5 rounds of swiss before a cut to the top 8.
Round 1 Mono Black Aggro Won 2-1
After a really slow start I lost the first game. Then games 2 and 3 were almost exactly the same, having Rageblood Shaman and Kragma Warcaller out and trampling trhough the last 10 or so damage.
Round 2 B/W Pillow Fort (i think) Lost 2-1
Wasn't really sure how to play against this deck. He kept on negating damage and keeping his stuff alive to hold on until he had his win condition. Lots of Gods Willing and Ajani's Prescence stopped all my removal.
Round 3 Golgari Dredge Won 2-1
Rageblood Shaman again was my best performer here, trampling over all his Satyr Wayfinders, while he tried to mill into a better position. I lost the second game here to a Nemesis of Mortals that he got out and Monstrous for only GGGG.
Round 4 Green Fatties/Hydra Won 2-1
Dropped game one here. Had a 4/4 and a 5/5 Heroes' Bane, Nylea, God of the Hunt and all the Hydra tokens to go with it. Game 2 I got all my removal to stop his ramp and did nearly all my damage with a pair of Deathbellow Raiders.
Game 3 I let through his Polukranos, World Eater, top decked a Kragma Warcaller and swung with the horde I had out for 23 damage in the one turn.
Round 5 U/B Won 2-0
I played the last tournament winner in this match.
I almost dropped the first game after he stole my Mogis with his Nightveil Specter, then a Mountain on the next turn. My burn spells came through for me here to knock off his last few life points.
Game 2 I had a near perfect draw. T1 Gnarled Scarhide, T2 Deathbellow Raider, T3 Ragemonger}}, T4 [[Kragma Warcaller and another Scarhide, swung for 20 for the win.
So I went 4-1 in the Swiss and was sitting 4th going into the Finals.
Semi Final vs Mono Black Aggro won 2-0
I think mono black was my best matchup for the day. I had pretty quick monsters, and enough removal to stop his Pack Rat getting out of control. Both games were over pretty quick.
Quarter Final Black Devotion Won 2-1
Game 1 was another quick win for me. Game 2 I risked a 1 land opening hand and held on for a few turns longer than I really should have, but lost it in the end.
Game 3 I think he did more damage to himself than what I did. Multiple Underworld Connections out and a few Herald of Torment. I knew he was trying for the Gray Merchant. Again my burn came through at the end for the last 4 life and saw me into the Grand Final...
Grand Final vs U/W Control lost 2-1
I knew he had an Elspeth and lot's of counters, but not much else going into this match. He kept my creatures to a minimum all game, was able to ultimate Elspeth and swing for the win.
Game 2 I was ready. I kept baiting him with a crature, only to drop another or a burn when he was tapped out. i dont think a control player has played such a quick game.
The Decider.
I had an amazing start, had him down to 8 life and I was up to 28 thanks to his Last Breath. Then it all went downhill. I had no hand, he had a Jace, Architect of Thought. I drew 5 lands in a row, he got to Ultimate said Jace. I had nothing, he had Mogis and AEtherling. I gave it one more shot, I drew... a Deathbellow Raider. My trusty friend had performed well for me today, but there was nothing he could do here. After pumping Aetherling and making him unblockable I knew next turn I was done.
