[Premium Article] Victory with Burning Tendrils *1st Place*

[Smmenen]

http://www.eternalcentral.com/?p=3419

Editorial descriptive blurb:

Stephen Menendian has finally had the chance to play his latest Vintage creation in a marquis event, and ended up winning the tournament! Read play-by-play action of 8 rounds of tournament Magic, and learn how to employ Stephen’s latest sideboard and tournament refinements. Learn strategy, tips, tactics, and decision making in critical situations, all in this 25+ page in-depth accounting of tournament victory at the Team Serious Open with Burning Long.

Decklist and Top decklists from this tournaments are free here: http://www.themanadrain.com/index.php?topic=44859.0

I really enjoy writing a classic tournament report.  Hope you enjoy as well.   

[covetousrat]

I clicked the add to cart button but it keeps adding 'So Many Insane Plays - Matchup Analysis: Burning Long on the Draw vs. MUD'. Is this the old article or the new one? Is there a mistake in naming?

[shrewarmies]

Same problem here

[JACO]

I clicked the add to cart button but it keeps adding 'So Many Insane Plays - Matchup Analysis: Burning Long on the Draw vs. MUD'. Is this the old article or the new one? Is there a mistake in naming?

It was the new article, just had the wrong heading in the product description. It's been fixed. Thanks for the heads up!

[covetousrat]

Good read worth the money. Cheers!!

[Smmenen]

Thank you.  The tournament report is the oldest , and grandest, art in this game.  I take it seriously.  Cheers

[covetousrat]

1. Is the addition of Hurkyl's recall in the spot of Empty the warrens the right choice?
2. Why is 'Chrome Mox may seem like a more natural card to sideboard out, Chrome Mox is actually better than the second Mox Opal'?

[Smmenen]

1. Is the addition of Hurkyl's recall in the spot of Empty the warrens the right choice?
2. Why is 'Chrome Mox may seem like a more natural card to sideboard out, Chrome Mox is actually better than the second Mox Opal'?

1.  The issue is not one of correct or incorrect, except relative to a specific metagame.   Sprinkled throughout the report I attempted to identify the elements in this equation.   I explained how Empty the Warrens is necessary for most players, but feels, in my case, like training wheels.   I also explained that I was entering a very heavy Workshop metagame, and felt the need to run two Hurkyl's for that metagame.   If I were playing a broader field, I may not have made that choice.  There are difficult, marginal cost-benefit decisions, and I urge players to make choices that make sense to them for their circumstance.

2. Chrome Mox may seem like a more natural card to sideboard out because of the inherent card disadvantage.  Yet, it is not the card disadvantage that actually matters -- it is the card utility.  You know that a single Mox Opal or 2nd Chrome Mox will never, ever be entirely dead no matter how long the game progresses.