I popped over to my favorite game store in town where they were going to be hosting a Standard event for the first time that I could remember. I had just finished the main shell of my deck, so I headed on over. There were some of the usual faces, which was good I had wanted to play against these guys and their decks, but we only had 6 people. That's understandable, it was a Sunday, a new event, and it's a college town so it was clearing out quick. A cursory glance told me that I was in Abzan Country, including my self, 5 of the 6 were playing Abzan Midrange/Rally. the last was Jeskai, who I never played.
Round 1, Game 1
I got paired up against another Abzan Rally deck, his was working off of Allies. He's a good guy, so we shuffled and got into it quickly. His draws were awful, he never hit white and only played a Catacomb Sifter that met it's end chumping a Siege Rhino. Then I established my army and slammed Shaman of the Pack for 7 to end it.
Game 2 1-0
I sided in Bone Splinters and Dromoka's Command, I believe. I took out 3 Murderous Cut and 1 Atlar's Reap.
His mana seemed to be all over the place because again, he didn't hit one of his colors. He only landed a Kalastria Healer and it ended up having to chump a Nantuko Husk before a wave of elves washed over him. We were laughing and joking about the mana screw he got in, he's a good guy. I love playing people like him. I was 1-0 about to face off against an Abzan Legion.
Match 2, Game 1
This played out much like I though it might, my creatures were smaller and he made sure that I knew that. Murderous Cut eventually killed an Anafenza, the bane of this deck, but a turn too slow for my liking. He dropped a Rhino and I answered with one of my own. The Warden of the First Trees were really good threats through out the game. This was a tough loss, but I knew that Game 1 was usually Big Brother Abzan's.
Game 2 0-1
I boarded in 2 Bone Splinters, 2 Self-Inflicted Wound, and 1 Dragonlord Dromoka, taking out 3 Murderous Cut, 1Altar's Reap, and Leaf Gilder(?).
I killed his Anafenza, the Foremost with Bone Splinters early and that kept me on track. I hit Siege Rhino and my opponent didn't have a good answer this game. Shaman of the Pack came down twice I believe and I pulled this one out.
Game 3 1-1
I never got my land base going, which is a concern in a 21 land deck. I had some points where I could have made a game of it, but I never had the board or the mana to do it the way that I wanted. I was 1-1 on the day, we shook hands. He's a great guy, too.
Round 3, Game 1
This game was against another guy who is a good player and person. Isn't it cool when it work out that way?
All that my notes say about the match is " Gm1: Lost. No Mana. Gm2: Bad. No." I remember a lot of Dromoka's Command and bad mana situations.
What I learned:
*Abzan is huge in my meta, which I should have expected.
*Murderous Cut does not play the way that I want. I was valuing it being an Instant rather than it's cost. Given it's cost, it comes too late for Anafenza, the Foremost, which is Enemy #1, and that's not excusable.
*Altar's Reap is a one-of, but I've been considering dropping it for a while. Evolutionary Leap seems like that natural successor.
*Collected Company may as well wedge itself in here, I need ways to fill the board and I'm not finding them right now.
Changes I made:
*Murderous Cut is out. Bone Splinters is now main board.
*Altar's Reap is out. Evolutionary Leap is in.
*Collected Company is being considered.
