[Results] Blue Bell, PA, USA (4/5)

[Legrow]

Sorry for the delay in posting lists, but I got confused about the T8 standings.  It turns out that I had just confused the two Justins in my list.  First prize was a Mox Jet, second was Bazaar.  It was 35 players, 6 rounds, cut to top 8.

1st - Jeremy Beaver (TTS+Doomsday+Gush)
2nd - Juan Sanchez (Flash, Reveillark)
3rd-4th - Ryan Glackin (RG Beats)
3rd-4th - Justin Navickas (Gush Storm)
5th-8th - Justin Morford (Flash, Reveillark)
5th-8th - Jason Jones (Flash, Reveillark)
5th-8th - Mark Weiner (RG Beats)
5th-8th - Paul Mastriano (Flash, Reveillark)

And the meta breakdown is as follows:
6 Flash (Reveillark)
5 Tyrant Oath
3 Long-ish Variants (1 w/ Desire, 1 w/ Gifts, 1 Normal)
2 Empty Gush
2 Tropical Storm (1 w/ Doomsday, 1 w/o)
2 Bomberman
2 UWB Fish
3 Red Workshop Aggro
3 RG Beats
2 Control/Welder (1 Comboish, 1 Chalices)
1 Ichorid
1 RB Goblins
1 UBG Fish
1 RB Burn
1 Suicide Black



And finally, the top 8 lists:


Jeremy Beaver – Doomsday TTS?  I dunno. – 1st
1 Library of Alexandria
1 Volcanic Island
2 Island
2 Tropical Island
3 Underground Sea
2 Flooded Strand
3 Polluted Delta
1 Mana Crypt
1 Black Lotus
1 Lotus Petal
1 Mox Sapphire
1 Mox Jet
1 Mox Ruby
1 Mox Emerald
1 Empty the Warrens
1 Tendrils of Agony
1 Yawgmoth’s Will
1 Vampiric Tutor
1 Demonic Tutor
1 Imperial Seal
1 Doomsday
1 Necropotence
1 Mystical Tutor
1 Chain of Vapor
1 Regrowth
1 Ancestral Recall
1 Fact or Fiction
1 Fastbond
2 Misdirection
3 Merchant Scroll
4 Gush
4 Force of Will
4 Brainstorm
4 Dark Ritual
4 Duress
SB
1 Sundering Titan
1 Jester’s Cap
1 Tinker
1 Hurkyl’s Recall
2 Red Elemental Blast
2 Energy Flux
3 Tarmogoyf
4 Leyline of the Void


Juan Sanchez – Flash (Reveillark) – 2nd
3 Flooded Strand
2 Tropical Island
2 Underground Sea
3 Polluted Delta
3 Island
1 Ancestral Recall
1 Black Lotus
1 Mox Jet
1 Mox Emerald
1 Mox Sapphire
1 Mox Ruby
1 Reveillark
1 Mogg Fanatic
4 Protean Hulk
1 Misdirection
1 Chain of Vapor
3 Merchant Scroll
4 Brainstorm
4 Pact of Negation
2 Ponder
1 Carrion Feeder
2 Thoughtseize
1 Demonic Tutor
1 Body Snatcher
1 Mystical Tutor
1 Body Double
1 Lotus Petal
1 Vampiric Tutor
2 Summoner’s Pact
4 Force of Will
4 Flash
1 Time Walk
SB
1 Echoing Truth
1 Hurkyl’s Recall
2 Trickbind
4 Reverent Silence
4 Leyline of the Void
1 Tinker
1 Platinum Angel
1 Darksteel Colossus


Ryan Glackin – RG Beats – 3rd/4th
4 Kird Ape
4 Lightning Bolt
3 Magus of the Moon
4 Mogg Fanatic
4 Seal of Fire
2 Stingscourger
4 Tin Street Hooligan
4 Skyshroud Elite
4 Tarmogoyf
4 Aether Vial
1 Black Lotus
1 Lotus Petal
1 Mox Emerald
1 Mox Ruby
3 Skullclamp
1 Forest
2 Mountain
1 Strip Mine
4 Taiga
2 Wasteland
2 Windswept Heath
4 Wooded Foothills
SB
3 Ancient Grudge
3 Pyroclasm
4 Pyrostatic Pillar
1 Stingscourger
4 Seal of Primordium


Justin Navickas – Gush Storm – 3rd/4th
3 Polluted Delta
3 Flooded Strand
1 Library of Alexandria
2 Underground Sea
2 Tropical Island
1 Volcanic Island
1 Island
1 Snow-Covered Island
1 Darksteel Colossus
1 Ancestral Recall
1 Black Lotus
4 Brainstorm
4 Duress
1 Echoing Truth
1 Empty the Warrens
1 Fastbond
4 Force of Will
4 Gush
4 Mana Drain
4 Merchant Scroll
2 Misdirection
5 Moxes
1 Lotus Petal
1 Mystical Tutor
1 Demonic Tutor
1 Time Walk
1 Tinker
1 Yawgmoth’s Will
1 Vampiric Tutor
1 Tendrils of Agony
1 Regrowth
SB
4 Annul
2 Blue Elemental Blast
3 Extirpate
2 Fire/Ice
1 Spawning Pit
3 Trygon Predator


Justin Morford – Flash (Reveillark) – 5th/8th
1 Mogg Fanatic
1 Reveillark
1 Body Double
1 Body Snatcher
1 Carrion Feeder
4 Flash
4 Protean Hulk
4 Brainstorm
4 Merchant Scroll
2 Sensei’s Divining Top
4 Pact of Negation
2 Summoner’s Pact
4 Force of Will
1 Chain of Vapor
1 Demonic Tutor
1 Ancestral Recall
1 Mystical Tutor
1 Vampiric Tutor
3 Thoughtseize
1 Lotus Petal
1 Mana Crypt
1 Mox Ruby
1 Mox Sapphire
1 Mox Pearl
1 Mox Jet
1 Mox Emerald
1 Black Lotus
3 Flooded Strand
3 Polluted Delta
2 Underground Sea
1 Island
2 Tropical Island
SB
4 Leyline of the Void
3 Reverant Silence
2 Stifle
2 Rebuild
1 Thoughtseize
3 Extirpate


Jason Jones – Flash (Reveillark) – 5th/8th
4 Polluted Delta
2 Flooded Strand
3 Island
2 Tropical Island
2 Underground Sea
1 Black Lotus
1 Lotus Petal
1 Mana Crypt
1 Mox Pearl
1 Mox Ruby
1 Mox Sapphire
1 Mox Jet
1 Mox Emerald
4 Flash
4 Protean Hulk
2 Summoner’s Pact
1 Mogg Fanatic
1 Carrion Feeder
1 Body Double
1 Body Snatcher
1 Reveillark
4 Brainstorm
4 Merchant Scroll
1 Ancestral Recall
1 Chain of Vapor
1 Demonic Tutor
1 Mystical Tutor
1 Vampiric Tutor
4 Force of Will
4 Pact of Negation
2 Duress
1 Misdirection
SB
4 Leyline of the Void
1 Hurkyl’s Recall
2 Rebuild
2 Stifle
2 Reverant Silence
1 Tinker
1 Sundering Titan
1 Platinum Angel


Mark Weiner – RG Beats – 5th/8th
4 Wooded Foothills
2 Bloodstained Mire
4 Taiga
1 Strip Mine
4 Wasteland
2 Mountain
1 Forest
4 Lightning Bolt
4 Gorilla Shaman
4 Kird Ape
4 Magus of the Moon
4 Tin Street Hooligan
3 Tarmogoyf
4 Mogg Fanatic
2 Artifact Mutation
4 Magma Jet
3 Red Elemental Blast
1 Pyroblast
1 Wheel of Fortune
1 Lotus Petal
1 Black Lotus
1 Mox Ruby
1 Mox Emerald
SB
3 Root Maze
4 Tormod’s Crypt
4 Simian Spirit Guide
2 Pyroblast
1 Red Elemental Blast
1 Artifact Mutation


Paul Mastriano – Flash (Reveillark) – 5th/8th
1 Reveillark
1 Carrion Feeder
1 Mystical Tutor
1 Mogg Fanatic
1 Ponder
1 Body Snatcher
1 Ancestral Recall
1 Demonic Tutor
1 Body Double
1 Vampiric Tutor
4 Protean Hulk
4 Force of Will
4 Merchant Scroll
4 Brainstorm
4 Flash
4 Pact of Negation
2 Summoner’s Pact
3 Thoughtseize
1 Sensei’s Divinig Top
1 Chain of Vapor
4 Polluted Delta
2 Flooded Strand
5 Moxen
1 Mana Crypt
1 Black Lotus
2 Underground Sea
2 Tropical Island
1 Island
SB
3 Reverant Silence
3 Yixlid Jailer
2 Pithing Needle
2 Rebuild
2 Stifle
2 Extirpate
1 Thoughtseize

[Shock Wave]

Add another to the list of events that Flash made a significant contribution towards. It boggles my mind how people can claim that this deck does not put up numbers.

[Legrow]

Add another to the list of events that Flash made a significant contribution towards. It boggles my mind how people can claim that this deck does not put up numbers.

An interesting thing to note, though, is the metagame breakdown.  There was an overwhelming presence of aggro decks, and a higher-than-usual turnout for decks that'd fall more under "combo" than anything.  It felt like there was no control decks there whatsoever.  It, no doubt, had an effect on the Top 8 results.

[diopter]

Add another to the list of events that Flash made a significant contribution towards. It boggles my mind how people can claim that this deck does not put up numbers.

1 Flash Top 8
1 Flash Top 8
0 Flash Top 8s
0 Flash Top 8s
0 Flash Top 8s
1 Flash Top 8
1 Flash Top 8
1 Flash Top 8

That's 8 of the 12 most recently posted events on Morphling.de with 1 or fewer Flash in their top 8. Add all of these to the enormous list of events that Flash has not made a significant contribution towards.

---

The 1st place Doomsday deck takes that archetype towards an interesting direction. Can somebody familiar with the list comment on card choices such as Library and Fact or Fiction?

[XxtSundaybxX]

I'm sure Beaver can explain it a little better since its his tweaked list, but he chose fact or fiction over timetwister because for 1 more mana its allows you to see 5 cards while your opponent sees 0 all at instant speed. Library of alex is just nice to have especially if you open with it on the draw, and as he mentioned in the thread, its helps shore up your turn 2-3 wins.

[Shock Wave]

That's 8 of the 12 most recently posted events on Morphling.de with 1 or fewer Flash in their top 8. Add all of these to the enormous list of events that Flash has not made a significant contribution towards.

That's fine. At the bottom of my priority list is engaging with you in an "evidence" war, so I'm not going to talk about the events that have been omitted where Flash has done serious damage. The fact that Flash is very capable of dominating T8s (see above) is enough of a problem. I understand you don't agree, but thankfully, I'm not trying to convince you of anything.

[wiley]

Interesting that 5 tyrant oath decks came to play and none made it to top 8.  Also interesting is the deck that won the tourney was the one that balanced the most control with an efficient clock.  Go control-combo!

To the lone person playing Ichorid, this was definitely not the field to play that deck.

[coyoteuglly]

Add another to the list of events that Flash made a significant contribution towards. It boggles my mind how people can claim that this deck does not put up numbers.

An interesting thing to note, though, is the metagame breakdown.  There was an overwhelming presence of aggro decks, and a higher-than-usual turnout for decks that'd fall more under "combo" than anything.  It felt like there was no control decks there whatsoever.  It, no doubt, had an effect on the Top 8 results.

Thats because Control is dead in Type One.  The community as a whole just hasn't figured this out yet.  You either play combo or aggro.

[Nehptis]

5 Tyant Oath and all that Aggro and not 1 in the Top 8?  What happened my Oath brothers?  It works like this...cast Oath---> Win.  Just kidding.  I'm sorry I missed this one. 

Also, don't get distracted by the Flash numbers, focus on the Merchant Scroll numbers.  22 out of 32 in the top eight by my count.  I know...higher Brainstorm count....higher Island count...ban Islands.

Thanks to Mike for supporting T1 in our Area and to Legrow for posting lists.

[ashiXIII]

I'd hazard a guess that the reason no one did well with Tyrant Oath is that they're not familiar with the archetype. As powerful as it is, it's a somewhat skill intensive deck. In addition, while it does have the tools to beat Flash, it's not exactly one of its strongest matchups.

[Nehptis]

I was so focused on the Flash / Oath numbers that I just now realized that there are ZERO GATs at the event.  Are all the GAT players now playing Flash, Oath, and Gush Tendrils?  Is GAT in a downward spiral in the T1 meta, in general?

[Legrow]

Just to be comprehensive, here's the link to Mike's next tournament.

Hope to see you all there, without Flash decks! 

[MISTERTREK]

Thats because Control is dead in Type One.  The community as a whole just hasn't figured this out yet.  You either play combo or aggro.
[/quote]

I'm wondering if the archtype is dead, or is it the players? I have seen a change in the attitude/play style of many players in the past few years. Players have become more aggressive and less patient. They are "swinging" at you before attackers are even declared and twitching cards in their hands fast enough to spark a fire. Gone are the days of the Stasis player who was cool as a cucumber and could wait out species mutations. Counter spell after counter spell and winning with some hidden trick may not be a flashy, exciting way to win and it's what I feel doesn't appeal to the new breed of players. JMHO

[yespuhyren]

Especially when you can play Flash, which is not expensive to play in 10 proxy, is obscenely powerful, and really isn't that hard to lucksack wins.  The first person who tells me a turn 1 kill with Pact backup takes skill will be slapped.  So will the person who says that never happens

[ashiXIII]

I was so focused on the Flash / Oath numbers that I just now realized that there are ZERO GATs at the event.  Are all the GAT players now playing Flash, Oath, and Gush Tendrils?  Is GAT in a downward spiral in the T1 meta, in general?

I think GaT's basically dead because all the other Gush decks are better. Also, swinging with Tarmogoyfs is not > Tendrils for 20.

Especially when you can play Flash, which is not expensive to play in 10 proxy, is obscenely powerful, and really isn't that hard to lucksack wins.  The first person who tells me a turn 1 kill with Pact backup takes skill will be slapped.  So will the person who says that never happens

While lucksacking wins happens more often with Flash than any other deck, it is actually somewhat difficult to play correctly. If you don't realize this, you must not have play tested it or even skimmed Menendian's articles on it.

[Suicideking]

Its also important to note that their isnt a single deez naughts player.  I think this meta can adapt to the massive amount of combo that is showing up. 

[Shock Wave]

While lucksacking wins happens more often with Flash than any other deck, it is actually somewhat difficult to play correctly. If you don't realize this, you must not have play tested it or even skimmed Menendian's articles on it.

Flash is NOT difficult to play correctly. In fact, it is the easiest combo deck to play in the history of this game.

[Legrow]

Its also important to note that their isnt a single deez naughts player.  I think this meta can adapt to the massive amount of combo that is showing up. 

I might be wrong, but I'd think that Deez Naughts would get creamed by decks playing 4x Tin Street Hooligan.

[hauntedechos]

How is Tin Street Hooligan better than running Ingot Chewer?  It's not a trick question, I'm just wondering.

Haunted.

[wiley]

Maybe it's because you get to keep the body ... ?  I don't think they are really used in the same way.  TSH is a tempo spell that gives you a beater/blocker and destroys an artifact for RG, while IC eats an artifact and then eats it ... possible activating/removing a bridge from below.

[Phele]

Its also important to note that their isnt a single deez naughts player.  I think this meta can adapt to the massive amount of combo that is showing up. 

I might be wrong, but I'd think that Deez Naughts would get creamed by decks playing 4x Tin Street Hooligan.

Yes, you are totally right. RG Beats with all the Tin Street Hooligan, Ancient Grudge, whatever artifact hate gives Dark Illusions a hard time. It is definately one of the most difficult matchups. I always prepares my Sideboard with Tinker/Colossus and two Kira, Great Glass Spinner for decks like that, but it is still very rocky.

[ashiXIII]

While lucksacking wins happens more often with Flash than any other deck, it is actually somewhat difficult to play correctly. If you don't realize this, you must not have play tested it or even skimmed Menendian's articles on it.

Flash is NOT difficult to play correctly. In fact, it is the easiest combo deck to play in the history of this game.

You're absolutely wrong. Good players win a ton more games/matches/tournaments with this deck than bad players.

[Shock Wave]

While lucksacking wins happens more often with Flash than any other deck, it is actually somewhat difficult to play correctly. If you don't realize this, you must not have play tested it or even skimmed Menendian's articles on it.

Flash is NOT difficult to play correctly. In fact, it is the easiest combo deck to play in the history of this game.

You're absolutely wrong. Good players win a ton more games/matches/tournaments with this deck than bad players.

What relevance does your statement have as to whether or not Flash is difficult to play? Regardless of the level of difficulty required to play a deck, good players make better decisions than poor players. This is a rule that applies to all decks. Yes, good players will play Flash better than poor players. That fact has no bearing on whether the deck is actually easier to play than other combo decks.

[ashiXIII]

While lucksacking wins happens more often with Flash than any other deck, it is actually somewhat difficult to play correctly. If you don't realize this, you must not have play tested it or even skimmed Menendian's articles on it.

Flash is NOT difficult to play correctly. In fact, it is the easiest combo deck to play in the history of this game.

You're absolutely wrong. Good players win a ton more games/matches/tournaments with this deck than bad players.

What relevance does your statement have as to whether or not Flash is difficult to play? Regardless of the level of difficulty required to play a deck, good players make better decisions than poor players. This is a rule that applies to all decks. Yes, good players will play Flash better than poor players. That fact has no bearing on whether the deck is actually easier to play than other combo decks.

I wasn't comparings its difficulty to other decks though. I never said, "Flash is harder to play than other combo decks." I said it was somewhat difficult to play correctly.