After sixteen rounds, eight players remain in the running for the glory, fortune, and prestige of winning Mythic Championship II! Learn more about them below.
Name: Alexander Hayne
Age: 30
Hometown: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Occupation: MPL Pro
Ravnica Guild Affiliation: Can you say Dimir if you are Dimir? Izzet.
Previous Magic Accomplishments:
Pro Tour Avacyn Restored Champion
4 Grand Prix wins
Limited Record: 5-1
Modern Record: 7-2-1
Why did you choose your Modern deck for this weekend?
I didn't play a game of Modern in the last year and Tron seemed easy to play.
What is your proudest non-Magic accomplishment?
I survived until now.
What is your favorite Magic memory?
Hoisting up Steve Rubin when he won Pro Tour Shadows Over Innistrad.
If you were a Planeswalker on Ravnica battling Nicol Bolas, what ability would he steal from you?
+2: Reveal the top 2 cards of your library. Place those cards face down in any order. You opponent guesses which one is which. If they guess wrong, put them into your hand. Otherwise put them into your graveyard and you lose two life.
Name: Thien Nguyen
Age: 28
Hometown: Boston, Massachusetts
Occupation: QA Engineer at CrunchTime!
Ravnica Guild Affiliation: GRUUL
Previous Magic Accomplishments:
2 Grand Prix Top 8s. 4-0 FNM with Curse of Exhaustion + Knowledge Pool combo
Limited Record: 6-0
Modern Record: 8-1-1
Why did you choose your Modern deck for this weekend?
I’ve played it for 5 years and I know all the matchups by heart.
What is your proudest non-Magic accomplishment?
Deciding to get therapy. I am blessed to have a professional assist me in processing the things in my life.
What is your favorite Magic memory?
Top decking Primeval Titan against Willy Edel in Round 2 of Grand Prix Pittsburgh 2015 when he had lethal on board.
If you were a Planeswalker on Ravnica battling Nicol Bolas, what ability would he steal from you?
Magic Ability - playing a land for 2 mana (+1 loyalty)
Real Life Ability - The ability to never quit and try even when it’s hard or impossible.
Name: Adrian Zhu
Age: 27
Hometown: Vancouver, Canada
Occupation: Software Engineer
Ravnica Guild Affiliation: Selesnya
Previous Magic Accomplishments:
I once 3-0’d an FNM.
Limited Record: 4-2
Modern Record: 8-1-1
Why did you choose your Modern deck for this weekend?
Honestly, I’m not familiar with the format and wanted something that wouldn’t fry my brain over two full days of Magic.
What is your proudest non-Magic accomplishment?
My career and, as cheesy as it sounds, the friends I’ve made.
What is your favorite Magic memory?
This! It still feels surreal.
If you were a Planeswalker on Ravnica battling Nicol Bolas, what ability would he steal from you?
+7: You win the next die roll.
Name: Javier Dominguez
Age: 32
Hometown: Palau de Plegamans, Spain
Occupation: Magic!! (MPL member)
Ravnica Guild Affiliation: Apparently, Izzet.
Previous Magic Accomplishments:
2018 World Champion, one previous Mythic Championship Top 8, 10 Grand Prix Top 8s.
Limited Record: 4-2
Modern Record: 8-1-1
Why did you choose your Modern deck for this weekend? I chose the deck I was most familiar with.
What is your proudest non-Magic accomplishment? Letting my family and friends know much they mean to me. I also beat Luis Salvatto in a tennis match.
What is your favorite Magic memory? Winning Worlds.
If you were a Planeswalker on Ravnica battling Nicol Bolas, what ability would he steal from you? +5, Exile yourself: Sleep 12 hours and then come back to the battlefield.
Name: Brian Braun-Duin
Age: 32
Hometown: Winchester, VA
Occupation: Magic Pro League
Ravnica Guild Affiliation: Orzhov
Previous Magic Accomplishments:
2016 World Champion. 2-time Grand Prix winner.
Limited Record: 5-1
Modern Record: 7-2-1
Why did you choose your Modern deck for this weekend?
I can only Top 8 premier events when Thalia’s Lieutenant is in my deck.
What is your proudest non-Magic accomplishment?
Turning my life around in 2013 by making positive changes to my lifestyle.
What is your favorite Magic memory?
Winning Worlds
If you were a Planeswalker on Ravnica battling Nicol Bolas, what ability would he steal from you?
+2: Each opponent loses 2 life. You gain 2 life.
Name: Eli Loveman
Age: 25
Hometown: Los Angeles, California
Occupation: Real Estate Developer
Ravnica Guild Affiliation: Boros (Dimir)
Previous Magic Accomplishments: Grand Prix Memphis Top 8 in 2019, 5th at Grand Prix Washington D.C. in 2016.
Limited Record: 5-1
Modern Record: 8-2
Why did you choose your Modern deck for this weekend? Humans is my backup deck and the other decks I tested weren’t as good.
What is your proudest non-Magic accomplishment? Graduating from college, and working for my family.
What is your favorite Magic memory? All the friends I have made along the way.
If you were a Planeswalker on Ravnica battling Nicol Bolas, what ability would he steal from you? “When Thalia’s Lieutenant enters the battlefield, put a +1/+1 counter each other Human you control."
Name: Matt Sperling
Age: 36
Hometown: San Francisco
Occupation: corporate lawyer
Ravnica Guild Affiliation: Gruul
Previous Magic Accomplishments:
2 Pro Tour Top 8s, 6 Grand Prix Top 8s and 1 win
Limited Record: 4-2
Modern Record: 8-2
Why did you choose your Modern deck for this weekend?
Kept winning in Magic Online testing.
What is your proudest non-Magic accomplishment?
Easy one. Marrying Carly Sperling.
What is your favorite Magic memory?
This miracle 8th place right now. I’m still dizzy.
Name: Chris Kvartek
Age: 22
Hometown: Massapequa, New York
Occupation: Student/Cook
Ravnica Guild Affiliation: Selesnya
Previous Magic Accomplishments: 2-5 finish at Mythic Championship Cleveland.
Limited Record: 6-0
Modern Record: 6-3-1
Why did you choose your Modern deck for this weekend? I knew it well and didn’t feel like playing my backup deck Tron.
What is your proudest non-Magic accomplishment? Trying my best to be kind to everyone.
What is your favorite Magic memory? Playing a team Grand Prix with Bob Lee and Andy Kvartek.
If you were a Planeswalker on Ravnica battling Nicol Bolas, what ability would he steal from you? -3: Booster Tutor through a random pack from any Magic set.