacked on my last turn (before losing). But that Falkenrath Aristocrat ended up being too much for me to deal with.

Game 2: I sided in all my anti-aggro cards. Rhox Faithmender, Trostani, Selesnya Charm, and 2 Sigarda, Host of Herons. I had a bit of mana issues for the first few turns, forcing me to call my Caverrns on Clerics so I could play my Centaur Healer. He still managed to hit me back down to 19 that next turn, but a second Healer put me up to 22. I hit him for 6 to get him to 14. He managed an absurd amount of Damage the next turn via Hellrider to get me down to 11. I promptly readied a Restoration Angel on my Centaur Healer with his next combat, taking 1 damage off Hellrider but gaining 3 from the flickering Healer. I attacked with Angel in the air, bringing him to 11. The next turn I hit a Thundermaw. He went to 6, drew his next card, and scooped.

Game 3: Much more back and forth. He'd commented that he knew I was playing Huntmasters because I was playing Naya (and Huntmaster is the only reason to play Naya), but we'd gone through 2 games without seeing a single one. He managed to play Cackler T1 and Knight of Infamy T3 to attack me with the cackler for 3 that turn. Then was an Ash Zealot and a swingfor 6. I was at 11 before hitting that fabled Huntmaster and getting back to 13. He tried to kill it with a Devil's play for 2, but I had Selesnya Charm to pump it back up out of damage range. He still managed to bring me down to 7 before I Bonfired for 2 to wipe his board of everything but Hellrider. I played a Thragtusk and went up to 12. Restoration Angel and I was at 17. He killed one Huntmaster with a Dreadbore only for me to play a second at be at 19. I swung for 8 and he went to 10. I watched him stare at my board and draw his last card and scoop.

Record: 2-0
________


Round 3 vs. Junk Reanimator
I played against the same guy I always end up playing when I've been doing well. This deck is so good, I can't even really explain it.

Game 1: I took a mulligan to 6. He kept. Despite hitting an early Thragtusk and getting him down to 10, He managed to stabilize with a T4 Unburial Rites on Angel of Serenity, wiping my board. I managed to get a Huntmaster out and Oblivion Ring his angel, but he hit a Craterhoof and ran me over.

Game 2: I hit a T2 Loxodon Smiter, dropping him to 16 and he hit an Elderscale Wurm off of Unburial Rites. T5 I managed to Zealous Conscripts the Wurm and swing him down to 2. He played a Lotleth Troll that next turn, but I played Restoration Angel, targeted my Zealous Conscripts, and stole his wurm again to swing for lethal.

Game 3: Despite hitting 2 Healers and a Thragtusk, I just couldn't keep up. His ability to mini-wipe my board with Angel of Serenity and pump out his own Thragtusks via hardcasting and unburial rites was just too much. He was up to 43 life and I was down to 14. Despite hitting a Craterhoof of my own, I just didn't have enough on the board to make a difference, and he swung through all my defenses.

Record: 2-1
________


Round 4 vs. Primal Surge-Craterhoof
Another good friend of mine that had traveled with me to clean house at this other FNM. He was playing a "Ramp into Craterhoof" deck. It took advantage of Arbor Elf, Elvish Archdruid, Axebane Guardian, and Gatecreeper Vine to Ramp BIG TIME. His end goal was to hit a Craterhoof with a dozen little guys on the field, or ramp into Primal surge, which would essentially let him play his entire deck (he only had 4 non-permanent spells in his deck). I knew I had to stop his ramping to stop him.

Game 1: We both took shockland damage to get out our Mana dorks, but I hit a T2 and T3 Centaur Healer to get back to 24. I kept swinging, knowing he wouldn't block with his little guys. He actually got a few guys out, but I Bonfired for 2 and he scooped.

Game 2: We decided not to sideboard. He didn't have his in sleeves and knew it'd just be a pain in the *** to do. He took Shockland damage to get dorks out. And I managed a Thragtusk and Restoration Angel. Both hit him down to 10. He had a pretty huge board up at that point through the drawing power of Mentor of the Meek and Elvish Visionary. But he tapped out with no answers and I was able to Bonfire for 3 to clear his board again.

Final Record: 3-1

Prize Packs x3: Foil Elguald Shieldmate. Divine Deflection. Gisela, Blade of Goldnight. Tibalt, the Fiend Blooded.

All in all a pretty fun night. I got to play with Naya, which just was a blast. I love that deck. And I even managed to get a win in against my Reanimator buddy. Every time I play him, win or lose, I realize I'm getting better. That always gets me excited.
__________

Card Choices:
Gisela, Blade of Goldnight (SB: taken out) - I'm glad I decided to take out Gisela. She just wasn't ever good enough when I played, and there was no matchup where I really wanted her. I guess in the end the same can be said for Angel of Serenity, since I never used her either. But I still prefer the better angel - there might be situations in which Serenity is more useful.
Yeva, Nature's Herald (MB: added) - Not as happy with her, though I never did draw her either. The ability to flash in well over half my creatures seems nuts. But I just don't know if that's better than a 3rd Thundermaw Hellkite. Time and testing will tell.
4x Avacyn's Pilgrim (MB: added) - These were pretty decent, allowing me to hit a T2 Centaur Healer or Loxodon Smiter. I like them better than Searing Spears for now. Especially in some matchups. And then they can be sided out for better things.

My deck, if you were wondering:

Spoiler: Naya Midrange

Creatures:26
4 Avacyn's Pilgrim
3 Centaur Healer
2 Loxodon Smiter
4 Huntmaster of the Fells
4 Restoration Angel
1 Yeva, Nature's Herald
4 Thragtusk
2 Thundermaw Hellkite
2 Armada Wurm

Sorceries:7
3 Bonfire of the Damned
4 Farseek

Enchantments:2
2 Oblivion Ring

Others:2
2 Garruk, Primal Hunter

Lands:23
2 Cavern of Souls
3 Clifftop Retreat
2 Forest
2 Gavony Township
2 Mountain
2 Plains
4 Rootbound Crag
2 Sunpetal Grove
4 Temple Garden

Sideboard:15
1 Ray of Revelation
2 Rest in Peace
1 Selesnya Charm
1 Sundering Growth
3 Thalia, Guardian of Thraben
1 Rhox Faithmender
1 Trostani, Selesnya's Voice
2 Sigarda, Host of Herons
2 Zealous Conscripts
1 Craterhoof Behemoth

 

[niedude]

Those last three matches must have been a blast. Just reading their description was exciting, what with all the back and forth.

About Unburial Rites: How did he set it off? By that I mean, did the guy discard the cards with some draw and discard spell or what?

 

[Kamotz]

I decided to go Boros at the midnight Pre-release for Gatecrash. Went 3-2 overall...probably should have been 4-1 or 5-0 if not for some stupid mistakes in R4 and keeping a bad hand in game 2 of R3. I really had quite a decent card pool, but after hitting 3:30 AM, my mind stopped working all that well.

_______________________

Round 1 vs. Simic: Lost the first game and decided to splash the Black for [[Kingpin's Pet]] and [[Gift of Orzhova]]. Swept the next two games. 2-1.

Round 2 vs Orzhov: Hit every drop. Flying just kept him beaten down. Went 2-0.

Round 3 vs Simic: Game one I hit the perfect curve. [[Boros Elite]] into [[Daring Skyjek]] into [[Skyknight Legionnaire]] into [[Spark Trooper]]. Game two I kept an okay-looking hand, but never drew into a white source. Game 3 he managed a [[Drakewing Krasis]] and gave it +2/+2 and unblockable (with some sort of enchantment), and out-raced me. I was one-mana short of taking the game. Went 1-2.

Round 4 vs Boros: Kept an O.K. hand, but didn't draw into anything. He had all the answers, and it was about 4AM and I was beginning to play badly and made a critical misplay. Game 2 I hit a nut curve again, but misplayed and lost. 1-2.

Round 5 vs Dimir: Crushed game one, despite all his removal and milling. Game 2 I survived milling and a chump-blocking a 26/26 [[Consuming Aberation]] to get my opponent down to 2 before I ran out of blockers. Game 3 we battled back and forth, despite me getting milled to single-digit cards. But I just out-raced him.

Overall record for the night 3-2.

Here's my decklist:

Spoiler: Boros Black

Creature (17)
1x Boros Elite
2x Daring Skyjek
1x Foundry Champion
2x Kingpin's Pet
1x Knight of Obligation
2x Ordruun Veteran
2x Skyknight Legionnaire
1x Spark Trooper
2x Sunhome Guildmage
1x Syndic of Tithes
2x Warmind Infantry

Land (17)
2x Boros Guildgate
6x Mountain
6x Plains
3x Swamp

Instant (3)
1x Boros Charm
2x Massive Raid

Sorcery (2)
2x Act of Treason

Enchantment (1)
1x Gift of Orzhova

Spoiler: Sideboard Cards

Sideboard (23)
1x Bomber Corps
1x Cinder Elemental
1x Dying Wish
1x Foundry Street Denizen
2x Guildscorn Ward
1x Hold the Gates
1x Luminate Primordial
1x Mark for Death
2x Midnight Recovery
2x Molten Primordial
2x Pit Fight
2x Scorchwalker
1x Sepulchral Primordial
1x Shadow Slice
1x Shattering Blow
1x Treasury Thrull
1x Warmind Infantry
1x Wight of Precinct Six

Spoiler: Rest of Card Pool

1x Assault Griffin
1x Bioshift
1x Clinging Anemones
2x Contaminated Ground
1x Crocanura
1x Deathcult Rogue
1x Dimir Charm
1x Dimir Guildgate
1x Drakewing Krasis
1x Elusive Krasis
1x Forced Adaptation
1x Hands of Binding
1x Ivy Lane Denizen
1x Knight Watch
1x Last Thoughts
1x Leyline Phantom
1x Metropolis Sprite
2x Millennial Gargoyle
1x Naturalize
1x Paranoid Delusions
1x Predator's Rapport
2x Primal Visitation
1x Psychic Strike
1x Riot Gear
1x Sapphire Drake
1x Scatter Arc
1x Serene Remembrance
1x Shielded Passage
1x Skygames
1x Spell Rupture
1x Spire Tracer
1x Tin Street Market
1x Verdant Haven
1x Voidwalk
1x Zarichi Tiger

 

[palingensia]

prerelease was really fun. quite a good play environment. i went simic for the prerelease first up and didn't get any rares outside of my guild booster, so that sucked, but i still managed to go 3-2 thanks to a decently solid pool (despite lacking shamblesharks and elusive krasis). then went simic again for the 2hg with my brother, and went 1-2. pulled obzedat out of my participation booster and also pulled borborygmos and breeding pool, so it was by thanks to those.

 

[Kamotz]

Saturday was the local shop's 2HG PreRelease event. I just moved to the area and didn't have a partner, but the shop paired me up with somebody. He...was kind of a scrub. He knew how to play, sure, but didn't quite have a real handle on 2HG or the new cards...or Sealed decks in General. I was left carrying a lot of the weight. Still, we managed to go 2-2 pairing my Simic-RUG deck with his Gruul-Naya. I probably could (and should) have gone Simic BUG. I had Mind Grind, Soul Ransom, and a ton of Dimir stuff (including my teammate's Watery Grave). But I felt more comfortable with Gruul and utilizing more Green cards.

I also had to basically build my Partner's deck, so I had even less time than otherwise when it came to building and testing. We ended up going 2-2, so not terrible. I carried both games to victory, and he stumbled through the games we lost.

I had some pretty decent pulls this time, too. 3 Drakewing Krasis, 1 Zegana, 3 Nimbus Swimmers, and 3 Slaughterhorn made up the core of my pool. I also had Burning Tree Emissary, Madcap Skills, and Legion Loyalist, and 2 Forced Adaptation to pair with Fathom Mage for extra Card Advantage...even though I only managed to do that during Testing.

Spoiler: Simic-RUG

Creature (17)
1x Adaptive Snapjaw
1x Burning-Tree Emissary
1x Cloudfin Raptor
1x Crowned Ceratok
2x Drakewing Krasis
1x Fathom Mage
2x Greenside Watcher
2x Ivy Lane Denizen
1x Legion Loyalist
2x Nimbus Swimmer
1x Prime Speaker Zegana
2x Slaughterhorn

Land (17)
5x Forest
1x Gruul Guildgate
5x Island
4x Mountain
2x Simic Guildgate

Enchantment (5)
2x Forced Adaptation
1x Madcap Skills
1x Primal Visitation
1x Way of the Thief

Instant (1)
1x Rapid Hybridization

Spoiler: Playable Sideboard

1x AEtherize
2x Alpha Authority
1x Balustrade Spy
2x Basilica Screecher
1x Beckon Apparition
1x Clinging Anemones
1x Contaminated Ground
1x Corpse Blockade
1x Death's Approach
1x Deathcult Rogue
2x Devour Flesh
2x Dimir Guildgate
1x Dimir Keyrune
1x Dinrova Horror
1x Drakewing Krasis
1x Dying Wish
1x Frilled Oculus
1x Gift of Orzhova
1x Gutter Skulk
2x Horror of the Dim
2x Hydroform
1x Immortal Servitude
1x Keymaster Rogue
1x Last Thoughts
1x Metropolis Sprite
1x Midnight Recovery
1x Mind Grind
1x Mortus Strider
1x Nimbus Swimmer
1x Predator's Rapport
1x Psychic Strike
2x Shadow Alley Denizen
1x Slaughterhorn
1x Soul Ransom
1x Syndicate Enforcer
1x Thrull Parasite
1x Undercity Informer
2x Verdant Haven
1x Watery Grave (not mine)
1x Wildwood Rebirth

Spoiler: Other Cards

1x Armored Transport
1x Boros Keyrune
1x Court Street Denizen
1x Dutiful Thrull
1x Executioner's Swing
1x Fortress Cyclops
1x Furious Resistance
2x Guildscorn Ward
1x Holy Mantle
1x Kingpin's Pet
1x Knight of Obligation
1x Martial Glory
1x Prophetic Prism
1x Riot Gear
1x Skinbrand Goblin
1x Skyblinder Staff
2x Smite
1x Structural Collapse
1x Tin Street Market
1x Towering Thunderfist
1x Zarichi Tiger

 

[Kamotz]

Last night was probably my most successful FNM in a while...possibly ever. It was the first time I went to an FNM since moving to MI and the crowd was much more diverse and competitive than the place I used to go back in NY. Also, there were about 3-4 times as many people. Back there, we'd have 3, maybe 4, swiss rounds (if there were enough people), and that'd be it. Last night there were 5 swiss rounds, a cut to Top 8, and then single-elimination.

I went 5-0 in Rounds, 2-0 in Top 8, and then split for 1st/2nd because it was already 11:15 PM and we both wanted to go home. I played my usual Naya Midrange deck, which I just love. It's just full of value creatures and fun ways to interact with them. I made a few changes overall, but more on that later. There were a couple standout cards last night, and a few last-minute deck and sideboard changes that DEFINITELY worked out in my favor.

Spoiler: Naya on the Warpath

Land (23)
2x Cavern of Souls
1x Clifftop Retreat
1x Forest
2x Kessig Wolf Run
1x Mountain
1x Plains
2x Rootbound Crag
2x Sacred Foundry
1x Slayers' Stronghold
4x Stomping Ground
2x Sunpetal Grove
4x Temple Garden

Creature (24)
2x Aurelia, the Warleader
4x Avacyn's Pilgrim
4x Boros Reckoner
4x Huntmaster of the Fells
4x Restoration Angel
4x Thragtusk
2x Thundermaw Hellkite

Sorcery (6)
4x Farseek
2x Mizzium Mortars

Planeswalker (4)
2x Domri Rade
2x Garruk Relentless

Instant (3)
3x Searing Spear

Sideboard (15)
2x Angel of Serenity
2x Boros Charm
2x Garruk, Primal Hunter
3x Loxodon Smiter
2x Oblivion Ring
2x Rest in Peace
2x Witchbane Orb

Round 1 vs. Jund Aggro: 2-0

We both came out pretty strong in G1, though I took a mull-to-6 and he took a mull-to-5. I hit a Turn-3 Garruk Relentless off a T2 Farseek and made a Wolf to block his Rakdos Cackler. Cue his T4 Falkenrath Aristocrat. She kills Garruk, and the Wolf/Cackler trade. I slam down a T4 Thundermaw Hellkite, and Aristocrat goes bye-bye without something to sac and absorb damage. He manages to get me to 10 before I solidify my board with a Boros Reckoner and a Restoration Angel. Between Resto and Thundermaw, that's game.

Game 2 I sideboard out 2x Aurelia, the Warleader, 1x Huntmaster, 1x Thundermaw, and 1x Domri Rade, bringing in 2x Oblivion Ring and 3x Loxodon Smiter. We both mull-to-6 but I'm able to hit a nut curve with T2 Smiter and another T3 Garruk Relentless. Garruk serves double-duty as a blocker-maker and removal. Before he's able to do more as the Veil-Cursed, he gets Ghor-Clan Bloodrushed and killed. But at this point I've managed to drop 2 Thragtusks and the game is over.


Round 2 vs. Prime Speaker Bant: 2-1

Game 1 I took a mull-to-6 but came out swinging. He was on the defensive from the beginning despite the card advantage he got from Prime Speaker Zegana. It's a strong deck, but the fact that she doesn't draw you cards and gain you life doesn't put her in the same league as Sphinx's Revelation. I hit him with a Thundermaw-Resto combo and then burned him the last few damage.

Game 2 the tables were turned. I sideboarded in 2x Angel of Serenity, 2x Oblivion Ring, and 2x Garruk, Primal Hunter. I think I pulled out Garruk Relentless, some of my Burn spells, and a Huntmaster. He came out very strong in the beginning with a T4 Thragtusk and then two consecutive Restoration Angels. I managed to yank the two angels and a Beast with my Angel of Serenity, but it was promptly Selesnya Charm'ed. Without a flying blocker I didn't have a way to stop the tick-tick-tick of my life by Restoration Angels...and he was at 36 by the time the game was done.

Game 3 played out more like Game 1. We both took a mull-to-6 and I managed a T2 Boros Reckoner and T3 Huntmaster of The Fells. He'd already Shock Land-ed himself twice, and I swing with 7 power to get him to 6. He shocked himself again to play a Thragtusk and go to 9, and I managed to hit him back down to 3 again by forcing him to block my Reckoner with the Thragtusk and dealing 5 damage to him. Then I Speared him for the win.


Round 3 vs. Naya Humans Variant: 2-1

I won the roll and he took a Mull-to-6 in Game 1. He came out rather strong, with Champion of the Parish and Silverblade swinging hard. But I managed to stabilize with 2x Huntmaster and Reckoner, and at 10 life I dropped a Thragtusk. He managed to get me down to 9 before I drew Aurelia and took the game.

Game 2 he came out very strong. I sideboarded in the same cards as against my Round 1 Aggro opponent and kept a hand with 3 land, Oblivion Ring, Loxodon Smiter, Boros Reckoner, and...something else. I think Restoration Angel or Thragtusk. Unfortunately, he hit a super-aggressive curve, and I wasn't able to play any of those until T3 when he already had Mayor of Avrabruk, Thalia, Champion, and Silverblade Paladin. Couldn't come back from all that.

Game 2 was incredibly one-sided in my favor. I didn't take as many notes this game, but I dropped him from 18 to 12, then it seems he shocked himself to 10, I hit him to 7, and that was it. I remember playing with help from Garruk Relentless/Veil-Cursed again. He managed to throw a Sigarda and I thought that would stall the game, until I realized I had Garruk, the Veil-Cursed out on the field. I sacrificed a Wolf Token and pulled Thundermaw from my deck. All my mana was open and he scooped.


Round 4 vs. Dark Naya (Naya with Black): 2-0

I'd seen this kid play before and I knew he was good. Dark Naya is also one of the stronger midrange decks because it combines Naya's value creatures with Jund's value removal with things like Abrupt Decay and Rakdos's Return. Game one I hit a strong curve, playing a T2 Domri, a T3 Huntmaster, and a T4 Thragtusk. He had shocked himself down to 16 and managed to play a T5 Zealous Conscripts, stole my Thragtusk, and swung-out at me for 8 (hitting me to 19) and sending 6 to kill Domri. I got my Thragtusk back, drew a card, and slammed down Aurelia. With Thragtusk that was exactly lethal.

He got very flooded Game 2. He saw some of his removal, but not enough to stop the onslaught of guys I was sending his way. He did manage to 2-for-1 my field with an overloaded Mizzium Mortars, but I had enough sense not to overextend and played a Smiter AND Reckoner the next turn. He never saw a Rakdos's Return or any of his other removal, and I took the game pretty handily.


Round 5 vs. Naya Humans/Blitz: 2-1

Game 1 went back and forth for a while until I started bringing out the Thragtusks. Then it was just too much. He didn't feel like playing that game out and scooped. I wasn't complaining.

Game 2, sided out 2x Aurelia, 1x Thundermaw, 1x Domri, 1x Huntmaster. In: 3x Loxodon SMiter, 2x Oblivion Ring. I thought I had this one in the bag, but he surprised me by putting Volcanic Strength on his Silverblade-bonded Champion of the Parish. I went from 17-9 in one swing because it had Mountainwalk and I had a Sacred Foundry out on the field. I could have survived the next turn, but he played another human and pumped the Champion even further. Scooped.

Game 3 I played more carefully. I T2 Farseek into a 3rd G/W source to play Boros Reckoner T4, even though that slowed me down considerably. I didn't want to risk him having a Volcanic Strength in hand before I could stabilize. Reckoner makes combat very unpleasant for Aggro decks, and he's still tough to play around, so that bought me a lot of time to build up my board presence. I was confident enough then to drop a Sacred Foundry and use it as removal, Mortars and 2x Searing Spear cleared his field and I had the game.
__________

With Swiss rounds over I was in 1st place at 5-0 (the only 5-0 of the night) and guaranteed a spot in Top-8. Gameface time.

Top 8, R1 vs. Esper Control: 2-0

I thought this would be my toughest matchup, but I drew incredibly well and I'd practiced against this deck for a long time. I knew I had to win quickly but keep a close eye on all his mana so I didn't over-extend board-wipes. Sphinx's Revelation was also tough, but I knew if I played smart I could beat it.

Game 1 I drew nuts. Shocked myself twice to hit a T2 Domri Rade, and a T3 Boros Reckoner. I got enough Value off of Domri (Thragtusk!) so that even when he Oblivion Ring-ed it, I wasn't too upset. I attacked into an Azoirus Charm and then played A Huntmaster, forcing him to wipe the board. But then I got to play my Reckoner again. I dropped the Thragtusk and swung with both it and the Reckoner the next turn to knock him from 15 to 7. I swung again, and he tap-out a Sphinx's Revelation for 3, hoping to save himself at 2. I Searing Speared him all the same and that was game.

Sideboarding: 3x Loxodon Smiter, 1x Witchbane Orb (I'd seen Nephalia Drownyard), 2x Garruk, Primal Hunter, 2x Boros Charm. Out: 4x Boros Reckoner, 2x Mizzium Mortars, 2x Huntmaster.

Game 2 wasn't even close. I managed to land a Thragtusk and a Loxodon Smiter on curve before he hit Terminus for full-price. I dropped Garruk Relentless, too. He milled a few times with Drownyard and Detention Sphere'd Garruk as I got him down to 7 with just the Beast. I played Avacyn's Pilgrim and attacked for 4. He played Revelation for 4, but I shot him with Searing Spear and Boros Charm to burn him out.


Top 8, R2 vs. Naya Humans Variant (same as R3): 2-1

This was the same guy I played during Round 3 and I'd been his only loss that entire night. I was feeling very confident that I both knew his deck and could beat it.

Game 1 went too long for him to survive. I had Huntmaster on T3 and let him flip back and forth, shooting him and his creatures. He managed to bond Silverblade Paladin with Nearhearth Pilgrim for Doublestrike and Lifelink and at one point ended up at 33 life. But I chipped away at that. I had 2 Restoration Angels in hand to let Huntmaster flip and unflip over and over, picking off his guys one by one. Then I had Slayers' Stronghold on the field, giving one of my Angels +2/0 and Vigilance. He had one Restoration Angel out on the field, and I just continued sending my 5/4 Angel at him. It let me keep it as a blocker and still make it a threat. I ended up dealing 15 with just the angel before dropping a Thundermaw and he scooped.

Game 2 was very close. It went on longer than it should have (for him), but the addition of Frontline Medic and a whole swath of chump blockers meant he had the chance to attack into whatever I had on the field with no consequences. Even with 2x Boros Reckoners and 2x Loxodn Smiters I wasn't able to survive a gang of indestructible creatures...and without flying, his Double-striking Restoration Angel finished me off. I was only 2 draws away from a Mizzium Mortars that I could've overloaded to save my butt...but such is life.

Game 3 wasn't really a fight. He missed a LOT of land drops and was stuck with a 2/2 Champion of the Parish and a flipped Mayor of Avabruck (so it didn't even buff the Champion). I had managed to drop 2 Thragtusk and both Reckoner and Smiter. Even with him sticking an O-Ring on my Reckoner, I still won. At one point he was at 4 even when I thought he was at 7, so I swung into his 3/3 Wolf, 3/3 Howlpack Alpha, and 2/2 Champion with my Thragtusk, Reckoner, and Smiter. He blocked Tusk and Smiter with the Wolf and Champion, repectively. He would have been at 1, though I thought that would only get him to 4 (lesson: watch the game states), so I speared his Alpha to save my tusk and clear his board. He asked why I didn't spear him and I learned my mistake. Still, with nothing on board and staring down 3 creatures, he scooped.


Top 8, R3 vs. Junk Reanimator. Split.

It was already 11:15 and we both wanted to get home. We split for top prize and both ended up with $30 store credit and the promo foil Farseek. Very cool promo. I'm actually glad we split, because Reanimator (especially Junk) is my least-confident match-up. I had a very good friend who played Junk Reanimator before GTC and I could never go more than 1-2 against him, even with significant Graveyard Hate. I hadn't played it since GTC came out, however (except on Cockatrice), but in the end it didn't matter, because we both were tired and wanted to go home. All in all, a very good night.


Overall record for the night 7-0 and a Split.
____

Final thoughts on the night:

-Garruk Relentless was a star for me last night. And I'm glad I made the split-second decision to include him in the mainboard or I might not have used him at all. I wasn't a huge fan before Gatecrash, but I'm really loving him now.

-Aurelia, the Warleader needs to be a 2-of. I was playing a 1-1 split with her and Gisela, but the two attack phases are just that good. I really wanted to have Gisela in the sideboard for the Control and Midrange mirror, but felt that Angel of Serenity was stronger in that regard.

-Angel of Serenity was pretty "meh" last night. Mostly because the format was so full of Aggro, but I also didn't really find the need to play her during my one Control match-up. She actually worked against me in the Prime Speaker Bant match, allowing my opponent to reuse his Restos, and I never saw her during the Dark Naya match. I actually might switch out one of these for Gisela.

-Loxodon Smiter was the champion of the night. I'd been debating playing him over Centaur Healer in the Sideboard for a while, and finally decided that his bigger body and strength against the possible Control/Rak Return/Liliana matchup would prove better than 3 life. I was absolutely right. Centaur Healer works well with Restoration Angel, but you're likely to need it as a blocker before then. Smiter makes them really reconsider attacking, or at least, if they attack you know they have a combat trick up their sleeves.

-Witchbane Orb is still a "maybe" in my book. It'd definitely be amazing against Rakdos's Return, any sort of Mill, and targeted sacrifice, but I never drew it all last night. I still think it's necessary, but I'll need to actually play it to be sure.

-Boros Charm was a star in the one match I actually sided it in for. I can't complain at all.

-Rest in Peace never came in since I didn't play Reanimator, but I know there are several people playing some sort of Reanimator variants and UWR Flash w/Runechanter's Pike variants, which RIP really works well against.

 

[Kamotz]

FNM Report April 5th, 2013
​

Went to the local FNM on the 5th to prepare for the next day's 1K Standard Tournament. I'd made a few changes to the deck from last time, mostly in the sideboard in preparation for the inevitable Junk Reanimator matchup. Ended up with a 6-1 record and a split for top prize.

Spoiler: Naya on the Warpath

Land (23)
2x Cavern of Souls
1x Clifftop Retreat
1x Forest
2x Kessig Wolf Run
1x Mountain
1x Plains
2x Rootbound Crag
2x Sacred Foundry
1x Slayers' Stronghold
4x Stomping Ground
2x Sunpetal Grove
4x Temple Garden

Creature (24)
2x Aurelia, the Warleader
4x Avacyn's Pilgrim
4x Boros Reckoner
4x Huntmaster of the Fells
4x Restoration Angel
4x Thragtusk
2x Thundermaw Hellkite

Sorcery (6)
4x Farseek
2x Mizzium Mortars

Planeswalker (4)
2x Domri Rade
2x Garruk Relentless

Instant (3)
2x Searing Spear
1x Selesnya Charm

Sideboard (15)
1x Angel of Serenity
1x Thundermaw Hellkite
2x Boros Charm
2x Garruk, Primal Hunter
3x Loxodon Smiter
2x Oblivion Ring
2x Rest in Peace
1x Selesnya Charm
1x Purify the Grave

Round 1: Bye.

Round 2 vs. Mono-Red: 2-1

I started off pretty strong, despite taking 4 off a Vexing Devil on turn 1. I was down to 14, but shock-landed myself again to land a T2 Boros Reckoner. He fought me down to 6, and I continued to pull removal and blockers. I finally landed a Huntmaster of the Fells, which he inevitably didn't have an answer for.

-2 Aurelia, -1 Domri, -1 Thundermaw
+3 Loxodon Smiter, +1 Selesnya Charm

Game 2 didn't go as planned. Despite keeping what seemed like a strong hand, I couldn't stabilize fast enough, and was burned-out by a morbid-enhanced Brimstone Volley. I'd kept a Selesnya Charm in my hand, but I wasn't able to use it. It was the first hint that I wouldn't be as happy with that card.

Game 3 was more in my favor. I managed to hit a pair of Turn 2 and 3 Loxodon Smiters followed by pair of a Turn 4 and 5 Boros Reckoners. He didn't have a way out.


Round 3 vs. Dega (RWB) Midrange: 1-2

This was an interesting brew utilizing Boros Reckoner and Blasphemous Acts, while also having strong cards like Falkenrath Aristocrat and Aurelia, the Warleader; and Finishing everything off with Faithless Looting and Unburial Rites.

Game 1 I started strong with a T3 Huntmaster, which he answered with a Reckoner + Blas Acts combo to knock me to 8. Still, I managed to stick an Aurelia with a lot of creature support and swing in for lethal.

Game 2 wasn't even a game. He managed to get Reckoner out on T3 and Aristocrat out on T4, and despite my best effort, I didn't have a way to stop him from hitting Unburial Rites on Aurelia and swinging for absurd amounts of damage.

Game 3 I sideboarded in 2 Rest in Peace to deal with his 'yard interaction. I used it too late, however, and he used Rolling Temblor to mow down my Pilgrims. I got him down to 1, hitting a Reckoner T2 and following it up with both Restoration Angel and Thundermaw. But with me at 16, he attacked uninterrupted, knocked me to 13, and then shot me with Blasphemous Acts.


Round 4 vs. Selesnya Aggro: 1-0 (opponent dropped after G1)

This wasn't much of a game. He tried to mount some kind of offense, but I managed to gain 10 life via Thragtusk and put it out of reach. He had some sort of time constraint, so he had to leave.


Round 5 vs. Naya Blitz: 2-1

Game 1 went back of forth for a while. He knocked me down to 7 at one point, after which I dropped a Thragtusk. But despite the 12 life, he was able to Ghor-Clan Bloodrush + Boros Charm Double-Strike me for exactly lethal.

-2 Aurelia, -2 Domri Rade
+3 Loxodon Smiter, +1 Selesnya Charm

Game 2 was more my speed. I hit all my early removal and managed a Huntmaster of the Fells flipping, and continually pinging him, even though he'd gotten me down to 6. At one point he attacked with a huge Bloodrush, but I had a Selesnya Charm on hand to defend myself and exiled his creature. I dropped another Huntmaster and stabilized for the win.

Game 3 wasn't even close. I dropped a Turn 3 Thragtusk followed by a Turn 4 Restoration Angel. Facing down 28 life and a full board, he had to concede.


Top 8, R1 vs. UWR Flash: 2-1

This was an odd UWR build without Boros Reckoner or Geist of Saint Traft, and I think that definitely hurt it. Game 1 I came out very strong, following a Huntmaster of the Fells with a Thragtusk and just beating face.

-4 Boros Reckoner, -1 Huntmaster of the Fells
+3 Loxodon Smiter, +2 Boros Charm

I thought the above sideboarding would be the way to go. I was mistaken. I hadn't encountered his Runechanter's Pike yet, and that was definitely a game-changer with Moorland Haunt. Despite getting him down and fighting through not 1, but 2 Sphinx's Revelations (gaining him a total of 12 life/cards), I had him at 10. But he had a spirit and a Restoration Angel with a pike, and I didn't have an answer to that.

-2 Garruk Relentless
+2 Rest in Peace

I managed to drop Rest in Peace right on time, limiting what his Runechanter's Pike could do. But that was after my Turn 3 Thundermaw Hellkite, then a Loxodon Smiter. He was only able to ping away at me for 1 with his Invisible Stalker while I had my enormous beasts and dragons knocking away.


Top 8, R2 vs. Junk Reanimator: 2-1

I was very wary for this matchup. It definitely isn't one of my best. The deck's ability to hit a T3 or 4 Angel of Serenity is just deadly. Still, I have a lot of experience playing against it, and know the routes it can take.

Game 1 went tremendously in my favor. I managed to hit an early Huntmaster of the Fells, followed by Boros Reckoner and Aurelia to do just INSANE amounts of damage.

-2 Huntmaster of the Fells, -2 Garruk Relentless, -2 Domri Rade, -2 Searing Spear
+1 Selesnya Charm, +1 Thundermaw Hellkite, +2 Rest in Peace, +1 Purify the Grave, +3 Loxodon Smiter

Game 2, I didn't really get on my feet. I had a bit of mana issues, and he continued to ping me with Restoration Angels. There wasn't anything I could do.

Game 3 was a HELL of a game. We went back and forth, even with him landing an early Angel of Serenity and scooping up a Huntmaster and some other stuff. He kept destroying my lands with Acidic Slime, leaving me with only 4 mana open at one point (including Avacyn's Pilgrim). But I had dropped a Rest in Peace to keep him off his graveyard. He also managed to Vault of the Archangel himself +10 life while we held our stalemate. I finally managed to draw my second Hellkite, but had to wait for my 5th land. My forest finally came. I played the Hellkite, and he scooped it up.


Top 8, R3 vs. Naya Aggro-Midrange - Split

This was the same guy I played twice in the FNM from 2 weeks ago. So I was sure I could win, but at 11:30 we were all tired and wanting to go home and rest up for the next morning's Standard 1K.

Final Record: 6-1 and Split

Final thoughts: definitely could have played better for a lot of my games. I really wasn't on my A-Game this week (I should have seen that Boros-Blas Acts coming). But I can't really complain.

Once again, I never actually played Angel of Serenity, and can't really imagine the match I would play it in. Maybe the mirror...or against Jund. But I'd probably rather have a Witchbane Orb...which was another card I was sorely missing. I think I'll remove Purify the Grave for the 1x Witchbane Orb...and maybe the Angel for the 2nd.

Selesnya Charm seems like good utility now, especially with Reanimator and all the Bloodrush I've been up against. There's nothing I like more than exiling your Bloodrushed creature.

At the same time, I miss my extra removal of 3x Searing Spears. At 2x, they just don't show up as often.

 

[the3rdH0kage]

Sounded like a fun time, I wish I could win games at my FNM, my best was 2-2 and one of those was a bye, and the other was a friend of mine using a Battle of Wits deck.

 

[Kamotz]

I'll post the less-than stellar results/report from today's Standard 1K, where I went 2-2 and dropped. I think it's important to acknowledge our shortcomings and stumbles, just as it is to recognize our successes. I probably could have finished the 5th Swiss round, but I decided to go home. My head wasn't in the game and I was tired from the late night last night.

Anyway, I'll edit this later.

 

[the3rdH0kage]

So my LGS had a free Pack Wars tournament Saturday, and the people participating was me and 3 friends, rules of the turnament was, you couldn't look at your pack before the tournament and you got 3 of each basic land.

R1-Aganist a friend that in Constructed we share a very similar playstyle.

R1 G1:
He manged to get a one drop out. My turn I played a land (nothin I could play). Followed this way until T3 when I got something out, and on his 4th turn he One-Thousand lashed my guy. My turn nhothign special waiting to hit a green mana source for something, then on his turn hw got out a Skyknight Leggionaire. Got me to 10 life, then I hit an Angelic Edict to get rid of his Legionnare. Then ended up winning a few turns after that.

R1 G2:
Nothing really big until about T6when I hit a Ripscale Predator and he only had one creature, so won pretty quick.

R2 G1: Ended up playing a friend who is really good at the game.

Had to mulligan down to 5 because lack of spells. But anyway he only hit Basilica Guards, while I played Ripscale Predator T6. Since he couldn't block adn only had a defender out, I won pretty quickly.

R2 G2:

Kept my hand at 7 with 4 lands, a creature (Biovisionary), and 2 Sorcerys (Angelic Edict and Sheilded Passage). He hit a creature on T2. While I wasn't stuck utnil about T6 because lack of Green. So finally I was able to hit Biovisionary at 14 life. Then hit Ivy Strret Denizen.
Then as normal Ripscale later in the game. Took my opponent down to 2 life, then a removal spell got ris of Ripscale, but a Massive Raid hit when I had 2 creatures. So won and got a pack. Pulled the White Primordial guy completing my set of the Primordials.

 

[the3rdH0kage]

So FNM this week. Ran general Naya Aggro deck borrowing some dual lands from a friend.

Round 1: Against a weird Orzhov tokens deck.

Game 1: Started with a pretty good opening hand and stayed at 7, won the dice roll and played. Dropped a Sacred Foundry and took the shock. Dropped a Legion Loyalist and swung 1. He went and drew into a Plains and passed. My second turn, Drew into my second Burning-Tree Emissary. So dropped those and a Lightning Mauler and swung 5. He played a Swamp and Doomed Traveler. My 3rd turn drew into a Frontline Medic. So dropped a Forest and played it. So swung for 7 and passed. Then he played a Plains and played Beckon Abberation. Then I swung with all and it was game.

Game 2: Followed the same pattern then he got a Vampire Nocturnus out and walled stuff. Got me down to about 10 then I swung game.

Record 1-0

Round 2: Against U/B/W Mill/Control

Game 1: Kept swinging into Restoration Angels while getting Drownyarded for 6 (he had 2 out). Ended up getting milled out because Jace, Memory Adept ultimate.

Game 2: He misplayed a few moves and ggot greedy with a Sphinx's Revaltion while at 4 life, so I Skullcracked him and swung game with Legion Loyalist.

Game 3: Followed Game 1 to a key almost all game.

Record: 1-1

Round 3: Against Golgari Aggro (shop owner)

Game 1: I got creature swarmed and died about T6.

Game 2: Almost game 1 except I hit no Green mana.

Record: 1-2

After that I had to drop.

Spoiler: decklist

3x Legion Loyalist
2x Madcap Skills
3x Searing Spear
1x Hellrider
4x Lightning Mauler
3x Frontline Medic
4x Boros Elite
2x Champion of the Parish
4x Rancor
2x Mayor of Avabruck
1x Experiment One
1x Flinthoof Boar
2x Spark Trooper
4x Burning-Tree Emissary
4x Rootbound Crag
4x Stomping Grounds
1x Sacred Foundry
1x Sunpetal Grove
2x Forest
2x Mountain
4x Plains
3x Boros Guildgate
3x Selesnya Guildgate

Sideboard:
2x Selesnya Charm
2x Mugging
4x Boros Charm
2x Gather the Townsfolk
1x Gruul Charm
1x Witchbane Orb
3x Skullcrack

Any big players:

Skullcrack-Helped out immensly against my R2 opponent who before that I had never beaten in a game.

Boros Charm-This into a Spark Trooper is always amazing.

Frontline Medic- This guy was letting me swing in for like 12 on T4 Indestructible.

Burning-Tree Emissary-Should be pretty obvious why.

Mayor of Avavbruck- Boost almost all of my creatures.

Lightning Mauler- Gave a guy Haste on a moments notice.

Legion Loyalist- I wouldn't of won R1 if not for this guy. Helped out most of the night with the First Strike, Trample boost.

 

[Kamotz]

FNM Report April 19th, 2013 – Coy's Comics. Saginaw, Michigan
​

Went to the local FNM on the 19th to play a bit of Magic. I'd made a few changes to the deck from last time, mostly in the sideboard in preparation for the inevitable Junk Reanimator matchup...that I never ended up playing. I guess no one was playing Junk last night. I went undefeated in Swiss rounds and lost the first match in top 8, but more of that later on.

I went with Naya Midrange again. I really considered running Anthony Lowry's most recent UWR Midrange deck, but I didn't really get to test with it at all and I didn't want to play a deck without proper testing. My local shop is rampant with Aggro anyway, so Naya Midrange always does pretty well.

Here's the list I was running. A few changes from last time: I put the Loxodon Smiters mainboard to shore up the first match against Aggro and cut down on the Planeswalkers. I also shored up my sideboard to help in the Junk Reanimator matchup with 3x Rest in Peace and 3x Selesnya Charm. Without actually playing a Reanimator deck, however, this never really came into play:

Spoiler: Naya on the Warpath

Land (23)
2x Cavern of Souls
1x Clifftop Retreat
1x Forest
2x Kessig Wolf Run
1x Mountain
1x Plains
2x Rootbound Crag
2x Sacred Foundry
1x Slayers' Stronghold
4x Stomping Ground
2x Sunpetal Grove
4x Temple Garden

Creature (27)
2x Aurelia, the Warleader
4x Avacyn's Pilgrim
4x Boros Reckoner
4x Huntmaster of the Fells
4x Restoration Angel
4x Thragtusk
2x Thundermaw Hellkite
3x Loxodon Smiter

Sorcery (6)
4x Farseek
2x Mizzium Mortars

Planeswalker (2)
1x Domri Rade
1x Garruk Relentless

Instant (3)
2x Searing Spear

Sideboard (15)
1x Thundermaw Hellkite
2x Boros Charm
2x Garruk, Primal Hunter
3x Selesnya Charm
1x Domri Rade
1x Garruk Relentless
3x Rest in Peace
1x Witchbane Orb
1x Pithing Needle

Round 1 vs. Selesnya Big-Stuff Midrange (2-0)

In the player's own words, this was a "janky" sort of deck. Something he threw together and thought would be a lot of fun. And it probably would have been if it had gone off. But I really hit some insane draws and had everything I needed. He was running Ulvenwald Tracker with the big Selesnya value creatures: Armada Wurm, Elderscale Wurm, Loxodon Smiter, Trostani, Thragtusk, Silklash Spider, etc.

In Game 1 he did manage to hit me some with both the Tracker and a Call of the Conclave Centaur Token. But an Aurelia coupled with a Ravager of the Fells and a Restoration Angel made it just way too much to handle.

Game 2 was even more one-sided. I got a Loxodon Smiter on T3, Thundermaw on T5 and hit for huge. Even after he Selesnya Charm'd my dragon, I still had 2 Smiters and a Boros Reckoner on field, and he was down to 3 life. I took the win.


Round 2 vs. Jund Aggro (2-1)

I didn't take very many notes at all this match, so I'll just summarize briefly. I took Game 1 after a bit of back-and-forth. He Dreadbore'd and Abrupt Decay'd a couple things (Smiter or Reckoner), but I managed to land a Thragtusk and a Restoration Angel and ended up chipping away at him that way.

Game 2 he curved insanely. Dropping T1 Experiment One, and T2 Burning Tree + Flinthoof Boar. Then hitting me with a T4 Hellrider. No way to fight against that.

Game 3 he was forced to Mull-to-5 and I kept a strong hand with plenty of removal, some ramp, and a Thragtusk, I believe. Despite the presence of Falkenrath Aristocrat and Flinthoof Boar, I managed to just out-fight him. In the end, Thragtusk and Avacyn's Pilgrim finished him off.


Round 3 vs. Turbofog (2-0)

During Game 1 I had no idea what my opponent was playing. I saw some Bant-colored lands so I thought he might be playing Bant Control, so I was sure to play very conservatively with my threats. I managed an INSANE amount of ramp that game. Going T1 Pilgrim, T2 Pilgrim + Farseek. I could have landed a T3 Aurelia if I had the 6th mana, but that didn't show up for a few more turns. Instead I dropped a Huntmaster of the Fells. He played a Sphinx's Revelation for 0 on his turn to keep in from flipping, but I attacked with the pair of 2/2s and let it flip on his turn, after which I hit him for 7 more damage. He Sphinx's Rev'd for 1, but I dropped Aurelia on my turn and he scooped it up.

Game 2 he kept a risky hand. He told me later that it was a 2 land hand without Green, but hand Sphinx's Revelation, 2 Farseeks, a Supreme Verdict, and a Snapcaster Mage. Every other land in his deck would produce Green, so if he drew into just one Green land he would be doing very well. I opened with a Turn 2 Loxodon Smiter and hit him down to 12 before dropping a Restoration Angel and a Thragtusk. He was stuck on 3 lands the whole time.


Round 4 vs. Mono-Red (2-1)

I felt pretty confident as Game 1 started, but he got a very explosive draw. Because he was on the play, he could attack with his Stromkirk Noble and burn my Avacyn's Pilgrim. That put me a turn behind and I couldn't drop my Loxodon Smiter for a full turn more. He threw down Hellrider and that was game.

Game 2 I was on the play and managed my Turn 2 Smiter. Followed by a T3 Smiter and a T4 Huntmaster, and a T5 Thragtusk. I also dropped Garruk Relentless and killed off a Rakdos Cackler. With that kind of board position there was no way he could fight back.

Game 3 was a bit more back and forth. But a combination of early-turn Smiters and a Huntmaster gave me enough juice to power through his board. Garruk cleared the way again, and Thundermaw flew in for the kill.


Round 5 vs. Jund Midrange - Split

We decided to split since we were both in the top 2 (I think I was in first by a small percentage of tiebreaker points). We were both guaranteed a Top 8 spot.


Top 8, R1 vs. Mono-Red (0-2)

Same player as R4. And my deck did not play very well. Game 1 I kept WAY too slow a hand, and he managed to burn me out for the last 3 points of damage at the end. I never really got off the ground.

Game 2 MY deck killed me. I was forced to mulligan DOWN TO 4! And despite landing 2 Huntmasters in a row, he had the burn and the Skullcrack to keep me from gaining the second set of life. Hellrider came down and that was that. It's super frustrating to lose to YOUR deck.

---

Final thoughts: I wish I hadn't over-sideboarded myself against Reanimator. There are only 1-3 Reanimator players at this shop, and I probably didn't need to dedicate that much sideboard to it. There's even less Jund Midrange or Esper Control, so Pithing Needle and Witchbane Orb didn't come in at all. Neither did Big Garruk, and I didn't see Domri once. I found myself wishing I had more removal all night in my Aggro matchups.

Here's what I'm thinking for the deck next time:

Spoiler: Naya on the Warpath (updated)

Land (23)
2x Cavern of Souls
1x Clifftop Retreat
1x Forest
2x Kessig Wolf Run
1x Mountain
1x Plains
2x Rootbound Crag
2x Sacred Foundry
1x Slayers' Stronghold
4x Stomping Ground
2x Sunpetal Grove
4x Temple Garden

Creature (24)
2x Aurelia, the Warleader
4x Avacyn's Pilgrim
4x Boros Reckoner
4x Huntmaster of the Fells
4x Restoration Angel
4x Thragtusk
2x Thundermaw Hellkite
3x Loxodon Smiter

Sorcery (6)
4x Farseek
2x Mizzium Mortars

Instant (4)
4x Searing Spear

Sideboard (15)
1x Thundermaw Hellkite
2x Boros Charm
2x Garruk, Primal Hunter
1x Witchbane Orb
2x Rest in Peace
3x Selesnya Charm
2x Garruk Relentless
2x Domri Rade

 

[the3rdH0kage]

FNM Report- May 10, 2013 Champion's Cards and Games Charleston, WV

OK so this is probably my best FNM so far. I went 2-1 in matches and 4-2 in games.

Round 1 vs Dega Vampire/Human Tokens (I went 0-2)

Game 1: Took a opening hand with 2 gates and some 1 one drops. Almost won because Legion Loyalists battalion but a Dreadbore lost me the game.

Game 2- Followed Game 1 almost move for move.

Current Record 0-1

Round 2 vs. America control (I won 2-0)

Game 1- Won because I outraced the opponent. Kept a hand of Selesnya Guildgate, Champion of the Parish, Legion loyalist, 2 Frontline Medic, Mountain, and Sacred Foundry. At one point he got a Melek out and copied a Mizzium Mortars and killed a Loyalist and Frontline Medic. But drew into both of those creature again. Couldn't handle my board.

Game 2- Almost G1 move for move, but Mizzium into a Boros Charm so nothing of mine died.

Current Record 1-1

Round 3 vs. Izzet Control (I won 2-0)

Game 1- Took a hand with 3 gates and 1 shockland. At one point was at 3 life while opponent was at 20. But I killed his creature with a Spear. Couldn't stablize after that.

Game 2- Almost lost because a Nivix Cyclops into a Epic Expirement for 7. But I speared it twice before all the Instants gave him the bouses. But outraced him again.

Current Record 2-1

I'll do a more in depth thing later. I have baccalauriate later and I'm about to leave. Also should note I played against friends from school that I play against everyday in all 3 rounds. But my R3 opponent I had neevr played against with that deck. and I helped build R1 and R2 decks. But anyway

Tied with R1 Opponent for 4th and waled out with $10 in credit and the Judge's Familiar promo. Pretty good night. Also bought some guild packs and got a Rakdos, Lord of Riots, a Jarad, Golgari Lich Lord, and a Borborgymos Enraged.

 

[the3rdH0kage]

Game Day- Champions Cards and Game's Charleston, WV 5/25/13

Alright so DGM Game Day. After a pretty disappointing FNM the night before (I ended up 1-3), I was thinking that I may go just to watch and not play. But my friends were wanting to control Top 8 so I decided if I was there, might as well compete. So here we go.

Round 1-(B/U/G Mill)

Game 1- Alright so I took a hand of 3 basics, a Champion of the Parish, Boros Reckoner, and 2 Legion Loyalist. I won the roll and played. Dropped Mountain and Loyalist swinging in for 1. He played a Golgari Guildgate and passed. Drew a Sacred Foundry, and played it tapped. Then dropped the other Legion Loyalist and passed. He played some creature. He gave me the turn, and I played Plains and dropped the Reckoner. The next fe turns were almost move for move identical. He played some stuff to not take damage (Fog, and things like that) and some mill stuff. T6 he dropped a Consuming Abberation that ended up being a like a 20/20 but I wasn't scared. I ended up playing a bunch of creatures and overpowered him and he couldn't stabilize.

Sideboarding

-2 Giant Growth
-1 Lightning Mauler

+2 Elixir of Immortality
+1 Witchbane Orb

Game 2-

Drew into something close like last game but not 2 Loyalists and I drew a Witchbane Orb. Went pretty close to last game, but I killed his Abberation with an Elixir. Couldn't recover from my creatures.

Current Record 1-1

Round 2- (Dega Midrange)

Game 1 and 2-

These were so close to each other I am just going to put them under the same thing. Obzedat and Olivia Voldaren just overpowered me.....Yep that is about it. He stalled and killed my earlygame creatures got Obzedat out and I couldn't get rid of it.

Current Record 1-1

Round 3- (Selesnya Tokens)

Game 1- Took and decent hand, won the roll and played. Dropped a land and played a Champion. He played a Guildgate and passed. I played another land and Burning Tree into Lightning Mauler swinging for 5. Then he played Call of the Conclave. My turn, dropped Mountain into a Legion Loyalist, swung in for 6 and he couldn't block. Now at this point he said I probably would win and then all h**l broke out. He populated the crap out of his tokens and killed my Loyalist. He passed and I didn't really draw into anything good. He then populated some more and swung in for a bunch, I blocked and all my stuff died. Then repeat for game.

Game 2- Pretty similar to last game, except add an Unfliching Courage to the first token. Lost pretty quickly.

Current Record- 1-2

Note- At this point I was about to drop, I had a mean headache, and was really hungry, but I decided there wasn't going to split after Swiss so I decided WTH only 1 more match and I knew who it would be ( I was in 8th place and this guy was in 9th before this round).
So we played

Game 1- (Gruul Midrange)

This is a deck I play against frequently and normally I win. Drew a god hand. 2 Sacred Foundry, Sunpetal Grove, Rootbound Crag, Legion Loyalist, Boros Reckoner, and Stromkirk Noble. This went by pretty quickly, nut draws almost across the board. Boros Elites, Champion of the Parish, and Boros Charms everywhere. He couldn't stablize after Reckoner hit the field.

Game 2- Not a great hand (Gates) but I still did pretty good. 1 of each gate I run, 2 Nobles, Champion of the Parish, 2 Boros Charms. Got rid of the gates. Drew into some creatures and stuff. Got quite a few creatures out and he couldn't keep up.

Current Record 2-2

Ended up 7th. Traded to get 2 more Trostani's Summoners for my binder. and got a Melek.

Decklist:
3x Frontline Medic
3x Boros Elite
2x Champion of the Parish
1x Hellrider
4x Lightning Mauler
2x Searing Spear
4x Legion Loyalist
2x Stromkirk Noble
2x Mayor of Avabruck
2x Expiriment One
2x Giant Growth
1x Boros Reckoner
4x Burning-Tree Emissary
2x Boros Charm
2x Ghor-Clan Rampager
1x Sunpetal Grove
3x Sacred Foundry
3x Rootbound Crag
2x Boros Guildgate
3x Selesnya Guildgate
4x Mountain
4x Plains
4x Forest

Sideboard-
4x Skullcrack
2x Elixir of Immortality
1x Witchbane Orb
2x Selesnya Charm
2x Boros Charm
2x Rancor
1x Ground Seal
1x Giant Growth

 

[Kamotz]

FNM Report - May 31st, 2013
Coy's Comics // Saginaw, Michigan

​

I hadn't been to an FNM (or any Magic-related event) in over a month, since April 19th, actually, so I was glad to be getting back into gear and playing some games. It was a smaller group this time at Coy's, with only around ~20 people (rather than the usual 30-35). But we'd still be having the 5 rounds of Swiss with cut to Top 8.

I went in with only partial information on how the local meta had changed. Coy's is (or was) firmly, and heavily, Aggro-based. In previous events, I'd play Aggro in 4 out of 5 rounds of Swiss and at least once in Top. I had talked to one of the employees the day before while playing EDH, and he'd said that there was some trickle-down from the overall greater-meta in terms of finally moving away from Aggro, but there was still a whole mess of it. So I approached this week's FNM with that idea in mind, knowing that I'd have a relatively solid G1 against Aggro, and sideboard in just a few things that might help.

Here's the list I was running:

Spoiler: Naya on the Warpath

Land (23)
1x Clifftop Retreat
1x Forest
2x Kessig Wolf Run
1x Mountain
1x Plains
2x Rootbound Crag
3x Sacred Foundry
1x Slayers' Stronghold
4x Stomping Ground
3x Sunpetal Grove
4x Temple Garden

Creature (26)
2x Aurelia, the Warleader
3x Avacyn's Pilgrim
3x Boros Reckoner
3x Huntmaster of the Fells
4x Loxodon Smiter
3x Restoration Angel
3x Thragtusk
2x Thundermaw Hellkite
3x Voice of Resurgence

Instant (5)
2x Advent of the Wurm
3x Searing Spear

Sorcery (6)
4x Farseek
2x Mizzium Mortars

Sideboard (15)
2x Boros Charm
2x Divine Reckoning
1x Domri Rade
2x Garruk, Primal Hunter
1x Pithing Needle
1x Renounce the Guilds
2x Rest in Peace
2x Selesnya Charm
1x Trostani, Selesnya's Voice
1x Witchbane Orb

Unfortunately for me, Aggro had all but left the building this week. It was a smaller crowd, with only some of the more experienced and creative players (though there were some others). And I was facing an onslaught of either Control, or non-traditional Aggro decks.


Round 1 vs. Keenan (Simic "Stuff"). 2-0

This wasn't really a fair match. He was playing with Guildgates and limited Shock/Check lands, which really slowed him down. I only saw a few creatures in play for him, but I did see a Gyre Sage, a Somberwald Sage, and 2 Biovisionary across the two games we played.

Game 1: I was on the play and managed a Turn 4 Thragtusk thanks to a Turn 1 Avacyn's Pilgrim followed by a Turn 2 Loxodon Smiter. That was followed by a Restoration Angel, and I was up to 28 life with more-than-lethal on board. He'd been stuck on mana the whole (or most of the) game, and had only managed to play a Gyre Sage and Alpha Authority. Didn't seem very useful.

+2 Selesnya Charm, +1 Domri Rade, +2 Garruk, Primal Hunter
-3 Boros Reckoner, -2 Searing Spear

Game 2: I began the same way; though this time I started with a Turn 1 Pilgrim followed by a Turn 2 Voice of Resurgence. I hit Thragtusk again while he stumbled on mana, He managed to bring out a Biovisionary, but that was killed in combat rather quickly. He followed with a second, and gave it 3 +1/+1 counters with Give//Take, but I exiled it with Selesnya Charm and swung for lethal.


Round 2 vs. Matt (UWR Superfriends). 2-0

My first taste of Control that night, and I wasn't looking forward to it. I got very luck this round however, and managed a clean sweep. I had removed my 2x Cavern of Souls this week, expecting ALL the Aggro. And I was really missing them now.

Game 1: He was struggling this game after I landed a Voice of Resurgence and 2 consecutive Thragtusks. Those and Advent of the Wurm really shut him down, and he never saw AEtherling (his win-con).

+2 Boros Charm, +1 Pithing Needle, +1 Domri Rade, +2 Garruk, Primal Hunter
-3 Boros Reckoner, -2 Mizzium Mortars, -1 Farseek, -1 Searing Spear

Game 2: He flooded hard, and couldn't get past my continuous creature assault. Thundermaw Hellkite came down nice and early to get in a lot of damage.


Round 3 vs. Kyle (BWR Aristocrats). 0-2

My first loss of the night. And a quick one at that. Aristocrats is one of my worst matchups unless I really have the right cards, so I'm not that surprised.

Game 1: He curved out perfectly, with Lingering Souls into a Falkenrath Aristocrat, and there were no flying critters in my hand to keep me alive.

+1 Renounce the Guilds, +2 Rest in Peace, +1 Pithing Needle, +1 Witchbane Orb, +1 Trostani, Selesnya's Voice
-2 Mizzium Mortars, -3 Voice of Resurgence, -1 Farseek

Game 2: Followed the same as Game 1. Even though I managed to drop an Advent of the Wurm and a Boros Reckoner to drop him to 9, he was able to lifegain back up to 15 via Vault of the Archangel. He finished the game with a Blasphemous Act. Even though we both had Reckoner's on the field. I was at 6 and he was at 15. He managed to survive it.


Round 4 vs. Jeff (UWR Auras). 2-0

I was very apprehensive about this matchup, since Auras, like Aristocrats, is probably one of my worse matchups. I have to play and draw very well to beat an Invisible Stalker with all his pants on (Auras). Somehow I managed.

Game 1: I was on the play, and managed to drop a Turn 2 Loxodon Smiter. To his Turn 2 Invisible Stalker. Next turn I swung him down to 14. Then he swung for 3. I played a second Smiter. He put all his "pants" on the stalker and hit me down to 3. At this point I was almost ready to lose, but I looked at my hand and saw 2 Searing Spears. I looked at my board and saw 8 power. I looked at my lands...3 lands. 2 red sources and 1 Kessig Wolf Run. I needed a miracle. I drew a Temple Garden. I shocked myself down to 1 life, swung for 8, and speared 2x for 6. The look of disbelief on his face was phenomenal.

+2 Divine Reckoning, +1 Trostani, Selesnya's Voice
-1 Farseek, -2 Mizzium Mortars

Game 2: This was a slobberknocker. I kept the janky-est hand you can possible imagine. Here's what it was: 2x Avacyn's Pilgrim, 1x Rootbound Crag, 1x Mountain, 1x Thragtusk, 1x Voice of Resurgence, and ??? (some creature, probably Loxodon Smiter). It was a HELL of a Hand. But I kept it. I don't have much for my notes this game, but it took a LONG time. I know I managed to ramp out to a Turn 3 Thragtusk and Turn 4 Aurelia off the 2 Pilgrims and drop him from 23 to 15. I made a huge blunder in attacking Thragtusk into his Ethereal Armor Stalker (a 4/4 with First Strike). By that point, my Voice of Resurgence had died and was getting HUGE. I continued to clog up my side of the board with all sorts of creatures and make him even bigger, scoring Huntmaster/Ravager flips in the process. Neither of us could attack into the other without dying next turn. He had a 10/10 Flying, First Strike, and Lifelink Invisible Stalker on the field. In the end, however, my Token was a 17/17, and I attacked with 2 Huntmasters ready to flip (into Ravagers) on the next turn. He scooped.


Round 5 vs. Chris (Esper AEtherling Control). 0-2

My second loss of the night. I was really regretting my decision to replace Cavern of Souls with more colored mana now.

Game 1: I couldn't get anything going. Every creature I played was Far//Away'd, countered, or hit with Supreme Verdict. In the end, AEtherling ripped me to shreds.

+1 Pithing Needle, +1 Witchbane Orb, +2 Boros Charm, +2 Garruk, Primal Hunter, +1 Domri Rade
-3 Boros Reckoner, -1 Farseek, -1 Avacyn's Pilgrim, -2 Advent of the Wurm

Game 2: I did a bit better, knocking him down to 13 at some points. I tried to stick a Pithing Needle to neuter Aetherling, but he countered it. And while I managed to land a Witchbane Orb to be prevented from getting milled out, he inevitable used Debt to the Deathless to kill me dead.

In the end, however, my win record was enough to scoot me into Top 8.


Top 8, Round 1 vs. Nick (Azorius Lifegain-Chalice of Life//Death). 2-1

Game 1: This was an interesting deck, but one that only works when you don't have a lot of Aggro to go up against. He opened with a Cathedral Sanctifier, then spent time bouncing it with Deputy of Acquittals and gaining life with Chalice of Life. My efforts to mount an offensive were neutered by a Supreme Verdict and a Terminus. So in the end he pinged me down to 10 with Staff of Nin, then 2x Chalice of Death did the rest.

+1 Pithing Needle, +1 Witchbane Orb, +2 Boros Charm, +1 Renounce the Guilds, +2 Garruk, Primal Hunter, +1 Domri Rade
-2 Mizzium Mortars, -1 Farseek, -2 Advent of the Wurm, -1 Loxodon Smiter, ???

Game 2: I threw out a pair of early Thragtusks, and fought through a Supreme Verdict. I managed to land Pithing Needle (calling Chalice of Life) and just beat face for a while. We never ended up seeing the Chalice, but he did Banishing Stroke my Needle. It didn't matter, in the end, because that was game.

Game 3: I took a mull-to-6 and kept an opening hand with Pithing Needle. I knew this time not to play it until I actually saw the card I wanted to neuter. I opened with a Turn 3 Thragtusk and Nick never got a chance to come back in the game. I had too much offensive with Thundermaw as well.


Top 8, Round 2 vs. Chris (Esper AEtherling Control). 2-1

This was the same match as Round 5 of Swiss, and it was time for me to get my revenge.

Game 1: Out of the gate I hit a Voice of Resurgence and a Loxodon Smiter to apply some early pressure. Thragtusk came down as well to really deal some damage. He tried stabilizing with a Blood Baron of Vizkopa, but I had the Mizzium Mortars in hand. Killed it, and swung for lethal.

+1 Pithing Needle, +1 Witchbane Orb, +2 Garruk, Primal Hunter, +1 Domri Rade, +2 Boros Charm
-3 Boros Reckoner, -2 Advent of the Wurm, -1 Farseek, -1x ???

Game 2: I took a mull-to-6 and kept my hand. He Duress'd me and stole my Searing Spear. But that next turn I drew into Pithing Needle and called Aetherling. He made a sad face. I also managed a Witchbane Orb to keep from being milled out. Still, wasn't able to punch through his counters and bounce spells. He hit me twice with Aetherling (even though he couldn't activate its abilities), and then finished me off with Debt to the Deathless.

Game 3: I kept a rather risky hand, but it paid off. He was stuck on lands in the beginning. I played a Turn 2 Voice of Resurgence and attacked, leaving 2 mana open for a Boros Charm. He gave me a token via Sphinx's Revelation, then tried to Supreme Verdict on his turn. I had the charm waiting. He couldn't catch up after that, and even though he was able to Verdict later on, my 1/1 Elemental token kept chipping away with Kessig Wolf Run. Eventually knocking him down to 3 life and right in range for a Searing Spear.


Top 8, Final Round vs. Matt (UWR Superfriends). 0-2

By this point I was exhausted, it was closing in on Midnight. I offered to split so we'd each walk away with $17.50 in store credit. But he wanted to play it out. Suffice to say, I wasn't really in the game and I don't remember the plays all that well. He played a really good Control game and I just couldn't keep up with it. In the end, AEtherling, some Ral Zarek extra turns, and a mana color-screw kept this a 0-2 for me.

Still I was overall quite happy with the way things went down. Control is a tough nut for Naya Midrange to crack, and to take 2nd place was pretty impressive facing down that field. Certain cards were real all-stars that night: Pithing Needle, Witchbane Orb, and Boros Charm. If the meta doesn't shift back to Aggro, here's the version of the deck I'd play next time:

Spoiler: Naya on the Warpath

Land (23)
2x Cavern of Souls
1x Clifftop Retreat
1x Forest
2x Kessig Wolf Run
1x Mountain
1x Plains
2x Rootbound Crag
2x Sacred Foundry
1x Slayers' Stronghold
4x Stomping Ground
2x Sunpetal Grove
4x Temple Garden

Instant (5)
2x Advent of the Wurm
3x Searing Spear

Creature (26)
2x Aurelia, the Warleader
3x Avacyn's Pilgrim
3x Boros Reckoner
3x Huntmaster of the Fells
3x Loxodon Smiter
3x Restoration Angel
1x Sigarda, Host of Herons
3x Thragtusk
2x Thundermaw Hellkite
3x Voice of Resurgence

Sorcery (6)
4x Farseek
2x Mizzium Mortars

Sideboard (15)
1x Assemble the Legion
2x Boros Charm
2x Domri Rade
2x Garruk, Primal Hunter
2x Pithing Needle
2x Rest in Peace
1x Ruric Thar, the Unbowed
2x Selesnya Charm
1x Witchbane Orb

 

[the3rdH0kage]

I guess I'll put my FNM report up here. Featuring a new deck.

FNM Report Champions Cards and Games 5/31/13

Some backstory on this deck as it isn't my normal brew of fun. After doing decent at Game the previous week, and managing to snag 5 Trostani's Summoner promos,I decided to make a Bant tokens deck. and decided that when my shop got the event deck (Selesnya) I wiould buy it and pump up my deck with stuff from that. and aboput 5 minutes before the event I decided that I've played the crap out of Blitz and use this new deck instead.

R1- Kris (Izzet Control-ish deck(I made the deck)) This was his first FNM

Game 1

Took a hand of 4 lands, a Summoner, Cloudshift, and Biovisionary. He won the roll but deicded that I play. So dropped an Island and passed. He played Izzet Guildgate and passed to me. This goes on until about T6 and I drew Urban Evolution with 6 mana out. So cast it and draw another Summoner Progenitor Mimic, and I think a Wake the Reflections. He plays a Frostburn Weird and passes. I drop my last in hand land and Biovisionary. He doesn't do anything on his turn and passes. I play Mimic copying Biovisionary. He plays another Wierd, my upkeep get the Bio-token. and Wake the Reflections and end to game.

Game 2:

Really similar to game 1, he was constantly thinking out loud and I knew what was in his hand most of the time so no risky moves, and any boardwipes were met with a Rootbourn Defense. So yeah I won.

Current Record 1-0

R2- Taylor (Gruul Aggro)

I went into this knowing I was losing, Aggro and m,y deck takes t5 at the least to set up.

G1- Took some hand that was decent, he won the roll and played. Rakdos Cackler unlesahed. i played a land and passed.He played a Flinthoof Boar and swung in for 2. and repeat this with progressivly more stuff every turn.

\G2- same thing too many creatures and I hit 0 removal.

Current Record 1-1

R3 Daniel (Esper Mill)

G1- I had never played agaisnt this guy before but I knew the list. I played some creatures and was hit with Verdicts, Rifts, Tides, and Termisus's. ot milled iout pretty quick.

G2- Same thing.

Current Record 1-2

R4- Cody (Selesnya Tokens) My deck is based on his deck, he used to run a very similar build to mine with less things to bounce my Summoers and stuff.

G1- We matched Creature for creature until he gave his flying with something. I lost

G2- I took a very slow hand not thinking (it was 11:30) and couldn't get my set up. Lost

Current Record-1-3

Spoiler: decklist

Creatures- 8
1x Progenitor Mimic
1x Wayfaring Temple
4x Trostani's Summoner
2x Biovisionary

Non-creature Spells-
4x Cloushift
4x Wake the Reflections
4x Intangible Virtue
3x Rootborn Defenses
2x Blind Obedience
1x Entreat the Angels
2x Advent of the Wurm
1x Collective Blessing
1x Urban Evolution
1x Growing Ranks
3x Parallel Lives
2x Farseek
1x Stolen Identity
1x Cyclonic Rift

Lands:
7x Plains
7x Forest
7x Island
1x Evolving Wilds
1x Simic Guildgate
1x Grove of the Guardian

Thigns I noticed while play the deck last night.

1. I need a way to get more tokens out faster. Earliest I can hit Summoner is 5 assuming both Farseeks, or 1 Farseek and Urban Evolution. So I'm probably going to add in at least 3 of Midnight Haunting/Lingering Souls each.

2. This list is for more casual games, so I'm probably bot going to drop the loads of money in for lands when my tournament deck isn't completed yet.

3. This deck has a major weakness to milling and board wipes. So Elixirs, back from the Brink, and maybe even 2 Witchbane Orbs should go in. idk

4. I had quite a bit of fun runnign this last night

 

[Kamotz]

FNM Report - June 14th, 2013
Coy's Comics // Saginaw, Michigan​

(This will be a less-detailed report than usual)

Went back to FNM last night hoping to win the Izzet Charm promo. I actually like the regular art for Izzet Charm better, but promos are promos. There weren't quite as many people this week, with a lot of newer players, so there were only 4 rounds of Swiss before cutting to top 8. I'd made some interesting tweaks to Big Stompy Naya Midrange, the deck I played last night you can find here:

Naya on the Warpath

The most notable change was the increase in both creatures and Domri Rade. This included 2x mainboard Tajic, Blade of the Legion while dropping Huntmaster of the Fells to a 1-1 split between main and side. More on that later.

Round 1 vs. Bill (UWR Control) 2-0

He was pretty new to the local game, it seemed. He kept missing triggers and played very slowly. In game 1 I managed a turn 2 Voice of Resurgence and a turn 3 Domri Rade. Domri was hit with a Warleader's Helix, but I managed to drop both a Restoration Angel and a Thragtusk and close out the game. Game two unfolded much the same way. With a Turn 2 Loxodon Smiter starting the beat-down. He never got his momentum going, and I took it rather easily.

Round 2 vs. Chris (Junk Tokens) 2-1

Another new player (or someone I hadn't seen/played before). Despite hitting Intangible Virtue and Call of the Conclave in Game 1, my combination of Aurelia and a next-turn Thundermaw Hellkite closed out the game. Game 2 didn't go my way. I couldn't muster enough offense to break through his army of centaurs and wurms, nor could I get a defense strong enough to last it. Game 3 ended quickly. An early Thragtusk put me ahead of anything he could muster. I sat on Selesnya Charm to shut down his Advent of the Wurm tokens, and Aurelia **** it down.

Round 3 vs. Jeff (UWR Control) 2-1

Jeff (who I played last time) called his deck UWR one-ofs. He played (basically) 1 of all the fun UWR cards and then sideboarded into more consistency. Game 1 was a bit of a blow-out. Despite him Helix'ing my Domri Rade. Thragtusk did a lot of work, knocking him all the way down to 6 life. Then he countered my end-of-his-turn Restoration Angel, but hesitated enough for me to know that he had a second Counterspell in hand (either Dissipate or Counterflux). I had a 7 mana and a Thundermaw Hellkite in my hand, and drew Voice of Resurgence. If I dropped the Hellkite, I knew it'd get countered. So I played Voice of Resurgence instead, hoping to bait out the Counterspell. Instead of countering, he played Sphinx's Revelation for 4, bringing him up to 10 life. With him tapped out, I dropped my dragon and swung for lethal.

Game 2 wasn't even a game. I got stuck on 2 mana for most of my turns and he just beat me down with Restoration Angel and Snapcaster Mage until I was dead. Game 3 was more like Game 1. I had a strong offensive with Domri Rade and Garruk, PH to continually churn out attackers. Tajic played pretty well with those extra creatures, and with him I was able to draw 7 off of Garruk's -3. That set me up with 2x Voice of Resurgence and 2x Boros Charms in hand. With him at 9 life, I played the two Voices and swung with a Thundermaw. I tried to burn him with Boros Charm and he countered it. I played the second one, and he scooped.

Round 4 vs. Eric (Junk Aristocrats) 1-1 split

We were both 3-0 at that point and a lock for top 8. But we played a few games for fun. The first I took it off of Aurelia and Kessig Wolf Run. The second and third I just played miserably, despite having Rest in Peace and Witchbane Orb respectively. I could have won the second, but his board of tokens and my missing Wolf Run made it very difficult to do anything, and game 3 ended with me a bit shorter on Mana than I would have wanted.

Top 8, Round 1 vs. Marcus (Jund Aggro) 1-2

At this point of the night I was beginning to lose focus and just wasn't in the tournament as much. I won the first game very handily. Voice of Resurgence into 2x Boros Reckoners is hard to deal with. Especially when you follow up with a Thundermaw Hellkite. Game 2 I tried to put up a fight, but a combination of slow mana and higher-costing cards-in-hand cost me the game. Game 3 he just exploded out of the gate, and I couldn't do anything to stop it.

I ended up with 2 packs. RTR and GTC. I pulled a Gyre Sage in GTC and a foil Izzet Charm in RTR. Irony. Overall a fun night. I need to figure out a way to shore up my aggro matches again, especially against the more resilient Aggro decks like Jund. I might give Terminus a try.

Still, by the time I'm able to play my next FNM, M14 will have come out, so I've got a lot to consider before then.

 

[the3rdH0kage]

FNM Report 7-12-13 The Gathering Cards and Games ( I know this is late)

OK so this was my best FNM ever, I went to a new sop to sell some of my Modern stuff and decided to compete in there free FNM. New meta and stuff figured why not it can't hurt to play some new people.

Played my new Naya Aggro deck and did amazing.

R1- America Something

Game 1- Ended up mulling to 5because land issues, but my final hand Temple Garden, Sunpetal Grove, 2 Dryad Militants, and a Ghor-Clan Rampager. I won the dice roll and played. Dropped the garden shocking myself and played a Militant and passed, he dropped a Boros Guildgate and passed back to me. I drew into a Voice of Resurgance and played it. He dropped a Foundry and speared the Voice giving me the token. I drew into a land played it and the Militant and passed. He didn't do anything (no land drop either). I drew into Signal the Clans played it choosing, Reckoner, Rampager, and Voice. Ended up with Reckoner getting picked. So that happened. next turn I played it ( he just played some basic land). Played the Reckoner and dropped a land. He played a Nivix Cyclops.I played another Signal choosing the same creatures as last time. Ended up Reckoner getting picked again, which is pretty awesome. PLayed it my next turn and just overpowered him.

Sideboard: -2 Flinthoof Boar, -3 Ghor-Clan Rampager
+3 Reckless Waif, +2 Boros Charm

G2- Look above and that was Game 2 for the most part.

Current Record- 1-0

R2- 4- Color something

G1- We went creature for creature for a while which wasn't really bad ended up getting both Reckoners and 1 Voice out among some other beatsticks (Flinthoofs and things like that). He ended up not getting anything to get ahead of me and I just overpowered him with stuff his removal was met with Charms and things to make my creatures stay on the feild. Overpowered him pretty nicely.

Sideboard: -3 Ghor-Clan Rampager
+2 Boros Charm, +1 Selesnya Charm

G2- Pretty different from G1, same result at the end, but kept my 7 card hand. PLayed some land and a 1 drop, he played a tapland (Woodland Cemetary???) and passed, I played a land and a Voice. He pillared the Voice . After this is was kinda like last game just different creatures. But I Signaled and got my stuff out after a while. Won quick after that.

Current Result 2-0 (Looking pretty good right now).

R3: Bant Control/Life gain combo.

I don't remember much from this match because it was getting late, but it went something like this.

G1- I drew a awesome hand and won like T6 with Voice token, Reckoner and some small creatures.

Sideboard: -3 Ghor-Clan Rampager, -1 Strangleroot Geist, -2 Flinthoof Boar
+2 Boros Charm, +3 Reckless Waif

G2- This was his game becuase Control, Removal and Life gain. He took it after a fun, long drawn out game.

Something to note in being cocky, he said in between G2 and G3 that I "Wasn't going to win before T6 and definatley on T4, and I wished him good luck (he was really cocky about it)

G3- Hit my curve perfectly, T1 Militant, T2 Militant and Ex 1, T3 Reckoner and T4 Voice and Boar, he didn't have any creatures on field and was completely untapped aman wise, but I was packing a Searing Spear and a Boros Charm, so I was confident, earlier attacks had him down to 4, but he didn't look worried. So I swung house, he Druid's Deliveranced and I said ok and in responce Boros Charm for the match. T5 win.

Current Record 3-0 (This is awesome)

R4- This was the match people were warning me about, this was the best player in the shop but I wasn't scared. We were the only undefeated people in the room. I went up and said that we were matched for R4 and he asked my record, I said 3-0 and he had the same record. But he was doing the prerelease and offered to just draw because it was late and we were already going to get 1st and 2nd, I was tired from a long day and he was wanting to relax a bit before prerelease. so I said sure. But I did ask if we coiuld do 1 casual game just because I wanted to see what the fuss was about. So he said yeah and we played

Casual Game- I kept a pretty good hand, could've been better but whatever. Played a land and Militant. He played a land and passed back, I played a land and a Voice. He played a land a speared the Voice giving me the token and passed. I drew a Signal. Played my Stomping Grounds and then it choosing Flinthoof Boar, Voice, and Reckoner and Voice was chosen. So I passed. It went back and forth for a little while, but nothing to big was done. Then I drew Signal the clans nuber 2, Chosee Boar, Rampager, and Reckoner and this time I had luck on my side and got Reckoner. Played it the next turn and he had nothing to o against my field state, so I started hitting for some major damage, he ended up drawing some damage prevention thing and I burned with I think a Charm for the win.

Final Record 3-0-1. Ended up in 2nd out of 23 people and nabbed a Rakdos Cackler promo (One of the best arts I have seen)

Notes from the night

Signal the Clans - This card is stupidly powerful in this type of deck, I was able to hit it when needed and get the thing that changed the game in most cases.

Voice of Resurgance - I knew this card was good (a $60 card better be good). But in the right matchup it alone stopped the opponent dead in there tracks.

Boros Reckoner - This card also made people thinik about targets for burn spells, and who and what to attack with, I think people were expecting a Blas Act.

Loxodon Smiter I hit these sparse during my matches but when I hit them they got at least 1 attack in, always was nice to get.


Decklist: ( This is a rough list of the deck, I seem to have left my deck at a friends house over the weekend.)

Creatures:
4x Dryad Militant
4x Experiment One
1x Strangleroot Geist
3x Flinthoof Boar
2x Voice of Resurgance
2x Boros Reckoner
4x Loxodon Smiter
3x Ghor-Clan Rampager

Non-Creature Spells:
3x Signal the Clans
2x Boros Charm
2x Advent of the Wurm
3x Mizzium Mortars
2x Pillar of Flame
2x Call of the Conclave

Lands:
4x Stomping Grounds
4x Temple Garden
4x Sunpetal Grove
4x Rootbound Crag
2x Sacred Foundry
2x Forest
1x Plains

Sideboard:
3x Reckless Waif
2x Selesnya Charm
2x Boros Charm
2x Volcanic Strength
2x Blind Obediance

I know these counts aren't right but a lack of deck and my internet being ppretty wonky right now isn't letting me check the list.

 

[Kamotz]

Monday Night Standard - August 5th, 2013
3rd Universe Comics // Croton, NY

Went to a different shop back in NY to hang out and found them ready to start a Monday Standard. There were 6 other people, so I figured "why not". It was only $5 and something to do. I went in with Naya Midrange, which has undergone some drastic changes. I had it set up with a miser Garruk, Caller of Beasts in the maindeck along with Assemble the Legion, Warleader's Helix, and Unflinching Courage somewhere between Main and Side boards. But I ended up removing all of that for Ruric Thar, 2 Mizzium Mortars, and a 3rd Selesnya Charm.

Round 1 vs. 4-Color Midrange (no Blue) 2-1

Game 1 went easy in my favor. Dropped early threats like Voice of Resurgence, Loxodon Smiter, and Domri Rade to keep the pressure on. He got stuck on 3 or 4 lands and couldn't do anything but main-phase Putrefy one of my Voice tokens. Game 2 he did very well, and ended up shutting me down with a miracled bonfire + a Tusk/Tmaw on field for lethal. Game 3 I started out aggressively and just killed it. He kept a risky hand and never drew the 5th land that would let him play his Tusks and Thundermaws.

==
Round 2 vs. Maze's End 1-2

Game 1 I couldn't muster enough offense through all his fog effect cards. And he maze's ended me. Game 2 I just had too much going, especially with my Boros Charm to protect me from a Supreme Verdict. Game 3 I kept the WORST hand and had no offensive plays until Turn 4, so that really was a blowout.

==
Round 3 vs. Gruul Aggro/Blitz 2-1

He wrecked my face Game 1 with stuff like Hellrider, some Unleashed Rakdos Cacklers, and a timely Ghor-Clane Bloodrush. Game 2 I sided in my Scavenging Oozes and opened up with them. Ooze into Voice into another Ooze. And I kept growing and growing them. My second Ooze was a 9/9 by the time he conceded. Game 3 unfolded much the same way as Game 2. He dumped his hand onto the field within the first few turns. I was happy to trade my Voice and Ooze with his Cackler and Boar, get a token, and then drop a second Ooze the next turn...with all the yummy graveyards to eat up. I kept gaining life. In the end, I dropped Thundermaw and hit him down to 15. The next turn, I attacked with the dragon again and pumped him to an 8/5 with Wolf run (dropping him to 7). Then I fought my dragon with my Reckoner (via Domri) and shot another 8 at his dome.

Overall record: 2-1.

Last night's decklist:

Spoiler: Naya on the Warpath

Creature (28)
2x Aurelia, the Warleader
4x Avacyn's Pilgrim
4x Boros Reckoner
1x Ghor-Clan Rampager
2x Huntmaster of the Fells
1x Kalonian Hydra
3x Loxodon Smiter
2x Restoration Angel
1x Sigarda, Host of Herons
2x Thragtusk
2x Thundermaw Hellkite
4x Voice of Resurgence

Sorcery (3)
2x Bonfire of the Damned
1x Mizzium Mortars

Land (23)
1x Cavern of Souls
1x Clifftop Retreat
1x Forest
1x Kessig Wolf Run
1x Mountain
1x Plains
2x Rootbound Crag
3x Sacred Foundry
1x Slayers' Stronghold
4x Stomping Ground
3x Sunpetal Grove
4x Temple Garden

Instant (3)
3x Selesnya Charm

Planeswalker (3)
3x Domri Rade

Sideboard (15)
2x Boros Charm
2x Celestial Flare
2x Garruk, Primal Hunter
1x Oblivion Ring
2x Pillar of Flame
1x Rest in Peace
1x Ruric Thar, the Unbowed
2x Scavenging Ooze
1x Mizzium Mortars
1x Blasphemous Act

And updated after last night: I want to try and figure out how to fit some Scavenging Ooze into the mainboard. Possibly by getting rid of Sigarda/Kalonian Hydra...though I'm very hesitant.

Spoiler: Naya on the Warpath (updated)

Creature (28)
2x Aurelia, the Warleader
4x Avacyn's Pilgrim
4x Boros Reckoner
1x Ghor-Clan Rampager
2x Huntmaster of the Fells
1x Kalonian Hydra
3x Loxodon Smiter
2x Restoration Angel
1x Sigarda, Host of Herons
1x Sublime Archangel
3x Thundermaw Hellkite
4x Voice of Resurgence

Sorcery (3)
2x Bonfire of the Damned
1x Mizzium Mortars

Land (23)
1x Cavern of Souls
1x Clifftop Retreat
1x Forest
1x Kessig Wolf Run
1x Mountain
1x Plains
2x Rootbound Crag
3x Sacred Foundry
1x Slayers' Stronghold
4x Stomping Ground
3x Sunpetal Grove
4x Temple Garden

Instant (3)
3x Selesnya Charm

Planeswalker (3)
3x Domri Rade

Sideboard (15)
2x Boros Charm
2x Celestial Flare
2x Garruk, Primal Hunter
1x Oblivion Ring
2x Pillar of Flame
1x Rest in Peace
1x Ruric Thar, the Unbowed
2x Scavenging Ooze
2x Thragtusk