The Top 8 is more than just the decks - here are the players who advanced to the Top 8 of Grand Prix Richmond.
Age: 39
Occupation: Streamer: twitch.tv/oarsman79
Hometown: Redlands, California
Previous Magic Accomplishments: 2 Grand Prix Top 8s, 5 StarCityGames Open wins
What deck did you play this weekend and why?
I took Blue-White Stoneforge and made it legendary. The legends were my favorite cards from Miracles, they just needed a new home.
What was the best card in your deck and why?
Snapcaster Mage just ties everything together, especially when it's uncounterable.
What, if anything, was the most surprising deck you played against this weekend?
I got crushed by Aluren today. It feels like whatever deck I play ends up bad against them. Fortunately it's super fringe.
What does this Top 8 mean to you?
It feels good to show I can win in Legacy without Miracles. I never doubted, but it's nice to show it.
Age: 21
Occupation: Student
Hometown: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Previous Magic Accomplishments: 56th place at the StarCityGames Season 1 Invitational this year; 3 lifetime Pro Points.
What deck did you play this weekend and why?
Temur Delver, had to remind people that the goose is indeed loose.
What was the best card in your deck and why?
Nimble Mongoose because it cannot be the target of spells or abilities. Also Divert, because Edward Sockol told me to play it for the spice.
What, if anything, was the most surprising deck you played against this weekend?
Expected a lot of Death's Shadow, end up facing it only once, as my win and in no less.
What does this Top 8 mean to you?
Validation for years of hard work, this means the world to me. Also makes my lifetime GP Top 8 count equal to my friend Ethan Gaieski. Love you man, we did it.
Age: 24
Occupation: Web Developer
Hometown: Woodbridge, New Jersey
Previous Magic Accomplishments: Game Day Champion, Local Draft Top 8
What deck did you play this weekend and why?
Miracles - Swords to Plowshares and Supreme Verdict are absurd vs Death's Shadow and Delver Strategies.
What was the best card in your deck and why?
Back to Basics. One sided Armageddon is “balanced” and “fair”.
What, if anything, was the most surprising deck you played against this weekend?
Elves. Has he read Terminus?
What does this Top 8 mean to you?
A hard-fought Pro Tour invite, and locking up Bronze for the first cycle.
Age: 23
Occupation: Being cute
Hometown: Sarnia, Ontario
Previous Magic Accomplishments: I 3-2 a lot on Magic Online
What deck did you play this weekend and why?
Eldrazi Stompy. Wanted to smash people.
What was the best card in your deck and why?
Chalice of the Void. It's NUTTY
What, if anything, was the most surprising deck you played against this weekend?
Just a bunch of Tier 1 decks and good opponents. Humans was scary.
What does this Top 8 mean to you?
I can annoy my friends even more.
Age: 22
Occupation: Magic Pro
Hometown: Amherst, Massachusetts
Previous Magic Accomplishments: 5 Grand Prix Top 8s, 3 in Legacy.
What deck did you play this weekend and why?
Blue-Black Death's Shadow. Felt like the most consistent Delver deck.
What was the best card in your deck and why?
Thoughtseize? With the ban of Deathrite Shaman, proactive turn one plays are key.
What, if anything, was the most surprising deck you played against this weekend?
Maybe Aluren? Never too surprised to see different decks in Legacy.
What does this Top 8 mean to you?
Moar points!! And a chance to get that elusive trophy.
Age: 43
Occupation: Magic Player
Hometown: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Previous Magic Accomplishments: Top 8 Grand Prix Providence
What deck did you play this weekend and why?
Miracles. I still had it together from Pro Tour 25th Anniversary
What was the best card in your deck and why?
Predict. I dealt a lot of targeted deck damage to my opponents with it.
What, if anything, was the most surprising deck you played against this weekend?
Andrew Baeckstrom's Reanimator deck featuring Jasmine Boreal and Tobias Andrion.
What does this Top 8 mean to you?
I'm on a hot streak.
Age: 34
Occupation: Software Engineer
Hometown: Durham, North Carolina
Previous Magic Accomplishments: Winner of StarCityGames Charlotte - Legacy
What deck did you play this weekend and why?
Grixis Control, best deck
What was the best card in your deck and why?
Brainstorm
What, if anything, was the most surprising deck you played against this weekend?
Nothing
What does this Top 8 mean to you?
Money and weekend with friends. Baby formula is expensive.
Age: 34
Occupation:
Hometown: Columbus, Georgia
What deck did you play this weekend and why?
Lands. I enjoy the gameplay.
What was the best card in your deck and why?
Dark Depths wins games.
What, if anything, was the most surprising deck you played against this weekend?
Elves.
What does this Top 8 mean to you?
It means I get to play more Magic.