[Gencon 2014] The Year We All Knew Champs Wouldn't Be There But Went Anyway

[nedleeds]

So who all is going. Last year we had a nice turnout for the Friday (~100?) and Saturday (~80?) Vintage events. This year we no longer have the allure of the anniversary draft nor do we have those that booked before the champs announcement and were unable to change their plans.

The vintage event is Fri at 1:00 PM. This year it will truly be for the love of the game as the prizes are non-existent.

Play Vintage and win From The Vaults! Winner takes home one From the Vault Realms, From the Vaults 20, and an invite to the Gen Con Championship! Additional prizes based on record.

https://gencon.com/events/60138

So basically no prize. The gencon championship will pit the various winners from the qualifiers (vintage, modern, sealed, standard, legacy, more sealed?). The format of the 'championship' will be sealed which ... same as last year I have no interest in.

If you do win and choose to do battle with Wind Drakes and 2 mana Lightning Bolts ... "Prizes include a Foil Set of Modern Masters Uncut Sheets (yes, ALL of the sheets!), a 2015 Gen Con VIG Badge & much, much more!"

[Soly]

Gencon is a waste for vintage players.  I went last year because I was bored, split the Saturday event, Top 4ed the m14 Sealed Tournament, and still lost.

[John Cox]

Is Garfield there this year?

[nedleeds]

Gencon is a waste for vintage players.  I went last year because I was bored, split the Saturday event, Top 4ed the m14 Sealed Tournament, and still lost.

Hey ... you got in a shouting match with me after I mouthed off to you ... that had to be worth something ???? 

But to your point, yes. If you are a vintage only player I can't see putting much travel effort into Gencon anymore. I split the Friday event and didn't even want to play in the Sunday anniversary sealed and sent Adrian on to glory. The only other incentive is if you are buying into vintage the dealer hall has always been insane if you have cash to haggle with. I play a few other games and have some friends I only get to see once a year at Gencon so I'm in. Kind of sad to see it die, but eternal weekend in Philly should be awesome so I suppose that makes up for it.

[Smmenen]

yeah, i looked at the gencon events a few weeks ago and noticed that there was only ONE Vintage tournament. Terrible.

I wouldn't go even if I were paid to go. 

[GrandpaBelcher]

I like GenCon and would go if I were able. Vintage was secondary there anyway. Unfortunate scheduling has shelved me from all but local events this year.

[nedleeds]

Well, I'll be interested to see how many we get. Last years turnout was clearly influenced by cemented travel plans and the lure of the anniversary draft (which ended up producing bricks).

It'll be an in between event, with M15 legal but Khans of Flanking not out yet. Khans being legal for champs.

[The Atog Lord]

Well, if you go, be careful with your belongings. I'll not be there.

[Samoht]

I'm 100% going. Look forward to experiencing more than the CCG hall this year.

[hazard]

The numbers were indeed small for Vintage events at GenCon. Here are my best remembrances:

Friday 1pm: 62 players (followed by a Top 8)

During the Friday event, they added two more events:

Saturday 1pm: 26 players
Sunday 9am: 14 players

The prize support for the Saturday event was better than for the scheduled Friday event. Sunday was M15 packs - every Vintage player's favorite.

One of the highlights had to be the presence of Terese Nielsen.

[JACO]

Just posted to EC - Top 16 Decklists, Metagame Breakdown, and Photo Report from Friday (62 players):
http://www.eternalcentral.com/gencon-2014-friday-vintage-decklists-metagame-breakdown-and-pictures/

I'll have the stuff from the Saturday tournament up tomorrow probably. Although I did poorly in the one tournament I played, it was great to see everybody and make some new friends! I got to demo quite a few new games this year, which was a nice change from non-stop Magic.

[nedleeds]

The prize support for the Saturday event was better than for the scheduled Friday event. Sunday was M15 packs - every Vintage player's favorite.

At least Pastimes ran a Saturday event unscheduled. The prize support for the Friday 65~ person sanctioned event for $26 a head for Friday was laughable ... I spent all day there finished 4th and my teammate 8th and we got like 15 packs. I opened one and pulled the new Garruk and ripped it up in front of a casual player. We sold the packs for $25 on the way to get beer and meatloaf.

Despite the crappy prize support I had a blast because it's real Vintage. Proxy vintage is depressing.

How many 50+ person sanctioned Vintage events actually fire in the US each year? Overall I had a blast, it was great meeting some players from all over. Hopefully most of 'em make it to Philly ...



here's a preview of JACOs Saturday coverage

[JACO]

Posted to EC yesterday, the Saturday Vintage results, decklists, metagame breakdown, and photos:
http://www.eternalcentral.com/gencon-2014-saturday-vintage-decklists-metagame-breakdown-and-pictures/

Enjoy.