Monumental Lifegain 2-0 (3-0 on the round), Defiant Jank 1-0 (splashed in a game cause I had an itch to play it), Grim Nemesis 3-0.
Recaps to follow. Ho. Ly. ****. The last game is epic AF. Cucho's deck vs a fat stack with a great draw/top decks. I thought about conceding so many times after Opp resolved Sorin to slowly drain me, Sandwurms Convergence to lock out Brusela (sp?) from attacking, and got Ormendal flipped - but the deck had outs, so played it through and ended up pulling it off
Most of the games were entertaining. Monumental had a great comeback vs a Dimir steal-and-sac deck that had gotten out Murk Lurker,
(even tho I misplayed, choosing to Reflector Mage Willbreaker away when it had a +1/+1 aura on it instead of casting Dusk//Dawn and straight killing it - just not used to playing the deck and completely brainfarting on that. I was super annoyed as soon as Mage resolved and I realized my error, but still ended up pulling it off).
G2 vs Rank 5 Dimir Steal-and-Sac. This game was intense so it's getting a long write up. I'm on the draw, and mulligan a hand with a forest, colorless land, and no cards I can cast with that - getting a hand with Evolving Wilds, Abbey, Priest, 2x Mechanic, Selfless Spirit, and Trophy Mage. I think about tossing it back but figure if I top a white source on the draw I can cast Trophy T3, and if not I can Evolve a Plains and be able to cast the rest of my hand at least. Opp Swamp and pass, I top Cloudblazer so evo Plains it is. Opp Swamp and pass, I draw another Priest. I play Spirit thinking opps 3 drop creature prob profitably block any ground creature I play, and I want to start the clock. Opp pays 3rd Swamp and casts B Trial, so I sac Spirit to give nothing indestructible BECAUSE SCREW YOU,
I DECIDE HOW SPIRIT DIES. I top an island (w00t) and cast Trophy Mage for the Monument. Opp drops a Dimir dual land and casts Murk Lurker. I top another Cloudblazer and play out the Monument. Opp plays out a land, casts another Trial that kills the Mage, then a Voracious Null (a card I rated among the worst cards in Duels in that 'worst cards' thread - but unfortunately this deck doesn't run Instant speed removal to punish Opp for that card choice
). I top another Island, and since I can't get out 2 creatures with only 1 white source, I play a Cloudblazer trying to draw one - hitting Blighted Steppe (boo, wrong land) and another Mage. Opp casts Willbreaker and I'm thinking Oh crap, I dont have many ways to deal with that... I draw a 3rd Mechanic, attack with Blazer over opps blockers, play out Steppe, cast a Mechanic to bounce Blazer (don't want Opp stealing it and getting an aerial attacker), and cast Trophy Mage fetching another Monument. At this moment I'm reeeally wishing this deck ran a single Aethersphere Harvester like I run in my Rhonas Monument deck - just for situations like this where I'm not facing artifact hate and want options to fetch something that isn't redundant. Opp plays out a 6th land, activates Murk Lurker twice to steal both my 2/2s, then activates Null to eat one and grow; attacks with Null, who I toss a 1/1 in front of. I need a Reflector Mage something fierce, but top a Canopy Vista. Glad to finally have 2nd White source at least, I cast Blazer to start digging for Mage - SUCCESS!!! I draw Mage and Prairie Stream. I can cast Mage this turn, but I feel I need to be able to Mechanic it back same turn so I don't lose it to removal (thinking I'll need to rebounce Willbreaker when opps ready to cast it again). I play one of my 2 Mechanics instead to bounce Blazer and pass, discarding the extra Monument to handsize. Opp plays out 7th land, casts U Cartouche on Willbreaker, activates Murk Lurker to steal the Mechanic, activates Null to eat one and grow, casts Ruthless Sniper (another target effect to steal with, and also can pick off my 1/1s), then swings with Willbreaker and Null - I chump the Null. Now is the turn I referenced when I posted vid link - but I remembered the order wrong. I draw Hinterland Harbor and play out the Stream for the extra white source. I plan to Mage Willbreaker off the table, draw some cards with Blazer, and Mechanic the Mage back. I SHOULD have played Blazer first to see what I'd draw and maybe change the other lines, but instead I'm too focused on bouncing Willbreaker. I Mage first, then Blazer into Dusk//Dawn and Spell Queller! DOH! Dusk would have gotten rid of both Null and Willbreaker for good! Annoyed at myself, I Mechanic back the Mage and pass. Opp plays a B Cartouche on Null, putting a negative counter on Blazer. Then cycles the 4/4 demon thing that pumps whenever you cycle, triggering Sniper to take out Blazer. Not sure why Opp didn't Trial, Trial, Cartouche to start picking off my token army, but I guess they were really scared of that 2/2 Blazer... After Blazers dead, they cast a trial (matching my misplay with a more obvious one of their own) and I sac a token. They pass on attacks since I can gang block Null. I draw the 3rd Mage, cast Dusk to kill Null, then Cloudblazer to draw more cards - hitting the 2nd Abbey and Evangel. I pass thinking next turn I'll Reflector the Willbreaker they're sure to play, flip Abbey and try to race in the damage before they can cast a Willbreaker again FTW. Opp casts Willbreaker again, cycles Hieroglyphs and targets a 1/1 token (wha?, I have 3 2/2s on board??) with Sniper to steal it, plays out a land and cycles Vizier of Tumbling Sands, stealing Blazer with Sniper and untapping a land, then passes turn. I top another Reflector Mage, and execute my end game plan - flipping Abbey by sacing all my 1/1s, casting Reflector to bounce Willbreaker again (removing their flying blocker by returning Blazer and the 1/1 token to my side of the field). Opp scoops because they'll be dead to Ormendahl before they can cast recast the problematic Willbreaker. GG. I did not think I was going to be able to pull this off after Murk Lurker and Willbreaker were out - but Blazer digging and Mechanic shenanigans were enough to get the W!
G3 vs Rank 40 4c (GUBW) Something-or-Other. I'm on the play, and I mulligan a 4 lander with 2x Mechanic and Dusk//Dawn because it could be awful if opp plays low to the ground, and get another 4 lander, but this one with 2x Reflector Mage and AoI. I keep it since Mages can disrupt and if I draw the 5th land to play AoI on curve it could be good. This game is weird, and aside from Opp casting T1 Renegade Map, we each just take turns playing out lands and passing. I don't want to play my Mages for no value, figuring they won't race particularly well on their own on Opp has to have removal with all the draw-going and black mana available. I cast a Cloudblazer T5, and Opp responds by casting one of their own, then discarding a Rec Sage to handsize. I top a Trophy Mage and worry about Monument dying to another Rec Sage I assume they're holding. I think I goof a bit on this turn, but I'm a little thrown off by having no idea what I'm facing - I attack with Blazer offering the trade, and they take it. I cast Trophy fetching the Monument and cast Monument to get things rolling next turn. This was dumb because I had been thinking they had another Rec Sage in hand, and could lose my Monument before getting any value off it - but I was just too anxious to get things moving since the game was so boring up to that point. Lucky for me Opp apparently didn't have the back up Sage (or at least never played it), instead dropping Kalitas and another Map. I bounce Kalitas with Reflector, cast AoI and swing for 3 (prob should have held AoI for another turn and played out a dif creature to get a better attack in with more bodies but that's how I did it anyways). Opp casts B Gearhulk and kills AoI. At this point I'm holding 2x Reflector Mage, a Mechanic, and a Priest - got a wide board so I figure I can't lose unless Opp has a sweeper or can token spam the board somehow. I Reflector Gearhulk back not worried about the minor lofegain they'll get when it's replayed, then play out Priest (missing out on a lifegain due to cast order - I don't take the Best Lines this game, but it ends up not mattering in the end). I cast Mechanic to bounce a Reflector Mage back to hand (holding on to 2 now) and swing with the team taking them to 12. I have lethal on board and they know I have at least 1 Reflector in hand so they need to sweep, play out 3 creatures (or 2 and spot removal one of mine), or bust. They play out Kalitas again, cast flip Nissa, fetching a forest and flipping her, tick her up to draw a card - hitting a land and casting a Priest of their own. That's not good enough, and I untap topping another Mechanic, play out both Mages to bounce both blockers and swing FTW. GG.
Monumental Lifegain finished round 1 with a perfect 3-0 record.
G1 vs Rank 40 RG Energy. I'm on the draw, and mulligan a 3 Land hand with Rider, 2x Cast Out, and Sorin because it's slow and risky - and keep another 3 lander, but with Aetherborn, Initiate, Alliance, and Lil' Lili. Opp doesn't have a 2 drop to play, so I get out a Siphoner I've drawn to try and get the card advantage rolling. That decision ends up being pretty good, and the extra draws help me outlast my Opp. Opp gets out a couple of the 3 mana RG dood who gives everything trample, and also the energy Hydra who's a big pain for the decks spot removal - I had cast Lil' Lili T3, who dies a couple turns later but distracts enough focus from my lifetotal to help me pull off the win in a close finish. Opp concedes facing a lethal crackback after a big attack with the red energy guy who has double strike and grows on attacks for 2 energy - pumping him +1 AND hitting him with Blossoming Defense to take me down to 4 life (thank you Lili!!!). GG.
G2 vs Rank 3 Bant Fat Stack (clue theme). I'm on the draw, and mulligan a pair of 1 landers - keeping 3 Land, Aetherborn, Lone Rider, and Anguished Unmaking. I get out a Rider T2 and Opp gets out the blue 1/3 Spirit who duplicates clues. I get out Lil' Lili T3 and Opp gets out Tamiyo T4. We're both ticking up our walkers on their way to ultimate, but I have Unmaking to take out Tamiyo before she does and Opp throws in the towel, facing down a flipped Rider and Lili close to ultimate. It's very decisive at that point because while Opp has out Ulvenwald Mysteries, I have a Kalitas in hand to make sure it never gets triggered (plus Rider trample to roll over any 1/1s that might get made somehow). GG.
G3 vs Rank 17 Abzan Hundo Stack. This game is epic AF so getting a long write up (very long as the game was too). I'm on the play and keep starting hand of 2x Plains, Isolated Chapel, Lone Rider, Bruna, Alliance, and Gideon. Not the best hand, but figure I have options to flip Rider w/ Alliance if I want, and Gideon T4 is good times if I can draw another land by then.
T1 I drop a Plains and pass. Opp plays Forest and casts Gnarlwood Dryad.
T2 I draw an Aether Hub, play Chapel, cast Rider. Opp plays another Forest and casts Hamlet Captain, then passes back.
T3 I draw Dec Stone, play out a Plains, and pass turn with the plan to flip Rider with Alliance when Opp attacks and then cast Gideon on my turn and start beating face. Opp drops an Abbey, casts another Dryad, casts the 0/3 guy who gets a land when he dies, and totally messes up my plan by skipping attacks! I then make one of 3 particularly bad mistakes this game and try to fire off Alliance to flip that Rider but realize too late it's already the end step and I've missed the window for the flip trigger. I pull it back, but unfortunately I've shown Opp that card and I'm sure it's the reason he holds back some attacks that would be walking into a trap later in the game.
T4 I draw a Swamp and play it. I cast Gideon, make a token, and pass. Opp plays a Plains, casts Kytheon, then casts Deathcap Cultivator - going super wide.
T5 I draw Shambling Vent and am really tired of drawing lands every turn, but at least I'm getting close to be able to cast Bruna. I realize Gideon is going to die to opps wide board and the 2/2 dood pumping opps Humans, so I ultimate him and play out the Vent. I pass turn holding up mana for Alliance with 2 modes on the off chance Opp forgets about it. Opp casts Explosive Vegitation and passes turn, clearly not forgetting about it.
T6 I draw another Lone Rider, and know Opp has creatures and lands to flip Abbey next turn and attack with Ormendahl plus another creature to get around Alliance - so I'm thinking I have to get rid of some creatures now. I play out the Hub, cast Dec Stone on the Dryads to put Opp off Ormendahl. This was my 2nd big mistake. I should have let him flip Abbey and Dec Stoned Ormendahl after he took a bunch of his doods off the board. I had enough life to take the hit - I was just really tired at this point in the night and brain farted hard. I considered my other options and played out the other Rider thinking I'd flip both with Alliance on opps turn since I can't count on Opp forgetting about it and walking into that trap with Ormendahl. I figure I need to get those Riders flipped and keep Opp off Ormendahl by first strike wrecking his creatures, since I goofed hard on the Dec Stone answer. Opp untaps, casts a Compulsory Rest on one of my Riders, cracks both clues and skips attacks ONCE AGAIN catching me off guard and I miss my Alliance window. Jesus F***, I don't deserve to win this.
T7 I draw Forsaken Sanctuary and have the land for Bruna, but like Wintervoid's game it's a tapped land and I can't get the Big Beautiful Angel out. I consider playin Alliance now for the flip since I keep missing the damn window on opps turn, but instead I play out the tap land and pass turn thinking I'll use the Out that Rest gives and sac the Rider on opps turn to get him back when I play Bruna. I have some options for a reactive turn so I pass thinking I'm in an ok spot. Opp untaps and casts Sorin, ticking down to kill my free Rider, and passes back. Dammit. Oh well, I guess I'll hold off on the Rest out and get the already dead Riglder back instead.
T8 I draw a Swamp. Yuck. No more lands now thnx. I play it out and cast Bruna getting back Rider. I then make my 3rd mistake of the game (not counting the missed Alliance windows of course). I decide to attack with the 3/3 Gideon token. My thinking is to try and knock Sorin down to the point he can't kill my Rider again right away. Im hoping he takes it since Bruna will kill Sorin anyway on my next turn, and that Opp will want to preserve their creatures so they can flip Abbey sooner. Maybe my thinking was fine, but it ended up being a mistake because Opp chumped with the 0/3 Druid and fetched up their 8th mana source (counting Cultivator). I pass turn. Opp untaps and casts Sandwurm Convergence. F*** me sideways. Opp ticks down Sorin to kill the free Rider again, then passes turn getting a 5/5 wurm.
T9 I top another Shambling Vent (
the flood was so real, like I woke up in blunder land. All sorta terrifying, I don't want to be all alone while I tell this story). I'm considering tossing in the towel cause I'm in a rough spot, locked out and facing an ever growing army of Wurms - but I know the deck has some outs I can draw, so I figure I'll keep going for now. Drop the Vent and pass turn. Opp untaps, ticks up Sorin drawing another Cultivator and draining me for 2. They cast Cultivator and then play out an Evolutionary Leap, passing turn and getting another Wurm.
T10 I top Gisela - thank the magic gods it's not another land. I cast her to meld into Brisela, locking Opp out of their 1-3 drops. Suck it, Betch! I still can't do anything else with Convergence quelling my flying attacks, so I pass turn and meld. Opp untaps, ticks up Sorin and draws a Plains - then passes turn getting another Wurm.
T11 I top a Swamp. FLOOOOOOD. Should have held it to bluff a useful card, put I thoughtlessly play it out and pass turn. Opp flips Abbey on my endstep - but thankfully won't be able to profitably attack because I have a 10/11 Eldrazi Angel. For some reason I think is dumb, they kept Kytheon and a Cultivator instead of 2 5/5 Wurms, but whatever. Opp untaps and ticks up Sorin drawing a forest. They move to attack step and I activate a Shambling Vent (hoping maybe Opp forgot about Alliance and will maybe attack with Ormendahl to gain life or something and Vent would discourage sending Kytheon/Cultivator too). Opp passes on attacks and sends turn back to me, getting another Wurm for it
T12 I draw Grasp of Darkness. Man I need Anguished or Cast Out like now. I pass turn and Opp sacs the Wurm token to evoleap (why not the Cultivaor tho?) and hits the 1/2 deathtouch elf w/ revolt that they can't cast. Suspect they're trying to find B Gearhulk or the 4/3 B elf that kills a creature when enters play - take out my Brisela. Opp untaps, ticks up Sorin and hots another Forest. Guess it's only fair since I've drawn so many lands too. They pass turn and get another Wurm.
T13 I draw Fatal Push. I'm considering tossing in the towel again. It's only a matter of time until Sorin has enough loyalty to drain out my Angel Defense, and if they'd ever let their Wurms build up they could beat me that way. I figure I've gone this far, might as well see if I can ever draw those outs, and target the Wurm with Fatal Push to delay that swarm. Opp evoleaps in response and hits a Hanweir Militia Captain they can't cast. I activate both Vents and attack Sorin with them and the ally token - hoping to put Opp further off killing Brisela with him and gain some life to protect me from his +1 draws. Opp blocks all three, for some reason putting Ormendahl on the token and letting my vents live instead - sacs Cultivator to Evoleap getting another Hamlet Captain they can't cast, and making Kytheon indestructible. I pass turn. Opp untaps, ticks up Sorin and hits Sigil of the Empty Throne, taking away the life I gained last turn. Thankfully from what I've seen of their deck via evoleaps, is most of their Enchantments are 3 or less mana. Opp plays it out, and passes turn getting another Wurm.
T14 I draw an Aetherborn. Consider conceding again, but decide I'm in too deep, so I play Aetherborn and pass turn. Opp ticks up Sorin, hitting an Ulvenwald Mysteries they can't cast and draining me for 3. They pass back and get another Wurm.
T15 I draw Never//Return, which is great since Sorin is 3 turns from being able to drain out Brisela (if he doesn't drain out my lifetotal by then). I get Sorin off the board, the Return him out the graveyard for a zombie token. Pass turn. Opp untaps, plays a land, passes turn making another wurm (up to 3 now).
T16 I draw a Swamp, hold it to bluff a useful card and pass turn. Opp draws, passes turn and gets another Wurm.
T17 I draw an Isolated Chapel, drop it and pass turn. Opp draws, plays a land, passes turn and grows Wurm army more.
T18 I draw a Plains and consider conceding again. Dis standoff frustrating and I still need to draw 2 answers before I can start hitting their lifetotal - and that's hoping they don't draw another Convergence. But I figure I've put to much time in to quit now, so I hold the Plains to bluff a better hand and pass turn. Opp draws, passes and gets up to 6 Wurms. Not much longer till they'll be able to swing with a big enough army to get around all the lifegain I could do on blocks and kill me. I think I have 2 turns left at most if I can't find an answer and Opp starts swinging.
T19 I TOP CAST OUT! OMFG!!! I can start busting up this stalemate! I take out Convergence and swing with Brisela - I need the lifegain badly. Opp blocks with Ormendahl and we go to 23 (me) and 42 (Opp); I pass turn. Opp draws and passes, getting another Wurm.
T20 I top a Lone Rider. Swing with Brisela to gain more life and cast out the Rider who flips EOT. At this point, Opp starts sacing Wurms on my end step to Evoleap. I figure they realize all the lifegain I'm getting and new creatures I'm putting out is setting their eventual Wurm swarm back too far and is trying to find what I assume is a creature with removal ETB effect. They don't find it, hitting a bunch of cheap creatures Brisela won't let them cast. Opp draw-go's back to me. Lifetotals at 33 (me), 51 (Opp).
T21 I TOP GRASP OF DARKNESS! YAAAAS!!!! Goodbye Ormy - double Grasp him away, and swing with Brisela. 4 more attacks till I win! Opp draws and concedes. GG. Ho. Ly. S***. What an epic game. I can't believe I pulled it off. Big B is such a fecking house.
I play out the rest vs AI because with all the work put in I need to see them ded, but not bothering with the rest of recap because it was all one sided from there.
Grim Nemesis finishes round one at 3-0.