rileyandholly88
12-18-2010, 04:31 AM
What I want to tell everyone with this article is that going to large events like Grand Prix-Columbus can be a wonderful time and thoroughly enjoyed by all players. Unfortunately, it can also be a place of absolute disappointment and heartache. More on the bad side later, but for now I want to focus on what events I played, what I saw, and what I did for three days of my life involving nonstop Magic: The Gathering action.
http://www.wizards.com/mtg/images/daily/events/gpcol10/gp_columbus_wide.jpg
For starters, my main goal was to compete in the massive Legacy event that nearly every person there was taking part in. I chose a deck quickly and carelessly and without much play testing. Here is the I played:
http://www.mtgvault.com/ViewDeck.aspx?DeckID=88148
I was inspired to play this deck because of the increasing amount of Aggro style decks like Merfolk, Goblins, and Zoo which this deck handles well. Unfortunately, it does not do well against Combo style decks all that well which ended up not playing much a factor for me in the main event. We were at the event early, signed up, were handed alternative art Umezawa's Jitte, and signed up for a smaller Legacy event to pass the time. Being completely honest, I had not even had a chance to play test the deck before this event. My first round was paired up against a Tendrils of Agony deck using Ad Nauseam. This player was extremely cocky, getting upset by how long my turns were taking even though I was constantly playing cards or using the Stack. I won the first game by putting a stop to his army of newly created Goblins from Empty the Warrens using a infinite Glacial Chasm lock and The Tabernacle at Pendrell Vale.
http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?multiverseid=109735&type=card http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?multiverseid=201236&type=card
Game two I sided in four Mindbreak Trap, out of stupidity he used Ad Nauseam, discovered two Thoughtseize, played one and saw two Mindbreak Trap in my hand and did not play the second, then attempted to Tendrils of Agony me. I used Mindbreak Trap and he conceded, saying only that I needed to play faster and was a bad player.
http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?multiverseid=197532&type=card
The next player beat me using another combo deck centering around using Dream Halls, ironically this was once again a bad match for me. I managed to keep him in a lock using my Rishadan Port, but he was eventually able to get past that obstacle and finish me two games using his combo.
http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?multiverseid=5105&type=card http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?multiverseid=19767&type=card
I was officially out of the side event, but I was able to learn a lot about my deck and the capabilities it had from those two games as well as the demeanor of some of the people I would be playing the very next day. I will not be going in to much detail right now about the games I played on the actual day of the Grand Prix, but you are more than welcome to ask me through email, MSN Messenger, or through the Vault itself the details of those games. My record before deciding to drop from the main Legacy event was 5-3, so I felt pretty good about it considering I had little time to play or test the deck. I was able to defeat R/B Goblins, Black Control, Countertop Goyf, B/W Vindicator, and Zoo with my most usual win condition being Mindslaver and Academy Ruins lock. The three decks I was beaten by were Survival Zoo, U/G Madness, and Goblin Charbelcher.
http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?multiverseid=6150&type=card http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?multiverseid=34465&type=card
http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?multiverseid=49771&type=card
Losing to Goblin Charbelcher was not much of a surprise, but losing to Survival Zoo was a shocker. I just could not get a decent opening hand and his ability to search for Qasali Pridemage was really hurting my Artifacts and Enchantments that are crucial for 42 Land to work. U/G Madness was a deck I never would have thought to see make a return, I was extremely over powered and out ran right from the start of each match. Vengevine were coming out of everywhere and I had no way to stop the massive influx of them, Wild Mongrel, Basking Rootwalla, and Aquamoeba. That ended my time in the main event, I think if I had more time to prepare I would have been able to do better. Either way, I came out happy with my statistics for day one even though it meant not being able to qualify for day two. As far as events go, I helped a friend build a G/B/W The Rock deck for a Legacy side event which he took second place in and I competed in a Two-Headed Giant Booster Draft that we took second in.
Next I am going to talk about the time I spent shopping for cards and other things along those lines. Most of my time was spent shopping for cards. I sold quite a few cards that were big in Standard and not Legacy as well as my entire trade binder. My happiest purchase happened early, I added these four babies to my 42 Land right away:
http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?multiverseid=1072&type=card http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?multiverseid=1071&type=card
http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?type=card&multiverseid=1074 http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?type=card&multiverseid=1073
It cost me $100, but it was well worth the investment. Each was in Mint condition and all came bundled together which saved me roughly $50 at the time. One of the most interesting things I was able to do was have one of my Pernicious Deed art extended by a artist hanging around the shops. Let me tell you something, this card is absolutely beautiful! It was by far the most crowning moment of my entire trip minus the next event! Christopher Moeller, the artist for Pernicious Deed, was there doing autographs. I managed to have my foil Pernicious Deed, two normal, and art extended one all signed in silver by him as well as a large art print of the card. Some of the other notable cards he signed for me were Meddling Mage, Umezawa's Jitte, and Isamaru, Hound of Konda.
http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?multiverseid=26591&type=card http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?multiverseid=79217&type=card
One of these days I may post another article showing how I went from nothing to the collection I have today, centering the article about how to build something like I have now. That will have to wait, now we must come to the bad part of my trip to Columbus, Ohio.
http://www.mtgvault.com/ViewDeck.aspx?DeckID=88148
Above I have posted the deck I played at the event for a second time. Take a good moment to look over each of the cards, assess each ones value, and then take into consideration some were foil, autographed, special like the four seasonal Mishra's Factory, down right expensive like The Tabernacle at Pendrell Vale, and all were in Mint or Near Mint condition. Done thinking I hope and I think you all know exactly where I am going with this, all those cards were stolen from me. A single deck of mine targeted and taken from me. I have never had anything stolen from me in my entire life, never! I put to much faith in myself and the people around me to be honest and respect others space and possessions. Luckily, I was able to recreate the deck for just under $1200 dollars the last day of the event while sellers were trying to make as many final sales as possible. The cards were back in my possession, but the money spent is not what killed me inside or what killed Magic: The Gathering for me. What killed it for me, was the fact that those cards are a very personal thing to me as well as everything else I own. Every card I own has a story and I can probably tell you each one. Filling out a police report gave me no sense of hope or encouragement, only the truth that I would never get those cards back. I want to close this article, but I want to close it with some advice to take with you to these events or anywhere with your cards:
1. Do not trust anyone, even your friends and family to watch or protect your cards.
2. NEVER leave anything belonging to you unattended.
3. Bring ONLY what you need to do what you are intending to do, especially at larger events.
4. Store everything in your lap or across your chest, not around chairs or their legs or on the floor.
5. Always remain vigilant of others around you and watch everyone who handles any of your things.
6. Try to stay with at least one person you know, you are far less likely to have things stolen from you when you are not alone.
7. Always mark your things in some way to indicate they belong to you, they may end up being found after being lost or stolen.
8. The most important rule of all is use common sense and good judgment.
That is all for now, hope you all enjoyed the read and hope it helps some people out when they make trips of their own out to these large events. You all already know how to find me and get in contact me for questions or comments so I will leave it at that. Enjoy the rest of the year and a Happy Holiday! Hope to get back in to writing more articles for the site in the following year.
Fuck it! Its a fight! Whatever happens, happens!
http://www.wizards.com/mtg/images/daily/events/gpcol10/gp_columbus_wide.jpg
For starters, my main goal was to compete in the massive Legacy event that nearly every person there was taking part in. I chose a deck quickly and carelessly and without much play testing. Here is the I played:
http://www.mtgvault.com/ViewDeck.aspx?DeckID=88148
I was inspired to play this deck because of the increasing amount of Aggro style decks like Merfolk, Goblins, and Zoo which this deck handles well. Unfortunately, it does not do well against Combo style decks all that well which ended up not playing much a factor for me in the main event. We were at the event early, signed up, were handed alternative art Umezawa's Jitte, and signed up for a smaller Legacy event to pass the time. Being completely honest, I had not even had a chance to play test the deck before this event. My first round was paired up against a Tendrils of Agony deck using Ad Nauseam. This player was extremely cocky, getting upset by how long my turns were taking even though I was constantly playing cards or using the Stack. I won the first game by putting a stop to his army of newly created Goblins from Empty the Warrens using a infinite Glacial Chasm lock and The Tabernacle at Pendrell Vale.
http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?multiverseid=109735&type=card http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?multiverseid=201236&type=card
Game two I sided in four Mindbreak Trap, out of stupidity he used Ad Nauseam, discovered two Thoughtseize, played one and saw two Mindbreak Trap in my hand and did not play the second, then attempted to Tendrils of Agony me. I used Mindbreak Trap and he conceded, saying only that I needed to play faster and was a bad player.
http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?multiverseid=197532&type=card
The next player beat me using another combo deck centering around using Dream Halls, ironically this was once again a bad match for me. I managed to keep him in a lock using my Rishadan Port, but he was eventually able to get past that obstacle and finish me two games using his combo.
http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?multiverseid=5105&type=card http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?multiverseid=19767&type=card
I was officially out of the side event, but I was able to learn a lot about my deck and the capabilities it had from those two games as well as the demeanor of some of the people I would be playing the very next day. I will not be going in to much detail right now about the games I played on the actual day of the Grand Prix, but you are more than welcome to ask me through email, MSN Messenger, or through the Vault itself the details of those games. My record before deciding to drop from the main Legacy event was 5-3, so I felt pretty good about it considering I had little time to play or test the deck. I was able to defeat R/B Goblins, Black Control, Countertop Goyf, B/W Vindicator, and Zoo with my most usual win condition being Mindslaver and Academy Ruins lock. The three decks I was beaten by were Survival Zoo, U/G Madness, and Goblin Charbelcher.
http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?multiverseid=6150&type=card http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?multiverseid=34465&type=card
http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?multiverseid=49771&type=card
Losing to Goblin Charbelcher was not much of a surprise, but losing to Survival Zoo was a shocker. I just could not get a decent opening hand and his ability to search for Qasali Pridemage was really hurting my Artifacts and Enchantments that are crucial for 42 Land to work. U/G Madness was a deck I never would have thought to see make a return, I was extremely over powered and out ran right from the start of each match. Vengevine were coming out of everywhere and I had no way to stop the massive influx of them, Wild Mongrel, Basking Rootwalla, and Aquamoeba. That ended my time in the main event, I think if I had more time to prepare I would have been able to do better. Either way, I came out happy with my statistics for day one even though it meant not being able to qualify for day two. As far as events go, I helped a friend build a G/B/W The Rock deck for a Legacy side event which he took second place in and I competed in a Two-Headed Giant Booster Draft that we took second in.
Next I am going to talk about the time I spent shopping for cards and other things along those lines. Most of my time was spent shopping for cards. I sold quite a few cards that were big in Standard and not Legacy as well as my entire trade binder. My happiest purchase happened early, I added these four babies to my 42 Land right away:
http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?multiverseid=1072&type=card http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?multiverseid=1071&type=card
http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?type=card&multiverseid=1074 http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?type=card&multiverseid=1073
It cost me $100, but it was well worth the investment. Each was in Mint condition and all came bundled together which saved me roughly $50 at the time. One of the most interesting things I was able to do was have one of my Pernicious Deed art extended by a artist hanging around the shops. Let me tell you something, this card is absolutely beautiful! It was by far the most crowning moment of my entire trip minus the next event! Christopher Moeller, the artist for Pernicious Deed, was there doing autographs. I managed to have my foil Pernicious Deed, two normal, and art extended one all signed in silver by him as well as a large art print of the card. Some of the other notable cards he signed for me were Meddling Mage, Umezawa's Jitte, and Isamaru, Hound of Konda.
http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?multiverseid=26591&type=card http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?multiverseid=79217&type=card
One of these days I may post another article showing how I went from nothing to the collection I have today, centering the article about how to build something like I have now. That will have to wait, now we must come to the bad part of my trip to Columbus, Ohio.
http://www.mtgvault.com/ViewDeck.aspx?DeckID=88148
Above I have posted the deck I played at the event for a second time. Take a good moment to look over each of the cards, assess each ones value, and then take into consideration some were foil, autographed, special like the four seasonal Mishra's Factory, down right expensive like The Tabernacle at Pendrell Vale, and all were in Mint or Near Mint condition. Done thinking I hope and I think you all know exactly where I am going with this, all those cards were stolen from me. A single deck of mine targeted and taken from me. I have never had anything stolen from me in my entire life, never! I put to much faith in myself and the people around me to be honest and respect others space and possessions. Luckily, I was able to recreate the deck for just under $1200 dollars the last day of the event while sellers were trying to make as many final sales as possible. The cards were back in my possession, but the money spent is not what killed me inside or what killed Magic: The Gathering for me. What killed it for me, was the fact that those cards are a very personal thing to me as well as everything else I own. Every card I own has a story and I can probably tell you each one. Filling out a police report gave me no sense of hope or encouragement, only the truth that I would never get those cards back. I want to close this article, but I want to close it with some advice to take with you to these events or anywhere with your cards:
1. Do not trust anyone, even your friends and family to watch or protect your cards.
2. NEVER leave anything belonging to you unattended.
3. Bring ONLY what you need to do what you are intending to do, especially at larger events.
4. Store everything in your lap or across your chest, not around chairs or their legs or on the floor.
5. Always remain vigilant of others around you and watch everyone who handles any of your things.
6. Try to stay with at least one person you know, you are far less likely to have things stolen from you when you are not alone.
7. Always mark your things in some way to indicate they belong to you, they may end up being found after being lost or stolen.
8. The most important rule of all is use common sense and good judgment.
That is all for now, hope you all enjoyed the read and hope it helps some people out when they make trips of their own out to these large events. You all already know how to find me and get in contact me for questions or comments so I will leave it at that. Enjoy the rest of the year and a Happy Holiday! Hope to get back in to writing more articles for the site in the following year.
Fuck it! Its a fight! Whatever happens, happens!