From: [mynamesnotnick@comcast.net]
Subject: Type II Tournament
Report
Alright this wasn't the most
prestigious tournament that a magic player could find, but this August 8th
Collegeville Pennsylvania occasion was fun to say the very least. It wasn't your
typical format either : 1 game matches, top four (of the 16 in attendance)
playoff for finals.
I decided to change my mind last
minute from mono-black control to a cheap U/R counter-burn deck.
Creatures:
4x Scalpelexis
Spells:
4x Counterspell
4x Force Spike
4x Pyroclasm
4x Fire/Ice
3x Remove Soul
3x Repulse
3x Unsummon
3x Prophetic Bolt
3x Mana Short
3x Wash Out
2x Aether Flash
SB: Not required for this tourney, obviously due to
the 1 game matches.
Not your typical Type II Deck, I
know. However, after playtesting a few times with my friend, I found this deck
very effective. Enough of my ramblings, onto the tournament.
Round 1: Vs. U/B Discard
This seemed like an ideal matchup for myself. I
choose to play first and never miss a land drop. He strikes early with an air
elemental, but his foolish attempts at bouncing all of his fliers for Hypnotic
Specter sealed his fate. Relentless repulses and mana shorts allowed my two
Scalpelexis to deck the opposition within the first 10 mins of
play.
1-0
Now I was skeptical of the one game match setup
because of mana-screw (which I always eventually fall victim to), sure
enough....
Round 2: Vs. G/R/W Stompy
I didn't really have time to study this deck at
all. I risked a two island hand early and never drew a single land. By turn 5, I
had two arrogant wurms breathing down my neck, so I scooped. I attempted to play
another quick game for respect, sadly I fell the same way...
1-1
Round 3: Vs. Mono-White Combo (?)
This match-up seemed like a sure victory, my
opponent was a novice player, and just threw together some cards that provided
small combos. I started out decently, not allowing him to play any threats. My
dream matchup turned quickly into a nightmare when he plays a CoP Blue. I mean,
it was the only one in his deck! Who plays CoP? And if any why blue? I am able
to bide for time with mana-short and wash out. I eventually picked up a
scalpelexis and was able to leave him with 11 cards in his library. Two renewed
heroes brought my life to 6. I hurt his library until he was left with 3 cards.
I am at 2 life after his little strikes. He then plays angelic wall, a pathetic
card. I find no way to remove it and lose.... needless to say I am ashamed for
drawing too many lands and have burned all angelic walls in my
own collection...
1-2
Round 4: Vs. Mono White Life Gain
My opponent's only creature throughout the whole
match was sunweb and a venerable monk. 2 Scalpelexis and 3 shots with prophetic
bolts gives me this match quickly.
He wanted to get over 50 life for the win... sadly
the only life gain I allowed were through 2 healing salves and the monk. His
deck was original though...
2-2
At this point I am pretty much eliminated from the
top 4. I would need a bit of luck to squeak in through tie breakers (I win
through decking, isn't that enough?)
Round 5: Vs. My playtesting friend's G/W
Stompy
What luck... We both didn't
like this match up because we knew the other's deck to a science. He went 2-2
due to his lack of flying creatures. He knew that I would have the better shot
in the finals so we agreed to a prize split (if luck should grant a prize). We
played for fun nonetheless...
He started off with an elf and
two werebears, which quickly fell to pyroclasm. I dropped an aether flash
preventing him from using his favorite grizzly fate and mongrels. He drops some
annoying nantuko monasteries and an eventual phantom nishoba. My scalpelexis got
in a few shots combined with some prophetic bolt support. We traded back and
forth until the round ended. An entertaining match nonetheless.
3-2
Not good enough for Top 4, but this deck does have
some promise with the addition of traumatize and upheaval. That will be saved
for another time though.
The Good:
-2 of technically 4 games won from
decking
-A cheap deck that can actually hang around for
multiple turns
-Scalpelexis
-My friend's kindness to step down for some
hope
The Bad:
-Too much space for mana screw....
-Some of the novice's indescribable luck
-How long my deck has to last for a
victory
The Ugly:
-Angelic Wall!
-CoP Blue! (why was it in? why not any other
color?, we all know blue is notorious for damage...)
Oh well, have to give the new players some credit
for playing with confidence.