First off, really quick **Spoiler** In Legacy, I lost in the first round of Top 8. Losing in the first round of Top 8 is the luckiest weekend of my life. Yeah, that’s kinda sad but anyways… **end**
When I heard Phoenix was getting an SCG Open, I was excited because it meant I got another chance to play in a big tournament while not sleeping in a hotel, which is always awesome because hotels suck. I was playing my BRW reanimator deck that people enjoy calling Frites, even though it is not Frites, it’s just similar. For those interested this was the deck I played:
The sideboard was loose and random. The only card worth noting was the 2 Mental Misstep I had in it that I was prepared to side in every round. I even told Elias Francia this before round one. Now onto the tournament report starting with the Standard Open, I don’t remember everything; this is just a little summary.
Round 1 – Eric – U/B Zombies
I met Eric many years ago when I started playing Magic, so getting to play him round one was kind of a blast from the past, since he is a real Arizona Magic player. Game one he demolished me because I did a whole lot of nothing except play Lingering Souls. His Captains were too much and I lost. Games 2 he got mana screwed and I won, game 3 he had yet to miss a land drop while on turn 8 and I won shortly afterwards. I was happy to win round 1 in a big tournament because I rarely ever do that.
1-0
Sidenote – Talking with Elias after round one he told me that because we had talked before the round he was able to win, he was playing against a Frites deck ( >.< ) and remembered I said I had Mental Misstep to side in every round, so he played around it by not playing a spell so he leave up mana to flashback his Purify the Grave if it got countered the first time, which it did. He thanked me for this randomness that occurred, and Eric Potter called me an ass since he’s the one who sided in Mental Misstep against Elias. Just goes to show you that all the random strategy talking that goes on between friends really can mean something. -End
Round 2 – Jon – W/U Delver
I got demolished by this guy, I always thought (and still think) Delver is a good match up for this Reanimator deck but I still lost. Jon was a nice guy though, I wished him luck then it was off to round 3.
1-1
Round 3 – Gorge
This is where my loose memory comes out, I don’t remember what he was playing, or how I lost. I probably had some bad beat story for in-between the rounds but doesn’t matter he beat me fair and square.
1-2
Round 4- Brian – R/G Ramp
Brian is a friend of mine so I didn’t want to play him, plus I knew he was playing R/G ramp which was a kind rough match up for my deck. He beat me in game three by being faster than I was and attacking over my dudes. He’s a really nice guy so I was ok with it.
1-3
**Sidenote #2** Later on in the day Brian got disqualified from the tournament for something that shouldn’t have happened. During one of his rounds, something came up, a judge got called over, and it ended with Brian being DQ’d for cheating. If you’ve ever met and talked with Brian you know he’s a nice guy and wouldn’t do something like this. Something happened with the judge and he got his words mixed up. Everyone knows that Brian didn’t deserve this. End**
Round 5 – Skylan
Skylan was a nice guy who was playing in his first big tournament, he traveled a few hours to spend time with his friends and play a game he loves just like the rest of us.I ended up winning 2-1 by reanimating big dudes games 1 and 3 while knowing how I misplayed to lose game 2.
2-3
Round 6 – Brian
Another round I don’t remember what deck he was playing, but he beat me 2-1, after this round I was probably telling people how I misplayed to lose, but my fault so doesn’t matter. Wished him luck then off to round 7.
2-4
Round 7 – Michael Potter- Mono Red (Like you thought it’d be anything else.)
Mr. Potter is awesome, I really didn’t want to play him and his Mono-Red deck. I’ve known and respected Mr. Potter for many years, and hopefully many more. He destroyed me in two games, neither of them were close. It’s always fun playing against Mr. Potter, even when he kicks your ass.
2-5
Round 8 – James – BWG Big Dudes
James was a nice guy, kinda loud which was something I noticed when I sat next to him 3 times during the tournament. He was playing a BWG Big Dude deck, and was stating how he was annoyed that people kept saying he was playing ramp, he corrected them saying he was playing his deck that he made (by the way, there were no ramp spells in it). One game he got a Titan into play while I did nothing, the other two games I reanimated some stuff and won before he could do anything but try and kill my creatures.
3-5
Round 9 – Makoto– Myr?
I believe he was playing a Myr artifact deck (if not him, it was Skylan). I was able to reanimate creatures both games and he couldn’t do anything about it. He was just another guy there to have fun and enjoy the big tournament, I later found out that him, Skylan, and James were all friends who came up as a group to play for the day. At least they all had fun while they were there.
4-5
Pretty bad start to the weekend, but I had some friends in Top 8 which was sweet. Sucks that only Chris Basco made it out of Top 8 and that he lost in Top 4, but congrats to him, he was the best finishing Arizona player of the weekend.
After Top 8 was done, I got to go home and sleep in my own bed which was AWESOME since I knew I was going to wake up the next day and play more Magic. I was excited about the Legacy Open of the weekend, even though I had playtested for Standard way more then I had for Legacy, I had a sweet Legacy deck that was fun to play and according to a few people, a good metagame call for the weekend. Here’s what I battled with for the Legacy Open.
This deck was sweet, and I loved playing it. The sideboard was thrown together before the tournament, but it ended up working out for me, even though I never used the Thorns or the Faeries.
Round 1 – Alexander – Wizards
Alexander had beating me a few weeks prior to this in the finals of a GPT and I wanted my revenge. He was playing a Wizards deck that was kinda weird, but that’s what he does. Game one I comboed out and overran him with Ezuri and some dudes. Game two, I cast Elesh norn on turn 3 and he couldn’t deal with it. That victory was bitter sweet :) (I did lose to him round 1 of the GPT I played just over the weekend though, which was probably bitter sweet for him.)
1-0
Round 2 – Corey – Show & Tell/Hive Mind
I was able to combo out both games before he ever saw a Show and Tell, so that was pretty easy for me, and bad luck for him.
2-0
Round 3 – Benjamin – U/R Delver
Game one he killed all my dudes and killed me with a Delver. Game two, I was able to combo out really fast before he could do much and won from there. Game three ,I resolved Absolute Law on turn 3, on his turn 4 he double Forked Bolted my face then passed. I easily comboed after that and he shook my hand and we wished each other good luck. Before our match he had made sure to say that he had made Top4 the day before and had lost this morning. Not gonna lie, beating him felt even better since I knew that.
3-0
Round 4 – Jeff Abong- Maverick
If you’re reading this, you most likely know exactly who Jeff Abong and his brother Jason are. I’m not completely sure what happened in the first two games, but I know that I won game 3 by casting Natural Order on turn 3 and attacking 3 times with Progenitus. I felt a little bad since I had borrowed the Natural Orders and the Progenitus from Jeff before the tournament started, but him and his brother both ended up making top16 which was awesome.
[Ed. Note – Jeff’s report of this round is here]
4-0
Round 5 – Kelvin
Don’t remember anything about this match, sorry Kelvin. It was probably close though. 2-1
5-0
Round 6 – Sherwin Pu – RUG Delver
Sherwin is a Cali player who came out for the weekend and is a nice guy, has a slightly emo hairstyle but to each their own. Game one he mulled to 4, and didn’t have much of a chance. Game two he rocked me. Game three was close, I ended up top decking a Natural Order the turn I needed and a creature the next turn to chump block so that I could attack twice and win if he revealed a bolt to his delver flipping it which I thought he’d do, and he did but I drew the chump blocker so I was able to block then attack for the win, while holding Elesh Norn awkwardly in my hand since turn 2.
**Sidenote #3** This was Shewin’s only loss on Sunday, I still feel good about that even though he had to get really unlucky for it to happen. End**
6-0
Round 7 – Jason Broach – Show & Tell/Hivemind
This is where I should put I/D right? Well I thought so too, but this being Jason’s first big tournament he wasn’t totally sure and didn’t want to draw and risk not making it. I assured him but nope, we talked a bit and a judge was called over to try and explain it. It was working too, until the judge said “…But you have to remember, your opponent doesn’t always have your best interests in mind.” Are you serious? I was slightly pissed when the judge said that, but whatever. The judge followed it up by saying you have 45 seconds to present your decks. Jason said no to me, so we shuffled up and both got warnings for slow play, I know I should have had my deck out the entire time ready to play, but I really didn’t think he’d say no. As I presented my deck I said “I’m still willing to draw by the way.” The judge then said “You’re only allowed to ask your opponent once if they’d like to draw or if they’d like to concede.” I replied with “Ok, is that once each or once total?” He gave me a look then said “Play your game.” Sometimes I hate judges.
Neither of the games were exciting, game one he went turn 2 Show and Tell, put in Progenitus while I put in Qasali Pridemage. I couldn’t combo out on turn 3 (He went first) and lost. Game two he cast turn 2 show and tell putting in Hive Mind while I put in Progenitus, he then cast slaughter pact and I lost during my upkeep. He apologized for not taking the draw and said some other stuff. I shook his hand and wished him good luck in top8.
6-1
Round 8 -Kurt Samson – RUG Delver
This time I was able to I/D securing my spot in top8.
6-1-1
This feeling was amazing, because I had never made Top 8 of any event that slightly mattered. And I was the best dressed in top8 since only a couple other people dressed up on Sunday, but I was happy with it. Can never go wrong with looking like a pimp.
Top 8 – Adam Prosak – RUG Delver
I consider Prosak a friend, I’ve known him for years and have played against him quite a few times. The match coverage can be found here http://www.starcitygames.com/events/coverage/quarterfinals_leon_kornacki_vs.html
In summary, I won a long game 1, he rocked me game 2 and 3. I have excuses for both the games, but my fault so it doesn’t matter.
Losing after that long day felt pretty bad, but I was still happy with myself. Overall the weekend was a blast and I can’t wait till I get another opportunity.
Congrats to everyone who played in any of the tournaments during the SCG Phoenix Open. Special thanks to everyone who dressed up for the event (even if only for day one) it was awesome to represent for Arizona like we did.
Have fun doing whatever it is you do with your life, maybe see you at the prerelease this weekend at Manawerx or Rookies to Legends since that’s where all the cool kids and myself will be.
Thanks for reading, have a great life!
-Leon Kornacki
And just cuz I can
@HandsMcgee72