2010 Player of the Year Final Standings

Rank Name              Rating    Tourney Wins    Points        Record

                                                                w-l-d

1   Joos, Levi          1620         2             9.0          8-4-2 
2   Shepard, Ryan       1625         1            12.0         12-6-0 
3   Townsend, Brad      1625         1             8.5          7-2-3  
4   Burdine, Patrick    1625                      11.0          9-4-4
5   Regul, Jon          1620         1             7.5          6-2-3
6   Alvarez, Sergio     1620         1             7.0          6-2-2
7   Pait, Robert        1620                       9.5          8-4-3
8   Northover, Mike     1620                       9.0          7-3-4
9   Moss, Jonathan      1610         1             2.5
10  Maun Mark           1610                       3.0               
11  Acuna, Mario        1610                       3.0 
12  Mann, John          1605                       7.5
13  Wang, Anthony       1605                       7.0    
14  Conversano, Ryan    1605                       3.5   
15  Sinclair, Casey     1605                       2.0
16  Rai, Andrew         1605                       2.0
17  Smith, Noah         1600                       2.5
18  Alessi, Christian   1600                       2.0
19  Miranda, Hector     1600                       1.5
20  Reynoso, Marco      1595                       2.0
21  Smith, Steven       1595                       1.5
22  Haag, Alex          1595                       1.5
23  Greenspoon, David   1595                       1.5
24  Dougan, Ryan        1595                       1.5
25  Curiel, Olivier     1595                        0
26  Carrigan, Todd      1590                       1.5
27  Amadon, Bob         1590                       1.0
28  Cheung, Ross        1590                       0.5
29  Hausmann, Shawn     1585                       5.5
30  Gianuzio, Josh      1585                       3.5
31  Riggio, Kenneth     1585                       1.5
32  Thomas, Patrick     1585                       0.5
33  Moles, Randy        1585                       0.5
34  Breen, Nathan       1585                        0
35  Khoury, Jarod       1580                       4.5
36  Amadon, Matt        1580                        0
37  Atwood, Joaquin     1580                        0

2010 Tournament Series

Sprue Posse Open RTT #1 - 2/20
Sprue Posse Open RTT #2 - 4/24
Sprue Posse Open RTT #3 - 6/5
Sprue Posse Open RTT #4 - 7/24
Sprue Posse Open RTT #5 - 9/18
Sprue Posse Open RTT #6 - 10/23
Sprue Posse Invitational - 12/4
 

It's been a few weeks of 'radio silence' but I've finally found something to write about. Just to catch you up, when last I wrote, I was floundering with my Mono-white Mimic-Lifegain deck. Even with the newly found Leyline of Sanctity in the sideboard for anti-Valakut, I was still losing consistently since it appears Acidic Slime is the standard sideboard for that deck. I was also losing to the new up-and-comer UB Jace decks.

So, I finally gave in and decided to just make the deck that was my nemesis - Primeval Valakut. Unfortunately, without any Primeval Titans, and the deck probably at its peak popularity, getting a full playset set me back 150 tickets. While that was extremely painful, it is an investment I am very happy with, but I will get to that later. I also had to grab a couple other cards that were missing from my collection such as Raging Ravine, Gaea's Revenge, and Obstinate Baloth.

I tooled around a bit in the 2-man tourneys with a few wins and a few losses. Wins can basically come just from the deck playing itself, while the losses were stupid plays or lack of familiarity on my part with optimal play order, etc. Once I felt comfortable enough though, I took it into a Daily.

Lo and behold, I went 3-1! Woo Hoo!

I unfortunately don't have a tourney report but I believe I beat a UB Jace deck, a WG Hybrid Quest deck, and a Vamps deck that I can't remember whether it was RB or Monoblack. The one loss was to another UB Jace deck.

I played another daily a few days later and lost 2-2 (meaning I was 2-1 going into final round). I still don't know if my play was a mistake or the optimal choice given the info I had. Playing against a mono-white Quest deck with 1 counter on their quest, 3 cards in hand and 3 land in play, I chose to play a Primeval and start building lands rather than cast my Acidic Slime to destroy the enchantment. On my opponent's turn though, he cast Memnite, Glint Hawk (returning Memnite), same Memnite, Ornithopter. That got him to the 5 counters he needed to pop his quest and grab his Argentum Armor and that basically sealed the game as he swung in with his battle-ready and newly equipped Squadron Hawk, destroying my 2nd Forest in the progress and locking me out of my Slime. Should I have been more proactive about destroying the enchantment or did he basically just have (or draw) the perfect hand to beat me?



In any case, that did not put me off the Valakut deck, and I still play it in the 2-man tourneys when I can't get into a Daily. But I think the 'rogue deck-builder' is in my blood because I feel no real enjoyment playing the deck. Maybe because it's a 'netdeck' or because it has a somewhat narrow win condition, but playing the deck feels very mechanical to me. Whatever the reason, I felt compelled to come up with another deck. But, after sinking 150+ smackers into my Primeval Valakut, I knew I had to build something that made use of my newly acquired cards.

Enter WG Titans! That's actually what I have saved the deck as in MTGO.

Here's the decklist and a quick overview. Suffice to say, I am loving this deck right now. It has been doing surprisingly well in the 2-man tourneys and I'm about to start my first daily piloting this thing.

Creatures:
4x Overgrown Battlement
4x Wall of Omens
4x Primeval Titan
3x Acidic Slime
2x Avenger of Zendikar
2x Baneslayer Angel
2x Sun Titan
2x Wurmcoil Engine

Spells:
4x Summoning Trap
3x Day of Judgment
2x Condemn
2x Horizon Spellbomb

Lands:
2x Emeria, the Sky Ruin
4x Khalni Garden
4x Stirring Wildwood
2x Razorverge Thicket
2x Sunpetal Grove
8x Plains
4x Forest

Sideboard:
2x Devout Lightcaster
2x Gaea's Revenge
2x Kor Firewalker
3x Leyline of Sanctity
2x Naturalize
2x Obstinate Baloth
2x Ratchet Bomb


First, the deck basically tries to ramp up mana as fast as possible via the 2 Walls. I don't know why I haven't seen it more often but these seem to be in so many decks, but never together and yet they are an awesome pair. Turn 1 land, turn 2 land + Battlement, turn 3 land + Omens (cantrip!) + whatever for 3 mana (another Battlement if I'm lucky), Turn 4 land and I'm online for a Titan or a Summoning Trap!

Once my mana is online, I'm either trying to just beat them senseless with the Titans, or slowly working to get Emeria online to seal the deal. Additional synergies in the deck are the spellbombs which not only can fetch plains for Emeria in case Primeval isn't showing up, but which also can be returned from the graveyard with the Sun Titan. The Days are there for creature control, and maindeck Acidic Slimes is primarily playing around the metagame, working double-duty against both Valakut decks and Quest decks.

Sideboard is pretty standard I think for the colors I'm playing and the metagame. I'm using Naturalize over Nature's Claim just because I don't have any at the moment but I'll likely switch that as soon as I can.

So there you have it, from one rogue deck to another, with an expensive dip into netdecking in the middle :) I'll update once I get some results out of my daily, hopefully this will be somewhat more consistent. If nothing else, I definitely have more fun playing this deck.

Oh, and did anyone notice something very strange about this new deck?

NO MIMIC VAT!!

---

Just a quick update, just went 3-1 in the daily. Deck performed awesomely, although I think I need to review it to see what, if anything, can be improved for the loss I had. I went down quick to a Red Black Vampires deck. Wins were against a White Green Fauna Shaman deck, a Mono-Black Vampires deck, and a Mono-Red Koth deck so I don't know if the loss was 'typical' or just bad luck (or good luck for opponent) as far as draws. In any case, not a bad way to start things off with my new rogue deck!

Below are the army lists for the Sprue Posse invitational. This was a 2000 point 40k tournament. Each participant was invited based on performance during the 2010 season. You can find a the full results from the tournament here.

Congratulations to Levi Joos for winning the Sprue Posse Invitational and the honors of Sprue Posse player of the year!

First Place

Levi Joos - Orks

HQ

Ghazghkull Thraka
Big Mek (Kustom Force Field, Power Klaw)

Troops

Nobs x 8 w Cybork Bodies, and Painboy (Power Klaw x 2, Big Choppa x 2, Combi Rockitt x 2, Bosspole x 3, Waagh Banner, Ammo Runt x 2)
Shoota Boys x18 (Rockitt) w Nob (Power Klaw, Boss Pole)
Shoota Boys x18 (Rockitt) w Nob (Power Klaw, Boss Pole)
Gretchin x 19 w Runtherd

Fast Attack

Deffkopta x1 (TL Rockitt, Buzzsaw)
Deffkopta x1 (TL Rockitt, Buzzsaw)

Heavy Support

Battlewagon (Deffrolla, Kannon, Boarding Plank, Grot Riggers, Stikkbomb Chucka, Red Paint)
Battlewagon (Deffrolla, Kannon, Boarding Plank, Red Paint)
Battlewagon (Deffrolla, Kannon, Boarding Plank, Red Paint)

Elite

Lootas x 15
Lootas x 5
Lootas x 5

From 40k 5/26/2010

Second Place

Robert Pait - Imperial Guard

HQ

Company Command Squad (Plasma x4) w Chimera (Heavy Flamer)

Troops

Veteran Squad x10 (Melta x3) w Chimera (Heavy Flamer)
Veteran Squad x10 (Melta x3) w Chimera (Heavy Flamer)
Veteran Squad x10 (Melta x3, Demolitions)
Platoon Command Squad x 5 (Flamer x2) w Chimera (Heavy Flamer)
Infantry Squad x 10 w Lascannon Team
Infantry Squad x 10 w Commissar w Lascannon Team
Autocannon Team x3
Autocannon Team x3
Autocannon Team x3
Autocannon Team x3

Fast Attack

Vendetta

Heavy Support

Hydra x3
Manticore
Manticore

Elite

Psyker Battle Squad x8 w Chimera (Heavy Bolter)


Third Place

Ryan Shepard - Tyranids

HQ

Swarmlord w Tyrant Guard

Troops

Termagants x10
Termagants x10
Tervigon (Adrenal Glands, Toxin Sacs, Catalyst)
Tervigon (Adrenal Glands, Toxin Sacs, Catalyst)
Genestealers x16
Genestealers x16

Elite

Hive Guard x2
Hive Guard x2
Hive Guard x2

Heavy Support

Trygon (Adrenal Glands)
Trygon (Adrenal Glands)

Remaining Lists

Sergio Alvarez - Blood Angels

HQ

Mephiston

Troops

Assault Squad x5 (melta x1, Power Fist x1) w Razorback (TL LC)
Assault Squad x5 (melta x1, Power Fist x1) w Razorback (TL LC)
Assault Squad x5 (melta x1, Power Fist x1, Plasma Pistol x1) w Razorback (TL LC)
Assault Squad x10 (jump packs, melta x2, power weapon)
Scout Squad x5 (missile launcher, combat blade)

Heavy Support

Devastator Squad x5 (LC x1, Missile Launcher x3)
Devastator Squad x5 (LC x1, Missile Launcher x3)

Fast Attack

Baal Predator x (Flamestorm Cannon, HB)
Baal Predator x (Flamestorm Cannon, HB)
Baal Predator x (HK Missile, HB)

Elite

Sanguinary Priest x3 (Power Armor, Melta Bombs)

From Drop Box

Patrick Burdine - Space Marines

HQ

Captain (Bike, Relic Blade, Storm Shield, Melta Bombs)
Librarian (Avenger, Null Zone)

Troops

Space Marine Bike Squad x5 (Plasma x2) w Attack Bike (Heavy Bolter) and Sergeant
Space Marine Bike Squad x5 (Plasma x2) w Attack Bike (Multi-Melta) and Sergeant (Power Fist)
Space Marine Bike Squad x5 (Melta x2) w Attack Bike (Multi-Melta) and Sergeant (Power Fist)
Space Marine Bike Squad x5 (Melta x2) w Attack Bike (Multi-Melta) and Sergeant (Power Fist)
Space Marine Bike Squad x5 (Flamer x2, Melta Bomb) w Attack Bike (Multi-Melta) and Sergeant (Power Fist)

Heavy Support

Land Raider Crusader (Multi-Melta, Extra Armor)

Fast Attack

Land Speeder (Typhoon Missile Launcher)
Land Speeder (Typhoon Missile Launcher)
Land Speeder (Typhoon Missile Launcher)

Elite

Assault Terminators x5 (Thunder Hammer x5, Storm-shield x5)

From Drop Box

Mike Northover - Space Wolves

HQ

Bjorn the Fell-Handed
Rune Priest (Jaws of the World Wolf, Storm Caller)

Troops

Grey Hunters x5 (Mark of the Wulfen x1)
Grey Hunters x5 (Mark of the Wulfen x1)
Grey Hunters x5 (Mark of the Wulfen x1) w Razorback (LC and TL Plasma Gun)
Grey Hunters x5 (Mark of the Wulfen x1) w Razorback (LC and TL Plasma Gun)

Heavy Support

Long Fangs Pack x6 (Lascannon x1, Missile Launcher x4) w Razorback (TL Assault Cannon)
Long Fangs Pack x6 (Lascannon x1, Missile Launcher x4) w Razorback (TL Lascannon)
Long Fangs Pack x6 (Lascannon x1, Missile Launcher x4) w Razorback (TL Heavy Bolter)

Fast Attack

Land Speeder Squadron

Elite

Dreadnought (CCW, Storm Bolter, TL Lascannon)
Dreadnought (TL Lascannon, Missile Launcher)
Wolf Guard Pack x3 (Power Weapon x2, Combi-Melta x1)

Jon Regul - Orks

HQ

Big Mek (Kustom Force Field)
Big Mek (Kustom Force Field)

Elites

Loota x10
Loota x10
Kommandos x 11 (Burna x2) w Boss Snikrot

Troops

Shoota Boyz x20 (Big Shoota x2) Nob (Powerklaw, Bosspole)
Shoota Boyz x20 (Big Shoota x2) Nob (Powerklaw, Bosspole)
Shoota Boyz x20 (Big Shoota x2) Nob (Powerklaw, Bosspole)
Gretchin x16 w Runtherd
Deff Dread (Big Shoota x2, Armor Plates)
Deff Dread (Big Shoota x2, Armor Plates)

Fast Attack

Deffkopta (TL Rockitt, Buzzsaw)
Deffkopta (TL Rockitt, Buzzsaw)

Heavy Support

Killa Kan x3 (Grotzooka x3)
Killa Kan x3 (Grotzooka x3)
Killa Kan x3 (Grotzooka x3)

From Drop Box

Ken Riggio - Space Marines

HQ

Librarian (Avenger, Null Zone)

Troops

Tactical Space Marines x10 (Missile Launcher, Flamer) w Rhino
Tactical Space Marines x10 (Missile Launcher, Flamer) w Rhino
Space Marine Scouts x5 (Sniper Rifles x4, Missile Launcher, Camo Cloaks x5)

Heavy Support

Land Raider Crusader (Multi-Melta, Extra Armor)

Fast Attack

Land Speeder (Typhoon Missile Launcher)
Land Speeder (Typhoon Missile Launcher)

Elite

Assault Terminators x6 (Thunder Hammer x6, Storm-shield x6)
Assault Terminators x5 (Thunder Hammer x5, Storm-shield x5)
Terminators x10 (Chainfist x2, Cyclone Missile Launcher x2)

From Drop Box

I've been thinking about putting together a Sprue Posse team tournament for one of our open tournaments for the upcoming 2011 season. The idea is intriguing because it's a different spin on something standard without completely redefining the ruleset (although from a balance perspective it can completely blow up conventional wisdom).

There are plenty of options on how to do these things and what to allow or prohibit. A variety of choices indeed present themselves.

What armies are allowed to team up? For those with fluff in mind you can always use the handy apocalypse allies matrix. You could prohibit sworn enemies or give them some kind of penalty. You could encourage trusted allies by offering bonuses. Another option is to just open up arcade mode where anything goes. This idea might be more suitable because it allows for a bit more creativity and more importantly gets more players into the tournament.

After you decide what codex combinations are legal among the teammates you then need to decide how different codices interact with one another, if at all. Lots of options here. Should buffs be shared across codices? Can your KFF grant chimera's a 4+ save? What about debuffs like doom? Or Fateweavers save re-roll ability? Fortune on a TH/SS unit? Aside from buffs should mixing and matching transports or independent characters be allowed? Nobs in a Land Raider for instance? A warboss leading a unit of space marines?

I think from a team up perspective mixing and matching vehicles and IC's can get a bit complicated. At that point you're not sure who is in charge of moving what unit or vehicle since it becomes a blending of the two. Another issue with some of the buffs is wording. Many buffs state "friendly" units. That could imply it works for allies. Other buffs like fortune specify specific race like eldar, or marker-lights for tau. You could go further and create a "team-up" rule where all references to CODEX include your teammate too. This would allow markerlights working for IG or IG orders working for lootas.

Other basic questions. Should teammates share phases? Most likely for ease of play. Should they share force organization? Should there be minimum's on FO or troop choices? Or could you just run imbalanced teams with one side taking HQ and troops and another taking all Heavy Support and Fast Attack.

So the questions I'd have to answer:

1) What codices are allowed to team up?
2) What do the individual and team force organization charts look like?
3) Do "buffs" or special abilities work across codices?
4) Do debuffs work across codices?
5) Can IC's attach themselves to teammates' units?
6) Can vehicles work with teammates units?

Lots to cover here. Maybe I'll come up with something coherent on this in the near future.

Edit: Army lists and photos of this event are now available here.

Sprue Posse Invitational - Round 1

List of Players

No Name             Feder Rtg Loc          Army

1. Regul, Jon                 1630         Orks
2. Shepard, Ryan              1625         Tyranids
3. Burdine, Patrick           1625         Space Marines
4. Alvarez, Sergio            1620         Blood Angels
5. Northover, Mike            1620         Space Wolves
6. Joos, Levi                 1610         Orks
7. Pait, Robert               1610         Imperial Guard
8. Riggio, Ken                1600         Space Marines

Round 1 Pairings

No Name            Result   Name           

1 Regul, J (1)       :     Northover, M (5)
2 Joos, L (6)        :     Shepard, R (2) 
3 Burdine, P (3)     :     Pait, R (7)    
4 Riggio, K (8)      :     Alvarez, S (4) 

by Swiss Perfect (TM) www.swissperfect.com

Results Round 1 - Dawn of War / Annihilation

No Name            Result   Name           

1 Regul, J (1)      0:1    Northover, M (5)
2 Joos, L (6)       1:0    Shepard, R (2) 
3 Burdine, P (3)    0:1    Pait, R (7)    
4 Riggio, K (8)     0:1    Alvarez, S (4) 

Sprue Posse Invitational - Round 2

Standings after Round 1

Place Name             Feder Rtg Loc  Score Buch. Progr. Berg.

1-4  Alvarez, Sergio            1625 1       1.0    2.0  0.00
     Northover, Mike            1625 1       1.0    2.0  0.00
     Joos, Levi                 1615 1       1.0    2.0  0.00
     Pait, Robert               1615 1       1.0    2.0  0.00
5-8  Regul, Jon                 1625 0       1.0    0.0  0.00
     Shepard, Ryan              1620 0       1.0    0.0  0.00
     Burdine, Patrick           1620 0       1.0    0.0  0.00
     Riggio, Ken                1595 0       1.0    0.0  0.00

Round 2 Pairings

No Name              Result   Name         

1 Alvarez, S (4)       :     Joos, L (6)  
2 Northover, M (5)     :     Pait, R (7)  
3 Regul, J (1)         :     Burdine, P (3)
4 Shepard, R (2)       :     Riggio, K (8)

by Swiss Perfect (TM) www.swissperfect.com

Results Round 2 - Spearhead / Capture and Control

No Name              Result   Name         

1 Alvarez, S (4)     .5:.5   Joos, L (6)  
2 Northover, M (5)   .5:.5   Pait, R (7)  
3 Regul, J (1)       .5:.5   Burdine, P (3)
4 Shepard, R (2)      1:0    Riggio, K (8)

by Swiss Perfect (TM) www.swissperfect.com

Standings after Round 2

Place Name             Feder Rtg Loc  Score Buch. Progr. Berg.

1-4  Joos, Levi                 1615 1.5     2.5    2.5  1.75
     Northover, Mike            1625 1.5     2.0    2.5  1.25
     Pait, Robert               1615 1.5     2.0    2.5  1.25
     Alvarez, Sergio            1625 1.5     1.5    2.5  0.75
 5   Shepard, Ryan              1625 1       1.5    1.0  0.00
6-7  Regul, Jon                 1625 0.5     2.0    0.5  0.25
     Burdine, Patrick           1620 0.5     2.0    0.5  0.25
 8   Riggio, Ken                1590 0       2.5    0.0  0.00

by Swiss Perfect (TM) www.swissperfect.com

Sprue Posse Invitational - Round 3

Round 3 Pairings

No Name            Result   Name           

1 Pait, R (7)        :     Alvarez, S (4) 
2 Joos, L (6)        :     Northover, M (5)
3 Shepard, R (2)     :     Regul, J (1)   
4 Burdine, P (3)     :     Riggio, K (8)  

Results Round 3 - Pitched / Seize Ground 5 Objectives

No Name            Result   Name           

1 Pait, R (7)       1:0    Alvarez, S (4) 
2 Joos, L (6)       1:0    Northover, M (5)
3 Shepard, R (2)    1:0    Regul, J (1)   
4 Burdine, P (3)    1:0    Riggio, K (8)  

Final Standings

Place Name             Feder Rtg Loc  Score Buch. Progr. Berg.

1-2  Joos, Levi                 1620 2.5     5.0    5.0  4.25
     Pait, Robert               1620 2.5     4.5    5.0  3.75
 3   Shepard, Ryan              1630 2       3.0    3.0  0.50
4-6  Northover, Mike            1620 1.5     5.5    4.0  1.75
     Alvarez, Sergio            1620 1.5     5.0    4.0  1.25
     Burdine, Patrick           1625 1.5     3.0    2.0  0.25
 7   Regul, Jon                 1620 0.5     5.0    1.0  0.75
 8   Riggio, Ken                1585 0       5.0    0.0  0.00

by Swiss Perfect (TM) www.swissperfect.com

I have found myself at a crossroads. My first daily with my Mimic Vat Lifegain deck seemed extremely promising but I had to drop out with a 2-0 record due to personal issues that came up. I then joined a few 2-Man Constructed tournaments and have found myself in a funk of consecutive losses. A 2nd Daily resulted in a 0-2 drop.

At this point, I've reached the 50-ticket limit I had set for myself to try out rogue deck ideas and I feel like I am either expecting too much from this deck, or just need to find the right tweak to make it really competitive.

The only problem is that the 2nd option will require of course more tickets invested and if the reality of the situation is the first option, and I am trying to make a Tier 2 deck perform to the level of a Tier 1 deck, it will ultimately lead to more tickets lost in a hopeless effort.

I guess I am wondering, when do you decide to 'give up' on a deck? At what point do you stop tweaking and move on to another deck? I know this would be easy if the deck performed horribly. The problem is that when it works, it works really well. Amazingly I have had turn 4 kills with this deck, something I hadn't even considered possible. But I have been having consistent issues with Primeval Valakut decks and they seem to be gaining in popularity.

If it wasn't such a huge investment, I would simply go with my original plan of creating my own version of existing Tier 1 decks, specifically a Primeval Valakut deck. But when Primeval is going for ~30 tickets last time I checked, and me needing a full playset of 4, that is a HUGE investment for what may be yesterday's news before I can recoup the cost. Not to mention I would likely need Lotus Cobras which have been in the ~20 ticket range lately. That's 200 tickets for 8 cards. It just pains me too much to do that when I feel like I could make a viable rogue deck at a fraction of the cost!

What to do, what to do...