Games Haven Monthly $1K Series 2019
6th Oct 2019
Games Haven Paya Lebar
The pages turn and a new fable begins, with Standard rotation promising us a new metagame and a fresh look at the Standard tables. But how fresh can it be? 41 players joined us on Sunday to find out who could free the sword from the stone and become the once and future king.
Let us start with the card that literally doubled in price since prerelease - the God of Mischief himself, Tom Hiddleston. Hmm, might be mixing up universes here, let's try that again. Oko, Thief of Crowns, everyone's favourite shirtless hot guy, was poised to make a dramatic entrance into Standard. Many years back, when Domri Rade blew apart Standard by landing on Turn 2 and ticking up to 4 loyalty, we thought we had already seen the worst. We were wrong. Oko lands one turn later thanks to the timely rotation of Llanowar Elves, but he ticks up to a whopping 5 or 6 loyalty and continues to churn out advantage every single turn without stopping, as both of his board-advantage abilities are plus abilities.
As befitting of the Loki references, because his abilities are so simple, they have wider range of applications than one might think on the surface. Oko can shrink opponent's creatures, remove the abilities of any troublesome artifact or creature, and of course, the obvious application of feeding any food-hungry card. Oko was underplayed on Sunday, but that was probably more of a price-tag problem rather than a performance problem. We think you can safely expect to see lots more of Oko in the weeks to come.
Having likened Oko to Loki, we might as well go all the way with the references and talk about Thor. Our resident Lightning Bolt enthusiast was extremely pleased to have correctly noted "Torbran is the new face of mono-Red" during spoiler season. The less-handsome Chris Hemsworth supercharges ping triggers, sends burn spells into overdrive, and rewards go-wide strategies as long as you stay mono-red, all of which can be found in abundance in a typical mono-red strategy. Builds vary at the moment because of an internet-wide argument about whether Cavalcade of Calamity is worth it or too much of a good thing, but Torbran himself might actually end up as the new face of Marvel comics I mean mono-Red. Thor-bran has overperformed in preliminary testing on Magic Arena, and the deck's popularity was boosted by a StarCityGames article that honestly only needed one line to be effective.
"Turns out killing your opponent before blockers are declared is a good thing."
Ok, sold. Where are my foil Acolytes of Flame?
Another popular standout in the early Arena skirmishes is a deck completely devoid of Marvel comic references (booo!), Esper Stax. A control deck with a "stax" or passive resource-draining shell, the deck is played as a tap-out form of control that relies on Doom Foretold and Dance of the Manse as a recurring board-clearing mechanism. Dance of the Manse also allows the player to turn the corner incredibly quickly, often in one turn. A savvy player might ask the deeper question of why play tap-out control and not traditional instant-speed control, and the reason for that is both simple and deep, but can be traced to one card - Teferi, Time Raveler. Oh, there's the Marvel reference!
Not content to define Standard for just one Standard rotation, the king of Wakanda is poised to be a major player in this one as well. Teferi, ironically, might hurt traditional draw-go control more than help, as Teferi secretly makes all spells uncounterable and thus helps tap-out decks much more than counterspell decks. With this in mind, it is no surprise then that Doom Foretold is able to flourish in this early period of Standard, and while the metagame warps around Teferi, plenty of tap-out strategies can be expected to come and go (both aggressive and controlling).
Now that we're done with the holy trinity (because there must always be a holy trinity), what of the deviants?
Simic Flash looks to try and beef up its roster with Brazen Borrower, but for now it doesn't seem like the deck is capable of combating Oko and Doom Foretold at the same time. Perhaps it requires a metagame shift before it can once again enjoy the spotlight. Meanwhile, away from Torbran, Mono-Red has split into an RB variant with Rotting Regisaur and Spawn of Mayhem for extra oomph, and a RG variant with Gruul Spellbreaker and harder-hitting RG creatures. Aggressive strategies always have at least a chance in the metagame because of their proactive nature, so if Torbran doesn't suit you, go for it.
Last but not least, Fires of Invention has found a new home in Jeskai Superfriends and looks to revitalize the archetype after a lackluster overall performance in War of the Spark Standard. If you can only effectively play spells on your own turn because of the ubiquity of Teferi, then Fires of Invention leans into that restriction and makes sure that you can double spell on your turn. And if those double spells are both planeswalkers, you'll be getting a lot more bang for your buck, and have the added advantage of freeing up your lands to activate Castle Vantress any time at all.
A couple of notable absences were the fabled (heh) BG Adventure deck and the Golos deck making waves on MTGO, having only 1 of each at the event, but that only showcases the variety of choices available to Standard players at the moment. At the beginning of a new Standard, it is a worthwhile endeavour to explore all avenues, even if Explore has already rotated out of Standard.
After an extremely grindy day, the one at the top was Joseph Torrijos with an overperforming Questing Beast! Many congratulations to him and to all our Top 8!
Top 8 Decklists
1st Place - Joseph Torrijos
Top 8 Profile
What deck did you play today?
OKO PUT A SHIRT ON
What would you say was the best card in your deck, and why?
Nissa <3
What card in your deck would you say performed unexpectedly well today, and why?
Arboreal Grazer -> Oko -> 3/3 Elk.
What were some of the challenges you faced while piloting this deck?
Very grindy, need to manage a lot of counters and food!
Any interesting plays you made or witnessed today at the $1K Series?
Jay Vin cast my Hyrdoid Krasis from his Robber, then I bounced it back to my hand with Teferi.
What is your favourite card from Throne of Eldraine, and why?
Questing Beast
Oko invites you out for "some food". When you ask him what food, he tries to evade your question. What's the play?
Just put your shirt on first!
Bant Value - Main Deck
4x Breeding Pool
1x Castle Vantress
3x Fabled Passage
4x Forest
4x Hallowed Fountain
2x Island
2x Plains
4x Temple Garden
4x Temple of Mystery
4x Arboreal Grazer
4x Gilded Goose
4x Hydroid Krasis
4x Growth Spiral
2x Mass Manipulation
2x Time Wipe
4x Oko, Thief of Crowns
4x Teferi, Time Raveler
4x Nissa, Who Shakes the World
Sideboard
2x Veil of Summer
1x Devout Decree
1x Mystical Dispute
2x Narset, Parter of Veils
1x Questing Beast
1x Trostani Discordant
2x Shifting Ceratops
2x Agent of Treachery
1x Time Wipe
2x Tamiyo, Collector of Tales
2nd Place - Erickson Borabo
Top 8 Profile
What deck did you play today?
Esper Stax
What would you say was the best card in your deck, and why?
Dance of the Manse. It is the closer to the deck, and generating value through synergy
is simply icing on the cake.
What card in your deck would you say performed unexpectedly well today, and why?
Murderous Rider. At face value I could already see that the card was exceptionally good,
but was uncertain if it fit well with the deck. The lifelink on the creature side worked
wonders against my matchups.
What were some of the challenges you faced while piloting this deck?
I was only able to try out the deck now, so it took me some time to get used to the triggers. I tried the best I could, but I do remember missing a Doom Foretold knight trigger, which almost cost me that game.
Any interesting plays you made or witnessed today at the $1K Series?
I had a buzzer-beater game where I won on the last turn of the last 5 turns. Fetched an Oath of Kaya via Wishclaw Talisman, casted it, bounced it with Teferi, and then cast it again to clear 2 blockers and swing for lethal.
What is your favourite card from Throne of Eldraine, and why?
I would have to say meme-wise it's Prince Charming, there's something about announcing "casting Prince Charming" that brings a smile to my face. But seriously, Once Upon a Time is simply broken (I think).
Oko invites you out for "some food". When you ask him what food, he tries to evade your question. What's the play?
Feign massive food poisoning or supreme IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome)
Esper Stax - Main Deck
4x Godless Shrine
4x Hallowed Fountain
1x Island
2x Plains
2x Swamp
4x Temple of Silence
4x Watery Grave
1x Castle Vantress
3x Fabled Passage
2x Murderous Rider // Swift End
1x Dovin's Veto
4x Kaya's Wrath
3x Thought Erasure
3x Dance of the Manse
1x Legion's End
1x Planar Cleansing
4x Oath of Kaya
3x Doom Foretold
4x Golden Egg
4x Guild Globe
1x Wishclaw Talisman
4x Teferi, Time Raveler
Sideboard
2x Ashiok, Dream Render
1x Cry of the Carnarium
2x Disenchant
1x Disfigure
2x Dovin's Veto
2x Duress
1x Legion's End
1x Realm-Cloaked Giant // Cast Off
2x The Elderspell
1x Unmoored Ego
Top 4 - Jonathan Lim
Top 8 Profile
What deck did you play today?
Golgari Stompy
What would you say was the best card in your deck, and why?
Rotting Regisaur, it stops opponent's big creatures from attacking and enables a "free"
play of The Great Henge on Turn 4.
What card in your deck would you say performed unexpectedly well today, and why?
Rotting Regisaur. I actually did manage to curve into The Great Henge and did not discard
myself to death.
What were some of the challenges you faced while piloting this deck?
Rotting Regisaur biting my backside through discarding.
Any interesting plays you made or witnessed today at the $1K Series?
Topdecking Growth-Chamber Guardian after putting The Great Henge and then drawing Murderous Rider for lethal.
What is your favourite card from Throne of Eldraine, and why?
The Great Henge, it just wins the game when I draw it as it generates a lot of value, especially with Growth-Chamber Guardian.
Oko invites you out for "some food". When you ask him what food, he tries to evade your question. What's the play?
Swift End and Noxious Grasp.
BG Stompy – Main Deck
4x Overgrown Tomb
1x Castle Locthwain
1x Castle Garenbrig
4x Temple of Malady
3x Swamp
11x Forest
4x Growth-Chamber Guardian
3x Lovestruck Beast // Heart's Desire
4x Questing Beast
4x Paradise Druid
3x Barkhide Troll
4x Rotting Regisaur
2x Voracious Hydra
3x Murderous Rider // Swift End
3x Once Upon a Time
3x The Great Henge
3x Vivien, Arkbow Ranger
Sideboard
2x Duress
4x Noxious Grasp
2x Shifting Ceratops
2x Thrashing Brontodon
3x Veil of Summer
2x Vivien, Champion of the Wilds
Top 4 - Kelvin Chew
Top 8 Profile
What deck did you play today?
Mono Red
What would you say was the best card in your deck, and why?
Experimental Frenzy, it allows me to outgrind my opponent.
What card in your deck would you say performed unexpectedly well today, and why?
Slaying Fire, it is a 4-damage removal or burn.
What were some of the challenges you faced while piloting this deck?
When my opponent casts Oath of Kaya.
Any interesting plays you made or witnessed today at the $1K Series?
Topdecking Chandra with Torbran in play for lethal.
What is your favourite card from Throne of Eldraine, and why?
Oko. Is there anyone who doesn't like free food?
Oko invites you out for "some food". When you ask him what food, he tries to evade your question. What's the play?
Turn him into food.
Mono-Red Aggro - Main Deck
18x Mountain
3x Castle Embereth
4x Bonecrusher Giant // Stomp
4x Fervent Champion
4x Rimrock Knight // Boulder Rush
4x Runaway Steam-Kin
4x Scorch Spitter
2x Torbran, Thane of Red Fell
4x Light Up the Stage
4x Shock
3x Skewer the Critics
4x Slaying Fire
2x Experimental Frenzy
Sideboard
2x Chandra, Acolyte of Flame
2x Experimental Frenzy
4x Lava Coil
3x Tibalt, Rakish Instigator
2x Torbran, Thane of Red Fell
2x Claim the Firstborn
Old picture because more or less same energy
Top 8 - Izaak Ong
Top 8 Profile
What deck did you play today?
4C Ramp-Control
What would you say was the best card in your deck, and why?
Field of the Dead
What card in your deck would you say performed unexpectedly well today, and why?
Guild Summit
What were some of the challenges you faced while piloting this deck?
Slow early game.
Any interesting plays you made or witnessed today at the $1K Series?
NIL
What is your favourite card from Throne of Eldraine, and why?
Realm-Cloaked Giant
Oko invites you out for "some food". When you ask him what food, he tries to evade your question. What's the play?
Noxious Grasp
4C Golos Gates - Main Deck
1x Forest
2x Gateway Plaza
4x Orzhov Guildgate
3x Dimir Guildgate
3x Golgari Guildgate
1x Selesnya Guildgate
2x Azorius Guildgate
3x Simic Guildgate
1x Blast Zone
4x Field of the Dead
4x Plaza of Harmony
4x Golos, Tireless Pilgrim
2x Realm-Cloaked Giant // Cast Off
1x Archway Angel
2x Kaya's Wrath
4x Circuitous Route
4x Despark
4x Growth Spiral
2x Finale of Glory
4x Ritual of Soot
4x Guild Summit
1x Chandra, Awakened Inferno
Sideboard
3x Negate
3x Veil of Summer
2x Mass Manipulation
2x Unmoored Ego
1x Archway Angel
4x Noxious Grasp
Top 8 - Mark Ng
Top 8 Profile
What deck did you play today?
Mono Red
What would you say was the best card in your deck, and why?
Experimental Frenzy, untapping with it changes the advantage bar.
What card in your deck would you say performed unexpectedly well today, and why?
Rimrock Knight, makes combat different especially with Runaway Steam-Kins.
What were some of the challenges you faced while piloting this deck?
Facing green creatures.
Any interesting plays you made or witnessed today at the $1K Series?
Swinging for 22 with a topdecked Torbran. Better lucky than good.
What is your favourite card from Throne of Eldraine, and why?
Brazen Borrower. For Modern faeries.
Oko invites you out for "some food". When you ask him what food, he tries to evade your question. What's the play?
Beat him up.
Mono-Red Aggro - Main Deck
18x Mountain
3x Castle Embereth
4x Scorch Spitter
4x Fervent Champion
4x Runaway Steam-Kin
4x Rimrock Knight // Boulder Rush
4x Bonecrusher Giant // Stomp
2x Torbran, Thane of Red Fell
4x Shock
4x Light Up the Stage
3x Skewer the Critics
4x Slaying Fire
2x Experimental Frenzy
Sideboard
1x Redcap Melee
4x Lava Coil
1x Embereth Shieldbreaker // Battle Display
2x Flame Sweep
1x Tibalt, Rakish Instigator
2x Chandra, Acolyte of Flame
2x Experimental Frenzy
2x Torbran, Thane of Red Fell
Top 8 - Soh Weng Heng
Top 8 Profile
What deck did you play today?
Embercleave Gruul.
What would you say was the best card in your deck, and why?
Maindeck Embercleave. I can flash it onto my creature for the win. Gruul Spellbreaker
holding Embercleave gave me 99.9% kill rate. Also Redcap Melee sideboard, this card
has been fantastic against red decks and 4 toughness creatures.
What card in your deck would you say performed unexpectedly well today, and why?
Once Upon a Time.
What were some of the challenges you faced while piloting this deck?
The deck is lacking card draw. So you have to utilize your spells wisely.
Any interesting plays you made or witnessed today at the $1K Series?
I had 2 Gruul Spellbreakers (1 3/3 and 1 4/4) on board. My opponent attacked with Robber of the Rich and Gutterbones. Before blocks, he Noxious Grasp-ed my 4/4 Spellbreaker and attempted to follow up with Swift End on my 3/3 Spellbreaker. Countered with Veil of Summer for a blowout.
What is your favourite card from Throne of Eldraine, and why?
The Great Henge. I call it the Great Heng! If I manage to Top 8 MagicFest Nagoya 2019.
Oko invites you out for "some food". When you ask him what food, he tries to evade your question. What's the play?
Proceed to order food with Foodpanda!
Gruulcalibur - Main Deck
8x Mountain
9x Forest
4x Stomping Ground
2x Castle Embereth
4x Pelt Collector
4x Zhur-Taa Goblin
4x Gruul Spellbreaker
3x Robber of the Rich
3x Bonecrusher Giant // Stomp
2x Skarrgan Hellkite
3x Questing Beast
4x Shock
2x Collision // Colossus
4x Once Upon a Time
2x Embercleave
2x Domri, Anarch of Bolas
Sideboard
2x Veil of Summer
3x Thrashing Brontodon
2x Shifting Ceratops
2x Sorcerous Spyglass
3x Flame Sweep
3x Redcap Melee
Top 8 - Lim Jay Vin
Top 8 Profile
What deck did you play today?
Rakdos Aggro
What would you say was the best card in your deck, and why?
Legion's End - kills Field of the Dead zombies.
What card in your deck would you say performed unexpectedly well today, and why?
Robber of the Rich - stole a Nissa and cast her on the same turn.
What were some of the challenges you faced while piloting this deck?
Mana base not stable.
Any interesting plays you made or witnessed today at the $1K Series?
Kelvin Chew playing Mono Red.
What is your favourite card from Throne of Eldraine, and why?
Murderous Rider - 2 for 1.
Oko invites you out for "some food". When you ask him what food, he tries to evade your question. What's the play?
-5: Switch food for girl and leave Oko alone.
BR Aggro - Main Deck
8x Mountain
10x Swamp
1x Castle Locthwain
4x Blood Crypt
4x Knight of the Ebon Legion
4x Gutterbones
4x Robber of the Rich
4x Stormfist Crusader
4x Murderous Rider // Swift End
4x Rotting Regisaur
4x Spawn of Mayhem
3x Bonecrusher Giant // Stomp
3x Legion's End
3x Drill Bit
Sideboard
1x Legion's End
1x Drill Bit
3x Experimental Frenzy
3x Lava Coil
2x Duress
2x Noxious Grasp
2x Angrath's Rampage
1x Witch's Vengeance
