100 players tried their hand at the Gold Foil, PTI, and share of $2000 USD last weekend at Battle Hardened Cincinnati!
The first premier event out of the gate after Dusk till Dawn hit shelves, we were treated to an early snapshot of what the upcoming meta could look like. Oldhim may be out of the picture, but Briar still remains a threat, and a familiar frosty face has returned to the fold...
Players had a rip-roaring time on Sunday cracking packs of Monarch, drawing from what they learned during War of the Monarch weekend. Some big names made it to the top, showing they're more than ready to take on Nationals!
Battle Hardened
Despite a distinct lack of grumpy Elemental Guardians, Lexi and Dromai have held on to their spots at the forefront of the meta. But whether you like it or not, Briar is making a resurgence, backed by her new staple Anthem of Spring!
Overall the Top 8 was very diverse, with only Briar represented in double spots. Those loyal Levia fans have also finally been rewarded, with a smorgasbord of tasty treats to cram into your deck, the often bullied Shadow Brute is a joke no more.
But it was Iyslander who completely blindsided the field, piloted by Rhea Adams, bringing a storm of ice and fury when everyone least expected it! Warmonger's Diplomacy at instant speed is one hell of a tech card, and is sure to make everyone check the weather forecast before heading outside in the near future!
Congratulations to Rhea, and the rest of our Top 8 competitors!
Top 8
1st: Rhea Adams - Iyslander, Stormbind
2nd: Nathaniel Snyder - Lexi, Livewire
3rd-4th: Mara Faris - Dromai, Ash Artist
3rd-4th: Yuanji Li - Briar, Warden of Thorns
5th-8th: Holden Isaacs - Briar, Warden of Thorns
5th-8th: Ben Hannan - Bravo, Showstopper
5th-8th: Sam Dando - Uzuri, Switchblade
5th-8th: Pat Eshghy - Levia, Shadowborn Abomination
PTI Event
Monarch seems to be the gift that keeps on giving! Just when you think you may have drafted the forces of Light and Shadow to the ends of the earth, something new catches your eye and you just have to try cracking packs again.
This was a great opportunity for the big leagues to practice drafting Monarch in a competitive environment ahead of Nationals, and boy did they deliver! From World Champion Michael Hamilton, to Pro Tour Finalist Mara Faris, to some guy called Flake, the Top 8 was absolutely stacked!
But it was Ashley Briggs piloting Chane who rose above them all to claim first place and the PTI!
Congratulations to Ashley, and the rest of our Top 8 competitors!
Top 8
1st: Ashley Briggs
2nd: Matt Di Marco
3rd-4th: Naib Mobassir
3rd-4th: Paul White
5th-8th: Mitchel Daniels
5th-8th: Matt Kohls
5th-8th: Mara Faris
5th-8th: Michael Hamilton
There's a reason people say we have the best pro play circuit of any TCG currently on the market. It's not just the pristine trophies, beautiful prize cards, or even the cold hard cash. It's the days like these, with your mates, having a blast!
