Tournament Report: Gen Con 2016

[silverclawgrizzly]

I've finally gotten over the worse of my con crud and am healthy enough to post this. I'm going to begin with posting the Top 4 Spell Books straight from their Gen Con Registration sheets. I want to thank all four competitors for giving permission to post these books. I know Biblofilter posted his book on another thread but I'm including it here for record keeping.

[spellbook]
[spellbookheader]
[spellbookname]Turtle Necro[/spellbookname]
[mage]Necromancer[/mage]
[/spellbookheader]
[spells]
[spellclass]Attack[/spellclass]
[mwcard=mw1a06]1 x  Flameblast[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1a08]1 x  Geyser[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX1CKA01]2 x  Surging Wave[/mwcard]
[mwcard=FWA04]2 x  Hurl Boulder[/mwcard]
[spellclass]Conjuration[/spellclass]
[mwcard=mw1j19]1 x  Deathlock[/mwcard]
[mwcard=DNJ04]1 x  Graveyard[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1j11]1 x  Idol of Pestilence[/mwcard]
[mwcard=DNW02]3 x  Wall of Bones[/mwcard]
[spellclass]Creature[/spellclass]
[mwcard=mw1c32]2 x  Skeletal Sentry[/mwcard]
[mwcard=DNC04]1 x  Grey Wraith[/mwcard]
[mwcard=DNC02]2 x  Deathfang[/mwcard]
[mwcard=DNC13]1 x  Skeletal Archer[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX2FFC02]1 x  Blood Demon[/mwcard]
[mwcard=DNC15]2 x  Skeletal Minion[/mwcard]
[mwcard=DNC14]1 x  Skeletal Knight[/mwcard]
[spellclass]Enchantment[/spellclass]
[mwcard=mw1e09]3 x  Agony[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1e25]1 x  Maim Wings[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1e24]2 x  Magebane[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1e14]1 x  Enfeeble[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1e27]1 x  Marked for Death[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX2FFE03]2 x  Arcane Corruption[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1e31]1 x  Poisoned Blood[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1e32]1 x  Regrowth[/mwcard]
[mwcard=FWE06]1 x  Fortified Position[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX2FFE04]1 x  Brace Yourself[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX1CKE04]2 x  Enchantment Transfusion[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1e29]2 x  Nullify[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX2FFE07]1 x  Rust[/mwcard]
[spellclass]Equipment[/spellclass]
[mwcard=DNQ10]1 x  Meditation Amulet[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1q19]1 x  Mage Wand[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1q06]1 x  Dragonscale Hauberk[/mwcard]
[mwcard=DNQ01]1 x  Cloak of Shadows[/mwcard]
[spellclass]Incantation[/spellclass]
[mwcard=mw1i24]2 x  Seeking Dispel[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1i28]1 x  Teleport[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1i08]1 x  Drain Life[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1i12]1 x  Force Push[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1i07]4 x  Dissolve[/mwcard]
[mwcard=DNI03]1 x  Reassemble[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1i06]3 x  Dispel[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1i25]1 x  Shift Enchantment[/mwcard]
[/spells]
[cost]Total cost: 119 pts[/cost]
[/spellbook]

Add 1 Arcane Ward.

[silverclawgrizzly]

This is the 2nd place book played by Larrick Rose. The name should tell you he comes from Charlotte

[spellbook]
[spellbookheader]
[spellbookname]Shoot Thorns At Ben[/spellbookname]
[mage]Druid[/mage]
[/spellbookheader]
[spells]
[spellclass]Attack[/spellclass]
[mwcard=MWSTX1CKA01]1 x  Surging Wave[/mwcard]
[mwcard=DNA01]6 x  Acid Ball[/mwcard]
[spellclass]Conjuration[/spellclass]
[mwcard=MWBG1J04]1 x  Raincloud[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1w04]2 x  Wall of Thorns[/mwcard]
[mwcard=DNJ12]1 x  Vine Tree[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1j22]6 x  Tanglevine[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1j13]2 x  Mana Flower[/mwcard]
[mwcard=DNJ02]4 x  Corrosive Orchid[/mwcard]
[mwcard=DNW01]2 x  Bloodspine Wall[/mwcard]
[spellclass]Creature[/spellclass]
[mwcard=mw1c34]1 x  Steelclaw Grizzly[/mwcard]
[mwcard=DNC17]1 x  Tataree[/mwcard]
[mwcard=DNC20]3 x  Vine Snapper[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX1CKC06]1 x  Guardian Angel[/mwcard]
[mwcard=DNC10]2 x  Raptor Vine[/mwcard]
[mwcard=DNC21]3 x  Thornlasher[/mwcard]
[spellclass]Enchantment[/spellclass]
[mwcard=mw1e32]1 x  Regrowth[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1e36]2 x  Rhino Hide[/mwcard]
[mwcard=FWE03]1 x  Falcon Precision[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1e05]1 x  Cheetah Speed[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1e03]1 x  Bull Endurance[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1e01]2 x  Bear Strength[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX2FFE07]2 x  Rust[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1e29]2 x  Nullify[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX2FFE04]2 x  Brace Yourself[/mwcard]
[mwcard=DNE01]1 x  Barkskin[/mwcard]
[spellclass]Equipment[/spellclass]
[mwcard=mw1q02]1 x  Bearskin[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1q16]1 x  Leather Gloves[/mwcard]
[mwcard=DNQ08]1 x  Vinewhip Staff[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX1CKQ01]1 x  Sunfire Amulet[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1q07]1 x  Elemental Cloak[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1q19]1 x  Mage Wand[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX1CKQ06]1 x  Eagleclaw Boots[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1q09]1 x  Enchanter's Ring[/mwcard]
[spellclass]Incantation[/spellclass]
[mwcard=mw1i20]1 x  Purify[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1i06]2 x  Dispel[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1i28]1 x  Teleport[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1i12]2 x  Force Push[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1i07]2 x  Dissolve[/mwcard]
[mwcard=DNI02]4 x  Burst of Thorns[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1i23]1 x  Rouse the Beast[/mwcard]
[/spells]
[cost]Total cost: 115 pts[/cost]
[/spellbook]

Add Leather Chausses, Gator Toughness, Crumble, Disperse.

[silverclawgrizzly]

This is the 3rd place book played by Aaron Tranchilla

[spellbook]
[spellbookheader]
[spellbookname]Force Trap[/spellbookname]
[mage]Forcemaster[/mage]
[/spellbookheader]
[spells]
[spellclass]Attack[/spellclass]
[mwcard=FWA04]1 x  Hurl Boulder[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1a09]1 x  Jet Stream[/mwcard]
[mwcard=FWA02]1 x  Force Hammer[/mwcard]
[mwcard=FWA05]3 x  Invisible Fist[/mwcard]
[spellclass]Conjuration[/spellclass]
[mwcard=mw1j22]1 x  Tanglevine[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1j16]1 x  Mordok's Obelisk[/mwcard]
[spellclass]Conjuration - wall[/spellclass]
[mwcard=MWBG1W01]4 x  Wall of Force[/mwcard]
[spellclass]Creature[/spellclass]
[mwcard=MWSTX1CKC01]2 x  Bridge Troll[/mwcard]
[spellclass]Enchantment[/spellclass]
[mwcard=mw1e29]1 x  Nullify[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1e38]2 x  Teleport Trap[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWBG1E01]1 x  Astral Anchor[/mwcard]
[mwcard=FWE05]2 x  Forcefield[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1e10]1 x  Decoy[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1e16]2 x  Force Hold[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1e01]1 x  Bear Strength[/mwcard]
[mwcard=FWE03]1 x  Falcon Precision[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1e28]2 x  Mongoose Agility[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX1CKE05]3 x  Spiked Pit[/mwcard]
[spellclass]Equipment[/spellclass]
[mwcard=FWQ04]1 x  Galvitar, Force Blade[/mwcard]
[mwcard=FWQ01]1 x  Dancing Scimitar[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1q23]1 x  Regrowth Belt[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1q19]1 x  Mage Wand[/mwcard]
[spellclass]Incantation[/spellclass]
[mwcard=mw1i28]1 x  Teleport[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1i07]1 x  Dissolve[/mwcard]
[mwcard=FWI06]1 x  Power Strike[/mwcard]
[mwcard=FWI05]1 x  Mass Sleep[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1i02]1 x  Battle Fury[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1i24]1 x  Seeking Dispel[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1i06]2 x  Dispel[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1i12]1 x  Force Push[/mwcard]
[/spells]
[cost]Total cost: 119 pts[/cost]
[/spellbook]

Add an Arcane Ward

[silverclawgrizzly]

This is the 4th place book run by Kyle Sharkey

[spellbook]
[spellbookheader]
[spellbookname]TROGDOR[/spellbookname]
[mage]Adramelech Warlock[/mage]
[/spellbookheader]
[spells]
[spellclass]Attack[/spellclass]
[mwcard=mw1a12]1 x  Ring of Fire[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1a04]3 x  Fireball[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1a05]1 x  Firestorm[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX1CKA01]1 x  Surging Wave[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1a06]3 x  Flameblast[/mwcard]
[spellclass]Conjuration[/spellclass]
[mwcard=DNW02]2 x  Wall of Bones[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1j12]1 x  Mana Crystal[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1j11]1 x  Idol of Pestilence[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1j19]1 x  Deathlock[/mwcard]
[spellclass]Creature[/spellclass]
[mwcard=DNC22]1 x  Zombie Brute[/mwcard]
[mwcard=DNC14]1 x  Skeletal Knight[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX2FFC02]1 x  Blood Demon[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1c03]1 x  Dark Pact Slayer[/mwcard]
[spellclass]Enchantment[/spellclass]
[mwcard=mw1e14]1 x  Enfeeble[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX2FFE07]2 x  Rust[/mwcard]
[mwcard=FWE02]1 x  Circle of Fire[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1e36]1 x  Rhino Hide[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1e29]2 x  Nullify[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX1CKE04]2 x  Enchantment Transfusion[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX2FFE03]2 x  Arcane Corruption[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1e09]2 x  Agony[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1e32]1 x  Regrowth[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1e19]2 x  Ghoul Rot[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1e24]2 x  Magebane[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1e27]4 x  Marked for Death[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1e31]3 x  Poisoned Blood[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1e21]1 x  Hawkeye[/mwcard]
[spellclass]Equipment[/spellclass]
[mwcard=mw1q10]1 x  Fireshaper Ring[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1q14]1 x  Lash of Hellfire[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1q19]1 x  Mage Wand[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1q28]1 x  Ring of Curses[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1q08]1 x  Elemental Wand[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1q06]2 x  Dragonscale Hauberk[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX2FFQ01]1 x  Adramelech's Torment[/mwcard]
[mwcard=DNQ01]1 x  Cloak of Shadows[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1q18]1 x  Mage Staff[/mwcard]
[spellclass]Incantation[/spellclass]
[mwcard=mw1i11]1 x  Explode[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX2FFI03]1 x  Disarm[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1i28]1 x  Teleport[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1i24]1 x  Seeking Dispel[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1i06]2 x  Dispel[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1i07]3 x  Dissolve[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX2FFI05]1 x  Ignite[/mwcard]
[/spells]
[cost]Total cost: 114 pts[/cost]
[/spellbook]

Add Leather Chausses, Disperse, and 2 Arcane Wards.

[silverclawgrizzly]

As reported earlier this tournament had 12 competitors. The mage break down was:

3 necromancers(All Skeleton)
2 Wizards
2 Straywood Beast Masters
2 Force Masters
1 Druid
1 Adramelech Warlock
1 Priestess

No I'm not upset by the turn out. Gen Con is a very very chaotic ball of awesome. A lot of stuff going on, some players who signed up to play got up late and didn't make it down to the tournament hall in time. Few guys showed up to the booth, realized their wizards weren't legal, and decided to wait til next year. Lots of casual play occurred at all times of the convention and Mage Wars looked to be more popular than last year.

Overall most matches ended up resulting in mage death. Only about one match each round went to time. As there were 12 players we had 4 rounds at 75 minutes. Biblofilter went undefeated the entire event and for the vast majority of his casual games as well. Make no mistake at all, man flies in from Denmark to play Mage Wars, he's going to play A LOT of Mage Wars. The tournament kept a very friendly and vibrant vibe the entire time with no real poor sportsmanship witnessed. Several examples of excellent sportsmanship were reported with Sharkbait winning that countdown hands down.

Obviously I can't give an entire match by match report but I will comment on all of the Top 4 play styles I saw.

Biblofilter: The brother from Copenhagen played like a man possessed. For the first day he was cool, calm, and in control. Playing his Necromancer like a very well oiled machine I'm told he got some help from Coshade refining his strategy and play. It wasn't until the second day when both his opponents began to rattle him some it seemed. Starting with the minions most rounds Lars would build up to the stronger creatures. The Gray Wraith threw a number of people for a loop.

Larrick: From my home town Larrick played his Druid very well. Alternating between offense or defense depending on his opponent he did a very good job of reading his opponents. Yes the Guardian Angel saw play more than once as did Tataree. The idea here was Bleed tokens and lots of them. Burst of Thorns generally ended up on the Mage Wand and was used to kill flying creatures a good deal as well.

Aaron: The Bridge Trolls are the obvious eye catcher in this book and make no mistake those two bruisers did A LOT of work. But I also saw the Spiked Pits as being a very intelligent decision as well. Pretty much all of this young mans opponents found themselves Stuck and beat on by the two brutes and the Force Master. Aaron was able to control the board effectively and take advantage of any weaknesses he saw immediately.

Sharkbait: Burn it down. That was the basics of this book. Sharkbait played it super effectively and early on in the tournament he was beating his opponents in under 30 minutes each. It wasn't until he ran into Biblofilter did he even slow down. Massive dice pools on his Fireballs and other flame attacks led to insurmountable damage for many of his opponents. Usually accompanied by the Zombie Brute as a bodyguard Sharkbait protected himself better than you'd think.

The Final 4 pairings ended up being

Round 1:

Biblofilter VS Aaron: In a match that almost saw Biblofilter turned into sushi the Dodge ability of the Force Master failed on a higher than average scale and Aaron just wasn't able to hang in there. Still he did an excellent job of manipulating his opponent around the board while avoiding the skeletal minions. In the end though Biblofilter was able to withstand the insane onslaught and outlast the Force Master.

Larrick VS Sharkbait: Early on Shark cast a Deathlok behind a wall. This turned to be harmful as the Bleeds mounted up. Tied down with Tanglevines and with some very unfortunate rolls the Warlock wasn't able to do the damage needed to bring down the Druid. Larrick cast a Rain Cloud early on to negate some of the vulnerability to fire his mage suffers and it paid off in the end.

Round 2:

Sharkbait VS Aaron: The fight for 3rd and 4th place saw two buddy builds go at it. Shark was able to get in some solid blows and destroy one of the Bridge Trolls but he just wasn't prepared for the Spike Pits and inability to stay away from the attacking Force Master with her second troll proved too much. Aaron remained very concentrated the entire match and played with a level of focus I personally found impressive. It's pretty clear that St. Louis has a strong growing Mage Wars community and it was great to see one of their best play at this level.

Biblofilter VS Larrick: 3 hours. This match took 3 friggin hours! On turn 3 Larrick destroyed the Graveyard of the Necromancer with a very angry grizzly bear. The bear finally went down but not before taking a skeleton or two with him. This match went back and forth so many times it was impossible to call at any given time. Each time it looked like one player was in real trouble they'd pull another trick out of their bag and turn the whole thing around again. I'm super glad Coshade filmed this thing cause it'd be impossible for me to type it all down. Finally after 20 plus rounds Larrick with little health and nothing left else in his tank offered his hand to Lars in concession and the Necromancer accepted.

[drmambo23]

awesome write up, thanks for posting!

[Boocheck]

I am still laughing about name of Druid book

Super cool report. Thanks for that. I have a time to study just one book and looking forward to my evening where i will look at the rest.

Right now, i have questions about Sharkbatis book.

1) [mwcard=MWSTX1CKA01]Surging Wave[/mwcard] was for [mwcard=MW1J04]Battle Forge[/mwcard], situation where Burns go wrong way or just for something more sinister what i cannot see?

2) Was your opening with [mwcard=MW1J12]Mana Crystal[/mwcard]?

3) [mwcard=MW1Q18]Mage Staff[/mwcard] seems little bit odd to have there. I like that card but thats 4 spellpoints. Was it for purpouse of dealing with Straywood Aviary, Incorporeal targets or for [mwcard=MWSTX2FFW01]Wall of Earth[/mwcard] prison?

4) Four copies of [mwcard=MW1E27]Marked for Death[/mwcard], wasnt it too much copies? Would 3 be enough?

5) [mwcard=MWSTX2FFQ01]Adramelech's Torment[/mwcard] is not that popular, what was your reasoning to include this spell and also its actual usage in arena?

6) Only one copy of [mwcard=MW1I28]Teleport[/mwcard]. Was there a situation in which you were in need of two or more copies of this spell?

7) Is "Trogdor" a maiden name of Adramelech Warlock?

Thanks

[SharkBait]

I am still laughing about name of Druid book

Super cool report. Thanks for that. I have a time to study just one book and looking forward to my evening where i will look at the rest.

Right now, i have questions about Sharkbatis book.

1) [mwcard=MWSTX1CKA01]Surging Wave[/mwcard] was for [mwcard=MW1J04]Battle Forge[/mwcard], situation where Burns go wrong way or just for something more sinister what i cannot see?

2) Was your opening with [mwcard=MW1J12]Mana Crystal[/mwcard]?

3) [mwcard=MW1Q18]Mage Staff[/mwcard] seems little bit odd to have there. I like that card but thats 4 spellpoints. Was it for purpouse of dealing with Straywood Aviary, Incorporeal targets or for [mwcard=MWSTX2FFW01]Wall of Earth[/mwcard] prison?

4) Four copies of [mwcard=MW1E27]Marked for Death[/mwcard], wasnt it too much copies? Would 3 be enough?

5) [mwcard=MWSTX2FFQ01]Adramelech's Torment[/mwcard] is not that popular, what was your reasoning to include this spell and also its actual usage in arena?

6) Only one copy of [mwcard=MW1I28]Teleport[/mwcard]. Was there a situation in which you were in need of two or more copies of this spell?

7) Is "Trogdor" a maiden name of Adramelech Warlock?

Thanks

I am definitely working on a write up of my own and an explanation of Trogdor and some of the tactics involved for a forth coming MageCast. In light of that:

1. Surging wave is useful for a TON of things. Most of the time I use it to hit forcemasters and then drop a fireball after since they won't have defenses. The lack of defenses applies to anything with defenses. Slam is also a good way to get a 50% miss chance on something you don't want to hit you (like a bear) since it turns into a daze. SW is SUPER ridiculously useful as a utility spell.

2. I tend to open *creature* + Crystal, though there are variations. Most of them involve a crystal though.

3. Mage staff is only 2 sbp and can help cover both an incorporeal weakness as well as a non-flame damage source

4. 4 copies turned out to probably be 1 too many for this tournament, but there have been games in other formats during testing/tuning that I'd loved to have had 5 so 4 seemed like a good point to run with.

5. Adramelech's Torment is awesome. Burns for a free action are great! That being said, it's not a main focus of the book, it's a situational play

6. There never really is. It's one of those cards that I can go 10 games without even needing 1, cut the card for the 4 sbp, then play one game where I needed one. Overall, I tend to hate that I need this card. I'd rather put the 4 sbp elsewhere.

7. Trogdor the Burninator

[Boocheck]

I just realized, that spell book point cost of the book "Force Trap" is 129 + Arcane Ward. Isnt there a mistake when cards were added?

[Laddinfance]

isn't Arcane Ward novice?

[Boocheck]

Yes, it is but while even it is not in spellbook builder, then final number with it would be 130 spellbook points. Which is 10 more then it is allowed. My question was if Ben didnt add more copies of some cards by missclick or SBB doesnt do some error.

[Laddinfance]

Fair enough. My brain isn't fully working yet this morning, lol.

[Boocheck]

Fully understand that its 16:00 in Europě now so i had my 4 cofees

[silverclawgrizzly]

Ugh I just woke  up. I pulled his sheet and SBB did apparently make some mistakes. I blame this old mouse of mine. It double clicks. Also I'm having trouble reading the sheet due to hand writing basically.

[Boocheck]

I spend my last evening again, with those books

I think that Mr. Larrick is not probably present at this forum, so, can somebody pass my questions to him?

1) Wasnt 6 acid balls too much?
2) Tataree - why was this creature played? Is there some sort of sinister plan i cannot see?
3) Wasnt 4 corrode orchids too much?
4) Was there standard opening or for each opponent different one?

Thank you very much