[Free Article] The One Where Elias Battles Menendian

[voltron00x]

This week’s article started out as a tournament report for the TMD Open 14 in Waterbury, but it grew into more than that.  In this article, I discuss the reasons why I chose to play Bob Tendrils, explain some of the differences between this deck and the other Tendrils decks in Vintage, and give some sideboarding suggestions.  I also provide a tournament report, including a very good round 2 feature match:

http://www.starcitygames.com/magic/vintage/20138_The_Long_and_Winding_Road_The_One_Where_Elias_Battles_Menendian.html

[Note that if you’ve read Stephen’s article this week, the two main differences in our versions of this match are in game one, turn one, he says I play Necro using Black Lotus while I say I used Dark Ritual.  He is correct.  I couldn’t remember how I played it so I gave a different version, but when I read his and played it out in my mind again, it was definitely off Lotus.  My notes just said “turn one Necro”.  And, I believe I inserted an additional turn into game three.  Everything else matches up, I think.]

[Marske]

AWESOME,

First 2 rounds were byes eh?! My video proof shows otherwise! (Although it might be close to a bye ) on the video note, if anybody knows a way to host a 50 min video other then Youtube, I've been aching to get that bad boy online and have no time to figure it out quickly myself.

It was a great read, as usual, lets see if you can make it down here for one of the big European events now I made 2 US events! (also I need to take more of your money and playing for Euro's is the real deal )

All kidding truly aside, good read and great hanging out...

[Bill Copes]

Great article!  It was a pleasure meeting you.  I'll make it down to a blue bell one of these days and hopefully we'll have an opportunity to play again.

[Cunningbeaver]

Nice report, but man you guys who dodged shops all day make me sad!

[Commandant]

Matt, sorry if I missed this in the article.

Could you explain why you run Duress main when most have been running them in the board; based on your reasoning would you run Duress, Thoughtsieze, or a mix?

[voltron00x]

I played both as part of a strategy to beat Tezzeret.  The actual source list came from LSV’s tournament report on CFB a couple months back.  I only changed a few cards in the main, basically just adding another Jace, and then tested a bunch of different sideboards.

I think you’re fine using just Duress.  Jace can handle most of the creatures you’re worried about.

[Smmenen]

My notes just said “turn one Necro”.  And, I believe I inserted an additional turn into game three.  Everything else matches up, I think.]

Matt, you should cross reference the play by play with my article cause there are a couple of other mistakes.  http://www.starcitygames.com/magic/vintage/20117_So_Many_Insane_Plays_My_Black_Lotuses_Attack_for_Two.html

 You've got some sequences misordered, and in fact, you've got some other things just wrong.

For example, in game two you say I played turn one Bob.  I played turn one Time Vault.

 You said:

I kept a hand without fast mana but with Force of Will, Duress, and Dark Confidant. Stephen played a Mox, a land, and a Dark Confidant.

my turn one play was not Bob, but Time Vault.   How do you think I went infinite after Vamping for Will?

At end of turn, Stephen played Vampiric Tutor, and I had no Force of Will. He was obviously going to get Yawgmoth's Will. He played it into my full grip, but I had no counter. It resolved, and with the Lotus Cobra, he easily replayed the Voltaic Key and took all the turns. I scooped immediately as he already had a win condition in play (Lotus Cobra

When I played Vamp for Will, I was able to play Key and win.   

I have been kicking myself for not holding the land so I could play turn three Necro and Hurkyl's that same turn.   That was my first match with the deck, ever.   I kinda like brian's play of turn two Jace, but I think Necro +Hurks on turn three gives me a really good chance of winning there.

[voltron00x]

Post is kinda randomly late, isn't it?  

EDIT:  That is to say, I already acknowledged that I had errors that your version did not, in multiple forums, and that people should consider yours the correct version, so I'm not really clear what purpose this post serves, other than being irrelevant.

[Smmenen]

Post is kinda randomly late, isn't it?  

EDIT:  That is to say, I already acknowledged that I had errors that your version did not, in multiple forums, and that people should consider yours the correct version, so I'm not really clear what purpose this post serves, other than being irrelevant.

Because I just got around to pointing out, and because, although you acknowledged there were errors, you stated that in the original post that 'everything else matches up,' and I was pointing out where a few other things didn't. 

[voltron00x]

Nice selective quote there.  The actual quote is, "Everything else matches up, I think."  That's a much less definitive statement.  I didn't take detailed notes b/c I was expecting to be able to watch the video coverage, but that didn't work out.

Are you drinking tonight?

[Smmenen]

Nice selective quote there.  The actual quote is, "Everything else matches up, I think."  That's a much less definitive statement.  I didn't take detailed notes b/c I was expecting to be able to watch the video coverage, but that didn't work out.

Are you drinking tonight?

God I wish.  That would be great.  Instead, I just watched the Rays get crushed.