The EPIC Syndicate was supposed to get together the night before to test for the event, because that’s what real teams do. That’s not what we did, the team has good intentions which eventually lead to us just playing Elder Dragon Highlander and Skittles. It went way later than we intended and I didn’t end up going to bed until 3 AM — I was not ready.

I took the ride down to Binghamton, NY with Rick Agiro (Jander78) and Zach Tartell (lonelybaritone). When we got to the event site, I quickly walked in bought a German FBB [[Volcanic Island]] for $80 and was ready to start the day. Announcements were made and we had 132 people for this event! It was even larger than the MTGTheSource anniversary event!

What changed?

The mana-base has changed somewhat recently, I got rid of the tertiary five-color lands for two copies of [[Underground Sea]] and a [[Volcanic Island]]. This helps to add some stability, especially with the 11^th land being added in. The deck was beating most non-Threshold decks and I think an extra land could help against the [[Wasteland]] and [[Stifle]] strategies.

Another change was moving an [[Infernal Tutor]] as a [[Burning Wish]] target, this way you can get the main-deck [[Ad Nauseam]] for nine mana.

In the sideboard, a copy of [[Hurkyl’s Recall]] was added to help deal with the artifacts I lost to two weeks earlier in the Top 4 of the Altered states 1000$ event.

Eli’s Lotus Event

Round One – 3c Disruption

Game One:

My first hand of the day is: [[Lotus Petal]], [[Chrome Mox]], [[Gemstone Mine]], [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], [[Dark Ritual]], [[Ill-Gotten Gains]], and [[Mystical Tutor]]. I begin the day by playing [[Gemstone Mine]], [[Chrome Mox]] (Imprint: [[Ill-Gotten Gains]]), [[Lotus Petal]], [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], and pass. The opponent plays [[Ghost Quarter]] and uses it, I float a . [[Ghost Quarter]] resolves and then I cast [[Mystical Tutor]] for [[Ad Nauseam]]. In my upkeep, I cast [[Dark Ritual]] and then sacrifice [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] floating mana through the draw step to cast [[Ad Nauseam]]. Draw a lot of cards, cast then cast [[Brainstorm]] with the last floating mana. Go to my main phase, play some cards, and then cast a lethal [[Tendrils of Agony]].

Sideboarding: None.

Game Two:

The opponent leads with a [[Swamp]] and pass. My hand is: [[Underground Sea]], [[Gemstone Mine]], [[Duress]], [[Dark Ritual]], [[Mystical Tutor]], [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], and [[Chrome Mox]]. I draw [[Ad Nauseam]] for turn. I play [[Underground Sea]] into [[Duress]]. I look at: [[Orim’s Chant]], [[Stifle]], [[Force of Will]], [[Wasteland]], and [[Fact or Fiction]]. I discard [[Force of Will]]. [[Wasteland]] destroys [[Underground Sea]]. I play [[Gemstone Mine]], [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], and [[Chrome Mox]] (Imprint: [[Ad Nauseam]]). My opponent quickly plays [[Engineered Explosives]] but misses their land drop. At the end their turn, I cast [[Mystical Tutor]] for [[Ad Nauseam]]. In my upkeep, I cast [[Dark Ritual]] and then sacrifice [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] floating mana through the draw step to cast [[Ad Nauseam]].

Round Two – Dredge

Game One:

I keep a decent hand of: [[Ad Nauseam]], [[Burning Wish]], [[Dark Ritual]], [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], [[Infernal Tutor]], [[Mystical Tutor]], and [[Gemstone Mine]]. The opponent starts off with [[Gemstone Mine]], [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], and casts [[Brainstorm]] sacrificing both copies of [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] for . At this point, I’m thinking, “Is this the mirror?” Dredgers hit the graveyard and [[Brainstorm]] resolves, after a series of mills, a few copies of [[Deep Analysis]] are revealed. Flashback [[Deep Analysis]] and Dredge. Unfortunately for the opponent, they do not reveal [[Flame-Kin Zealot]] and settles for a [[Cabal Therapy]] naming [[Dark Ritual]] — it hits. I draw an [[Infernal Tutor]] for the turn, play [[Gemstone Mine]], play [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], and pass. The opponent Dredges, reveals two [[Cabal Therapy]], [[Flame-Kin Zealot]], [[Narcomoeba]], and a pair of [[Bridge from Below]], and wins.

Sideboarding: -4 [[Orim’s Chant]], -3 [[Duress]], +4 [[Pyroblast]], +2 [[Shattering Spree]], +1 [[Echoing Truth]].

Game Two:

I mulligan to five. I end up keeping: [[Underground Sea]], [[Gemstone Mine]], [[City of Brass]], [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], and [[Shattering Spree]]. I play [[Gemstone Mine]] and [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]]. The opponents starts by Dredge-ing on the first turn. I’m thinking, “Great, I lost.” [[Cabal Therapy]] is now targeting me, but it just sees some lands and a [[Shattering Spree]]. I draw [[Infernal Tutor]], play [[Underground Sea]], and pass. The opponent ran out of things to Dredge. Takes a draw and then Flashback [[Cabal Therapy]] on [[Burning Wish]]. I draw [[Dark Ritual]]! I play my [[City of Brass]], [[Dark Ritual]], [[Infernal Tutor]], sacrifice [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] for and then cast [[Ad Nauseam]]. Draw a bunch of cards, play a bunch of cards, and then [[Tendrils of Agony]].

Game Three:

Opponent begins with [[Gemstone Mine]], [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], [[Breakthrough]], sacrifice [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] in response for . They discard [[Deep Analysis]] and two copies of [[Golgari Grave-Troll]] before Dredge even happens. I’m toast.

Round Three – RUG Threshold

Game One:

I keep a hand of: [[Underground Sea]], [[Volcanic Island]], [[Gemstone Mine]], [[Ponder]], [[Dark Ritual]], [[Brainstorm]], and [[Burning Wish]]. I play [[Volcanic Island]] into [[Ponder]], shuffle, and draw [[Tendrils of Agony]]. Opponent plays and uses [[Wasteland]] on my [[Volcanic Island]]. I draw [[City of Brass]] and play it. They plays fetchland, cast [[Ponder]], and pass. I draw a [[Chrome Mox]], play [[Underground Sea]], and [[Burning Wish]] which is countered by [[Force of Will]]. On their turn, [[Tarmogoyf]] comes down. I draw [[Duress]] and cast it pretty quickly: [[Stifle]], [[Spell Snare]], [[Spell Snare]], and [[Daze]] — I discard [[Stifle]]. An attack from [[Tarmogoyf]] comes in. I draw a [[Ponder]], but I first cast [[Brainstorm]] into [[Chain of Vapor]], [[Lotus Petal]], and [[Dark Ritual]]. I put a [[Chrome Mox]] and something else on top. At this point, play [[Gemstone Mine]] and [[Dark Ritual]], [[Daze]] is cast and I pay. I then play [[Lotus Petal]], [[Chrome Mox]] (Imprint: [[Ponder]]), and [[Chain of Vapor]] targeting bouncing both artifacts. I replay them both and then [[Tendrils of Agony]] for 18.

Sideboarding: -1 [[Orim’s Chant]], -1 [[Chrome Mox]], -1 [[Brainstorm]], -1 [[Chain of Vapor]], +4 [[Pyroblast]].

Game Two:

My opening hand is: [[Duress]], [[Duress]], [[Underground Sea]], [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], [[Dark Ritual]], [[Ponder]], and [[Mystical Tutor]]. Opponent starts with [[Volcanic Island]] into [[Ponder]]. I draw a [[Gemstone Mine]], but play [[Underground Sea]] and cast [[Duress]]. I then discard a [[Force of Will]] leaving them with [[Tarmogoyf]] and a couple of [[Spell Snare]]. They play a [[Tarmogoyf]] and pass. I play [[Gemstone Mine]] and then another [[Duress]]. I take the [[Stifle]] they drew and then play [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]]. On the opponent’s turn, all they do is attack and pass. On their end step, I [[Mystical Tutor]] for [[Ad Nauseam]]. In the upkeep, I cast [[Dark Ritual]] and then sacrifice [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] floating mana through the draw step to cast [[Ad Nauseam]]. With the remaining mana floating, I cast [[Mystical Tutor]] for [[Tendrils of Agony]]. Draw the [[Tendrils of Agony]] using my draw step, play some cards into [[Tendrils of Agony]].

Round Four – UWb Landstill

Game One:

My opening hand was three lands and a bunch of cards that aren’t relevant. The opponent played a turn two [[Standstill]] and I sit there sculpting my hand for what seems like forever. I eventually have six lands to their five. I end of turn cast [[Mystical Tutor]] for [[Orim’s Chant]]. On my turn, I cast [[Duress]] discarding [[Force of Will], I then play [[Orim’s Chant]] which is countered, another [[Orim’s Chant]] which is once again countered. That said, the coast is now clear! [[Dark Ritual]], [[Dark Ritual]], [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], and [[Ad Nauseam]].

Sideboarding: -1 [[Orim’s Chant]], -1 [[Chrome Mox]], -1 [[Brainstorm]], -1 [[Chain of Vapor]], +4 [[Pyroblast]].

Game Two:

I cast an early [[Duress]] discarding an [[Orim’s Chant]]. The opponent plays a Runed Halo on [[Tendrils of Agony]] and I sided out [[Chain of Vapor]]… We get under the same situation with [[Standstill]] but this time I have seven lands! Flooding a bit actually helped here. The downside is I’ve taken a beating from [[Mishra’s Factory]] and am at 13 life. On the end-step, I tap five lives and cast [[Ad Nauseam]]. The opponent counters, I [[Pyroblast]] the [[Counterspell]], but another [[Counterspell]] wins the battle. I take my turn and start off with a [[Duress]] and then [[Orim’s Chant]]. I now get an [[Ad Nauseam]] to resolve, it reveals: [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], [[Burning Wish]], [[Lotus Petal]], [[Chrome Mox]], [[Gemstone Mine]], [[Underground Sea]], [[Rite of Flame]], and [[Burning Wish]]. I then play [[Chrome Mox]], [[Lotus Petal]], [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], [[Rite of Flame]], [[Rite of Flame]], [[Burning Wish]], [[Ill-Gotten Gains]], getting back [[Burning Wish]], [[Rite of Flame]], and [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]]. I get [[Ill-Gotten Gains]] again, this time getting back [[Infernal Tutor]] (Discarded under [[Standstill]]), [[Rite of Flame]], and [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]]. Cast [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], [[Rite of Flame]], [[Infernal Tutor]] (sacrifice [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] for ), and get [[Burning Wish]]. Cast [[Burning Wish]] into [[Grapeshot]] for 19.

Round Five – Goblins

Game One:

I mulligan to five. They play [[Goblin Lackey]] on the first turn &mdahs; we’re in trouble. My hand wasn’t exactly stellar: [[Chrome Mox]], [[Lotus Petal]], [[Infernal Tutor]], [[Gemstone Mine]], and [[Ponder]]. The draw-step wasn’t fortunate either with [[Orim’s Chant]]. I play [[Gemstone Mine]] into [[Ponder]] looking at [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], and [[Burning Wish]]. Hell yeah! I draw a [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]]. They [[Wasteland]] me, swing with [[Goblin Lackey]], and drop [[Siege-Gang Commander]]. I draw the known [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]]. Play [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], [[Lotus Petal]], [[Chrome Mox]] (Imprint: [[Orim’s Chant]]), [[Infernal Tutor]] for [[Ill-Gotten Gains]]. [[Ill-Gotten Gains]], [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], and [[Infernal Tutor]] for [[Tendrils of Agony]].

Sideboarding: -4 [[Orim’s Chant]], +1 [[Hurkyl’s Recall]], +2 [[Shattering Spree]], +1 [[Echoing Truth]].

Game Two:

[[Dark Ritual]], [[Rite of Flame]], [[Lotus Petal]], [[Burning Wish]], [[Infernal Tutor]], [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], and [[Volcanic Island]]. Keep! [[Mountain]] into [[Goblin Lackey]], go. I draw a [[Brainstorm]] and then play [[Volcanic Island]], [[Rite of Flame]], [[Lotus Petal]], [[Dark Ritual]], and [[Infernal Tutor]] (Reveal: [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]]). play both copies of [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], [[Burning Wish]] for [[Ill-Gotten Gains]]. Get back [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], and [[Infernal Tutor]] for [[Tendrils of Agony]].

Round Six – UWBG Countertop

Game One:

My initial hand is: [[Duress]], [[Underground Sea]], [[Gemstone Mine]], [[Orim’s Chant]], [[Dark Ritual]], [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], and [[Mystical Tutor]]. I play [[Underground Sea]] and [[Duress]]. They kept practically nothing. They draw [[Sensei’s Divining Top]] for turn and play it. I play [[Gemstone Mine]] and [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]]. On their end of turn, I play [[Mystical Tutor]] for [[Ad Nauseam]]. Upkeep, I cast [[Orim’s Chant]], they flop [[Sensei’s Divining Top]] and then cast [[Daze]]. In response, I cast [[Dark Ritual]] and pay for [[Daze]]. Use the remaining two mana and [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] to float mana through the draw step to cast [[Ad Nauseam]].

Sideboarding: -1 [[Orim’s Chant]], -1 [[Chrome Mox]], -1 [[Brainstorm]], -1 [[Chain of Vapor]], +4 [[Pyroblast]].

Game Two:

I kept a decent hand: [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], [[Lotus Petal]], [[Chrome Mox]], [[Ill-Gotten Gains]], [[Lotus Petal]], [[Underground Sea]], and [[Infernal Tutor]]. They have another first turn [[Sensei’s Divining Top]]. I draw and play [[Gemstone Mine]]. [[Counterbalance]]. I spend the rest of the game trying to wiggle through it, but the combo is too much.

Game Three:

They lead on [[Thoughtseize]] this game. Second turn [[Sensei’s Divining Top]] with a third turn [[Counterbalance]]. I end up dying to a [[Dark Confidant]] over several turns.

Round Seven – RUG Threshold

Game One:

[[Underground Sea]], [[Ponder]], [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], [[Infernal Tutor]], [[Burning Wish]], and [[Burning Wish]]. They begin on [[Volcanic Island]] and [[Ponder]]. I draw [[Ad Nauseam]] for turn. I then play [[Underground Sea]] and [[Ponder]], shuffle, draw a [[Chrome Mox]] and pass. They [[Wasteland]] my [[Underground Sea]]. I never see another land or mana source. I die over a few turns to [[Tarmogoyf]].

Sideboarding: -1 [[Orim’s Chant]], -1 [[Chrome Mox]], -1 [[Brainstorm]], -1 [[Chain of Vapor]], +4 [[Pyroblast]].

Game Two:

I opened up with: [[Gemstone Mine]], [[City of Brass]], [[Duress]], [[Mystical Tutor]], [[Orim’s Chant]], [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], and [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]]. [[Gemstone Mine]] and [[Duress]] discarding [[Force of WIll]]. They play a [[Ponder]]. I draw [[Chrome Mox]] and then play [[City of Brass]] before casting a pair of [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]]. They play [[Tarmogoyf]]. I play [[Mystical Tutor]] on the end of their turn for [[Ad Nauseam]]. In my upkeep, I cast [[Orim’s Chant]], they Force of Will, I sacrifice both [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] for and then cast [[Ad Nauseam]] while floating a .

Game Three:

They mulligans to five and I open up with: [[Underground Sea]], [[Duress]], [[Dark Ritual]], [[Rite of Flame]], [[Rite of Flame]], [[Lotus Petal]], and [[Ad Nauseam]]. Once again, they open on [[Ponder]]. I draw [[Infernal Tutor]] for turn. [[Underground Sea]], [[Lotus Petal]], [[Rite of Flame]], [[Rite of Flame]], [[Dark Ritual]], [[Duress]], and [[Ad Nauseam]].

Round Eight – Zoo

Game One:

They open with [[Wild Nacatl]] and then a turn two [[Qasali Pridemage]]. On my turn two, I play [[Dark Ritual]], [[Dark Ritual]] and [[Ad Nauseam]] down to one life and ended up winning off of [[Brainstorm]] into [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] and [[Lotus Petal]].

Sideboarding: -4 [[Orim’s Chant]], +2 [[Shattering Spree]], +1 [[Duress]], +1 [[Echoing Truth]].

Game Two:

They keep a hand without a turn one play which is a little suspicious… I look at my hand of: [[Dark Ritual]], [[Infernal Tutor]], [[Burning Wish]], [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], [[Gemstone Mine]], and [[Volcanic Island]]. I weigh the options and decide to risk it if they have an [[Orim’s Chant]] or not. I guessed poorly and then slowly die to [[Wild Nacatl]].

Sideboarding: +4 [[Orim’s Chant]], -1 [[Chain of Vapor]], -1 [[Echoing Truth]], -2 [[Shattering Spree]] .

Game Three:

[[Underground Sea]] into [[Ponder]] is how the third game starts. They once again don’t have a turn one play. I play [[City of Brass]] and [[Duress]], they cast [[Orim’s Chant]] in response. On their turn, they play a [[Lightning Bolt]] and a [[Wild Nacatl]]. I play [[Gemstone Mine]] and look at my hand of: [[Burning Wish]], [[Infernal Tutor]], [[Dark Ritual]], and [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]]. I get a little nervous and decided to not cast [[Ad Nauseam]], but instead play [[Diminishing Returns]]. The thought process is that [[Ill-Gotten Gains]] returns the [[Orim’s Chant]] in their graveyard. I Even have floating. My seven cards are: [[Brainstorm]], [[Lotus Petal]], [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], [[Orim’s Chant]], [[Infernal Tutor]], [[Dark Ritual]], and [[Ponder]]. I cast [[Orim’s Chant]], no response. I then play out my hand and [[Tendrils of Agony]].

This is technically the end of the event, but the prize structure is weird. 9^th through 16^th now play-off for better prizes.

Prize Playoff | Top Eight – Eva Green

Game One:

They win the die roll and start on [[Thoughtsieze]] and then back-to-back [[Hymn to Tourach]] on the next two turns. At this point, I have three lands in play with a [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]]. I draw [[Dark Ritual]] and then pass. On the next turn, I draw [[Infernal Tutor]]! [[Dark Ritual]], [[Infernal Tutor]], and cast [[Ad Nauseam]]. I [[Ad Nauseam]] to the point where I am forced to stop. I reveal almost all of the expensive cards in the deck, I cast a [[Brainstorm]] hoping that it’ll save me. It doesn’t.

Sideboarding: -4 [[Orim’s Chant]], +1 [[Duress]], +1 [[Echoing Truth]], +2 [[Shattering Spree]].

Game Two:

I keep a hand of: [[Lotus Petal]], [[City of Brass]], [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], [[Dark Ritual]], [[Mystical Tutor]], [[Ponder]], and [[Duress]]. I play [[City of Brass]], [[Lotus Petal]], [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], and then pass the turn. Another [[Thoughtsieze]], I cast [[Mystical Tutor]] in response. In my upkeep, sacrifice [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] for and cast [[Ad Nauseam]] in my draw step.

Game Three:

I mulligan and then am punished with a third [[Thoughtsieze]] on the first turn discarding [[Brainstorm]]. This leaves me with [[Gemstone Mine]], [[Underground Sea]], [[Dark Ritual]], [[Dark Ritual]], and [[Ill-Gotten Gains]]. I draw [[Mystical Tutor]]. I play [[Underground Sea]] and pass. [[Wasteland]] on the [[Underground Sea]], in response I play [[Mystical Tutor]] for [[Ad Nauseam]]. I play [[Gemstone Mine]], [[Dark Ritual]], [[Dark Ritual]], and [[Ad Nauseam]].

Prize Playoff | Top Four – Merfolk

Game One:

They decide to play a [[Standstill]] with no threats on board or [[AEther Vial]]. We both sit there forever, I build up a hand to win with [[Tendrils of Agony]] that is already in my hand. On their end step, I was going to break [[Standstill]]. But then I realized putting more cards in their hand was better for my Storm count. I decided to break [[Standstill]] with [[Duress]], [[Orim’s Chant]], and [[Orim’s Chant]] all of which were countered. Then I cast [[Dark Ritual]], [[Lotus Petal]], [[Brainstorm]], [[Chrome Mox]], and [[Tendrils of Agony]].

Sideboarding: -1 [[Orim’s Chant]], -1 [[Chrome Mox]], -1 [[Brainstorm]], -1 [[Chain of Vapor]], +4 [[Pyroblast]].

Game Two:

A first turn [[Cursecatcher]] and then a turn two [[Standstill]]. We once again sit under [[Standstill]], but this time I am beaten down to 13 life. I break [[Standstill]] with a pair of [[Duress]]. On their turn, two copies of [[Lord of Atlantis]] and a [[Silvergill Adept]] come down (while leaving one mana open). I [[Orim’s Chant]] on my turn, [[Force of Will]], I [[Pyroblast]] it, and then play [[Dark Ritual]], [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], into [[Infernal Tutor]]. Cast [[Ill-Gotten Gains]] returning [[Dark Ritual]], [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], and [[Infernal Tutor]] for [[Tendrils of Agony]].

Prize Playoff | Finals – Team America

Game One:

They destroy my only two lands with [[Wasteland]] and [[Sinkhole]]. I sit there while [[Tombstalker]] wrecks me.

Sideboarding: -1 [[Orim’s Chant]], -1 [[Chrome Mox]], -1 [[Brainstorm]], -1 [[Chain of Vapor]], +4 [[Pyroblast]].

Game Two:

I keep a five-land hand with [[Duress]] and a [[Ponder]]. They happened to keep a hand with [[Wasteland]] and three copies of [[Sinkhole]]. This game gets dragged out as you can imagine. I go for the win at one point with an end step [[Mystical Tutor]] for [[Ad Nauseam]] after a main phase [[Duress]]. All they had left was a land and [[Brainstorm]]. I wore them out of counterspells! They [[Brainstorm]] into [[Force of Will]] and a blue card. I still had three lands, [[Chrome Mox]], [[Lotus Petal]], and a [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] in play. On my next turn, I draw [[Infernal Tutor]] and win with [[Ad Nauseam]].

Game Three:

This game was the last game of the night — it was a very long day. It had a lot of disruption and counters, it also seemed to go on forever. I eventually played through three copies of [[Force of Will]] and a few [[Daze]]. I get [[Burning Wish]] to resolve with a high enough storm count to kill them with [[Tendrils of Agony]]! I had floating and I had a strong feeling in my gut that they had [[Stifle]] in their hand. I was tired of playing all day long and wanted to leave, it was one in the morning. I could’ve cast [[Diminishing Returns]], but instead I said, “I’ll walk into [[Stifle]], let’s go home.” and I did. I grabbed [[Tendrils of Agony]] and cast it into [[Stifle]], because the difference between 9th and 10th pick isn’t worth the work.

Closing & General Thoughts

At the end of the very long day I walk away with a [[Grim Tutor]]! The list felt strong and I’m pretty happy with my finish.

Until next time, keep storming!