Interview before MC III with Javier Dominguez and Grzegorz Kowalski

Introduction

Mythic Championship III (Standard with Best of Three) will start very soon and 14 Hareruya Pros (!!) will participate in it.

#MythicChampionshipIII is taking place this weekend! Lots of #HareruyaPros are in event so check out who is competing!@bertuuuu @KbolMagic @JavierDmagic @kanister_mtg @ChrHauck @urlichmtg @JRolfMTG @Jabsmtg @LuisSalvatto @leearson @raphlevymtg @orange_greg @nalkpas
Ben Hull pic.twitter.com/XTs5fbvuWf
— Hareruya English (@hareruyaEnglish) 2019年6月21日

Today, we will deliver short interview with the former world champion Javier Dominguez and the finalist Grzegorz Kowalski!

Let’s take a look at their reasons for the deck choice, and please cheer them up!!

Interview with Javier Dominguez (Twitter / Twitch)

Image Copyright : Wizards of the Coast

1) Have you changed anything since you joined Magic Pro League? (It does not matter about Magic or private life)

The biggest change is that in addition of playing Magic Professionally, I also stream Magic, which is a whole new way of enjoying the game.

2) What is the process of choosing the deck you are using this time and what is the recommended point of the deck?

I tried almost every single deck, but in the end I just ended trusting Andrea Mengucci and his Esper Deck.

Javier Dominguez
– Esper Control

Mythic Championship III

Text for MTG Arena（Click to Expand）

The biggest strength of the deck is the lack of a any very bad matchup; you are just never too behind.

3) In the previous interview, you said, “Always choose the best deck,” but from that point on, do you think that you have been able to look back and practice? Also, do you think that it also affects the tournament results?

I think “the best deck” is known for that name for a reason. I think there are times where you can and should play different decks for different reasons, since every tournament is a whole new event. What I do to prepare a tournament is play every good deck and then bring the “best deck” to the tournament unless I find a strong reason to play a different archetype, and I rarely find reasons that are strong enough.

Sometimes you just can’t win games with a certain decks. Happens to everyone! If that’s the case preparing for an event, I think it’s perfectly OK to deviate even if a deck is perceived as the best one.

I think for a lot of players playing better decks will likely convert into better tournament results, but every player is different.

4) How confident are you? And message for your fans!

I try to be not too confident, but also try to be confident enough! Having a correct balance is important. As always, remember that enjoying the game is the most important part; and don’t hesitate saying hi if you see me around a tournament!

Image Copyright : Wizards of the Coast

Interview with Grzegorz Kowalski (Twitter / Twitch)

Image Copyright : Wizards of the Coast

1) Have you changed anything since you joined Magic Pro League? (It does not matter about Magic or private life)

Not much. I played a lot of magic before, and now after joining MPL I’m still doing the same. The only difference is I’m getting paid to do that now. Also, because I play much less GPs, I have much more time to travel around the world, which is my second biggest hobby besided magic.

2) What is the process of choosing the deck you are using this time and what is the recommended point of the deck?

I realized a lot of players will pick Esper, and I don’t like mirrors of it, so I wanted to play something else. I believe Bant has a good match up vs Esper hero, which I expected to be the most popular deck (unfortunately it’s less popular than Esper Control, which is worse match up), so Bant was a reasonable choice considering my expected metagame.

Grzegorz Kowalski
– Bant Ramp

Mythic Championship III

6 《Forest》
1 《Plains》
4 《Breeding Pool》
4 《Hallowed Fountain》
4 《Temple Garden》
4 《Sunpetal Grove》
2 《Glacial Fortress》
-Land (25)- 4 《Llanowar Elves》
4 《Hydroid Krasis》
4 《Incubation Druid》
4 《Paradise Druid》
3 《Jadelight Ranger》
2 《Ripjaw Raptor》
2 《Shalai, Voice of Plenty》
2 《Trostani Discordant》
-Creature (25)-

2 《Finale of Glory》
2 《Prison Realm》
2 《The Immortal Sun》
4 《Nissa, Who Shakes the World》
-Spell (10)-

4 《Negate》
3 《Baffling End》
2 《Deputy of Detention》
2 《Lyra Dawnbringer》
2 《Ixalan’s Binding》
1 《Ripjaw Raptor》
1 《Gideon Blackblade》
-Sideboard (15)-

Text for MTG Arena（Click to Expand）

3) In the previous interview, you said, “It is possible to change the choice depending on the nature of the tournament.” This MC is a special one with the number of participants and the format of the tournament changed. Is this deck selection a result of those effects?

Yeah, in small tournaments, against the best players in the world, there is a lot more metagaming. If you play the GP with 2000 players, usually the best choice is to pick the best in the format. If you play vs 67 other players, you have to predict what they gonna play and try to counter that. It’s a lot of fun. Also having access to opponent’s decklist make reactive decks slightly better, beacause you know what kind of answers you’re looking for.

4) How confident are you? And message for your fans!

I missed my expected metagame a litte, so I’m not super confident, but I think I’m well prepared for this event, and hopefully it will pay off. Thanks a lot for your support! It means a lot to me, and I’m really trying my best to prove I’m worth your trust! I hope I’m gonna win and make my Hareruya fans proud!