My experience in Dc and how it can help you

[aaren]

Hi guys I went to Washington D.C this weekend and played my esper deck in a tournament. I ended out doing 6-4 and met alot of nice people, but most importantly I learned alot about magic and about the current meta that might help in big tournaments such as the one being held at our very own fantasy games and hobbies on March 12 (I believe the day is).

We all know when preparing decks not only our sideboard, but our main board as well should be adjusted to the current meta as well. The 2 most frequent decks I saw by a long shot, was the popular "Caw-blade" and boros. Followed by vampires and valkut. I actually learned about alot of cards that could grealty help vs these matchups and could possibly help you win the game against these very good decks.

The card I was most surprised about during this tournament was introduced to me for the first time by the creator of "the magic show" Evan Erwin. It was the .25 uncommon from worldwake called Hammer of Ruin. The card reads... "Whenever equipped creature deals combat damage to a player, you may destroy target Equipment that player controls". It costs 2 to play and 2 to equip but also gives +2/+0. It is a very good card and and forces caw-blade/boros to go into late game. A position they really do not want to be in.

The Second card which surprised me which goes very well in vampires/ boros and even maybe a Red Deck Wins is Mark of Mutiny. Those decks try to win on the faster side and mark of mutiny not only takes one of their blockers, but I saw it go off against a eldrazi deck against Korzilek and It was nice and can potentially bring some extra damage in which is nice. Another technical play with is is with vampires (yes that means you Justin), sacrifice a creature to scry can lead to you stealing their creature, swinging with it, then sacing it and o ya scry 1? Seems pretty good to me.

That is all I can think of right now other than I highly suggest that you go to one of these sometime cause it was SICK!!!!!!! Hope this helped you guys in someway.

[justinhering]

Thanks for the update and congrats on the 6-4 finish.

When the Mirrodin Block came out, I remember showing Manuel a copy of Hammer of Ruin saying it would be relevant in type 2. I guess that is finally coming to fruition.

Mark of Mutiny is a card that I have played in Vampires. In fact, I pulled the same combo you mentioned above against a Grave Titan. The other thing you can do is give your own critters haste if you need a quick punch to win the game. For example, summon a Gatekeeper of Malakir, hit him with Mark of Mutiny and now he's a 3/2, hasty vampire.

I removed the Mark of Mutiny from my current build in favor of 2 Captivating Vampires. So far, I like the Captivating Vampire in the deck and 2 seems to be the right number. It appears opponents feel like they need to deal with him before things get out of hand.

That being said, against a tournament meta I would be apt to add 2 Mark of Mutiny to the sideboard. Captivating Vampire essentially mind controls creatures when there are 5 or more vampires out, but that is relatively slow. Mark of Mutiny is played turn 3, right after your opponent drops Primeval Titan. That's what the card is designed to cope with.

Great update and insight, thanks again.

[jankstere]

aaren supposedly your on the main picture of the website of starcity games website!!!!! ;D oh yeah and guess what!!!!


RED DECK WINS!!!!!!!!!!!!

[aaren]

am i really? where? lol i want a picture of my picture