Rock and rolling up to Oaktown with Ryan and Spencer in tow. Left way too early (8am), but arrived just as JMac was parking on the street. Free parking on Sundays? Yes!
EndGame is a cool games store with many tables upstairs. It's right across from the convention center, where GP Oakland was held last year... don't remind me... Core set sealed makes me noxious.
We had time for breakfast, so we went to the cafe a block away. I got an egg on toast with the most amazing butter I have ever tasted! Seriously, it may be worth another trip. From divine cows or something. We ate outside and Spencer got a latte in a bowl.
We registered at 10am ($25) and had time before packs were passed out, so we hit up the brewery across the street. Yes, you heard right -- a BREWERY! Morning stouts and 49ers kickoff. There was much strategizing. The Niners will crush Tampa Bay. And we will crush all noobs.
There was 19 players signed up. Enough for 5 rounds and a top 8. Odds were good some of us would get there. The four of us all sat around a table and packs were distributed. My pool was fairly average.
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I was much happier with what pool I was given...
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Ryan and Spence were happy with theirs, but Jason was struggling. Too many options in all colors. We gave some advice and he made some changes, but wasn't feeling confident. He'd just have to draw well and play like a boss.
First round, I get paired with... Jason. What? Nooooo! Sigh.
WON
Second round,
LOST
Third round,
LOST
Spencer and I jammed over to a sausage place a block down. By the way, lots of good food around this venue. You will not be disappointed. They had beef, pork, chicken, wild boar and vegan options. Every one came with two toppings: saurkraut, onions, chili, relish, etc. Lots of fancy mustards, ketchups and mayos too. The wasabi-garlic mayo was off the hook.
Fourth round,
WON
Fifth round (win and in),
WON!
Everyone but JMac made top 8 -- even me! Jason was a sport and stuck around to cheer us on. He drove over from SF and was thinking he'd split to go for a run. But how many times do your homies get 3 spots in a top 8? Kudos, Mr. MacD!
The draft started and Spencer was passing to me. The judge called out the time we had to look and then pass. We had to count the cards we were passing every time. A little more work than what I'm used to at Woodstocks. I opened Xenagos first pack and slammed it. When the booster gods give you a planeswalker, you take it... unless it's Tibalt.
Luckily, Spence figured out I was red green (cuz he's awesome) and I got a sweet deck. Three Fanatics! Got good green with Arbor and Nemesis, but no ramp or fixing. No removal either made me go aggro. Get there with little fast dudes, 2 red Ordeals and finish with Fanatics.
First round was versus Ben. He's a good player I've played before at other California tournaments. His friend sat next to him (I hate that). He played Bant colors with bounce and heroic dudes. I led with Flamedrinker, but he mounted a defense quickly. We traded damage and were both under 10, when he Time to Feed'd my Flamedrinker, causing me 5 damage instantly and then got in for the rest. I would have had him next turn! Game two was all me and all red, finishing him with 2 consecitive Fanatics for the last 8 damage. So good! Game three was me keeping a sketching hand: a 5 drop, 2 Fanatics, Cyclops, Ordeal, and 2 mountains. He had to mull, so my heart soared. But I never saw another land and he rolled me. Dang! Jason said if I mulled, I would be hoping for 2 lands again, so the keep wasn't that sketchy. I don't know - what do you think?
I got $5 store credit for my troubles. And 9 packs for the $25 buy in. And planeswalker points. I'm not complaining! Ryan and Spencer made it to the finals after some wheeling and dealing with their store credits. It was Ryan's BW hoplites vs. Spencer's ?? Spencer won game one fairly easily, but game two was a battle. Life totals swung wildly form 32 to 2 and back again. Ryan snuck it out and tied it up. The last game was even more crazy with Ryan going down to 2 and then up again to 30. At one point, I said "Spencer wins!", but it was premature. Ryan battled back and eventually took it all.
Ryan gets two byes! It used to be three until WOTC decided that was too good. Really? The judge said there may be a VIP voucher included as well if the store qualifies. Ryan left his email in case they send it. He and Spencer each got $25 store credit and Spencer picked up the board game "7 Wonders" he had been looking at. Must make plans to play that with him.
We said goodbye to Jason and headed back down the state. Got back around 9pm - whew! - a full day of Magic and good times. This is why I play the game. Challenging strategy and bro companionship. Congrats again to Ryan - he gets to kick back in Sactown!
