Finals: Anthony Phoneuf vs. Zac Hicks

Zac was hungry for a win this weekend, with two Top 8 appearances playing unique achetypes. Would Welder MUD give him the gold over mono-red Burn, or would Anthony hoist another trophy in the name of Flame Rift and Fireblast?

Anthony carries the Burn torch today.

Game 1

On the play, Zac chanted for turn 1 Wurmcoil Engine. Ancient Tomb into Grim Monolith into Metalworker had potential, but Chain Lightning ended the 1/2. That meant Zac had to go to 14 to cast his Lodestone Golem on turn 2, with two Ancient Tombs, and Anthony suspended Rift Bolt.

Zac went to 12 for Grim Monolith and Voltaic Key, untapping a Monolith. The Rift Bolt killed Golem, and Anthony cast Flame Rift to put himself at 11 and Zac at 8. Another Voltaic Key off the top didn't help much, and Anthony cast Flame Rift plus Grim Lavamancer on the next turn.

Hitting his Wurmcoil Engine, Zac sighed as Price of Progress killed him dead.

Anthony 1, Zac 0

Game 2

Keeping his seven, Zac didn't mind a mulligan from Anthony… or another one, to five cards. Four was excessive, though… Would this even be a game? Zac started Hall of the Bandit Lord and passed, taking 3 from Chain Lightning. He fell to 14 after playing City of Traitors, playing a hasted Metalworker to reveal ten mana in artifacts before casting Batterskull and Grim Monolith.

Zac Hicks has a lot to smile about, considering his two Top 8s.

Anthony sent 6 damage at Zac, putting him to 8 life… but he chucked a hasted Blightsteel Colossus into the face on the next turn.

Anthony 1, Zac 1

Game 3

Suspending Rift Bolt, Anthony passed the turn. Zac took 2 damage for Lightning Greaves via Ancient Tomb, and then 9 on Anthony's turn: Rift Bolt, Lava Spike, and Chain Lightning. On 9, he played Mountain and passed.

Flame Rift for Anthony made that 5 life, and Zac had the Wurmcoil, Grim Monolith, and City of Traitors he needed to gain 6 life… but he was dead to Lightning Bolt, Fireblast, maybe even more. He fell to 3 life to make his hasted Wurmcoil Engine—and landed the blow!

Going back to 9 life, Zac was suddenly in the lead. Anthony passed on his own turn, and Zac attacked—double Price of Progress put Zac to 1 life, and he got back to 7 when his attack landed successfully once again. Anthony drew… and extended the hand in defeat.

Anthony 1, Zac 2