We had 3 release weekend tournaments at Endgame in Oakland on Friday (1) and Saturday (2)
The Friday night tournament had 6 participants. The eventual winner was Elliott Chin, who was running a Pit Fiend band (with War Mage, DHoHD).
The First Saturday tournament had 10 participants.. The eventual winner (I think) was Jeff Wilder, who was running a Pit Fiend band (with ?).
The Second Saturday tournament had 4 participants. I left before it bagn, so I have no idea what was played, or how it turned out.
I'll let people fill in their own details for the event.
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In the Friday event I went 2-1, losing to Elliott in the finals. My important Pulls were a Pit Fiend, Mezzoloth, Hellcat, Orz Wizard, Gnome Trickster. I decided against the Hellcat and Gnome Trickster, as I think the Hellcat doesn't offer enough offense, even with the Pit Fiend as a commander, for the cost, and I think the Gnome Trickster would not be as efficient in my limited band. Instead, I grabbed a few extra gommon beaters (Skeletal Reaper - which is fun with dolorous blow - and Hammerer) and a tile grabber. THe band was strong, and I played decently. I lost in the final match to another Pit Fiend band. I had a chance to win that match, but I needed some luck. The combination of bodyguard, Pit Fiend and Warmage is really hard to beat... I couldn't prevent a few big spells on my Pit Fiend and I couldn't cut through his Pit Fiend's hit points fast enough. I needed a little Battering Ram love (we played on Drow Outpost), and I didn't get it.
In the first Saturday tournament, my draw was a little weak - Thundertusk, Lillend, Mezzoloth, Medium Copper Dragon.  I decided against the Lillend, and toosed in a Doomguard, Harmonium, 2 weenies and a Hammerer. I went 2-2 on the day, with a narrow loss to a far better band in the hands of a better player, and a loss to a slightly better band where I made some significant play mistakes.Â
I've noticed a trend that Pit Fiends seem to be doing well in these limited tournaments. I originally considered the Pit Fiend to be a mediocre draw, with low damage potential for the cost, and low hit points for the cost - but you can't argue with results. It seems to be winning, at least in the SF Bay Area. |