Due to the noticeable uprising in UWx-based strategies from last year and the unbanning of Wild Nacatl, I felt like Infect might not be the best choice to take to Richmond. Both decks pack a ton of maindeck removal and keeping my 1/1 men alive long enough to sicken my opponents was not going to be an easy task for 10+ rounds. For that reason (and because I was quite curious about trying the strategy) I decided to take Primeval Scapeshift to the GP. Maindeck Anger of the Gods and Lightning Bolt allows me to sweep away any errant 3/3s and opposing Mana Leaks lose power when I have eight or so lands, including a Cavern of Souls. Choosing Primeval Titan/Prismatic Omen over Cryptic Command/Peer Through Depths came from my desire to have multiple win conditions, giving me extra game against Blood Moons and Slaughter Games. The rest of the deck is fairly standard, but here's the list I took in case you were curious.
Creatures (8)
4x Primeval Titan
4x Sakura-Tribe Elder
Spells (26)
3x Anger of the Gods
3x Farseek
4x Izzet Charm
2x Lightning Bolt
3x Prismatic Omen
3x Remand
4x Scapeshift
4x Search for Tomorrow
Lands (26)
1x Breeding Pool
1x Cavern of Souls
4x Misty Rainforest
2x Scalding Tarn
2x Steam Vents
4x Stomping Grounds
3x Valakut, the Molten Pinnacle
2x Forest
1x Island
6x Mountain
Sideboard (15)
1x Bonfire of the Damned
1x Boseiju, Who Shelters All
1x Combust
3x Counterflux
3x Nature's Claim
2x Obstinate Baloth
2x Sowing Salt
2x Spellskite
Due to the sheer volume of participants at the GP, Star City Games had to move some of the players to a different ballroom, but I was lucky enough to remain in the main hall. After the player meeting (where I opened a Twitter account with the express purpose of checking pairings), it was off to round one. Here we go.
Round one was against a pleasant fellow named Lance Cooper playing Jund Lands. Game one was rather non-interactive, with him casting only a few spells while I ramped; a resolved Primeval Titan sealed that game. Game two he had to mulligan to four, so it unfortunately wasn't much of a game. (1-0)
Round two was against UR Storm piloted by Tyler Sangston. Game one we took turns setting up; I amassed a bulk of lands while he added counters to Pyromancer Ascension. He got me down to 6 life on turn four, but I had Scapeshift and Prismatic Omen when I untapped to win the game. Game two he overwhelmed me with two Pyromancer Ascensions and Lightning Bolts rather quickly. Game three I drew a Counterflux and a Nature's Claim to keep him off Grapeshot and Pyromancer Ascension respectively, and eventually resolved a pair of Primeval Titans to deal lethal damage via angry lands and giants. (2-0)
Round three I played Michael Rahn piloting America Twin. Game one I countered his first Splinter Twin and killed the associated Deceiver Exarch, but could not fight the second round of the combo (where he showed me a THIRD combo in hand). Game two I played an early Spellskite that fell to his second Path to Exile after I countered the first. I tried to combo at eight lands with Remand and Izzet Charm back-up, assuming his four open mana couldn't get past two counterspells. I tapped my excess lands to float mana after the land exchange and went for Scapeshift. This was the game-losing mistake, as he countered with Swan Song—which could get past both counterspells—and I was tapped out and unable to react to his Splinter Twin making a thousand 1/4 pokers. I should have realized that I didn't need the mana if the spell resolved (as he'd be dead) and I would have time to tap the mana if he attempted to counterspell; a disappointing loss to my own misplay. (2-1)
Round four was Gerald Freas on Patrick Dickman's recently popular Tarmo-Twin. Game one, again, I was able to stop the first but not the second Deceiver Exarch + Splinter Twin (resilient little 1/4 jerks). Game two looked better, as I ramped up to six mana rather quickly, even if a Deceiver Exarch at upkeep tapped one of my lands (an Anger of the Gods + Lightning Bolt would handle him #feelbad2for1s). When my opponent repeated the same play at six lands, I foolishly let it resolve, tapping my second blue source and keeping me off Counterflux mana. I paid dearly for this mistake as he suited up his Exarch with a Splinter Twin and made short work of my folly. I don't know what I was trying to fake here, he knew I had Counterflux from an earlier Gitaxian Probe; stupid mistake. (2-2)
Two losses to blatant misplays left me pretty severely on the tilt. Not to say I would have won game three, but I should not have lost on those turns. I took a moment to roll my eyes and remind myself that I can do better if I just slow down and play carefully. This helped somewhat and I began round 5.
Round five was against a cheery Kiki-Pod player named Carey Vaughn. Thanks to David, I'm super familiar with how this deck plays and know how to keep the deck behind. In game one, a timely Anger of the Gods kept him from comboing the following turn, giving me time to cast Primeval Titan. Although he matche
d me with a Phantasmal Image for Titan, my following Prismatic Omen made sure his creatures and life total were not long for this world. Game two his Avalanche Rider kept me off key lands and Glen Elendra Archmage protected him from field-wipes as he chained a Birthing Pod into a Kiki-Jiki, Mirror Breaker that feverishly made an army of Zealous Conscripts. Game three had an Anger of the Gods and Bonfire of the Damned retard his board state while a Prismatic Omen sped up my plan. Soon I had access to free, uncounterable Lightning Bolts via Valakut and fetch lands; feels good, man. This was enough to clinch the match. (3-2)
Round six was a little surreal. The round started and I had no opponent, so I called for a judge like a good little boy and was instructed to call back after 10 minutes or when my opponent showed up. Eight minutes into time it looked like I was about to get lunch, but my opponent sat down just in time. He smiled at me and said "I know I'm late, but let's get this started." We started the match with him at a loss and it was easy to see he... wasn't totally in it. Regardless, we played a very light-hearted match where I kept a terribly situational hand, but he had very little action other than Spell Snaring my Prismatic Omen, Izzet Charm, and Sakura-Tribe Elder (really, STEve?!). After several turns of "draw, go," I eventually developed a critical mass of lands and cast Scapeshift for the win. Not the hardest-fought victory, but it was relieving to see someone who was really just in it for the lulz. He laughed as he left saying he was gonna play Living End next round and hope he doesn't get deck-checked. What a silly dude. (4-2)
Round seven I faced Big Zoo by Larry Suriel. Game one he did well playing around my Anger of the Gods and had Path to Exile for my defensive Primeval Titan, and eventually overwhelmed me with Loxodon Smiter, a 4/4 Knight of the Reliquary, and a 3/4 Tarmogoyf. Game two played out similarly, with Anger of the Gods only sweeping away half of his threats while the rest lived to die another day. Obstinate Baloth bought me a turn, but I could not get to eight lands fast enough to combo him to death with Scapeshift. This loss put me at 4-3, out of contention for day 2.
My last two rounds didn't even show up, so I snagged some free Planeswalker Points for being patient. My official final record was 6-3, but it was more of a 4-3. Not enough to make day 2, but that made Sunday much more stress-free. Brandon and Chris J. had day 2 records, so we still had to get up early, but me and Chris H. spent the day making trades, checking out vendors, and splitting the world's most pathetic Born of the Gods win-a-box (the best card in our half was a Temple of Enlightenment; wat).
4x Sakura-Tribe Elder
Spells (26)3x Anger of the Gods
3x Farseek
4x Izzet Charm
2x Lightning Bolt
3x Prismatic Omen
3x Remand
4x Scapeshift
4x Search for Tomorrow
Lands (26)
1x Breeding Pool
1x Cavern of Souls
4x Misty Rainforest
2x Scalding Tarn
2x Steam Vents
4x Stomping Grounds
3x Valakut, the Molten Pinnacle
2x Forest
1x Island
6x Mountain
Sideboard (15)
1x Bonfire of the Damned
1x Boseiju, Who Shelters All
1x Combust
3x Counterflux
3x Nature's Claim
2x Obstinate Baloth
2x Sowing Salt
2x Spellskite
Due to the sheer volume of participants at the GP, Star City Games had to move some of the players to a different ballroom, but I was lucky enough to remain in the main hall. After the player meeting (where I opened a Twitter account with the express purpose of checking pairings), it was off to round one. Here we go.
Round one was against a pleasant fellow named Lance Cooper playing Jund Lands. Game one was rather non-interactive, with him casting only a few spells while I ramped; a resolved Primeval Titan sealed that game. Game two he had to mulligan to four, so it unfortunately wasn't much of a game. (1-0)
Round two was against UR Storm piloted by Tyler Sangston. Game one we took turns setting up; I amassed a bulk of lands while he added counters to Pyromancer Ascension. He got me down to 6 life on turn four, but I had Scapeshift and Prismatic Omen when I untapped to win the game. Game two he overwhelmed me with two Pyromancer Ascensions and Lightning Bolts rather quickly. Game three I drew a Counterflux and a Nature's Claim to keep him off Grapeshot and Pyromancer Ascension respectively, and eventually resolved a pair of Primeval Titans to deal lethal damage via angry lands and giants. (2-0)
Round three I played Michael Rahn piloting America Twin. Game one I countered his first Splinter Twin and killed the associated Deceiver Exarch, but could not fight the second round of the combo (where he showed me a THIRD combo in hand). Game two I played an early Spellskite that fell to his second Path to Exile after I countered the first. I tried to combo at eight lands with Remand and Izzet Charm back-up, assuming his four open mana couldn't get past two counterspells. I tapped my excess lands to float mana after the land exchange and went for Scapeshift. This was the game-losing mistake, as he countered with Swan Song—which could get past both counterspells—and I was tapped out and unable to react to his Splinter Twin making a thousand 1/4 pokers. I should have realized that I didn't need the mana if the spell resolved (as he'd be dead) and I would have time to tap the mana if he attempted to counterspell; a disappointing loss to my own misplay. (2-1)Round four was Gerald Freas on Patrick Dickman's recently popular Tarmo-Twin. Game one, again, I was able to stop the first but not the second Deceiver Exarch + Splinter Twin (resilient little 1/4 jerks). Game two looked better, as I ramped up to six mana rather quickly, even if a Deceiver Exarch at upkeep tapped one of my lands (an Anger of the Gods + Lightning Bolt would handle him #feelbad2for1s). When my opponent repeated the same play at six lands, I foolishly let it resolve, tapping my second blue source and keeping me off Counterflux mana. I paid dearly for this mistake as he suited up his Exarch with a Splinter Twin and made short work of my folly. I don't know what I was trying to fake here, he knew I had Counterflux from an earlier Gitaxian Probe; stupid mistake. (2-2)
Two losses to blatant misplays left me pretty severely on the tilt. Not to say I would have won game three, but I should not have lost on those turns. I took a moment to roll my eyes and remind myself that I can do better if I just slow down and play carefully. This helped somewhat and I began round 5.
d me with a Phantasmal Image for Titan, my following Prismatic Omen made sure his creatures and life total were not long for this world. Game two his Avalanche Rider kept me off key lands and Glen Elendra Archmage protected him from field-wipes as he chained a Birthing Pod into a Kiki-Jiki, Mirror Breaker that feverishly made an army of Zealous Conscripts. Game three had an Anger of the Gods and Bonfire of the Damned retard his board state while a Prismatic Omen sped up my plan. Soon I had access to free, uncounterable Lightning Bolts via Valakut and fetch lands; feels good, man. This was enough to clinch the match. (3-2)
Round six was a little surreal. The round started and I had no opponent, so I called for a judge like a good little boy and was instructed to call back after 10 minutes or when my opponent showed up. Eight minutes into time it looked like I was about to get lunch, but my opponent sat down just in time. He smiled at me and said "I know I'm late, but let's get this started." We started the match with him at a loss and it was easy to see he... wasn't totally in it. Regardless, we played a very light-hearted match where I kept a terribly situational hand, but he had very little action other than Spell Snaring my Prismatic Omen, Izzet Charm, and Sakura-Tribe Elder (really, STEve?!). After several turns of "draw, go," I eventually developed a critical mass of lands and cast Scapeshift for the win. Not the hardest-fought victory, but it was relieving to see someone who was really just in it for the lulz. He laughed as he left saying he was gonna play Living End next round and hope he doesn't get deck-checked. What a silly dude. (4-2)
Round seven I faced Big Zoo by Larry Suriel. Game one he did well playing around my Anger of the Gods and had Path to Exile for my defensive Primeval Titan, and eventually overwhelmed me with Loxodon Smiter, a 4/4 Knight of the Reliquary, and a 3/4 Tarmogoyf. Game two played out similarly, with Anger of the Gods only sweeping away half of his threats while the rest lived to die another day. Obstinate Baloth bought me a turn, but I could not get to eight lands fast enough to combo him to death with Scapeshift. This loss put me at 4-3, out of contention for day 2.
My last two rounds didn't even show up, so I snagged some free Planeswalker Points for being patient. My official final record was 6-3, but it was more of a 4-3. Not enough to make day 2, but that made Sunday much more stress-free. Brandon and Chris J. had day 2 records, so we still had to get up early, but me and Chris H. spent the day making trades, checking out vendors, and splitting the world's most pathetic Born of the Gods win-a-box (the best card in our half was a Temple of Enlightenment; wat).
 |
| Sunday's Haul! |
Overall I don't regret going to the event or choosing Scapeshift as my deck, even if I didn't do as well as I had hoped. I regret some of my plays but, hey, live and learn. Richmond was a blast and I recommend traveling to anyone looking for something new from their Magic experience. Traveling for events lets you meet all sorts of cool people and gives you an excuse to get out of town and see the world. Shout outs to Chris Hogg, Chris Janus, and Brandon Kohrs for taking the trip with me and being a great travel crew (sorry my phone directions took us to a military base, but we lived, so it's ok). Thanks for reading and I hope this article has you consider exploring outside of your LGS. Until next time, CNG!
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-Javier Remy
Check out the Casual Net Gaming Archive and Like us on Facebook!
-Javier Remy
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