The Nook Anonas Standard Showdown - November 21, 2023
The Nook Anonas witnessed an enthralling Standard tournament on November 21, 2023, that highlighted the strategic depth and evolving nature of the MTG Standard format. Irah Scott Naldoza emerged as the champion, showcasing the power and versatility of the UW Soldiers deck in the current meta.
Tournament Overview
- Format: Standard
- Players: 10
- Rounds: 4
Top Performances
- Winner: Irah Scott Naldoza (UW Soldiers)
- Runner-Up: Jeff Uy (Domain Ramp)
- Other notable decks included Roy Rivero’s UW Soldiers, Jonathan Dolor’s Mono Blue Tempo, Patrick Padilla's UB Proliferate and Michael Cabrera’s Rakdos Anvil.
Irah Scott Naldoza's Winning Deck
Naldoza’s UW Soldiers deck demonstrated exceptional balance between control and aggression. His deck's composition was as follows:
Main Deck:
- Lands: Adarkar Wastes, Deserted Beach, Eiganjo, Fortified Beachhead, Mirrex, Otawara, Plains, Seachrome Coast, Secluded Courtyard
- Creatures: Harbin, Vanguard Aviator, Knight-Errant of Eos, Lunarch Veteran, Recruitment Officer, Regal Bunnicorn, Malcolm, Resolute Reinforcements, Werefox Bodyguard, Yotian Frontliner, Zephyr Sentinel
- Spells: Make Disappear, Wedding Announcement
Sideboard:
- Destroy Evil, Elspeth's Smite, Lantern Flare, Protect the Negotiators, Loran of the Third Path, The Wandering Emperor, Tocasia's Welcome, Surge of Salvation, Get Lost
Why UW Soldiers is Excelling in the Current Meta
- Adaptable Playstyle: The deck can shift seamlessly between aggressive starts and controlling the board, making it a tough matchup for both aggro and control decks.
- Effective Sideboard Strategy: Naldoza’s sideboard choices, including The Wandering Emperor and Tocasia's Welcome, allowed for effective adaptation to various opponents.
- Countering Popular Decks: With its mix of creatures and spells, UW Soldiers is well-equipped to handle popular decks like Domain Ramp and Rakdos Anvil.
Round-by-Round Recap
Naldoza maintained a strong lead throughout the tournament, with key victories in each round solidifying his top position. Jeff Uy’s Domain Ramp and other decks like Mono Blue Tempo and Naya Midrange also showcased their strengths but ultimately couldn't surpass Naldoza’s strategic play.
Looking Ahead: The Impact of "Lost Caverns of Ixalan"
The upcoming release of "Lost Caverns of Ixalan" is set to bring significant changes to the Standard meta. This expansion may introduce new challenges and deck archetypes, potentially affecting the dominance of current strategies like UW Soldiers. Players at The Nook Anonas are poised to adapt and explore new possibilities in the evolving landscape of MTG.
