Sunday, January 31, 2010

MtG: Worldwake Pre-release

= MtG: Worldwake Pre-release
= Sunday, January 31st.

Due to my work and tournament responsibilities I don't often manage to get away from my home shop. However, I had the opportunity to attend and participate as a player in a pre-release down in Tarentum.

My sealed deck pool was actually quite strong. I opened 2 marsh casualties (one foil), and a chain reaction for some solid board-sweeping. I also opened 2 decent bomb rares: Obnix the fallen and Kazuul, Tyrant. Obviously I built my deck black/red. However my tournament performance was lack-luster. I went 1/2- drop. Primarily due to a lack of single-target removal and some land issues in two games.

For the draft, I opted to draft in opposite colors blue/white. However I missed some picks because I was passed Butcher of Malakir, Anowon, the Ruin Sage, and a Chain Reaction. Three cards, which despite being outside of my colors I could not pass up. I promptly hate-drafted all three. I did however pull some strong removal in white, and some decent beaters in blue, but I bowed out of the draft at 1-1 because I lacked a strong early game.

Coming home at about 6:00, I realized that in the last 48 hours, I had participated in nearly 20 hours of magic. While the experience was fun, exciting, and exhilarating - it was not one I plan on repeating every weekend!

Saturday, January 30, 2010

MtG: Worldwake Pre-release.

= MtG: Worldwake Pre-release.
= Saturday, January 30th.

Another set, another successful pre-release. Only 14 people were enrolled in the main event, which was a bit less than what I was expecting (20+). Still many packs were opened, games and cards were payed, and things went smoothly.

I had advertized a double-elimination draft. Strangely enough 16 people signed into the draft. There was a group who actually came up from Pittsburgh because the main event they attended didn't have enough product to support drafts. With 16 people, I obviously wanted to set up two full pods of 8. However DCI reporter didn't support draft pods with double-elimination - so I had to change the format of the draft to rounds of swiss. Fortunately there were no complaints.

Below are some collected pictures from throughout the day.





Tuesday, January 12, 2010

= Future Event Announcements
= Tuesday, January 12th.

The calendar has been updated with our tentative event schedule through the end of February. I thought I'd just take a moment to highlight some of my more exciting events...

Worldwake Pre-release!
Saturday, Jan 30th 12:00 registration; Play 1:00-5:30; Draft 6:00-9:00;
Once again NDC is proud to host an officially sanctioned pre-release event. A worldwake sealed deck event. $30.00 entry fee w/ prize support! There will also be sanctioned drafts after the main event. Hosted by Dan Regewitz.

Wolrdwake Launch Party!
Friday, Feb 5th; 5:30-9:00;
Celebrate the official launch of the Magic set Worldwake in this Draft event. $18.00 entry. DCI sanctioned w/ prize support! Hosted by Dan Regewitz.

Worldwake Box Tournament!
Tuesday, Feb 23; 5:30-9:00;
Compete for the chance to win a sealed box of Worldwake! Standard constructed. $16.00 entry. 8 player minimum. Additional prizes based on attendance. DCI sanctioned. Hosted by Dan Regewitz.

SWM: Option play - Old republic era theme (Point total TBA); Joint Team Format!
Monday, Feb 8th; 5:30-9:00pm
Factions allowed include: Old Republic, Mandalorian, Sith, and Fringe (can be added to any squad). Unique character limitation: Darth Bane is most recent Sith to be used. Fringe Unique must also be era specific. Players may mix mandalorian with sith. Joint team format. Entry $6.50. DCI sanctioned w/ prize support! Hosted by Dan Regewitz.

Monday, January 4, 2010

SWM: 150pt Option - "Legacy theme"

= SWM: 150pt Option - "Legacy Theme"
= Monday, January 4th.

This month's option play was a 150pt constructed. Only factions from the Legacy era were allowed - Meaning New republic, Empire, Vong, Sith, and of course Fringe. Players were allowed to mix factions to a certain extent such as mixing New Republic with Empire or Vong (but not all three), or Sith with Empire. Players were restricted from using certain unique characters that were not present during the Legacy era - the most obvious being the Emperor or Darth Vader in the empire faction.

Eight players showed up on a bad-weather day to participate in the event, and I commend everyone for braving and enduring the snow. We played three rounds. Ryan M. came in first playing a Fringe-only Black-sun squad. Dave M. came in second playing an Empire squad.