Des Moines PTQ and Regionals

[John Galli]

So, as some of us have been mulling about, the Des Moines PTQ is coming up this weekend, followed by Regionals on May 15th (presumably in Chicago or Minneapolis).

Des Moines is about the same drive as the Twin Cities; ie 5+ hours. It's a new standard format, meaning some unpredictability, but most of the current staple decks are still valid.

Does anyone outside of Matt have an interest in going? (He's going to be coming from Minnesota)

I'm probably not going to go, but if 1-2 others are down I'd highly consider a trip. I know Dan Howard from the shop was looking for a ride, but I'm not doing a 3-person trip with someone I barely know again, that was an utterly uncomfortable journey the last time with Adrian.

Regionals is a little further down the road, but it's also 2 days before I leave for Las Vegas, so I think it might be a little too close for me to consider. I also think getting a jump on the new format might be a good thing (with des moines), as your offered few opportunities in magic to "surprise" your opponents these days.

Let me know, - J

And yes, Travis, I know you have work.

[Travis Lannoye]

Yeah, I wish I could go to this one...can't imagine there are too many good players in Iowa.

Maybe it would be better to just prepare for Regionals?

[John Galli]

Again, the main issue, is like the fact that you can't make Des Moines, I most likely can't make Regionals.

Btw, if you get a chance, I know that you have Tyler on your aim. Any chance you could see if he has any good decklist brews available? I wouldn't mind rolling with one of his concoctions if I did end up going as he always seems to have a good knack for Standard.

[crazedferret]

I would seriously consider either of those if we can scrape together either that mythic sovereigns decklist or a solid polymorph or summoning trap build. Regionals would be a lot more doable for me as it is after finals, but I'd do this weekend too if I can get a hold of the cards.

[matth]

Regionals are now held in every state, so it will be in Madison.

[John Galli]

Yep, just found that out yesterday at Netherworld. Misty is holding a regionals woohoo!

Pat between Travis and I we should be able to hook you up with the Mythic. Here's the list that won the German qualifier, and I'll tell you what I have out of it-

4 Baneslayer Angel * Travis has*
4 Birds Of Paradise *I have*
4 Knight Of The Reliquary *I have, but can't find 1*
4 Lotus Cobra *I have*
4 Noble Hierarch *I have*
4 Rhox War Monk *I have*
4 Sovereigns Of Lost Alara *I have*

Planeswalkers
2 Elspeth, Knight-errant *Nope*
3 Jace, The Mind Sculptor *Not sure who has this if anyone*

Tribal Enchantments
2 Eldrazi Conscription *Nope*

Basic Lands
4 Forest
2 Island
2 Plains

Lands
1 Arid Mesa *I Have*
3 Celestial Colonnade *Travis might have*
1 Glacial Fortress *I have*
4 Misty Rainforest *I have*
1 Sejiri Steppe *I have*
2 Stirring Wildwood *I have*
2 Sunpetal Grove *I have*
1 Tectonic Edge *I have*
2 Verdant Catacombs *I'm using this*

Sideboard:
4 Dauntless Escort *I have maybe 1*
3 Kor Firewalker *I have*
2 Qasali Pridemage *I have*
2 Oblivion Ring *I have*
4 Negate *I have*

I would still be up for a last minute trip, but I'd like to have at least 3 of us if we're gonna go. It'd ease up gas prices for everyone, etc. The other issue would be getting a cheap motel (and I mean CHEAPsauce) or the extreme outside possibility of leaving in the middle of the night (we'd have to leave at like 4am to make it)

All in all, it sounds pretty crazy and most likely won't happen, but there's no harm in keeping it as an outside possibility. When it comes down to it, I want to compete, and I love playing in these style of tournaments so it's a fun weekend excursion no matter what the results. I also feel like going into the tournament with either Jund or Mythic Conscription gives us good chances from the get go. Of course, if a trip doesn't happen, there's always regionals.

Doing a quick check, the cheapest hotel was $45 that I found (looked decent). Although again, I'm not 100% opposed to a 4am trip. As for a third or fourth person, I know both Dan Howard and BK had an interest, I'll hit them up on facebook.

[crazedferret]

I have to work until 9 on friday but would be willing to drive after that if needs be to make it there.

[John Galli]

Ugh, ok I'll think about it. Haven't heard back yet from Dan Howard and 4am is a pretty rough time for a road trip. I also don't want to share the driving duties as I'm pretty sure guests aren't covered on my insurance and it's a relatively new car so don't want to take any risks.

I'll let ya know tomorrow morning if it's gonna happen

[crazedferret]

What I meant was, I'd be willing to take the buick....

[John Galli]

Ok, my bad, I'll let ya kno

edit, see below

[John Galli]

Alright, fuck it, lets go. I got nothing else special going on this weekend and I want to bust some heads with an aggro deck ;D . I've got a Jund build and a RDW build (the latter courtesy of Adrian) that I'm going to goldfish a little after work tomorrow with.

I guess I'd do either the 4am or the hotel, whatever one you think would be easier. Obviously with the former we save some cash, and with the latter we get a little more sleep. I'm leaning towards the cash saving at this point, but either one's good IMO.

Pat I can hook you up with the cards I mentioned above, but I'd get on the horn with Travis tomorrow and see if you can do a Friday night stop to pickup baneslayers, catacombs, 1 knight of reliquary, colonnades, dauntless escort, new jace, etc, if he has these. hopefully someone has the new jace, I'm not sure if anybody does other than Ryan and I don't know how to contact him other than these forums (unless trav has the number)


EDIT****

Here's the info for the event- (a master series event not a ptq btw)

Date: May 1, 2010
Registration: 9:00 am until 9:45 am CDT
Tournament Starts: 10:00 am CDT

Location:
Des Moines
Iowa Events Center
730 Third Street
Des Moines, IA 50309

Map & Directions

Tournament Structure

The structure for Midwest Masters Series Qualifiers and Finals tournaments will be modified Swiss-style, with the Top 8 players playing in a single-elimination format for prizes and invitation(s).

Tournament Format: Standard Constructed
* Deck lists are required

Entry Fee: $30

Prizes

1st: $1,500 & Invite to Master’s Championship Event, 4-Day Gen Con Badge
2nd: $500 & Invite to Master’s Championship Event, 4-Day Gen Con Badge
3rd-4th: $300 & Invite to Master’s Championship Event, 4-Day Gen Con Badge
5th-8th: $150 & Invite to Master’s Championship Event, 4-Day Gen Con Badge
9th-16th: Box of Current Magic Set


1.
Head west on University Ave toward N Brooks St
About 1 min
go 0.4 mi
total 0.4 mi

2.
Turn left at N Randall Ave
About 1 min
go 0.2 mi
total 0.6 mi

3.
Slight right at Monroe St
About 5 mins
go 1.9 mi
total 2.5 mi

4.
Slight left to stay on Monroe St
go 85 ft
total 2.5 mi

5.
Continue onto Nakoma Rd
About 1 min
go 0.6 mi
total 3.2 mi

6.
Turn left at Seminole Hwy
About 5 mins
go 2.2 mi
total 5.4 mi

7.
Turn right at McKee Rd
About 2 mins
go 0.9 mi
total 6.2 mi

8.
Turn left at US-151 S/US-18 W
Continue to follow US-151 S
Entering Iowa
About 1 hour 32 mins
go 91.0 mi
total 97.3 mi

9.
Take the ramp onto US-151 S
About 54 mins
go 56.9 mi
total 154 mi

10.
Turn left at IA-13 S/US-151 S
About 12 mins
go 7.5 mi
total 162 mi

11.
Merge onto US-151 S/US-30 W via the ramp to Cedar Rapids
About 7 mins
go 6.7 mi
total 168 mi

12.
Take exit 252B to merge onto I-380 S/IA-27 S toward Airport/US-218 S/Lowa City
About 16 mins
go 16.3 mi
total 185 mi

13.
Take exit 0B to merge onto I-80 W toward Des Moines
About 1 hour 37 mins
go 101 mi
total 286 mi

14.
Take exit 137A on the left to merge onto I-235 W toward Des Moines
About 5 mins
go 5.7 mi
total 291 mi

15.
Take exit 8A toward Downtown/Des Moines/Iowa Events Center
go 410 ft
total 292 mi

16.
Keep right at the fork, follow signs for 3rd St
go 0.1 mi
total 292 mi

17.
Turn left at 3rd St
Destination will be on the left
About 1 min
go 0.3 mi
total 292 mi