Wednesday, February 10, 2010

League FAQ Roundup

So there have been several questions lately related to various aspects of the league. Most of the answers are in earlier posts, but for convenience sake here they are in one place.

1)How are league points assigned?

Each League event you play in gets you one automatic point no matter how you do.
Top finishers are then awarded league points based on the followed structure:

1-8 players
1st=3 total points (1 participation plus two bonus)
2nd=2 total points (1 participation plus one bonus)
3rd-8th=1 total point each (1 participation point plus 0 bonus points)

9-12 players
1st=4 total points
2nd=3 total points
3rd=2 total points
4th-12th=1 total point each

13-16 players
1st=5 total points
2nd=4 total points
3rd=3 total points
4th=2 total points
5th-16th=1 1 total point

The tiers continue on with points being bumped up each time a new tier of 4 players is reached.

2)What are the prizes?

Last time we gave out prizes worth over 200 dollars to the top 4 finishers and the two players tied for most events attended. These prizes included trophies, packs, foil cards playmats and more. This time we are expanding to reward the top 8 finishers with similar prizes and a special invitation only free tournament with an extended art Baneslayer Angel to the winner!

3)When does the league end?

The last league event to earn points for Spring League standings is Sunday Free Standard at Hampton Courts Clubhouse on March 28th.


4)Am I allowed to play in league events if I have not started before now?

Yes. Everyone is encouraged to play in league events, first timers are welcome and it is not too late to make a run at the top 8 and the free Baneslayer tournament.

Monday, February 8, 2010

Top 4 Zen/World Block Decks, Updated League Standings and an Apology to Joe

Okay, I found the mistake Joe. All of your matches and Rick's matches were correctly entered, but an earlier match between Allen Greer and Terance Crosby (Rick's other opponent and source of tiebreaks) was wrong. With that fix, the tiebreaks become correct. Don't worry Rick you can keep your foil prize and point. I will just let you both have third place credit.

So the top four Zendikar/Worldwake Block decks and players were:

1)2-0-1 U/W Control by Don Dahl
2)2-0-1 Vampires by Andrew Davis
3)2-1 Vampires by Joe Gelli
4)2-1 Merfolk by Rick Nuzum (just kidding, it was more vampires)

Updated League Standings

1)35 Joe Gelli
2)33 Stormy Lombardi
3)32 Captain Thompson
4)26 Don Dahl
5)19 Cody Church
6)18 Allen Greer
7)18 Billy Barkley
8)16 Michael Mayo
9)15 Rick Nuzum
10)14 Shannon Buchanan
11)14 Cory Hill
12)13 Joseph Nester
13)12 Steadman Demarco
14)12 Tom Nuzum
15)9 Jay Buchanon
16)9 Victor Delacroix
17)9 Michael Peterson
18)9 Nick Maley
19)9 Terrence Crosby
20)8 Kelly Mayo
21)8 Amanda Davis
22)8 Sims Long
23)8 Andrew Davis
24)7 Andrew Philips
25)7 Joshua Dolinger
26)6 Geofrey Marsi
27)6 Nate Gauthier
28)6 Joel Dolinger
29)5 Chad Barnette
30)5 Perry Butt
31)5 Will Bass
32)5 Aaron Fritts
33)5 Joseph "Evan" Bradley
34)4 Michael Driggers
35)3 Adam Kawa
36)3 Jonathan Saylor
37)3 Kyle Schafer
38)3 Eric Grogan
39)2 Cati Huff
40)2 John Jacob
41)2 Ally Blaber
42)2 Franklin "Cody" Stephen
43)2 Roy Cain
44)2 Aaron Blomberg
45)2 Stephanie Ard
46)2 Nic Melendez
47)2 Adam Langston
48)1 Matthew Burcham
49)1 Karen Burcham
50)1 Jon Hoin
51)1 Geoffrey Marsi
52)1 Dominique Bove
53)1 Keaton But
54)1 Matthew Crosby
55)1 Mark Green
56)1 Brendon Kelly
57)1 Joey Peidmonte
58)1 Jason Gregoire
59)1 Chris Wingard
60)1 John Welch
61)1 Adam Langston
62)1 Robin Dial
63)1 Frank McMahon
64)1 Stephanie Henricks
66)1 Elizabeth Driggers
67)1 Shane Hiott
68)1 Brandon Hudgins
69)1 Joshua Parsons
70)1 David Reeves
71)1 Todd Brooks

Top Finishers from Launch Party Events and Updated League Standings

The top finishers from the two launch party events are...

Afternoon Launch Party

1)3-0 Cory Hill
2)2-1 Nick Maley
3)2-1 Allen Greer
4)2-1 Adam Kawa

Evening Launch Party

1)3-0 Sims Long
2)3-0 Nick Maley
3)2-1 Joe Gelli

1)33 Joe Gelli
2)32 Captain Thompson
3)32 Stormy Lombardi
4)22 Don Dahl
5)19 Cody Church
6)18 Billy Barkley
7)17 Allen Greer
8)16 Michael Mayo
9)14 Rick Nuzum
10)14 Shannon Buchanan
11)14 Cory Hill
12)12 Steadman Demarco
13)12 Joseph Nester
14)12 Tom Nuzum
15)9 Jay Buchanon
16)9 Victor Delacroix
17)9 Michael Peterson
18)9 Nick Maley
19)8 Kelly Mayo
20)8 Terrence Crosby
21)8 Amanda Davis
22)8 Sims Long
23)7 Joshua Dolinger
24)7 Andrew Philips
25)6 Nate Gauthier
26)6 Geofrey Marsi
27)6 Joel Dolinger
28)5 Chad Barnette
29)5 Andrew Davis
30)5 Perry Butt
31)5 Will Bass
32)5 Aaron Fritts
33)4 Michael Driggers
34)4 Joseph "Evan" Bradley
35)3 Adam Kawa
36)3 Jonathan Saylor
37)3 Kyle Schafer
38)3 Eric Grogan
39)2 Cati Huff
40)2 John Jacob
41)2 Ally Blaber
42)2 Franklin "Cody" Stephen
43)2 Roy Cain
44)2 Aaron Blomberg
45)2 Stephanie Ard
46)2 Nic Melendez
47)2 Adam Langston
48)1 Matthew Burcham
49)1 Karen Burcham
50)1 Jon Hoin
51)1 Geoffrey Marsi
52)1 Dominique Bove
53)1 Keaton But
54)1 Matthew Crosby
55)1 Mark Green
56)1 Brendon Kelly
57)1 Joey Peidmonte
58)1 Jason Gregoire
59)1 Chris Wingard
60)1 John Welch
61)1 Adam Langston
62)1 Robin Dial
63)1 Frank McMahon
64)1 Stephanie Henricks
66)1 Elizabeth Driggers
67)1 Shane Hiott
68)1 Brandon Hudgins
69)1 Joshua Parsons
70)1 David Reeves

Top Decks Feature (Legacy)

Legacy is a really fun format that lets you play cards from any set in magic except for the silver bordered Unglued and Unhinged. This can be a little intimidating if you are a new player. Here are some of the decks that have been doing well lately at Columbia Free Magic. Feel free to copy them or make your own monster that will crush them. Happy building!

1)G/W/B Rock or "Junk". This deck uses efficient creatures like tarmogoyf and Knight of the Reliquary along with card advantage spells like Hymn to Tourach to grind out advantageous board states where they have at least one morethreat than their opponents has answers. Here is a decklist http://sales.starcitygames.com//deckdatabase/displaydeck.php?DeckID=37047 Potential Weaknesses: Hyper aggressive decks like Mono Red Burn or glacially slow decks like Landstill

2)Dredge. This deck abuses it's graveyard by using a card called Bridge from Below that makes zombie tokens even when it is in the graveyard and several "dredgers" like Golgari Grave Troll that repeatedly put useful cards into the graveyard. Decklist: http://sales.starcitygames.com//deckdatabase/displaydeck.php?DeckID=37034 Potential Weaknesses: Anything that can repeatedly remove graveyards. Once is not enough.

3)Affinity. This deck makes lots of artifacts very quickly and boosts their power using an equipment called Cranial Plating or sacrifices some to make one huge creature using an artifact creature called Arcbound Ravager. They also play a card called disciple of the vault that hurts their opponent whenever an artifact dies. Decklist: http://sales.starcitygames.com//deckdatabase/displaydeck.php?DeckID=37037 Potential Weaknesses: Decks with both pinpoint removal like Swords to Plowshares to deal with Disciple and mass removal to destroy lots of artifacts at once.

4)Landstill. This control deck plays lots of counters and an enchantment called Standstill that lets a player draw three cards if their opponent plays a spell. By playing lots of lands that can turn into creatures like Mishra's Factory, Landstill can win if neither person plays spells. Decklist:
http://sales.starcitygames.com//deckdatabase/displaydeck.php?DeckID=36639 Potential Weaknesses: Decks that win quickly without relying on one key spell to resolve and/or decks that feature creatures with island walk that its lands can't block.

There are lots more decks, but these are a good starting point to consider. Have fun!

Winter Invitational Winners

Winter Invitational Winners
Congrats Everyone!

Summer League Winners

Summer League Winners

One of the Summer League Prizes

One of the Summer League Prizes

And Another...

And Another...

Yeah he's back too

Yeah he's back too
In addition to the "regular" top 8 trophies and prizes, the top three in this summer's invititational event will pick from these top three planeswalkers!

Top Trios Teams

Top Trios Teams
Congrats to Allen, Jeff and Steven. It's still Amandas world though and we all just live in it...

Spring League Top 8

Spring League Top 8
Over $500 in trophies and prizes were given out to the Spring League Top Eight. Congrats to winners Gelli,Dahl,Thompson,Lombardi,Davis,Nuzum,Greer and Mayo!

Happy Baneslayer Invitational Players

Happy Baneslayer Invitational Players
They're all winners! Or bad counters, either way...

Crazy Top Seven from another Big Turnout

Crazy Top Seven from another Big Turnout
Congrats to Andy, Evan, Jacob, Amanda!,Captain,Jay, and Geoffrey for their great adaptation skills in making the most of new decks and new rules. Thanks to everyone who came out and mafe this a huge fun event!

Zen Block Multiplayer=Massive Fun

Zen Block Multiplayer=Massive Fun
Don Dahl's playtest group put three in the winner's circle. Dahl narrowed the gap to just three points behind Gelli. Davis moved safely into 7th. Jacob made one of his rare appearances count. Newcomer Jolly demonstrated serious multiplayer skillz. Stormy got solidified his top four spot and Marsi continued his late run to the top 8.

Top 5 Standard Finishers

Top 5 Standard Finishers
The Top Two tightened again as Don Dahl narrowed the gap on Joe Gelli. Cory Hill kept moving up the standings and Andrew Davis snuck ever closer to a top 8 berth. Charles Murphy made his first final photo and ensured that vampires will have to continue to be on top players radars.

Worldwake Gameday Fearless Five Finishers

Worldwake Gameday Fearless Five Finishers
Top 8 in league standings saw a sizeable shakeup as Cory Hill and Rick Nuzum made big jumps. Michael Mayo and Cody Church are just outside the magic 8 spot and don't count out the diabolical Robin Dial as he picks up points in bunchs as we head towards the final few weeks of Spring League.

Top 4 Zen Block Multiplayer Finishers

Top 4 Zen Block Multiplayer Finishers
Aaron Blomberg shows that years of multiplayer practice pay off. Dahl closes the gap on first place. Mr. Mayo sneaks back into the top 8. Amanda Davis looked innocent and unassuming until it was too late for her opponents round after round. Nicely played one and all!

First FNM Top Four

First FNM Top Four
Gelli puts up a top finish to match infinite participation points. Captain Thompson returns triumphantly from her Olive Garden Exile. Victor also returns to the top four after an overhaul of his trusty vamps. Cory meanwhile may have unleashed a monster with the new Open the Vaults deck...

Worldwake Box Tournament Top 8

Worldwake Box Tournament Top 8
The top 8 was a great mix of longtime and new players. Nuzums took two slots as did the Buchanans. Recenct addition Robin Dial represented the Columbia Magic League well. The Double D and Andrew Davis connection remained strong and Mr. "Double F" Marsi added another top 8 to go with his Champs near miss.

Top 4 Two Headed Giant Teams and Updated League Standings

Top 4 Two Headed Giant Teams and Updated League Standings
A great tournament and a great top 4. Allen and Jeff Folk said preperation, smeperation as their last minute team up took first. Don Dahl dispalyed the classic silver medal face but moved closer to first overall. Andrew Davis smiles as he knows he is now in a tie for the all important 8th and last playoff spot. The Driggers continued the succes of Columbia Magic League members. They also were the top finishing couple (Mr. Mayo and I are just friends...)Stormy made a triumphant return with Karen in tow to keep hopes for first place alive.

Congratulations League Winners

Congratulations League Winners
Congrats Billy, Joe, Jay and Greg on making top 4 in the winter league! Congrats Shannon and Victor on winning the ironman awards for most tournaments rocked out at!

Winter League Prize Buffet

Winter League Prize Buffet
One league ends and hundreds of dollars of prizes go to the worthy winners. Make sure you're a part of the bigger and even better Spring League starting Sunday.

Christmas is ... Draft Time!

Christmas is ... Draft Time!
Drafting, Two Headed Giant play, Free Pizza and Soda. It was an "okay" evening for C.F.M. players...

Two Headed Giant Winners

Two Headed Giant Winners
Really everyone who came was a winner. One of the most fun tournaments we (or anyone) has had.

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