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In 2017 I qualified for the Dutch Nationals. This used to be an impressive feat, either being one the top players in the national combined ELO rating, or making top 8 of a qualifier tournament. But the ELO system had its problems and in 2012 was replaced by the Planes Walker Points system. In this new system, basically playing and making day 2 at one Grand Prix, would earn you enough points to qualify for that year’s Nationals. Which is what I did that year.
I did not prepare for nationals. I broke up with my girlfriend a couple of weeks before and couldn’t be bothered to prepare, I was heartbroken. I borrowed a deck for the standard portion, which was explained to me the morning of the event. There was just a new set release for the limited format and I didn’t look at a single card of that set. I went 1-2 in the first 3 rounds of standard and I sat down for the draft. At a higher level event like Nationals the drafts are timed drafts. This means that you have less than a minute to make your draft pick during each booster. Usually this is fine, but if the only cards in the draft set are the ones you’ve just seen during the standard portion, this is not fine. Let me tell you, you can’t read all the cards in a pack in less than a minute, let alone evaluate a pack and make a decent enough decision.
I drafted a green and black deck evolving around the -1/-1 counter theme including 2 copies of you, Obelisk Spider. Together we won the first 2 rounds, reading so many cards I had never seen before. But that was no issue, because you were so strong in my deck. For the finals of the draft we got to play a very enthusiastic teenager, he was very happy to make the finals of a draft on Nationals. In the last game I used my experience as a cube drafter: my opponent left open one green mana and I chose not to attack into it. Because I didn’t know if there was a Giant Growth type effect in this set and I calculated my chances were better not attacking. Because having played so many different cubes, you learn to read situations from a “could be” perspective, making decisions knowing you have so little information. Together we won that match swiftly to 3-0 (trophy) our draft. After the match my opponent asked why I didn’t attack in that situation, and after I explained I was playing around a potential Giant Growth, he responded surprised: ‘there is no such effect in the set?!’. I still vividly remember his face when I told him I didn’t see a single card of the set before today. He was heartbroken.
I wasn’t heartbroken anymore. That draft, thanks to your help, mended my broken heart. And I love you for that Obelisk Spider. As a monument to that draft I’ve built a cube for those 2 copies of you, together with the whole -1/-1 counter theme: Hanjo Masters #4. So I can always relive those days. But just to be sure, I did add a one green mana combat trick.
With love,
Hanjo
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