Since its opening, the local game store in Gainesville, Florida has seen its share of substantial FNMs. We have had as many as 34 players show up for the best night of the week. Twenty-one brave souls, including myself, were fighting for the shiny Tendrils of Agony this week. I brought an offbeat but still powerful (at least in testing) Treefolk list.

Round 1 vs. Paul Grabel (Rock)

This was a mirror match in terms of colors, but completely different when it comes to theme. Paul goes for a more well-rounded approach, relying more on discard and removal than smashing face.

I start out by going to 17 and I Thoughtseize Paul and hit Birds of Paradise over Doran, the Siege Tower, Nameless Inversion, and Stupor. I seem to have the game in hand with Doran, two Harbingers, and a Birds, but good ol’ Damnation spoiled the fun. An Aven Riftwatcher and Doran later for Paul and I entered the "scoop" phase.

While sideboarding I take out Profane Command and Shriekmaw for Mind Shatter and Rootgrapple. I start game two with Harbinger for Harbinger for Doran and crack for six. Paul goes down to 12 to take out my Doran with his own Doran. I Thoughtseize him and see Doran, Profane Command, Nameless Inversion, Stupor, and Oblivion Ring. I take out Big D. We went back and forth with Treetop Village and Doran hits, but I knew this one was over when he played Treefolk Harbinger and got Crib Swap. With me at 5 life and no way to prevent lethal, I scooped.

Result: 0-2 loss, 0-1 overall

Round 2 vs. Andrew Day (Goblins)

Andrew is one of the more tenacious players at FNM, never succumbing to whatever might be the "top-tier" deck. Rather, he has played his build of Goblins for the past couple of months now, and it has brought him moderate success.

I keep my opening hand and play Treefolk Harbinger, fetching another Harbinger. He leads with Mogg Fanatic. Harbinger #2 comes down and I get Doran, the Siege Tower. He unloads Mogg Fanatic and Sudden Death on Doran, only to see another Big D come into play the next turn. He kills that one as well, but there’s nothing he can do about a Treetop Village or two getting in there or six for three every turn.

I decided to try out Withered Wretch and Rootgrapple in place of Shriekmaw for game two. It worked out as Nameless Inversion and Thorntooth Witch cleared his board, then I activated Wretch to remove Squee; Goblin Nabob from his yard. Andrew got me down to four with Prickly Boggarts and my own mana base, but I didn’t take any more pain from mana to keep myself out of Tarfire range. I turn Chameleon Colossus and the Witch sideways and get my first win of the night.

Result: 2-0 win, 1-1 overall

Round 3 vs. Knute Nathe (Project R)

Knute was the runner-up at 2006 Florida State Championships, and has the ability to play any of the three major archetypes equally well. To this match he brings the Reveillark combo, which can see as many as four slots in the field any given week here in Gainesville.

I won the die roll and elected to play first. I kept my opening hand, and led with Treefolk Harbinger, fetching Doran. Following two more land drops I bring the Siege Tower. Once again I seem to have the game in hand, but Knute Condemned my attacking Timber Protector, bring me back up to 22. Unfortunately for Knute, he ran out of Momentary Blinks to gain life with Riftwawtcher, and was only getting lands. After conceding game one he discovered that all four 'Larks were in the bottom ten cards of his deck.

My sideboard is not specifically designed to take out just Project R, but the way my deck ended up looking this week, I had the distinction of siding out thirteen cards for game two. Spot removal comes out, Mind Shatter, Tormod's Crypt, Withered Wretch, two Rootgrapple, and two Cloudthresher come in. Game two is not nearly as interesting as he attacks with Mulldrifter and Reveillark while I have to settle for only three or four damage a turn. He gets to Condemn my Timber Protector once more, and the flyers get there to tie the match.

Game three wasn’t even close. Thanks to a lack of discard, Knute goes off turn six, and he gets the latest in a series of quality matches between the two of us.

Result: 1-2 loss, 1-2 overall

The Aftermath

After a tough loss and a serious lack of energy, I packed it in for the night with a disappointing 1-2 record. Fortunately, I was awake enough to recognize what I must change for next week:

Bosk Banneret helps this deck’s curve in ways you wouldn’t believe. I also need some more pain-free white sources (thus a second Watchtower), and Rootgrapple doesn’t do much good in the Gainesville meta.

This is not to say I’m not going to play this deck again, but I must return to the lab to get it to work properly.

-Sammy Time