After many rounds of Swiss and some great games of Magic, the Top 8 for Grand Prix Denver 2015 is set! Learn more about this event’s Top 8 competitors, their history at the top tables, and more by taking a look through the Top 8 profiles.
Andrew Brown
Age: 22
Hometown: Santa Monica, CA
Occupation: Latin Teacher, Magic Player
Pro Tour/Grand Prix Top 8s:
This one!
Other Magic Achievements:
Two Top 16s, 2 Top 32s, 3 Top 100s
Record on Day 1/Day 2?
9-0, 3-2-1
What deck are you playing today and why?
Blue Black Control, I must play Islands and draw spells. The only bad matchups are Temur and Mono Red.
What was your MVP this weekend? Maindeck? Sideboard?
Interpret the Signs in the main, Blind Flipped Pearl Lake Ancient and drew seven, won that game, lost that match.
What are you most excited about for Fate Reforged?
Crux of Fate! However I can punish Forests!
Lukas Parson
Age: 22
Hometown: Madisonville, KY
Occupation: Student/Magic Grinder
Pro Tour/Grand Prix Top 8s:
First
Other Magic Achievements:
Three PTQ Wins, Top 8 Indy WMCQ
Record on Day 1/Day 2?
8-1, 4-1-1
What deck are you playing today and why?
Red/Green Aggro. Most consistent mana base with having an excellent nut draw. Stormbreath Dragon is very well-positioned.
What was your MVP this weekend? Maindeck? Sideboard?
Goblin Rabblemaster/Xenagos, the Reveler
What are you most excited about for Fate Reforged?
Crux of Fate
Samuel Pardee
Age: 25
Hometown: Berkeley, CA
Occupation: ChannelFireball
Pro Tour/Grand Prix Top 8s:
4 Grand Prix
Other Magic Achievements:
4th 2012 MOCS Finals
Record on Day 1/Day 2?
8-1, 4-0-2
What deck are you playing today and why?
Red White Aggro, Stormbreath is just too strong
What was your MVP this weekend? Maindeck? Sideboard?
Stormbreath in the maindeck and Sarkhan in the sideboard; 4/4 haste flyers all around!
What are you most excited about for Fate Reforged?
Flamewake Phoenix. I love sacrificing creatures for value.
Valentin Mackl
Age: 22
Hometown: Vienna, Austria
Pro Tour/Grand Prix Top 8s:
5 Grand Prix
Other Magic Achievements:
Gold Level Pro
Record on Day 1/Day 2?
9-0, 3-2-1
What deck are you playing today and why?
Abzan Aggro because Patrick Dickmann and Brian Braun-Duin suggest I play it.
What was your MVP this weekend? Maindeck? Sideboard?
Rakshasa Deathdealer in the main and Ajani, Mentor of Heroes in the sideboard
What are you most excited about for Fate Reforged?
Ugin, the Spirit Dragon
Edward Nguyen
Age: 25
Hometown: Saigon, Vietnam
Pro Tour/Grand Prix Top 8s:
1 Grand Prix
Other Magic Achievements:
Gold Level Pro
Record on Day 1/Day 2?
8-1, 5-1
What deck are you playing today and why?
Mardu Aggro Draft Box Homebrew. Cody, Brian, and Henry are the geniuses behind the list.
What was your MVP this weekend? Maindeck? Sideboard?
Tymaret in the maindeck and Burn Away in the sideboard
What are you most excited about for Fate Reforged?
Flamewake Phoenix
Paul Cheon
Age: 29
Hometown: Los Angeles
Occupation: Streamer/Content Producer for ChannelFireball
Pro Tour/Grand Prix Top 8s:
8 Grand Prix
Other Magic Achievements:
2006 National Champion, 2008 Team Worlds Champion, 2014 Community Cup Champion
Record on Day 1/Day 2?
8-0-1, 4-1-1
What deck are you playing today and why?
Abzan Midrange. It has game against every deck and a great sideboard.
What was your MVP this weekend? Maindeck? Sideboard?
Siege Rhino, duh.
What are you most excited about for Fate Reforged?
Crux of Fate
Matt Sperling
Age: 31
Hometown: San Francisco
Occupation: Lawyer at Addepar
Pro Tour/Grand Prix Top 8s:
1 Pro Tour, 4 Grand Prix
Other Magic Achievements:
LA State 2HG Champion
Record on Day 1/Day 2?
9-0, 4-0-2
What deck are you playing today and why?
Abzan Aggro. Paul Rietzl built it and said it was his choice.
What was your MVP this weekend? Maindeck? Sideboard?
Abzan Charm in the main and Murderous Cut in the sideboard.
What are you most excited about for Fate Reforged?
Testing for the Pro Tour with Bob Maher, David Williams, Ben Stark, Sam Black, and others on a whole new team!
William Jensen
Age: 32
Hometown: Mills, MA
Occupation: Magic player/Content Producer for ChannelFireball
Pro Tour/Grand Prix Top 8s:
5 Pro Tour 18 Grand Prix
Other Magic Achievements:
Hall of Fame!
Record on Day 1/Day 2?
8-1, 5-1
What deck are you playing today and why?
Abzan Aggro because it seemed well-positioned.
What was your MVP this weekend? Maindeck? Sideboard?
Maindeck MVP is Siege Rhino, sideboard is Glare of Heresy
What are you most excited about for Fate Reforged?
Ugin, the Spirit Dragon