Battle Report – May 4, 2008

Battle Report – May 4, 2008
Format: Constructed (9 players, 4 preliminary rounds + Finals)

Hero: Ta'zo
Tourney rank: 2nd
Final score: 3-2

It's been exactly 3 weeks since I last joined a tournament and I was really looking forward to facing against new decks in the local tourney scene. The Betrayer set is already a month old so I knew control decks would be out in force.

Once again, I went with my wingman - Ta'zo, the Horde mage. In fact, this is the 3rd straight time I rolled with the fire-loving troll. I just couldn't leave it behind – in the last 2 tournaments I played in, the deck landed in the top 3 and won 11 of 13 rounds played. He's ugly as hell but he delivers the goods. I guess I'll keep playing it until it fails spectacularly or I get bored with it. Whichever comes first.

In today's game, the only deck that beat Ta'zo was, well, Ta'zo. Jim Paul was packing a similar deck and we both reached the best of 3 final round. Mage rush versus mage rush is akin to a 50-meter dash - no leisurely walk down the beach, no stopping for tea and crumpets - just a mad mad dash to the finish line. I didn't draw the cards I needed and he got there first. GG.

This tourney had many firsts. It's the first time I had a bye win. Ever. I had bye loss once for being late but never a bye win. Also, the "Curse of the Perfect Preliminary Game" was finally broken. The curse is if you sweep the preliminary rounds, you're bound to lose the semi-final or final round. It wasn't broken by me, unfortunately, but it's broken nonetheless. The credit goes to Jim Paul. That curse has plagued me way too many times. In fact, twice in the last 2 tournaments I joined. I'm not the superstitious type but that's at least one less thing to think about. Cheers.

Round 1: *bye*
Result: win

Round 2: vs Joel - Vor'na
Result: win

Round 3: vs Jim Paul - Ta'zo
Result: loss

Round 4: vs Emil - Bloodtusk
Result: win

Finals: vs Jim Paul - Ta'zo
Result: loss

Tournament winner: Jim Paul
Tournament runner-up: me