I haven't been keeping up with DM lately because I don't believe the last set that was pro-mono decks created any tier 1 decks. However this set may change that, actually I'll be surprised if it doesn't. Prior to Shadowclash I don't think I've ever lost a game to a mono-color deck. People say mono-blue is strong, it certainly isn't the worst mono-color. I run a blue/green deck so, against a mono-blue I'm too quick. I've never seen a mono-color deck that I think could beat me WITHOUT splashing any cards. I think after beating the Kaijudo Masters at the mall tour really helped me understand how to bring my deck to the next level. I could see that at the time none of the mono-colors were viable. We didn't get any of Shadowclash in our area, so we were disappointed that we wouldn't update our deck for Gencon. We were expecting the new set to run rampant, but our decks didn't seem to be affected by the current meta. Most decks just had a few of the new cards. In my final match of the top 4 the Mariomacer was a little annoying, I'm use to ppl having less than 3 cards in their hand at that point. The Mariomancer kept the hand advantage, but didn't offer any real threat.

Firstly, Congrats for placing top 4! It seems Realms did own the Championship--3 members here placed top 3. Yaay!

Secondly, I don't think Gen Con will post your decks. Wizards may not either, well they didn't have anything up about the first 2 championships on their DM site. Perhaps the only way the player community will see what made top 4 is if you all post your decks.

Unsunghero, Congrats! I agree with you on mono-Water. I did have high hopes for it, but it's basically hindered by slowness and lack of significant early to mid game threats. I feel that it does have the goods to be a contender in certain metas, but the mana gain and aggro elements from Nature is what puts all that hand advantage over the top because you can translate them into plays quicker and impact the field sooner with beef like Barkwhip or Fighter Dual Fang. Water/Nature is my fav decktype, never letting me down except when I make mistakes--but then again that's due to me and not the deck, lol. Splash in Pit and Lost Soul and you're good to go. I'm not very surprised to hear that Shadowclash didn't impact the meta much at this stage, but I am curious to see if ST creatures played a good role there. Seems like the answer may be no.

Lifestream, Fire...it's being 'held at bay' like Darkness, but if those two had what they currently lack then they'd be a mess to deal with--lol. Fire's early game is unprecented with targeted kill and quick drop hitters. I think the midgame has to come around a bit so you have greater chances of making it to the late game where there's potential to unlock hosers. Of course, as you've noted, these aspects are curbed when paired with another civilization, like for starters Larba/Paladin gives it mid-late legs against blockers, Nature more beef and speed, and Darkness extended kill and hand rob. unlocking a great build with it should be rewarding.

Wow, seems like Realms is pretty famous. We have 2 more top 4 players who know us and have joined us, and the last player should also know us. Her brother-in-law (sooo sorry about earlier mistake.) said he comes here a lot, though i dont believe he has registered.

Anyway, i cant wait to see Unsugnhero's and Lifestream's builds. I have a pretty good idea of how both of them look and whats in them, but no idea on multiples, and such. Anyway, im gonna tweak my marinomancer after posting report and original copy.

Yeah, there's like 6-7 of us top 4 championship players here--counting all 3 championships this year--and several members here are ranked high globally (I think GordonKane was ranked 8th Constructed in the world at one point). So, you're going to keep Marinomancer over Corile?

I don't think Sarah would like me being called her husband, as she is my sister-in-law. But yes, I come here a lot and read most of the posts. I was really dissapointed with the turnout of the GenCon Championship. I was killed by the matchups, with my last two matches being against UnsungHero and then Muhamed, the first and second place players, both of whome have great decks. More people would have given more of a chance to recover in rankings after playing those players, as I regularly beat Sarah in our matches. But oh well, I had fun anyways and there were some great matches.

I also did run the Mono-Water deck in Sunday's tournament. It isn't as bad as some of you have mentioned, though it was beat. The previous day it had beat Muhamed's deck and Knives decks. It is reasonably fast, but it does have issues.

In the Championship Tournament I did run a Light/Black deck, which I had been running in all the tournaments previously simply because I like Light and knew it couldn't compete mono, so I added in Dark. Over the days as I got to know Muhamed and Knives, I think we all got to know each others decks a little too well and were changing our decks to face each other and wern't really ready for the new people that showed up on Saturday. That doesn't change that almost everyone in the Tournament did have really decent decks and everyone was a fun challenge.

Playing some games vs Damon E. at Indy really helped me to see several holes in the way I played my deck. His competition was beyond what I encompassed before then, so he really shed light on ways to tigthen my playing style. He also went over some card choices and that's the moment when my view of cards like Lost Soul and Rumbling Terahorn changed. His advice is invaluable. He's wonderful, and one of the people everyone should seek out when they play at these big level DM events. You won't regret losing to him or beating him if you can.

Yeah a big part of how I play and how I made my deck was because of Damon. All of my friends that went with me to play against him all transcend players that didn't have the fortune to play him. I'd love a chance to play against him with my current deck.

Speaking of Mall Tours, i heard they were gonna have another round of them when I spoke with some of the people over there. Anyone know when/where they will have the next mall tours?

Diamond Cutter Blocker decks are everywhere in my area so almost all the decks here have blocker hate and creature elimination. I only see a handful of Jack Viper / Trash decks and a fair amount of noob Monofire Decks.

I hope it's soon. :D

I think that Light will definietly take a hit because of alot of people playing anti-light cards because of cards like Holy Awe and Light blockers

Well blocker hate is everywhere but it's pretty ridiculous when 80% of the people playing are either piloting light decks or decks with lotsa blocker hate, but light is definitely the best build in the current meta today.