N.Y.S.E. VII - Official Report

[Prospero]

     For starters, I’d like to thank everybody who came out to Brothers Grim yesterday to compete in N.Y.S.E. VII.  We had 39 players for the main event and an additional 12 for the side event.  It was another awesome day for Vintage in New York, with a dedicated core, some new faces, and great times had by all.


The Complete Metagame Breakdown


Noble Fish: 5
Stax: 4
Dredge: 7
Tezzeret: 7
Oath: 4
TPS: 3
ANT: 1
Goblins: 1
G/W Beats: 1
Dark Times: 2
R/G Beats: 1
Elves: 2
Drain Tendrils: 1

     It seems as though the field came prepared for a long day of Workshop matches.  Noble Fish was a very popular call yesterday, as was Dredge.  While Noble fish was successful, placing 60% of its players in the top 8, Dredge only managed to put one player in the top 8.  Noble Fish comprised approximately 13% of the field, while Dredge and Tezzeret comprised roughly 18% each.  Tezzeret had a brutal day, putting only one pilot in the top 8.  Several of the area’s best Vintage pilots ran Tezzeret yesterday, and I don’t think any were particularly happy with it.  Tezzeret’s days of dominance seem to have passed.  Innovations in the build seem required in order to combat a devastating field of Workshops, Bazaars, and Null Rods.


Top 8 Pairings and Results:


Ashok Chitturi vs. Michael Bauer – Ashok wins
Chris Hansen vs. Mark Hornung – Chris wins
Ryan Glackin vs. Joe Kazhdan – Ryan wins
Raffaele Forino vs. Ralph Parsinitz – Raffaele wins


Top 4 Pairings and Results:


Ashok Chitturi vs. Chris Hansen – Ashok wins
Ryan Glackin vs. Raffaele Forino – Ryan wins


Finals:


Ryan Glackin vs. Ashok Chitturi – Ryan wins


Congratulations to Ryan Glackin, Ashok Chitturi and all of our top 8 competitors.


Top 8 Decklists:

1st - Ryan Glackin
Mykie Noble Fish

2 Aven Mindcensor
1 Swords to Plowshares
1 Ancestral Recall
1 Brainstorm
3 Daze
4 Force of Will
1 Mystical Tutor
3 Spell Pierce
1 Thada Adel, Acquisitor
1 Time Walk
1 Vendilion Clique
4 Noble Hierarch
3 Tarmogoyf
1 Cold-Eyed Selkie
3 Meddling Mage
4 Qasali Pridemage
2 Trygon Predator
1 Black Lotus
1 Mox Emerald
1 Mox Pearl
1 Mox Sapphire
3 Null Rod
2 Flooded Strand
1 Forest
1 Island
3 Misty Rainforest
1 Strip Mine
3 Tropical Island
3 Tundra
3 Wasteland

SB:
2 Swords to Plowshares
3 Ravenous Trap
3 Nature’s Claim
2 Pithing Needle
2 Tormod’s Crypt
3 Umezawa’s Jitte
 
2nd – Ashok Chitturi
Meandeck Stax

4 Smokestack
4 Tangle Wire
4 Chalice of the Void
4 Crucible of Worlds
3 Sphere of Resistance
1 Memory Jar
1 Trinisphere
4 Goblin Welder
3 Bloodghast
2 Karn, Silver Golem
4 Bazaar of Baghdad
4 Mishra’s Workshop
4 Wasteland
4 Barbarian Ring
3 Mountain
1 Tolarian Academy
1 Strip Mine
1 Black Lotus
1 Mox Sapphire
1 Mox Jet
1 Mox Ruby
1 Mox Emerald
1 Mox Pearl
1 Sol Ring
1 Mana Vault
1 Mana Crypt

SB:
4 Lightning Bolt
4 Ensnaring Bridge
4 Bojuka Bog
2 Thorn of Amethyst
1 Sphere of Resistance

3rd – Raffaele Forino
Espresso Stax

4 Chalice of the Void
1 Mana Crypt
1 Mox Sapphire
1 Mox Jet
1 Mox Ruby
1 Mox Emerald
1 Mox Pearl
1 Sol Ring
1 Mana Vault
3 Sphere of Resistance
4 Thorn of Amethyst
4 Crucible of Worlds
4 Serum Powder
4 Tangle Wire
1 Trinisphere
4 Lodestone Golem
4 Smokestack
3 Karn, Silver Golem
1 Strip Mine
1 Tolarian Academy
3 Ghost Quarter (2 foil, 1 non-foil)
4 Ancient Tomb
4 Mishra’s Workshop
4 Wasteland

SB:
4 Leyline of the Void
3 Tormod’s Crypt
3 Pithing Needle
3 Null Rod
2 Duplicant

4th – Chris Hansen
MUD

4 Mishra’s Workshop
4 Ancient Tomb
1 City of Traitors
1 Tolarian Academy
4 Mishra’s Factory
4 Wasteland
1 Strip Mine
1 Black Lotus
1 Mox Sapphire
1 Mox Jet
1 Mox Ruby
1 Mox Emerald
1 Mox Pearl
1 Mana Crypt
1 Mana Vault
1 Sol Ring
1 Trinisphere
1 Memory Jar
2 Karn, Silver Golem
2 Triskelion
4 Tangle Wire
4 Smokestack
2 Crucible of Worlds
4 Thorn of Amethyst
4 Sphere of Resistance
4 Chalice of the Void
4 Lodestone Golem

SB:
1 Pithing Needle
2 Duplicant
4 Leyline of the Void
4 Jester’s Cap
2 Tormod’s Crypt
2 Powder Keg

5th – Joe Kazhdan
Noble Fish

2 Trygon Predator
3 Aven Mindcensor
4 Tarmogoyf
3 Meddling Mage
4 Qasali Pridemage
4 Noble Hierarch
1 Black Lotus
1 Mox Sapphire
1 Mox Pearl
1 Mox Emerald
1 Time Walk
3 Null Rod
3 Daze
4 Force of Will
1 Ancestral Recall
2 Stifle
3 Spell Pierce
2 Path to Exile
1 Strip Mine
3 Wasteland
4 Misty Rainforest
1 Scalding Tarn
3 Tropical Island
2 Tundra
2 Island
1 Forest

SB:
4 Jotun Grunt
4 Tormod’s Crypt
4 Nature’s Claim
2 Path to Exile
1 Kataki, War’s Wage

6th – Michael Bauer
Tower Fish

4 Tropical Island
2 Tundra
1 Savannah
4 Misty Rainforest
1 Flooded Strand
3 Wasteland
1 Strip Mine
1 Island
1 Forest
1 Black Lotus
1 Mox Sapphire
1 Mox Pearl
1 Mox Emerald
3 Null Rod
1 Time Walk
1 Ancestral Recall
4 Force of Will
3 Swords to Plowshares
3 Spell Pierce
4 Tarmogoyf
4 Noble Hierarch
4 Qasali Pridemage
2 Trygon Predator
3 Cold-Eyed Selkie
2 Thada Adel, Acquisitor
1 Jace, the Mind Sculptor
1 Vendilion Clique
2 Aven Mindcensor

SB:
2 Kataki, War’s Wage
3 Ethersworn Canonist
1 Echoing Truth
2 Stifle
2 Tormod’s Crypt
1 Hurkyl’s Recall
1 Trygon Predator
3 Ravenous Trap

7th – Ralph Parsinitz
Tezzeret

1 Tolarian Academy
3 Underground Sea
1 Snow-Covered Island
2 Island
4 Polluted Delta
1 Swamp
1 Flooded Strand
2 Volcanic Island
1 Scalding Tarn
3 Dark Confidant
1 Sphinx of the Steel Wind
1 Sol Ring
1 Mana Crypt
1 Mox Sapphire
1 Mox Jet
1 Mox Ruby
1 Mox Emerald
1 Mox Pearl
1 Yawgmoth’s Will
1 Ancestral Recall
1 Time Vault
4 Force of Will
1 Voltaic Key
1 Demonic Tutor
1 Brainstorm
1 Black Lotus
1 Vampiric Tutor
1 Sensei’s Divining Top
1 Gifts Ungiven
1 Tinker
1 Merchant Scroll
1 Time Walk
1 Tezzeret, the Seeker
2 Duress
4 Mana Drain
1 Thirst for Knowledge
1 Mystical Tutor
1 Hurkyl’s Recall
2 Thoughtseize
1 Echoing Truth
1 Jace, the Mind Sculptor
2 Mystic Remora

SB:
1 Engineered Explosives
4 Leyline of the Void
1 Yixlid Jailer
1 Ravenous Trap
1 Trinisphere
2 Rack and Ruin
2 Massacre
2 Greater Gargadon
1 Pithing Needle

8th – Mark Hornung
Icky Sticky

2 Petrified Field
4 Chalice of the Void
4 Leyline of the Void
4 Bloodghast
4 Narcomoeba
1 Angel of Despair
4 Stinkweed Imp
1 Dakmor Salvage
2 City of Brass
4 Undiscovered Paradise
4 Bazaar of Baghdad
2 Nature’s Claim
2 Golgari Thug
4 Cabal Therapy
2 Dread Return
4 Golgari Thug
4 Bridge from Below
1 Flame-Kin Zealot
2 Ichorid
4 Serum Powder
1 Darkblast

SB:
1 Ichorid
2 Pithing Needle
3 Unmask
4 Chain of Vapor
2 Nature’s Claim
2 City of Brass
1 Serenity


Side Events:


In the finals of the side event Kyle Mueller and Greg Fenton split an Alpha Wheel of Fortune.


No Proxy Prize

The winner of the no proxy wolf shirt went to Raffaele Forino.  Raf has a pretty impressive deck.  Still, it wasn’t as impressive as it could have been, as Beta power and a small fortune in foils were hanging out with a regular, English, Ghost Quarter.  What happened there Raf?  Either way, we’ll forgive you for subjecting us to that nonsense. Congratulations!


9th Place Prize


The 9th place prize went to Rob Edwards, who walked out with an astonishing 74 Mudholes, 8 of which were autographed by the top 8.  If you think that’s a great 9th place prize, just wait until May…  Better luck next time Rob.  In the meantime, at least you will never fear 43land.dec ever again.  Congratulations Rob!


Sportsmanship Prize


The sportsmanship prize of a Misty Rainforest went to Penn State’s own Ryan Fisher.  He’s a scholar and a gentleman and we’re all better off for having him at these events.  Congratulations Ryan!


Player of the Year Race

     The Player of the Year Race standings have been updated.  Ashok Chitturi stands in 1st with 56 points right now, though Ralph Parsinitz (51 points) and Ryan Glackin (50) points are right behind him.  Here are the full standings as of the completion of N.Y.S.E. VII:

Albergo, Pat – 13
Bauer, Michael - 25
Brown, Max – 15
Carey, Brian – 17
Chang, John – 12
Chianese, Jim - 6
Chitturi, Ashok - 56
Davis, Jim – 31
Davis, Joe - 9
Dixon, Tom – 25
Duprez, Dean - 10
Earley, David – 21
Edwards, Rob - 12
Egan, Michael - 18
Eisenhaur, Mike - 27
Elias, Matt – 25
Fenton, Greg – 18
Fisher, Ryan - 9
Forino, Raffaele - 39
Forino, Vincent – 25
Gans, David - 3
Gans, Jake – 47
Gersher, Eric – 7
Giuliante, Thomas - 9
Glackin, Ryan - 50
Granberry, Brad – 22
Grasso, AJ – 34
Hansen, Chris - 19
Hangley, James - 10
Harris, Visna - 9
Hornung, Mark - 35
Imperiale, Jason – 19
Jasie, David - 8
Jones, Brandon - 12
Karmiche, Dominick – 12
Kazhdan, Joe - 16
Klompowens, Jake – 18
Konak, Ronald - 15
Lapine, Mike – 20
Lawrence, Robert – 21
Li, Ici – 16
Lopategi, Aritz – 12
Martin,  Jesse - 3
Mastrolia, Antonio - 6
Mirsberger, Donald – 23
Nezin, Alec - 9
Noble, Mike – 18
Owen, Alex - 3
Parisi, Bernie - 21
Parsinitz, Ralph - 51
Pollack, Austin – 27
Rappa, Ryan - 9
Reilly, Brian – 15
Robbins, Sean - 9
Rosa, William - 4
Schreiber, Mike – 9
Schreiber, Thomas – 3
Smith, Noah - 4
Soppeck, Ted – 9
Stein, Josh – 6
Sumrall, Nick - 10
Towers, Robert - 6

Sincere thanks go out to our judge Brian Paskoff, the Brothers Grim staff of Dave, Frank and Gil, and to all the players who made it out to the event.  Running tournaments on the Island has been a pleasure, and none of this would be possible without all of you.

N.Y.S.E. VII was a success, and I hope to see you all in May, to make N.Y.S.E. VIII just as great.

[StrongIslandRob]

Day was great alot of fun, changes in my board are needed lol.

[psyburat]

Man, I managed to win without being there? Sick!

Congrats to Ryan, Ralph, Mark, and of course the rest of the top 8 on their performance.  I'll definitely be there next time.

Also, does anybody know any of the specifics regarding the Beats decks?  I'd love to see if my favorite archetype made an appearance.

[mikekilljoy]

Also, does anybody know any of the specifics regarding the Beats decks?  I'd love to see if my favorite archetype made an appearance.

I saw some of the G/W Beats deck being played and faced the R/G Beats deck.

The G/W Beats deck ran Aether Vial to get out a bunch of Figure of Destiny and ran Gaddock Teeg main with the normal on-color Mox and what looked like all basic lands with few exceptions. I defintely also saw that 1/1 that can tap and ping something for 1.

The R/G Beats deck was your typical Gorilla Shaman, Goyf, Magus of the Moon style deck. That deck had a really hard time dealing with fliers, outside of Red Elemental Blast.

[Prospero]

The G/W Beats deck was the Vinnie Forino special.  You know how Vinnie is - whatever we say is bad in the format he'll pilot and beat the hell out of us with.  Don't insult Parfait around him, bad things happen...

The R/G Beats deck was pretty standard.  Everything that Bauer listed was there.  Nothing crazy.  No Jaya Ballards, or anything like that.  Nothing like what top 8'd the Philly Open III.

I think most players in Vintage aren't really metagamed for fliers.  Bauer, if you rocked 20 Flying Men, 20 Unstable Mutation and 20 Islands I'd totally get wrecked. 

[Hagrid]

Nick, Thanks again for a great tournament. Had a blast and, as always the postgame was epic. Rufees anyone?

[Prospero]

Nick, Thanks again for a great tournament. Had a blast and, as always the postgame was epic. Rufees anyone?

Ralph, I didn't know that the waitress was 18...

[The M.E.T.H.O.D]

It was a great event, thanks to the pair of Nicks keeping vintage alive in the tri-state area.

[A.-1.]

My autographed Mudholes and the one that Paskoff modded are proudly displayed at the front of my binder.

Grats to the top 8 especially Ashok and Joe who beat me in Swiss.  Thanks Nick C. and Nick D. for another great tourney.

[Iron_Chef]

This one is all Nick D.  Nick C. didn't do anything other then show up, hang out, and deal the cardboard crack.  Give credit where it's due.

Thanks Detwiler!

-Nick C

[MIZEnhauer]

The event was great and although 10th was dissapointing i had a great time.  Nick D thanks for the event, which was so much fun that atleast one of the two first timers(and jim chianese) want to make it back for the next event.  So yay more vintage players, bigger tourneys and bigger 5-8 prize lol

[Prospero]

I appreciate the kind words, and I'm glad that Nick Coss is getting some love here too.  These events wouldn't be anywhere near as fun as they've been without him. 

My autographed Mudholes and the one that Paskoff modded are proudly displayed at the front of my binder.

Grats to the top 8 especially Ashok and Joe who beat me in Swiss.  Thanks Nick C. and Nick D. for another great tourney.

The 9th place finisher is the real winner of all the N.Y.S.E. events.  Sorrow's Path's, Vizzerdrix's, Carnival of Souls, Goblin Games and now Mudholes.  I offer the best 9th place prizes out there.. 

The event was great and although 10th was dissapointing i had a great time.  Nick D thanks for the event, which was so much fun that atleast one of the two first timers(and jim chianese) want to make it back for the next event.  So yay more vintage players, bigger tourneys and bigger 5-8 prize lol

And now that I know what the next two 9th place prizes are going to be, I have to say, the best is yet to come...

I have big plans for these events, and hearing things like that make it all worthwhile.  I want to offer the best prize support that I can, and with more entrants, I'm going to be able to offer quite a bit more.  I'm working on growing the local community.  We'll see if we can't get us into the 50-60 range consistently. 

And, in case anyone was wondering, the new points standings are up.  There was a big shake-up at the top, and we have a new leader.  I hope you're all enjoying the race as much as I am...

[Cruel Ultimatum]

Thanks for the great event Nick. I found out that apparently when 6 wolves and 2 moons meet that there is no winner and time ends.

[MIZEnhauer]

1.Chitturi, Ashok - 56
2.Parsinitz, Ralph - 51
3.Glackin, Ryan - 50
4.Gans, Jake – 47
5.Forino, Raffaele - 39
6.Hornung, Mark - 35
7.Grasso, AJ – 34
8.Davis, Jim – 31
9.Eisenhaur, Mike - 27
9.Pollack, Austin – 27


thats your top 10 if anyone wanted to see it laid out, if i did anything wrong nick coss can kick me in the face.

[FAVO!!!!1]

I think most players in Vintage aren't really metagamed for fliers.  Bauer, if you rocked 20 Flying Men, 20 Unstable Mutation and 20 Islands I'd totally get wrecked. 

-7 Flying Men, -7 Unstable Mutations, +14 Force of Will

Although I don't go to a lot of these, I am really impressed with how the meta-game is involving. It only seems like yesterday that Time Vault was dominating everywhere. But now it looks like the Time Vault decks need to find a new approach in the meta-game. Congrats to the top 8 and to the meta-game evolutions.

[KingSquee]

Nice to finally win one of these things and get that monkey off my back!

Splendid job getting the report up so fast as well.

Too bad I took almost no notes and probably won't be able to write a very detailed report. I'll give it a shot when I get home from work tonight however.

[Hagrid]

What happened to Jake "This is WAR!" Gans Come on Jake get there...

[Evenpence]

Although I don't go to a lot of these, I am really impressed with how the meta-game is involving. It only seems like yesterday that Time Vault was dominating everywhere. But now it looks like the Time Vault decks need to find a new approach in the meta-game. Congrats to the top 8 and to the meta-game evolutions.

Incoming rebirth of Steel City Vault?

Ancient grudge to deal with the infinite null rods everyone seems to be running -- and draw 7s to power through a win, what do you think?

[mikekilljoy]

1.Chitturi, Ashok - 56
2.Parsinitz, Ralph - 51
3.Glackin, Ryan - 50
4.Gans, Jake – 47
5.Forino, Raffaele - 39
6.Hornung, Mark - 35
7.Grasso, AJ – 34
8.Davis, Jim – 31
9.Eisenhaur, Mike - 27
9.Pollack, Austin – 27

thats your top 10 if anyone wanted to see it laid out, if i did anything wrong nick coss can kick me in the face.

One top 8 and I'm right there in 11th. Nice.

[Womba]

1.Chitturi, Ashok - 56
2.Parsinitz, Ralph - 51
3.Glackin, Ryan - 50
4.Gans, Jake – 47
5.Forino, Raffaele - 39
6.Hornung, Mark - 35

Nick Coss' bus owns half of the top six right now, with him of course in virtual top 8....

[Cruel Ultimatum]

who is that scrub Raffaele Forino who doesn't play black lotus

[Prospero]

who is that scrub Raffaele Forino who doesn't play black lotus

It's not a very good card.  Obviously.

1.Chitturi, Ashok - 56
2.Parsinitz, Ralph - 51
3.Glackin, Ryan - 50
4.Gans, Jake – 47
5.Forino, Raffaele - 39
6.Hornung, Mark - 35

Nick Coss' bus owns half of the top six right now, with him of course in virtual top 8....

Yeah you guys do.  I'm really interested to see what happens at the next N.Y.S.E. - if Jake Gans or Raf Forino take it down, we could have something like a six man race up at the top.  Other races have been top light.  This one isn't at all.

[dredgenought]

who is that scrub Raffaele Forino who doesn't play black lotus

It's not a very good card.  Obviously.

1.Chitturi, Ashok - 56
2.Parsinitz, Ralph - 51
3.Glackin, Ryan - 50
4.Gans, Jake – 47
5.Forino, Raffaele - 39
6.Hornung, Mark - 35

Nick Coss' bus owns half of the top six right now, with him of course in virtual top 8....

Yeah you guys do.  I'm really interested to see what happens at the next N.Y.S.E. - if Jake Gans or Raf Forino take it down, we could have something like a six man race up at the top.  Other races have been top light.  This one isn't at all.

Beware  of the 14 year old - the top spot will return to him at the next N.Y.S.E.

-Dave G.

[mikekilljoy]

who is that scrub Raffaele Forino who doesn't play black lotus

It's not a very good card.  Obviously.

1.Chitturi, Ashok - 56
2.Parsinitz, Ralph - 51
3.Glackin, Ryan - 50
4.Gans, Jake – 47
5.Forino, Raffaele - 39
6.Hornung, Mark - 35

Nick Coss' bus owns half of the top six right now, with him of course in virtual top 8....

Yeah you guys do.  I'm really interested to see what happens at the next N.Y.S.E. - if Jake Gans or Raf Forino take it down, we could have something like a six man race up at the top.  Other races have been top light.  This one isn't at all.

Beware  of the 14 year old - the top spot will return to him at the next N.Y.S.E.

-Dave G.

Yeah, you get by someone who actually Top 8'ed this time first.

[Iron_Chef]

Beware  of the 14 year old - the top spot will return to him at the next N.Y.S.E.

-Dave G.

Welcome to TMD Dave!

May I suggest that Jake play TPS at the next NYSE?  He does need to learn a few things about the TPS mirror though, such as cracking Memory Jar on my mainphase is not a good idea.   

[The M.E.T.H.O.D]

cracking Memory Jar on my mainphase is not a good idea.

I feel awkward just reading about this, let alone if I was Jake 

[Prospero]

We all have our strengths and weaknesses, and I don't think Jake should be picking up Rituals anytime soon.  Though, as a few of you will recall, he did make t4 of Simon's last Princeton Vintage tourney while running Workshops.  I wouldn't discount him quite so readily.  Even if he is a little green.

I'm looking to put up the details on N.Y.S.E. VIII sometime in the next day or two.  It's going to be a Lotus tournament run, hopefully, on May 29th. 

[Evenpence]

I'm looking to put up the details on N.Y.S.E. VIII sometime in the next day or two.  It's going to be a Lotus tournament run, hopefully, on May 29th. 

A lotus tournament?  Le gasp.  I'll be there.

[mikekilljoy]

We all have our strengths and weaknesses, and I don't think Jake should be picking up Rituals anytime soon.  Though, as a few of you will recall, he did make t4 of Simon's last Princeton Vintage tourney while running Workshops.  I wouldn't discount him quite so readily.  Even if he is a little green.

I'm looking to put up the details on N.Y.S.E. VIII sometime in the next day or two.  It's going to be a Lotus tournament run, hopefully, on May 29th. 

I thought you weren't going to do it on Memorial Day weekend. Plus, you will lose a few NYSE regulars who will be going to the pro Tour in Puerto Rico. (i.e. myself, Lapine/Jim/Jay, Alec, maybe a handful more)

[Prospero]

I didn't want to, but I had no choice.

There were two dates open in May - May 8th and May 29th.  I had been planning on running an event on May 8th, but Mr. Coss had already scheduled the Convention Center.  I won't fight him, or another local T/O for the date, and it's best if we co-operate.  It meant making a sacrifice on my end. 

So, my apologies.  There aren't enough dates out there (thus, why there is no N.Y.S.E. in April).  I'll be running something in June, no worries.  And it looks like I'm going to be running a lot more local tournaments.  More information on that in the next week or so.