Games Haven Monthly $1K Series 2020
16th Feb 2020
Games Haven Paya Lebar
Unlike the usual Standard 1K Series we do right after a new set release so we can showcase the brewing efforts of our Little Red Dot, this time round thanks to the Chinese New Year we had a new-set 1K Series event after the metagame had already taken shape and a Big Three had already been identified. And so we had 37 players gracing us with their presence to pit the Big Three against each other, as well as throw in a meme or two. How did they do?
It's no secret by now that our island loves Mono Red with an almost patriotic fervour. It has something to do with the local flag colours, I swear. Mono Red's resurgence in the metagame back to the ranks of the Big Three has to do with a combination of factors, but one of the big ones is the loss of Oko, Thief of Crowns. It's old news by now, but his banning means a less constant stream of lifegain, which is something any aggressive deck wants to hear. Another reason less talked about but no less significant is the addition of the angry demigod Anax, Hardened in the Forge, who both hits like a truck and allows you to commit a board without getting blown out by a boardwipe. The fact that the deck goes wide also incidentally enables the flashing of Embercleave, which makes trucks even truck-ier. Nothing like getting hit for 17 damage in one turn. Nothing like it at all.
Having mentioned the emboldening of Mono Red thanks to the loss of "a constant stream of lifegain", the next member of the Big Three to lead into is naturally the deck that attempts to regain the...... constant stream of lifegain. Temur Reclamation is the deck, its wincon unchanged from iterations past (doubling or sometimes tripling up on mana for a lethal Explosion). Its contents have changed drastically, however, receiving a lot of support from Eldraine and now Theros. Uro, Titan of Nature's Wrath, the latest in a series of strong and debatably overpowered Simic-coloured cards is the source of the "constant stream of lifegain" that attempts to survive long enough against Mono Red until they run out of gas as fast aggressive decks often do. The nature of the deck is also that they cycle through enough cards and gain enough card advantage that if the cards line up nicely, they are able to put up a fight against control. If the deck had one notable weakness, it would be that sequencing is so important for this deck that a player intending to do well with it would really need to learn the deck inside and out to be able to put up consistent results with it. The raw power of the deck's individual cards can only carry an unexperienced player to a certain point.
And with that, we come to the third of the trifecta - UW Control. The control arm of the Internet whooped in glee as the Banishing Light reprint was confirmed, but beyond that, strong additions in the form of Omen of the Sea, The Birth of Meletis and Elspeth Conquers Death incidentally give the control package a small enchantment subtheme that enables them to make effective use of Thirst for Meaning. Them control players, they thirst for cards no more. The strength of the deck is the same as with most reactive decks, in that its maindeck is easily configured for an anticipated metagame, meaning that if its pilot is adept at reading the metagame (Psst, we love Mono Red!), then the deck will have a good matchup for the entire day. In fact, that is exactly what our day's champion did.
As always, we are indebted to the players who embrace the memes, as these players are ultimately who push the fun factor of an event over the top. We had attempts to revive the Mono Black Devotion deck of old, in the spirit of Theros, which honestly overperformed quite a bit (you often find that your life is too high for a lethal Explosion to kill you, and the colour naturally packs disruption for days). We also had a few attempts at Temur Adventures, although whether their pilots were trying to bamboozle their opponents into thinking it was a Reclamation deck, or they actually wanted to play an Adventure deck, we couldn't tell you for sure. All in all, we hope everyone got the WPNQ Prelim practice they wanted, and we wish all players all the best if they are intending to play in a WPNQ Prelim anywhere!
As mentioned, the day's winner had expected a lot of Mono Red and configured his deck as such, but even he could not have expected how well it would pay off. Alson Soh, our day's champion, played against nothing but Mono-Red until the Top 8, and took it down with a 100% match win rate against Mono-Red. Congrats to Alson the mountain killer!
Top 8 Decklists
1st Place - Alson Soh
Top 8 Profile
What deck did you play today?
UW Conquers Red (UW Control)
What would you say was the best card in your deck, and why?
Dream Trolley (Trawler)
What card in your deck would you say performed unexpectedly well today, and why?
Omen of the Sea
What were some of the challenges you faced while piloting this deck?
Drawing the second blue source
Any interesting plays you made or witnessed today at the $1K Series?
Mono-Red players laying Mountain on Turn 1
What's your favourite card from Theros: Beyond Death, and why?
Elspeth Conquers Death. Exiles a card, taxes people, revives walkers and my trolley. Gimme more effects!
Haven't seen any elks in a while. Give your best meme-tastic answer, what happened to them?
They all went to the other side to accompany their master Oko.
Azorius Control - Main Deck
4x Hallowed Fountain
4x Temple of Enlightenment
5x Plains
8x Island
2x Castle Ardenvale
2x Castle Vantress
3x Dream Trawler
1x Dovin's Veto
4x Shatter the Sky
1x Dance of the Manse
4x Absorb
4x The Birth of Meletis
3x Omen of the Sea
4x Elspeth Conquers Death
4x Teferi, Time Raveler
4x Narset, Parter of Veils
3x Glass Casket
Sideboard
4x Devout Decree
3x Aether Gust
2x Disdainful Stroke
2x Dovin's Veto
1x Dawn of Hope
1x Heliod's Intervention
1x Ashiok, Dream Render
1x Commence the Endgame
2nd Place - Erickson Borabo
Top 8 Profile
What deck did you play today?
UW Control
What would you say was the best card in your deck, and why?
Dream Trawler - it draws cards and crushes dreams.
What card in your deck would you say performed unexpectedly well today, and why?
Birth of Meletis - Since I am playing a 25 land deck it is really essential in stabilising
my board.
What were some of the challenges you faced while piloting this deck?
Mono Red aggro seems to be a coin toss matchup, I may need to add more Aether Gusts or sweepers.
Any interesting plays you made or witnessed today at the $1K Series?
I witnessed greatness. Kelvin Chew flashed in Spectral Sailor at the end of his opponent's turn to draw a card [working around Narset], and then on his turn he could kill Narset and play Niv-Mizzet. Then he smiled.
What's your favourite card from Theros: Beyond Death, and why?
Nyxborn Courser - it's a 3-to-cast 2/4, with that flavour text. Enough said!
Haven't seen any elks in a while. Give your best meme-tastic answer, what happened to them?
Waiting for the next Christmas holiday to show up.
Azorius Control - Main Deck
3x Castle Ardenvale
1x Castle Vantress
2x Fabled Passage
1x Field of Ruin
4x Hallowed Fountain
6x Island
4x Plains
4x Temple of Enlightenment
4x Dream Trawler
3x Dovin's Veto
4x Absorb
1x Mystical Dispute
2x Thirst for Meaning
3x Shatter the Sky
3x Omen of the Sea
4x The Birth of Meletis
4x Elspeth Conquers Death
3x Narset, Parter of Veils
4x Teferi, Time Raveler
Sideboard
2x Banishing Light
2x Aether Gust
1x Dovin's Veto
2x Heliod's Intervention
2x Mystical Dispute
1x Narset, Parter of Veils
2x Commune the Endgame
3x Archon of Sun's Grace
Top 4 - Leong Jiacheng
Top 8 Profile
What deck did you play today?
Temur Reclamation
What would you say was the best card in your deck, and why?
Brazen Borrower, tempo all the red decks.
What card in your deck would you say performed unexpectedly well today, and why?
Nightpack Ambusher, ambushed all the red decks.
What were some of the challenges you faced while piloting this deck?
No Reclamation or Explosion.
Any interesting plays you made or witnessed today at the $1K Series?
Cheekiat played a Mystical Dispute only to have his opponent Chew pay 3 mana.
What's your favourite card from Theros: Beyond Death, and why?
Elspeth Conquers Death, too good.
Haven't seen any elks in a while. Give your best meme-tastic answer, what happened to them?
Back to Nature.
Temur Reclamation – Main Deck
4x Steam Vents
4x Breeding Pool
3x Stomping Grounds
1x Blast Zone
2x Temple of Mystery
2x Temple of Epiphany
2x Temple of Abandon
2x Fabled Passage
2x Castle Vantress
2x Forest
2x Island
1x Mountain
4x Brazen Borrower//Petty Theft
3x Uro, Titan of Nature's Wrath
2x Gadwick, the Wizened
4x Expansion//Explosion
4x Growth Spiral
4x Opt
4x Storm's Wrath
1x Scorching Dragonfire
3x Thassa's Intervention
4x Wilderness Reclamation
Sideboard
2x Nightpack Ambusher
3x Aether Gust
1x Chandra's Pyrohelix
1x Fry
3x Mystical Dispute
2x Negate
3x Scorching Dragonfire
Top 4 - Kelvin Chew
Top 8 Profile
What deck did you play today?
Temur Reclamation
What would you say was the best card in your deck, and why?
Uro, ramp + lifegain + card advantage all in one card.
What card in your deck would you say performed unexpectedly well today, and why?
Chemister's Insight allowed me to discard useless cards against different matchups.
What were some of the challenges you faced while piloting this deck?
A resolved Teferi + Narset.
Any interesting plays you made or witnessed today at the $1K Series?
Nightmare Shepherd and Gray Merchant synergy with Witch's Oven.
What's your favourite card from Theros: Beyond Death, and why?
Uro.
Haven't seen any elks in a while. Give your best meme-tastic answer, what happened to them?
Matt, can help me think of something? [Editor's note: Honestly this is better than anything I was thinking of]
Temur Reclamation - Main Deck
4x Steam Vents
4x Stomping Ground
2x Temple of Abandon
2x Temple of Epiphany
2x Temple of Mystery
4x Breeding Pool
2x Castle Vantress
2x Fabled Passage
1x Forest
2x Island
2x Mountain
2x Brazen Borrower//Petty Theft
3x Uro, Titan of Nature's Wrath
2x Chemister's Insight
4x Expansion//Explosion
2x Mystical Dispute
4x Growth Spiral
4x Opt
3x Thassa's Intervention
3x Storm's Wrath
2x Scorching Dragonfire
4x Wilderness Reclamation
Sideboard
2x Mystical Dispute
2x Negate
3x Aether Gust
1x Scorching Dragonfire
3x Redcap Melee
2x Spectral Sailor
1x Chandra's Pyrohelix
1x Niv-Mizzet, Parun
Top 8 - Jason Loh
Top 8 Profile
What deck did you play today?
Manfield-Mengucci Mono Red
What would you say was the best card in your deck, and why?
Anax into Torbran/Embercleave
What card in your deck would you say performed unexpectedly well today, and why?
Stomp.
What were some of the challenges you faced while piloting this deck?
Lose die roll :(
Any interesting plays you made or witnessed today at the $1K Series?
Played a 2nd Anax to make 4 Satyrs.
What's your favourite card from Theros: Beyond Death, and why?
Dream Trawler at rare, Wizards R&D oh god why
Haven't seen any elks in a while. Give your best meme-tastic answer, what happened to them?
Killed by Geralt of Rivia
Mono-Red Aggro - Main Deck
4x Castle Embereth
18x Mountain
4x Runaway Steam-Kin
4x Scorch Spitter
4x Bonecrusher Giant//Stomp
4x Fervent Champion
4x Rimrock Knight//Boulder Rush
3x Torbran, Thane of Red Fell
4x Anax, Hardened in the Forge
4x Robber of the Rich
4x Light up the Stage
3x Embercleave
Sideboard
4x Lava Coil
4x Redcap Melee
4x Unchained Berserker
2x Experimental Frenzy
1x Tibalt, Rakish Instigator
Top 8 - Heng Chye Hwee
Top 8 Profile
What deck did you play today?
Kanister Kats
What would you say was the best card in your deck, and why?
Cauldron Familiar
What card in your deck would you say performed unexpectedly well today, and why?
Thrashing Brontodon
What were some of the challenges you faced while piloting this deck?
Games were very very long.
Any interesting plays you made or witnessed today at the $1K Series?
Could have Bontu and Mayhem Devil for 24 damage but missed it.
What's your favourite card from Theros: Beyond Death, and why?
Elspeth Conquers Death.
Haven't seen any elks in a while. Give your best meme-tastic answer, what happened to them?
Elk-stinction.
Jund Sacrifice - Main Deck
3x Blood Crypt
2x Castle Locthwain
4x Fabled Passage
5x Forest
1x Mountain
4x Overgrown Tomb
3x Stomping Ground
3x Swamp
3x Korvold, Fae-Cursed King
4x Mayhem Devil
4x Cauldron Familiar
4x Gilded Goose
1x God-Eternal Bontu
2x Massacre Girl
1x Murderous Rider
3x Thrashing Brontodon
4x Agonizing Remorse
1x Liliana, Dreadhorde General
4x Witch's Oven
4x Trail of Crumbs
Sideboard
1x Casualties of War
2x Disfigure
2x Duress
2x Epic Downfall
1x Kroxa, Titan of Death's Hunger
2x Lovestruck Beast
2x Noxious Grasp
2x Shifting Ceratops
1x Garruk, Cursed Huntsman
Top 8 - Ju Yaqiong
Top 8 Profile
What deck did you play today?
Red deck WIN.
What would you say was the best card in your deck, and why?
Robber of the Rich. Exile opponent's topdecks.
What card in your deck would you say performed unexpectedly well today, and why?
Robber of the Rich. Exile opponent's topdecks.
What were some of the challenges you faced while piloting this deck?
Land screw.
Any interesting plays you made or witnessed today at the $1K Series?
Attack Teferi with lizard to keep it away, then flashed in Embercleave.
What's your favourite card from Theros: Beyond Death, and why?
Anax. He is my demigod.
Haven't seen any elks in a while. Give your best meme-tastic answer, what happened to them?
Eaten by me. me. (Get it?)
Mono-Red Aggro - Main Deck
17x Mountain
3x Castle Embereth
3x Grim Initiate
2x Rimrock Knight//Boulder Rush
2x Torbran, Thane of Red Fell
2x Phoenix of Ash
4x Anax, Hardened in the Forge
4x Runaway Steam-Kin
4x Scorch Spitter
4x Robber of the Rich
4x Fervent Champion
4x Shock
4x Light up the Stage
3x Embercleave
Sideboard
2x Experimental Frenzy
2x Redcap Melee
2x Lava Coil
4x Chandra's Pyrohelix
2x Tibalt, Rakish Instigator
3x Unchained Berserker
Top 8 - Mark Ng
Top 8 Profile
What deck did you play today?
Mono Black Gang.
What would you say was the best card in your deck, and why?
Cauldron Familiar (and Oven). Free blocks, gain life, 1 devotion for gang.
What card in your deck would you say performed unexpectedly well today, and why?
Ayara, First of Locthwain. Makes Cauldron Familiar + Oven 2 times sweeter.
What were some of the challenges you faced while piloting this deck?
Colour screw.
Any interesting plays you made or witnessed today at the $1K Series?
Activating Castle Locthwain 6 times and drawing 6 lands.
What's your favourite card from Theros: Beyond Death, and why?
Gray Merchant of Asphodel, because it helped me Top 8.
Haven't seen any elks in a while. Give your best meme-tastic answer, what happened to them?
Don't miss them. Sorry!
Mono Black Devotion - Main Deck
4x Castle Locthwain
20x Swamp
4x Cauldron Familiar
2x Gutterbones
2x Tymaret, Chosen from Death
4x Yarok's Fenlurker
4x Ayara, First of Locthwain
4x Murderous Rider//Swift End
2x Deathless Knight
4x Nightmare Shepherd
4x Gray Merchant of Asphodel
4x Witch's Oven
2x Bolas's Citadel
Sideboard
3x Duress
3x Noxious Grasp
2x Blightbeetle
2x Tymaret, Chosen from Death
2x Pharika's Libation
2x Drag to the Underworld
1x Massacre Girl
