These eight players fought hard all weekend and made it through to the elimination rounds. Let's get to know these players in a nutshell and have them tell us about their fantastic weekend!
Name: Zhang Zhiyang
Hometown: Beijing, China
Age: 28
Occupation: Team MTG Sheep Manager
Previous Magic Accomplishments:
4 Grand Prix Top 8s, 2009 Worlds Team Champion, 2 China Nationals Top 8s
Day 1 Summary:
8-1 (2 byes). I played a White-Black deck splashing Blue and Jousting Lance was wonderful.
Day 2 Summary:
I went 3-0 in Draft 1 and 2-0-1 in Draft 2. My best cards were Song of Freyalise and The Mending of Dominaria respectively. Those Sagas are great!
Which is your favorite legendary from Dominaria, and WHY?
Karn, Scion of Urza. Planeswalkers are usually very strong in Limited. It's also colorless which means you can play it in any deck!
What is the secret to winning at Dominaria Limited?
Be sure to maximise the potential of your deck and ensure your deck is capable of having a high ceiling in terms of power level. That way, you'll be able to defeat the other decks. Also, try to have a wide range of sideboard cards because sideboarding is especially important in this format.
Name: Souta Katakawa
Hometown: Kanagawa, Japan
Age: 34
Occupation: CEO
Previous Magic Accomplishments: Nothing.
Day 1 Summary:
8-1 (2 byes). My Sealed deck was White-Black and the best card was Icy Manipulator.
Day 2 Summary:
In Day 2, I drafted White-Blue twice. I went 3-0 with my first draft and my Syncopate was perfect for stopping important spells. Then, I won the fourth round of Day 2 and took two intentional draws to make Top 8.
Which is your favorite legendary from Dominaria, and WHY?
Zahid, Djinn of the Lamp, because I played Magic from a long time ago and I loved Mahamoti Djinn. Also, he helped me win a lot today.
What is the secret to winning at Dominaria Limited?
Play midrange or control decks and have lots of card drawing or card selection.
Name: Rei Sato
Hometown: Tokyo, Japan
Age: 30
Occupation: Company Employee
Previous Magic Accomplishments:
Grand Prix Hong Kong 2017 Champion
Day 1 Summary:
8-1 (2 byes). I switched between White-Black and Jund all day but the best card was still The Eldest Reborn.
Day 2 Summary:
I won my first four matches of Day 2 and took two intentional draws. Champion of the Flame helped me go 3-0 in Draft 1, and Torgaar, [autocard]Famine Incarnate[/autocard] helped me win one more match so I could ID twice.
Which is your favorite legendary from Dominaria, and WHY?
Torgaar, [autocard]Famine Incarnate[/autocard]! It is a 7/6 which deals your opponent 10 damage. You win!
What is the secret to winning at Dominaria Limited?
Imagine every possibility.
Name: Ken Yukuhiro
Hometown: Tokyo, Japan
Age: 29
Occupation: Magic Pro Player
Previous Magic Accomplishments:
4 Pro Tour Top 8s
Day 1 Summary:
9-0 (3 byes) with a four-color deck. It was a beautiful day!
Day 2 Summary:
In Draft 1, I drafted Red-Green and scored 2-1. Keldon Overseer helped me steal some games. Then in Draft 2, I drafted Red-Green again for a 1-1-1 record but this time I had Traxos, Scourge of Kroog. Red-Green is the best and I love Llanowar Elves!
Which is your favorite legendary from Dominaria, and WHY?
Grand Warlord Radha. It is my favorite legendary creature in my favorite colors.
What is the secret to winning at Dominaria Limited?
I like to draft aggro decks.
Name: Ryosuke Urase
Hometown: Tokyo, Japan
Age: 24
Occupation: Company Employee
Previous Magic Accomplishments:
2016 Magic Online Championship Series Top 4. I also started the world's first Youtube channel where I create Magic videos using animated cartoons and digital voices.
Day 1 Summary:
7-2 (1 bye). I played a Blue-Green deck splashing Blue. Turtle (Cold-Water Snapper) On [autocard]Serra's Wings[/autocard] is the best combo.
Day 2 Summary:
I went 5-0-1 in Day to make Top 8. I drafted Bant and Esper. My best card in Draft 1 was Lyra Dawnbringer while Divination was my MVP in Draft 2.
Which is your favorite legendary from Dominaria, and WHY?
On [autocard]Serra's Wings[/autocard]! Because you can put it on turtles.
What is the secret to winning at Dominaria Limited?
Don't touch red unless you're drafting a control deck.
Name: Zhi Yimin
Hometown: Shanghai, China
Age: 27
Occupation: Magic Online grinder
Previous Magic Accomplishments:
Top 8 at Grand Prix Beijing 2017. I also won a Amonkhet Draft Challenge (June 2017) and a Legacy Challenge (April 2017) on Magic Online. My user name is James_Zhi!
Day 1 Summary:
7-2 (2 byes). My White-Blue deck had both Karn, Scion of Urza and Teferi, Hero of Dominaria.
Day 2 Summary:
In Day 2, I went 5-0-1 drafting Blue-Red and then White-Blue. The most important card in each of those decks were “Goblin Guide” (Ghitu Lavarunner) and Blink of an Eye.
Which is your favorite legendary from Dominaria, and WHY?
Raff Capashen, Ship's Mage. I've been playing White-Blue Control in Standard and I love the deck a lot.
What is the secret to winning at Dominaria Limited?
Stay open, and build two-color decks if possible.
Name: Mao Dun
Hometown: Beijing, China
Age: 36
Occupation: Security Engineer
Previous Magic Accomplishments:
Team leader of Team Joker King, a local team in Beijing,
Day 1 Summary:
8-1 (2 byes) with a great 4-Color deck!
Day 2 Summary:
I drafted Black-Green Saprolings in Draft 1 (2-1) and then Blue-Red Wizards in Draft 2 (2-0-1).
Which is your favorite legendary from Dominaria, and WHY?
In Bolas's Clutches. It's a two-for-one that lets me take control of my opponent's best card.
What is the secret to winning at Dominaria Limited?
If you see In Bolas's Clutches, pick it!
Name: Yuki Matsumoto
Hometown: Yokohama, Japan
Age: 27
Occupation: Company Employee
Previous Magic Accomplishments:
Grand Prix
Day 1 Summary:
7-2 (2 byes). I had a White-Blue deck with Icy Manipulator.
Day 2 Summary:
In Day 2, I drafted two Red-Green decks and won 5 matches before taking an ID. My best cards were Goblin Chainwhirler (in the first draft) and Fight with Fire (in the second draft).
Which is your favorite legendary from Dominaria, and WHY?
Muldrotha, the Gravetide. I love Commander and it is the best Commander ever!
What is the secret to winning at Dominaria Limited?
Believe in the power of rares and try to play as many (of the good ones) as you can!