This week I went to one of my local stores to play Modern for the first time in months. They had just started up a new weekly Modern tournament so Aaron and I said why not! We haven’t been able to play because there aren’t any good stores nearby that fit our schedule. He sleeved up storm and I sleeved up Jund, which I can’t tell you the last time I picked it up (what can I say, infect feels so good). It might be two months since I’ve played Modern but it must be six months since I played Jund. The fact I was rusty was extremely obvious and I ended up finishing the evening 1-3—it happens to the best of us—but I still managed to have a decent time and I got a very important reminder that I would like to share.
I stumbled into round three 1-1 (lost to Eldrazi and then beat Naya Burn). I was playing fairly clumsily—like I said it’s been awhile—but apparently not badly enough to completely ruin my chances of prize that night (they were paying out based on record). My opponent was actually my friend Zac, who I play against weekly in Legacy. He was playing Grisel-Shoal-Brand because, and I quote, “I don’t like Modern as a format and I want to convince people to stop.” Zac, that’s what Eldrazi are for, but I digress.
Real Life Board State
Game one was uneventful: he did beat me handily. Its not a match-up I have much experience with and I didn’t play it super well. Game two, well that was eventful. I dropped Leyline of the Void to start us off, something Zac later told me he had no answer to that game. Turn one I Thoughtseized, took away an enabler, and then turn two cast Tarmogoyf. I felt like I was in a pretty good position. He had Worldspine Wurm and some nonsense in hand but nothing that left me thinking I was going to lose anytime soon, which I guess I technically didn’t. I ended up drawing nothing but lands for several turns while I attacked with my 2/3 Goyf.
Then he did something his deck is not supposed to do. He hardcast Griselbrand. In Modern. We were sitting there going land, pass for so long that he actually had the mana to hardcast Griselbrand, ladies and gentlemen. I topped deck Olivia Voldaren, which was not the actual worst. Then next turn he Through the Breached twice to put a Borborygmos Enraged AND Worldspine Wurm into play. It wasn’t a great game for me. But you know what? If I’m going to lose a game I felt like I should easily win, that’s how I want to lose it.
Stories like this are what make magic great. Some really wacky things can happen which leave you with such great stories. God knows I’ll be sharing this one for awhile. And if Zac is as good a friend as I think he is he’ll be making jokes about that win for eternity—at least I hope so!
Many of people are really uptight when playing and I get that. I’m very serious about Magic. But do me a favor, please, and remember that Magic is also about having fun. Otherwise, what’s the point of playing?
Kate hails from Worcester MA and also does a bit of Card Altering. Check her Stuff out on Facebook! She mainly plays legacy and modern though will occasionally find herself playing EDH or Standard if she’s desperate.