GPT Minneapolis - 07 November 2009

Hello All,


So the week before GP Minneapolis we were able to schedule a Trial to be held at Win More Games. Even having to compete with a PTQ held a couple of hours away, we still had a turnout of 30 folks ready to rip into some Zendikar in hopes of catching 3 free wins.

Deck Registration and Construction zipped by quickly and I let everyone know that we had 5 rounds before we cut to the Top 8. We did do a short lunch break after Round 3, and I believe that it was the only round that actually went to time and into turns. Every other round, the players were picking up their cards and signing Result Slips as I called time.

On the judging side, there were no real issues. 3 Decklist errors handled quick enough during round 2 and a few warnings here and there for the normal things that always come up. DCI Reporter ran smoothly through the tournament, it only did one strange thing where it would only print up the standings after round 4 instead of the ones from after round 5.

(As an aside, I have to say that so far I enjoy working with DCI Reporter over the new Wizards Event Reporter. It does have some nice features that I am happy that they put into place, but I suppose that I am simply too used to working with the older software. There are so many things about it that are just second nature to me when I have to deal with anything. I am sure that I will get more used to the new Reporter, but I shall always feel nostalgic about the 9 years learning nuances and quirks.)

After round 5, we had the most interesting action of the day. It seems that one Allen Brunt had to work that evening and he knew that he would be cutting things close to the end of the Swiss, so he came dressed in a suit and tie. I mentioned that he would be intimidating opponents all day. Now we have to combine this with the fact that Win More Games was nice enough to add a trophy to the prize pool. The only Caveat to the trophy was that it was to be handed out to the leader at the end of the Swiss Rounds.

So, how do you think this turned out?

Allen proceeds to go 4-0-1, drawing with a 3-0-1 in the last round and rushing out the door to get to work. "Thanks, I gotta run. I'll be back for my trophy." And with that, 9th place gave many thanks and we went off to get the draft done.

Chris Miller ends up with the 3 Round Bye, and we get done in time to run another Draft and the weekly Type II.

One last note before we get to the decklists. Zac Niemann is the luckiest man not to win the GPT. First off he drafted 2 Sac Lands and a Lotus Cobra. While in the Quarter-Finals, I saw him drop turn 2 Cobra then draw the Sac Land and go into the tank for a little bit. Attack for 2 with the Cobra, then drop the Misty Rainforest, Sac for a Forest, Harrow for an Island and a Forest all to play a 6CC spell on Turn 3. I cannot express to you the relief on his opponents face when said spell turned out to be Cobra Trap.

He had the mana available to cast any 6CC spell, which would you have feared to see the most?

Later, Zac opened his prize packs at the table. To add to his Draft Pulls of 2 Sac Lands and a Lotus Cobra, he cracked at least 3 more Sac Lands(Whiffing on Arid Mesa, but Doubling Up on Misty Rainforest and I think he might have hit one more random one but I am not sure). I believe he feels OK with how things ended up, but you would have to verify that with him

Here are the Top 8 Decklists and the Sealed Pools that got them there. Enjoy.

Chris Miller
1st Place
Main
12 Mountain
4 Plains
1 Teetering Peaks
2 Journey to Nowhere
1 Bladetusk Boar
1 Burst Lightning
1 Elemental Appeal
1 Geyser Glider
2 Goblin Bushwhacker
1 Goblin Ruinblaster
2 Goblin Shortcutter
1 Goblin War Paint
1 Highland Berserker
1 Plated Geopede
1 Quest for Pure Flame
2 Shatterskull Giant
1 Slaughter Cry
2 Spire Barrage
2 Unstable Footing
1 Zektar Shrine Expedition

Sideboard:
1 Akoum Refuge
1 Kabira Crossroads
1 Explorer's Scope
1 Kor Outfitter
1 Kor Sanctifiers
1 Steppe Lynx
1 Feast of Blood
1 Mire Blight
1 Ravenous Trap
1 Demolish
1 Goblin War Paint
1 Ruinous Minotaur
1 Zektar Shrine Expedition
1 Scythe Tiger
1 Tanglesap
1 Vines of Vastwood
1 Trapfinder's Trick

Ryan O'Connor
2nd Place
Main
8 Island
7 Mountain
1 Soaring Seacliff
2 Teetering Peaks
1 Stonework Puma
1 Into the Roil
1 Ior Ruin Expedition
2 Lethargy Trap
1 Living Tsunami
1 Merfolk Seastalkers
1 Reckless Scholar
1 Seascape Aerialist
1 Shoal Serpent
1 Sky Ruin Drake
2 Welkin Tern
1 Whiplash Trap
2 Burst Lightning
1 Magma Rift
1 Molten Ravager
1 Seismic Shudder
1 Shatterskull Giant
2 Torch Slinger

Sideboard:
1 Graypelt Refuge
1 Sejiri Refuge
1 Turntimber Grove
1 Hedron Scrabbler
1 Trailblazer's Boots
2 Ondu Cleric
1 Pillarfield Ox
1 Windborne Charge
1 Trapfinder's Trick
1 Blood Seeker
1 Mind Sludge
1 Mindless Null
1 Surrakar Marauder
1 Vampire Hexmage
1 Tanglesap
1 Timbermaw Larva

Alan Weil
3rd Place
Main
9 Forest
8 Island
1 Misty Rainforest
1 Hedron Crab
1 Kraken Hatchling
1 Paralyzing Grasp
1 Sky Ruin Drake
1 Welkin Tern
3 Windrider Eel
1 Frontier Guide
1 Gigantiform
1 Grazing Gladehart
1 Harrow
1 Khalni Heart Expedition
2 Nissa's Chosen
1 Oran-Rief Recluse
1 Oran-Rief Survivalist
1 Relic Crush
1 Territorial Baloth
1 Timbermaw Larva
1 Vastwood Gorger
1 Vines of Vastwood

Sideboard:
1 Hedron Scrabbler
1 Stonework Puma
1 Bold Defense
1 Landbind Ritual
1 Makindi Shieldmate
1 Narrow Escape
2 Nimbus Wings
1 Spreading Seas
1 Giant Scorpion
1 Grim Discovery
1 Bladetusk Boar
1 Goblin Bushwhacker
1 Beast Hunt
1 Joraga Bard
2 Scythe Tiger
1 Tajuru Archer
1 Tanglesap

Kyle Meier
4th Place
Main
9 Plains
8 Swamp
1 Emeria, the Sky Ruin
1 Arrow Volley Trap
1 Cliff Threader
1 Conqueror's Pledge
1 Journey to Nowhere
2 Kazandu Blademaster
1 Kor Cartographer
1 Kor Sanctifiers
1 Kor Skyfisher
1 Pitfall Trap
1 Shepherd of the Lost
1 Steppe Lynx
2 Blood Seeker
1 Disfigure
1 Giant Scorpion
2 Hagra Crocodile
1 Heartstabber Mosquito
1 Mind Sludge
1 Soul Stair Expedition
1 Vampire Nighthawk

Sideboard:
1 Hedron Scrabbler
1 Spidersilk Net
2 Ondu Cleric
1 Pillarfield Ox
1 Shieldmate's Blessing
1 Desecrated Earth
1 Mire Blight
1 Vampire's Bite
1 Vampire Lacerator
1 Goblin Bushwhacker
1 Goblin War Paint
1 Lavaball Trap
1 Punishing Fire
1 Seismic Shudder
1 Zektar Shrine Expedition
1 Trapmakers Snare
1 Iona, Shield of Emeria
1 Carnage Altar

Stuart Kahler
5th Place
Main
3 Island
7 Plains
6 Swamp
1 Piranha Marsh
1 Adventuring Gear
1 Kor Aeronaut
1 Kor Hookmaster
2 Kor Skyfisher
2 Makindi Shieldmate
1 Shepherd of the Lost
1 Steppe Lynx
1 Bala Ged Thief
1 Blood Tribute
1 Bloodghast
2 Crypt Ripper
1 Disfigure
2 Guul Draz Vampire
1 Nimana Sell-Sword
1 Quest for the Gravelord
1 Vampire Hexmage
2 Vampire's Bite
1 Sea Gate Loremaster

Sideboard:
1 Crypt of Agadeem
1 Trailblazer's Boots
1 Caravan Hurda
1 Kor Hookmaster
1 Kor Outfitter
1 Noble Vestige
1 Pillarfield Ox
1 Shieldmate's Blessing
1 Caller of Gales
1 Kraken Hatchling
1 Lethargy Trap
1 Blood Seeker
1 Bog Tatters
1 Grim Discovery
1 Hagra Crocodile
1 Mindless Null
1 Goblin Guide
1 Beast Hunt

Zac Niemann
6th Place
Main
7 Forest
5 Island
1 Mountain
1 Plains
1 Kazandu Refuge
1 Misty Rainforest
1 Sejiri Refuge
1 Pitfall Trap
1 Aether Figment
1 Into the Roil
1 Merfolk Seastalkers
1 Merfolk Wayfinder
1 Shoal Serpent
1 Sky Ruin Drake
1 Tempest Owl
1 Magma Rift
1 Cobra Trap
2 Grazing Gladehart
2 Harrow
1 Lotus Cobra
1 Mold Shambler
1 Nissa's Chosen
1 Primal Bellow
1 Quest for the Gemblades
2 Savage Silhouette
1 Turntimber Ranger
1 Vines of Vastwood

Sideboard:
1 Marsh Casualties
1 Spidersilk Net
1 Archive Trap
1 Archmage Ascension
1 Lethargy Trap
3 Spell Pierce
1 Spreading Seas
1 Summoner's Bane
1 Guul Draz Vampire
1 Runeflare Trap
2 Greenweaver Druid
1 Zendikar Farguide
1 Foil Swamp

Steve Yu
7th Place
Main
8 Forest
7 Island
1 Oran-Rief, the Vastwood
1 Soaring Seacliff
1 Turntimber Grove
1 Adventuring Gear
1 Khalni Gem
1 Gomazoa
1 Into the Roil
1 Ior Ruin Expedition
1 Kraken Hatchling
1 Living Tsunami
1 Paralyzing Grasp
1 Summoner's Bane
1 Umara Raptor
2 Whiplash Trap
1 Baloth Cage Trap
1 Mold Shambler
1 Nissa's Chosen
2 Oran-Rief Recluse
1 Oran-Rief Survivalist
1 Savage Silhouette
1 Scute Mob
1 Territorial Baloth
1 Turntimber Basilisk

Sideboard:
1 Piranha Marsh
1 Spidersilk Net
1 Landbind Ritual
1 Narrow Escape
1 Sunspring Expedition
1 Cancel
1 Lullmage Mentor
1 Trapmakers Snare
1 Bog Tatters
1 Gatekeeper of Malakir
1 Hagra Diabolist
1 Surrakar Marauder
1 Magma Rift
1 Slaughter Cry
1 Beastmaster Ascension
2 Relic Crush

C. Thomas Dureka
8th Place
Main
9 Mountain
8 Swamp
1 Blazing Torch
1 Expedition Map
1 Khalni Gem
1 Stonework Puma
1 Crypt Ripper
1 Desecrated Earth
1 Gatekeeper of Malakir
1 Grim Discovery
1 Hideous End
1 Marsh Casualties
1 Quest for the Gravelord
2 Surrakar Marauder
1 Geyser Glider
1 Hellfire Mongrel
1 Highland Berserker
1 Murasa Pyromancer
1 Obsidian Fireheart
1 Plated Geopede
1 Punishing Fire
1 Slaughter Cry
1 Torch Slinger
1 Tuktuk Grunts

Sideboard:
2 Kabira Crossroads
1 Soaring Seacliff
1 Arrow Volley Trap
1 Brave the Elements
1 Caravan Hurda
1 Cliff Threader
1 Emeria Angel
1 Kor Cartographer
1 Kor Sanctifiers
1 Makindi Shieldmate
1 Nimbus Wings
1 Ondu Cleric
2 Pillarfield Ox
1 Quest for the Holy Relic
1 Kraken Hatchling
1 Quest for Ancient Secrets
1 Feast of Blood

Chris Miller
Sealed Pool (3-1-1)
Main
6 Forest
8 Plains
1 Graypelt Refuge
1 Kabira Crossroads
1 Verdant Catacombs
1 Trusty Machete
1 Bold Defense
2 Kazandu Blademaster
1 Kor Duelist
1 Kor Sanctifiers
2 Kor Skyfisher
1 Makindi Shieldmate
2 Ondu Cleric
1 Pitfall Trap
1 Baloth Woodcrasher
1 Grazing Gladehart
1 Harrow
1 Joraga Bard
1 Mold Shambler
1 Oran-Rief Recluse
1 Predatory Urge
1 River Boa
1 Territorial Baloth
1 Turntimber Ranger
1 Vines of Vastwood

Sideboard:
1 Jwar Isle Refuge
2 Piranha Marsh
1 Teetering Peaks
1 Explorer's Scope
1 Hedron Scrabbler
1 Khalni Gem
2 Spidersilk Net
1 Cliff Threader
2 Nimbus Wings
3 Noble Vestige
1 Quest for the Holy Relic
1 Sunspring Expedition
1 Caller of Gales
1 Cancel
1 Cosi's Trickster
1 Into the Roil
1 Ior Ruin Expedition
1 Lethargy Trap
1 Living Tsunami
1 Merfolk Wayfinder
1 Paralyzing Grasp
1 Reckless Scholar
2 Spell Pierce
1 Spreading Seas
2 Tempest Owl
1 Trapmakers Snare
1 Umara Raptor
1 Whiplash Trap
1 Blood Seeker
1 Bloodchief Ascension
1 Gatekeeper of Malakir
1 Giant Scorpion
1 Guul Draz Vampire
1 Hagra Crocodile
1 Malakir Bloodwitch
3 Mindless Null
1 Surrakar Marauder
1 Vampire Hexmage
1 Vampire Lacerator
1 Demolish
1 Goblin Ruinblaster
1 Goblin Shortcutter
1 Hellfire Mongrel
1 Ruinous Minotaur
1 Seismic Shudder
1 Spire Barrage
1 Nissa's Chosen
1 Tanglesap
1 Timbermaw Larva

Ryan O'Connor
Sealed Pool (4-1-0)
Main
5 Forest
6 Island
6 Swamp
1 Living Tsunami
1 Merfolk Seastalkers
1 Paralyzing Grasp
1 Reckless Scholar
2 Sky Ruin Drake
1 Summoner's Bane
2 Umara Raptor
1 Windrider Eel
1 Bala Ged Thief
1 Hideous End
1 Kalitas, Bloodchief of Ghet
1 Marsh Casualties
1 Nimana Sell-Sword
1 Quest for the Gravelord
1 Vampire Hexmage
1 Grazing Gladehart
3 Harrow
1 Relic Crush
1 Vastwood Gorger

Sideboard:
2 Piranha Marsh
1 Sejiri Refuge
1 Teetering Peaks
2 Turntimber Grove
1 Blade of the Bloodchief
1 Carnage Altar
2 Expedition Map
2 Hedron Scrabbler
1 Armament Master
1 Arrow Volley Trap
1 Brave the Elements
1 Caravan Hurda
1 Cliff Threader
1 Journey to Nowhere
2 Kor Cartographer
1 Kor Outfitter
1 Kor Sanctifiers
1 Kor Skyfisher
1 Landbind Ritual
2 Narrow Escape
1 Ondu Cleric
1 Pillarfield Ox
1 Pitfall Trap
1 Steppe Lynx
1 Caller of Gales
1 Kraken Hatchling
1 Spell Pierce
1 Summoner's Bane
1 Tempest Owl
1 Trapmakers Snare
2 Bog Tatters
1 Desecrated Earth
1 Grim Discovery
1 Mire Blight
1 Needlebite Trap
1 Vampire's Bite
1 Bladetusk Boar
1 Burst Lightning
2 Demolish
1 Elemental Appeal
1 Goblin Shortcutter
1 Hellfire Mongrel
1 Runeflare Trap
2 Tuktuk Grunts
1 Warren Instigator
2 Zektar Shrine Expedition
1 Quest for the Gemblades
1 Scythe Tiger
2 Vines of Vastwood
1 Zendikar Farguide

Alan Weil
Sealed Pool (3-1-1)
Main
8 Mountain
9 Plains
1 Teetering Peaks
1 Adventuring Gear
1 Spidersilk Net
2 Cliff Threader
1 Kabira Evangel
1 Kazandu Blademaster
1 Kor Aeronaut
1 Kor Hookmaster
1 Luminarch Ascension
2 Makindi Shieldmate
2 Ondu Cleric
1 Shepherd of the Lost
1 Steppe Lynx
1 Bladetusk Boar
1 Highland Berserker
1 Inferno Trap
1 Magma Rift
1 Murasa Pyromancer
1 Shatterskull Giant
1 Torch Slinger
1 Tuktuk Grunts

Sideboard:
1 Kazandu Refuge
1 Piranha Marsh
1 Expedition Map
1 Khalni Gem
1 Trailblazer's Boots
1 Noble Vestige
2 Shieldmate's Blessing
1 Aether Figment
1 Caller of Gales
2 Cancel
1 Ior Ruin Expedition
1 Kraken Hatchling
1 Living Tsunami
1 Paralyzing Grasp
1 Reckless Scholar
1 Seascape Aerialist
1 Sky Ruin Drake
1 Sphinx of Lost Truths
1 Spreading Seas
1 Trapmakers Snare
2 Windrider Eel
2 Blood Seeker
1 Bog Tatters
1 Grim Discovery
1 Guul Draz Vampire
1 Hideous End
1 Mindless Null
1 Mire Blight
1 Needlebite Trap
1 Nimana Sell-Sword
1 Quest for the Gravelord
1 Sadistic Sacrament
1 Surrakar Marauder
1 Vampire Nighthawk
1 Chandra Ablaze
1 Demolish
1 Goblin War Paint
1 Quest for Pure Flame
1 Cobra Trap
1 Frontier Guide
1 Grazing Gladehart
1 Harrow
1 Joraga Bard
1 Mold Shambler
1 Nissa's Chosen
2 Oran-Rief Recluse
1 Predatory Urge
1 Primal Bellow
1 Savage Silhouette
2 Tanglesap
1 Territorial Baloth
2 Vastwood Gorger
1 Zendikar Farguide

Kyle Meier
Sealed Pool (3-1-1)
Main
8 Mountain
8 Swamp
1 Marsh Flats
2 Adventuring Gear
1 Khalni Gem
1 Stonework Puma
1 Trusty Machete
1 Blood Seeker
1 Crypt Ripper
1 Disfigure
1 Giant Scorpion
1 Guul Draz Vampire
1 Hagra Crocodile
1 Hideous End
1 Malakir Bloodwitch
1 Nimana Sell-Sword
3 Vampire Lacerator
1 Goblin Bushwhacker
1 Goblin War Paint
1 Highland Berserker
2 Torch Slinger
1 Tuktuk Grunts

Sideboard:
1 Kabira Crossroads
2 Kazandu Refuge
1 Soaring Seacliff
1 Explorer's Scope
1 Trailblazer's Boots
1 Bold Defense
1 Kazandu Blademaster
1 Kor Aeronaut
1 Landbind Ritual
2 Nimbus Wings
2 Noble Vestige
1 Ondu Cleric
1 Shieldmate's Blessing
1 Windborne Charge
1 Archive Trap
1 Gomazoa
1 Into the Roil
1 Ior Ruin Expedition
1 Lethargy Trap
1 Merfolk Seastalkers
1 Mindbreak Trap
1 Reckless Scholar
1 Shoal Serpent
2 Spell Pierce
1 Sphinx of Jwar Isle
2 Spreading Seas
1 Tempest Owl
1 Trapmakers Snare
1 Feast of Blood
1 Grim Discovery
2 Mindless Null
1 Needlebite Trap
1 Molten Ravager
1 Pyromancer's Ascension
1 Ruinous Minotaur
1 Runeflare Trap
1 Seismic Shudder
1 Spire Barrage
1 Baloth Cage Trap
1 Beast Hunt
1 Beastmaster Ascension
1 Greenweaver Druid
1 Joraga Bard
1 Mold Shambler
2 Nissa's Chosen
1 Savage Silhouette
1 Tajuru Archer
1 Tanglesap
3 Territorial Baloth
2 Timbermaw Larva

Stuart Kahler
Sealed Pool (3-0-2)
Main

3 Forest
3 Mountain
6 Swamp
1 Oran-Rief, the Vastwood
1 Piranha Marsh
1 Teetering Peaks
2 Turntimber Grove
1 Eldrazi Monument
1 Expedition Map
1 Guul Draz Vampire
1 Marsh Casualties
2 Nimana Sell-Sword
1 Quest for the Gravelord
1 Vampire Hexmage
1 Vampire Nighthawk
1 Bladetusk Boar
1 Burst Lightning
2 Inferno Trap
1 Punishing Fire
1 Tuktuk Grunts
1 Greenweaver Druid
1 Khalni Heart Expedition
1 Mold Shambler
3 Oran-Rief Survivalist
1 River Boa
1 Vines of Vastwood

Sideboard:
1 Kabira Crossroads
1 Sejiri Refuge
1 Soaring Seacliff
1 Adventuring Gear
1 Spidersilk Net
1 Stonework Puma
1 Bold Defense
1 Caravan Hurda
1 Cliff Threader
1 Devout Lightcaster
1 Kabira Evangel
1 Kor Sanctifiers
1 Narrow Escape
1 Pillarfield Ox
1 Shieldmate's Blessing
1 Steppe Lynx
1 Sunspring Expedition
1 Caller of Gales
1 Gomazoa
1 Kraken Hatchling
1 Merfolk Seastalkers
1 Quest for Ancient Secrets
1 Rite of Replication
1 Shoal Serpent
1 Sky Ruin Drake
1 Spell Pierce
1 Tempest Owl
1 Umara Raptor
1 Welkin Tern
1 Bog Tatters
1 Crypt Ripper
2 Desecrated Earth
1 Hagra Crocodile
1 Hagra Diabolist
1 Heartstabber Mosquito
1 Mind Sludge
2 Soul Stair Expedition
1 Vampire Lacerator
1 Vampire's Bite
1 Demolish
1 Elemental Appeal
1 Geyser Glider
1 Highland Berserker
1 Mark of Mutiny
2 Molten Ravager
1 Ruinous Minotaur
2 Runeflare Trap
1 Seismic Shudder
1 Spire Barrage
1 Beast Hunt
1 Relic Crush
1 Scythe Tiger

Zac Niemann
Sealed Pool (3-0-2)
Main
6 Island
1 Mountain
1 Plains
6 Swamp
1 Akoum Refuge
1 Jwar Isle Refuge
1 Sejiri Refuge
1 Explorer's Scope
1 Pitfall Trap
1 Aether Figment
1 Gomazoa
2 Ior Ruin Expedition
1 Living Tsunami
1 Merfolk Wayfinder
1 Paralyzing Grasp
1 Reckless Scholar
1 Roil Elemental
2 Tempest Owl
1 Crypt Ripper
2 Disfigure
1 Guul Draz Vampire
1 Heartstabber Mosquito
1 Mind Sludge
1 Nimana Sell-Sword
1 Quest for the Gravelord
1 Surrakar Marauder
1 Magma Rift

Sideboard:
1 Crypt of Agadeem
2 Kabira Crossroads
1 Piranha Marsh
2 Teetering Peaks
1 Turntimber Grove
1 Adventuring Gear
1 Blade of the Bloodchief
1 Hedron Scrabbler
1 Spidersilk Net
1 Stonework Puma
1 Caravan Hurda
1 Kazandu Blademaster
1 Kor Aeronaut
1 Kor Cartographer
2 Kor Skyfisher
1 Makindi Shieldmate
1 Narrow Escape
1 Nimbus Wings
1 Noble Vestige
1 Steppe Lynx
1 Sunspring Expedition
1 Windborne Charge
1 Cosi's Trickster
1 Kraken Hatchling
1 Spell Pierce
1 Trapfinder's Trick
1 Welkin Tern
1 Desecrated Earth
2 Mindless Null
1 Soul Stair Expedition
1 Vampire's Bite
1 Bladetusk Boar
2 Highland Berserker
1 Molten Ravager
1 Seismic Shudder
1 Spire Barrage
2 Unstable Footing
1 Warren Instigator
1 Zektar Shrine Expedition
1 Greenweaver Druid
1 Joraga Bard
1 Mold Shambler
1 Nissa's Chosen
1 Oran-Rief Survivalist
1 Oran-Rief Recluse
1 Primal Bellow
1 Quest for the Gemblades
1 Relic Crush
1 Summoning Trap
1 Tanglesap
1 Timbermaw Larva
1 Island - Foil

Steve Yu
Sealed Pool (3-1-1)
Main
2 Island
5 Plains
11 Swamp
1 Soaring Seacliff
1 Journey to Nowhere
1 Kor Cartographer
2 Kor Hookmaster
1 Kor Sanctifiers
1 Kor Skyfisher
1 Shepherd of the Lost
1 Aether Figment
1 Rite of Replication
1 Gatekeeper of Malakir
1 Giant Scorpion
1 Grim Discovery
2 Guul Draz Vampire
1 Hagra Crocodile
1 Heartstabber Mosquito
1 Hideous End
1 Marsh Casualties
1 Mind Sludge
1 Ob Nixilis, the Fallen
1 Soul Stair Expedition
1 Vampire Nighthawk

Sideboard:
1 Crypt of Agadeem
1 Graypelt Refuge
1 Teetering Peaks
1 Grappling Hook
2 Spidersilk Net
1 Stonework Puma
1 Caravan Hurda
1 Celestial Mantle
1 Kor Duelist
1 Kor Outfitter
1 Makindi Shieldmate
1 Shieldmate's Blessing
2 Sunspring Expedition
1 Hedron Crab
1 Into the Roil
1 Merfolk Wayfinder
1 Quest for Ancient Secrets
2 Reckless Scholar
1 Seascape Aerialist
2 Shoal Serpent
1 Sky Ruin Drake
1 Spell Pierce
1 Sphinx of Lost Truths
1 Spreading Seas
1 Whiplash Trap
1 Windrider Eel
3 Mire Blight
1 Bladetusk Boar
1 Geyser Glider
1 Goblin Ruinblaster
1 Goblin Shortcutter
2 Highland Berserker
2 Magma Rift
2 Molten Ravager
1 Quest for Pure Flame
1 Slaughter Cry
1 Torch Slinger
1 Baloth Cage Trap
1 Frontier Guide
1 Grazing Gladehart
2 Joraga Bard
2 Khalni Heart Expedition
2 Oran-Rief Recluse
1 Oran-Rief Survivalist
1 Primal Bellow
1 Savage Silhouette
1 Vastwood Gorger
2 Zendikar Farguide

C. Thomas Dureka
Sealed Pool (3-2-0)
Main
5 Forest
5 Mountain
6 Swamp
2 Kazandu Refuge
1 Stonework Puma
1 Disfigure
1 Giant Scorpion
1 Guul Draz Vampire
2 Hideous End
1 Marsh Casualties
1 Needlebite Trap
1 Nimana Sell-Sword
1 Bladetusk Boar
1 Inferno Trap
1 Plated Geopede
1 Punishing Fire
1 Shatterskull Giant
1 Torch Slinger
1 Tuktuk Grunts
1 Baloth Cage Trap
1 Gigantiform
1 Grazing Gladehart
1 Harrow
1 Mold Shambler
1 Oracle of Mul Daya
1 Territorial Baloth

Sideboard:
1 Kabira Crossroads
1 Soaring Seacliff
1 Teetering Peaks
1 Valakut, the Molten Pinnacle
1 Hedron Scrabbler
1 Bold Defense
2 Kor Cartographer
1 Kor Outfitter
1 Kor Skyfisher
1 Landbind Ritual
1 Narrow Escape
1 Ondu Cleric
1 Shieldmate's Blessing
1 Sunspring Expedition
1 Aether Figment
1 Caller of Gales
1 Cancel
1 Kraken Hatchling
1 Paralyzing Grasp
1 Reckless Scholar
1 Roil Elemental
1 Spreading Seas
1 Welkin Tern
1 Whiplash Trap
1 Blood Tribute
2 Bog Tatters
1 Desecrated Earth
1 Feast of Blood
2 Hagra Diabolist
1 Mind Sludge
1 Mire Blight
2 Vampire Lacerator
1 Goblin Bushwhacker
1 Goblin Ruinblaster
1 Mark of Mutiny
1 Murasa Pyromancer
2 Seismic Shudder
3 Slaughter Cry
1 Spire Barrage
2 Beast Hunt
1 Cobra Trap
1 Joraga Bard
1 Nissa's Chosen
1 Quest for the Gemblades
2 Scythe Tiger
1 Tajuru Archer
2 Vastwood Gorger
1 Vines of Vastwood
1 Plains - Foil

PTQ Sand Diego - 10 OCT 09 - Lenexa, KS

We had 100 players show up to the PTQ this morning, anxious to rip into some Zendikar. Magic Players love them some Treasures, and happily we had a few show up.

Collector's Cache was kind enough to host the event and we had plenty of seating for all of our players. Registration flew by and in a heartbeat and we were off to the races. We only had 2 deck registration errors out of our hundred lists which I don't believe was too bad, both being the listing of 39 cards.

7 Rounds passed by without really much trouble at all. One hiccup with Reporter that was quickly fixed, but that was the only real excitement of the day. One thing that I did notice with this PTQ was that people seemed to either love the pool they received or they simply hated it, there were few that fell into the middle ground. It showed with an increase in the speed of those in the latter camp deciding to drop. We had one draft filled and another almost ready to go before the end of the second round, which is pretty far from normal for the events around here.

As to the treasures, we did have two uncovered. In the PTQ Sealed portion, we had a Taiga cracked and in the draft, Sliver Queen made an appearance. I believe that is the 3rd Taiga to show up in the KC area. We had one at the Midnight Madness Flight for Zendikar and I am pretty sure that one was opened up at one of the local stores. So I guess that we should be on the lookout for one more to complete the KC Playset of the RG Dual.

At the end of the seventh round, we had one sad 16 pointer and 8 happy players that matched or bettered that score. Here are the decklists that they ended up with after the draft..

(In no particular order, or actually just the order that they were handed in for me to start typing up)

Steven Danielson
Main

8 Forest
8 Swamp
1 Verdant Catacombs
1 Expedition Map
1 Khalni Gem
1 Blood Seeker
1 Blood Tribute
1 Bloodghast
1 Gatekeeper of Malakir
2 Guul Draz Vampire
2 Heartstabber Mosquito
1 Quest for the Gravelord
1 Soul Stair Expedition
1 Surrakar Marauder
1 Greenweaver Druid
1 Oran-Rief Recluse
2 Oren-Rief Survivalist
2 Quest for the Gemblades
2 Savage Silhouette
2 Tajuru Archer

Sideboard:
1 Nimbus Wings
1 Noble Vestige
2 Ondu Cleric
1 Quest for Ancient Secrets
1 Crypt Ripper
1 Desecrated Earth
1 Mind Sludge
3 Mire Blight
1 Molten Ravager
2 Seismic Shudder
3 Beast Hunt
1 Feast of Blood

Ben Swisegood
Main

9 Mountain
7 Plains
1 Valakut, the Molten Pinnacle
1 Arrow Volley Trap
1 Cliff Threader
1 Journey to Nowhere
1 Kor Skyfisher
1 Steppe Lynx
1 Windborne Charge
1 World Queller
1 Bladetusk Boar
1 Burst Lightning
1 Goblin Bushwhacker
1 Goblin Guide
1 Goblin Shortcutter
1 Goblin War Paint
1 Hellfire Mongrel
2 Highland Berserker
1 Magma Rift
1 Mark of Mutiny
1 Plated Geopede
2 Ruinous Minotaur
1 Slaughter Cry
1 Tuktuk Grunts

Sideboard:
1 Graypelt Refuge
1 Turntimber Grove
1 Trailblazer's Boots
1 Landbind Ritual
1 Narrow Escape
1 Nimbus Wings
1 Pillarfield Ox
1 Quest for the Holy Relic
1 Shieldmate's Blessing
1 Cancel
1 Bog Tatters
1 Hideous End
1 Vampire Hexmage
1 Vampire's Bite
1 Goblin War Paint
1 Mark of Mutiny
1 Quest for Pure Flame
1 Tanglesap


Chase Strunk
Main

8 Forest
5 Island
3 Plains
1 Magosi, the Waterveil
1 Scalding Tarn
1 Adventuring Gear
1 Iona, Shield of Emeria
1 Pitfall Trap
1 Cancel
1 Hedron Crab
2 Ior Ruin Expedition
1 Merfolk Seastalkers
1 Roil Elemental
1 Tempest Owl
1 Umara Raptor
1 Baloth Cage Trap
1 Beastmaster Ascension
1 Grazing Gladeheart
2 Harrow
2 Khalni Heart Expedition
1 Territorial Baloth
1 Timbermaw Larva
2 Turntimber Basilisk
1 Vastwood Gorger



Sideboard:
1 Arid Mesa
1 Jwar Isle Refuge
1 Piranha Marsh
1 Carnage Altar
1 Expedition Map
1 Kor Outfitter
1 Caller of Gales
1 Cosi's Trickster
1 Merfolk Wayfinder
1 Spell Pierce
1 Spreading Seas
1 Soul Stair Expedition
1 Gigantiform
1 Joraga Bard
1 Nissa's Chosen
1 Relic Crush
1 Tanglesap


Loren Canady
Main

3 Island
7 Mountain
3 Plains
4 Swamp
1 Sejiri Refuge
1 Stonework Puma
1 Journey to Nowhere
3 Makindi Shieldmate
1 Into the Roil
2 Umara Raptor
2 Whiplash Trap
1 Hagra Diabolist
1 Nimana Sell-Sword
1 Bladetusk Boar
1 Burst Lightning
1 Inferno Trap
3 Murasa Pyromancer
2 Torch Slinger
2 Tuktuk Grunts

Sideboard:
1 Kazandu Refuge
1 Turntimber Grove
1 Eternity Vessel
1 Steppe Lynx
1 Cancel
1 Quest for Ancient Secrets
1 Mindless Null
1 Ravenous Trap
1 Demolish
1 Molten Ravager
1 Plated Geopede
1 Seismic Shudder
1 Greenweaver Druid
1 Harrow
1 Joraga Bard
1 Vastwood Gorger
1 Vines of Vastwood
1 Zendikar Farguide


Clayton Mooney
Main

10 Plains
7 Swamp
1 Adventuring Gear
1 Spidersilk Net
1 Armament Master
1 Bold Defense
3 Cliff Threader
1 Conqueror's Pledge
1 Day of Judgement
1 Kor Aeronaut
1 Kor Cartographer
3 Kor Hookmaster
1 Kor Sanctifier
2 Kor Skyfisher
1 Narrow Escape
1 Disfigure
1 Giant Scorpions
1 Hideous End
1 Malakir Bloodwitch
1 Vampire Nighthawk

Sideboard:
1 Piranha Marsh
1 Stonework Puma
1 Bold Defense
1 Brave the Elements
1 Noble Vestige
1 Ondu Cleric
3 Shieldmate's Blessing
1 Sunspring Expedition
1 Caller of Gales
1 Kraken Hatchling
1 Shoal Serpent
1 Desecrated Earth
1 Grim Discovery
1 Halo Hunter
2 Nimana Sell-Sword
1 Vampire's Bite

Andrew Vick
Main

8 Mountain
8 Swamp
1 Teetering Peaks
1 Adventuring Gear
1 Bloodchief Ascension
1 Guul Draz Vampire
1 Hagra Crocodile
1 Hideous End
1 Mind Sludge
2 Mindless Null
1 Quest for the Gravelord
1 Soul Stair Expedition
1 Vampire Nighthawk
1 Bladetusk Boar
2 Burst Lightning
1 Geyser Glider
1 Goblin Bushwhacker
2 Goblin Ruinblaster
1 Goblin Shortcutter
2 Magma Rift
1 Torch Slinger
1 Unstable Footing


Sideboard:
1 Mountain
1 Soaring Seacliff
1 Turntimber Grove
1 Carnage Altar
1 Expedition Map
1 Explorer's Scope
1 Kor Cartographer
1 Shieldmate's Blessing
1 Windborne Charge
1 Cancel
1 Gomazoa
1 Lethargy Trap
1 Sky Ruin Drake
1 Welkin Tern
1 Mark of Mutiny
1 Molten Ravager
2 Runeflare Trap


Kenny Castor
Main

9 Island
8 Swamp
1 Blazing Torch
1 Aether Figment
1 Gomazoa
1 Into the Roil
1 Ior Ruin Expedition
1 Living Tsunami
3 Paralyzing Grasp
2 Reckless Scholar
1 Roil Elemental
1 Shoal Serpent
2 Sky Ruin Drake
1 Whiplash Trap
1 Crypt Ripper
1 Disfigure
2 Gatekeeper of Malakir
1 Grim Discovery
1 Marsh Casualties
1 Soul Stair Expedition






Sideboard:
1 Kabira Crossroads
1 Piranha Marsh
1 Explorer's Scope
1 Caravan Hurda
1 Kor Cartographer
1 Pillarfield Ox
1 Caller of Gales
1 Cancel
2 Kraken Hatchling
1 Trapfinder's Trick
2 Bog Tatters
2 Desecrated Earth
1 Vampire Lacerator
1 Goblin War Paint
1 Warren Instigator
1 Zendikar Farguide

Jeff Winters
Main

8 Forest
7 Mountain
1 Soaring Seacliff
1 Teetering Peaks
2 Adventuring Gear
1 Explorer's Scope
1 Trusty Machete
2 Bladetusk Boar
1 Goblin Shortcutter
1 Hellkite Charger
1 Magma Rift
2 Punishing Fire
1 Spire Barrage
1 Baloth Cage Trap
1 Baloth Woodcrasher
2 Grazing Gladeheart
1 Harrow
1 Oran-Rief Recluse
1 River Boa
2 Territorial Baloth
1 Vastwood Gorger
1 Vines of Vastwood


Sideboard:
1 Graypelt Refuge
1 Bold Defense
1 Shieldmate's Blessing
1 Sky Ruin Drake
1 Spreading Seas
2 Demolish
1 Quest for Pure Flame
1 Zektar Shrine Expedition
1 Cobra Trap
1 Khalni Heart Expedition
1 Relic Crush
1 Scythe Tiger
1 Tanglesap
1 Timbermaw Larva
2 Zendikar Farguide

...and here is how the Top 8 played out.

Quarter-Finals
Loren Canady
VS
Ben Swisegood

Jeff Winters
VS Andy Vick

Kenny Castor
VS
Chase Strunk

Steven Danielson
VS
Clayton Mooney

Semi_Finals

Ben
VS
Jeff

Kenny
VS
Clayton

Finals

Kenny VS Ben

With Kenny Castor taking the Prize at the end and wrapping up the tournament at 9:30 PM. Not too shabby.


As Always,
DHT


As an added bonus, here are the Sealed Decklists that got our Top 8 Contenders into the Draft portion of the event.

Kenny Castor
Sealed Pool (5-0-2)
Main
2 Forest
6 Plains
8 Swamp
1 Graypelt Refuge
1 Arrow Volley Trap
1 Day of Judgement
1 Emeria Angel
1 Kor Hookmaster
1 Kor Sanctifiers
1 Luminarch Ascension
1 Pillarfield Ox
1 Disfigure
1 Gatekeeper of Malakir
1 Giant Scorpion
1 Grim Discovery
1 Heartstabber Mosquito
2 Hideous End
1 Mind Sludge
1 Nimana Sell-Sword
1 Soul Stair Expedition
1 Vampire Nighthawk
2 Harrow
1 Territorial Baloth
2 Vastwood Gorger

Sideboard:
1 Soaring Seacliff
1 Valakut, the Molten Pinnacle
2 Adventuring Gear
1 Carnage Altar
1 Expedition Map
2 Explorer's Scope
1 Khalni Gem
1 Caravan Hurda
1 Kor Duelist
1 Makindi Shieldmate
1 Nimbus Wings
2 Ondu Cleric
1 Shieldmate's Blessing
1 Sunspring Expedition
1 Aether Figment
1 Hedron Crab
1 Kraken Hatchling
2 Lethargy Trap
1 Merfolk Seastalkers
1 Quest for Ancient Secrets
1 Reckless Scholar
2 Shoal Serpent
1 Trapfinder's Trick
2 Welkin Tern
1 Whiplash Trap
1 Windrider Eel
1 Mire Blight
1 Vampire Lacerator
1 Feast of Blood
1 Burst Lightning
1 Chandra Ablaze
2 Goblin Bushwhacker
1 Goblin Ruinblaster
1 Goblin Shortcutter
1 Inferno Trap
1 Mark of Mutiny
1 Molten Ravager
1 Ruinous Minotaur
1 Shatterskull Giant
1 Spire Barrage
1 Zektar Shrine Expedition
1 Beast Hunt
1 Joraga Bard
1 Khalni Heart Expedition
2 Savage Silhouette
1 Scythe Tiger
1 Summoning Trap
2 Tajuru Archer
1 Zendikar Farguide


Ben Swisegood
Sealed Pool (5-0-2)
Main
6 Mountain
8 Swamp
1 Akoum Refuge
1 Piranha Marsh
1 Teetering Peaks
1 Blood Seeker
1 Bog Tatters
1 Disfigure
1 Gatekeeper of Malakir
1 Giant Scorpion
1 Guul Draz Vampire
1 Halo Hunter
1 Heartstabber Mosquito
1 Hideous End
1 Surrakar Marauder
1 Vampire Hexmage
1 Vampire Lacerator
1 Vampire Nighthawk
1 Vampire's Bite
2 Burst Lightning
1 Goblin Ruinblaster
1 Goblin Shortcutter
1 Goblin War Paint
1 Magma Rift
1 Torch Slinger
1 Tuktuk Grunts
1 Unstable Footing

Sideboard:
1 Magosi, the Waterveil
1 Adventuring Gear
1 Explorer's Scope
1 Khalni Gem
1 Trailblazer's Boots
1 Armament Master
2 Cliff Threader
1 Conqueror's Pledge
1 Kazandu Blademaster
1 Kor Duelist
1 Kor Sanctifiers
1 Kor Sak
1 Narrow Escape
1 Nimbus Wings
1 Shieldmate's Blessing
2 Steppe Lynx
2 Caller of Gales
1 Cancel
1 Cosi's Trickster
1 Kraken Hatchling
1 Lethargy Trap
1 Merfolk Wayfinder
1 Quest for Ancient Secrets
1 Reckless Scholar
1 Seascape Aerialist
1 Sky Ruin Drake
1 Spreading Seas
1 Trapfinder's Trick
3 Umara Raptor
1 Whiplash Trap
2 Desecrated Earth
1 Ravenous Trap
1 Runeflare Trap
1 Seismic Shudder
1 Baloth Cage Trap
2 Beastmaster Ascension
1 Frontier Guide
1 Grazing Gladehart
1 Harrow
2 Nissa's Chosen
1 Oran-Rief Survivalist
1 Relic Crush
1 Savage Silhouette
1 Tajuru Archer
1 Tanglesap
1 Territorial Baloth
1 Timbermaw Larva
1 Vastwood Gorger
1 Zendikar Farguide

Clayton Mooney
Sealed Pool (6-1)
Main

6 Mountain
8 Plains
2 Kabira Crossroads
1 Teetering Peaks
1 Spidersilk Net
2 Trusty Machete
1 Armament Master
1 Arrow Volley Trap
1 Conqueror's Pledge
2 Journey to Nowhere
1 Kor Hookmaster
1 Kor Sanctifiers
1 Kor Skyfisher
1 Makindi Shieldmate
1 Ondu Cleric
1 Windborne Charge
1 Bladetusk Boar
1 Burst Lightning
1 Highland Berserker
1 Kazuul Warlord
1 Murasa Pyromancer
1 Plated Geopede
1 Punishing Fire
2 Zektar Shrine Expedition



Sideboard:
1 Piranha Marsh
1 Sejiri Refuge
1 Soaring Seacliff
1 Verdant Catacombs
1 Eldrazi Monument
1 Explorer's Scope
1 Brave the Elements
2 Nimbus Wings
1 Pillarfield Ox
2 Shieldmate's Blessing
1 Steppe Lynx
1 Sunspring Expedition
1 Aether Figment
1 Gomazoa
1 Hedron Crab
1 Ior Ruin Expedition
1 Kraken Hatchling
1 Quest for Ancient Secrets
1 Reckless Scholar
1 Rite of Replication
1 Seascape Aerialist
2 Shoal Serpent
1 Sky Ruin Drake
1 Spreading Seas
2 Trapmakers Snare
1 Welkin Tern
1 Crypt Ripper
2 Disfigure
1 Giant Scorpion
1 Grim Discovery
1 Marsh Casualties
1 Mire Blight
1 Ravenous Trap
2 Soul Stair Expedition
1 Vampire's Bite
1 Molten Ravager
1 Seismic Shudder
1 Slaughter Cry
1 Baloth Cage Trap
1 Cobra Trap
1 Greenweaver Druid
1 Joraga Bard
2 Khalni Heart Expedition
1 Oran-Rief Recluse
1 Oran-Rief Survivalist
1 Relic Crush
1 Tanglesap
1 Territorial Baloth
1 Turntimber Basilisk
1 Vines of Vastwood
1 Zendikar Farguide


Jeff Winters
Sealed Pool (6-1)
Main

9 Mountain
8 Swamp
1 Explorer's Scope
1 Trusty Machete
2 Disfigure
1 Guul Draz Vampire
1 Halo Hunter
1 Hideous End
1 Nimana Sell-Sword
2 Surrakar Marauder
1 Vampire Lacerator
1 Vampire Nighthawk
1 Bladetusk Boar
2 Burst Lightning
1 Goblin Bushwhacker
1 Goblin Shortcutter
1 Lavaball Trap
1 Shatterskull Giant
1 Spire Barrage
3 Torch Slinger


Sideboard:
1 Scalding Tarn
1 Sejiri Refuge
1 Explorer's Scope
1 Hedron Scrabbler
1 Khalni Gem
1 Stonework Puma
1 Trailblazer's Boots
1 Bold Defense
1 Cliff Threader
1 Emeria Angel
1 Kazandu Blademaster
1 Kor Cartographer
1 Kor Outfitter
1 Noble Vestige
2 Ondu Cleric
1 Pillarfield Ox
1 Shepherd of the Lost
1 Sunspring Expedition
1 Cancel
1 Cosi's Trickster
1 Into the Roil
2 Lethargy Trap
1 Merfolk Seastalkers
1 Paralyzing Grasp
1 Quest for Ancient Secrets
1 Seascape Aerialist
1 Shoal Serpent
1 Spreading Seas
1 Summoner's Bane
2 Umara Raptor
1 Whiplash Trap
1 Windrider Eel
1 Blood Seeker
1 Feast of Blood
2 Grim Discovery
1 Mind Sludge
1 Ravenous Trap
1 Demolish
1 Elemental Appeal
2 Goblin Bushwhacker
1 Molten Ravager
1 Murasa Pyromancer
1 Seismic Shudder
1 Baloth Cage Trap
1 Beast Hunt
1 Cobra Trap
1 Grazing Gladehart
1 Harrow
1 Joraga Bard
1 Oran-Rief Survivalist
1 Tajuru Archer
1 Territorial Baloth
1 Timbermaw Larva
1 Vastwood Gorger
1 Slaughter Cry

Andrew Vick
Sealed Pool (5-0-2)
Main

9 Forest
8 Mountain
1 Blazing Torch
1 Khalni Gem
1 Bladetusk Boar
1 Goblin Bushwhacker
1 Goblin Guide
1 Hellfire Mongrel
1 Inferno Trap
1 Punishing Fire
1 Slaughter Cry
1 Torch Slinger
1 Tuktuk Grunts
1 Zektar Shrine Expedition
1 Cobra Trap
1 Grazing Gladehart
2 Mold Shambler
2 Nissa's Chosen
1 Oran-Rief Survivalist
1 Rampaging Baloths
2 River Boa
1 Territorial Baloth


Sideboard:
1 Jwar Isle Refuge
2 Kabira Crossroads
1 Piranha Marsh
1 Teetering Peaks
1 Turntimber Grove
1 Eldrazi Monument
1 Grappling Hook
1 Hedron Scrabbler
2 Spidersilk Net
1 Stonework Puma
1 Trailblazer's Boots
1 Brave the Elements
1 Caravan Hurda
1 Kazandu Blademaster
1 Kor Duelist
1 Kor Outfitter
2 Kor Skyfisher
1 Makindi Shieldmate
1 Noble Vestige
1 Ondu Cleric
1 Quest for the Holy Relic
1 Shepherd of the Lost
2 Sunspring Expedition
1 Cancel
1 Into the Roil
1 Ior Ruin Expedition
1 Kraken Hatchling
1 Lethargy Trap
1 Reckless Scholar
1 Rite of Replication
1 Shoal Serpent
1 Spell Pierce
1 Whiplash Trap
1 Windrider Eel
1 Blood Seeker
1 Bog Tatters
1 Desecrated Earth
1 Disfigure
1 Feast of Blood
1 Grim Discovery
1 Hagra Crocodile
1 Heartstabber Mosquito
1 Hideous End
1 Mindless Null
1 Mire Blight
1 Ravenous Trap
1 Sadistic Sacrament
1 Surrakar Marauder
1 Vampire Lacerator
1 Demolish
2 Seismic Shudder
1 Unstable Footing
1 Frontier Guide
2 Joraga Bard
1 Scythe Tiger

Chase Strunk
Sealed Pool (5-1-1)
Main

5 Forest
1 Mountain
8 Plains
2 Kazandu Refuge
1 Expedition Map
1 Trusty Machete
1 Day of Judgement
1 Journey to Nowhere
2 Kor Cartographer
1 Kor Hookmaster
1 Kor Sanctifiers
2 Kor Skyfisher
1 Windborne Charge
1 World Queller
1 Inferno Trap
1 Baloth Cage Trap
1 Beast Hunt
1 Grazing Gladehart
1 Greenweaver Druid
1 Mold Shambler
1 Oracle of Mul Daya
1 River Boa
1 Territorial Baloth
1 Timbermaw Larva
1 Turntimber Basilisk
1 Vastwood Gorger

Sideboard:
1 Marsh Flats
1 Piranha Marsh
1 Eternity Vessel
1 Explorer's Scope
1 Hedron Scrabbler
1 Spidersilk Net
1 Caravan Hurda
1 Kor Outfitter
1 Landbind Ritual
1 Narrow Escape
1 Nimbus Wings
1 Noble Vestige
2 Ondu Cleric
1 Sunspring Expedition
1 Cancel
1 Into the Roil
1 Spell Pierce
1 Tempest Owl
2 Trapfinder's Trick
2 Welkin Tern
2 Whiplash Trap
1 Windrider Eel
1 Blood Seeker
1 Crypt Ripper
1 Disfigure
1 Hagra Diabolist
1 Hideous End
1 Marsh Casualties
1 Mind Sludge
1 Mindless Null
1 Needlebite Trap
1 Nimana Sell-Sword
2 Vampire Lacerator
1 Vampire's Bite
1 Goblin Bushwhacker
1 Goblin War Paint
1 Magma Rift
1 Mark of Mutiny
1 Murasa Pyromancer
1 Plated Geopede
1 Punishing Fire
1 Ruinous Minotaur
1 Seismic Shudder
2 Shatterskull Giant
1 Slaughter Cry
1 Spire Barrage
1 Warren Instigator
1 Cobra Trap
1 Joraga Bard
1 Nissa's Chosen
1 Relic Crush
1 Scythe Tiger

Steven Danielson
Sealed Pool (5-1-1)
Main

5 Forest
10 Plains
1 Kabira Crossroads
1 Turntimber Grove
1 Verdant Catacombs
2 Explorer's Scope
1 Trusty Machete
2 Cliff Threader
1 Conqueror's Pledge
1 Kazandu Blademaster
1 Kor Hookmaster
1 Kor Sanctifiers
2 Narrow Escape
1 Nimbus Wings
1 Ondu Cleric
1 Pitfall Trap
2 Steppe Lynx
1 Windborne Charge
1 Grazing Gladehart
1 Harrow
2 Oran-Rief Survivalist
1 Scute Mob


Sideboard:
1 Akoum Refuge
1 Jwar Isle Refuge
1 Piranha Marsh
1 Carnage Altar
2 Expedition Map
2 Bold Defense
1 Kor Duelist
1 Quest for the Holy Relic
1 Shieldmate's Blessing
1 Caller of Gales
1 Cancel
1 Gomazoa
1 Hedron Crab
1 Into the Roil
1 Kraken Hatchling
1 Lethargy Trap
1 Lorthos, the Tidemaker
1 Reckless Scholar
1 Sky Ruin Drake
1 Spreading Seas
2 Windrider Eel
1 Bog Tatters
2 Crypt Ripper
1 Desecrated Earth
1 Gatekeeper of Malakir
1 Guul Draz Vampire
1 Hagra Crocodile
1 Malakir Bloodwitch
1 Mire Blight
1 Needlebite Trap
1 Vampire Nighthawk
1 Vampire's Bite
1 Burst Lightning
1 Demolish
1 Electropotence
1 Goblin Bushwhacker
1 Goblin Ruinblaster
2 Goblin Shortcutter
1 Hellfire Mongrel
1 Highland Berserker
2 Plated Geopede
2 Ruinous Minotaur
1 Seismic Shudder
1 Shatterskull Giant
1 Slaughter Cry
1 Spire Barrage
1 Zektar Shrine Expedition
1 Baloth Woodcrasher
1 Beast Hunt
1 Primal Bellow
1 Relic Crush
1 Zendikar Farguide

Loren Canady
Sealed Pool (5-1-1)
Main

9 Forest
5 Mountain
1 Kazandu Refuge
2 Teetering Peaks
1 Trusty Machete
2 Bladetusk Boar
1 Goblin Bushwhacker
1 Goblin Shortcutter
1 Hellkite Charger
1 Inferno Trap
1 Magma Rift
1 Molten Ravager
1 Punishing Fire
1 Tuktuk Grunts
1 Baloth Cage Trap
1 Gigantiform
1 Greenweaver Druid
1 Joraga Bard
1 Nissa's Chosen
1 River Boa
1 Savage Silhouette
1 Scute Mob
1 Territorial Baloth
2 Timbermaw Larva
1 Vastwood Gorger


Sideboard:
1 Graypelt Refuge
1 Kabira Crossroads
1 Marsh Flats
1 Soaring Seacliff
1 Valakut, the Molten Pinnacle
2 Adventuring Gear
1 Carnage Altar
4 Expedition Map
1 Stonework Puma
1 Caravan Hurda
1 Kor Cartographer
1 Kor Outfitter
2 Kor Sanctifiers
1 Landbind Ritual
1 Makindi Shieldmate
1 Noble Vestige
1 Steppe Lynx
1 Sunspring Expedition
1 Windborne Charge
1 Cancel
1 Hedron Crab
1 Lethargy Trap
2 Paralyzing Grasp
1 Quest for Ancient Secrets
1 Reckless Scholar
1 Roil Elemental
1 Shoal Serpent
1 Umara Raptor
1 Blood Seeker
1 Desecrated Earth
1 Giant Scorpion
2 Grim Discovery
1 Guul Draz Vampire
2 Hagra Crocodile
1 Hagra Diabolist
2 Heartstabber Mosquito
1 Marsh Casualties
1 Mind Sludge
1 Mire Blight
1 Nimana Sell-Sword
1 Ravenous Trap
1 Soul Stair Expedition
1 Demolish
1 Mark of Mutiny
1 Beast Hunt
1 Khalni Heart Expedition
2 Tanglesap
1 Zendikar Farguide

Zendikar Pre-Release!!!!

We had 120 players show up for the Midnight Madness Flight for Zendikar.
(coming in a close second behind Time Spiral for numbers at the Midnight Flight)

I arrive about 2 hours before we were scheduled to start Registration. We are back at the Overland Park Convention Center, a place in which I have made many fond Magic Memories. I pull up to the site and...

(As a quick aside, there has been two Grand Prix at this site in addition to various smaller events. Two G.P.'s held less than five minutes away from my house. I know that I have led a charmed life, but that has been just Stoopid Good.)

....I meet a couple of the Card Dealers to begin to getting set up. Not long into our routine, our first arrivals show up just itching to get cracking some packs.

About an hour before Registration time, a group of players wander in that I have not seen all together since the M10 Pre-Release. I say 'hi' and welcome them back when one of the crew pipes up with, "Hey! This time we are only one hour early for reg instead of two hours early!" and we all get a chuckle from that. They break out some fun decks to pass the time as I start to get the decorations in place. An impromptu photo op with Sorin Markov, then back to business.

Nationals in KC

So, Magic Nationals comes back to Kansas City this weekend. I have worked up a little Google Map to help out with those coming into town.

Click Here for the Map


BBQ & other Eateries

I suppose that it would be wrong of me to begin a write up about the KC Metro Area with anything other than BBQ. There is an endless supply of places to get good eats of the smoke and grilled variety and everyone has their particular favourites, so I just picked a few to focus on.

Gates BBQ

A KC staple for 50 years, now with 5 Metro Locations. Just remember, if they are yelling "Hi, may I help you?" and no one is answering, then they are probably talking to you even if you are at the back of the line. They keep things moving.

Arthur Bryant's

Since 1930 celebrities such as Steven Spielberg, Michael Landon, Robert Redford, Jack Nicholson, Wilt Chamberlain, Bryant Gumbel, Tom Watson and George Brett have made the pilgrimage to Arthur Bryant's. Arthur Bryant was quoted about his sauce saying that, " I make it so that you can put it on bread and eat it.". On occasion I have been known to skip the bread part of that equation.

Fiorella's Jack Sack BBQ

One of their locations is right by my house and they have some of the best burnt ends that I have ever tasted. Even if you are not close, they do ship. I would look into if I weren't within walking distance.

Oklahoma Joe's

I personally have not been there, but it did make Anthony Bourdain's "13 Place to Eat Before You Die". And their BBQ Competition Team is called Slaughterhouse Five. How can you beat that? I don't know why I haven't gone already.

Fogo de Chao

Meat. On Skewers. Brought directly to you until you beg for mercy. A tradition on many Magic PT and GP stops. I believe that Ferris said it best, "It is so choice. If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up. "

Hereford House

If you love Prime Rib the way that I do, you must stop here.



My apologies to all of you who are vegetarian/vegan, as I have not listed any specific options here. A fair amount of the aforementioned locations do have something that you can munch on like a salad bar. Be warned though, it probably has meat on it as well.


Attractions & Shopping

Union Station

Shopping, museums, restaurants and Science City.

Crown Center

Located right by the tournament site, quite an array of things to do. Free Friday Night Flicks for 24 July is "Dr. Strangelove". I might have to skip FNM for this.

Kaufmann Stadium

Home of the Royals. They have just finished a great deal of renovations and any baseball fan should make the trek out and this weekend the Boys in Blue take on the Texas Rangers. There is also the added benefit of going there and harrassing one of our local players, Matt Rader, who was recently employed there. If you do, tell him that I am working on his Duck Suit.

Country Club Plaza

It might be a little early to go see the Christmas Lights (which are impressive), but it does have a little bit of everything. Plus, you can see why Kansas City is called the City of Fountains.

The City Market

In addition to being the region's largest Farmers' Market, The City Market has an extensive calendar, hosting concerts, festivals and other special events April through December.


Worlds of Fun

I have been coming here for the last 20 years or so, and it never gets old. If the day is too nice to stay inside and you want to get in some Roller Coaster time, this amusement park is the place to go.



Museums

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

Featuring a diverse mix of collections, at The Nelson there is always something new. And after a trip there, you can say that you have seen the Worlds' Largest Shuttlecocks. Definitely worth the time and effort in my book.

American Jazz Museum

With highlights like The Blue Room and the Charlie Parker Memorial, it's a must for any Jazz Enthusiast.

Negro Leagues Baseball Museum

Any Baseball Fan owes it to themselves to take in a little history here.

National World War One Museum

Designated by Congress as the nation’s official World War I Museum, the new state-of-the-art complex uses an incredible collection and highly-interactive technology to bring this global history to life.

The Truman Library and Museum

Independence, MO served as home to our 33rd President.



Event Site Information

Hyatt Regency Crown Center

The WotC site has plenty of information about the actual site and all the things that go on there, but I thought that I could add a little bit.

From the Hyatt's Website....

"Parking

VALET:
Short term (in & out the same day) $10.00 Overnight $18.00 - with in/out privileges.

SELF PARKING:
Overnight $14.50 with in / out privleges. Banquet Validation $7.00 (3 hours) Early Bird (in before 10am & out the same day) $7.50

This hotel cannot accommodate vehicles that are taller than 6'9" (i.e. no motorhomes/tall vans, etc)."

Now, don't take this as gospel, but I have only ever paid the fee once in all the times that I had been to events there. The trick seems to be that you have to hit the time right. As long as you leave after 11:00 PM or so, there tends to be no one on duty to take your fee so the gates are open. I will leave you to work it out from there. Best of Luck.

(EDIT: Gahh!!! I got ganked. I was just there at the end of May and it worked for me, but it seems that they have closed the loophole for now. Sorry all.)

They also suggest the following for making your way to and from the Hotel....

Transportation

FROM AIRPORT:

KCI SUPER SHUTTLE (Hours 5:50am-11:25pm)
$17.00 per person - $29.00 round trip per person. Leaves from Baggage Claim area at 5 minutes to the hour and 25 minutes after the hour. Reservations are not required. For additional info, please call KCI Shuttle service at 800-243-6383. SHUTTLE SERVICE IS WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE WITH CHAIR LIFTS* (Blue vans and buses with yellow lettering that says KCI Shuttle.)

TAXI: Approx $35.00-$40.00

BUS: Greyhound Bus Station, Taxi approx $5.00

TRAIN: Union Station (Amtrak), Taxi approx $2.00


Local Venues

If you find yourself in town a few days early or late, and still need to get your fix in, here is a list of a few of the Local Stores that run a large number of events. Go out and tell them that I sent you, you will probably get a nice blank stare....

A to Z Comics
1300 sw 40 hwy
Blue Springs, MO 64015
(816) 224-0505

Collector's Cache 13354 College Blvd Olathe, KS 66215 (913) 338-2273 collectorscache.com

Game Cafe
107 W Lexington Ave
Independence, MO 64050-3705
(816) 252-7529
playgamecafe.com

31st Century Games & Hobbies
2 reviews
2113 E 151st St # B
Olathe, KS 66062-2931
(913) 397-7706
31stcenturygames.com

Win More Games
12108 W 87th Street Pkwy
Lenexa, KS 66215-2810
(913) 541-1740
winmoregameskc.com


So there you have it...

I am sure that I have lost most of you by now, but I hope that there was at least a few tidbits of good information in there. I wish you all the best of luck with your travels and I hope that you have a good time in Kansas City.


As Always,
Lloyd

Father's Day Weekend Magic at WMG

Friday was a bit dicey as I had some house issues that kept me up until 5 AM on Saturday. Then the boys got up at 8 AM and we were off to the races.

I was quickly running out of time to get ready. I picked up Mono White Kithkin for the WMG Free Tournament. Seemed like the easiest to put together and the easiest to pilot. The first three rounds I won mainly due to my opponents.

Round 2 Cody lost to getting stuck on 2 land.

Rounds 1 and 3 my opponents each laid turn 2 Pro-White Goblin. Once he ran into my only way to deal with it in the deck (Mutavault) the rest of the times they died to Volcanic Fallout. I almost verbally thanked my opponents each time.

Round 4, Caskey asks if I want to draw. We are at table 2 and so I ask table 3 what their records are. Both answer 2-1 so I say sure and recommend to table 1 that they do the same.

Round 5 goes as planned, and I go chat with Josh to talk to him about whether I will drop before or after the Top 8 cut. I see the standings and EJ is in 9th and I would have been paired with Caskey. I drop before the cut to let EJ in. If I had been going to be paired against Adam or if 9th had been someone I didn't like, I would have stayed in for the cut to get some packs and then dropped.

Then I get to go home and hang out with my boys.

Sunday brings around draft time and it turns out that the option gone for is a Ravnica Draft. It had been so long since my last Rav Draft, I didn't know or remember half the cards. I first picked Fetters and went B/r/w, opting for the enchantment plan with some tricks. I got Fetters, Seal of Fire, Hypervolt Grasp and Ocular Halo. I passed an early Simic Guildmage, but I got another a bit later, got the 2/1 flier you sac if you don't bounce an enchantment, a bunch more fliers and some burn.

On a side note, someone brought subject of milling in this format. I proceeded to open Tunnel Vision in the first pack and almost drafted it to be funny. Ray passes me Junktroller for a possible second pick and I bust out laughing. I want to try and live the dream from back then(got it to work twice or so way back when), but I eventually give it up. Turns out to be a good move since JR picked the TV 2 seats down.

Round 1 Jason with R/G beats.

Game 1

My tapper and fetters tricks hold him back while my fliers do the work. He burns my smaller fliers out of the sky with a Ulasht, leaving me with a 3/3 flier, a tapper and a Steamcore Wizard. He then evens the score to 5 a piece while I draw land for 5 turns(plus a drowned Rusalka draw). With only 4 lands left in the deck, I need something to help since he will probably come over for the win next turn. I peel Peel from Reality, and think about all the wrong plays for a while. I feel dumb for a little bit, then finish him off.

Game 2

He enchants my Guildmage with a Riot Spikes for Irony I guess, or to keep me from attacking into his 1/1 regenerater. He taps out though and I wreck his board with Pyromatics, and use his enchantment to get in for a couple of extra 2's before he can finally get rid of it. My fliers do their job again backed up by the Fetters.

Round 2 Steve

Game 1

Steve and I both can't find a Plains for the entirety of the game. Surveilling Sprite and a Steamcore Wizard strapped up with a Grasp do most of the work. He gets a 3/3 that threatens to race me so I drop the Ocular Halo onto the Steamcore and try to dig a bit further for a plains to be able to cast a majority of my hand but end up running into my Snapping Drake in time to make him scoop it up.

Game 2

We go back and forth a bit before he has Thundersong Trumpeter and Blind Hunter with which he is able to Convoke out a Conclave Equenaut. At the end of turn I Pyromatics the 2/1 and 2/2 and he haunts the Equenaut. I follow up on my turn with Peel from Reality for my Steamcore and his 3/3 to counter the Haunt and hoping that he might not draw the land to replay it. He draws the land but I drop Minister of Impediments to take care of his 3/3 flier. He sees his only chance to use it, so Shadow Lances his 3/3 and gets in for 7 with the pumps and drops me to 5.

I keep the 3/3 tapped for a bit while my team whittles him down to 11. Steve uses Ogre Savant to bounce my tapper and make him inactive for a turn. I Steamcore the Ogre but leave 2 fliers back just in case. Turns out I was right to do so as he goes all in with Hunted Dragon. I chump both creatures to stay alive and I figure that I have the win if he doesn't have a wrath or enough burn to finish me. I get in for 6 with the Knights from the Dragon, then use an Ogre Savant of my own to bounce his Equenaut so that I only have to tap the Dragon. Equenaut comes back down, but he concedes as I go to attack.


At this point I go up to the front and report my win, when I look out the window. I think to myself, "Holy !@#$, someone is stealing my car!!" before it occurs to me that I didn't drive the Van. Turns out that the only way that Jenn could get Ian to calm down for his haircut was to tell him that they would bring Daddy some candy. Hey, whatever works I say. I chat with her and eat some candy with the boys for a bit before I take them out to the car so they can head home.

Josh wins his match and is the only other undefeated. I proffer the draw so that we can both win on the Father's Day Draft. He sees how appropriate this is, so we both sign a Merfolk Looter to go on the wall and call it a day.

I go back to the house for some Chinese Food and Donkey Kong Jenga(my present from the boys).

5 - 0 - 3 for the weekend.

I didn't even lose a game.

All in all, an excellent weekend. Thanks to everyone who helped to make it so.

As Always,
DHT

Draft at WMG 07 MAY 09

The draft last week was a bit weird. There were no Conflux packs and the majority went with SAA but they decided to mix it up a bit(I believe it was Wes who suggested this) and draft in ASA order. It was odd and I can't say that I was too much of a fan of the idea before, during or after. So I figure I will leave it at that.

Moving on to this week. Here are the picks in order...

Shards Pack
Agony Warp
Tower Gargoyle
Bant Charm
Tidehollow Strix
Metallurgeon
Excommunicate
Windwright Mage
Cloudheath Drake
Naturalize
Angelsong
Jhessian Lookout
Puppet Conjurer
Lush Growth
Immortal Coil
Plains

Conflux Pack
Thornling
Armillary Sphere
Dark Gargoyle
Parasitic Strix
Sedraxis Alchemist
Aven Squire
Parasitic Strix
Brackwater Elemental
Unsummon
Gleam of Resistance
Worldly Counsel
Aerie Mystics
Salvage Slasher
Sigil of the Empty Throne
Vectis Agents

Alara Reborn Pack
Wall of Denial
Zealous Persecution
Ethersworn Shieldmage
Architects of Will
Fieldmist Borderpost
Jhessian Zombie
Esper Stormblade
Ethercaste Knight
Architects of Will
Etherwrought Page
Jund Soourners
Thopter Foundry
Grixis Sojourner
Jhessian Zombie
Forest


And here is what I made out of it...

6 Plains
6 Island
5 Swamp
1 Agony Warp
1 Tower Gargoyle
1 Tidehollow Strix
1 Metallurgeon
1 Windwright Mage
1 Cloudheath Drake
1 Armillary Sphere
1 Dark Gargoyle

2 Parasitic Strix
1 Sedraxis Alchemist
1 Aven Squire
1 Brackwater Elemental
1 Unsummon
1 Gleam of Resistance
1 Vectis Agents
1 Wall of Denial
1 Zealous Persecution
1 Ethersworn Shieldmage
1 Architects of Will
1 Fieldmist Borderpost
1 Jhessian Zombie
1 Esper Stormblade



I could have gone differently with this. I don't know if I should have tried harder to fit in the Thornling and Bant Charm. I think that I would have liked to have the other Architects in and I probably should have found room for the Puppet Conjurers. I am also on the fence about how to view the Borderposts. So far I think of them as about .5 land. If I have 2 of them I feel OK dropping a land but with one I couldn't do it. I ended up cutting the Knight for the 17th land.

Bates was on my right and passed me the Tower Gargoyle so I started picking up Esper but he picked up the second Tower Gargoyle and cut me off. Oh well.

Round 1

Kyle Dembinski

Game 1

I never get past 4 land this game so it was a bit hard for me to get my guys to stick and be able to play some tricks. I fight the good fight and get him down to 4 but his deck is too much for me.

Game 2

I mulligan to a hand with 2 lands and an Armillary Sphere, but I continue to draw land. I try to double block the 2/4 doublestriker to kill it by Warping it and the Court Archers, but he blanks that plan with a Magma Spray and that about wraps it up for me. I tell him that I fully expected the Jund Charm to +2/+2 the Doublestriker and he lets me know that play was coming down next turn.

Round 2

DANEFIRE!!

Game 1 and 2

In both games, Dane ramps up into lots of mana but doesn't see any high CC spells and I apply the pressure with the flyers.

Round 3

Joe Komer

Game 1

I didn't see much from him other than land this game. He dropped a Grixis Battlemage, Unsummoned one of my guys and cycled a Constricting Tendrils. Once more, Flyers FTW.

Game 2

I drop turn 3 Wall of Denial and that just seems like the nuts. It gives me so much time to set up and get out an active Metallurgeon to go with my flying artifact creatures.

Course he keeps me from going into overdrive by casting Blightning on turns 3 and 4. Tidehollow Strix takes care of a fair amount of his team before he drops a Suicidal Charge. He lets me play the Parasitic Strix and syphon him for 2 before he sacs the Charge pre-combat and kills my only Black permanent. I have to swing in now with my remaining two guys but I go ahead and put a regen shield around the Shieldmage while my Ominous Wall keeps me safe.

Somewhere in there I take three from one of his guys and he gets double Breath of Malfegor to bring me down to 3. I get so focused in on winning with my flyers that I probably give him at least one more draw than I should have by not alpha striking when he only had one black mana open. I saw the opportunity when he untapped and luckily for me he did not draw the 3rd Blightning to finish me off.

Round 4

Michael Mayes

Game 1

He starts off with a hand of 5 and I start with a hand of 6. I drop a Tower Gargoyle and keep a full hand to protect it and 5 swings later we are off to game 2.

Game 2

He mulls to 6 this time and I pull off the Dirty Turn 3 Wall. That pretty well shuts down most of his offense. The main play in this game that sealed the deal was the Gleam of Resistance which untapped my Tower gargoyle and wrecked his team or the Persecution that killed off 2 Goblins, a Deathraider and a Slaughtermaster that he cascaded off a Violent Outbrst.



Wall of Denial was an MVP and Agony warp is always fantastic, but I got to play with some new cards in the format. Zealous Persecution was so good for me everytime and the Shieldmage is just a beating in Esper. I didn't get in as much drafting with Conflux that I wanted to and it still confuses me, now I just have the added confusion of this all gold set. Still seems like I will have a fun time drafting while I try to figure things out.

Maybe next time, I will try not to draft in the same colours as the guy to my right. I'm not making any promises, though.



I still gotta figure out these Borderposts.

As Always,
DHT

Draft at WMG 16 APRIL 09

So here are my picks in order...


Pack One
Spearbreaker Behemoth
Necrogenesis
Skeletonize
Jund Panorama
Bone Splinters
Sigil Blessing
Relic of Progenitus
Akrasan Squire
Fire-Field Ogre
Undead Leotau
Sighted-Caste Sorcerer
Hindering Light
Savage Hunger
Swamp(Foil)
Forest

Pack Two
Algae Gharial
Naya Charm
Mosstodon
Resounding Silence
Hissing Iguanar
Druid of the Anima
Rakeclaw Gargantuan
Naturalize
Thunder-Thrash Elder
Sighted-Caste Sorceror
Waveskimmer Aven
Cylian Elf
Godtoucher
Goblin Mountaineer
Swamp

Pack Three
Volcanic Fallout
Wall of Reverence
Path to Exile
Rhox Bodyguard
Gluttonous Slime
Rhox Meditant
Quenchable Fire
Yoke of the Damned
Rhox Meditant
Fleshformer
Bone Saw
Corrupted Roots
Reliquary Tower
Salvage Slasher
Forest

The first 5 picks come my way and I start heading down the Jund path, and then it just dries up. I figure that Ward is on my left picking up Jund too; so I start picking up some white, thinking that I may have to pick up some blue as well since those were about the only cards left in the packs by that point.

Tommy is on my left and he passes me good enough Naya cards that I feel confidant picking that up and maybe splashing black.

Third pack makes me glad that I choose the white in my deck with Ward passing me the Wall and Path back to back.

...and here is how I ended up building the deck...

5 Forest
4 Mountain
6 Plains
1 Swamp
1 Jund Panorama
1 Akrasan Squire
1 Resounding Silence
1 Sighted-Caste Sorcerer
1 Bone Splinters
1 Hissing Iguanar
1 Skeletonize
1 Thorn-Thras Elder
1 Algae Gharial
1 Cylian Elf
1 Druid of the Anima
1 Mosstodon
1 Spearbreaker Behemoth
1 Naya Charm
1 Necrogenesis
1 Rakeclaw Gargantuan
1 Sigil Blessing
1 Path to Exile
2 Rhox Meditant
1 Wall of Reverence
1 Volcanic Fallout
1 Gluttonous Slime
1 Rhox Bodyguard


Round 1

Shane

Shane announced before the draft that it was his first time at Win More(I believe that he signed up for his DCI number that night). He tells me that he has drafted with his buddies but that he might take some time in reading the cards.

Game 1

I get stuck on 3 land for the longest time, only getting out a Sorcerer and an Iguanar. He saw that I was having land issues so promptly BBolted my Druid before he became active. I try to take out his Rockslide Elemental by blocking with the Iguanar and using the Blessing, but he counters with Angelsong and I shrug.

So far he has not been too aggressive, so I decide to be patient and wait for the fourth land to hit. It takes a few turns and going down to 7 life before it finally shows up so that my Gharial can come out to play. He keeps coming in with the 3/3 Rocky Elemental and random 1/1. We trade 1/1's and I chump the Elemental to deal 3 and ramp up Gharial to 4/4. Sure it pumps his Rocky but I have the Silence for him next turn so I am not worried. He does add to the stack of the Silence to Soul's Grace it for 6 life up to 22.

Gharial goes to town and takes him to 1 life when he tries to Sylvan Bounty. I add to the stack with a Gluttonous Slime to sac a random guy for one more point off the Iguanar but that is put on hold for the moment with a Lapse of Certainty. Tired of this I go ahead and show the Volcanic Fallout to end this long game.

Game 2

This game sees me get out Iguanar then Wall(which gets the Bant Charm)then Rhox Bodyguard and he doesn't really muster up anything past that.

After Game 1, Adam commented that I had showed a lot of patience in waiting for that fourth land. I wish that I could say that it was a hard call, but my opponent really didn't put any pressure on me even while I went down to 7. The elemental was the only scary creature onboard, and it didn't even become big until I was ready for it to.

Round 2

Ward Allen

Ward says he knows what colours that I went. I shrugged and said that he should after cutting me off. He countered that it was cut off before him and that he did end up shipping me some good white.

"Agreed, sir"

...and off we went.

Game 1

I mull but he gets land screwed this game and I didn't see too much before Sigil Blessing + Naya charm said it was over for him.

Game 2

He starts off faster this time with the Slaughtermaster and Macta Rioters at 3. I don't make any chump blocks yet since I want him to keep pumping mana into his doublestriker instead of laying down more threats. I take a hit that puts me to 11, but I come back with the Wall that nets me 4 off an Exalted Iguanar.

Next turn I block the Riders with the Wall, ready to take 6 from the Slaughermaster, but he Mights the Riders to take out the Wall and then can only pump up to 4 damage. Next turn I let him double-pump before showing the Silence. During his next draw step, I Skeletonize his Riders to try kill it before he possibly drops another land or pull another pump spell out of his hand. Macta goes away and don't fear anything he has on the table so I take over from there.


Round 3

Kenny Castor

He was still playing Tommy after I finished up round 2 and I saw a fair portion of his deck. Some Grixis Unearth guys, Absorb Vis, Malfegor, Cruel Ultimatum, Sharding Sphinx, Grixis Slavedriver, etc.

I figure that I have to get out in front quick if I am going to have any chance at all.

Game 1

I am on the draw and the opener of 6 land + Rhox Meditant simply won't do. I keep a more aggressive 6 and off we go. I think that this is where I threw away the Sigil Blessing early to get his unearth guy in the yard. I was holding the Necrogenesis in hand and dropped it next turn to start eating unearth guys.

I play pretty poorly this game(Like once trying to cycle the Silence before remembering that I decided on not throwing in the blue not to mention the above Sigil play that was probably bad as well) but the deck covers for me and I whittle him down.

I get him to 5 when it starts to look like he will stabilize. He has locked up the ground, I have no card sin hand and it looks like it might just be a waiting game for his Ultimatum or Malfegor.

Naya Charm off the top reads, "You Lucky Bastard!" and we head to....

Game 2

This game sees him struggle a bit with mana then Cycle and Land Cycle a lot trying to get set up for the long game. My wall gets Bone Sharded, Rakeclaw gets Warped then he casts an Oring that can only take my Rhox Meditant since my 5/5 Gharial rolls like MC Hammer. I drop a second Meditant for another card and keep beating down.

At this point, Kenny asks to find that I still have four cards in hand(Thanks Rhinos!) and goes into the tank a bit. He finally lands on cast Malfegor with 3 cards in hand to discard. That can get rid of Gharial and the Rhox he didn't ORing. I figured that it was going to happen, but I was sad to see them go.

The saving Grace to this situation was that he discarded the Ultimatum to Malefegor. That and my hand was Fairly SaucyTM, what with Naturalize, Bone Splinters, Spearbreaker, and....wait for it....Path.

Big M's Triggered ability resolves and I yard my crew before I ask him to trade the 6/6 for a basic land. I also Naturalize the ORing since he is at 8 with no hand and i want to try and wrap this up before he draws too many more cards.

His next card is a Sharding Sphinx, which I already know that I can handle but the icing on the cake is the Iguanar that comes off the top of my deck to get in an extra 2 when I Bone Shards the Thopter Maker. That is enough for Kenny to call it a day.


I mulled 50% of my games, but then again only had to play 6 of them. I think the deck had a good feel and a fine mix of creatures, removal and tricks to get me there.

It has been a while since the last time I was able to put together an undefeated draft. I felt that I was a little more open during the draft and ready to be more flexible than I typically am and that equaled being rewarded with the Wall and Path. He said that he was very unhappy to send them my way, but did so regardless. And back to back had to feel pretty bad. I don't know if I would have done it or not; I neglected to ask what his picks over them were.

I picked up the early Jund Panorama over some quality cards and am quite thankful for it, I just have to remember that. I also passed on some Visionaries through the first 2 packs that I thought about picking up. I think that I like them too much, but I love to have card draw in an aggresive to deck to reload. Thinking about possible Meditants in the 3rd pack meant that I got to pick higher quality cards over the 1/1.

Someday I may end up in 5CC, but so far I have not seen a way to build it with the cards that I have been passed. I am sure that it was just my ineptitude to recognize it on a few occasions. Til I do though, I guess I will just have to keep on the more straightforward approach.

As Always,
DHT

Draft at WMG 09 APRIL 09

I am running a bit behind because of Easter prep and the like.

Here are my picks in order...

Pack One

Scourglass
Agony Warp
Tidehollow Sculler
Agony Warp
Windwright Mage
Viscera Dragger
Blister Beetle
Dregscape Zombie
Dawnray Archer
Etherium Astrolabe
Obelisk of Bant
Deathgreeter
Hindering Light
Lush Growth
Angel's Herald

Pack Two
Resounding Wave
Bone Splinters
Metallurgeon
Windwright Mage
Blister Beetle
Windwright Mage
Etherium Sculptor
Metallurgeon
Guardians of Akrasa
Skeletal Kathari
Etherium Sculptor
Dreg Reaver
Memory Erosion
Island
Island

Pack Three
Drag Down
Faerie Mechanist
Darklit Gargoyle
Master Sphinx
Absorb Vis
Frontline Sage
Faerie Mechanist
Esperzoa
Parasitic Strix
Gluttonous Slime
Zombie Outlander
Salvage Slasher
Scepter of Fugue
Voices from the Void
Mountain

So I took the first pick Scourglass and tried to force it. I never saw one Sanctum Gargoyle and the rest turned out fairly mediocre. I also did not pick up a Panorama early enough, but funnily I did not run into mana issues that it would have solved(maybe one but only if I had drawn early). The Master Sphinx was fun though.

Here is how I mis-built the deck

6 Islnd
5 Plains
6 Swamp
1 Metallurgeon
1 Scourglass
2 Etherium Sculptor
1 Resounding Wave
1 Blister Beetle
1 Bone Splinters
1 Skeletal Kathari
1 Viscera Dragger
2 Agony Warp
1 Tidehollow Sculptor
2 Windwright Mage
1 Darklit Gargoyle
1 Esperzoa
2 Faerie Mechanist
1 Parasitic Strix
1 Absorb Vis
1 Drag Down
1 Magister Sphinx




Round 1

Ward Allen

All three Games he gets out a Charnelhoard Wurm(Foil)(on turn six nost games) and I never find the Bone splinters. I have to make do with Agony warp and some dudes but I can only make this work to my advantage once.

Round 2

JR Cook

In game 1 my flyers keep me from ever getting close to being in trouble and I end the game 22.

In games 2 and 3, I am never really in it. Game 2 I have to discard 5 times before I hit a third land, Game 3 I play 3 spells and the land cycler.

Round 3

Colby with an exalted/esper deck

Game 1

I am behind the whole game and fighting to stay in it. He drops early exalted 1/1's and beats with a flyer that he gets through with Angelic Benediction as my Metallurgeon sighs.

He gets me to 3 life and thinks about his attack. My only relevant card here is the Resounding Wave but his flyer is Welkin Guide. He thinks for a while and does the only thing that can keep me alive, he swings with everybody.

I make blocks to kill off his 1/1 exalted guys, regen the Windwright , kill off my own Etherium Sculptor(to get an artifact in the yard and give my mages flight) and bounce the Guide.

Now I have multiple flyers to block so now his Benediction means nothing and I take him down from 20 with my life gainers.

Game 2

This one is a little more back and forth. I get him to 8 and I let myself go to 1 before I decide to gain 9 life with the Magister. I end up having to make a trade with him, but he did his job and I get the W.


Round 4

Joe Rozier

Joe is at 2-1 and gets paired down against me.

Game 1

He Dragon fodders out a couple of goblins and I drop a Sculptor. He then drops a lightning Talons on one of them and I decide to get cute and make a dumb move. I let him untap and swing in then I block the Enchanted Goblin and cast agony warp to power him down and kill the other. He responds with the Soul Fire and I never pick up anything else to deal with the first striker or his buddies that follow.

Game 2

He gets off to a fast start but I am able to keep it under control. I get to the point where I have 3 turns to draw a land(or 2 turns to draw a sculptor)...Strike 1....Strike 2...now I am at 1 life.

I tell him that all I need is one land off the top. He looks at me confused and can't figure out what I could need it for. I reassure him that one land will do it, he says sure one land for you( to Josh's disbelief..'You never wish for your opponent's outs, Joe!!).

Land...Sphinx...I'll Gain 9 life.

He still has a bunch of beef on the table to deal with, and he is able to get me down to 1 life for the second time this game. But by this time I have things in hand and ride a Windwright mage up in life totals and to victory.

Game 3

He has to mull on the play and doesn't keep much. My turn 2 Tidehollow sees Thunder-Thrash Viashino, Roar, Sigil Blessing, Sigil Blessing. I take the dude and just use my team to beat down.


My Scourglass always seemed to come down one turn too late and I was 1 for 8 I think on the Mechanist. I was able to get Esperzoa-Strix going a couple of times and I also used him with the Tidehollow to keep an eye on my opponent's hand. I didn't have enough straight up removal to keep up with a typical Naya draw and I probably should have fit the second Metallurgeon/Blister Beetle or set it up differently. I only passed one Executioner's Capsule(I think for the first Metallurgeon) and didn't see anything else, not even a Yoke.

The Draft started spicy for me, I really liked what I saw in the first 5 picks, but it petered out a bit. Maybe I should have looked at some other options while I was drafting.

Oh well, I guess I will try again in about 20 hours.

As Always,
DHT