World of Warcraft TCG Event Coverage

Round 16 – Stuart Wright vs. Jeremie Tiano

by David Sutcliffe

This is a match worth featuring not just on its own merits, but for what has gone before. Yesterday, Stuart Wright and Jeremie Tiano faced each other in the feature match arena, with Stuart comfortably taking Jeremie’s Spark/Elekk combo deck apart with his Rogue concoction. From there, Stuart has stumbled slightly while Jeremie has clawed his way back into contention. Coming out of the second draft pod, this was the Last Chance Saloon for both players. Win, and the Top 8 was achievable. Lose, and you should have taken up horseshoes or hand grenades instead, because close wouldn’t be much consolation this time.

And the extra spice in the mix? Revenge, as Jeremie was very quick to point out. “I prefer to play with this deck against your deck than with my Shaman deck against your Rogue deck, from yesterday." “That’s fair!” agreed Stuart. His hero is the Alliance Shaman, Prometha, while Jeremie is bringing the Fury of Ivan, Bladewind Brute.

Zealot Kalinov was Stuart‘s opening gambit, but Jeremie revealed a card that made Stu’s heart sink--a Fleshwerk Throwing Glaive--and dropped 2 damage onto the Zealot. Stu followed up with Trixie Boltclunker, while Jeremie played an Azjol-anak Webweaver. Even though it had happened a couple of turns ago, Stuart still seemed unhappy about having to deal with the Throwing Glaive. “Its not that good!” said Jeremie, defending his rare weapon.

"It’s pretty good!" replied Stuart. “It’s better as Rogue, I admit. And you know, I’m not saying it's as good as my rare either,” he added, playing Feral Spirit to bring a pair of 4/4 Spirit Wolves into play! That definitely put Jeremie on the back foot--he aimed a Throwing Glaive at one of the Spirit Wolf tokens and added Hulstom, Servant of the Light to his board, but it was immediately torn apart by Stuart’s Spirit Wolves. Stuart played Mardun Valorhearth, but Jeremie immediately aimed a Ruination at the big Paladin before using his Webweaver to trade with one of the Spirit Wolves.

While that sounded positive, it left Jeremie with nothing in play against three of Stuart’s allies: a Spirit Wolf with 3 damage on it, Zealot Kalinov with 2 damage, and Trixie Boltclunker. Wasting little time, the Brit hammered Jeremie again, putting him on 17 damage. Trixie protected when Jeremie attempted to attack his Spirit Wolf with the Throwing Glaive. A turn later it was over, and Stuart was a game ahead.

Wright - 1, Tiano - 0

“I suppose I can’t complain about your Glaive if I have Feral Spirit,” conceded Stuart. “I think you had the best draw you could have there”, challenged Jeremie, and he certainly had to hope that was true. “Yeah, it was pretty good.” “Please don’t play Feral Spirit on turn 4 in game 2," Jeremie pleaded. "So the game can be fair."

Jeremie took the first turn and ran with it! Lady Bancroft turn 1, Plasu on 2, and an Azjol-anak Webweaver on 3. Jeremie had three allies in play and attacking before Stuart had even been able to play a single card! His Shaman mustered an Incendiary Totem to trade with the Webweaver, but Jeremie showed no intention of slowing his assault. He added Hurdan the Everlasting before flinging his Throwing Glaive at Stuart’s hero. Stuart had already taken 13 damage!

“No Feral Spirit!” chanted Jeremie, as Stuart laid his fourth resource. “Yes, I‘m playing it. Sorry," Stuart said. "But to be fair, I really need it this time, and you got your rare again!”

For the second game in a row, Stuart Wright brought Spirit Wolves to the table on his fourth turn. This time, Jeremie flung his allies at the Spirit Wolves, with Lady Bancroft and Plasu accounting for one while Hurdan and the Fleshwerk Throwing Glaive killed the other. That turn had answered the Spirit Wolves, but it was a 3-for-1 trade that had destroyed the Frenchman’s aggressive tempo. Beginning to rebuild his forces for a fresh offensive, Jeremie produced Hulstom, Servant of the Light before passing turn.

The problem that Stuart Wright faced now was keeping any of his allies in play against the Fleshwerk Throwing Glaive. He needed allies with a lot of health, and started with the 2/5 Blazemistress Lindsey. Without hesitation, Jeremie flung his Throwing Glaive at Lindsay and used a Requite from his hand to finish her off. Petreus Roffe was Stuart’s next attempt to stop the riot, and the 3/3 protector finally accounted for Jeremie’s attackers. The Frenchman stepped back and spent a turn completing quests to draw cards.

With a little breathing room finally gained, Stuart found Mioma Shadowflint. The 4/6 with Mend 2 would heal his hero out of the danger zone unless answered quickly. Jeremie’s turn of completing quests had fed him a new army though--a Starli and an Azjol-anak Champion--but they were traded unprofitably for Mioma Shadowflint, successfully downing the Dwarf.

Now it was Stu’s turn to throw down some offense. Nethermaven Donna Chastain brought some muscle, flanked by Mardun Valorhearth. Skaala of the Somber Watch denied Jeremie the use of his Throwing Glaive. All that Jeremie had to play was his Skull-Clad Cleaver, but even the biggest weapon in Wrathgate was neutralized by Skaala’s power. Worse yet, it didn’t look like Jeremie had realized what Skaala did as he attempted to strike with his big axe as Stuart attacked.

“Oh!” Jeremie picked up Skaala to read her for the first time, and was hit by the sudden realization that his best plan was now no plan at all. “Attack you for 16?” offered Stuart, and in return Jeremie offered his hand in defeat. The turn 4 Feral Spirit had blunted his attack just as Jeremie was looking to seal victory, and from that point forward Stuart had inched his way back to a level footing before finally taking a crushing lead.

Wright - 2, Tiano - 0

Jeremie Tiano’s revenge must wait for now. Stuart Wright is just one win away from the Top 8 of the European Union Continental Championships!

It’s Great to See You Again!

by David Sutcliffe

While the second EUCC draft was underway on one side of the tournament venue, a tournament almost as important was beginning on the other side of the room. The ‘Welcome Back!’ tournament. For those players who have nothing to show from Day 1 of the EUCC but bad beat stories, Cryptozoic provided them all a big "thank you" for hauling themselves out of bed to come back and play the World of Warcraft Trading Card Game. Paris is a beautiful city, and if your idea of a great weekend was to come and play a day of TCGs and then spend your Sunday sightseeing then, well, we don’t blame you--that does sound like a pretty great weekend.

But if your idea of a great weekend was to come and play some more World of Warcraft Trading Card Game, then the folks at Cryptozoic--Jess Grinneiser and Natalie Ritzdorf in particular--were ready to welcome you back on Sunday morning.

That welcome back comes in the form of a Sealed Pack tournament with some truly fantastic prizes. And what do we mean by fantastic prizes? Well, how about 32gb iPads to the Top 4 players, Spectral Tigers and Blazing Hippogryph Loot cards to the Top 8, and Spectral Kitten Loot cards to the Top 16? Not enough? How about we throw in entry to Day 2 of Worlds, plus tons of other giveaways just for turning up? We've got Warcraft figures, booster packs, uncut sheets, and framed TCG art. Not bad, huh?  It’s like stumbling out of one party right into another!

You know what? You can see the Eiffel Tower next time--it’ll still be there--so who could blame you for coming down and taking your shot at some of those awesome prizes instead?


And that’s exactly what no less that 165 players did! That’s a huge number, dwarfing the second day of the EUCC on the other side of the hall. Indeed, the Welcome Back! event here is two-thirds the size of the North American Continental Championships!

We’re going to try and pop in and out of the Welcome Back! tournament over the rest of the day and keep you up to date on all these crazy cardboard fanatics and their TCG Sunday!

Draft 2 – Laurent Pagorek

by David Sutcliffe

The cream inevitably rises to the top, and that has proven true at the EUCC this weekend. As the players were seated for the final draft pod before the Top 8, the top table was awash with the best players in Europe. Anssi Alkio of Finland, Vincent Turner of England, and Stefan Urban of Germany sat at the head of the field with 12 wins. The rest of the table--Laurent Pagorek of France, reigning Hero of the Year Jan Palys, Italian Luca Magni and Scot Martin Clement--all had 11 wins. Don't forget Day 1 undefeated player Wouter de Koning, who remained in Pod 1 following a rough bagel from the first draft. He now found himself forced to scrap for a place in the Top 8!

The chances are that at least half of the Top 8 will come from this table--but that meant that the pressure had never been greater. Following Christof Schilling’s chillingly accurate prediction of Laurent's success, it only seemed natural to follow him at this star-studded table!

Pack 1 - Scourgewar

P1: Devouring Plague for a first pack, first pick. This was as quick as it gets, and Laurent didn’t seriously consider any other cards in the booster.

P2: Death to the Traitor King was an easy choice With nothing really forcing his hand. Laurent took the solid quest.

P3: Varah, Fury of the Stars over the Touch of Unlife.

P4: World of Shadows presented a worrisome pick in a pack that lacked other solid options.

P5: Justicar Andaer Ragepaw was taken over Earthshaper Javuun, but Laurent was looking unhappy.

P6: Huro’shal Gutwrench bested Mioma Shadowflint! Had Laurent suddenly switched factions?

P7: Conqueror Neusuada was his second Horde pick--it appeared that Laurent had indeed changed his plan!

P8: Laurent took Saliva Corroded Pike ahead of Culling the Damned and Teresa Voidheart. Had he abandoned Priest as well?

P9: Mardun Valorheart demonstrated that Laurent's preferences were wavering.

P10: Vindictive Strike was a solid Paladin ability, and Paladins can also use that Pike!

P11: Ginza Darktusk

P12: Vindron The Impure

P13: Rhuunom

P14: Stifling Decree

P15: Stifling Decree

P16: Feline Grace

P17: Death Pact

P18: Call of the Grove

Three Alliance allies and four Horde allies, some Priest cards and some Paladin cards. That first pack was a horrible jumble for Laurent that left him with a lot of work to do. The theme for this pack had been a ton of head-shaking and unhappy faces from the Frenchman. Pack 2 needed to help a lot . . .

Pack 2 - Scourgewar

P1: Claemora Amberglare, Ferandus Duskfall, Hulstom Servant of the Light, Huro’Shal Gutwrench

P2: Voice in the Dark--a solid quest, but Laurent was looking at Deathcharger! Surely not another switch?

P3: Thag “Big Bounty” Cragshot, Staunch Reprisal, Encrusted Zombie Finger

P4: Voice in the Dark, Mana Saphhire, Saliva Corroded Pike

P5: Emelia Darkhand, Dispersion, Shadow Word: Chaos

P6: Winston Duskhaven

P7: Raztu’jor

P8: Whitney Gravecaller

P9: Azamoth Deathfang, although Smoldering Blast was still in there.

P10: Surge of Lightning

P11: Nature’s Focus, as a second Smoldering Blast goes by.

P12: Saliva Corroded Pike was still there, but Laurent took All Aboard for Undercity! instead.

P13: Shadow Word Chaos

P14: Nature’s Focus, Offering to the Nether.

P15: Tidal Infusion

P16: Huzrula

P17: Whirlwind Weapon

P18: Disarm Trap

That second pack was all about getting allies, with Laurent steering clear of making a single class pick that he wasn’t forced to. Even when staring at a second Saliva Corroded Pike, he steered clear of it to take a weaker ability that he knew could make his Horde deck. Laurent was firmly Horde now, but given that he'd landed with a pair of Nature’s Focus and Feline Grace at the end of that pack, he could conceivably  play Druid, Paladin, or Priest! He certainly had options open going into the final booster.

Pack 3 - Wrathgate

P1: Sunguard Cersie, Holy Guardian, Sacred Circle, Gift of the Pious, Crusader Lord Dalfors

P2: Brother Keltan

P3: Holy Barrier

P4: Shelter, Father Gustav, Spirit of Redemption

P5: Holy Fury, Cycle of Life, Ichor of Undeath, Crusader Lord Dalfors

P6: Lesson of the Divine, Call of the Crusade

P7: Conqueror Vun'jin, Lesson of the Divine, Libram of Radiance

P8: Paladin Training

P9: Holy Guardian, Light Within the Darkness, Daralis the Sanctifier

P10: Surge of Blood

P11: Tuskmender Jan'zu

P12: Power Word: Faith

P13: Cedric Darwin, Soram Wildbark, Ichor of Undeath

P14: Cedric Darwin

P15: Libram of Radiance

P16: Hit and Run

P17: Explosive Flames

P18: Lesson of the Shadow

Catching up with Laurent in the Parisian sunshine after the draft, I asked him what he thought. “That was a really weird draft. I started out in Priest and then there was just nothing for me at all and I had to change," he explained. "But there were bombs just circling around the table all the way through--Deathcharger, Mana Sapphire, Spirit of Redemption, and right at the end Libram of Radiance came all the way back to me. It was like people didn't want to play with any rares!”

I was surprised that he hadn't taken Gift of the Pious. "I wanted to, but I only had one Paladin ally and no Druids, so it just isn’t very good for me. But I think my deck is pretty good," he decided. "I should go 2-1 with it, and it should be good enough to get me into the Top 8. I think my tiebreakers are very good . . . that’s all I need it for, really.”

Draft 2 – Stuart Wright

by Will Brinkman

Certain coverage people have titled him the Tiger Wrangler. We’re not aware if that has stuck, but it’s certainly a proper name for the man who always has a place at the Top 8 tables in the World of Warcraft TCG. Even when he’s tried to not make a tournament, players like Brad Watson have roped the UK player into attending the event with the promise that they’ll pay for his trip if he doesn’t make Top 8. Yes, he made Top 8 in that event too.

Relevant cards are noted from each pack, and the player’s selection is in bold.

Pack 1 - Scourgewar

P1: Besora Galefeather, Diane Cannings, Dark Penance, Buzz, Azamoth Deathfang, Olaf Steelbreaker, Sacrifices Must be Made, Ginza Darktusk

P2: Justicar Andaer Ragepaw, Death’s Gaze, Grovemender Ash’lon, Varah, Fury of the Stars, Defiling the Defilers, Aggressive Infiltration, Olaf Steelbreaker
         
P3: Terrifying Visage, Starli, Dark Penance, Plasu, Mardun Valorhearth, Culling the Damned, Death’s Gaze, Ginza Darktusk

P4: Anarchist Bladewalker, Whitney Gravecaller, Shadow Word: Chaos, Vesperia Silversong, Aggressive Infiltration, Tanzuri, Mioma Shadowflint

P5: Dead Weight, Anarchist Bladewalker, Incendiary Totem, Azjol-anak Acidspewer, Ferandus Duskfall

P6: Offering to the Nether, Soulseeker Huulo, Gushing Wound, Vindictive Strike

P7: Azjol-anak Webspinner, Varah, Fury of the Stars, Petreus Roffe, Vesperia Silversong, A Voice in the Dark

P8: Soulseeker Huulo, Reconstruct, Staff of Sinister Claws, Horatio Plaguetouch

P9: Azamoth Deathfang, Kaale, Shadow Ward, Tidal Infusion

P10: Aggressive Infiltration, Nakitis, Exodar Armorer, Staunch Reprisal

P11: Mardun Valorhearth

P12: Stifling Decree

P13: Skaala of the Somber Watch

P14: Gushing Wound

P15: Mass Purge

P16: Call to the Grove

P17: Shadows of Death

P18: Call to the Grove

Pack 2 - Scourgewar

P1: Tanzuri, Sinister Set-up, King Varian Wrynn, Archduke Franklin Pearce, Sacrifices Must be Made

P2: Hulstom, Servant of the Light, Feral Spirit, Dark Penance, Pure Evil, Conqueror Neusuada, Ginza Darktusk

P3: Spaulders of Lost Secets, Starli, Trixie Boltclunker, The Overseer’s Shadow, Ginza Darktusk

P4: Death’s Gaze, Winston Duskhaven, Trophy Gatherer, Obliterate, Anarchist Bladewalker

P5: Terrifying Visage, Death to the Traitor King, Whitney Gravecaller, Field Commander Foggo, Horatio Plaguetouch, Myrodan Silversong

P6: Polymorph: Penguin, Terrifying Visage, Sinister Set-up, Field Commander Foggo, Skaala of the Somber Watch, Trophy Gatherer

P7: Marudan Valorhearth, Starli, Dead Weight, Shadow Word: Chaos, Azjol-anak Webspinner

P8: Jek’kresh, Zealot Kalinov, A Voice in the Dark, Rhunnom

P9: Sinister Set-up, Mass Purge, Gavel of the Fleshcrafter

P10: Firewarden Wyland Kaslinth, Saliva Corroded Pike, Teresa Voidheart

P11: Trixie Boltclunker

P12: Mardun Valorhearth

P13: Astral Denial

P14: Field Commander Foggo

P15: Next Stop, Menethil Harbor!

P16: Shadow Word: Chaos

P17: Soothing Wave

P18: Shadow Ward

Pack 3 – Wrathgate

P1: Mothra, Fading Glow, Murphy Watson, Conqueror Vun’jin, Brother Keltan, Cycle of Life, Raze, Lesson of the Light

P2: Lesson of the Divine, Nurgle Tinkfrost, Cycle of Life, Nethermaven Donna Chastain, Colossal Skull-Clad Cleaver

P3: Mothra, Justicar Drathnea, Lady Bancroft, Blazemistress Lindsey, Really Big Worm, Fusion Totem

P4: Spire of Sunset, A Tale of Valor, Fusion Totem, Arlen the Untamed, Respite, Lady Bancroft, Sunguard Cersie

P5: Bronthea the Resolute, Dread Doomguard, A Light Within the Darkness, Mongoose Bite, Hanthal Lightward, Lesson of the Elements

P6: Justicar Ularu, Nethermaven Donna Chastain, Mithran the Sniper, Lyshala Ravenshot

P7: Planning For the Future, Lesson of the Elements, Hurdan the Everlasting

P8: Lesson of the Divine, Sympathy, Mithran the Sniper, Surge of Life, Fusion Totem

P9: Fading Glow, Lesson of the Light, Lesson of the Divine, Murphy Watson, Vuz’din

P10: Nethermaven Donna Chastain

P11: Lesson of the Call

P12: Arlen the Untamed

P13: Shelter

P14: Infusion of Earth

P15: Dark Command

P16: Lesson of the Divine

P17: Void Pact

P18: Shelter

It’s pretty easy to see that Stuart loves allies. He has a fair amount of protectors, making his Surge of Life decent. His class was practically wide open until Feral Spirit, and even then he could have switched out had some other bomb come his way. As far as other bombs, he has Spire of Sunset and the King Varian Wrynn that he cracked. He passed Colossal Skull-Clad Cleaver, and Wright admitted that he had actually not seen the card in the pack. Overall, he was happy to have his quest anyway.

With plenty of protectors and even a way to get his King back with Menethil Harbor, he’ll probably coast to an easy spot in the Top 8. He may have problems with the near infinite amount of Terrifying Visages floating around the table, but the late pick Jek’kresh suggests that nobody went into Warlock until late, and those Visages may be scattered amongst opposing side decks. So long as he can dodge the potentially nuts Warlock deck at the table, we should be seeing Wright in the playoff rounds.

Round 14 – Paul Graham vs. Peter Jurcovic

by Will Brinkman

England’s Paul Graham sat down at Table 3 with Zorak’tul, and his record suggests that he might be carrying Enveloping Shadows. Slovakia’s Peter Jurcovic flashed Paul a copy of the Rogue ability that he had hate-drafted, grinning. It appeared as if that cut might pay off for Peter’s Rinni Gloomtrik Warlock deck, which probably couldn’t handle the Warlock ability sans Rhuunom.

Paul won the die roll, but Peter was first to the table with Gregory Flamewalker. Conqueror Neusuada came down, and Greg attacked right past him for 3 points. Trixie Boltclunker wanted to protect the 0/1, but Neusuada allowed Zorak’tul to flip on the protector and let the 3/2 eat the tiny Mage. Paul almost apologetically played Enveloping Shadows, and Peter’s earlier pick had only prevented the Rogue deck from getting a second copy of the dominating ongoing ability.

Nurgle Tinkfrost slowed the Horde team a bit. Paul decided to recruit Thurgood Steelwall instead of attacking with his 3/2, and Neusuada took a point on Trixie’s attack. The Warlock hero flipped to finish off the Rogue ally, nabbing a card out of Paul’s hand in the process. Curse of Doom would kill Thurgood on the next turn, but not before he killed Trixie.

Curse of Doom revealed Dread Doomguard, but Peter only had 4 resources--awkward! Blazemistress Lindsey joined the Alliance squad, but Conqueror Jarano joined the Horde team. Trixie attacked for a point, but Jarano beat the Blazemistress off the table with the help of shadows. Thag “Big Bounty” Cragshot blasted a new Archduke Franklin Pearce away, and the game was solidly Zorak’tul’s. Trixie was just a speed bump to the Horde beatings, and Crusade Engineer Spitzpatrick was just another nail in the coffin.

Peter valiantly tried to stay in the game with Spectral Kitten and High Magnus Euli, but Paul showed his willingness to attack all-in with his red team. That was enough to win the game.

Graham - 1, Jurcovic - 0

Jurcovic started out with Nakistis, Exodar Armorer, and traded the 2/1 with Graham’s Hanthal Lightward. Peter followed up with Gregory Flamewalker, but Paul trumped him with Conqueror Neusuada once again. Just like in game one, Zorak’tul flipped to stop the Mage ally’s attack and Neusuada killed Gregory on the counterattack. Unfortunately for Paul, he had no turn 3 play while Peter had Skaala of the Somber Watch. The ally attacked the Troll hero for 4 damage, and Blazemistress Lindsey joined the Alliance. Neusuada traded with Skaala, and Daralis the Santicifer gave Graham some offense. Jurcovic trumped him with Spectral Kitten, but still took 3 damage from Daralis on offense. Conqueror Yun’zon gave Paul a second 5-health body, continuing to dodge Blazemistress Lindsey’s power.

She exhausted to deal 4 damage to Yun’zon, and Rinni flipped to finish off the giant Troll. The Kitten battled with Daralis, the two trading on Paul’s attack. The Horde team kept up its Conqueror theme with Jarano, and Jurcovic seemed worried as he laid down his Dread Doomguard.

Jarano beat up on the Blazemistress, while Winston Duskhaven would be able to nullify the Doomguard by giving the Horde team shadow resistance when necessary. It was the Dread Doomguard’s only opening to kill Jarano, so he slew the Druid ally. Winston attacked the Warlock Pet in return, killing it dead. Eitrigg put Graham in complete control of the board, and Jurcovic could only muster Azjol-anak Broodguard. Eitrigg sent the spider to the yard, and Winston hit the Warlock hero for 6 damage. Olaf Steelbreaker tried to defend, but Sinister Set-up allowed a second attack for 14 damage. Thurgood Steelwall kept momentum going for Paul, and it was looking grim.

A Terrifying Visage bought Jurcovic a turn of reprieve, and Touch of Unlife killed a new Emelia Darkhand with its power. Eitrigg once again joined the Horde team, and Peter was able to recruit both Nethermaven Donna Chastain and Trixie Boltclunker. The Gnome Warrior protected on Eitrigg’s attack, and Olaf protected against Thurgood’s attack. Thag “Big Bounty” Cragshot finished off the 4/6 protector, and once again Graham was dominating the board. Jurcovic tried to muster a defense, but Graham once again sent the team into the hero. It was enough, and Peter would have to hope he could pad his record with some wins in Draft 2.

Graham - 2, Jurcovic - 0

Paul Graham wins!

Round 13 – Christof Schilling vs. Laurent Pagorek

by David Sutcliffe

We followed Christof Schilling’s draft in the second pod last night. While he was very happy with his deck, the one thing he said worried him was what Laurent Pagorek had drafted, because “he always wins the drafts.” Well, now it was time for Christof to face his biggest fear. Both players had won their first round of the draft, and returned this morning with high hopes for reaching the Top 8. This would be a tough and important match for both competitors. Christof brought the Fury Warrior, Ivan, while Laurent was the surly Dwarf Hunter Bordrak Barrelblast.

Laurent Pagorek won the dice roll and opened with Kaale, the 1/2 pumper Shaman, while Christof had what appeared to be the perfect answer--Grumdur Bladebane. Laurent followed up with his faithful hound, Fang, which allowed Kaale to attack anyway.  Christof played Danyssa Stillheart, but she was just a sacrificial lamb to Laurent's board as he attacked with both his allies, clearing the board of everyone except Fang. Hoping to avoid more early damage, Christof played his Breastplate of Undeath to buy time, and it seemed to work--all Laurent had was Justicar Gavin Shadesticker and a helpless bump against Schilling’s Breastplate.

That bought Christof the time he needed to play his first Earthshaper Javuun. Faced with the large Shaman and his heavy dose of Mend, Laurent stepped on the gas. He attacked Christof for 8 before adding Archduke Franklin Pearce to the offensive. Christof couldn’t afford to simply soak up that damage turn after turn--he needed to start removing Laurent’s allies. He played a Reaper of Dark Souls and launched his hero at the Archduke, striking him down with a little help from Earthshaper Javuun. Laurent responded by attacking Javuun with both Fang and Justicar Gavin Shadesticker, and then destroying the Reaper of Dark Souls with his replacement: Buzz!

It seemed like every tactic Christof tried to get into the game was immediately foiled by Laurent, and the young German was forced to continue playing a stall game. He made a Debilitating Shout, but Laurent once again displayed his capacity to power through Christof‘s defenses, pressing the advantage. Although the Debilitating Shout had completely nullified his Commander Falstaav, he still had Buzz and Gavin Shadesticker around. He attacked, putting Christof to 11 damage.

Unable to get a foothold in the game, Christof resorted to playing a Bloodbane’s Fall and Sister Colleen Tulley. She immediately took a shot from “Tubs” Klankbopple, and Christof was behind once again. Laurent didn’t make the young German wait any longer. Commander Falstaav may have 0 ATK thanks to Debilitating Shout, but it didn‘t stay that way. Laurent played Kaale, pitched three cards to give the Commander +6 ATK, then doubled that to 12! Completely exhausted, and with no defenses, Christof was suddenly down a game to the surprising deathblow!

Pagorek - 1, Schilling - 0

A game down but now on the play, Christof had a chance to get the offensive . . . but he instead found himself behind on turn 2. Beginning with his own Kaale, Christof immediately had to pitch Danyssa Stillheart from his hand in order to give his Shaman +2 ATK and trade him with Laurent’s Vesperia Silversong! Giving your opponent a 2-for-1 trade on turn 2 was hardly an auspicious start, as Laurent seized the advantage with his own Kaale. Christof played his Bloodbane’s Fall and dealt Kaale a point of damage, using a second attack to finish the 1/2. Even so, Laurent was firmly on the front foot.

The Frenchman now had the 4/2 Justicar Maxwell Forthright in play, and added Commander Falstaav for support. This was a lot of muscle to face with a 1 DEF cloak--as Christof played an Earthshaper Javuun, he must have had a sinking feeling that he'd been in this exact position during the first game. Despite going second, Laurent had seized the initiative right away and was in control!

Maxwell and Falstaav removed Javuun from play, and Laurent followed with Buzz, removing the Bloodbane’s Fall. While losing Bloodbane’s Fall was a significant loss, it must have given Schilling some hope--if he could just kill the 5/5, his future weapons would be safer. Seizing his chance to get even the score, Christof played Olaf Steelbreaker--not just a a big protector, but a Warrior. That turned on Christof’s hero flip and finished off Commander Falstaav. Punching back, Laurent played Corrupter Mimi Whippleshade while Christof built his forces up with Crusader Lord Dalfors as the two players began an arms race.

Unfortunately for Christof, Laurent Pagorek was the first to draw his weapon: Saliva Corroded Pike. Christof played a blade of his own on the next turn--his Reaper of Dark Souls with 5 counters on it. As the two struck away the other's allies, they were suddenly left in similar positions. Neither had any allies, and they both had weapons. Christof might have finally found an edge! He had taken 18 damage in the early turns where he fought to stabilize, while Laurent had only taken 4 so far. Could Schilling really take the game from here?

Skaala of the Somber Watch was a perfect card for Christof to draw at this point--it gave Laurent’s hero -4 ATK, removing the threat of the Pike, but the 4/1 didn't last long. Klankbopple returned, and the pressure resumed. Christof had a Myrodan Silversong, but anyone could see the writing on the wall. Was it too late? Laurent attacked with “Tubs” and his Pike, putting Christof to 25 damage, and then sprang a Conflagration Trap on Myrodan's attack. It would take 8 turns for that to kill Myrodan, but only 4 turns for it to kill Christof‘s hero!

In the end, it didn’t even take that long. Laurent once again played Kaale, once again pitched cards, and once again swept home for the win. Two games won by Kaale--the humble 1/2 Shaman--and it looked as though Christof’s prediction that Pagorek would sweep the draft might well come true!

Pagorek - 2, Schilling - 0

Top 8 Day 1 Decklists

Wouter de Koning (11-0)

Hero: Ringleader Kuma

Allies: 15
4 Great Kodo
3 Shadala
2 Zalan Ragewind
3 Keldor the Lost
3 Doshura Risestrider

Abilities: 21
4 Tuskarr Kite
2 Chain Purge
3 Squall Totem
4 Wind Shear
4 Wavestorm Totem
4 Feral Spirit

Equipment: 8
4 Signet of Manifested Pain
3 Voice of Reason
1 Gorehowl

Quests: 13
4 A Question of Gluttony
4 Darkness Calling
2 Retribution of the Light
3 Overseer’s Shadow

Locations: 4
4 Eye of the Storm

Stefan Urban (10-1)

Hero: Bloody Mary

Allies: 4
4 Broderick Langforth
 
Abilities: 18
4 Death Wish
3 Reconstruct
4 Puncture
3 Keys to the Armory
4 Pummel

Equipment: 21
3 Edge of Oblivion
1 Bulwark of the Ancient Kings
4 Greaves of Ancient Evil
1 Amani Mask of Death
4 Vindicator’s Brand
1 Jin’rohk, the Great Apocalypse
1 Girdle of Razuvious
1 Perdition’s Blade
4 Guardian’s Plate Bracers
1 World Breaker

Quests: 14
2 Whirlwind Weapon
4 Darkness Calling
4 Call to Arms: Arathi Basin
4 A Rare Bean

Locations: 3
3 Tanks for Everything, Dalaran

Anssi Alkio (9-2)

Hero: Lord Benjamin Tremendouson

Master Hero: 2
2 Kel’thuzad

Abilities: 23
4 Death Wish
3 Reconstruct
2 Smash
4 Pummel
1 Overpower
3 Puncture
2 Bloody Ritual
4 Keys to the Armory

Equipment: 20
1 Amani Mask of Death
1 Perdition’s Blade
1 Bonefist Gauntlets
1 Fleshwerk Throwing Glaive
4 Vindicator’s Brand
1 Shuriken of Negation
1 Girdle of Razuvious
1 Goblin Rocket Launcher
1 Jin’rohk, the Great Apocalypse
4 Guardian’s Plate Bracers
1 Cloak of the Shadowed Sun
3 Greaves of Ancient Evil

Quests: 12
4 A Rare Bean
4 Darkness Calling
1 The Ring of Blood: Brokentoe
2 Concerted Efforts
1 A Warm Welcome

Locations: 3
2 The Darkmoon Faire
1 Tanks for Everything, Dalaran

Ronny Schmertosch (9-2)

Hero: “Black Ice” Fizzlefreeze

Allies: 17
4 Water Elemental
3 Adam Eternum
3 Elder Achillia
4 Mikael the Blunt
3 Myriam Starcaller

Abilities: 28
4 Blizzard
3 Brittilize
4 Everlasting Cold
4 The Taste of Arcana
3 Spell Suppression
3 Flickers from the Past
3 The More, the Scarier
4 Mana Sapphire

Quests: 10
4 Call to Arms: Eye of the Storm
3 Wanton Warlord
3 Zapped Giants

Locations: 4
4 Eye of the Storm
 
Gianmaria Ruggiu (9-2)

Hero: Marlowe the Felsworn

Allies: 24
4 Azaloth
4 Mikael the Blunt
4 King Varian Wrynn
4 Hesriana
4 Weldon Barov
4 Gromble the Apt

Abilities: 17
2 Terrifying Visage
4 Banish to the Nether
4 Ripped Through the Portal
4 Lesson of the Nether
3 Engulfing Blaze

Equipment: 3
3 Abyss Walker’s Boots

Quests: 14
2 Dreadsteed of Xoroth
4 Tales of Destruction
4 A Question of Gluttony
1 The Ring of Blood: Brokentoe
1 Unfit For Death
1 Darkness Calling
1 An Improper Burial

Locations: 3
3 The Darkmoon Faire

Jan Palys (9-2)

Hero: Kileana the Inferno

Allies: 4
4 Hesriana

Abilities: 31
4 The Promises of Darkness
4 Steal Essence
4 Engulfing Blaze
4 Drain Will
4 Lesson of the Nether
4 Victimize
4 Banish to the Nether
3 Suspended Curse

Equipment: 11
2 Voidfire Wand
3 Vengeful Gladiator’s Felshroud
4 Zhar'doom, Greatstaff of the Devourer
2 Seer’s Signet

Quests: 11
4 Forces of Jaedenar
4 A Question of Gluttony
3 The Fel and the Furious

Locations: 3
3 Eye of the Storm

Raphael Ait Slimane (9-2)

Hero: Vor’na the Wretched

Master Hero: 2
2 Illidan Stormrage

Allies: 2
2 Munkin Blackfist

Abilities: 41
4 The Taste of Arcana
4 Nether Fracture
3 Counterspell
2 Nether Fissure
2 Meltdown
2 The More, the Scarier
3 Conjured Cinnamon Roll
4 Brittilize
3 Blizzard
2 Flickers from the Past
4 Mana Sapphire
2 Flash of Brilliance
3 Spell Suppression
3 Roaring Blaze

Quests: 11
4 A Question of Gluttony
1 Darkness Calling
4 Zapped Giants
2 Forces of Jaedenar

Locations: 4
4 Eye of the Storm

Vince Turner (9-2)

Hero: Ringleader Kuma

Allies: 21
4 Spectral Kitten
3 Bloodsoul
4 Broderick Langforth
3 Zugna, Windseer Apprentice
3 Ya'za the Vandal
4 Offender Gora

Abilities: 16
3 Incendiary Totem
4 Feral Spirit
3 Chain Purge
3 Lesson of the Elements
3 Squall Totem

Equipment: 10
4 Retainer’s Blade
3 Edge of Oblivion
3 Signet of Manifested Pain

Quests: 9
3 Orders from Lady Vashj
3 Dr. Boom!
3 Falling to Corruption

Locations: 4
4 Eye of the Storm

Round 12 – Vasco Spieckermann vs. Hannes Dewulf

by Will Brinkman

A member of the German team Bootcamp LE, Vasco Spieckermann passed on being a judge and got into the games this weekend. He’s at Table 6 for the first match of Pod 1, facing off against Hannes Dewulf of Belgium. Vasco revealed Gramm Thunderjaw as his Hunter hero, while Hannes would be playing the role of the Rogue with Rordag the Sly.

Vasco kept a hand with no quests and the vulnerable Gregory Flamewalker, but it did feature a sweet curve that included Fang. Hannes mulliganed and played first, but he had no action for the first couple of turns. On the other side of the table, Vasco curved out with Gregory and Fang, dealing a quick 4 damage to the Rogue hero.

Dewulf took another 4 damage from Greg, but Sinister Set-up stopped Fang from attacking and exhausted Vasco's new Plasu. Hannes followed that up with Aggressive Infiltration, sending the Flamewalker and Plasu to the yard while wounding the little doggie. Spieckermann rebuilt with Father Gustav, and Dewulf added Olaf Steelbreaker. Raptor Strike dealt 3 damage to the protector, but he wasn't done yet.

Father Gustav hit the Rogue hero for a point, and the German made his own Olaf Stonewall. That protector didn’t last long, as Shoulderpads of Fleshwerks sent Olaf to the yard. Dewulf’s Olaf put Fury out of its misery. A Kaelyn Vineminder for Spieckermann locked down the damaged Olaf, but Hannes continued the hits with Lord Darion Mograine. Father Gustav dealt the final point to Olaf, but the damage to the board had been done. Dewulf's Death Knight leader stomped Kaelyn, and Anarchist Bladewalker removed Aggressive Infiltration from the yard in order to finish off Father Gustav.

The Hunter team rebuilt with Danyssa Stillheart after questing, but the Rogue team attacked right past her to deal the first 10 damage to Gramm Thudnerjaw. Hannes kept up pressure with Azjol-anak Broodguard, and Danyssa kamikazed into Lord Darion. Vasco threw down a protector, but Dead Weight on his only defender was enough for the German to scoop up his cards.

Dewulf - 1, Spieckermann - 0

This time it was Vasco’s turn to mulligan and Dewulf’s turn to keep. The Rogue deck offered up a decent early game, but the Hunter deck’s mulligan could match it. Vasco led off with Gregory Flamewalker on the play, while Hannes had Nakistis, Exodar Armorer. The two traded and both players replaced their fallen allies with Hulstom, Servant of the Lights. Those two allies also traded, and Spieckermann showed an underwhelming Father Gustav--or so it seemed.

Junkboxes Needed nabbed Crusader Lord Dalfors, seeing a Raptor Strike and a second Dalfors. Dalfors joined the team after a Gustav attack, and Dewulf played out Anduros Silversong. Mongoose Bite allowed the Crusader Lord to slay Silversong, and Gustav made it 2 damage on Rordag the Sly. Danyssa Stillheart powered up to kill Dalfors--not to be confused with the La Fours from Mallrats.

Gustav kept on pinging away for his piddling point, but Dewulf had a real threat in Varah, Fury of the Stars. Fang allowed Gustav to trade with Danyssa, and Vasco continued to build his board with High Magnus Euli. Shoulderpads of Fleshwerks cut down the wolven Pet, and Varah got in for 8 damage. Gustav continued to attack the Rogue hero, and Varah traded with an attacking Euli. Corruptor Mimi Whippleshade gave Gramm a real threat, but Dead Weight put an end to that plan.

Vasco quested, but it was going to be tough. Dewulf’s hand was pure gas at this point, and he had two active quests to Spieckermann’s one. Lord Darion Morgraine was the first one on the field, while Vasco tried to posture with Justicar Andaer Ragepaw. Sinister Set-up exhausted the two allies, and Annihilate sent the Druid ally to the grave, clearing the path. Vasco continued plugging along with Commander Falstaav, doubling Gustav’s ATK as the Priest ran into the Death Knight Lord. Falstaav was able to trade with Lord Darion on Dewulf’s attack, but he had an Azjol-anak Broodguard and Diane Cannings for backup.

Olaf Steelbreaker and Nurgle Tinkfrost put the German in a solid board position, and Olaf protected on the Broodguard’s attack. Vasco flipped Gramm in an attempt to finally take back the board . . . unfortunately, Hannes had Anarchist Bladewalker to finish off the 4/6 protector. The Belgian still had his spider, and the German’s board was practically decimated. The Gnome Mage ally dealt 3 to the Anarchist on an attack, and Kaelyn Vineminder locked down the Broodguard.

Kaelyn fell to the next offensive, and Vasco scooped up his cards at the sight of another ally from Dewulf. The German was on his heels the entire match after the first few turns, and it showed in his exhausted look. He picked up his cards and tried to collect himself for the next round.

Dewulf - 2, Speickermann - 0

Hannes Dewulf wins!

Draft 1 – Christof Schilling

by David Sutcliffe

We’ve covered a number of the best German players this weekend, but someone we’ve thus far skipped is Christof Schilling. Fresh off a Top 8 performance at the Elwynn Forest Realm Championships, Christof is nicely poised in the EUCC as well, with a 9-2 record that puts him at the head of Pod 2. It's not all roses, however--he's stuck there with Laurent Pagorek, the French master drafter. He'll need to stay focused if he wants to emerge from this draft with a 3-0 record and a great shot at a Top 8 berth.

Pack 1 - Scourgewar

P1: Olaf Streelbreaker was preferred to Horatio Plaguetouch.  This was a very quick decision, for Christof. He left all of the Horde allies in the pack, including a Grovemender Ash'lon, and went straight for the Alliance.

P2: Tales of Destruction edged out the deliciously named Justicar Broxlo Frostnuggle as Christof continued to ignore a slew of good Horde allies.

P3: Debilitating Shout was an easy pick, with the only other real option being Overseer’s Shadow.

P4: Archduke Franklin Pearce was chosen over Unfit For Death, but this was yet another pack with mostly Horde allies.

P5: Culling the Damned. The pack contained some Alliance allies for once, but none better than a solid quest like this.

P6: Earthshaper Javuun

P7: A second Earthshaper Javuun was preferred over Vesperia Silversong.

P8: Danyssa Stillheart

P9: Skaala of the Somber Watch

P10: Human Shield

P11: Myrodan Silversong was a nice catch late in the draft.

P12: Brothers in Death

P13: Rhuunom

P14: Death and Decay

P15: Word of Blight

P16: Mighty Shadow Protection Potion

P17: Next Stop, Menethil Harbor!

P18: Boon of Light

So with one pack down, Christof was firmly siding with the Alliance. While he had set out to play Warrior, he actually wound up with more Death Knight cards. Sure, they weren’t Debilitating Shout, but could he be tempted to switch class in the next booster?

Pack 2 - Scourgewar

P1: Defiling the Defilers was chosen up over Earthshaper Javuun the third, but Christof was also considering an Unholy Rune. Perhaps the Death Knight switch was on?

P2: Pure Evil

P3: Ruination, Justicar Andaer Ragepaw, Reanimator’s Hacker. This was the first tough choice for a while, and in picking Ruination Christof set himself back on the Warrior path.

P4: Reaper of Dark Souls should have been snapped up from this booster by now!

P5: Earthshaper Javuun once again, taken over Trixie Boltclunker and Whirlwind Weapon.

P6: Bloodbane's Fall

P7: Breastplate of Undeath is a valuable armor, if a temporary one.

P8: Kaale

P9: Tanks for Everything, Dalaran

P10: Kaale

P11: Reanimator’s Hacker somehow got around the table. Whirlwind Weapon in two picks?

P12: Icy Torment

P13: Whirlwind Weapon (!)

P14: Natural Repossession

P15: Unholy Rune

P16: All Aboard For Undercity

P17: Mass Purge

P18: Oracle Talisman of Absolution

Pack 2 seemed like a strong pack that helped Christof a lot. He had quests, he had weapons--he even had armor! But while he had a good mix of cards, very few of them stood out as big winners. His ally curve was still very weak at the low end. What could Wrathgate do to help?

Pack 3 - Wrathgate

P1: Brother Keltan, Requite, Kaelyn Vinemender

P2: SCHWING! Colossal Skull-Clad Cleaver

P3: Ixiya the Attuned

P4: Grumdur Bladebane

P5: Sister Colleen Tulley

P6: Sister Colleen Tulley

P7: Light Within the Darkness was an easy quest choice given his newfound plethora of Holy allies!

P8: Nethermaven Donna Chastain

P9: Light Within The Darkness over Father Gustav.

P10: Crusader Lord Dalfors gave Christof yet another Argent Crusader!

From the rest of the booster, Christof found nothing in his faction or his class, taking a Vuz’Din out of the pool but mostly just winding up with a collection of cards that no one else would play.

That last booster had done a world of good, picking up the biggest weapon in the format and a slew of the controlling allies from the Argent Crusade--including two Sister Colleen Tulley that would do a lot to fix his ally curve. Watching Christof build his deck, his main problem seemed to be ensuring that he wouldn't fall too far behind over the early turns. Once he’d finished building, I asked him what he thought. “I’m very happy. I think the only thing I’m missing is Trixie Boltclunker. She‘s a Warrior with very good defense that helps me use my flip," he said. "But when she came up, it was too early and I didn’t know for sure that I was Warrior then. Still, my deck is very good, I have three spoilers, a couple of good weapons, and some of the best allies in the Alliance.”

Christof paused briefly for breath before continuing. “I think there’s another Warrior at the table, because some cards didn’t table around that I expected to see. Nobody was taking Death Knight, which is a good class--I picked up half a Death Knight deck for free! But no, my deck is good. Having three Earthshaper Javuun . . . she’s the best [Scourgewar] 4-drop for Alliance, so I can take some damage early and then make my Mend, my weapons, and get back into the game.”

“Looking back, I never saw any spiders, so I didn’t have a choice to go Nerubian. I like Argent Crusade anyway, because it’s the controlling faction and I like to control, so that suits me. I’m just going to be interested to see Pagorek’s deck, because he always wins drafts.”

Draft 1 – Anssi Alkio

by Will Brinkman

“Do you want to get in a game of League?” asked Anssi. “I’m going to rest. It’s going to be a long day,” responded Erik van der Laan. The players here are headed into the first draft of the EUCC, and Anssi doesn’t mind. The Helsinki native has been gaming all weekend, and he shows no signs of exhaustion. He’s currently in third place after 11 rounds of Core, and 2010's first event in Europe shows that Anssi’s stellar 2009 was no fluke. He sat down at Pod 1 ready to draft.

The relevant cards are listed for each pack, and the picks are bolded.

Pack 1 - Scourgewar

P1: Shadow Burst, Incendiary Totem, Olaf Stonewall, Overseer’s Shadow, Trixie Boltclunker, Whitney Gravecaller, Grovemender Ash’lon, Surge of Lightning, Varah, Fury of the Stars.

P2: Sinister Set-up, The Restless Dead, Trixie Boltclunker, Conqueror Yun’zon

P3: Azamoth Deathfang, Bloodbane’s Fall, Tales of Destruction, Polymorph: Penguin, Winston Duskhaven, Besora Galefeather

P4: Azjol-anak Battleguard, Plasu, Blessing of Liberty, Dreadsteed of Xoroth

P5: Anduros Silversong, Dead Weight, Buzz, Ajol-anak Battleguard, Firewarden Wyland Kaslinth, Offering to the Nether, Winston Duskhaven, Shoulderpads of Fleshwerks

P6: Vespiria Silversong, Aggressive Infiltration, Shindo’zur the Toxifier, Touch of Unlife, Raptor Strike, Pure Evil

P7: Plasu, Bloodbane’s Fall, Azjol-anak Webspinner, Winston Duskhaven, Obliterate, Terrifying Visage

P8: Azjol-anak Webspinner, Azamoth Deathfang, Scourge Tactics

P9: Shadow Burst, Whitney Gravecaller, Firewarden Wyland Kaslinth

P10: Tanzuri, Sinister Set-up, Crippling Shot

P11: Azamoth Deathfang

P12: Kurao Stormheart

P13: Buzz, Shoulderpads of Fleshwerks

P14: Spaulders of Lost Secrets

P15: Obliterate, Terrifying Visage

P16: Next Stop, Menethil Harbor!

P17: Mass Purge

P18: Water Walking

Pack 2 – Scourgewar

P1: Dead Weight, Surge of Lightning, Terrifying Visage, Obliterate, A Voice in the Dark, Anduros Silversong, Farander Shadesurge

P2: Death’s Gaze, Jaroth Lightguard, Death to the Traitor King, Terrifying Visage, Conqueror Jarano, Besora Galefeather, Dark Penance, Bloodbane’s Fall

P3: Azjol-anak Acidspewer, Trophy Gatherer, Obliterate, Sindo’zur the Toxifier

P4: Corpse Explosion, Whirlwind Weapon, Dark Penance, Shoulderpads of Fleshwerks, Death’s Gaze, Winston Duskhaven, Terrifying Visage

P5: Tales of Destruction, Winston Duskhaven, Trophy Gatherer, Petreus Roffe, Field Commander Foggo

P6: Whirlwind Weapon, Jaroth Lightguard, Bloodbane’s Fall, Conflagration Trap

P7: Wind Shear, Offering to the Nether, Rhunnom, Vindictive Strike, Raptor Strike, Delusions of Mediocrity, Kurao Stormheart

P8: Crippling Strike, Scorpid Sting, Trixie Boltclunker, Ferandus Duskfall, Anarchist Bladewalker, Unearthed Broadsword

P9: Terrifying Visage, Obliterate, Great Kodo, Saliva Corroded Pike

P10: Conqueror Jarano. Terrifying Visage, Dark Penance

P11: Huro’shal Gutwrench, Obliterate

P12: Huzrula, Shoulderpads of Fleshwerks

P13: Suffocating Grip

P14: Conflagration Trap, Whirlwind Weapon

P15: Rhunnom, Vindictive Strike

P16: Crippling Strike

P17: Tiny

P18: Water Walking

Pack 3 – Wrathgate

P1: Lesson of the Elements, Lady Bancroft, Fading Glow, Daralis the Sanctifier, Wanton Warlord, Sunguard Cersie, Kaelyn Vineminder, Angry Dread

P2: Murphy Watson, Dhoros Ravestrike, Mongoose Bite, Goru Thronmane

P3: Fading Glow, Hanthal Lightward, Cedric Darwin, Planning for the Future

P4: Torch of Holy Fire, Vuz’din, Soram Wildbark, Conqueror Vun’jin

P5: Curse of Doom, Tuskmender Jan’zu, The Cycle of Life

P6: Cedric Darwin, Dhoros Ravestrike, A Tale of Valor, Drain Essence

P7: Sullivan Holmes, Katoka Dreadblade, Hanthal Lightward

P8: Hail of Arrows, Lesson of the Light, Lesson of the Divine

P9: Fading Glow, Daralis the Sanctifier

P10: Mongoose Bite

P11: Fading Glow

P12: Soram Wildbark

P13: Lesson of the Nether

P14: Tuskmender Jan’zu

P15: Sullivan Holmes

P16: Holy Fury

P17: Fading Glow

P18: Weakening Poison

Anssi seemed like the victim of circumstance in this draft. Horde went underdrafted in the first pack, but the people on his left likely switched to the red team sometime late in pack 1 or early pack 2. He certainly didn’t get much love in pack 3, either. He only had one chance at a Cersie, and that was the one he opened!

As far as his class, he does have double Trophy Gatherer. “If I only had one, I’d be Death Knight with Corpse Explosion,” reasoned Anssi. While there were plenty of chances to pick up Obliterate, he never saw Icy Torments or other Diseases to turn on the DK ability. He never saw a single Fang, even though a Buzz came ridiculously late. Given that the two Pets often appear together, that was no guarantee that Anssi was alone in Hunter. He also blanked on Mothra, increasing the likelihood that he’s sharing Hunter with someone at the table--not optimal. Fortunately, a pair of Battleguards will make up for that lack.

He certainly has ways to win, thanks to his double Trophy Gatherer and double Azjol-anak Battleguard. Conqueror Vun’jin can swing games on anybody trying to run Bronthea for a late-game body, and he has answers to both equipment and abilities. Anssi can certainly get there, but even he admits that “it’ll be a struggle.”