TOP 8 COVERAGE
After two White-Blue Eldrazi mirrors this weekend in both Melbourne and Bologna, Philadelphian Ralph Betesh said "Enough is enough." Using Abzan Collected Company, Betesh convincingly powered through Evan Buchholz's White-Blue Eldrazi and took one for the good guys here in Detroit.
Across the world, this weekend will be remembered for three things.
First, the Shadows over Innistrad previews from Markov Manor, Stitcher's Lab, and Thraben Cathedral—awesome escape rooms placed at all three events.
Second, White-Blue Eldrazi wrecking face. Out of the Top 100 deck archetypes going into Day 2 from all three Grands Prix, Eldrazi was 43% of the field. It even had 5 out of 6 finals slots around the globe.
But third, it will be remembered for Ralph Betesh in the final finals—that sixth finalist—beating Eldrazi to a pulp.
Modern continues to be a fun and crazy format, even if the evil Eldrazi are storming in the from everyone. But are they really "evil"? Could they be more evil than, say, a fallen Avacyn? We'll soon find out, as we get closer and closer to Innistrad's return.
DAY 2 COVERAGE
Now we know our enemy. Now we know who they really are. The 702 players are back to battle for and against the Eldrazi menace to become the Grand Prix Detroit champion.
The war reports are looking good for the Eldrazi. Of the Top 100 players, a full 47 of them are on some form of Eldrazi (although there are at least four different archetypes of the monsters to choose from). But there are some strong rebel forces at work as well.
Atop the standings—exactly split in their allegiance—are Team East-West Bowl's Alex Majlaton and Ben Friedman, along with Wenzel Krautmann, Ronnie Ritner, Jonathan Delano, Tim Sussino, Shogo Yamasuki, and Miguel Magno.
They are looking to continue their fortunes into the second day, but there are some stalkers just below them. Shahar Shenhar, (13) Thiago Saporito, (7) Alexander Hayne, (11) Mike Sigrist, (12) Ondrej Strasky, and Brian Braun-Duin are poised and ready to supplant them.
Marshall Sutcliffe, Gaby Spartz, and Pro Tour Hall of Fame member Luis Scott-Vargas are in the booth at twitch.tv/magic, covering the mayhem.They will be providing the play-by-play, as well as reports from both Grand Prix Bologna and Grand Prix Melbourne.
Will the resistance topple the invading Eldrazi? Or will the weird creatures overrun the ramparts? Tune in all day as the Grand Prix Detroit excitement continues!
DAY 1 COVERAGE
After nine rounds of battle, the first day of Grand Prix Detroit 2016 has finished! Sitting atop the standings are Team East-West Bowl's Alex Majlaton and Ben Friedman, along with Wenzel Krautmann, Ronnie Ritner, Jonathan Delano, Tim Sussino, Shogo Yamasuki, and Miguel Magno. They all have perfect records.
These players are half-in and half-out on the fight with the Eldrazi. Four are on some version of big spaghetti menaces (most on the Red-Green "Bigdrazi"—the non-aggro version), and four are captains of the resistance.
There are some huge names lurking right below them. Shahar Shenhar, (13) Thiago Saporito, (7) Alexander Hayne, (11) Mike Sigrist, (12) Ondrej Strasky, and Brian Braun-Duin are all haunting just below the top tables. And they're all on the exact same deck!
A lot has been happening in in Detroit. We've been watching the epic fight between Eldrazi and the world, but we've also had our faith broken with some Innistrad-shattering events we all bore witness to.
What else will happen this weekend? Tune in to twitch.tv/magic at 9am tomorrow to find out!
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TWITTER
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TWITTER: #gpdetroit