SPDC SEASON 6 CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW |
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Season 6 is about to end and I'm taking you for a preview tour of what is to come at the final event of the season. What are the decks, who are the players and what are they going to play? For all the answers, comes inside. The decks So, which decks will see play? The new sets gave life to many new decks, but more specifically many new tools for existing decks. What will we see in the Championship? More of the same, I'm afraid. Let's take a look at the most popular and most successful decks of the season. Results include SPDC Season 6 and MPDC Season 3. Looking for more info? Check this season's standard metagame here: http://www.pdcmagic.com/forums/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=1654 Grimdrifter - Designed by Polyjak ages ago (or so it feels like) and popularized by RobE shortly after, the newer version of Grimdrifter, which has seen the day this season, came to life when the deck's focus shifted from creatures to control. The addition of Mystical Teachings and Remove Soul has turned it into the most dominant deck this season. One of the main pilots, Boin, took it to several wins in a row, including a blasting 30-match streak in standard.
RDW is probably the hottest deck a couple days before the last tournament of the season. It was always popular and put up decent performances, but it was completely rejuvenated by Eventide’s UR hybrids. The new deck that spawned was called Dominus Deck Wins (DDW) because it was based on the extremely strong aura of the same name: Clout Of The Dominus. Zouily designed this newer version and it made a huge splash in its first tournament, turning many heads in the process. Since, countless pilots have personalized it and took it to victorious results. This is not to say, however, that RDW is not viable anymore. The older brother is often faster and has much more reach. It also doesn't need to rely on Dominus to beat control decks.
Designed by Kingritz 2 seasons ago, the deck was once thought to be unbeatable. Strategies have been tuned up since, and while WW remains a force to be reckoned with, it has struggled to find wins this season. The different versions are many; it's hard to keep count. Higher curves, lower curves, based on suspends, based on kithkins. Some run more pump spells, some run removal. In all this mess, the important thing to remember is that it will be played and it's always a dangerous deck to face. The fact that it is highly consistent and will not forgive bad draws always makes it a contender.
There are quite a few different viable UR control decks. The most popular is Storm Control and it was the most successful of the bunch this season. It has lost a lot of steam since festercreep entered the format, however, and it doesn't flourish as much in a metagame dominated by Grimdrifter. Two other control decks have since replaced it as the blue-based control deck of choice. Designed by yours truly, UR Demise has seen its part of success despite arriving late into the season. It was designed to beat Grimdrifter by decking them, and its success has driven away many Grimdrifter pilots. Similarly, Dominus Control, designed by Beatnik Bobby, came very late into the season, but won 2 MPDC events in a row. The last deck is more of an aggro/control deck and an old favorite: Use UR Illusions. 53N53I proved that it was still viable. Even so, not many chose to pick up the deck and we're all wondering why. Use UR Illusions -
I've always labeled this deck the best deck that never wins. It has all the potential of the world, countless pilots, but it struggled all season long to find a win. It finally came at SPDC 6.12, but never again. It is always a contender, however, but the steam it had picked up last season quickly died away.
Hurriboy's ShadyAcres (SA) (ed: who tells me was actually built by Khirareq) is probably the most underrated deck in standard. SA and a few other versions of the rock have been one of the most successful decks this season despite having very few backers. The wins are there. The results are there. Who's going to start playing the rock? I think it comes into the Championship as an underdog, but it could be its time. Other decks to watch Slippery Bogle decks. The card is making a splash in all formats. Turn 1 bogle, turn 2 favor on the play is often spelled "GG". Blinkdrifter. Always a menace. BW aggro. Based on the Nightsky Mimic, this might very well be the fastest deck in standard when it gets the right draws, but it's very risky. Blue Zoo. The nuts draw is, well... nuts. Burnt Nemo. As far as I can tell, only Icarodx plays this deck. If he shows up, you better be prepared for this deck, it might win it all.
So, who's qualified, and more importantly, who's going to play what? Here are the top 32 players from this season as well as my deck predictions.
Rank: 1st This is his season. This is his time. Will he step up to the challenge? Is he going to bring Grimdrifter to the event, a deck that has failed him at the end of the season, but has brought him immense success? Will it be the perfect end to a perfect season? All these questions will be answered soon. What we do know, however, is that everyone wishes to dodge him. Kehmesis Rank: 2nd I'd lie if I said former SPDC World winner, yours truly, wasn't my personal favorite. But this has nothing to do with his performances. I'm very biased here and I'm sending myself flowers. God, I love me. I'm touching myself all over. Walkerdog Rank: 3rd WD is definitely one of the biggest threats. Fortunately for everyone else, he's very likely to miss the event. Fortunately for him, it's for a very good reason! It's unfortunate for the event, however, which is losing one of the top standard players. Hurriboy Rank: 4th HB always has been an underdog, but he has stepped up his game this season and he's now one of the favorites. If you hate disruption and trees, you'll hate Hurriboy when he blows up your plans. Squirrelrevolution Rank: 5th Squirrel will play the highly unpredictable Blue Zoo. Sometimes it's unstoppable and sometimes it stops itself. This one you want to avoid being matched against, especially if you are not playing red. IcaroDX Rank: 6th IcaroDX has been one of the best standard players for quite a few seasons, but lately his time has been dedicated to Classic. Will the 3rd favorite show up for Worlds? You better hope not. Rickwins1971 Rank: 7th A relative newcomer has been putting decent results, but so far has failed to make a final table. Perhaps this is his time. Hokusai22 Rank: 8th Former SPDC World winner is the most dangerous in big-time tournaments. When facing Hokusai in Worlds events, all bets are off. In fact, if he makes the playoffs, I'm putting my bets on him. Unless he faces me, obviously ;) Jamuraa Rank: 9th Our host is a threat every week, and this week is no exception. Perhaps his hosting duties will refrain him from bringing his A-game, as it has been the case in the past. JPLiberato Rank: 10th JP has been consistent enough in reaching the playoffs. He's yet to win a match once there, however. Hopefully this changes for him this week, when it really counts. Kage72 Rank: 11th Richard3 Rank: 12th Sharn_Goldblade Rank: 13th Gilgamesh8807 Rank: 13th Plainstrider Rank: 15 GravespwnGoddess Rank: 16th LostSymphonies Rank: 17th Andymc1 Rank: 18th MilkShake75 Rank: 19th Bulldog333 Rank: 20th 21. _angeleyes_ Vote for your favorite here: http://www.pdcmagic.com/forums/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=22108#22108 Any mistakes? Post below. 6 CommentsLeave a comment |
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9:10 AM, 16 October 2008
Ah, just like the good old days, when there were fewer events and more love for each one...
Kehm, I just LOVE your pre-Worlds articles. I've missed your writing, and the cloud of hype surrounding SPDC in general.
Thank you!
10:14 PM, 15 October 2008
So should you, or anyone.
8:22 PM, 15 October 2008
Good writeup. You should do this for ALL events.
9:16 AM, 15 October 2008
I'll make the correction.
And there will be a report.
3:15 AM, 15 October 2008
Nice article and overlook to the standard season, a follow-up after the championship would be great.
7:19 PM, 14 October 2008
"Hurriboy's ShadyAcres ..." its really the mad scientists khir's deck, im just the monkey who pushes the buttons. these prechamp reports are sweet. is there gonna be a post champ report?