The latest entry in the SCGCON Battle Hardened series kicked off in Columbus with 110 players, with the first Classic Constructed event since Prism ascended to Living Legend status. The metagame saw Tales of Aria heroes Briar and Oldhim step to the forefront, sharing almost a third of the field between them. Dromai was close behind, taking up Prism's mantle as the sole Illusionist in the format, with both of her fellow Uprising heroes making a strong showing on the field as well. Viserai has also maintained his presence in the metagame from the Road to Nationals season, sharing the Runeblade title with Briar.
Despite having one of the smallest presences on the field, Dash once again laid her claim to the Top 8 cut, with Inventor Extraordinaire Matthew Dilks emerging in the quarterfinals. Matthew began playing Flesh and Blood this year, making the Top 8 at Battle Hardened: Indianapolis in March, the Top 4 at Battle Hardened: Pittsburgh in May, and sweeping up wins across the Skirmish and ProQuest seasons.
Dromai was represented by two players: David Reitenbach and Peyton Laufenberg. David has been playing since March and competed at Battle Hardened: Pittsburgh, honing his skills through the ProQuest and Road to Nationals seasons, while Peyton was a quarterfinalist at Battle Hardened: Syracuse in July.
Our two wizards in the Top 8 are James Adams in Levi Rauch; James took Iyslander to victory during the Road to Nationals season, and Levi is perhaps better known for his work as a Ranger representative, seeing several Top 8 finishes with Azalea at ProQuest and Road to Nationals events, and making the Top 32 at Calling: Indianapolis with Lexi.
Finally, we come to our three Elemental Guardians on the field. Charles Dunn is a two-time Battle Hardened Champion, winning events in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, and more recently making the semifinals at Battle Hardened: Lille. Anthony Bugoci has been playing Flesh and Blood since the release of Monarch, winning a ProQuest event earlier this year with Bravo, Star of the Show before narrowly missing the Top 8 cut at the Calling: New Jersey. Ryan Rich has competed at three Callings, a Battle Hardened and a Pro Tour, making the Top 16 at Pro Tour Lille.
The finals found Mechanologist Matthew Dilks facing off against Guardian Ryan Rich, having both beaten wizard players in the semifinals to vie for their shot at the title of Battle Hardened Champion. Congratulations to winner and Battle Hardened: Columbus Champion Ryan Rich for fighting his way to victory, and claiming a win for Oldhim, Grandfather of Eternity!
Top 8:
1st: Ryan Rich - Oldhim, Grandfather of Eternity
2nd: Matthew Dilks - Dash, Inventor Extraordinaire
3rd-4th: Levi Rauch - Iyslander, Stormbind
3rd-4th: James Adams - Iyslander, Stormbind
5th-8th: David Reitenbach - Dromai, Ash Artist
5th-8th: Charles Dunn - Oldhim, Grandfather of Eternity
5th-8th: Anthony Bugoci - Oldhim, Grandfather of Eternity
5th-8th: Peyton Laufenberg - Dromai, Ash Artist
