Another Magic League is about to end (or WAR IS H E DOUBLE HOCKEY STICKS!)

 

Cry “havoc!” and let loose the dogs of war.

— William Shakespeare 

The words from the Bard harkens the subject of today's blog.

War. 

Well, war in the Boros sense.  The Magic the Gathering sense.  You see, it's time for Dragon's Maze to hit the shelves, which indicates it's the end of another Magic League at Lilac House; and a mighty play-off for the League Championship. 

Our League format is very casual.  Some stores require you to play on a specific day in some sort of tournament setting.  At Lilac House, we play when we can against who we can.  Our regular league "days" are at currently Thursdays at CiCi's in Cicero and any given day at the Lilac House store, with Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays being the most popular. League is fun - imagine a sealed limited format going on for a number of weeks in which you can improve your deck.  Near the end, well, if you built your deck properly, you should have what amounts to a constructed 40 card deck. 

 

For the Gatecrash league I chose the Boros Faction, it served me well in the Gatecrash pre-release and has not failed me yet in the League.

 

 

My league deck, with some assistance form the greatest military minds America has ever known: 

 

…an imperfect plan implemented immediately and violently will always succeed better than a perfect plan.

— General George S. Patton 

 

Red Spells:

1x Madcap Skills

2x Mugging

1x Homing Lightning

3x Bomber Corps

1x Firefist Striker 

 

In war there is no substitute for victory.

- Douglas A. MacArthur 

 

White Spells:

3x Daring Skyjek

2x Syndic of Tithes
1x Guardian of the Gateless

1x Blind Obedience

The object of war is not to die for your country but to make the other bastard die for his.
- George S. Patton  

Gold Spells:

2x Aurelia, the Warleader

2x Wojek Halbediers

2x Skyknight Legionaire

1x Sunhome Guildmage

1x Foundry Champion

 

It is fatal to enter any war without the will to win it.
- Douglas MacArthur  

Land:

2x Boros Guildgate

7x Mountain

8x Plains 

 

Battle is the most magnificent competition in which a human being can indulge. It brings out all that is best and it removes all that is base.

— General George S. Patton 

 

The deck is incredibly fast.  Combining aspects of the extort mechanic into the deck has assisted me in gaining the life edge against similar aggro decks.  As you can see, multiples of battalion creatures and Aurelia, the Warleader have been insuring me wins.  The deck has built a reputation - people in league didn't want to play it unless they had their games for the week in already.  I am flattered by this. 

The deck's record is 10-1-2 thus far (10 wins, 1 loss, 2 concessions) with one game to go and the play-offs to follow this weekend.  I am currently in first place, as of this writing.  Mrs. Courtney Bourque has a similar deck and It is possible that in the end Courtney could very well take my first place spot from me.  Her deck is just as good. I look forward to facing her in the finals.

 

Anyone can play in league at Lilac House and I encourage you join, regardless of your age.  The prizes Mark provides are pretty awesome and unique.  The Dragon's Maze League will start next week with the release, see the store for more details. 

 

I hope to see many faces at the pre-release of  Dragon's Maze this weekend.  Lilac House continues to grow in numbers and reputation as a place to play our game free of stress or egos (if you don't count mine). 

 

I leave you with the words of an Honorary American Citizen: 

 

War is a game that is played with a smile. If you can’t smile, grin. If you can’t grin, keep out of the way till you can.

— Winston Churchill