Howdy wizards. No this isn’t about my predictions for tonight’s football result. Now, I know it’s Sunday but I wanted to write about my last FNM. If you hadn’t guessed, I won 3-1. This was a big deal for me as this was the first time this had happened. I’d had several weeks of getting 2-2′s, and so just wanted to get a 3-1 for once.

The previous FNM I scored 1-3. Right, not my best night (don’t get me wrong it was a fun night). But I do want to improve my deck at the same time. I scoured my cards. My early game revolved around getting my Llanwar Elves, Birds of Paradise or Somberwald Sage’s  out so that I could get something big down in turn 3. But I wanted something a touch quicker and more versatile. Strangleroot Geist for turn 2, yep, that’ll do it. Skinshifters also came in, to cover several roles. Next card to come under scrutiny was Angel of Glory’s Rise. It’s a nice card but expensive to cast and whilst great against Zombies, it didn’t quite feel right. Whilst perusing a fellow players trade folder my eyes fell upon Herald Of War. It screamed at me “put me in, put me in!” So I got and put it in. Finally I wanted something mid-game that was half decent. Restoration Angel was something that fit the bill and would work nicely with what this deck does, and would help me re-jig my Soul Bonds and prevent some targeted removal.

Changes done, Friday arrived and off I went to FNM for my usual pre-game Hot Chocolate with all the trimmings. Yum. Anyway, about the games. The following will be only brief I’m afraid (next time I’ll take notes). Match 1, and the first of two Ian’s I would play this evening. He ran a zombie, Blood Artist, Killing Wave theme deck. Game 1 was just a case of getting a Miracle Blessings of Nature on a 1:1 and simply beating him down. I had to survive some Dismember’s but we got there in the end. Game 2 I went suicidal and attacked when I shouldn’t have. Eek. Tonight my goal was to tighten up on concentrating on these lapses of concentration. To the decider. I had to mulligan, then again….and again….and again! Oh my words. I just had no land!!! And in each hand I had nothing playable for several turns. I eventually got to a Forest and Avacyn’s Pilgrim. I went with it and thankfully the ensuing turns were lucky for me. I only saw Killing Wave once, and only for 2. I wanted to keep my Sage and so took the life. In the end I just finished him off with a flyer. He was mana screwed in the last game. But a win’s a win right?

A good start was soon made better when I played the next Ian of our group. He was running a Delver deck. I’ve never faced Delver before but have heard a lot about them. Straight away a Delver came down. Awesome, I wanted my deck to eat these things for breakfast! And they did. Whilst Delver was soon transformed, my deck came in, creatures got big and he soon had no choice but to lose them to my onslaught. Game 2 was a bit more tense at first. I was soon faced by a couple of transformed Delvers, made nastier by Favorable Winds. Did I give up? Not with 2 Restoration Angel’s in my hand to Flash in when he attacked! I’d ruined his attack and ploughed on to take Game 2.

WOW. Half way through the night and I was doing great. Then Match 3. Another Delver deck that simply proceeded to Mana Leak everything I had, and Vapor Snag put whatever I did get down back into my hand. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to get out my Nevermore’s to deal with Mana Leak. 0-2 in the end. But I wasn’t down beat. Although so far tonight my deck really hadn’t been playing how I expected. There was no sign what-so-ever of Wolfir and very few Soul Bonds or ramping up.

But there was still the final game to come! We had both gotten 2-1, so one of us was going to get a 3rd win. He went 1st: Forest and Llanowar Elf. So, it was going to be a who could get the biggest creature out quickest was it? Awesome, my deck does this rather well. I got down Llanowar Elves and Somberwald Sage down by turn 2. Turn 3, draw…Herald of War! Better late then never I guess. My opponent only had Birds of Paradise in the air so I was going to get some damage in soon! Then Mikaeus joined the party! This was not looking good for Neal. Herald attacked, got a counter and I put Sigarda down for 4 mana. Some crazy ramping later and we soon got to lethal damage. I still had a long way to go before securing 3-1, so I remained focused. It was a slow start with me getting just a Somberwald down and Neal 3 Birds of Paradise. He was sitting on a lot of mana, and so when he burnt my Sage to the grave, I replied in kind with Day of Judgment to level the field. I wasn’t going to let him get to a bigger creature 1st! I got down an Avacyn’s Pilgrim and Silverblade down soon after. There was nothing much in my hand so I bonded them before using Increasing Savagery on the Silverblade. But still I couldn’t risk trying break through. That was until I drew and played Craterhoof Behemoth. Ouch. Silverblade alone did 18 with Craterhoof chipping in with 10. 2-0. I had done it! I was pleased but remained gracious and shook my opponents hand to say thanks for a close and interesting game. I never did see Wolfir that night…

When I got the promo card and was told I came 2nd I was over the moon! COME ON! Now remains the fight to stay there, so stay tuned next week to see how I do!

Thanks for reading. All the best and happy gaming.

PS. I will work out how to work the Plugins thing soon!