Finals: Lax vs. Mclaren

Ari Lax defeats Shaun McClaren to establish Abzan mid-range as the deck to beat this fall. Look for Sorin and Siege Rhino to rise. Huge congratulations to Ari Lax on his 1st Pro Tour win and to fellow Canadian Shaun McClaren on his fantastic 2nd place finish, less than a year after his own win.

The story of the day continues: Jeskai vs Abzan

Semi-Finals 2: Sigrist vs. Mclaren

• McClaren puts Sigrist away easily, reinforcing the potential for Mantis Rider and Dig Through Time to be mainstays alongside Rabblemaster this fall
• Dig Through Time called out again as card of the tourney and a key success factor for Shaun

• Lax just top decked Elspeth for the win, perhaps ensuring she’ll maintain some upward price momentum
• Lax vs Thiago see split 1-1
• Abzan Aggro gets another chance to demonstrate dominance over the Jeskai builds to see who makes the finals

Semi-Finals 1: Ari Lax vs. Thiago

• Abzan mid-range mirror match

Quarter-Final 4:  Lee Shi Tian (Jeskai Combo) vs. Shaun McClaren (Jeskai Wins)

• McClaren keeps Shi Tian on the back foot the whole game to take Game 2, and win into the semi-finals
• Lee Shi Tian has access to a full 15 card transformative sideboard, turning into a mid-range Temur deck using 4 Savage Knuckleblade, but only does a partial switch for Game 2
• Shaun takes Game 1 from Jeskai Combo, using Mantis Rider to ensure a weak hand from Shi Tian doesn’t get it done
• Coverage team breaking down how the Jeskai combo works, highlighting Jeskai Ascendancy as the key card
• Go Canada go! (totally unbiased)
• This match gives us an interesting new head-to-head of two different Jeskai builds

Quarter-Final 3: Mike Sigrist (Abzan Aggro) vs. Ivan Flock (UB Control)

• Sigrist takes a convincing game 2 to put the Abzan decks at 3-0 in the quarter-finals!
• Ajani, Mentor of Heroes on camera punishing Floch
• Sigrist takes Game 1 and makes clear that Abzan has game in multiple configurations
• Prognostic Sphinx being shown to match up poorly against the meta-gamed choice to run Raskshasa Deathdealer and Fleecemane Lion on the aggro plan
• This round will give Abzan a high profile shot at proving it’s ability to handle control decks

Quarter-Final 2: Thiago Saporito (Abzan Mid-Range) vs. Ondrej Strasky (Jeskai Wins)

• Abzan takes down Jeskai Wins again to take the top table record to 2-0 in the war of clans
• Thiago goes up a game, but is quoted on saying that Strasky is favored after sideboarding
• LSV calling out Dig Through Time as a key missing card for Strasky
• Strasky build of Jeskai Wins contains a few cards of note as well, including: 3 copies of Ashcloud Phoenix and the oft-overlooked 4 Hushwing Gryff. Gryff is a meta-call against comes into play abilities like the ones found on Siege Rhino and Wingmate Roc. Gryff was easily available for $1.25 heading into the weekend, but has been inching up towards $2+ since first being mentioned on camera tomorrow.
• We get to see another Abzan vs. Jeskai tempo/burn match here, which could help establish the pecking order for the format
• Willy Edel being credited for designing the deck
• LSV is highlighting the use of 2 copies of Anafenza in Thiago’s deck (1 main/1 sideboard)
• Of note in the Thiago Abzan build is the presence of 4 Wingmate Roc, 2 Sorin, and 4 Siege Rhino

Quarter-Final 1: Ari Lax (Abzan Mid-Range) Vs. Yuyaa Wantanabe (Jeskai Wins)

• Ari takes Game 2 to defeat Jeskai Wins and but Abzan one step closer to taking the tournament and increasing the profile of Siege Rhino, Sorin, Solemn Visitor, Wingmate Roc and Utter End as potential #mtgfinance gainers
• In Game 2 Ari is making planewalkers, including Sorin, look great in this format
• Ari takes down Yuyaa in Game 1, demonstrating that even Abzan mid-range can handle a shaky draw from the Jeskai deck with the right tools in hand

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After 16 exciting rounds the table is now set for one of the most dynamic and diverse Pro Tour Top 8’s in recent memory.

Here’s where we’re at in terms of players and decks:

1. Shaun McClaren (Jeskai Burn)
2. Ivan Floch (U/B Control)
3. Ari Lax (Abzan Mid-Range)
4. Mike Sigrist (Abzan Aggro)
5. Ondrej Strasky (Jeskai Wins)
6. Yuyaa Wantanabe (Jeskai Wins)
7. Thiago Saporito (Abzan Midrange)
8. Yuyaa Wantanabe (Jeskai Wins)

That’s a dominant 3 versions of Jeskai builds centered on tempo and burn, along with 1 Jeskai Ascendancy combo deck, 3 versions of Abzan builds and a lone U/B control build in the competent hands of master control player Ivan Floch.

Notably absent from Top 8 after solid showings this weekend are the Green Devotion decks in their various forms, the various graveyard based Whip/Sidisi/Hornet builds, and a variety of Esper and Jeskai flavored control decks.

In terms of card copies, here are the key #mtgfinance cards that dominate these Top 8 lists ranked by total copies in main and board:

• Hero’s Downfall (15)
• Thoughtseize (15)
• Siege Rhino (12)
• Sylvan Caryatid (12)
• Dig Through Time (11)
• Prognostic Sphinx (9)
• Mantis Rider (8)
• Wingmate Roc (8)
• Goblin Rabblemaster (8)
• Fleecemane Lion (8)
• Sorin, Solemn Visitor (7)
• Elspeth, Sun’s Champion (6)
• Mana Confluence (6)
• Anger of the Gods (6)
• Sarkhan, Dragonspeaker (5)
• Silence the Believers (4)
• Savage Knuckleblade (4)
• Rakshasa Deathdealer (4)
• Clever Impersonator (3)
• Brimaz, King of Oreskos (3)
• Ajani, Mentor of Heroes (2)
• Stormbreath Dragon (2)
• Nissa Worldwaker (2)
• Polukranos (2)
• Hushwing Gryff (4)
• Jeskai Ascendancy (4)
• Pearl Lake Ancient (1)

For the cards on this list that were undervalued, look for them to rise. For those that were already high, their status should be safe for now.

by James Chillcott (@MTGCritic)

ROUND 15 Notes:

• I’ve got to check out for the last two rounds guys, but I’ll write up a late night set of notes as necessary, depending on how the Top 8 turns out.
• Breakout cards now definitively include: Dig Through Time, Jeskai Ascendancy, Pearl Lake Ancient, Perilous Vault, Siege Rhino and Sorin, Solemn Visitor and possibly Sidisi. Sarkhan, Swiftspear, Mantis Rider, and Elspeth all looked like continuing staples as expected.
• Stoke The Flames was present in high enough quantities to maintain it’s crazy $4 uncommon price tag.
• Goblin Rabblemaster and Courser of Kruphix are still in the mix but are not outright dominating as feared. The format is very diverse.
• So far Top 8 looks likely to include a couple of Jeskai brews, a couple of Abzan brews, a couple of control decks and possibly a Mardu deck. Very diverse with few surprises left to be discovered.

ROUND 14 Notes:

• Sorin did good work in Ari’s match, advancing the case that he should be sharing a price tag with Sarkhan based on results
• Ari beats Strasky to put Abzan in position to have at least 2 players in the Top 8 alongside McClaren
• In the Orange (Esper Control) vs. Watanabe (Jeskai Burn) match, Orange dropped an Ashiok, one of the first we’ve seen this weekend, and he’s up a game.
• Ari gives Ajani, Mentor of Heroes a bit of face time on camera
• Strasky deck is notable for 2 copies of Ashcloud Phoenix and Hushwing Gryff to mess comes into play abilities on creatures like Siege Rhino and Wingmate Roc
• Ondrei Strasky on Jeskai Wins (combo) vs. Ari Lax on Abzan mid-range is our feature match this round
• Heading into this round Sigrist is again top man with his Aggro Abzan deck
• Also running 4 Hornet Queen + multiple Sagu Mauler
• Running 4 copies of Sidisi, Brood Tyrant + 4 copies of Whip of Erebos (!) and a single Soul of Innistrad in the main.
• Sidisi Whip being featured as a Dech Tech with Christian Seibold

ROUND 13 Notes:

• Now we’re looking at the first appearance on camera of Sidisi Whip, featuring Soul of Innistrad + Sidisi, Brood Tyrant. Deck pilot is 10-3 and still live for Top 8. An appearance like that would push both of these mythics up the list.
• Owen takes down Oiso and makes Pearl Lake Ancient look even better. Floch beats Brad Nelson, putting 2 UB players in line for Top 8.
• Floch on U/B Control with Prognostic Sphinx, playing against Brad Nelson, on Jeskai Tokens
• Owen goes up a game against Green Devotion using Pearl Lake for the win
• Pearl Lake Ancient getting more camera time. Ebay checks show copies going for about $4 shipped now, up ~75% since start of the event.
• Clever Impersonator on camera doing some work. Also worth noting that Oiso is running Prophet of Kruphix. Look for foil Clash Pack versions to climb if this deck makes Top 8.
• Owen on camera with UB Control vs. Mashashi Oiso on Green Devotion, both at 9-3

ROUND 12 Notes:

• Jeskai Aggro is being featured as the first dech tech of the evening…expecting a push on Ascendancy again tonight
• Standard format being discussed as incredibly healthy and diverse with many decks capable of shifting form after sideboarding
• Levy defeats Cuneo, highlighting Mardu Planeswalkers as a deck to beat. Levy calls the deck grindy and calls Chandra a key source of advantage. Refers to Sarkhan emblem as key in victory.
• Brimaz called out as highly effective against UB Control on the play
• Zack just called out Dig Through Time as the breakout spell of the tourney. We concur.
• Innovative Shi Tian deck also seems to have Polukranos out of the board!
• McClaren does 11 damage on the final turn to go up over Shi Tian
• Shi Tian is playing transformational Jeskai combo, choosing to use Savage Knuckleblade against McClaren on Jeskai burn post-board. Good camera time for the Temur monster could help keep it in the $4-5 range.
• Game 1 to Levy, demonstrating that in a post-Revelation world, Mardu can out draw classic control
• Elspeth joins Chandra to ensure we know neither card is dead in the format
• Multiple Chandra’s taken down by Pearl Lake Ancient in some back and forth post Sarkhan emblem
• Utter End takes care of a Perilous Vault for profit
• Sarkhan goes ultimate and provides a permanent source of card advantage against the control deck
• Mardu Charm clearing the way for Sarkhan to sneak under counters demonstrating the ability of this deck to fight control
• Pearl Lake Ancient getting more top table air time. Not feeling ultra confidant on the prospects, but I like a few sets under $2.
• Cuneo on UB Control vs. Raphael Levy on Mardu Planeswalkers should help us further triangulate the metagame
• Helen announces that Regional PTQ participants will be receiving Liliana of the Veil just for attending. This card just turned into a sell signal but distribution isn’t until April 2015 so I’m a buyer below $40/copy.
• Starting at 7pm EST Sat, Oct 11th

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On to day 2!

Follow along with live video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MHTE3qT3_U

Day 1 of Pro Tour Khans of Tarkir featured 3 fascinating rounds of draft, followed by 5 highly varied and exciting rounds of standard action. So far the field is strongly diversified but at the end of the standard rounds, the theme was clear: Jeskai and Abzan own this tournament. Mardu Planeswalkers, Green Devotion and G/B Constellation builds also still have a shot, but it’s the Ascendancy and Siege Rhino decks that need to be overcome on Day 2 to win through.

See all of our Day 1 coverage here.

Let’s check in on our noteable cards to see how they’re doing:

• Dig Through Time

If there is a break out card this weekend so far, this is it. Jumping this week from $3-4, to as high as $17/copy Friday night, it’s now running in our predicted $10-12 range. A future in Modern and Legacy will only help ensure that this card locks into the top 10 cards of the KTK for the foreseeable future.

• Jeskai Ascendancy

It’s unprecedented. A tri-color rare combo piece that is seeing widespread play in Aggro, Tempo/Burn and Combo decks all in the same format! That flexibility, manifesting with Jeskai as the highest percentage (20%) of the field, along with a couple of Turn 4 kills on camera Friday night, has pushed the card up towards $10 overnight. If it shows up in 2-4 decks in the Top 8 it should easily hold that price until the meta shifts. In at $3, I’m already a seller at these levels, holding back a playset for standard use.

• Sarkhan, Dragonspeaker

With Mardu showing up as the 2nd most played deck of the tournament, Sarkhan seems relatively secure in his role as the most expensive card from Khans of Tarkir. Missing Day 3 could result in a $5-10 slide, but a Top 8 finish should further cement bid red on the throne.

• Sorin, Solemn Visitor

Sorin is an early success story at this tournament, showing up in both Mardu and Abzan decks and making a strong case for an upswing towards $30. If Sigrist makes Top 8 with his Abzan deck (and it looks very possible), Sorin should top $30 with room for growth.

• Rakshasa Deathdealer

Largely overlooked up to this point, the Aggro Abzan build needs this guy as a phenomenal 2-drop in place of the eschewed Sylvan Caryatid. Speaking of Sylvan, I’m a seller above $15 at this point, unless a green ramp/devotion deck playing the card makes Top8.

• Pearl Lake Ancient

This bulk mythic is now on deck for gains, showing up as the finisher of choice alongside Prognostic Sphinx in U/B control decks. Hype is still low, so a top finish is necessary to pull this up to the $3-4 range where getting in around $1 would be seen as worthwhile.

• Clever Impersonator

This casual favorite did show up in the sideboards of the U/B Control builds run by Pantheon and others, but failed to gain any strong camera time. Current price level should stay steady.

• Hornet Queen

The Hornet Queen is all over the tournament acting as the finisher of choice in multiple devotion decks. Playsets are running $20-$26 this weekend, and there is room for growth on par with Rabblemaster if it makes Top 8 in multiples.

• Fetchlands

They’re in play at every table, but very few decks are running more than 4-6 copies. I’m calling these to fall further on schedule, down below $15 by the holidays.

• Goblin Rabblemaster

The Rabblemaster is showing up in force, but with so much recent growth, it will need a Top 8 showing to avoid a possible slideback in price. I’m a seller at current levels, happily reinvesting in other options.

• Wingmate Roc

It’s getting played in Abzan and Mardu decks in as many as 4 copies. A strong Top 8 showing could see it push over $16 from the current $10-12.

• Siege Rhino

Sigrist called it out Friday night as the “best card, no contest” in his 5-0 Abzan Aggro build. If it makes the top tables, expect a bump towards $10.

Stay tuned through the evening as we update this page with additional notes and findings from the early rounds and offer insight into how the rest of the weekend might shape up.

James Chillcott is the CEO of ShelfLife.net, The Future of Collecting, Senior Partner at Advoca, a designer, adventurer, toy fanatic and an avid Magic player and collector since 1994.

 

 

Hey everyone, thanks for tuning into our updates for Pro Tour Khans. I’ve been paying attention to the first two rounds and what is happening so far. Let’s take a look below:

Round 1 Summary

Raphael Levy (Mardu Planeswalkers)

Notable cards from the deck:

• Elspeth, Sun’s Champion
• Chained to the Rocks
• End Hostilities
• Nyx-Fleece Ram G2 & G3
• Utter End
• Sarkhan, the Dragonspeaker
• Chandra, Pyromaster
• Crackling Doom

Ben Stark (Jeskai Aggro) (won match 1)

Notable cards from the deck:

• Dig Through Time
• Goblin Rabblemaster
• Mantis Rider
• Seeker of the Way
• Brimaz, King of Oreskos
• Sarkhan, the Dragonspeaker

Park Jun Young (won match 1)

Notable cards from the deck:

• Elspeth, Sun’s Champion
• Sarkhan, the Dragonspeaker
• Sorin, Solemn Visitor
• Chandra, Pyromaster
• Thoughtseize
• Crackling Doom
• Butcher of the Horde
• Ashcloud Phoenix

Ivan Floch

Notable cards from the deck:

• Prognostic Sphinx
• Dig Through Time
• Hero’s Downfall
• Silence the Believers
• Clever Impersonator

Commentator Input

• They were very excited about Dig Through Time.
• Butcher of the Horde was the number 1 rated card by commentators.
• LSV – Altar of the Brood won match 1 with Jeskai Ascendency, not covered on camera but the amazing 2-0 game was noticed. Only one Altar was played, so probably not much opportunity there but should watch this deck moving forward through the Pro Tour.

General:

• Temples were seen everywhere – more lands came into play tapped then not.
• Pearl Lake Ancient made an appearance as a two-of in control decks.
• Keranos won a game against a control deck
• Perilous Vault – seen at last pro tour, and also seeing play here.
• Dig Through Time doing so much work!
• Deck – Azorius Soul Blade. Notable cards: Ensoul Artifact, Hero of Iroas, Ghostfire Blade, Phyrexian Revoker, Master of Waves SB, Stubborn Denial SB

Round 2 Summary

Peter Steinaa (Kung Fu Tokens)

• Jeskai Ascendency
• Hordeling Outburst
• Dictate of Heliod
• Nyx-Fleece Ram

Shawn McLaren (Jeskai Aggro)

• Anger of the Gods
• Jeskai Charm
• Dig Through Time
• Mantis Rider

Owen Turtenwald

• Perilous Vault
• Aetherspouts
• Thoughtseize

Park Jun Young (again surprising us)

• Empty the Pits (won a game on camera)

Commentator Input

• Unwritten Devotion archetype. Green Devotion, with See the Unwritten. Ferious to get two creatures into play. Splash black for Doomwake Giant constellation effect. Hornet Queen is also a card appearing in some lists.
• Nelson – White/Red Tokens
  • Sarkhan, the Dragonspeaker
  • Elspeth, Sun’s Champion
  • Hordeling Outburst

• Manfield – Abzan Midrange
  • Sylvan Caryatid
• Blue / Black not doing well. Matches are 0-3 so far.

General:

• Jeskai Charm seems to be the most popular charm, since Jeskai in various forms is everywhere at the Pro Tour. Picking up foils of this charm seems good once the release hype dies down. Still seeing Sarkhan in basically all the red decks.

OK, so what do we know so far?

Based on James’ initial impressions, it seems like there have been tons of winners so far. Sarkhan, Sorin, Hornet Queen, Dig Through Time, and Goblin Rabblemaster all seem ripe for spikes soon after the Pro Tour. Wingmate Roc and Siege Rhino have not seen much camera time yet but as the tournament progresses they should have their time in the spotlight. Siege Rhino at least has been talked about tons by the commentators and they are big fans of the card.

Speculations are also abound. The top speculations at the moment are Jeskai Ascendency, Pearl Lake Ancient, See the Unwritten, Crackling Doom, and Perilous Vault. Based on what we’ve seen so far, all of them have performed very well and are critical parts of the decks they are present in. After spiking, these cards have a pretty good chance of staying higher than their pre-spike price even after the release hype.

Some other cards that could be good pickups are Ashcloud Phoenix, Empty the Pits, Butcher of the Horde, Prognostic Sphinx, Silence the Believers, Altar of the Brood, and Hero of Iroas (from the Azorius Soul Blade deck tech). However, the window will be much shorter with these secondary cards since there seemed to be fewer of them on camera and once the hype form the Pro Tour dies down they will go down in price as well.

Lastly, here are the Theros block and M14 cards that are performing exceptionally well and may see further gains from the Pro Tour results:

• Elspeth, Sun’s Champion
• Thoughtseize
• Hero’s Downfall
• Sylvan Caryatid
• Courser of Kruphix
• Brimaz, King of Oreskos
• Keranos (good against control, won a game in round 1)
• Temples (probably the most important from Theros)
• Goblin Rabblemaster
• Hornet Queen
• Chandra, Pyromaster