Weekly Newzvault 30 July 2010
Posted on 30 Jul 2010Hi Gamers,
We are finally back!!! Where’d we go? None other then Magic Nationals held in Canberra Rydes Lakeside at London Circuit.
With over 300 magic players and 36 “grinders” it had got to be one of the biggest turnouts in Mtg history… and according to Russell Alphey (Score keeper)… it was!
Day 1 (Thursday – the drive):
I got to GG’s around 9ish. Still feeling a bit messed up from insomnia (sleeping has been crap lately… boo) I started to get ready for Scott’s arrival. Game plan? He’ll pick me up, take all our singles and drive down to Burwood were Paul was waiting to load up more stock. All was sweet until I realized I had to sit in the back seat where half the goods were being held. If anything was to happen, touch wood, I’d be having a deck box enema for breakfast!
We arrived at Rydges London Circuit around 3ish, unloaded our goods and decided to go out for dinner at this place called Gus. The boys recommended it and aye it wasn’t bad. After dinner, we went to Canberra Casino. *please note that Problem Gambling is bad.
But I love it… haha jks
Day 2 (Friday – the grinders):
Being the morning person that I am, I woke up late with the boys already downstairs setting up shop already. Talk about the rush of people! I’ve never been behind the counter at Nats and so this was definitely an eye opener. We met up with most of the other GG’s staff and its great to finally see the face to the names we msn everyday.
After beating the rush, we all opted to play! Both Scott and Paul had organized to play decks designed by fellow gamers Ed and Kenny. I decided to try the standard deck Scott qualified in after being thrashed in the sealed (I’m ashamed to say but I got beaten by Fro, Good Games Gosford Manager… boo)
The deck was a white splash blue mid range creature deck with Baneslayer Angels and some permission with Mana Leak.
I played a nice fellow with a Jund build with the whole array of cascade cards – bituminous blast / bloodbraid elf. I got tanked… AGAIN! Just not my day. But Paul was worse off! Hahaha I couldn’t help but laugh at the guy getting scrubbed out in 4 grinders first round! Lol
Day 3 (Saturday – the Feature Match):
Scott was already off with the others to beat face. Very interesting event – 3 rounds constructed type 2 and then a draft, survival of the fittest; you need to be good at both constructed and drafting.
Paul, Tim (Burke) and I our own thing happening. Ever heard of Gunslinging? Basically, it’s a match between one of our staff against any challenger. If you beat us you get to roll 3 D6’s and the total number represents what kind of prize you get! (we had singles marked with number 3 to 18) Catch? None at all – it is free so come next time and game on!!! The first person that won was cheering pretty loud. This was my first time so instead of giving them the 3 D6’s, I gave them a D20 and they picked up a schweet foil Day of Judgment. Paul corrected me after that but I can tell he wanted to punch some face… probably because he was still cut from getting face pumped all day yesterday… haha
Anyway, Scott hade made it through with a score of 4-3 (I think…). He was also in the first round feature match, you guys should check it out because that’s some funny stuff happening there… link; http://www.wizards.com/Magic/Multiverse/
Day 4 (Sunday – the PTQ):
Once again I started off being my usual self: late. This time round, Brad from Good Games Canberra was here to help out so Paul and I get to play in the PTQ! Geed…
Paul was piloting a Jund deck that Adam (owner of GG Dandenong) did well in 2 days ago. It had a lot of very nice cards with the inclusion of one of my favorites Abyssal Persecutor. Ed (the guy who made Scotts qualifying deck, also GG’s staff) designed this mono black with artifacts and the card of my dreams…Phylactery Lich. We were at dinner the night before and I thought he gave up, getting Kenny to write up this mono white “knight” weenie for me, but maybe it was the wine and antipasto platter… he sold me like that scene from “Jerry Maguire” you had me at hello…well… you had me at Phylactery Lich!… thanks Ed!
It would take a lifetime to write out the entire article but to make a long story short: Scott eventually got knocked out ended up in the middle of the spectrum. Paul did well with 4 wins-3 loses, failing his last match to a player that may have top 8’d. Me? I had 1 draw… 3 loses…. And 0 wins…
0 wins in 3 days… I wanted to hurt someone really bad!
Key memorable moment/ Facts:
1) The bacon and egg toasted sandwiches with BBQ sauce just across the road. Dear god in heaven there were like 3 eggs and a whole pig in there!
2) Someone let off a nasty one around our booth and I had my mouth open. Yum… I think it was Paul because I smelt the bacon and egg toasted sandwiches…
3) Brad is horrible at gunslinging… HAHA
4) Giuseppe is even worse then Brad being the only casualty!
5) Paul giggles like a school girl when he wins!
6) Scott does not know what Meddling mage is!
7) Caps had to babysit Burwood with the Yugioh! kids… HAHA
8) “Ralphey” is very loud and talks very fast!
9) Ed is Asian (it’s not racist if I’m Asian too…)!
10) Pat is a terrible poker player!
11) The Pirates are trouble makers!
12) Never go to the casino on the first night
13) Always go to the casino in the last night
So this is it for me! I really had a good time writing this trying not to miss out on any of the good stuff but yeah you guys have to really experience this first hand to know what Its like!
Have a great weekend!
