{"id":470,"date":"2014-05-06T08:28:50","date_gmt":"2014-05-06T08:28:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.joystuckinthepast.com\/?p=470"},"modified":"2024-06-26T18:23:22","modified_gmt":"2024-06-26T18:23:22","slug":"mtg-grand-prix-manchester","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/joystuckinthepast.com\/index.php\/2014\/05\/06\/mtg-grand-prix-manchester\/","title":{"rendered":"MtG Grand Prix Manchester"},"content":{"rendered":"

I had been enthused over the upcoming Manchester Grand Prix – my first ever proper magic tournament. The weeks leading up I played around with a few decks and then Pro Tour happened. The meta completely shifted and pretty much every deck I had been trialling was now dead in the water. Black Aggro seemed the most viable but relies on good draws and folds to the strong decks post-board. I completely lost enthusiasm but decided to go ahead anyway.<\/p>\n

\"gp_manchester_wide\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The 5+ hours travel to Manchester got us to the hotel and Event City with a few hours to spare. Ferg and I headed to the grinders. I got pounded while he made it to the final of one of them. He eventually lost to a guy we saw in the day 2 Grand Prix.<\/p>\n

Block Constructed Grand Prix<\/h2>\n

I was already bored of block so wasn’t really in the right mind set not expecting to do well.<\/p>\n

Round 1 vs Andrew Salkeld, Blue White<\/h3>\n

I can’t remember much of my first round but it was a 2-1 victory. First game I beat down taking nothing. Third game I stabilise at 15 and eat away at life.<\/p>\n

Round 2 vs Daniel De Swarte, Red Green (1-0)<\/h3>\n

Awesome, round 2 and I’m already facing a Scottish player. One who is better than me, a judge and got to the final of the Game Day. I believe this is one of the many games where I flood out to nothing losing 2-1.<\/p>\n

Round 3 vs Gary Baker (1-1), Chapin<\/h3>\n

I can’t remember any misplays from this game so must have just lost to the better deck and player. Ho-hum, *glances at side events*.<\/p>\n

Round 4 vs Craig Banach (1-2)<\/h3>\n

Oh hey there Scottish player number 2. I expected a mirror match and he doesn’t disappoint. What does disappoint is the main deck [c]Hall of Triumph[\/c] and [c]Feast of Dreams[\/c]. It sits at 1-1 and he has tapped out to attack. He’s on 5 life. I have a [c]Tormented Hero[\/c] on board and only a [c]Boon of Erebos[\/c] in hand. Now I saw a route to victory last turn but now can’t see what it is. I attack with the [c]Tormented Hero[\/c] and blank on what to do to win, seeing only 2 more damage in hand. Idiot.<\/p>\n

The time is ticking down taking ages between rounds. I see the schedule. If I win the next round great. If I lose I don’t have time to drop and go to the Modern event. I drop and go to write up the decklist for Modern.<\/p>\n

Slightly disappointed but not unexpected for the GP. I should have been 2-2 but was just not into it and didn’t concentrate. I don’t know if I would do another block GP. The games were boring with about 2 decks which worked and everything else a mile behind. With a new set out just a couple of weeks before the GP, changing deck became super expensive or reliant on borrowing lots off friends.<\/p>\n

Modern Treasure Chest<\/h2>\n

I had brought my Modern Goblin deck with me on the slight change I wouldn’t Day 2 *cough*. Joining another 52 players I was really looking forward to playing a silly deck.<\/p>\n

What stands out is that in 6 rounds I played 6 different decks. Yay, lot’s of practice with Gobbos do the Jobbo<\/q>.<\/p>\n

Round One vs Alexander Mortimer, Red Blue Storm<\/h3>\n

I manage to win the match 2-0 with Alex stumbling in his storm. We play a couple of fun games after so I get to see how it goes off.<\/p>\n

Round Two vs Matthew Thomson (1-0), Green White Hexproof<\/h3>\n

I win the first match but fold under a giant hexproof, vigilant, lifelink dude. Sure, I can side in Krenko and spam tokens to block but if you drop a [c]Rancor[\/c] I’m trading dozens of cards to stall you. I try and race in game 2 and 3 and don’t succeed.<\/p>\n

Round Three vs Joshua Buchan (1-1), Blue White Red Control<\/h3>\n

All those remands, mana leaks and so on take their toll and I lose. Having great fun doing so. It really can’t be stressed enough. I have more fun getting stomped with Goblins in Modern than I do winning with Mono Black in Standard. I think the first game was flashing in a [c]Restoration Angel[\/c] to block and then bolt my dorks. I don’t get his life to single figures in either match.<\/p>\n

Round Four vs Branoc Richards (1-2), Ninja Bear Delver<\/h3>\n

I’m on the play, drop a mountain and a [c]Legion Loyalist[\/c]. I can’t believe I’ve lost to fucking goblins<\/q> states my opponent with his head in his hands. Er, I assume that’s not a concession, we play on. He gets extra card draw but not enough to make a difference. I have tears streaming at one point from us laughing at a silly topdeck. I win the match 2-0. His friend comes over after playing Travis Woo<\/a> and he tell him the story of the match.<\/p>\n

It’s getting late and I’m really feeling tired now. I can’t stress enough how much the bring snacks and drinks<\/q> advice was useful. Given the heat in the hall it’s great to nip outside between matches too.<\/p>\n

Round Five vs Matt Wakeford (2-2) Red Green Tron<\/h3>\n

It’s all to play for, sitting at 2-2 with 2 rounds to go, got to get in the prizes.<\/p>\n

He is on the play and assembles Tron on turn 3. Passing turn, I play the land and [c]Blood Moon[\/c] I have in my hand. It always surprises people if they see it game one. Considering some decks play 2-3 basics it’s a no-brainer to me. The few occasions it’s not needed or that I top deck that instead of burn are far outweighed by the number of times you can basically lock your opponent.<\/p>\n

Game 2 my opening hand contains 3 [c]Mountain[\/c]s and a [c]Blood Moon[\/c]. First time I’ve seen it all day and turns up at the perfect time. Fair enough he’s not the biggest target for it, but every little helps.<\/p>\n

Round Six vs Simon Smith (3-2), Robots<\/h3>\n

Simon was sitting next to me in the previous match so I know what to expect. A [c]Blood Moon[\/c] shows up again, not the best card against the deck, but still stops the Nexuses being used to kill me with infect. I win through ending up 4-2 overall gaining 4 packs. The winner and runner up get phat loot including fetchlands, legacy lands and a From the Vaults.<\/p>\n

Day 2 – Modern Championship<\/h2>\n

I find out that Brad has made it to Day 2. Fantastic result. Some Scot we haven’t heard of is sitting 9-0 too. We have some time in the morning so we all sit tuning decks. Ray Doyle manages to cut my curve by a buttload after remembering a silly combo that used to exist.<\/p>\n

Round One vs Nicolas Debacker, Green White Flash<\/h3>\n

I win the first match with a [c]Kitchen Finks[\/c] being his only play, so I’m not 100% sure what deck he is playing. We wins game 2 after playing [c]Obstinate Baloth[\/c] and flickering it twice with a [c]Restoration Angel[\/c] so it’s all down to the third match. I eventually get the board state to where he has 2 life, 3 open mana and a [c]Restoration Angel[\/c] in hand. Looking at the board I have enough to deal 12 damage, even if he flickers the Baloth and goes to 6 I can get through for 6 damage. Just win on the nose.<\/p>\n

Round Two vs Charlie Ringer (1-0), Jund<\/h3>\n

I haven’t played against the new version of Jund yet so am looking forward to it. A turn one [c]Goblin Guide[\/c] reveals a [c]Dark Confidant[\/c]. The look on his face tells me he won’t be playing it…<\/p>\n

He eventually manages to kill all my guys and in game 2 ends up with Dead Alan time.<\/p>\n

Round Three vs Leonard Smith (1-1), The Rock<\/h3>\n

I hadn’t seen anyone play this deck before, so when he plays nothing but black spells in game 1 I figure he is some kind of control deck. Turns out he’s just mana screwed. So I have no idea what to expect. Game 2 he plays a [c]Phyrexian Obliterator[\/c]. Hmm, I have two mountains and three Goblins in play. It’s time for game 3. We go back and forth a bit and I get him to two life with a stalled board. Eventually draw a [c]Goblin Grenade[\/c] after chumping with my last Goblin. If any of the last 5 draws had been a burn spell of some kind… Oh well.<\/p>\n

Round Four vs Olivier Lejeune (1-2), Blue White<\/h3>\n

So I’m 2-1 down but getting a lot of practice against decks I don’t normally play. These two side events have been totally worth it.<\/p>\n

Game 1 I manage to get a Turn 4 win.<\/p>\n

Game 2, turn 1 I play a Goblin Guide, he bolts it. Turn 2 I drop a [c]Legion Loyalist[\/c] and a [c]Goblin Guide[\/c], double [c]Lightning Bolt[\/c]. Hmm what a pain, at least that’s 9 damage not at my face and only stopping him taking 6, but still. I get him to 1 life. He then double [c]Lightning Helix[\/c] to clear my board and stabilise beating me to death with a [c]Restoration Angel[\/c].<\/p>\n

Game 3 I manage to fight through a [c]Wrath of God[\/c]<\/p>\n

Round Five vs Aaron Lipshitz (2-2), Green White Black<\/h3>\n

Game 1 treats me to another turn 4 kill, with him being on 12 life at start of turn.<\/p>\n

Game 2 is probably a story he can tell. He gets me down to 2 life, clears my board and he is on 29 after a poor removal decision by me following a [c]Blood Moon[\/c]. How does he kill me, well with a [c]Noble Hierarch[\/c]. How does it get through my Goblins? It doesn’t, it grants exalted to a [c]Birds of Paradise[\/c]. Raced and beaten by a 0\/1 flyer. Only playing goblins do you get such nonsense.<\/p>\n

Game 3 I get him down from 18 to 2 on turn 3. He scoops.<\/p>\n

The disappointing news has come through that Brad has lost in the quarter finals. I’m now the only person in our car in a tournament. I figure it will be quick so I’ll play one more round, conceding if it looks like I may be in a winning position so that I don’t knock someone out of prizes then drop.<\/p>\n

Round Six vs Jonas Wienand (3-2), Storm<\/h3>\n

I sit down opposite a guy who has come all the way from Cologne for the weekend.<\/p>\n

In game 1 I get him to 2 before he storms off and hits me for lethal with [c]Grapeshot[\/c].<\/p>\n

Game 2, he slowly eats away at my life with tokens from [c]Empty the Warrens[\/c] but I win out.<\/p>\n

For Game 3 I get the travel buddies around us to watch. I slowly eat away at live. He salvages the match by killing a [c]Legion Loyalist[\/c] I top deck, which would have let me push through his tokens for lethal. I am on 17 and he is stalled on 2 for turn after turn. I just need a burn spell of some kind. He manages to storm off, casting [c]Lightning Bolt[\/c] and copying twice, down to 8. He then flashes it back and copies it twice. Oh well. Close though. I sign the slip, drop and wish him well.<\/p>\n

Overall a fun weekend. I do wish I had not bothered with the main event though and played a Chaos Draft or something on the Saturday morning instead. I wasn’t up for it and my playing reflected it. Oh well. I really enjoyed all the modern matches and some of the block. I don’t think I met anyone I took a dislike too either which was a bonus.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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