<3
You were so ahead of your time. Your effect on a one drop was almost unprecedented in 2002. There were only 2 one drops that could match your effect, two absolute legends of the game: Mother of Runes and Goblin Welder. You joined their ranks. You have been a driving force of the Sligh deck I grew up watching. You have been a Cube staple since day one thanks to your amazing play patterns.
It took me a long time to play you for the first time. It was 10 years after you were first printed, at Grand Prix Lille 2012. I was playing one copy of you in the main deck of French Rites, also called Frites, designed by a legend of the game: hall of fame inductee Raphael Levy. It was the breakout deck at Pro Tour Dark Ascension a month earlier and it was so much fun. It is still till this day one of the most fun decks I have ever played that was at the same time also very, very good.
The deck didn’t leave much room for further innovation, a lot of slots were set. You needed mana elves, cards that filled up the graveyard, a couple of fatties and Unburial Rites. The main innovation I did was playing a single copy of you, Grim Lavamancer, in the maindeck. And a couple in the sideboard. You were such a good fit for that deck in certain matchups. You could absolutely dominate games, as a mere one drop.
For me Grand Prix Lille 2012 was a magical event. It was the first time I ever made day 2 of a Grand Prix. I felt like I was playing really well and I was having an absolute blast with such a fun and strong deck. Somewhere later in day 2 at some point, the master himself, Raphael Levi sat down next to me while I was finishing my match. He was watching curiously to see if I made changes to the deck and after I won the match with your help (pfiew) he asked me about you. When I told I played one copy of you maindeck and the rest in the sideboard he gave a nod of approval.
It is because of these memories I refuse to cut you from my Vintage Cube. You’ve been in and out of the MTGO Vintage Cube list. But I can’t see why, because every time I see you in a Cube, all I see is that nod of approval from the master himself.
With love,
Hanjo
PS, Just look at those final standings.
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