TOP 8 COVERAGE
Austin, Texas resident Robert Berni got his first opportunity at nearly achieving a Grand Prix title back in July of 2013, where he reached the Top 8 of Grand Prix Kansas City. However, his hopes of a win were shut down by Seth Manfield that day, the eventual winner of the event.
Today, however, was a different story. Overcoming a field of 1463 players, Berni's Mono-Black Devotion deck earned him win after win through two Days of Standard action before he finally cemented his place in the Top 8 at the top of the standings. Once he reached the Top 8, he had to overcome three different archetypes in order to claim the title. In the Quarterfinals, he dispatched Daniel Ward, the sole Bant Control player in the Top 8. In the Semifinals, he overcame William Levin's Jund Monsters.
And then, it all came down to his final match against Nathan Holiday, who was looking to add a second Grand Prix title to his name. However, it was not to be for Holiday, and Berni's Nightveil Specters utterly devastated his opponent in the third and final game, stealing not one, not two, but three of Holiday's own copies of the creature off of the top of his deck in sequential attacks.
While the Standard format has evolved with each week in the last four Grand Prix main events, it was ultimately the more traditional Black and Blue Devotion decks that found their way into the final match of the weekend. And, much like the last few months have played out, it was black that managed to rise above its devoted rival. And for Robert Berni, it was a chance to finally claim a title for his own, after his first title eluded him last year.
Article
April 6 2014
TOP 5 CARDS
by Mike Rosenberg
5. Stormbreath Dragon
Red-Green and Jund Monsters were two of the decks of choice for players looking to fight the various devotion and control decks at the top of the Standard metagame. Backed...
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DAY 2 COVERAGE
172 players returned Sunday morning for six more rounds of Standard at Grand Prix Phoenix. Leading the competitors at the top of the standings are Michael Peterson, No. 6 Ranked Player Shahar Shenhar, No. 23 Ranked Player Eric Froehlich, Grand Prix San Diego 2013 Champion Nathan Holiday, and 2012 Magic Online Champion Dmitriy Butakov.
Butakov in particular stands out as the lone combatant not representing one of the recognized Standard archetypes from the previous three weekends. The Magic Online player from Russia is taking advantage of his trip to the United States to compete in last weekend's 2013 Magic Online Championship in order to compete in a Grand Prix or two while he is here. His Bant Control deck, an interesting departure from his choice of Esper Control in last weekend's tournament and an old standby of his from the Magic Online events, gives him some unique tools, but will they be enough to maintain his solid record?
The Standard format has been evolving week to week, and with players bringing the latest versions of the popular archetypes here to battle, how will it shape from this weekend? And more to the point, who will walk away with the title of Grand Prix Phoenix 2014 Champion? Find out today as we bring you live coverage from Arizona!
DAY 1 COVERAGE
Day One of Grand Prix Phoenix has wrapped up, and a field of 1463 players has been knocked down to 172. Sitting at the top of the standings are Michael Peterson, No. 6 Ranked Player Shahar Shenhar, No. 23 Ranked Player Eric Froehlich, Grand Prix San Diego 2013 Champion Nathan Holiday, and 2012 Magic Online Champion Dmitriy Butakov.
Butakov in particular stands out as the lone combatant not representing one of the recognized Standard archetypes from the previous three weekends. The Magic Online player from Russia is taking advantage of his trip to the United States to compete in last weekend's 2013 Magic Online Championship in order to compete in a Grand Prix or two while he is here. His Bant Control deck, an interesting departure from his choice of Esper Control in last weekend's tournament, gives him some unique tools, but will they be enough to maintain his solid record?
Tune in tomorrow as we bring you live coverage from here in Phoenix, Arizona!
