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I was BDM's first opponent at the Sunday Pre-release in Columbus (see his sealed pool #3). Either the Sphinx of Jwar Isle or the two Zektar Shrine Expeditions did me in all three games we played (he went U/R from the pool in his article).

I had no real answer for the Sphinx either in my deck or in my pool, but was happy to have pushed someone like BDM to a third and decisive game.

The game I still kick myself over was the first (I ran G/R), because in an early sequence I passed a turn when he had a Zektar Shrine Expedition out with two counters on it, as I planned to Punishing Fire the 7/1 Elemental in response on his next turn. Well, he missed his land drop. He passed back to me, and I opted then to accept eating the seven to establish board position and play more permanent threats to his one-shot deal. I really didn't want to pass two turns in a row not playing anything. Predictibly, he whacked me for seven the next turn. Maybe it wouldn't have mattered, because he got the Sphinx into play later that same game which ultimately did me in, but I still keep going back to that game wondering if I misplayed there in the early rounds and gave that one away.

What was most frustrating in the matchup was having two Plated Geopedes in my deck, three Adventuring Gear, and two Goblin Shortcutters, yet always hitting them in the reverse order of what would have been workable for my deck. In fact, I didn't see a single Geopede in any of the three games we played, which would've certainly held the 7/1s at bay barring BDM having his Into the Roil in hand.

It was a fun experience and I lost to a better player ... so live and learn. Very cool story to tell for me to be able to say I played Brian and, you know ... didn't completely embarass myself in the process.

I see that sealed pool as U/G or U/B. white is an auto out, and I don't think the red is that strong. Allies is very strong in that UG pool, and you could attempt accelling into kicker spells with good finshers.  If you go UB you've got great removal and effiecent creatures.  BG seems alright as well but it seems that strong compared to the two blue decks.

Both of the Toyman stores are local to me, the one in Menasha is closest.  Cool stuff, didn't expect to read that on there.  Even though I don't live around there currently, Seattle being my new magic home, I miss it and go to the store anytime I get to go home for vacation.

I would go with a build similar to Christopholoph's but would change two cards. I would take out the Sadistic Sacrament and the Mindless Null and would instead add the Summoner's Bane and Trusty Machete. I've never been a fan of cards like the Sacrament in limited because limited decks tend to be less reliant on a few key cards to win and if you are behind it really doesn't help you much. The Null is a pretty bad creature and we are not so creature light that we need to play it. I like the summoner's bane because although it is somewhat situational it is essentially a two for one. The machete is just too good to pass up with all the evasive creatures in this deck.

Slash