Every now and then the Grand Prix circus hits town, and I figured that this time was a good opportunity to gather some Premodern players from places far away for a casual tournament. I opted for day two, Sunday the 16th of September, since this would allow those who didn’t proceed in the main event to participate. With 20 persons showing up, it was actually a larger tournament than the Swedish Nationals (18 players), but with a little less glory at stake this time. The atmosphere was really chill. Yet, it was fun to feel the surrounding pulse of the GP, and there were many curious spectators taking interest in the format.
First round starts (left), Jonas Stattin tinkering (right)
We played five rounds of Swiss, followed by a top 4. Let’s jump right to the field of decks:
- 2 Sligh
- 1 Goblins
- 1 Bargain Storm
- 1 Full English Breakfast
- 2 UW Standstill (one UWr)
- 1 Four-Colour Control
- 1 UW Squee Control
- 2 Stasis
- 1 Lands
- 1 Tinker
- 1 Suicide Black
- 1 Angry Hermit
- 1 The Rock
- 1 Rector-Rebirth
- 1 UG Madness
- 1 Opposition Merfolk
- 1 BW Arena
A diverse starting field indeed. A few well-known archetypes were not to be seen, e.g. Enchantress which took down the Swedish Nationals and placed another player in the top 8. But given the broad range of viable decks out there, I wouldn’t expect all major archetypes to be represented in tournaments lacking a critical mass of, say, 30 players.
Per Rönnkvist swarms Joakim Jansson with Goblins (left). Per Algander doing Per Algander stuff with Bargain Storm versus Stasis (right).
After five rounds, Per Rönnkvist, Jeff Ecklund, Per Algander and Joakim Jansson ended up in the top 4. The finals was a red affair, with Jeff’s Sligh winning 2–0 versus Per’s Goblins. Here are the the top 4 decks:
MAIN DECK | 60 cards
Instants and Sorceries: 14
Deck downloaded from - http://premodernmagic.com
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GP Stockholm: Jeff Ecklund, 1st
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MAIN DECK (60)
Others: 8
4 Black Vise
4 Cursed Scroll
Creatures: 14
4 Goblin Cadets
4 Jackal Pup
3 Grim Lavamancer
3 Mogg Fanatic
Instants and Sorceries: 14
4 Lightning Bolt
4 Incinerate
2 Price of Progress
4 Fireblast
Lands: 24
4 Bloodstained Mire
8 Mountain
4 Rishadan Port
4 Wasteland
4 Wooded Foothills
SIDEBOARD (15)
4 Pyroblast
3 Flaring Pain
2 Price of Progress
4 Ball Lightning
2 Pyrokinesis
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Deck downloaded from - http://premodernmagic.com
http://premodernmagic.com
Deck downloaded from - http://premodernmagic.com
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GP Stockholm: Per Rönnkvist, 2nd
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MAIN DECK (60)
Creatures: 35
4 Goblin Lackey
4 Mogg Fanatic
2 Goblin Sledder
1 Skirk Prospector
4 Goblin Piledriver
4 Gempalm Incinerator
4 Goblin Warchief
2 Goblin King
1 Goblin Sharpshooter
1 Goblin Matron
4 Goblin Ringleader
4 Siege-Gang Commander
Lands: 25
4 Wasteland
4 Sulfurous Springs
4 Bloodstained Mire
2 City of Brass
2 Ancient Tomb
1 Swamp
8 Mountain
SIDEBOARD (15)
3 Tormod's Crypt
1 Duress
1 Pyrostatic Pillar
1 Null Rod
4 Dralnu's Crusade
3 Anarchy
2 Pyrokinesis
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Deck downloaded from - http://premodernmagic.com
http://premodernmagic.com
MAIN DECK | 60 cards
Instants and Sorceries: 32
Deck downloaded from - http://premodernmagic.com
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GP Stockholm: Per Algander, 3–4th
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MAIN DECK (60)
Others: 12
1 Tormod's Crypt
4 Lotus Petal
4 Lion's Eye Diamond
3 Yawgmoth's Bargain
Instants and Sorceries: 32
4 Duress
4 Opt
4 Sleight of Hand
2 Careful Study
4 Dark Ritual
4 Cabal Ritual
3 Brain Freeze
3 Intuition
4 Ill-Gotten Gains
Lands: 16
4 Polluted Delta
4 Gemstone Mine
3 City of Brass
1 Undiscovered Paradise
2 Island
2 Swamp
SIDEBOARD (15)
1 Tormod's Crypt
1 Coffin Purge
3 Xantid Swarm
3 Hydroblast
2 Chain of Vapor
1 Cabal Therapy
2 Teferi's Realm
1 Phyrexian Arena
1 Hunting Pack
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Deck downloaded from - http://premodernmagic.com
http://premodernmagic.com
MAIN DECK | 61 cards
Instants and Sorceries: 10
Deck downloaded from - http://premodernmagic.com
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GP Stockholm: Joakim Jansson, 3–4th
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MAIN DECK (61)
Creatures: 25
4 Birds of Paradise
2 Fyndhorn Elves
1 Elvish Lyrist
1 Phyrexian Dreadnought
3 Mesmeric Fiend
2 Wall of Blossoms
2 Psychatog
4 Volrath's Shapeshifter
1 Cephalid Inkshrouder
1 Squee, Goblin Nabob
1 Genesis
1 Iridescent Angel
1 Phage the Untouchable
1 Akroma, Angel of Wrath
Instants and Sorceries: 10
4 Cabal Therapy
2 Unearth
3 Lim-Du00fbl's Vault
1 Diabolic Intent
Others: 4
4 Survival of the Fittest
Lands: 22
3 Yavimaya Coast
3 Llanowar Wastes
1 Underground River
3 City of Brass
2 Gemstone Mine
2 Reflecting Pool
7 Forest
1 Island
SIDEBOARD (15)
2 Tormod's Crypt
2 Duress
1 Spore Frog
1 Mesmeric Fiend
1 Gilded Drake
1 Withered Wretch
1 Monk Realist
1 Uktabi Orangutan
2 Spike Feeder
2 Living Death
1 Hypnox
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Deck downloaded from - http://premodernmagic.com
http://premodernmagic.com
These are rather well-known archetypes, at least if you’ve had an eye on the decks gallery and this blog. It was nice to see two combo decks here though, along with the red menace. If you fancy the Full English Breakfast deck, make sure to check out Joakim Jansson’s previous guest post about it.
Runner-up Per Rönnkvist (left) and winner Jeff Ecklund (right) and their Premodern art print prizes—Survival of the Fittest by Pete Venters and Kjeldoran Outpost by Jeff A. Menges
Since I know that you love decks, here are the remaining ones, in no particular order (except two that I did not receive complete lists for, I’ll add them to this post if I do).
MAIN DECK | 60 cards
Instants and Sorceries: 25
Deck downloaded from - http://premodernmagic.com
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GP Stockholm: Andreas Uppling
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MAIN DECK (60)
Others: 9
2 Black Vise
4 Stasis
3 Tangle Wire
Instants and Sorceries: 25
2 Sleight of Hand
2 Chain of Vapor
4 Impulse
3 Counterspell
2 Daze
1 Cunning Wish
4 Thwart
2 Foil
3 Gush
2 Misdirection
Creatures: 5
4 Chronatog
1 Morphling
Lands: 21
1 Glacial Chasm
3 Forsaken City
17 Island
SIDEBOARD (13)
1 Chain of Vapor
1 Counterspell
1 Chill
2 Snap
2 Null Rod
2 Back to Basics
1 Mana Short
1 Jester's Cap
2 Submerge
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Deck downloaded from - http://premodernmagic.com
http://premodernmagic.com
MAIN DECK | 60 cards
Instants and Sorceries: 27
Deck downloaded from - http://premodernmagic.com
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GP Stockholm: Chiyen Khor
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MAIN DECK (60)
Instants and Sorceries: 27
1 Stifle
4 Swords to Plowshares
4 Counterspell
1 Disenchant
4 Impulse
3 Mana Leak
2 Absorb
3 Fact or Fiction
2 Wrath of God
3 Decree of Justice
Others: 7
1 Powder Keg
4 Standstill
1 Aura of Silence
1 Humility
Lands: 26
4 Mishra's Factory
2 Wasteland
4 Adarkar Wastes
2 Faerie Conclave
4 Flooded Strand
5 Island
5 Plains
SIDEBOARD (15)
3 Hydroblast
2 Circle of Protection: Red
2 Disenchant
2 Gainsay
1 Dismantling Blow
1 Hibernation
1 Decree of Justice
1 Light of Day
2 Wrath of God
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Deck downloaded from - http://premodernmagic.com
http://premodernmagic.com
MAIN DECK | 60 cards
Instants and Sorceries: 16
Deck downloaded from - http://premodernmagic.com
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GP Stockholm: Fredrik Anteryd
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MAIN DECK (60)
Others: 14
1 Zuran Orb
4 Exploration
4 Standstill
1 Seal of Cleansing
4 Horn of Greed
Instants and Sorceries: 16
4 Enlightened Tutor
4 Swords to Plowshares
1 Stroke of Genius
1 Decree of Justice
2 Wrath of God
4 Time Warp
Lands: 30
4 Mishra's Factory
4 Rishadan Port
4 City of Brass
4 Undiscovered Paradise
4 Wasteland
3 Coastal Tower
2 Treetop Village
1 Reflecting Pool
2 Adarkar Wastes
1 Plains
1 Forest
SIDEBOARD (15)
2 Blue Elemental Blast
1 Hydroblast
1 Seal of Cleansing
1 Shattering Pulse
1 Warmth
1 Chill
1 Disenchant
1 Hibernation
1 Arcane Laboratory
1 Decree of Justice
1 Dream Tides
1 Humility
1 Light of Day
1 Wrath of God
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Deck downloaded from - http://premodernmagic.com
http://premodernmagic.com
MAIN DECK | 60 cards
Instants and Sorceries: 24
Deck downloaded from - http://premodernmagic.com
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GP Stockholm: Joakim Almelund
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MAIN DECK (60)
Instants and Sorceries: 24
4 Swords to Plowshares
4 Accumulated Knowledge
4 Counterspell
3 Mana Leak
4 Intuition
3 Forbid
2 Wrath of God
Others: 7
3 Compulsion
4 Solitary Confinement
Creatures: 4
4 Squee, Goblin Nabob
Lands: 25
4 Flooded Strand
2 Adarkar Wastes
4 Coastal Tower
4 Plains
11 Island
SIDEBOARD (15)
3 Tormod's Crypt
1 Gainsay
1 Teferi's Response
2 Seal of Cleansing
1 Dismantling Blow
2 Wrath of God
2 Masticore
3 Morphling
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Deck downloaded from - http://premodernmagic.com
http://premodernmagic.com
MAIN DECK | 60 cards
Instants and Sorceries: 15
Deck downloaded from - http://premodernmagic.com
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GP Stockholm: Jonas Bjärnstedt
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MAIN DECK (60)
Instants and Sorceries: 15
4 Dark Ritual
1 Kaervek's Spite
1 Infernal Contract
3 Snuff Out
2 Contagion
4 Hatred
Creatures: 21
4 Carnophage
4 Dauthi Slayer
4 Skittering Skirge
1 Dauthi Horror
2 Flesh Reaver
2 Hidden Horror
4 Phyrexian Negator
Others: 4
4 Sarcomancy
Lands: 20
1 Lake of the Dead
1 Ancient Tomb
18 Swamp
SIDEBOARD (15)
4 Cabal Therapy
3 Duress
4 Black Knight
4 Engineered Plague
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Deck downloaded from - http://premodernmagic.com
http://premodernmagic.com
MAIN DECK | 60 cards
Instants and Sorceries: 5
Deck downloaded from - http://premodernmagic.com
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GP Stockholm: Jonas Stattin
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MAIN DECK (60)
Others: 27
4 Chromatic Sphere
4 Mind Stone
4 Worn Powerstone
4 Tangle Wire
1 Ensnaring Bridge
4 Thran Dynamo
1 Phyrexian Processor
2 Smokestack
2 Mishra's Helix
1 Crumbling Sanctuary
Instants and Sorceries: 5
4 Tinker
1 Upheaval
Creatures: 4
3 Masticore
1 Karn, Silver Golem
Lands: 24
3 Mishra's Factory
4 Wasteland
4 Rishadan Port
4 Ancient Tomb
2 City of Traitors
7 Island
SIDEBOARD (15)
1 Zuran Orb
1 Cursed Scroll
4 Hydroblast
4 Sphere of Resistance
1 Winter Orb
1 Defense Grid
2 Arcane Laboratory
1 Hibernation
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Deck downloaded from - http://premodernmagic.com
http://premodernmagic.com
MAIN DECK | 60 cards
Instants and Sorceries: 27
Deck downloaded from - http://premodernmagic.com
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GP Stockholm: Maciej Zalewski
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MAIN DECK (60)
Others: 10
1 Claws of Gix
2 Black Vise
1 Feldon's Cane
1 Library of Leng
4 Stasis
1 Kismet
Instants and Sorceries: 27
2 Enlightened Tutor
1 Sleight of Hand
1 Abjure
3 Chain of Vapor
3 Daze
4 Impulse
4 Thwart
4 Foil
1 Replenish
4 Gush
Lands: 23
4 Forsaken City
2 Gemstone Mine
17 Island
SIDEBOARD (15)
1 Tormod's Crypt
1 Black Vise
1 Blue Elemental Blast
1 Chain of Vapor
1 Sleight of Hand
1 Enlightened Tutor
1 Daze
1 Hesitation
1 Sapphire Medallion
1 Thumbscrews
1 Mana Short
2 Propaganda
1 Jester's Cap
1 Pendrell Mists
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Deck downloaded from - http://premodernmagic.com
http://premodernmagic.com
MAIN DECK | 60 cards
Instants and Sorceries: 6
Deck downloaded from - http://premodernmagic.com
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GP Stockholm: Martin Stark
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MAIN DECK (60)
Instants and Sorceries: 6
4 Cabal Therapy
2 Vendetta
Creatures: 22
3 Festering Goblin
4 Wall of Roots
2 Wall of Blossoms
3 Yavimaya Elder
1 Spike Feeder
4 Ravenous Baloth
3 Deranged Hermit
2 Spiritmonger
Others: 7
4 Pernicious Deed
2 Recurring Nightmare
1 Yawgmoth's Bargain
Lands: 25
3 Mishra's Factory
1 Volrath's Stronghold
4 Llanowar Wastes
4 Treetop Village
6 Forest
7 Swamp
SIDEBOARD (15)
4 Tormod's Crypt
3 Duress
1 Chainer's Edict
2 City of Solitude
1 Spike Feeder
3 Engineered Plague
1 Yawgmoth's Bargain
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Deck downloaded from - http://premodernmagic.com
http://premodernmagic.com
MAIN DECK | 60 cards
Instants and Sorceries: 17
Deck downloaded from - http://premodernmagic.com
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GP Stockholm: Mathias Söderman
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MAIN DECK (60)
Instants and Sorceries: 17
3 Careful Study
4 Daze
1 Quiet Speculation
4 Circular Logic
3 Deep Analysis
2 Roar of the Wurm
Creatures: 24
4 Basking Rootwalla
4 Wild Mongrel
4 Aquamoeba
4 Waterfront Bouncer
1 Squee, Goblin Nabob
2 Wonder
4 Arrogant Wurm
1 Genesis
Lands: 19
4 Yavimaya Coast
7 Island
8 Forest
SIDEBOARD (15)
2 Tormod's Crypt
2 Envelop
1 Blue Elemental Blast
3 Chill
1 Null Rod
1 Powder Keg
2 Arcane Laboratory
3 Submerge
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Deck downloaded from - http://premodernmagic.com
http://premodernmagic.com
MAIN DECK | 60 cards
Instants and Sorceries: 4
Deck downloaded from - http://premodernmagic.com
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GP Stockholm: Mattias Björklund
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MAIN DECK (60)
Instants and Sorceries: 4
4 Cabal Therapy
Creatures: 22
4 Birds of Paradise
2 Fyndhorn Elves
1 Llanowar Elves
4 Wall of Blossoms
2 Yavimaya Elder
3 Nantuko Husk
4 Academy Rector
1 Symbiotic Wurm
1 Avatar of Woe
Others: 10
1 Pernicious Deed
1 Recurring Nightmare
1 Pandemonium
4 Pattern of Rebirth
1 Parallax Wave
1 Saproling Burst
1 Yawgmoth's Bargain
Lands: 24
2 Brushland
2 City of Brass
4 Llanowar Wastes
1 Phyrexian Tower
1 Treetop Village
2 Wasteland
4 Windswept Heath
3 Swamp
3 Forest
2 Plains
SIDEBOARD (15)
4 Duress
1 Circle of Protection: Red
1 Uktabi Orangutan
1 Vindicate
1 Choke
1 Pernicious Deed
2 Engineered Plague
1 Ivory Mask
2 Ravenous Baloth
1 Kamahl, Fist of Krosa
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Deck downloaded from - http://premodernmagic.com
http://premodernmagic.com
MAIN DECK | 60 cards
Instants and Sorceries: 17
Deck downloaded from - http://premodernmagic.com
------------------------------------------------
GP Stockholm: Mikael Johansson
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MAIN DECK (60)
Creatures: 16
4 Goblin Patrol
4 Jackal Pup
4 Grim Lavamancer
4 Ball Lightning
Instants and Sorceries: 17
4 Lightning Bolt
4 Firebolt
4 Incinerate
1 Price of Progress
4 Fireblast
Others: 4
4 Cursed Scroll
Lands: 23
4 Barbarian Ring
4 Wooded Foothills
4 Bloodstained Mire
11 Mountain
SIDEBOARD (15)
2 Tormod's Crypt
2 Pyroblast
1 Red Elemental Blast
3 Pyrostatic Pillar
2 Flaring Pain
2 Price of Progress
1 Sulfuric Vortex
1 Anarchy
1 Pyrokinesis
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Deck downloaded from - http://premodernmagic.com
http://premodernmagic.com
MAIN DECK | 60 cards
Instants and Sorceries: 34
Deck downloaded from - http://premodernmagic.com
------------------------------------------------
GP Stockholm: Mikael Magnusson
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MAIN DECK (60)
Instants and Sorceries: 34
4 Swords to Plowshares
4 Accumulated Knowledge
4 Counterspell
2 Gaea's Blessing
2 Fire // Ice
3 Impulse
3 Absorb
1 Renewed Faith
1 Intuition
1 Forbid
4 Fact or Fiction
2 Wrath of God
2 Decree of Justice
1 Akroma's Vengeance
Others: 1
1 Humility
Lands: 25
1 Adarkar Wastes
1 Coastal Tower
3 Flooded Strand
4 Grand Coliseum
4 Reflecting Pool
4 Shivan Reef
1 Yavimaya Coast
1 Seafloor Debris
1 Skycloud Expanse
3 Island
2 Plains
SIDEBOARD (15)
1 Tormod's Crypt
2 Hydroblast
1 Blue Elemental Blast
2 Pyroblast
1 Red Elemental Blast
1 Circle of Protection: Red
2 Seal of Cleansing
1 Teferi's Response
1 Dismantling Blow
1 Akroma's Vengeance
2 Slice and Dice
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Deck downloaded from - http://premodernmagic.com
http://premodernmagic.com
MAIN DECK | 60 cards
Instants and Sorceries: 19
Deck downloaded from - http://premodernmagic.com
------------------------------------------------
GP Stockholm: Sebastian Bladh
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MAIN DECK (60)
Instants and Sorceries: 19
4 Duress
4 Swords to Plowshares
1 Funeral Charm
4 Gerrard's Verdict
4 Vindicate
1 Wrath of God
1 Decree of Justice
Creatures: 13
4 Headhunter
4 Hypnotic Specter
1 Bane of the Living
4 Exalted Angel
Others: 4
4 Phyrexian Arena
Lands: 24
4 Wasteland
4 Caves of Koilos
3 Tainted Field
1 Reflecting Pool
8 Swamp
4 Plains
SIDEBOARD (15)
1 Zuran Orb
2 Tormod's Crypt
2 Enlightened Tutor
1 Disenchant
2 Warmth
2 Seal of Cleansing
3 Engineered Plague
1 Perish
1 Haunting Echoes
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Deck downloaded from - http://premodernmagic.com
http://premodernmagic.com
MAIN DECK | 60 cards
Instants and Sorceries: 30
Deck downloaded from - http://premodernmagic.com
------------------------------------------------
GP Stockholm: Simon Olsson
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MAIN DECK (60)
Instants and Sorceries: 30
4 Swords to Plowshares
3 Lightning Bolt
3 Impulse
2 Mana Leak
4 Counterspell
2 Fire // Ice
1 Disenchant
3 Absorb
1 Renewed Faith
1 Dismantling Blow
3 Fact or Fiction
2 Wrath of God
1 Akroma's Vengeance
Others: 4
4 Standstill
Lands: 26
4 Mishra's Factory
1 Coastal Tower
2 Battlefield Forge
3 Grand Coliseum
3 Reflecting Pool
3 Shivan Reef
2 Adarkar Wastes
2 Flooded Strand
2 Snow-Covered Plains
1 Plains
3 Island
SIDEBOARD (15)
1 Blue Elemental Blast
1 Hydroblast
1 Pyroblast
2 Red Elemental Blast
2 Disenchant
1 Shattering Pulse
1 Circle of Protection: Red
1 Warmth
1 Energy Flux
1 Arcane Laboratory
1 Hibernation
1 Light of Day
1 Slice and Dice
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Deck downloaded from - http://premodernmagic.com
http://premodernmagic.com
I hope this has your head spinning with deck-building ideas for a while. Next up is the first edition of the European Championships in Premodern, taking place in Genoa on October 28 at the Fishliver Oil Cup (which also has a large 93/94 tournament the day before). I’ve booked my tickets and I’m REALLY excited about this! 😀 It’s going to be the largest event so far by a large margin and I hope that I can meet many of you there. And for those of you who won’t be able to attend, plans are in the makings for coverage… Until then, see you in the Facebook group, on the Premodern Discord and on Instagram.
Cheers! / Martin