Waking up at 5:30am to get to the Tales of Adventure Eternal Extravaganza 4 Satellite event wasn’t exactly great. I picked up a few people at our local game store before hitting the road at 6am. We arrived in Coopersburg, PA with roughly half-an-hour before the event started at 10am. I saved some time by printing out my decklist from the homepage of the web site. At the player’s meeting they announced a total of 59 players (Much less than expected) and 7 members of the judge staff (What?).

What changed?

After writing about some of my favorite TES Memories I had an itch to play [[Grapeshot]] again. I mulled over deck slots, like moving the [[Bayou]] to the main deck for the millionth time. I ultimately landed on cutting Massacre with the reason being, according to mtggoldfish.com, Death & Taxes is only 2.86% of the metagame.

Eternal Extravaganza IV Satellite

Round One – Mike Giaimo with Infect

Game One:

I win the die roll, Mike sends their hand back for a new six cards and then reveals them to my [[Gitaxian Probe]]: [[Vision Charm]], [[Brainstorm]], [[Sylvan Library]], [[Invigorate]], [[Pendlehaven]], and [[Misty Rainforest]]. The rest of the turn goes as follows: [[Lotus Petal]], [[Brainstorm]], [[Badlands]], [[Chrome Mox]] (Imprint: [[Cabal Therapy]]), [[Rite of Flame]], [[Dark Ritual]], and [[Ad Nauseam]].

Sideboarding: -1 [[Empty the Warrens]], -1 [[Chrome Mox]], +2 [[Thoughtseize]]

Game Two:

Mike once again isn’t happy with their initial seven and returns them. Mike plays a [[Misty Rainforest]] before passing the turn. I have another turn one in my hand depending on what Mike has in their six cards, I decide to find out with another classic first turn [[Gitaxian Probe]]: [[Grafdigger’s Cage]], [[Spell Pierce]], [[Noble Hierarch]], [[Windswept Heath]], [[Windswept Heath]], and a [[Crop Rotation]]. I am unable to combo through the [[Spell Pierce]] and have to pass after I lay my [[Bloodstained Mire]]. Mike plays a [[Windswept Heath]], searches for a [[Tropical Island]] and then plays [[Noble Hierarch]]. I draw, play a [[Swamp]] and cast [[Cabal Therapy]] (Naming: [[Spell Pierce]]). The unknown card is another [[Crop Rotation]]. I search for [[Volcanic Island]] and play [[Rite of Flame]] — my opponent does something unexpected in response, they cast [[Crop Rotation]] for [[Bojuka Bog]]? A very weird time to take this action, but I’m okay with it. [[Chrome Mox]] (Imprint: [[Burning Wish]]), [[Lotus Petal]], [[Dark Ritual]], [[Burning Wish]], and [[Empty the Warrens]] for 18 [[Goblin Token]]s. The game doesn’t last much longer.

Mike was a nice guy, who fell victim to me having a few pretty good starts.

Round Two – Ross Prajzner with Elves

Ross sits down and was very friendly. Ross mentions that we’ve played before but it wouldn’t have been memorable for me. I tell them that they don’t seem like someone who plays Islands and if I were to hedge my bets, I think they play [[Thalia, Guardian of Thraben]]. Ross acts offended, but I could tell it was hollow — I wasn’t completely wrong.

Game One:

Ross wins the die roll and begins with [[Bayou]] into [[Deathrite Shaman]]. My first turn is a little more exciting, once again I start off with a [[Gitaxian Probe]] revealing: [[Natural Order]], [[Wirewood Symbiote]], [[Craterhoof Behemoth]], [[Wooded Foothills]], and a [[Forest]]. [[Underground Sea]], [[Brainstorm]], [[Lotus Petal]], [[Lotus Petal]], [[Rite of Flame]], [[Rite of Flame]], [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], [[Infernal Tutor]], [[Burning Wish]], and [[Tendrils of Agony]].

Sideboarding: -2 [[Duress]], -1 [[Empty the Warrens]], +2 [[Thoughtseize]], +1 [[Grapeshot]]

Game Two:

Ross starts off the second game once again with [[Bayou]] into [[Deathrite Shaman]]. I play [[Gitaxian Probe]] once again (four games in a row, pretty good, huh?) which shows me: [[Green Sun’s Zenith]], [[Wirewood Symbiote]], [[Craterhoof Behemoth]], [[Elvish Visionary]], and another [[Deathrite Shaman]]. I follow up with [[Underground Sea]] into [[Ponder]] ([[Ad Nauseam]], [[Dark Ritual]] and a [[Burning Wish]]). Keep and draw the [[Dark Ritual]], leaving [[Ad Nauseam]] on top. If Ross draws a land, they can [[Green Sun’s Zenith]] for [[Gaddock Teeg]]. If that is the scenario, I have [[Burning Wish]] in my hand to get [[Grapeshot]] on my turn. Ross draws, plays [[Elvish Visionary]], a [[Forest]], and another [[Deathrite Shaman]]. On my second turn, I draw [[Ad Nauseam]]. Play my second land and cast [[Infernal Tutor]] revealing [[Dark Ritual]] (I do this because I don’t need a second [[Burning Wish]]). [[Lotus Petal]], [[Dark Ritual]], [[Dark Ritual]], and [[Ad Nauseam]].

I ask Ross if they didn’t have [[Gaddock Teeg]] in their deck. Ross responds that they did and Ross even drew the land for the turn, so the opportunity was there if they wanted it. Be Ross wanted to build a board presence to kill me faster, before searching for [[Gaddock Teeg]]. The rational was that casting [[Green Sun’s Zenith]] is a slow play that gives me plenty of time to answer it. I don’t know if I agree, but to each their own.

Round Three – Eli Kassis with UR Delver

Eli and I are no strangers to one another, I watched Eli’s match in the previous round where Eli had a [[Null Rod]] in play against Death & taxes to slow them down — I kept this in mind.

Game One:

Eli wins the die roll and plays [[Volcanic Island]] into [[Delver of Secrets]]. For the fifth game in a row, I have a first turn [[Gitaxian Probe]] revealing: [[Daze]], [[Spell Pierce]], [[Gitaxian Probe]], [[Young Pyromancer]], and an [[Island]]. [[Polluted Delta]] searching for [[Badlands]], cast [[Chrome Mox]] (Imprint: [[Ponder]]), [[Lotus Petal]], [[Dark Ritual]], [[Ponder]], [[Cabal Therapy]] (Naming: [[Daze]]), [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], [[Burning Wish]], and [[Empty the Warrens]] for 18 [[Goblin Token]]s. Flashback [[Cabal Therapy]] (Naming: [[Young Pyromancer]]).

Sideboarding: -1 [[Chrome Mox]], -4 [[Ponder]], +1 [[Bayou]], +4 [[Abrupt Decay]]

Game Two:

Eli has a [[Scalding Tarn]] in play before motioning for me to take my turn. For once, I don’t have a [[Gitaxian Probe]] on the first turn! I play a [[Bloodstained Mire]] and pass. Our next two turns look like this. On turn three, Eli fetches twice, plays [[Wasteland]] and casts a [[Null Rod]] leaving a [[Volcanic Island]] untapped. I have the [[Abrupt Decay]] in my hand already, but am still missing the “tutor effect” to win. I draw for turn, it’s [[Burning Wish]]! I play an [[Underground Sea]] and pass. Eli plays [[Delver of Secrets]] and then passes. I search for [[Bayou]] and [[Abrupt Decay]] targeting [[Null Rod]]. Eli destroys my [[Bayou]] on the end step as well. I untap, draw, and am ready to go! I’ve been sitting on a [[Brainstorm]] and I decide it’s time to cast it. I drawing a pair of [[Gitaxian Probe]] and a [[Lotus Petal]]. Put back a pair of [[Chrome Mox]] and then shuffle them away. Cast [[Gitaxian Probe]], revealing: [[Daze]], [[Daze]], [[Daze]], [[Brainstorm]], [[Brainstorm]], and a [[Lightning Bolt]]. With only two lands in play, one of which is tapped.

I think for a moment, I ultimately decide that I’m going to get Eli to float mana with [[Daze]] and then enter my attack step. Forcing Eli to cast the [[Brainstorm]]. After which, I can see what Eli has in his hand with the second [[Gitaxian Probe]]. My plan went perfectly! I cast [[Rite of Flame]], Eli casts [[Daze]], I pay for [[Daze]], another [[Daze]] hits the table (floating ). I don’t pay. Enter my attack step, Eli plays a [[Brainstorm]]. Post-combat, I cast the second [[Gitaxian Probe]], Eli’s hand is worse than I imagined. Just lands, [[Brainstorm]], and [[Lightning Bolt]]. I know the coast is clear, I place a [[Lotus Petal]] on the table, then another [[Lotus Petal]], [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], and [[Burning Wish]] retrieving [[Tendrils of Agony]].

Round Four – Ben Rivelloon with BUG Delver

I had seen Ben playing during other rounds, I saw that they also have [[Null Rod]]. I knew this was going to be a tough match.

Game One:

Ben wins the die roll and has [[Bayou]] into [[Deathrite Shaman]]. I play [[Underground Sea]] and [[Ponder]]. Ben lays a [[Wasteland]] on the table, destroys my land and follows up with a [[Tarmogoyf]]. On my turn, I play a [[Lotus Petal]] and then cast [[Brainstorm]]. Play a [[Polluted Delta]], search up [[Badlands]], and cast [[Cabal Therapy]] (Naming: [[Force of Will]]). I miss (I didn’t take notes on what they had!), which is good news. [[Lotus Petal]], [[Dark Ritual]], [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], and [[Infernal Tutor]]. Search up [[Empty the Warrens]] and cast it for 16 [[Goblin Token]]s. Flashback [[Cabal Therapy]]. Ben concedes.

Sideboarding: 1 [[Chrome Mox]], +1 [[Bayou]]

I believe that the extra land helps against tempo decks with [[Wasteland]], but also is better than a [[Chrome Mox]] with their discard strategy. As far as [[Null Rod]] goes, I decide that they likely only have one.

Game Two:

Ben mulligans to five, before starting off with [[Underground Sea]] into [[Duress]]. I play a [[Ponder]], on my turn, setting up for a second turn. Ben plays a [[Wasteland]], destroying my land, and plays a [[Deathrite Shaman]]. I play another land and pass. Ben casts a [[Tarmogoyf]] and passes. I miss my land drop, I have the option to go all in now (two cards in Ben’s hand with an untapped [[Deathrite Shaman]]) or [[Duress]] and then try next turn. I chose to [[Duress]], Ben plays [[Brainstorm]] in response. My [[Duress]] reveals lands and a [[Deathrite Shaman]]. A land enters the battlefield, Ben attacks, plays the second [[Deathrite Shaman]] and passes. I go for the [[Ad Nauseam]] from my hand, which meets a [[Flusterstorm]]. I ask Ben if they had it the previous turn, they reply that they found it with [[Brainstorm]]. Which means, I would’ve won.

Game Three:

We both mulligan. I play a first turn [[Ponder]] off of an [[Underground Sea]] (keeping [[Empty the Warrens]] on top). Ben plays a [[Thoughtseize]] and discards the only business in my hand — [[Burning Wish]]. I play a [[Gitaxian Probe]] (drawn off the [[Ponder]]) revealing: [[Force of Will]], [[Force of Will]], [[Polluted Delta]], and [[Delver of Secrets]]. I play three copies of [[Lotus Petal]], a land, [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], and then cast [[Empty the Warrens]]. Ben counterspells a copy with [[Force of Will]] and then dies over the next few turns.

Round Five – James Eck with UR Delver

Game One:

I lose another die roll, James starts with what their deck should do — [[Scalding Tarn]] for [[Volcanic Island]] into [[Monastery Swiftspear]]. I play a land and pass. James plays a second land and a [[Delver of Secrets]] then attacks. I draw a [[Gitaxian Probe]] for turn and fire it off, which shows me: [[Force of Will]], [[Chain Lightning]], [[Price of Progress]], and [[Scalding Tarn]]. The coast is clear, [[Dark Ritual]], [[Rite of Flame]], [[Ad Nauseam]]… Normally games end there, this one doesn’t. I have an awful [[Ad Nauseam]] that only has one [[Chrome Mox]] in it and no other initial mana sources or [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]]. I stop at two life. I look at the pile of cards in front of me, I decide that I need to cast [[Brainstorm]] and hit either two initial mana sources or initial mana source plus [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]]. It’s looking grim.

I hit another [[Chrome Mox]] and two non-important cards. I think of my options, I can [[Empty the Warrens]] but no way to Flashback any [[Cabal Therapy]] revealed to [[Ad Nauseam]] this turn. I could also die to the [[Delver of Secrets]]. I have the other remaining three copies of [[Rite of Flame]] in my hand. I then realize, I can [[Burning Wish]] for [[Past in Flames]], replay all the copies of [[Rite of Flame]], [[Burning Wish]] (a second one in my hand) and finish them off with [[Grapeshot]]! I do exactly that. I can storm for 19 exactly which is perfect for their life total.

Sideboarding: None

Game Two:

James starts the second game with a [[Delver of Secrets]], I play a [[Ponder]] for my first turn. James’s second turn is an [[Eidolon of the Great Revel]]. Despite my best efforts the rest of the game, I can’t beat the duo of creatures on the board.

Game Three:

I begin the third game with a hand that can make [[Goblin Token]]s on the first turn if James doesn’t have a [[Force of Will]]. My hand even has [[Gitaxian Probe]], which showed me that unfortunately the blue card was there: [[Force of Will]], [[Flusterstorm]], [[Daze]], [[Gitaxian Probe]], [[Eidolon of the Great Revel]], [[Mountain]], and [[Flooded Strand]]. After seeing this, I’m forced to lay a land and pass. James fires off their own [[Gitaxian Probe]] before laying a [[Flooded Strand]]. I draw, play a land, play [[Lotus Petal]] and pass. My hand is now strong enough to win through [[Force of Will]] can’t combo through the [[Flusterstorm]] as well. I realize that if James plays [[Eidolon of the Great Revel]] on their turn, I should have the green light to go – that’s what happens! (I played the [[Lotus Petal]] early to avoid any extra damage)

On my turn, I draw, lay my third land and cast a pair of [[Rite of Flame]] (13 life), [[Burning Wish]] (11 life), James plays [[Force of Will]] removing one of the unknown cards — [[Delver of Secrets]]. I then cast [[Dark Ritual]] (9 life), [[Infernal Tutor]]? Resolves. As an added benefit, James misses the [[Eidolon of the Great Revel]] trigger. [[Empty the Warrens]] for 14 [[Goblin Token]]s. James’ facial expression says something along the lines of, “How did this happen?” My [[Goblin Token]]s seal the deal on the following turn after James deals themself plenty of damage looking for whatever the answer was.

Round Six – Brendan Mcgrail with Shardless BUG

I actually wanted to play the match because Brendan made a comment earlier on about how Shardless has a good match-up against the deck that makes [[Goblin Token]]s, but a draw would guarantee me into first place. This means I would get to be on the play for the entire top 8 — I can set my ego aside for that.

Top Eight – Jacob Lucrezi with Lands

Game One:

We both keep, I start off with a classic first turn [[Gitaxian Probe]]! Which then reveals: [[Crop Rotation]], [[Crop Rotation]], [[Thespian Stage]], [[Verdant Catacombs]], [[Maze of Ith]], [[Taiga]], and [[Gamble]]. I follow that play with an [[Underground Sea]] and a [[Ponder]]. My plan to win this game is using [[Burning Wish]] for [[Dark Petition]] for [[Ad Nauseam]]. I don’t know if Lands plays a [[Bojuka Bog]] in the main deck, but I need those [[Crop Rotation]]s gone. Jacob plays [[Verdant Catacombs]] and passes. I draw and it’s [[Cabal Therapy]]! Very timely. I search up a [[Badlands]] and cast [[Cabal Therapy]], James responds with a [[Crop Rotation]] for [[The Tabernacle at Pendrell Vale]]. I then discard the other (unknown card is a [[Wasteland]]). I play the pair of [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] in my hand, [[Lotus Petal]], [[Rite of Flame]], [[Burning Wish]], [[Dark Petition]], and [[Ad Nauseam]]. I am able to safely keep revealing to [[Ad Nauseam]] below two life as I’ve discarded my [[Empty the Warrens]] to my [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]]. I can’t find another [[Burning Wish]] or [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]]. I have plenty of copies of [[Lotus Petal]] and [[Chrome Mox]] but can’t become Hellbent. I stop at two life, play three [[Ponder]] and a [[Brainstorm]] looking for the right card(s) but fail to find. I discard Jacob’s [[Gamble]] and pass.

Jacob plays the [[Wasteland]], but it’s not enough at this point. On my turn, I play my entire hand into [[Infernal Tutor]] searching for [[Burning Wish]], which retrieves [[Past in Flames]].

Sideboarding: -4 [[Cabal Therapy]], -4 [[Ponder]], -1 [[Empty the Warrens]], +1 [[Bayou]], +4 [[Abrupt Decay]], +2 [[Hurkyl’s Recall]], +2 [[Thoughtseize]]

Game Two:

Jacob isn’t happy with their seven card hand or even the six, so Jacob sends back for five. “[[Bayou]], go” and mine is a [[Duress]]: [[Gamble]], [[Dark Confidant]], [[Sphere of Resistance]], and [[Exploration]]. With [[Hurkyl’s Recall]] in my hand, I decide to take the [[Gamble]]. I play a [[Chrome Mox]] (Imprint: [[Burning Wish]]) and pass. Jacob draws a land for turn and casts [[Sphere of Resistance]]. I play a [[Bloodstained Mire]] and pass. James’ next draw is a [[Wasteland]], I search up my own [[Bayou]], and cast [[Hurkyl’s Recall]] with my mana.

On my turn, I lay a land and then cast [[Rite of Flame]], [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], and [[Infernal Tutor]]. Once again, my [[Ad Nauseam]] is less than stellar. I am unable to reveal any initial mana sources and am forced to pass the turn. James draws and plays another [[Sphere of Resistance]], but I have an [[Abrupt Decay]] in my hand. I destroy the [[Sphere of Resistance]] to begin my turn, before setting up another [[Past in Flames]] kill.

Top Four – Jacob Lindy with Aggro Loam

In between rounds I had seen Jacob playing what looked like a Junk/Abzan Deck.

Game One:

I mulligan, scry ([[Lion’s Eye Diamond]]), keep it. Play [[Underground Sea]] and [[Cabal Therapy]] (Naming: [[Thoughtseize]]) and it misses: [[Dryad Arbor]], [[Gaddock Teeg]], [[Sylvan Library]], [[Dark Confidant]], [[Grove of the Burnwillows]], [[Savannah]], and [[Knight of the Reliquary]]. That’s good news for my second turn kill. Jacob plays [[Dryad Arbor]] for turn and passes. I draw the [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], play a [[Bloodstained Mire]], and search up [[Badlands]]. I then cast [[Dark Ritual]], [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], and [[Infernal Tutor]] for [[Ad Nauseam]].

Sideboarding: -4 [[Cabal Therapy]], -2 [[Duress]], -1 [[Ponder]], -1 [[Chrome Mox]], +1 [[Bayou]], +4 [[Abrupt Decay]], +2 [[Thoughtseize]], +1 [[Grapeshot]]

Game Two:

My notes on this game just say, “GET STOMPED” I remember being shocked by a [[Taiga]] and realizing that they’re not on Junk/Abzan but more likely Aggro Loam. Which maybe should’ve been recognized by the [[Grove of the Burnwillows]] in the first game? I remember being hit by a [[Hymn to Tourach]], followed by [[Scavenging Ooze]] and a few turns later a [[Ethersworn Canonist]].

Game Three:

This is a long game, where I get hit by a [[Hymn to Tourach]] early which discards my [[Ad Nauseam]] and a [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]]. I [[Infernal Tutor]] after drawing a second [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] for another copy of [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] and then play both artifacts (to avoid them being discarded). Jacob plays a [[Gaddock Teeg]] and passes. I draw a [[Rite of Flame]], my hand is now four cards. A [[Bloodstained Mire]], [[Polluted Delta]], [[Rite of Flame]], and [[Infernal Tutor]]. I play a land and pass. Jacob follows up with a [[Liliana of the Veil]], I discard my other land to her. I draw a [[Lotus Petal]] for turn, I decide to play [[Lotus Petal]], [[Rite of Flame]], and [[Infernal Tutor]] for [[Grapeshot]]. I kill the [[Gaddock Teeg]] and knock the loyalty of [[Liliana of the Veil]] down to avoid the ultimate. From here we both draw dead for a few turns. I draw a [[Ponder]], shuffle, and draw a dead card. The following turn I draw [[Brainstorm]]. [[Gitaxian Probe]], [[Infernal Tutor]], and [[Dark Ritual]] – YES! I keep [[Gitaxian Probe]] and then cast it, draw [[Infernal Tutor]]. Search for [[Burning Wish]], get [[Past in Flames]], and replay my graveyard. Finish Jacob off with the [[Grapeshot]] that was already in the graveyard.

Finals – Brendan Mcgrail with Shardless BUG

Game One:

Brandon ships back their seven for a new six. I start out with the classic [[Gitaxian Probe]] into [[Cabal Therapy]], which reveals: [[Deathrite Shaman]], [[Shardless Agent]], [[Shardless Agent]], [[Wasteland]], [[Verdant Catacombs]], and [[Polluted Delta]]. I opt to take [[Deathrite Shaman]] over the pair of [[Shardless Agent]]. The reason being that [[Deathrite Shaman]] speeds up their game and [[Shardless Agent]] can be very slow. This decision bites me in the butt when the pair of [[Shardless Agent]] hit [[Hymn to Tourach]] and [[Brainstorm]]. I recover with a [[Past in Flames]] into an [[Empty the Warrens]] for 14 [[Goblin Token]]s. Unfortunately, one of the two cards in Brendan’s hand is [[Maelstrom Pulse]]. I played right into the, “Shardless is good against Goblins” shit-talk. Sigh, time to eat it.

Sideboarding: -1 [[Empty the Warrens]], -1 [[Chrome Mox]], +1 [[Tendrils of Agony]], +1 [[Bayou]]

Game Two:

Brendan mulligans again and has an extra graveyard hate draw with [[Planar Void]] and [[Nihil Spellbomb]]. Thats okay, I play [[Burning Wish]] for [[Grapeshot]]. Brendan plays a [[Shardless Agent]] hitting a [[Deathrite Shaman]]. I play my third land, [[Rite of Flame]], [[Dark Ritual]], [[Lotus Petal]], [[Lotus Petal]], [[Grapeshot]], [[Infernal Tutor]], and [[Tendrils of Agony]].

Game Three:

I didn’t take notes on this game, but I face a turn two [[Hymn to Tourach]]. Followed by [[Shardless Agent]] into [[Hymn to Tourach]]. After that I play [[Burning Wish]] for [[Past in Flames]]. Brendan then plays [[Shardless Agent]] into [[Nihil Spellbomb]] — wrecked. I lose in the following turns.

Totals & Stats

Closing & General Thoughts

Second place was good enough for $800 credit! A solid day, the long drive was definitely worth it.

I don’t think I would change a single thing about my decklist. I was very happy with it overall. The switch to [[Grapeshot]] definitely paid dividends and will stay in the sideboard. I dodged some difficult match-ups like Eldrazi and Miracles, even though my sideboard has changed some to improve against these decks.

(Interesting note: there were not any Eldrazi decks in the top 8 of this event and only one person playing the deck hanging around the top of the tables. On a similar note, there wasn’t a copy in the top 8 of the Star City Games: PIQ either.)

Thanks for reading, feel free to drop me a message or ask a question using the contact form below. Any questions will likely be featured in an upcoming TES Mailbox article.

Until next time, keep storming!