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We met at the same tournament I met Obelisk Spider, whom my love letter of yesterday was addressed to: Dutch Nationals 2017. You were part of the draft that mended my broken heart, my 3-0 trophy draft where I had to read every single card because I was completely unprepared. And while I love that memory, I fell in love with you at a later moment.
When I’ve built my cube Hanjo Masters #4 as a monument to that memory and Obelisk Spider, I also had to include you. But the great thing about designing a cube is, I can supersize the better cards from a draft format. I was including the -1/-1 counter strategy that was in the Amonkhet draft format, but only choosing the limited bangers and cherry picking cards from all of Magic to help support them. And I found the perfect buddy for you, Exemplar of Strength.
On the 28th of March I set down for a draft with my Hanjo Masters #4 cube. I was playing in the Cube Invitational Weekend tournament that I organised, and it wasn’t going well. This is no surprise, because I like to surround myself with people who are very good at what they do. Preferably better at it than I am. Most of the 20 participants have been Pro Tour competitors, while I never made it to that stage. So it made perfect sense that I had a 2-4 record after the first 2 drafts. To keep my top 8 dreams alive, I needed to do better.
And that is where you, Exemplar of Strength, and your buddy Young Wolf came in. A one-two punch that lands 6 power on the board on turn 2. On the surface you guys are very fair Magic cards, but together in a Masters power level environment, you destroy people. Playing the two of you together feels like unlocking a super power, and that is where I fell in love with you. Because you embody the beauty of cube. Combining cards that would otherwise never meet, but in the right environment, work perfectly together. We didn’t manage to trophy the draft, but at least got a solid 2-1 record. Pairing you together with your brother from another mother, Young Wolf, unlocking your super power, kept my dream of a top 8 alive in a field of players a whole lot better than me. And I love you for it.
With love,
Hanjo
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