After the event last month, I was in a pretty bad car accident. I’m fine but my car was in bad shape, my only goal for this event was to win some cash.
I rode with The EPIC Syndicate to the event and received the two Japanese foil [[Deathmark]] that I ordered when I arrived! I was pretty happy about this.
the epic Storm
- 4 [[Burning Wish]]
- 3 [[Infernal Tutor]]
- 2 [[Mystical Tutor]]
- 4 [[Brainstorm]]
- 3 [[Ponder]]
- 2 [[Ad Nauseam]]
- 1 [[Tendrils of Agony]]
- 1 [[Ill-Gotten Gains]]
- 3 [[Duress]]
- 3 [[Orim’s Chant]]
- 1 [[Silence]]
- 2 [[Simian Spirit Guide]]
- 4 [[Rite of Flame]]
- 4 [[Dark Ritual]]
- 4 [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]]
- 4 [[Lotus Petal]]
- 4 [[Chrome Mox]]
- 4 [[City of Brass]]
- 4 [[Gemstone Mine]]
- 2 [[Underground Sea]]
- 1 [[Volcanic Island]]
- 3 [[Pyroblast]]
- 2 [[Shattering Spree]]
- 2 [[Deathmark]]
- 1 [[Echoing Truth]]
- 1 [[Duress]]
- 1 [[Infernal Tutor]]
- 1 [[Grapeshot]]
- 1 [[Empty the Warrens]]
- 1 [[Tendrils of Agony]]
- 1 [[Ill-Gotten Gains]]
- 1 [[Diminishing Returns]]
Jupiter Games 2k
Round One – **BYE**
It’s only fair, I did take first in last month’s event.
Round Two – Merfolk
Game One:
I open with: [[Underground Sea]], [[Volcanic Island]], [[Ponder]], [[Dark Ritual]], [[Duress]], [[Orim’s Chant]], and [[Infernal Tutor]]. I start with [[Volcanic Island]] into [[Ponder]] which looks at [[City of Brass]], [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], and [[Lotus Petal]]. They open on [[Wasteland]] into [[AEther Vial]]. I draw the [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], play [[Underground Sea]] and then cast [[Duress]] which discards [[Force of Will]] (leaving them with all creatures). They plays an [[Island]] and pass. I draw the last card off of [[Ponder]], [[City of Brass]]. I then play an [[Orim’s Chant]], [[Dark Ritual]], [[Lotus Petal]], [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], [[Infernal Tutor]], and [[Ill-Gotten Gains]]. Return and then cast [[Dark Ritual]], [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], [[Infernal Tutor]], into [[Tendrils of Agony]].
Sideboarding: -2 [[Mystical Tutor]], -1 [[Ill-Gotten Gains]], +3 [[Pyroblast]].
Game Two:
My seven cards are: [[Gemstone Mine]], [[Brainstorm]], [[Infernal Tutor]], [[Duress]], [[Pyroblast]], [[City of Brass]], and [[Dark Ritual]]. They lead with [[Island]] into [[Cursecatcher]]. I draw [[Ponder]] for the turn. I play [[City of Brass]] into the drawn [[Ponder]] which reveals [[Dark Ritual]], [[Rite of Flame]], and [[Chrome Mox]]. On the opponent’s turn, they play a [[Standstill]]. We play, “draw, go” until I’m at 11. My hand at this point in time is: [[Dark Ritual]], [[Dark Ritual]], [[Duress]], [[Duress]], [[Orim’s Chant]], [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], and [[Infernal Tutor]]. I have 4 lands in play. I play [[Dark Ritual]], [[Duress]], [[Dark Ritual]], [[Duress]], and [[Orim’s Chant]]. They use the [[Cursecatcher]]. I pay, it resolves. [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], [[Infernal Tutor]], and [[Ad Nauseam]].
Round Three – Landstill
Game One:
I start the round by keeping: [[Chrome Mox]], [[Burning Wish]], [[Lotus Petal]], [[Dark Ritual]], [[Rite of Flame]], [[Dark Ritual]], and [[Burning Wish]]. They open with [[Tundra]], pass. I draw a [[City of Brass]] and then play it into [[Dark Ritual]], [[Dark Ritual]], [[Chrome Mox]] (Imprint: [[Burning Wish]]), [[Rite of Flame]], [[Lotus Petal]], [[Burning Wish]], and [[Empty the Warrens]].
Sideboarding: -2 [[Mystical Tutor]], -1 [[Ill-Gotten Gains]], +3 [[Pyroblast]].
Game Two:
I mulligan to five: [[City of Brass]], [[Duress]], [[Pyroblast]], [[Rite of Flame]], and [[Rite of Flame]]. They play an early [[Standstill]] and then a pair of [[Wasteland]]. I slowly die to a few copies of [[Mishra’s Factory]].
Game Three:
I mulligan to six: [[Duress]], [[Pyroblast]], [[Pyroblast]], [[Underground Sea]], [[Gemstone Mine]], [[Dark Ritual]], and [[Ponder]]. I play [[Underground Sea]] into [[Ponder]]: [[Brainstorm]], [[Chrome Mox]], and [[Dark Ritual]]. They play a [[Flooded Strand]]. I then play [[Gemstone Mine]] and [[Duress]]. They respond by casting a [[Brainstorm]] and then I [[Pyroblast]] it! I look at: [[Force of Will]], [[Fact or Fiction]], [[Standstill]], [[Standstill]], [[Meddling Mage]], and lands. I discard [[Force of Will]]. They play [[Meddling Mage]] on [[Tendrils of Agony]]. I can’t do much and have to pass back to the opponent. They then play [[Mishra’s Factory]] and [[Standstill]]. I just lose the game from here.
Round Four – BANT Survival
Game One:
I build up a decent hand after a few cantrips which creates enough mana and storm to just cast a lethal [[Tendrils of Agony]] for 20. They [[Swords to Plowshares]] their own [[Tarmogoyf]]! I draw [[Burning Wish]] off the top rope and [[Grapeshot]] them.
Sideboarding: -2 [[Mystical Tutor]], -1 [[Ill-Gotten Gains]], -1 [[Brainstorm]], -1 [[Ponder]], +3 [[Pyroblast]], +2 [[Deathmark]].
Game Two:
I keep a hand of: [[Burning Wish]], [[Burning Wish]], [[Dark Ritual]], [[Rite of Flame]], [[Orim’s Chant]], [[Gemstone Mine]], and [[City of Brass]]. They start with a [[Noble Hierarch]]. I draw a [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] and play a land. They then play a [[Gaddock Teeg]] and then attack with the [[Noble Hierarch]]. I draw a [[Lotus Petal]], play [[Gemstone Mine]], and pass. They play a [[Kira, Great Glass-Spinner]] — YIKES! I draw a [[City of Brass]], play it, and pass. [[Rhox War Monk]]. I draw a [[Rite of Flame]] and then cast [[Orim’s Chant]], it get’s countered. I then play out my mana, [[Burning Wish]], [[Grapeshot]] (target [[Gaddock Teeg]] 3 times), the rest at them. Play my other [[Burning Wish]] and [[Diminishing Returns]]. My new hand is pretty bad, we’re off to the third game.
Game Three:
My opening Hand is: [[Orim’s Chant]], [[Brainstorm]], [[Ponder]], [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], [[Chrome Mox]], [[Infernal Tutor]], and [[City of Brass]]. I start with [[City of Brass]] into [[Ponder]] which looks at [[Dark Ritual]], [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], and [[City of Brass]]. They play [[Noble Hierarch]]. [[City of Brass]], pass. They play another [[Gaddock Teeg]]. I draw, pass. They play [[Rhox War Monk]]. I cast [[Brainstorm]] into [[Deathmark]], [[Chrome Mox]], and [[Burning Wish]]. They attack with with [[Rhox War Monk]]. I just pass the turn again. They play [[ Rafiq of the Many]] and then attacks (this brings their life total up to 32). My friends that were watching all start to walk away thinking I’ve lost this game because I’m at five life and I sided out [[Ill-Gotten Gains]] — they were wrong. I cast an [[Orim’s Chant]], [[Dark Ritual]], [[Deathmark]], [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], [[Burning Wish]], [[Ill-Gotten Gains]], [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], [[Infernal Tutor]], [[Burning Wish]], and finally [[Diminishing Returns]]. My new seven cards are: [[Gemstone Mine]], [[Simian Spirit Guide]], [[Infernal Tutor]], [[Burning Wish]], [[Brainstorm]], [[Ponder]], and [[Chrome Mox]]. I cast [[Brainstorm]] into [[Simian Spirit Guide]], [[Ad Nauseam]], and [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]]. I remove a pair of [[Simian Spirit Guide]], [[Chrome Mox]], [[Gemstone Mine]], [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], [[Burning Wish]], and [[Tendrils of Agony]]!
Round Five – Deadguy Ale
Game One:
I look at my hand of: [[Chrome Mox]], [[Chrome Mox]], [[Ad Nauseam]], [[Dark Ritual]], [[Dark Ritual]], [[Rite of Flame]], and [[Burning Wish]]. Do I need to say more?
Sideboarding: -3 [[Orim’s Chant]], -1 [[Silence]], +2 [[Deathmark]], +1 [[Echoing Truth]], +1 [[Infernal Tutor]].
Game Two:
A turn one [[Thoughtsieze]] into a second turn [[Gaddock Teeg]]. I [[Deathmark]] it. They play an [[Ethersworn Canonist]] and on the next turn a [[Tidehollow Sculler]] (removes [[Ad Nauseam]]) leaving me with: [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], [[Simian Spirit Guide]], and [[Lotus Petal]]. I draw [[Burning Wish]], cast it, and get [[Shattering Spree]]. They attack. I play my artifact mana and remove [[Simian Spirit Guide]], [[Shattering Spree]], replicate, in response sacrifice [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] for . Destroy [[Ethersworn Canonist]] and [[Tidehollow Sculler]], get back [[Ad Nauseam]], and cast it off the [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] mana. I’m at 11… I flip [[Simian Spirit Guide]], [[Infernal Tutor]], [[City of Brass]], [[Tendrils of Agony]], [[Chrome Mox]], [[Brainstorm]], and [[Burning Wish]]…
Game Three:
We both Mulligan to five: [[City of Brass]], [[Gemstone Mine]], [[Dark Ritual]], [[Burning Wish]], and [[Deathmark]]. I open with [[City of Brass]]. They play land, [[AEther Vial]], go. I play [[Gemstone Mine]]. They play a [[Tarmogoyf]]. I draw another land and play it. They attack and pass. I then cast [[Dark Ritual]], [[Dark Ritual]], [[Deathmark]], [[Rite of Flame]], [[Burning Wish]], and [[Empty the Warrens]]. They play [[Jötun Grunt]] and [[AEther Vial]] in [[Serra Avenger]]. I attack in and get their life total low before we’re in a stalemate. They eventually empty both graveyards with the [[Jötun Grunt]]. I stay Hellbent and then draw [[Infernal Tutor]] for [[Burning Wish]] into [[Grapeshot]].
Round Six – INTENTIONAL DRAW
Top Eight – Zoo
Game One:
I play a turn one [[Ponder]] seeing [[Rite of Flame]], [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], and [[Lotus Petal]]. Next turn [[Diminishing Returns]]. I play a land and then [[Brainstorm]] into [[Dark Ritual]], [[Simian Spirit Guide]], and [[Burning Wish]]. [[Lotus Petal]], [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], [[Simian Spirit Guide]], [[Dark Ritual]], [[Burning Wish]], and [[Tendrils of Agony]].
Sideboarding: -3 [[Orim’s Chant]], -1 [[Silence]], +2 [[Deathmark]], +1 [[Echoing Truth]], +1 [[Infernal Tutor]].
Game Two:
A first turn [[Chain Lightning]]. I play [[Lotus Petal]], [[Lotus Petal]], [[Simian Spirit Guide]], [[Chrome Mox]], [[Rite of Flame]], [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], [[Burning Wish]], and [[Diminishing Returns]]. My seven isn’t very good. I remove [[Simian Spirit Guide]], [[Rite of Flame]], [[Lotus Petal]], [[Burning Wish]], [[Chrome Mox]] (Imprint: [[Ponder]]), [[Ponder]] (shuffle) and then draw [[Infernal Tutor]]. I end up casting a small [[Grapeshot]]. I keep drawing land and I’m forced to [[Infernal Tutor]] for [[Tendrils of Agony]]. They attack, [[Lightning Bolt]], [[Lightning Bolt]], and this puts me to three life. All I have in hand is [[Tendrils of Agony]] and they’re at six. I have [[Gemstone Mine]], [[City of Brass]], [[City of Brass]], and a blue [[Chrome Mox]]. I draw [[Ponder]] looking at [[Rite of Flame]], [[Burning Wish]], and a land! [[Rite of Flame]] into [[Tendrils of Agony]]!
Top Four – Zoo
Game One:
I play an early [[Diminishing Returns]] into a bad hand.
Sideboarding: -3 [[Orim’s Chant]], -1 [[Silence]], +2 [[Deathmark]], +1 [[Echoing Truth]], +1 [[Infernal Tutor]].
Game Two:
They play [[Wild Nacatl]]. I play [[Lotus Petal]], [[Dark Ritual]], [[Dark Ritual]], [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], [[Infernal Tutor]], [[Ill-Gotten Gains]], [[Dark Ritual]], [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], [[Infernal Tutor]], and [[Tendrils of Agony]].
Game Three:
Much like game two but involves [[Ad Nauseam]] instead.
Finals – Ultimate Walker
Game One:
It goes to about turn 4 with not much action, they then play a [[Trinket Mage]] for [[Chalice of the Void]] and then cast it for zero. On their end step, I cast [[Brainstorm]]. Put back [[Chrome Mox]] and [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]]. I then play [[Mystical Tutor]] for [[Dark Ritual]]. Untap, draw, and then cast [[Orim’s Chant]] which is countered. They have two cards left, I decide to go all in — the cards left were [[Force of Will]] and [[Spell Snare]].
Sideboarding: -2 [[Mystical Tutor]], -1 [[Ill-Gotten Gains]], +3 [[Pyroblast]].
Game Two:
I mulligan to six, go all in on turn two without protection — I run straight into a [[Force of Will]].
Closing & General Thoughts
In the end I got 150$ for the event… special thanks to Adam Phillips for giving me a ride from the event after my ride just left me there without telling me. Also, a shout out to Goeff Smelski for being unwilling to split so that I didn’t have to be the bad guy.
Until next time, keep storming!
