Introduction
Here we are, about to see the best tournament, with the biggest prizes, and the very best players! Yes, Magic World Championship XXVI is round the corner.
This is an article to predict a little bit about the matchups in general and to talk about all the different versions of the same archetype.
I’ll start talking about the decks.
The Decks
Mono Red
I’ll start with my longtime friend and my select of #FindYourChampion, Sebastian Pozzo. We then have Eli Loveman and the amazing duo Seth Manfield and Andrea Mengucci, they worked together to make the list and they play the exact same 75.
- Sebastian Pozzo
- – Mono Red
- Magic World Championship XXVI
- (Standard)
18 《Mountain》
4 《Castle Embereth》
-Land (22)- 4 《Fervent Champion》
4 《Scorch Spitter》
2 《Grim Initiate》
4 《Rimrock Knight》
4 《Robber of the Rich》
4 《Runaway Steam-Kin》
4 《Anax, Hardened in the Forge》
2 《Torbran, Thane of Red Fell》
-Creature (28)-
4 《Castle Embereth》
-Land (22)- 4 《Fervent Champion》
4 《Scorch Spitter》
2 《Grim Initiate》
4 《Rimrock Knight》
4 《Robber of the Rich》
4 《Runaway Steam-Kin》
4 《Anax, Hardened in the Forge》
2 《Torbran, Thane of Red Fell》
-Creature (28)-
4 《Unchained Berserker》
4 《Redcap Melee》
2 《Bonecrusher Giant》
2 《Claim the Firstborn》
1 《Phoenix of Ash》
1 《Scorching Dragonfire》
1 《Sorcerous Spyglass》
-Sideboard (15)-
4 《Redcap Melee》
2 《Bonecrusher Giant》
2 《Claim the Firstborn》
1 《Phoenix of Ash》
1 《Scorching Dragonfire》
1 《Sorcerous Spyglass》
-Sideboard (15)-
- Eli Loveman
- – Mono Red
- Magic World Championship XXVI
- (Standard)
17 《Mountain》
4 《Castle Embereth》
-Land (21)- 4 《Fervent Champion》
4 《Scorch Spitter》
1 《Tin Street Dodger》
4 《Robber of the Rich》
4 《Runaway Steam-Kin》
4 《Anax, Hardened in the Forge》
4 《Bonecrusher Giant》
3 《Torbran, Thane of Red Fell》
-Creature (28)-
4 《Castle Embereth》
-Land (21)- 4 《Fervent Champion》
4 《Scorch Spitter》
1 《Tin Street Dodger》
4 《Robber of the Rich》
4 《Runaway Steam-Kin》
4 《Anax, Hardened in the Forge》
4 《Bonecrusher Giant》
3 《Torbran, Thane of Red Fell》
-Creature (28)-
3 《Unchained Berserker》
3 《Redcap Melee》
3 《Lava Coil》
3 《Experimental Frenzy》
1 《Light Up the Stage》
1 《The Akroan War》
1 《Sorcerous Spyglass》
-Sideboard (15)-
3 《Redcap Melee》
3 《Lava Coil》
3 《Experimental Frenzy》
1 《Light Up the Stage》
1 《The Akroan War》
1 《Sorcerous Spyglass》
-Sideboard (15)-
- Seth Manfield and Andrea Mengucci
- – Mono Red
- Magic World Championship XXVI
- (Standard)
18 《Mountain》
4 《Castle Embereth》
-Land (22)- 4 《Fervent Champion》
4 《Scorch Spitter》
4 《Rimrock Knight》
4 《Robber of the Rich》
4 《Runaway Steam-Kin》
4 《Anax, Hardened in the Forge》
4 《Bonecrusher Giant》
3 《Torbran, Thane of Red Fell》
-Creature (31)-
4 《Castle Embereth》
-Land (22)- 4 《Fervent Champion》
4 《Scorch Spitter》
4 《Rimrock Knight》
4 《Robber of the Rich》
4 《Runaway Steam-Kin》
4 《Anax, Hardened in the Forge》
4 《Bonecrusher Giant》
3 《Torbran, Thane of Red Fell》
-Creature (31)-
4 《Unchained Berserker》
4 《Lava Coil》
3 《Redcap Melee》
2 《Chandra, Acolyte of Flame》
1 《Experimental Frenzy》
1 《Tibalt, Rakish Instigator》
-Sideboard (15)-
4 《Lava Coil》
3 《Redcap Melee》
2 《Chandra, Acolyte of Flame》
1 《Experimental Frenzy》
1 《Tibalt, Rakish Instigator》
-Sideboard (15)-
In the maindeck we can see some big changes, being those:
In the sideboard we have some different approaches, all of them play some copies of 《Unchained Berserker》 (good 2 drop against 《Teferi, Time Raveler》 and 《Deafening Clarion》 decks).
《Redcap Melee》, some 《Lava Coil》, some specific 1-of cards like 《Tibalt, Rakish Instigator》, 《The Akroan War》, 《Sorcerous Spyglass》, and then some value cards, more Planeswalkers in the form of 《Chandra, Acolyte of Flame》 and 《Experimental Frenzy》.
What to expect from Mono Red against all the other decks?
Jeskai Fires
We have two duos. Javier Dominguez and Marcio Carvalho is probably the strongest duo since they complement each other very well, and the another duo is Raphael Levy and Gabriel Nassif, two strong players from France, both members of the Hall of Fame.
- Javier Dominguez and Marcio Carvalho
- – Jeskai Fires
- Magic World Championship XXVI
- (Standard)
2 《Island》
2 《Mountain》
1 《Plains》
4 《Hallowed Fountain》
4 《Steam Vents》
3 《Sacred Foundry》
3 《Fabled Passage》
3 《Temple of Epiphany》
3 《Temple of Triumph》
2 《Castle Vantress》
-Land (27)- 4 《Bonecrusher Giant》
4 《Sphinx of Foresight》
4 《Cavalier of Flame》
3 《Kenrith, the Returned King》
2 《Cavalier of Gales》
2 《Dream Trawler》
-Creature (19)-
2 《Mountain》
1 《Plains》
4 《Hallowed Fountain》
4 《Steam Vents》
3 《Sacred Foundry》
3 《Fabled Passage》
3 《Temple of Epiphany》
3 《Temple of Triumph》
2 《Castle Vantress》
-Land (27)- 4 《Bonecrusher Giant》
4 《Sphinx of Foresight》
4 《Cavalier of Flame》
3 《Kenrith, the Returned King》
2 《Cavalier of Gales》
2 《Dream Trawler》
-Creature (19)-
2 《Aether Gust》
1 《Shimmer of Possibility》
3 《Deafening Clarion》
4 《Fires of Invention》
4 《Teferi, Time Raveler》
-Spell (14)-
1 《Shimmer of Possibility》
3 《Deafening Clarion》
4 《Fires of Invention》
4 《Teferi, Time Raveler》
-Spell (14)-
4 《Mystical Dispute》
3 《Legion Warboss》
1 《Tithe Taker》
1 《Aether Gust》
1 《Devout Decree》
1 《Disenchant》
1 《Justice Strike》
1 《Deafening Clarion》
1 《Shatter the Sky》
1 《Elspeth Conquers Death》
-Sideboard (15)-
3 《Legion Warboss》
1 《Tithe Taker》
1 《Aether Gust》
1 《Devout Decree》
1 《Disenchant》
1 《Justice Strike》
1 《Deafening Clarion》
1 《Shatter the Sky》
1 《Elspeth Conquers Death》
-Sideboard (15)-
- Raphael Levy and Gabriel Nassif
- – Jeskai Fires
- Magic World Championship XXVI
- (Standard)
2 《Island》
2 《Mountain》
2 《Plains》
4 《Steam Vents》
3 《Hallowed Fountain》
3 《Sacred Foundry》
4 《Fabled Passage》
4 《Temple of Triumph》
2 《Temple of Epiphany》
2 《Castle Vantress》
-Land (28)- 4 《Bonecrusher Giant》
3 《Brazen Borrower》
4 《Sphinx of Foresight》
4 《Cavalier of Flame》
3 《Kenrith, the Returned King》
-Creature (18)-
2 《Mountain》
2 《Plains》
4 《Steam Vents》
3 《Hallowed Fountain》
3 《Sacred Foundry》
4 《Fabled Passage》
4 《Temple of Triumph》
2 《Temple of Epiphany》
2 《Castle Vantress》
-Land (28)- 4 《Bonecrusher Giant》
3 《Brazen Borrower》
4 《Sphinx of Foresight》
4 《Cavalier of Flame》
3 《Kenrith, the Returned King》
-Creature (18)-
4 《Deafening Clarion》
2 《Omen of the Sea》
4 《Fires of Invention》
4 《Teferi, Time Raveler》
-Spell (14)-
2 《Omen of the Sea》
4 《Fires of Invention》
4 《Teferi, Time Raveler》
-Spell (14)-
4 《Robber of the Rich》
3 《Mystical Dispute》
2 《Chandra’s Pyrohelix》
1 《Giant Killer》
1 《Devout Decree》
1 《Disenchant》
1 《Dovin’s Veto》
1 《Scorching Dragonfire》
1 《Elspeth Conquers Death》
-Sideboard (15)-
3 《Mystical Dispute》
2 《Chandra’s Pyrohelix》
1 《Giant Killer》
1 《Devout Decree》
1 《Disenchant》
1 《Dovin’s Veto》
1 《Scorching Dragonfire》
1 《Elspeth Conquers Death》
-Sideboard (15)-
Differences: the French team decided to play one more land (28 total), the 4th 《Fabled Passage》 and 1 more basic land instead of the 11th shockland.
4
4
4
4
4
Besides the obvious shared cards, 4 《Teferi, Time Raveler》, 4 《Fires of Invention》, 4 《Sphinx of Foresight》, and the 8 red creatures (4 《Bonecrusher Giant》 that can fill in turn 2 and turn 3 plays with one card, and 4 《Cavalier of Flame》 the one which wins more games thanks to its ability to recycle the bad cards and to give haste to your whole team), they approached the deckbuilding with some differences.
Javier and Marcio:
Raphael and Gabriel:
It looks like Raphael and Gabriel expected more aggro decks since they chose to play another turn 2 interaction in the form of 《Brazen Borrower》 and not that many extra big creatures like Javier and Marcio. Though, the real difference is in the sideboard.
Besides 《Mystical Dispute》 and some 1-ofs like 《Disenchant》, 《Devout Decree》 and 《Elspeth Conquers Death》, and some removals to kill creatures, the biggest difference is that one duo chose 《Robber of the Rich》 to bring in post board games when they face control players, and another duo chose 《Legion Warboss》 which is more threatening but that an extra mana can be a huge difference.
Azorius Control
Before starting my analysis, I want to say that not every tournament we have the opportunity to watch the best player in the world (in my opinion) playing the best color combination deck (Blue-White), so let’s pay attention if you want to improve your skill to play control decks. Paulo Vitor Damo da Rosa decided to work with Ondrej Strasky, one of the hottest players nowadays, and on the other hand, we have Thoralf Severin’s version, with a very different approach in the build.
- Paulo Vitor Damo da Rosa and Ondrej Strasky
- – Azorius Control
- Magic World Championship XXVI
- (Standard)
7 《Island》
3 《Plains》
4 《Hallowed Fountain》
2 《Fabled Passage》
4 《Temple of Enlightenment》
3 《Castle Ardenvale》
1 《Castle Vantress》
1 《Field of Ruin》
-Land (25)- 1 《Archon of Sun’s Grace》
1 《Dream Trawler》
-Creature (2)-
3 《Plains》
4 《Hallowed Fountain》
2 《Fabled Passage》
4 《Temple of Enlightenment》
3 《Castle Ardenvale》
1 《Castle Vantress》
1 《Field of Ruin》
-Land (25)- 1 《Archon of Sun’s Grace》
1 《Dream Trawler》
-Creature (2)-
3 《Dovin’s Veto》
4 《Absorb》
3 《Thirst for Meaning》
2 《Mystical Dispute》
3 《Shatter the Sky》
4 《Omen of the Sea》
3 《The Birth of Meletis》
2 《Banishing Light》
3 《Elspeth Conquers Death》
4 《Teferi, Time Raveler》
2 《Narset, Parter of Veils》
-Spell (33)-
4 《Absorb》
3 《Thirst for Meaning》
2 《Mystical Dispute》
3 《Shatter the Sky》
4 《Omen of the Sea》
3 《The Birth of Meletis》
2 《Banishing Light》
3 《Elspeth Conquers Death》
4 《Teferi, Time Raveler》
2 《Narset, Parter of Veils》
-Spell (33)-
4 《Aether Gust》
2 《Cerulean Drake》
2 《Archon of Sun’s Grace》
2 《Mystical Dispute》
2 《Commence the Endgame》
1 《Dovin’s Veto》
1 《Glass Casket》
1 《Narset, Parter of Veils》
-Sideboard (15)-
2 《Cerulean Drake》
2 《Archon of Sun’s Grace》
2 《Mystical Dispute》
2 《Commence the Endgame》
1 《Dovin’s Veto》
1 《Glass Casket》
1 《Narset, Parter of Veils》
-Sideboard (15)-
- Thoralf Severin
- – Azorius Control
- Magic World Championship XXVI
- (Standard)
6 《Island》
6 《Plains》
4 《Hallowed Fountain》
4 《Temple of Enlightenment》
2 《Castle Ardenvale》
2 《Castle Vantress》
1 《Field of Ruin》
-Land (25)- 4 《Dream Trawler》
-Creature (4)-
6 《Plains》
4 《Hallowed Fountain》
4 《Temple of Enlightenment》
2 《Castle Ardenvale》
2 《Castle Vantress》
1 《Field of Ruin》
-Land (25)- 4 《Dream Trawler》
-Creature (4)-
3 《Dovin’s Veto》
3 《Absorb》
1 《Mystical Dispute》
4 《Shatter the Sky》
4 《Omen of the Sea》
4 《The Birth of Meletis》
4 《Elspeth Conquers Death》
4 《Narset, Parter of Veils》
4 《Teferi, Time Raveler》
-Spell (31)-
3 《Absorb》
1 《Mystical Dispute》
4 《Shatter the Sky》
4 《Omen of the Sea》
4 《The Birth of Meletis》
4 《Elspeth Conquers Death》
4 《Narset, Parter of Veils》
4 《Teferi, Time Raveler》
-Spell (31)-
3 《Aether Gust》
3 《Mystical Dispute》
2 《Spectral Sailor》
2 《Devout Decree》
1 《Archon of Sun’s Grace》
1 《Heliod’s Intervention》
1 《Emergency Powers》
1 《Sorcerous Spyglass》
1 《The Wanderer》
-Sideboard (15)-
3 《Mystical Dispute》
2 《Spectral Sailor》
2 《Devout Decree》
1 《Archon of Sun’s Grace》
1 《Heliod’s Intervention》
1 《Emergency Powers》
1 《Sorcerous Spyglass》
1 《The Wanderer》
-Sideboard (15)-
Big Difference is 1 《Dream Trawler》 vs 4 《Dream Trawler》. Looks like Paulo and Ondrej arrived to the conclusion: we want to have all the tools that we can stop our opponents, so we don’t need more than one 6 drop, and they choose more spot removals (《Banishing Light》) and more card advantage/selection (3 《Thirst for Meaning》 with 2 《Narset, Parter of Veils》 vs 4 《Narset, Parter of Veils》 and no 《Thirst for Meaning》). The plan is the same, try to kill everything and win with all the value that Planeswalkers and the new Saga give to you with time.
In the sideboard we can see some spicy cards like 《Emergency Powers》 and 《Commence the Endgame》, some good creatures after our opponents take out all the removals, like 《Spectral Sailor》 and 《Archon of Sun’s Grace》, some 《Cerulean Drake》 against Mono Red, and the classic ones in the UW sideboard, more counters, a few Planeswalkers, and more removals.
Temur Reclamation
- Chris Kvartek
- – Temur Reclamation
- Magic World Championship XXVI
- (Standard)
2 《Forest》
2 《Island》
1 《Mountain》
4 《Breeding Pool》
4 《Steam Vents》
4 《Stomping Ground》
2 《Fabled Passage》
4 《Temple of Mystery》
2 《Temple of Epiphany》
2 《Castle Vantress》
-Land (27)- 2 《Hydroid Krasis》
4 《Brazen Borrower》
3 《Uro, Titan of Nature’s Wrath》
-Creature (9)-
2 《Island》
1 《Mountain》
4 《Breeding Pool》
4 《Steam Vents》
4 《Stomping Ground》
2 《Fabled Passage》
4 《Temple of Mystery》
2 《Temple of Epiphany》
2 《Castle Vantress》
-Land (27)- 2 《Hydroid Krasis》
4 《Brazen Borrower》
3 《Uro, Titan of Nature’s Wrath》
-Creature (9)-
- Matias Leveratto
- – Temur Reclamation
- Magic World Championship XXVI
- (Standard)
2 《Island》
2 《Mountain》
1 《Forest》
4 《Breeding Pool》
4 《Steam Vents》
4 《Stomping Ground》
2 《Fabled Passage》
3 《Temple of Epiphany》
2 《Temple of Mystery》
1 《Temple of Abandon》
2 《Castle Vantress》
-Land (27)- 4 《Brazen Borrower》
3 《Uro, Titan of Nature’s Wrath》
1 《Gadwick, the Wizened》
1 《Niv-Mizzet, Parun》
-Creature (9)-
2 《Mountain》
1 《Forest》
4 《Breeding Pool》
4 《Steam Vents》
4 《Stomping Ground》
2 《Fabled Passage》
3 《Temple of Epiphany》
2 《Temple of Mystery》
1 《Temple of Abandon》
2 《Castle Vantress》
-Land (27)- 4 《Brazen Borrower》
3 《Uro, Titan of Nature’s Wrath》
1 《Gadwick, the Wizened》
1 《Niv-Mizzet, Parun》
-Creature (9)-
2 《Opt》
4 《Growth Spiral》
3 《Thassa’s Intervention》
4 《Storm’s Wrath》
4 《Expansion/Explosion》
3 《Omen of the Sea》
4 《Wilderness Reclamation》
-Spell (24)-
4 《Growth Spiral》
3 《Thassa’s Intervention》
4 《Storm’s Wrath》
4 《Expansion/Explosion》
3 《Omen of the Sea》
4 《Wilderness Reclamation》
-Spell (24)-
3 《Aether Gust》
3 《Scorching Dragonfire》
3 《Mystical Dispute》
2 《Shifting Ceratops》
2 《Fry》
2 《Negate》
-Sideboard (15)-
3 《Scorching Dragonfire》
3 《Mystical Dispute》
2 《Shifting Ceratops》
2 《Fry》
2 《Negate》
-Sideboard (15)-
Here we have the renewed version of the deck that usually kill the opponent in the end step, with the new addition of a good cantrip that can give you an extra Scry 2 when you have extra mana, and of course, the new Titan, Uro.
The biggest difference in the maindeck is Chris Kvartek plays 4 《Nissa, Who Shakes the World》 while the other 3 players didn’t play a single copy. Jean Emmanuel Depraz decided to play only 7 creatures, while Matias Leveratto chose 1 《Gadwick, the Wizened》 and 1 《Niv-Mizzet, Parun》, and Autumn Burchett and Chris chose two 《Hydroid Krasis》.
We all know how this deck operate, being able to play on turn 3 《Wilderness Reclamation》 thanks to 《Growth Spiral》 and then having a lot of mana, with so many X casting cost in the spells, it is easy from that point.
We can see some similarities in the sideboard, and different weapons of choice between more creatures post board, and then counterspells and removals to kill cheap creatures.
Jund Sacrifice
- Piotr Glogowski
- – Jund Sacrifice
- Magic World Championship XXVI
- (Standard)
4 《Forest》
3 《Swamp》
1 《Mountain》
4 《Blood Crypt》
4 《Overgrown Tomb》
4 《Stomping Ground》
4 《Fabled Passage》
1 《Castle Locthwain》
-Land (25)- 4 《Cauldron Familiar》
4 《Gilded Goose》
4 《Mayhem Devil》
3 《Thrashing Brontodon》
1 《Murderous Rider》
3 《Korvold, Fae-Cursed King》
2 《Massacre Girl》
1 《God-Eternal Bontu》
-Creature (22)-
3 《Swamp》
1 《Mountain》
4 《Blood Crypt》
4 《Overgrown Tomb》
4 《Stomping Ground》
4 《Fabled Passage》
1 《Castle Locthwain》
-Land (25)- 4 《Cauldron Familiar》
4 《Gilded Goose》
4 《Mayhem Devil》
3 《Thrashing Brontodon》
1 《Murderous Rider》
3 《Korvold, Fae-Cursed King》
2 《Massacre Girl》
1 《God-Eternal Bontu》
-Creature (22)-
4 《Agonizing Remorse》
4 《Trail of Crumbs》
4 《Witch’s Oven》
1 《Liliana, Dreadhorde General》
-Spell (13)-
4 《Trail of Crumbs》
4 《Witch’s Oven》
1 《Liliana, Dreadhorde General》
-Spell (13)-
2 《Lovestruck Beast》
2 《Shifting Ceratops》
2 《Disfigure》
2 《Duress》
2 《Epic Downfall》
2 《Noxious Grasp》
1 《Kroxa, Titan of Death’s Hunger》
1 《Casualties of War》
1 《Liliana, Dreadhorde General》
-Sideboard (15)-
2 《Shifting Ceratops》
2 《Disfigure》
2 《Duress》
2 《Epic Downfall》
2 《Noxious Grasp》
1 《Kroxa, Titan of Death’s Hunger》
1 《Casualties of War》
1 《Liliana, Dreadhorde General》
-Sideboard (15)-
It looks like a super old deck, but it is the weapon of choice of Piotr Glogowski, and we all know what he is capable to do with this deck.
- 2019/12/13
- Becoming MC VII Champion
- Piotr Glogowski
4
4
He is the only one who plays this deck, and the core of the deck is the same. A main difference with older lists, the inclusion of 4 《Agonizing Remorse》 and no more ramp cards other than 4 《Gilded Goose》. In the sideboard we have a mix of cards against aggro and control, this is the perfect archetype to adapt your list for the post board games and I’m super excited to see how Piotr decides to approach all his games post board!
Who Has the Best Deck for the Tournament?
My Perspective as a Mono Red Player
If I’m the Mono Red player, I want to avoid the Jeskai Fires decks since Mono Red doesn’t have hand disruption, and Jeskai Fires is really good at surviving the first few turns, and then they have plenty busted cards against red and plenty of ways to gain life. It is easy to realize that with normal draws of Mono Red will destroy Azorius Control players in game 1, and from that point, game 2 and game 3 Azorius gets better tools to fight against red players, but it is still tough since red on the play is super hard to stop. In this specific matchup, Thoralf has a better matchup, since he’ll probably play on turn 6 a 《Dream Trawler》 very often.
And then, the Reclamation matchup is close, and depends a lot on who is on the play, and if red is stopped in the early game, it is hard to catch up, because 《Uro, Titan of Nature’s Wrath》 is super strong and provides too much value against red.
Against Jund Sacrifice, I believe it is a tough matchup, Piotr knows very well how to protect himself against the more threatening card, 《Embercleave》, and then with the regular engine 《Cauldron Familiar》 + 《Witch’s Oven》 gives him a time to survive until Mono Red player is dead even without attacks.
In this specific deck in the mirror match is more about who draws better, mostly because powerful cards like 《Embercleave》 that can beat your opponent super fast and the first player to put the first copy in play, probably will end the game in their favor.
I’ll say now, even though I don’t like very much this super aggro strategies, in my opinion it is the best deck in the field, having only 5 bad matchups, the Jeskai Fires deck and Jund Sacrifice.
My Perspective as an Azorius Control Player
If I’m an Azorius Control player, I want to avoid the red decks and Jund. 《Teferi, Time Raveler》 is the best card against Temur Reclamation and really good against Jeskai Fires too. I’d say that the matchup against Jeskai Fires is good, but against Mono Red is not that good. That’s why I think Azorius is the 2nd best deck for the tournament, and not the very best.
My Perspective as a Temur Reclamation Player
If I’m the Temur player, I’d be happy to avoid Mono Red, since it is really hard to survive in the early turns and the deck has a lot of shocklands and taplands. Against Azorius Control in hands of experienced players is also very hard, remember that 《Narset, Parter of Veils》 prevents drawing cards with 《Uro, Titan of Nature’s Wrath》 and 《Teferi, Time Raveler》 is super annoying. I believe that the only good matchup for Temur players is Jeskai Fires, and it is not even that good. Against Jund Sacrifice, I believe that is close, and as I said above, Piotr plays the deck masterfully. I believe that Temur Reclamation is the deck that will have worst results in the tournament.
My Perspective as a Jeskai Fires Player
If I’m a Jeskai Fires player, I’ll be happy to face all the Mono Red decks, and it will be hard to face Azorius Control, I expect that with normal Jeskai Fires’ draws lose against Azorius Control, and probably against Reclamation too. One deck has 《Teferi, Time Raveler》 + counterspells and the other have 《Brazen Borrower》 and plays very well in solitaire mode. However, Jeskai Fires has a lot of adaptability post sideboard, so I can predict some comebacks winning game 2 and game 3 against those decks, switching the main gameplan to another with more counters and early pressure.
My Perspective as a Jund Sacrifice Player
And what to say about Jund… the deck is still powerful and we have one of the best players nowadays. I believe that this is a deck with super close matchups, and recently there is no graveyard hate, so I can see Piotr will have a success with his 《Cauldron Familiar》 + 《Witch’s Oven》 + 《Trail of Crumbs》 and win a lot.
Wrap Up
So here is my thoughts on the matchups:
| Deck | Matchups |
|---|---|
| Mono Red | Jeskai Fires > Mono Red = Jund > UW > Temur |
| Jeskai Fires | Temur > UW > Jeskai Fires = Jund > Mono Red |
| Temur | Mono Red > UW > Temur = Jund > Jeskai Fires |
| Azorius (UW) | Mono Red > Jund > UW > Jeskai Fires > Temur |
| Jund | Mono Red = Temur = Jeskai Fires = Jund > UW |
As I said, some matchups are better than others, but in general I’ll expect that this is the configuration of which decks beat the other one. Of course it depends a lot on the draws and how they decide to sideboard, but this is my read about how it will work in this tournament.
Well, I expect that you enjoyed my thought about this metagame, and let’s see who claims the trophy!
