Games Haven Monthly $1K Series 2018
9th August 2018
Games Haven Paya Lebar
Matthew (Lightning Bolt) Yee
40 players descended upon us to enjoy some Modern during the public holiday for our August $1K Series event last Sunday. It was this writer's strong hope that we would have an attendance of 53 people so we could have made a National Day meta-joke, but alas, you cannot have everything you want in life. Nevertheless, with another event going on on the same day, 40 people is respectable, and we would like to thank all attendees for their support!
Unlike the PPTQ just a few days prior, the metagame was significantly more relaxed. While Burn was still the highest-represented deck, it was just by a mere formality of numbers. It seemed as though almost every player present just took their favourite deck and took it out to play. At every turn of the head, there would be a different deck to watch.
On the aggro side, we had the entire gamut from Burn to Goblins to BRidgeVine to YOLO One to Affinity. Never before had we seen people so relieved to be packing lifegain in their sideboards, although as can be expected from the library of linear Modern aggro, sometimes just lifegain only doesn't help. And that is of course the reason why you might consider emulating our legendary Platinum Pro Kelvin Chew, who decided to just take it a step further and use Dromoka's Command, an underrated option from Standards past which has all the versatility you want in a Modern sideboard card.
On the value deck side (which also includes midrange decks - since midrange in Modern thrives on highly synergistic cards to generate value), we had the deck that just refuses to die Jund, along with other classic options such as Tron, Mardu Pyromancer and every single Aether Vial deck you can imagine, except Merfolk (which surprised a ton of people).
Speaking of Aether Vial decks, players might be interested to know how Bant Spirits did. Unfortunately, both Bant Spirits decks that were present did not really put up a good showing. The sample size is too small so anything that follows is speculation, but it seems that Spirits just does not have the explosive power that the other tribal decks have. While highly synergistic on paper, Spirits seems to require a reasonably specific series of sequencing that is not always achievable if your opponent is also applying pressure, something that the Singapore metagame favours highly, having a ton of proactive linear decks.
We saw more combo decks on Sunday than we did at the PPTQ, from decks like Krark-Clan Ironworks and Grishoalbrand that live off the combo, to decks like Ponza and Valakut Titan for which "combo" just means "one-two punch". Of course, because there's always a tradeoff, that meant less hard control decks in the room, which meant that the controll-iest card in the room played in the highest numbers was everyone's favourite discard spell, Thoughtseize. There was a minor uproar when it was reprinted into Standard in Theros, and for good reason, the card is unassumingly good. Many's the time where a crucial Thoughtseize completely changed the flow of the game after that point, so if you're undecided on a Modern deck, you might want to consider something with Thoughtseize. Or any of Thoughtseize's lesser spawn that are actually Modern-viable, like Inquisition of Kozilek, Kitesail Freebooter and Thoguht-Knot Seer, just to name a few.
We were so close to achieving what we did at the PPTQ (8 distinct archetypes in the Top 8), but 7 will have to do. With 7 distinct archetypes in the Top 8, the one emerging at the top was the Machine Queen herself, Ju Yaqiong! Long known locally for playing Affinity, she and her robot Zerg swarm showed all the incompleat players in the room who was boss! Many congratulations to her and all our Top 8, and we hope to see you all in next month's $1K Series event!
Top 8 Decklists
1st Place - Ju Yaqiong
Top 8 Profile
What deck did you play today?
Affinity
What would you say was the best card in your deck, and why?
Cranial Plating. One punch kill with Vault Skirge. Best topdeck card.
What card in your deck would you say performed unexpectedly well today, and why?
The 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th copy of Galvanic Blast. Always came on time.
What were some of the challenges you faced while piloting this deck?
Counting damage, and Stony Silence.
Any interesting plays you made or witnessed today at the $1K Series?
Turn 1 Cranial Plating. Turn 2 draw Cranial Plating, double equip, and beat.
What are your predictions for the banlist announcement on the 20th?
Faithless Looting banned.
Historically, the previous 2 Ravnica blocks have had a significant impact on Modern. How hopeful are you that Guilds of Ravnica and Ravnica Allegiance will do the same?
Bring down the price of shock lands. As if they are not low enough.
It's National Day! Any comments you would like to make about the SG Modern scene?
Good day to play Boros Burn! Happy National Day!
Affinity - Main Deck
2x Spire of Industry
2x Glimmervoid
1x Mountain
4x Blinkmoth Nexus
4x Inkmoth Nexus
4x Darksteel Citadel
4x Ornithopter
4x Vault Skirge
3x Master of Etherium
2x Memnite
4x Signal Pest
3x Steel Overseer
4x Arcbound Ravager
4x Galvanic Blast
2x Thoughtcast
1x Karn, Scion of Urza
4x Springleaf Drum
4x Cranial Plating
4x Mox Opal
Sideboard
2x Ghirapur Aether Grid
2x Blood Moon
2x Ancient Grudge
1x Wear//Tear
2x Spell Pierce
1x Rest in Peace
1x Grafdigger's Cage
3x Etched Champion
1x Karn, Scion of Urza
2nd Place - Kelvin Chew
Top 8 Profile
What deck did you play today?
Bant Company
What would you say was the best card in your deck, and why?
Collected Company, [it] allows me to hit my best creatures.
What card in your deck would you say performed unexpectedly well today, and why?
Dromoka's Command, multiple functions.
What were some of the challenges you faced while piloting this deck?
Missing hits on my Collected Company.
Any interesting plays you made or witnessed today at the $1K Series?
Cast Dromoka's Command on my opponent to make him sac an enchantment, making Daybreak Coronet fizzle.
What are your predictions for the banlist announcement on the 20th?
Hope Ancient Stirrings gets banned but probably no changes.
Historically, the previous 2 Ravnica blocks have had a significant impact on Modern. How hopeful are you that Guilds of Ravnica and Ravnica Allegiance will do the same?
Slightly hopeful.
It's National Day! Any comments you would like to make about the SG Modern scene?
N/A
Bant Company – Main Deck
1x Botanical Sanctum
2x Forest
2x Flooded Strand
4x Windswept Heath
1x Plains
4x Misty Rainforest
1x Island
1x Horizon Canopy
1x Gavony Township
1x Ghost Quarter
1x Temple Garden
1x Hallowed Fountain
1x Breeding Pool
1x Field of Ruin
4x Birds of Paradise
4x Knight of the Reliquary
4x Noble Hierarch
4x Spell Queller
2x Tireless Tracker
2x Eternal Witness
2x Scavenging Ooze
2x Meddling Mage
2x Reflector Mage
3x Voice of Resurgence
1x Vendilion Clique
4x Collected Company
4x Path to Exile
Sideboard
2x Unified Will
1x Bojuka Bog
1x Worship
2x Stony Silence
1x Voice of Resurgence
2x Negate
2x Jace, the Mind Sculptor
1x Vendilion Clique
2x Dromoka's Command
1x Detention Sphere
Top 4 - Daston Lam
Top 8 Profile
What deck did you play today?
Bogles
What would you say was the best card in your deck, and why?
Slippery Bogle
What card in your deck would you say performed unexpectedly well today, and why?
Leyline of Sanctity. Anti discard, protects my Bogle.
What were some of the challenges you faced while piloting this deck?
Not drawing my Bogle.
Any interesting plays you made or witnessed today at the $1K Series?
Thanks Kelvin Chew :)
What are your predictions for the banlist announcement on the 20th?
Unban Splinter Twin. Unban Birthing Pod.
Historically, the previous 2 Ravnica blocks have had a significant impact on Modern. How hopeful are you that Guilds of Ravnica and Ravnica Allegiance will do the same?
Somewhat hopeful.
It's National Day! Any comments you would like to make about the SG Modern scene?
Too many strong Modern players, very competitive.
GW Hexproof Bogles – Main Deck
4x Windswept Heath
4x Razorverge Thicket
4x Horizon Canopy
3x Temple Garden
2x Misty Rainforest
1x Dryad Arbor
1x Plains
1x Forest
4x Slippery Bogle
4x Gladecover Scout
2x Kor Spiritdancer
2x Silhana Ledgewalker
2x Path to Exile
4x Spider Umbra
4x Daybreak Coronet
4x Rancor
4x Etheral Armor
3x Leyline of Sanctity
2x Spirit Mantle
2x Hyena Umbra
1x Spirit Link
1x Cartouche of Solidarity
1x Gryff's Boon
Sideboard
1x Dromoka's Command
1x Melira, Sylvok Outcast
2x Seal of Primordium
2x Rest In Peace
2x Gaddock Teeg
2x Damping Sphere
2x Spirit Link
3x Stony Silence
Top 4 - Calvin Ong
Top 8 Profile
What deck did you play today?
Burn
What would you say was the best card in your deck, and why?
Lightning Bolt. 3 final topdecks, all bolts.
What card in your deck would you say performed unexpectedly well today, and why?
Boros Charm. Always draw it.
What were some of the challenges you faced while piloting this deck?
Too. Many. Lands.
Any interesting plays you made or witnessed today at the $1K Series?
Keep forgetting about Leonin Arbiter and fetching.
What are your predictions for the banlist announcement on the 20th?
No change.
Historically, the previous 2 Ravnica blocks have had a significant impact on Modern. How hopeful are you that Guilds of Ravnica and Ravnica Allegiance will do the same?
High hopes, hopefully a good Nexus of Fate deck :P
It's National Day! Any comments you would like to make about the SG Modern scene?
Modern is way too diverse but that allows wide deck selection as well. Just don't Bogles please.
Boros Burn - Main Deck
4x Scalding Tarn
4x Arid Mesa
2x Bloodstained Mire
1x Stomping Ground
2x Sacred Foundry
4x Inspiring Vantage
3x Mountain
4x Goblin Guide
4x Monastery Swiftspear
2x Grim Lavamancer
4x Eidolon of the Great Revel
4x Lightning Bolt
4x Searing Blaze
4x Lava Spike
4x Rift Bolt
4x Boros Charm
4x Lightning Helix
2x Skullcrack
Sideboard
1x Stony Silence
2x Blessed Alliance
2x Exquisite Firecraft
2x Skullcrack
3x Destructive Revelry
2x Path to Exile
3x Kor Firewalker
Top 8 - Vincent de Mesa
Top 8 Profile
What deck did you play today?
Hardened Modular.
What would you say was the best card in your deck, and why?
Hardened Scales, this card is the core of the deck.
What card in your deck would you say performed unexpectedly well today, and why?
Inkmoth Nexus, I've won 3 games with it in one attack.
What were some of the challenges you faced while piloting this deck?
Low count of land.
Any interesting plays you made or witnessed today at the $1K Series?
Sacrificing most of my artifacts to put at least 9 +1/+1 counters via modular trigger of Arcbound Ravager.
What are your predictions for the banlist announcement on the 20th?
Unban Birthing Pod. Nothing banned.
Historically, the previous 2 Ravnica blocks have had a significant impact on Modern. How hopeful are you that Guilds of Ravnica and Ravnica Allegiance will do the same?
I'm not expecting too much. Most probably shock lands will be reprinted.
It's National Day! Any comments you would like to make about the SG Modern scene?
Viva Singapore!
Hardened Scales Affinity - Main Deck
4x Darksteel Citadel
3x Spire of Industry
4x Inkmoth Nexus
2x Horizon Canopy
1x Blinkmoth Nexus
2x Forest
1x Glimmervoid
3x Ornithopter
3x Arcbound Worker
4x Arcbound Ravager
4x Walking Ballista
4x Hangarback Walker
4x Steel Overseer
4x Ancient Stirrings
3x Cranial Plating
4x Mox Opal
3x Springleaf Drum
1x Throne of Geth
2x Welding Jar
4x Hardened Scales
Sideboard
2x Damping Sphere
2x Relic of Progenitus
1x Ancient Grudge
4x Galvanic Blast
2x Nature's Claim
4x Etched Champion
Top 8 - Conrad Dungan
Top 8 Profile
What deck did you play today?
Bant Spirits......... (Lol no I played 5C Humans)
What would you say was the best card in your deck, and why?
Milita Bugler. It made the deck a little more resilient against decks with a ton of removal
(like Mardu/Jeskai). Also, it made sideboard cards more accessible and potent.
What card in your deck would you say performed unexpectedly well today, and why?
Faerie Macabre. It gave me an answer to the nasty graveyard decks around. Can be dug
using Militia Bugler and can be put into play with Aether Vial if necessary.
What were some of the challenges you faced while piloting this deck?
Sequencing and maximizing combat damage.
Any interesting plays you made or witnessed today at the $1K Series?
Round 2, I was playing against Grishoalbrand and I coped his Griselbrand with Phantasmal Image, but I drew 5 lands, a Thalia and one Lieutenant. LOL!
What are your predictions for the banlist announcement on the 20th?
I've got 3 predictions, either one of these cards gets the axe: Faithless Looting, Krark-Clan Ironworks or Mox Opal.
Historically, the previous 2 Ravnica blocks have had a significant impact on Modern. How hopeful are you that Guilds of Ravnica and Ravnica Allegiance will do the same?
I'm hoping they reprint the Leyline cycle on these sets. Prices are already sky high!
It's National Day! Any comments you would like to make about the SG Modern scene?
Thanks to Games Haven for being the training grounds for Modern players in Singapore. [Writer's note: Thank you very much for the sentiment, Conrad!]
5C Humans - Main Deck
4x Ancient Ziggurat
4x Cavern of Souls
4x Horizon Canopy
1x Island
1x Plains
1x Seachrome Coast
4x Unclaimed Territory
4x Champion of the Parish
4x Noble Hierarch
4x Kitesail Freebooter
4x Meddling Mage
3x Phantasmal Image
4x Thalia's Lieutenant
3x Thalia, Guardian of Thraben
4x Mantis Rider
4x Militia Bugler
3x Reflector Mage
4x Aether Vial
Sideboard
2x Auriok Champion
2x Gaddock Teeg
2x Faerie Macabre
2x Izzet Staticaster
2x Reclamation Sage
3x Sin Collector
2x Gut Shot
Top 8 - Calvin Chen
Top 8 Profile
What deck did you play today?
Mardu Pyromancer
What would you say was the best card in your deck, and why?
Has to be the devil, Bedlam Reveler. It's a mini-Goyf with a Treasure Cruise attached.
Talk about card advantage engine! Drew a lot of cards to discard for Hazoret's ability
under the Ensnaring Bridge.
What card in your deck would you say performed unexpectedly well today, and why?
Chandra TOD, cause no money to buy LOTV. Chandra vs Prison decks is like sure ulti,
as long as you don't see any Sorcerous Spyglasses, it will do.
What were some of the challenges you faced while piloting this deck?
When I have multiple Bedlam Revelers in hand -__-
I lost because I drew 3 Bedlam Revelers in a row.
Any interesting plays you made or witnessed today at the $1K Series?
Last 5 turns vs a UR Prison deck, had my Hazoret in play the turn before. Supposedly I lacked 2 cards for lethal for my turns 1, 3 and 5. But I drew Bedlam Reveler, cast it, and drew 3 more cards. Just nice for lethal.
What are your predictions for the banlist announcement on the 20th?
I don't really care, but don't ban any cards in my deck please.
Historically, the previous 2 Ravnica blocks have had a significant impact on Modern. How hopeful are you that Guilds of Ravnica and Ravnica Allegiance will do the same?
Reprint Blackcleave Cliffs please, I want to foil it.
It's National Day! Any comments you would like to make about the SG Modern scene?
Happy National Day lo...
Mardu Pyromancer - Main Deck
2x Blood Crypt
4x Bloodstained Mire
4x Dragonskull Summit
1x Godless Shrine
2x Mountain
4x Polluted Delta
1x Sacred Foundry
2x Swamp
4x Bedlam Reveler
1x Hazoret the Fervent
4x Young Pyromancer
3x Collective Brutality
1x Dreadbore
4x Faithless Looting
2x Fatal Push
3x Inquisition of Kozilek
3x Kolaghan's Command
4x Lightning Bolt
4x Lingering Souls
1x Terminate
3x Thoughtseize
2x Blood Moon
1x Chandra, Torch of Defiance
Sideboard
2x Anger of the Gods
1x Blood Moon
2x Molten Rain
2x Ensnaring Bridge
1x Kambal, Consul of Allocation
1x Scab-Clan Berserker
1x Goblin Rabblemaster
2x Nihil Spellbomb
2x Surgical Extraction
1x Wear//Tear
Top 8 - Mark Ng
Top 8 Profile
What deck did you play today?
Hollow One
What would you say was the best card in your deck, and why?
Burning Inquiry, bad hand but made my opponent's hand worse.
What card in your deck would you say performed unexpectedly well today, and why?
Lightning Bolt.
What were some of the challenges you faced while piloting this deck?
None, so far so good.
Any interesting plays you made or witnessed today at the $1K Series?
Opponent played 4 2-drops and topping up with a Goblin Bushwhacker, surging in 15 points on Turn 2.
What are your predictions for the banlist announcement on the 20th?
Ancient Stirrings.
Historically, the previous 2 Ravnica blocks have had a significant impact on Modern. How hopeful are you that Guilds of Ravnica and Ravnica Allegiance will do the same?
Not sure, joined only after Ixalan block.
It's National Day! Any comments you would like to make about the SG Modern scene?
Have fun and YOLO!
BR YOLO One - Main Deck
3x Blackcleave Cliffs
2x Blood Crypt
4x Bloodstained Mire
3x Mountain
4x Wooded Foothills
1x Stomping Ground
1x Swamp
4x Flameblade Adept
4x Bloodghast
4x Flamewake Phoenix
4x Hollow One
4x Street Wraith
1x Tasigur, the Golden Fang
3x Gurmag Angler
4x Burning Inquiry
4x Faithless Looting
4x Lightning Bolt
2x Collective Brutality
4x Goblin Lore
Sideboard
3x Fatal Push
2x Ancient Grudge
2x Thoughtseize
3x Grim Lavamancer
1x Blood Moon
1x Engineered Explosives
3x Leyline of the Void
