Player’s Championship Qualifier 8 Recap
This weekend was our 8th Player’s Championship Qualifier and the first tournament with the new set, Bloomburrow! Many people have been wondering if we were going to see the Nadu, Winged Wisdom combo deck completely take over the format after the massive success it has had both at PT Amsterdam and other tournaments following that, like the most recent SCG tournament. Is this going to be another Eldrazi Winter? Or could this deck be as dominant as Hogaak, Arisen Necropolis? These are the questions currently looming over the Modern format. However, our Qualifier winner Normand Labelle took down the tournament without the help of the combo bird! Let’s take a look at his winning Ruby Storm deck list and the rest of the Top 8!
Norm Labelle – Ruby Storm (1st)
Adrian Quiring – Jeskai Control (2nd)
Travis Benedict – Bant Nadu (3rd-4th)
Chris Brackley – Jeskai Control (3rd-4th)
Adam Joyce – Mono-Black Necro (5th-8th)
Michael Giles – Mono-Blue Control (5th-8th)
Connor Cheney – Dimir Frogtide (5th-8th)
Douglas Maguire – Gruul Prowess (5th-8th)
Our Top 8 is much different than that of PT Amsterdam with only one Nadu Combo deck, and a stellar performance by Norm Labelle on Ruby Storm! Norm was kind enough to answer a few questions in regard to his deck choice and his thoughts on the Nadu menace terrorizing the Modern format.
T: So clearly Ruby Storm was a good choice for this event, but what led you to play the deck considering it’s poor PT performance?
N: Honestly, it was mostly a financial decision. I jumped back into modern with MH3 because I could build this for about $80. I ran out to buy Rals and Medallions an hour after aspiringspike posted his video. No Bowmasters or Rings, and it’s a unique choice in our little meta. Also, it has a great Nadu Matchup. No one wants to sideboard for storm if I’m the only guy playing it, you know?
T: That makes sense! So if Nadu is favourable, what do you think the more tough matchups are?
N: Definitely Prowess. They have a fast clock and 4-8 ways to kill Ral depending on if they’re running Galvanic Discharge. The matchup is extremely play/draw dependant, and Medallion is usually way better than Ral. Of course, Ral is better post-medallion and much better if they’re tapped out. The version with Scale Up and Assault Strobe is teched to beat Storm and Nadu, and it does. The Raptor/Unstable Amulet version much worse and I’m happy to play that matchup. Also, much happier to see a turn 1 DRC than a Soulscar or Swifty. I thought Jeskai Control was tough until the day of the tournament where I beat it 3 times. Really depends how many Spell Snares they run, Jegantha and Blood Moon were last minute additions to my board and they really paid off. Jeskai will often struggle to establish a clock and your key there is not to expose Ral to Phlage. You can try to flip Ral in response to a Discharge or Solitude. You also want to set up turns where they have to counter several spells, and ideally your last two spells are Wish into Blood Moon.
T: Interesting! At first thought I would think the control deck would be tough to beat. Do you think Storm will be your go-to for the foreseeable future in Modern?
N: Patience is key to the control matchup. Turn 2 Wrenn’s Resolve over a Ral, for example, to ensure a third land drop and make them kind of waste their turn, since they don’t want to Spell Snare that and they have no target for Galvanic Discharge. Medallion is better but still vulnerable to their 2-of Teferi. Storm will be my go-to. I can’t see myself buying into Rings or Bowmasters. Enough of those running around here.
T: And finally, the burning question, do you think Nadu is going to remain a problem for the Modern format until a potential ban? Or do you think the hate is overhyped?
N: The hate is absolutely justified. We saw it Saturday. Last people playing were almost always Nadu pilots. Jeskai Ring too, surprise surprise. The only reason that deck hasn’t taken over here is because we all know what’s coming and no one’s committed to it. 2/3 Nadu pilots that day were borrowing the deck and probably lacked reps. One of the Nadu players was at an EDH event instead, even he didn’t want to play it.
Thank you and congrats to Norm, and the rest of our Top 8 competitors! Check out our Leaderboard Race and other event Recaps at hfxgames.com! Join us for our next event on August 24th, which will be a Modern RCQ!
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Written By: Travis Benedict Pro Tour Competitor, Cat Lover |
