Sometimes WotC actually make changes that are for the better. Allowing your FLGS to start running Pre-Release events from 3pm on the Friday instead of having to wait until midnight is one of those better ones. Tie this in with a previous change from a couple of months ago of being able to sell booster boxes (along with the buy-a-box promo) a week early makes for a fun cardtastic weekend for players and a more profitable weekend for the FLGS.
It’s a shame they didn’t allow the FLGS to sell everything a week early like they did for the War of the Spark Pre-Release. However we know the reason for that decision was to allow the vendors at the London MagicFest to sell the new stuff over the Pre-Release weekend to those visiting. So they had to open it up to stores as well to avoid a mass riot from store owners. Who lets face it were not entirely happy that they were losing business to the MagicFest on a major weekend for sales.
Another change (and unpopular at the very least with those players who like to express their opinions online) for this weekend was the London Mulligan became official.
I’d signed up for the very first 3pm Pre-Release. Which considering it was starting whilst the majority of people were still at work, and my FLGS is located in a small rural Fenland market town, was pretty well attended.
Before the Pre-Release kicked off some of us were opening booster packs from our pre-ordered booster boxes. I was very happy with my pulls. I was even able to trade my mythic Chandra and some other cards for cards I wanted for decks. I ended up with playsets of some cards I wanted to build around, or close with 3 copies. Which sometimes I prefer to play with instead of the full 4.
New standard deck ideas are buzzing.
I definitely want to build a wolf deck to play just for fun. Ferocious Pup has to be played and is a key card for the deck, because reasons!
Golgari will see me returning to it, and the Rotting Regisaur is going to be a key card. It’s going to be an aggro deck.
But the main deck until rotation will be the green/red Dino deck. It will be built around Marauding Raptor and the enrage mechanic. I might add Polyraptor to the deck just for that infinite loop combo and the lol’s. I’d need to add some way to escape the loop so I’d win instead of drawing. Playing that version will have to be done once.
I was happy with my Pre-Release kit, and the cards I got. I went green/black with my cards. Leyline of the Void was fun to play and effective in my games. There seems to be some nice graveyard hate in this set.
3pm Pre-Release Stats
Participants: 12
Rounds: 3
Round 1: Noob to store Win 2-0
Round 2: Jonathan Loss 0-2
Round 3: Josh Win 2-1
Record: 2-1
Final Position: 3rd
Prizes: 2 participation packs.
Saturday’s Pre-Release
The dogs had me up early to answer the call of nature. Unwisely I decided to look for some cards whilst they were out side demonstrating just how effective their scorched earth policy is in the backyard.
I ended up building the Marauding Raptor deck. Without that infinite combo.
Originally I’d only planned to do the one Pre-Release. However I’d sold my booster box of Conspiracy Take the Crown, and Battlebond. So I had to meet the buyer outside Ely.
With the Wisbech Rose Fair on, I didn’t fancy hitting that, closed roads, and traffic delays. So I decided to hide at my FLGS instead and do the first of the days 2 Pre-Release events.
For this Pre-Release I ended up going Red/White. I had too. I’d pulled a mythic Chandra and baby Chandra as I’m calling her. Plus I had the 7/7 7 CMC dragon. It’s a game winner in this sort of format. Baby Chandra is great for cheating it out early, and her mythic self.
11am Pre-Release Stats
Participants: 20
Rounds: 4
Round 1: Macauley Loss 0-2
Round 2: Grant Win 2-0
Round 3: Kar-Fai Win 2-1
Round 4: Thomas Loss 2-0
Record: 2-2
Final Position: 11th
Prizes: 2 participation packs.
The evening Pre-Release was something I talked myself into during the afternoon.
I went Black/Red for this, and had the leylines for each colour in the deck. I also was playing my promo card which was the black 8/8 8 CMC demon.
4pm Pre-Release Stats
Participants: 8
Rounds: 3
Round 1: Simon Loss 0-2
Round 2: Andy Loss 0-2
Round 3: Kristaps Win 2-0
Record: 1-2
Final Position: 6th
Prizes: 2 participation packs.
I hadn’t started the weekend with the intention of playing so many Pre-Release events. The original plan was to do my usual single event. But in the end I ended up attending 3. The most I’ve ever done.
The London Mulligan was ok. It’s great for hitting those leylines and combos.
I had a super fun time. Apart from seeing my friends from the Standard Showdown. I also got to see others that I normally only get to see at these sort of events. It’s great to catch up, have a laugh, trade banter.