April 6 2014
TOP 5 CARDS by Mike Rosenberg5. 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...
Robert Berni's Devotion to black paid off at Grand Prix Phoenix, with his traditional Mono-Black Devotion strategy earning him the title and the top prize.
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.
April 6 2014
TOP 5 CARDS by Mike Rosenberg5. 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...
April 6 2014
FINALS: ROBERT BERNI VS. NATHAN HOLIDAY by Mike RosenbergFor Robert Berni, his appearance in the final match of Grand Prix Phoenix 2014 was a chance to claim what was lost in Grand Prix Kansas City 2013, where his chances at a trophy were dashed by...
April 6 2014
SEMIFINALS: NATHAN HOLIDAY VS. GARY WONG by PAULO VITOR DAMO DA ROSAThis semifinal match was between two very similar decks: Mono-Blue Devotion with Nathan Holiday, and Blue Devotion splashing White with Gary Wong. Though the creatures are all identical, Wong...
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!
April 7 2014
TOP TABLES METAGAME - ROUND 14 by Adam StyborskiRound 12 featured the rise of Blue Devotion decks – both mono-colored and white-splash takes – in an expected field of Black Devotion and Esper Control. With two rounds to go for the Top 8,...
April 21 2014
ROUND 13 FEATURE MATCH: PHILIP ARCUNI VS. DAVID OCHOA by Mike RosenbergFor platinum pro David Ochoa, the first half of the season has been a difficult series of rough beats and heart-breaking finishes. The Northern California pro has gone to over a dozen Grand Prix...
April 7 2014
TOP TABLES METAGAME - ROUND 12 by Adam StyborskiWith the field established for Day Two all eyes turn towards the potential to Top 8, and each round another group of players fall off the path to glory. This the what the metagame for players...
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!
April 6 2014
DAY 1 UNDEFEATED AND TOP TABLES METAGAME - ROUND 9 by Adam StyborskiUndefeated. It's a nice crown to take away from Day One of a Grand Prix. Starting Day Two well positioned for a Top 8 run is what players work hard to find, and there were ten who stood poised...
April 6 2014
BUBBLE MATCH ROUND-UP by Mike RosenbergGoing into the ninth and final round with 18 points, a 6-2 record, is always a little nerve-wracking. Today, a win secures your place into Day Two, and keeps the dream of a Top 8 alive. A loss,...
April 6 2014
ROUND 8 FEATURE MATCH: ERIC FROEHLICH VS. DANIEL WARD by Mike RosenbergNo. 23 Ranked Player Eric Froehlich put up an impressive finish with the touch of red that he added to the Black Devotion deck, finishing in the Top 16 and missing out thanks to some rough beats...
(1)Robert Berni, 2-0
(8)Daniel Ward
(4)Art Macurda
(5)William Levin, 2-0
(2)Nathan Holiday, 2-0
(7)Brandon Bercovich
(3)Gary Wong, 2-1
(6)Eric Froehlich
(1)Robert Berni, 2-0
(5)William Levin
(2)Nathan Holiday, 2-1
(3)Gary Wong
(1)Robert Berni, 2-1
(2)Nathan Holiday
article GRAND PRIX PHOENIX 2014 April 6, 2014
by Mike Rosenberg5. 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...
article GRAND PRIX PHOENIX 2014 April 6, 2014
FINALS: ROBERT BERNI VS. NATHAN HOLIDAY
by Mike RosenbergFor Robert Berni, his appearance in the final match of Grand Prix Phoenix 2014 was a chance to claim what was lost in Grand Prix Kansas City 2013, where his chances at a trophy were dashed by...
article GRAND PRIX PHOENIX 2014 April 6, 2014
SEMIFINALS: NATHAN HOLIDAY VS. GARY WONG
by PAULO VITOR DAMO DA ROSAThis semifinal match was between two very similar decks: Mono-Blue Devotion with Nathan Holiday, and Blue Devotion splashing White with Gary Wong. Though the creatures are all identical, Wong...
article GRAND PRIX PHOENIX 2014 April 6, 2014
SEMIFINALS: WILL LEVIN VS. ROBERT BERNI
by Adam Styborski"It's my first everything. First Grand Prix Top 8. First Pro Tour qualification. I'm so excited and nervous." Will Levin said has he introduced himself, sliding into position across his...
article GRAND PRIX PHOENIX 2014 April 6, 2014
QUARTERFINALS: ERIC FROEHLICH VS. GARY WONG
by Mike RosenbergFor No. 23 Player Eric Froehlich, another Grand Prix Top 8 was a welcome sight. After narrowly missing the Top 8 of Grand Prix Cincinnati with a very similar version of the Black/red Devotion deck...
article GRAND PRIX PHOENIX 2014 April 7, 2014
QUARTERFINALS: BRANDON BERCOVICH VS. NATHAN HOLIDAY
by Mike RosenbergBrandon Bercovich and Nathan Holiday sat down for what has been a classic Standard match-up between the two popular Devotion strategies of the Constructed format: black versus blue. Oftentimes the...
article GRAND PRIX PHOENIX 2014 April 7, 2014
QUARTERFINALS: ROBERT BERNI VS. DANIEL WARD
by PAULO VITOR DAMO DA ROSAThis match features Robert Berni's Black Devotion deck against Daniel Ward's Bant Control deck. The match-up should be familiar for both players - Ward surely had to beat many Mono Black decks...
article GRAND PRIX PHOENIX 2014 April 7, 2014
QUARTERFINALS: WILL LEVIN VS. ART MACURDA
by Adam Styborski"My only losses are to myself: I showed up late and got a match loss Day One. This morning, showed up late and got a game loss." Art Macurda said. It was an interesting way to introduce himself...
article GRAND PRIX PHOENIX 2014 April 6, 2014
by Wizards of the CoastRobert Berni Age: 28Hometown: Austin, TXOccupation: Sports Betting Consultant Previous Magic Accomplishments: Top 8 GP KC What deck are you playing this weekend and...
article GRAND PRIX PHOENIX 2014 April 7, 2014
TOP TABLES METAGAME - ROUND 14
by Adam StyborskiRound 12 featured the rise of Blue Devotion decks – both mono-colored and white-splash takes – in an expected field of Black Devotion and Esper Control. With two rounds to go for the Top 8,...
article GRAND PRIX PHOENIX 2014 April 21, 2014
ROUND 13 FEATURE MATCH: PHILIP ARCUNI VS. DAVID OCHOA
by Mike RosenbergFor platinum pro David Ochoa, the first half of the season has been a difficult series of rough beats and heart-breaking finishes. The Northern California pro has gone to over a dozen Grand Prix...
article GRAND PRIX PHOENIX 2014 April 7, 2014
TOP TABLES METAGAME - ROUND 12
by Adam StyborskiWith the field established for Day Two all eyes turn towards the potential to Top 8, and each round another group of players fall off the path to glory. This the what the metagame for players...
article GRAND PRIX PHOENIX 2014 April 7, 2014
ROUND 10 FEATURE MATCH: DMITRIY BUTAKOV VS. SHAHAR SHENHAR
by Mike RosenbergFor those who followed last weekend's 2013 Magic Online Championship coverage, you may have noticed that 2012 Magic Online Champion Dmitriy Butakov made an attempt at back-to-back titles with...
article GRAND PRIX PHOENIX 2014 April 7, 2014
by Adam StyborskiThroughout Day One we watched the top tables metagame progress closer and closer to what everyone had been expecting for the weekend: Black Devotion and Esper Control, with plenty of Blue...
article GRAND PRIX PHOENIX 2014 April 6, 2014
DAY 1 UNDEFEATED AND TOP TABLES METAGAME - ROUND 9
by Adam StyborskiUndefeated. It's a nice crown to take away from Day One of a Grand Prix. Starting Day Two well positioned for a Top 8 run is what players work hard to find, and there were ten who stood poised...
article GRAND PRIX PHOENIX 2014 April 6, 2014
by Mike RosenbergGoing into the ninth and final round with 18 points, a 6-2 record, is always a little nerve-wracking. Today, a win secures your place into Day Two, and keeps the dream of a Top 8 alive. A loss,...
article GRAND PRIX PHOENIX 2014 April 6, 2014
ROUND 8 FEATURE MATCH: ERIC FROEHLICH VS. DANIEL WARD
by Mike RosenbergNo. 23 Ranked Player Eric Froehlich put up an impressive finish with the touch of red that he added to the Black Devotion deck, finishing in the Top 16 and missing out thanks to some rough beats...
article GRAND PRIX PHOENIX 2014 April 6, 2014
by Adam StyborskiIt's over halfway through Day 1 of Grand Prix Phoenix, and the press to make Day 2 is beginning in earnest. As players see and face down more opponents, those with winning lists begin to rise to...
article GRAND PRIX PHOENIX 2014 April 6, 2014
by Adam StyborskiComing off Grand Prix Beijing, Mono-Black Devotion was among the most popular archetypes in Standard. It was the most played deck on Day 2, and tied for making Top 8 there as well. Boros Burn...
article GRAND PRIX PHOENIX 2014 April 6, 2014
QUICK HITS - WHAT IS THE MOST UNDERRATED REMOVAL SPELL IN STANDARD?
by Mike Rosenberg2011 World Championship Semifinalist Conley Woods: "Turn & Burn. I would play more if I wasn't playing five colors. If I was just Blue-Red Green or Blue-Red I'd play two or three right now. It...
article GRAND PRIX PHOENIX 2014 April 6, 2014
QUICK HITS - WHAT IS THE BEST STRATEGY FOR COMBATING BLACK DEVOTION?
by Mike RosenbergNo. 11 Ranked Player Alexander Hayne: "My personal favorite way is to cast big Sphinx's Revelations and out-draw them, using scry lands to keep your best cards on top of your library to...