Zac Elsik made waves, and Top 16, at Grand Prix Charlotte with his innovative prison deck - Lantern Control. He set out on a mission at Grand Prix Oklahoma City: Make Top 8 and silence his doubters.
He did a little better than that.
After going undefeated on Day One Zac Elsik found himself making it into the Top 8 on tie-breakers as the 8th seed. First he locked out Jasper Johnson-Epstein and his Naya Burn. Then he ensnared the Elves of Andrew Sullano (who took out Hall of Famer Paul Reitzl and his Merfolk on the quarterfinals).
Elsik saw himself facing down Brian Braun-Duin in the finals. The two-time Grand Prix Champion was running Modern staple Blue-Red Twin. Game one saw Elsik victorious and elicited this tweet from the one and only Luis Scott-Vargas:
This may be the most ridiculous turn two I've seen in Modern. #gpokc pic.twitter.com/TOM9MhQKRF
— Luis Scott-Vargas (@lsv) September 13, 2015
Game two went to Braun-Duin and a sideboard cop of Keranos, God of Storms. Game three, however, was under lock and key. Elsik managed to grind away his opponent's library and take home the trophy.
He had said:“The only thing left is to Top 8 this event.” He was wrong.
Congratulations to Zac Elsik, your Grand Prix Oklahoma City Champion!
(Adam) Lantern Control wins! Congratulations to Zac Elsik, rising from Day 1 undefeated to now champion of #gpokc! pic.twitter.com/eSi7tqsDec
— Magic Pro Tour (@magicprotour) September 14, 2015
Lantern Control ? Modern | Zac Elsik, Winner, Grand Prix Oklahoma City
- Creatures (3)
- 3 Spellskite
- Spells (40)
- 4 Ancient Stirrings
- 4 Inquisition of Kozilek
- 2 Thoughtseize
- 2 Surgical Extraction
- 2 Abrupt Decay
- 4 Lantern of Insight
- 4 Ghoulcaller's Bell
- 4 Codex Shredder
- 4 Ensnaring Bridge
- 4 Mox Opal
- 3 Pithing Needle
- 2 Pyrite Spellbomb
- 1 Ghirapur Æther Grid
- Lands (17)
- 4 Glimmervoid
- 4 Llanowar Wastes
- 2 Blackcleave Cliffs
- 1 Copperline Gorge
- 1 Tendo Ice Bridge
- 1 Forest
- 2 Ghost Quarter
- 2 Academy Ruins
- Sideboard (15)
- 1 Pithing Needle
- 4 Sun Droplet
- 3 Pyroclasm
- 3 Welding Jar
- 2 Grafdigger's Cage
- 1 Ancient Grudge
- 1 Nature's Claim
Blue-Red Twin ? Modern | Brian Braun-Duin, Finalist, Grand Prix Oklahoma City
- Creatures (11)
- 4 Deceiver Exarch
- 4 Snapcaster Mage
- 2 Pestermite
- 1 Vendilion Clique
- Spells (26)
- 4 Serum Visions
- 1 Roast
- 4 Remand
- 4 Lightning Bolt
- 2 Electrolyze
- 2 Cryptic Command
- 1 Twisted Image
- 1 Spell Snare
- 3 Dispel
- 4 Splinter Twin
- Lands (23)
- 4 Scalding Tarn
- 4 Misty Rainforest
- 4 Island
- 1 Mountain
- 1 Stomping Ground
- 2 Desolate Lighthouse
- 1 Cavern of Souls
- 3 Steam Vents
- 3 Sulfur Falls
- Sideboard (15)
- 1 Roast
- 2 Blood Moon
- 1 Grim Lavamancer
- 1 Negate
- 2 Keranos, God of Storms
- 2 Jace, Architect of Thought
- 1 Teferi, Mage of Zhalfir
- 2 Ancient Grudge
- 2 Pyroclasm
- 1 Rending Volley
The complete list of Top 8 decks, featuring 8 different archetypes, can be found here. Additional coverage of Grand Prix Oklahoma City can be found here.