When it came to the decision on what to play at Grand Prix: Columbus, OH my decision was really simple — The EPIC Storm (TES) is what I’m best at. The group of guys for the trip was Colin Chilbert (Di), Carl Dillahay (Carlitobunz), and Dan Walton. We began our journey pretty early morning on Friday to leave for Columbus, OH — we had planned for roughly a ten hour trip with stops.

We finally got to the convention center late Friday night, when I walk in we find out it’s a different room than the first Grand Prix: Columbus. The room is HUGE with a glowing ceiling. I tell Colin, “They’re going to need this room to contain my ego for after I win.” As if my ego isn’t big enough already, right? Shortly after, we met up with friends, chat, and then I looked at the dealer booths.

I was trying to get rid of my two spare Japanese foil [[City of Brass]] so I could afford to buy two Japanese foil [[Dark Ritual]] for my deck. But dealers were offering me anything from $10 to $30 for a card worth close to 70$. I ended up trading them to a friend for two copies of [[Tundra]], traded the two [[Tundra]] to Star City Games for $60/ea. With the money from the [[Tundra]] I was able to get close, but I needed to sell a few more cards. I had to move my Japanese foil [[Xantid Swarm]] (a card I couldn’t see myself playing anytime soon) and a [[Chain of Vapor]] (which was peeling). I got $50$ for a peeling [[Chain of Vapor]]! This was enough to pay for the cards and even dinner that night, the real bright-side is my deck was down to 5 non-Japanese foils.

After Carl Dilladay and Dan Walton were done playing in Last-Chance Qualifiers we went to Barley’s Restaurant and Pub. They had the BEST beer, it was a raspberry wheat brew, and it was delicious! It went very well with my buffalo chicken wrap. After dinner we went back to the hotel, outside were our friends from Syracuse who have been drinking very heavily. I decided drinking that much the day before the Grand Prix was a bad idea, instead I filled out my deck registration and went to bed.

the epic Storm


Main Deck
  • 4 [[Burning Wish]]
  • 4 [[Infernal Tutor]]
  • 4 [[Brainstorm]]
  • 4 [[Ponder]]
  • 1 [[Empty the Warrens]]
  • 1 [[Tendrils of Agony]]
  • 1 [[Ad Nauseam]]
  • 4 [[Duress]]
  • 3 [[Orim’s Chant]]
  • 1 [[Silence]]
  • 4 [[Rite of Flame]]
  • 4 [[Dark Ritual]]
  • 4 [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]]
  • 4 [[Lotus Petal]]
  • 4 [[Chrome Mox]]
  • 4 [[Gemstone Mine]]
  • 2 [[City of Brass]]
  • 2 [[Scalding Tarn]]
  • 1 [[Polluted Delta]]
  • 1 [[Bloodstained Mire]]
  • 2 [[Underground Sea]]
  • 1 [[Volcanic Island]]
Sideboard
  • 3 [[Pyroblast]]
  • 2 [[Echoing Truth]]
  • 1 [[Wipe Away]]
  • 1 [[Krosan Grip]]
  • 1 [[Shattering Spree]]
  • 1 [[Thoughtseize]]
  • 1 [[Eye of Nowhere]]
  • 1 [[Grapeshot]]
  • 1 [[Empty the Warrens]]
  • 1 [[Tendrils of Agony]]
  • 1 [[Ill-Gotten Gains]]
  • 1 [[Diminishing Returns]]

Grand Prix: Columbus, OH

Round One – **BYE**

0-0 | 1-0

Round Two – Tim Hunt with UWr Thoptertop

[[Duress|]]
[[Counterbalance|]]
[[Ad Nauseam|]]
Game One:

I begin the event with a first turn [[Duress]] and see: [[Force of Will]], [[Jace, the Mind Sculptor]], [[Swords to Plowshares]], [[Swords to Plowshares]], and lands — I discard [[Force of Will]]. The opponent plays a fetchland and then passes. On my turn, I cast a main-phase [[Brainstorm]], into [[Brainstorm]], [[Ponder]], and [[Dark Ritual]]. I put back a [[Chrome Mox]] and a land. I play a [[Scalding Tarn]], use it, and then cast another [[Brainstorm]] — draw into [[Ad Nauseam]], [[Lotus Petal]], and [[Rite of Flame]]. I put [[Burning Wish]] and [[Ad Nauseam]] on top. At this point, my hand is now: [[Dark Ritual]], [[Lotus Petal]], [[Rite of Flame]], [[Ponder]], [[Orim’s Chant]], [[Gemstone Mine]], and [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]]. On my next turn, I draw the [[Burning Wish]]. Play [[Gemstone Mine]], [[Lotus Petal]], [[Rite of Flame]], [[Orim’s Chant]], [[Dark Ritual]], [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], [[Ponder]], in response crack it for . Cast [[Ad Nauseam]].

Sideboarding: -1 [[Infernal Tutor]], -1 [[Empty the Warrens]], -1 [[Chrome Mox]], -1 [[Ponder]], -1 [[Silence]], +3 [[Pyroblast]], +1 [[Wipe Away]], +1 [[Krosan Grip]]
Game Two:

I keep a hand of: [[Scalding Tarn]], [[Polluted Delta]], [[Rite of Flame]], [[Dark Ritual]], [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], [[Infernal Tutor]], and [[Ad Nauseam]]. The opponent leads off with a [[Flooded Strand]]. I draw a [[Chrome Mox]], play [[Polluted Delta]], and pass. The opponent plays [[Island]], [[Sensei’s Divining Top]], go. I decide now is the time to go all in on [[Ad Nauseam]] and the opponent casts [[Force of Will]]. Leaving me with an [[Infernal Tutor]] in hand and a [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] in play. It’s not fast enough as on the next turn, Tim plays [[Counterbalance]] and [[Engineered Explosives]] for zero. I decide to save some time and concede.

Game Three:

I mulligan to five: [[City of Brass]], [[Bloodstained Mire]], [[Duress]], [[Dark Ritual]], [[Ad Nauseam]]. Keep! I lead off with [[Bloodstained Mire]], [[Underground Sea]] into [[Duress]]. Tim has [[Counterbalance]], [[Sensei’s Divining Top]], [[Thopter Foundry]], [[Thopter Foundry]], and lands. I discard the [[Counterbalance]]. The opponent plays land, [[Sensei’s Divining Top]]. I draw another land, play [[City of Brass]], and pass. The opponent on their upkeep activates to spin [[Sensei’s Divining Top]], plays a land, and passes. I draw [[Chrome Mox]], land, [[Dark Ritual]], [[Ad Nauseam]]? Resolves.

2-1 | 2-0

Round Three – Tony Sears with Merfolk

[[AEther Vial|]]
[[Force of Will|]]
[[Orim’s Chant|]]
Game One:

Tony starts off with [[Mutavault]], [[AEther Vial]], and go. I begin out with the following: [[Underground Sea]], [[Lotus Petal]], [[Dark Ritual]], [[Rite of Flame]], [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], and [[Infernal Tutor]] into [[Ad Nauseam]].

Sideboarding: -1 [[Infernal Tutor]], -1 [[Chrome Mox]], -1 [[Ponder]], +3 [[Pyroblast]]
Game Two:

The opponent keeps their hand, and just says, “go”. No land, nothing, just passes the turn. I begin with a [[Duress]]: [[Force of Will]], [[Force of Will]], [[Cursecatcher]], [[Lord of Atlantis]], [[Lord of Atlantis]], [[Lord of Atlantis]], and [[AEther Vial]]. I discard a [[Force of Will]]. The opponent draws, discards [[Lord of Atlantis]], and passes. I draw a [[Gemstone Mine]], play it, and pass. The opponent draws an [[Island]] into [[Cursecatcher]]. I play [[Orim’s Chant]]. The opponent allows it to resolve. I then cast [[Rite of Flame]], [[Dark Ritual]], [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], and [[Infernal Tutor]] into [[Ad Nauseam]].

4-1 | 3-0

Round Four – Shaun mack with Sneak & Show

[[Sneak Attack|]]
[[Empty the Warrens|]]
[[Diminishing Returns|]]
Game One:

He starts out with [[Ancient Tomb]], remove [[Simian Spirit Guide]] (at this point I’m thinking, “FUCK! Here comes the [[Trinisphere]]…”). Instead, the opponent plays [[Seething Song]], [[Sneak Attack]] into [[Progenitus]]. While I kept a hand that went: [[Brainstorm]], [[Lotus Petal]], [[Lotus Petal]], [[Chrome Mox]] (Imprint: [[Infernal Tutor]]) [[Duress]], [[Dark Ritual]], and [[Empty the Warrens]]. The opponent missed on drawing another creature and died to [[Goblin Token]]s.

Sideboarding: -1 [[Infernal Tutor]], -1 [[Chrome Mox]], -1 [[Ponder]], -1 [[Empty the Warrens]], -1 [[Silence]], +3 [[Pyroblast]], +2 [[Echoing Truth]]
Game Two:

I mulligan to six while Shaun goes to five cards. Shaun starts off with [[Island]], pass. I play [[Gemstone Mine]]. The opponent plays [[Ancient Tomb]], [[Show and Tell]], and couldn’t have cast [[Pyroblast]] any faster. I play [[City of Brass]], go. The opponent plays [[Show and Tell]] into [[Progenitus]]. On my turn, I cast [[Silence]], [[Rite of Flame]], [[Rite of Flame]], [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], [[Burning Wish]] into [[Diminishing Returns]]. [[Brainstorm]], [[Chrome Mox]] (Imprint: [[Duress]]), [[Dark Ritual]], [[Dark Ritual]], [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], [[Infernal Tutor]], [[Burning Wish]] into [[Tendrils of Agony]].

6-1 | 4-0

Round Five – Jason Ford with UW Thoptertop

[[Counterbalance|]]
[[Krosan Grip|]]
[[Sensei’s Divining Top|]]
Game One:

I start off with a mulligan, which isn’t great because this game becomes a slog. I draw literally all four copies of [[Duress]] but Jason keeps all of their good cards on top of the library with [[Sensei’s Divining Top]] in play. I attempt to go off twice but the opponent draws a card with [[Sensei’s Divining Top]] and then [[Counterspell]]s me both times. Jason eventually landed [[Counterbalance]] and won shortly after.

Sideboarding: -1 [[Infernal Tutor]], -1 [[Empty the Warrens]], -1 [[Chrome Mox]], -1 [[Ponder]], -1 [[Silence]], +3 [[Pyroblast]], +1 [[Wipe Away]], +1 [[Krosan Grip]]
Game Two:

Jason has a second turn [[Ethersworn Canonist]] but I have [[Krosan Grip]] for it on the end of the third turn. It turns out that the [[Ethersworn Canonist]] was just bait for the [[Counterbalance]], I was ready with a [[Pyroblast]], but Jason had [[Force of Will]] back-up. I’m slowly locked out after this.

6-3 | 4-1

Round Six – Emmanuel Perez with UR Eldrazi Ramp

[[Duress|]]
[[Ad Nauseam|]]
[[Tendrils of Agony|]]
Game One:

My opponent while shuffling and shows me a [[Lotus Petal]] and a [[Brainstorm]] — I’m thinking combo mirror. I keep a hand of: [[Chrome Mox]], [[Infernal Tutor]], [[Duress]], [[Burning Wish]], [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], and [[Rite of Flame]] on the play. It’s a little bit questionable, I know. If I draw another mana source I win, is the upside. I [[Duress]] them and look at: [[Grim Monolith]], [[Power Artifact]], [[Emrakul, the Aeons Torn]] and four lands. I never draw another mana source in eight turns.

Sideboarding: -1 [[Infernal Tutor]], -1 [[Chrome Mox]], -1 [[Ponder]], +3 [[Pyroblast]]
Game Two:

I resolve [[Ad Nauseam]] on turn two after a turn one [[Duress]].

Game Three:

I keep a hand with: [[Tendrils of Agony]], [[Burning Wish]], [[Rite of Flame]], [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], [[Dark Ritual]], [[Gemstone Mine]], and [[Scalding Tarn]]. The opponent plays an [[Island]] then passes. I draw a [[Duress]], then cast it. Emmanuel plays [[Island]] into [[Grim Monolith]]. I draw [[Dark Ritual]]! I then cast [[Dark Ritual]], [[Dark Ritual]], [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], [[Rite of Flame]], [[Tendrils of Agony]], [[Burning Wish]], into [[Tendrils of Agony]].

8-4 | 5-1

Round Seven – Misha Gurevich with Zoo

[[Diminishing Returns|]]
[[Orim’s Chant|]]
[[Empty the Warrens|]]
Game One:

Misha mulligans into a double [[Steppe Lynx]] hand with [[Chain Lightning]] and [[Lightning Bolt]]. I go to 13 life after sitting there trying to sculpt my hand for a bit, I wasn’t under pressure so I decided to wait until I was more stable to go off. When I got to 4 lands, I then decided it was time to win. I cast [[Diminishing Returns]] into three copies of [[Orim’s Chant]], [[Dark Ritual]], [[Ad Nauseam]], and a land. I have pass to pass, but I get to use the alternate mode on [[Orim’s Chant]]!In the upkeep, cast [[Orim’s Chant]] with Kicker. Untap and [[Ad Nauseam]].

Sideboarding: -1 [[Infernal Tutor]], -1 [[Empty the Warrens]], -1 [[Chrome Mox]], +2 [[Echoing Truth]], +1 [[Wipe Away]]
Game Two:

I keep a hand of: [[Underground Sea]], [[Duress]], [[Lotus Petal]], [[Dark Ritual]], [[Rite of Flame]], [[Rite of Flame]], and [[Burning Wish]]. I played all of these cards into [[Empty the Warrens]]. The opponent just concedes.

10-4 | 6-1

Round Eight – Jeff Blyden with Elves

[[Ad Nauseam|]]
[[Leyline of Sanctity|]]
[[Orim’s Chant|]]
Game One:

The opponent starts off with a [[Wooded Foothills]] into a [[Forest]] and then casts [[Llanowar Elves]]. I play [[Scalding Tarn]], [[Underground Sea]], and I play some spells into [[Diminishing Returns]] but I fizzle. Upkeep, cast [[Orim’s Chant]]. On my turn I cast [[Dark Ritual]] into the [[Ad Nauseam]] in my hand.

Sideboarding: -1 [[Infernal Tutor]], -1 [[Empty the Warrens]], +2 [[Echoing Truth]]
Game Two:

Jeff mulligans to five. I have a hand of: [[Rite of Flame]], [[Rite of Flame]], [[Brainstorm]], [[Brainstorm]], [[Dark Ritual]], [[Gemstone Mine]], and [[Infernal Tutor]]. The opponent starts out the game with [[Leyline of Sanctity]]. YIKES! They then play a bunch of mana elves over the first few turns. I am trying like crazy to get Hellbent, but I keep casting [[Brainstorm]] into [[Duress]], [[Silence]], and [[Orim’s Chant]]. I [[Silence]] them and Jeff tells me I can’t because of [[Leyline of Sanctity]]. Which I find out later is incorrect, because [[Silence]] doesn’t target…

Sideboarding: -1 [[Chrome Mox]], +1 [[Wipe Away]]
Game Three:

I’m stuck because Jeff mulliganed into [[Leyline of Sanctity]] again and I’m thinking that the opponent has an [[Orim’s Chant]] because of the way that they’ve been leaving [[Savannah]] untapped all game. I have [[Wipe Away]] and my own [[Orim’s Chant]] in hand. I decide to wait until I need to win so I don’t lose to a possible [[Orim’s Chant]]. I eventually hit a third land and cast [[Wipe Away]] on the [[Leyline of Sanctity]]. I then cast [[Orim’s Chant]] (no response) and go off with [[Infernal Tutor]] for [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], [[Burning Wish]], [[Ill-Gotten Gains]], [[Infernal Tutor]], [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], and [[Tendrils of Agony]].

12-5 | 7-1

Round Nine – Tom Ross with Zoo

[[Gaddock Teeg|]]
[[Diminishing Returns|]]
[[Echoing Truth|]]
Game One:

I get really flooded. I have six lands in play with two still in hand. I eventually draw [[Ponder]] into [[Burning Wish]] which allows me to cast [[Burning Wish]] for [[Diminishing Returns]] and win.

Sideboarding: -1 [[Infernal Tutor]], -1 [[Empty the Warrens]], -1 [[Chrome Mox]], +2 [[Echoing Truth]], +1 [[Wipe Away]]
Game Two:

Tom has a turn one [[Wild Nactl]], turn two [[Gaddock Teeg]], and three copies of [[Chain Lightning]] and [[Lightning Bolt]] on the third turn. I’m out — it’s been real.

Game Three:

I cast [[Diminishing Returns]] on my turn two. I ended up drawing a lot of mana, but nothing to do with it. I draw [[Ponder]], cast it, shuffle, and draw [[Echoing Truth]]. The opponent plays [[Gaddock Teeg]] and then on the next turn [[Pyrostatic Pillar]]. I draw [[Tendrils of Agony]], which is actually pretty interesting. I go to [[Echoing Truth]] the [[Gaddock Teeg]] and Tom casts [[Red Elemental Blast]] on [[Echoing Truth]]. I concede and Tom reveals two copies of [[Mindbreak Trap]].

13-6 | 7-2

End of Day One

That’s the end of day one! Carl Dillahay and I made day two out of our car, Colin and Dan Walton both lost the final rounds not to make day two. We ended up going to this awesome restaurant, where I order a Buffalo Chicken Sandwich and spicy French-fries. Everyone agrees that the fries are the greatest fries we’ve ever hand.

In the morning, the event began at 9am, which meant there wasn’t much time for food. Because of this, I didn’t eat.

I have these crazy days in magic and I feel like I just can’t lose no matter what I do, this was one of those days.

Round Ten – Jason Lundberg with Belcher

[[Diminishing Returns|]]
[[Goblin Charbelcher|]]
[[Empty the Warrens|]]
Game One:

I mulligan to five and keep a hand of: [[Gemstone Mine]], [[Dark Ritual]], [[Lotus Petal]], [[Empty the Warrens]], and [[Infernal Tutor]]. The opponent starts off the game by Cycling two copies of [[Street Wraith]], eventually casts a [[Goblin Charbelcher]], but has to pass the turn. I draw a [[Scalding Tarn]], play [[Gemstone Mine]], and [[Empty the Warrens]] for six [[Goblin Token]]s. Jason doesn’t draw the mana that turn and passes. I daw a [[Chrome Mox]], attack for six, cast [[Infernal Tutor]] for [[Orim’s Chant]]. This time Jason draws the mana source and kills me.

Sideboarding: None.
Game Two:

I don’t really remember this game, but my notes say “[[Diminishing Returns]] into the nuts”.

Game Three:

Playing magic when you have to poop, the game is the last thing on your mind — I’m trying to rush this entire game. I keep a hand with [[Silence]] in it so I can stop them, it also has a bunch of mana and an [[Infernal Tutor]]. The opponent goes all in on an [[Empty the Warrens]] for eight [[Goblin Token]]s. I missed my chance to [[Silence]] them because the opponent only had three mana and I figured I could get more out of it. But they removed [[Simian Spirit Guide]] with an [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] in play. I guess if it was [[Goblin Charbelcher]] I could’ve lost, but it wasn’t! I then [[Silence]] them and go off with [[Ad Nauseam]].

My opponent is doing their due-diligence and start double and triple checking my storm and mana. I’m dying here, I’m just trying to rush to the bathroom. Eventually, I put [[Tendrils of Agony]] on the stack. I’m cramming my stuff into my bag to leave, but now they’re talking to me about storm combo. I apologize and run away from the table.

All of that buffalo chicken got to me, but it was worth it.

15-7 | 8-2

Round Eleven – Michael Bernat with Landstill

[[Duress|]]
[[Force of Will|]]
[[Tendrils of Agony|]]
Game One:

My opponent mulligans to five and to make it worse, I start off the match with a [[Duress]]. They have a pair of [[Crucible of Worlds]], [[Swords to Plowshares]], [[Flooded Strand]], and an [[Island]]. I win next turn with [[Ad Nauseam]].

Sideboarding: -1 [[Infernal Tutor]], -1 [[Chrome Mox]], -1 [[Ponder]], +3 [[Pyroblast]]
Game Two:

I keep a hand of: [[Empty the Warrens]], [[Chrome Mox]], [[Burning Wish]], [[Ad Nauseam]], [[Ponder]], [[Infernal Tutor]], and [[City of Brass]]. After casting [[Ponder]] and a pair of [[Brainstorm]], my hand looks nothing like this by the time I attempt to win the game. It’s also a very long game.

I eventually get to the point where my hand is: [[Dark Ritual]], [[Dark Ritual]], [[Infernal Tutor]], [[Tendrils of Agony]], [[Burning Wish]], [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], and [[Lotus Petal]] with four lands in play. I draw an [[Orim’s Chant]] for turn and quickly cast it. The opponent uses a [[Counterspell]]. I play out my mana, [[Infernal Tutor]] for a second copy of [[Dark Ritual]]. I cast the first [[Dark Ritual]], Michael debates countering it — if Michael does, I have to pass the turn. It resolves. I then cast the second [[Dark Ritual]] into [[Burning Wish]] floating . If they use a counter, I’ll win. Michael quickly uses a [[Force of Will]] on [[Burning Wish]].

At this point, I play out the [[Tendrils of Agony]] from my hand. Even if they cast another [[Force of Will]], they’re dead due to the life-loss. A judge is now watching, my opponent recounts storm and mana again and again to make sure everything is legal. They stare at their hand, then they recount mana and storm once more.

The judge eventually says, “Are you going to sign the sheet?” I try to hold my laughter in as my opponent picks up their cards.

17-7 | 9-2

Round Twelve – Korey Age with Sneak & Show

[[Orim’s Chant|]]
[[Blood Moon|]]
[[Emrakul, the Aeons Torn|]]
Game One:

This is the longest game I had of the day, I simply drew too much protection. I attempted to go off but [[Daze]] and [[Spell Pierce]] are enough to slow me down even more. I cast a [[Duress]] which is met by a hard-cast [[Force of Will]] to tap all but two of my six lands. The opponent plays [[Sneak Attack]] and puts [[Emrakul, the Aeons Torn]] into play. I’m just staring at my hand, I’m about to concede when it dawns on me that [[Orim’s Chant]] has Kicker! I cast it and it shockingly resolves. Untap, cast [[Orim’s Chant]] into [[Ad Nauseam]]!

Sideboarding: -1 [[Infernal Tutor]], -1 [[Chrome Mox]], -1 [[Ponder]], -1 [[Empty the Warrens]], -1 [[Silence]], +3 [[Pyroblast]], +2 [[Echoing Truth]]
Game Two:

[[Blood Moon]].

Game Three:

I play a turn two [[Brainstorm]] and I have a tough decision. I have [[Dark Ritual]], [[Underground Sea]]. [[Silence]], [[Orim’s Chant]], [[Rite of Flame]], [[Lotus Petal]], [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], and [[Burning Wish]] in hand. Is the opponent going to try to [[Blood Moon]] me out again or should I put [[Dark Ritual]] then [[Underground Sea]] on top of the library with [[Brainstorm]]. Sure enough, Korey plays [[Blood Moon]]. I untap, draw, and cast [[Rite of Flame]], [[Lotus Petal]], [[Silence]], [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], [[Burning Wish]], [[Empty the Warrens]] for twelve [[Goblin Token]]s. The opponent plays [[Sneak Attack]] off of [[Seething Song]] into [Emrakul, the Aeons Torn]] and attacks. I sacrifice three [[Goblin Token]]s and three lands. I untap, attack. Korey makes it clear that they do not have the creature in hand, they knock on top of their deck… It’s [[Brainstorm]]… they cast it… no creatures and the spectators watching go WILD!

19-8 | 10-2

Round Thirteen – Max Tietze with Goblins

[[Rishadan Port|]]
[[Echoing Truth|]]
[[Mindbreak Trap|]]
Game One:

Max mulligans to five. Meanwhile, I kept an awesome hand against a blue deck, that said, I didn’t know my opponent was playing Goblins. The opponent draws all four copies of [[Rishadan Port]], but no [[Mountain]]s and is just tapping my lands. Thankfully, I have no [[City of Brass]] in play! I decide it’s time to be ironic and kill them with [[Goblin Token]]s, so I [[Burning Wish]] for [[Empty the Warrens]] for fourteen [[Goblin Token]]s.

Sideboarding: -1 [[Infernal Tutor]], -1 [[Empty the Warrens]], +2 [[Echoing Truth]]
Game Two:

I don’t really have enough mana to do anything, but I have [[Echoing Truth]] to stop permanent-based hate, so I keep. It becomes “land, go” for awhile. Max eventually has three [[Goblin Warchief]] and nothing else, I just smile, and start chuckling. [[Echoing Truth]] targeting [[Goblin Warchief]]? I draw [[Duress]] and cast it syaing, “[[Mindbreak Trap]]” before it is revealed. The thing is, Max has TWO. On my next turn I play [[Burning Wish]] into [[Thoughtseize]]. Max hits me for four damage with a pair of [[Goblin Warchief]]. I play a bunch of mana and [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], [[Burning Wish]], into [[Diminishing Returns]]. My new hand is really close to winning but I need one more mana. I cast [[Ponder]], shuffle, and draw [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]]! Cast [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] and then [[Infernal Tutor]] for [[Tendrils of Agony]].

21-8 | 11-2

Round Fourteen – Carl Dillahay with New Horizons

[[Force of Will|]]
[[Ad Nauseam|]]
[[Thoughtseize|]]

It always sucks to play your friends in large events, especially day two of a Grand Prix with someone you drove with.

Game One:

[[Gemstone Mine]], [[Scalding Tarn]], [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], [[Infernal Tutor]], [[Duress]], and [[Burning Wish]]. What an opening hand! I open the match with [[Duress]] and then again on the second turn, they discard a [[Daze]] and [[Stifle]]. I end up drawing all three [[Infernal Tutor]] by turn 4 when I try to win. Carl sacrifices [[Horizon Canopy]] to draw into [[Force of Will]].

Sideboarding: -1 [[Infernal Tutor]], -1 [[Chrome Mox]], -1 [[Ponder]], +3 [[Pyroblast]]
Game Two:

Carl mulligans. I have an opening hand of: [[Infernal Tutor]], [[Rite of Flame]], [[Duress]], [[Duress]], [[Underground Sea]], [[Gemstone Mine]], and [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]]. I lead off with [[Duress]] which is countered by [[Force of Will]]. On my next turn, I draw [[Dark Ritual]] for the turn but start off with [[Gemstone Mine]] and then another [[Duress]]. It resolves, but there isn’t anything to discard. I cast [[Ad Nauseam]] on turn three.

Game Three:

This game is very much like game two except I have a turn one [[Duress]], turn two [[Burning Wish]] for [[Thoughtseize]], and turn three cast [[Thoughtseize]]. On the fourth turn, I cast [[Orim’s Chant]], [[Dark Ritual]], [[Rite of Flame]], [[Rite of Flame]], and [[Ad Nauseam]] from my hand.

23-9 | 12-2

Round Fifteen – Ari Lax with Ad Nauseam Tendrils

[[Duress|]]
[[Orim’s Chant|]]
[[Grapeshot|]]
Game One:

Ari has a pair of [[Duress]] and tons of mana, which allows Ari to resolve [[Ad Nauseam]] before I can on turn three.

Sideboarding: -1 [[Empty the Warrens]], +1 [[Pyroblast]]
Game Two:

This game is a brawl, just a back-and-forth slug-fest. I play an [[Underground Sea]], [[Ponder]] into [[Orim’s Chant]], [[Lotus Petal]], and pass. Ari plays a pair of [[Lotus Petal]], [[Underground Sea]], [[Grim Tutor]] for [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], [[Lotus Petal]], [[Lotus Petal]], [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], and [[Infernal Tutor]]. At this point, I cast [[Orim’s Chant]]. The opponent gets a [[Duress]]. We each had tons of protection ([[Duress]], [[Thoughtseize]], [[Orim’s Chant]], and [[Silence]]) to rip apart the other person. The game becomes dragged out, at some point I cast a I mini-[[Tendrils of Agony]] just to get them down to five life to shut off [[Ad Nauseam]]. I end up drawing [[Infernal Tutor]] and cast it immediately for [[Ad Nauseam]] and pass. Ari draws hoping for a discard spell, but has to pass back. I cast [[Ad Nauseam]] from 24 life! Ari keeps saying, “Just show me the [[Tendrils of Agony]]!” and I refuse because Ari had a condescending tone in their voice the entire round and was a bit cocky. I [[Burning Wish]] for [[Grapeshot]] and cast it. Ari responds with, “real cute, real cute.”

Game Three:

I keep a hand of: [[Tendrils of Agony]], [[Duress]], [[Underground Sea]], [[Orim’s Chant]], [[Ponder]], [[Gemstone Mine]], and [[Lotus Petal]]. Ari casts [[Thoughtseize]], discarding [[Orim’s Chant]]. I draw [[Duress]] and quickly cast it discarding [[Ill-Gotten Gains]] because the opponent wasn’t able to become Hellbent without it. Another [[Thoughtseize]] hits me, discarding my second [[Duress]]. I draw [[Orim’s Chant]]! [[Ponder]], shuffle, and draw [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]]. Cast [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] before passing the turn. Ari goes all in and I play [[Orim’s Chant]]. I draw [[Infernal Tutor]] in the next few turns and win sometime after. The opponent lost the confidence they had the first two games during game three, they were much more of a real person.

25-10 | 13-2

Round Sixteen – Caleb Durward with Survival Madness

A friend tells me that I don’t look that hot and I explain that it’s probably because I haven’t eaten yet today. I decide it’s probably time to get something to eat, so that I’m focused for the top eight. Someone asks why I hadn’t had any food yet that day and I explain what a perfect game in baseball is.

25-10-1 | 13-2-1

Top Eight – Caleb Durward with Survival Madness

Event Coverage
25-12-1 | 13-3-1

Closing & General Thoughts

Grand Prix: Columbus was a great time! I blame myself for eating round sixteen, maybe I would’ve taken it down if I hadn’t. Thank you to everyone who was rooting for me!

Until next time, keep storming!