(“Battle of the Budget Decks” is a series dedicated to pitting budget decks against each other in a ten-round “boxing style” match. The rules and scoring system for the fight can be found in the original article here.)

Today’s Main Event features two Kamigawa Block Decks from two well-known authors in the Magic community: Adrian Sullivan and Mason Peatross.

Interestingly enough, neither deck was apparently created with a budget limit in mind. Isn’t it funny how sometimes things just go my way in finding decks for this series? Now, if my luck can extend to running into Halle Berry, who’s looking for love in all the wrong places, my life would be complete.

Cue the Spotlight
We have a raucous crowd eager to experience tonight’s battle. Let’s turn our broadcast over to the ring announcer for the introductions:

“Before we begin, let us honor the passing of Affinity from Standard. Please observe a moment of silence as the ringside bell is struck ten times.”

Ding

Ding

Ding

“I think we can speed things up a bit.”

Dingdingdingdingdingdingding!

“That’s better! Now, introducing the fighter in this corner; he’s wearing the red ‘n black trunks, and his deck weighs in at an even $26.00. He’s the bespectacled prognosticator for whom a single card can make all the difference. He’s the man with the plan, Adrian Sullivan!”

Cunning Bandit
4 Frostling
4 Hearth Kami
4 Cunning Bandit
4 Thief of Hope
2 Ink-Eyes, Servant of Oni
4 Throat Slitter

4 Glacial Ray
3 Soulless Revival
2 Yamabushi’s Flame
3 Rend Flesh
2 Blood Rites

4 Lantern-Lit Graveyard
13 Mountain
7 Swamp

Adrian Sullivan is one of the best-known writers in the Magic community and currently is the chief author of the “Single Card Strategy” series. He has written for several Magic websites, including StarCityGames.com.

Taking the helm of “Cunning Bandit” will be Clay Matlock. In addition to his fine record and 10th place finish at the 2004 South Regionals, Clay is also “one up” on his opponent tonight.

Before leaving his dressing room, he had this to say about his chances;

“Hey, I do my talkin’ in the ring, so get outta my face!”

Well that was rude — and he certainly didn’t need to punch the cameraman like that. Anyway, let’s go back to our ring announcer, who’ll introduce his opponent for tonight’s match.

“And in this corner, wearing the fiery red trunks and hailing from the great state of Texas, his deck weighs in at a sprightly $34.50. Look out ladies, ‘cause this goateed wonder is on the prowl. Let’s hear it for the mighty Mason Peatross!”

Kami Block Sligh – Pimped!
4 Frostling
4 Akki Avalanchers
4 Goblin Cohort
4 Hearth Kami
4 Akki Raider
3 Ishi-Ishi, Akki Crackshot
3 Zo-Zu the Punisher

4 Genju of the Spires
4 Lava Spike
4 Glacial Ray
2 Blind with Anger

20 Mountain

(Note: The price of this deck has gone up considerably since I first submitted it to my “boxing crew” a couple of weeks ago. And that bit of inflation is due mainly to the rising demand for Genju of the Spires)

The original deck was created by Alex Robkin and submitted to Mason’s “Pimp My Deck” series for upgrading and general fine tuning.

Mason is well known in the Texas Magic community along with his brother, Fletcher. Currently, Mason authors the “Pimp My Deck” series which takes submitted decks from Magic players and juices them up. Now I’m not sure, but I think the folks at Spike Network have either not seen (or do not care) that Mason’s article series has ripped off the title of their popular car-fixer-upper show.

Piloting “KBS – Pimped!” is none other than David “Deadman” Ward. The Deadman is an accomplished player looking for revenge after getting slapped around in his first encounter with Clay. He had this to say before entering the ring;

“He’s dead meat after what happened last time. When I get a hold of him, I’m gonna…”

We could not broadcast what the Deadman said after that, but I assure you the FCC would’ve been on us like peanut butter on bread if we had.

Pre-Fight Predictions

This is going to be a toe-to-toe slugfest, no doubt about it. Mason’s deck has the edge in speed ‘n quickness, but Adrian’s creation packs plenty of kill spells and is better built for the long haul.

I’m not a fan of Blind with Anger in Mason’s deck, since it’s a four-mana spell — which can be problematic to cast in a twenty-land deck. The Genju of the Spires seems to be the game breaker here, but it’ll have to contend with Adrian’s Frostlings.

As for Adrian’s deck, he’ll have to survive an early rush and get enough swamps out to cast Ink-Eyes, Servant of Oni to take control of the match. The inclusion of Rend Flesh does not bode well, as some of Mason’s critters are spirits, including the formidable Genju of the Spires.

My gut instinct says it'll be a draw, but I’ll give Mason’s deck the slight edge based on its built-in consistency as a mono-colored deck and the presence of Zo-Zu, the Punisher, which should add enough extra damage to finish Adrian off.

Let’s Get It On!
The contestants meet in the center of the ring; the referee for tonight’s action gives the instructions.

“Okay, I want a good, clean fight. No hitting below the belt, no rabbit punching, and no punching with rabbits. Understand? Good. Now touch gloves and come out fightin’!”

Round One
The Deadman says a short prayer and then dashes like a jackrabbit to the center of the ring and fires a one-two combo of Akki Avalancher and his unmarried second cousin Akki Raider. Clay responds with the Hearth Kami defense, but is unable to find any swamps. A fresh Frostling takes out Clay’s Kami and the Deadman beats him down with a second Avalancher added to the mix. Clay tries to stay off the ropes by blocking with another Hearth Kami, but it’s not enough as the Deadman simply blows through it to bring him down to nine life. With no swamps and staring at a newly cast Zo-Zu, the Punisher, Clay quickly concedes the round.

Score: Deadman leads 1 - 0

Round Two
It's déjà vu all over again as Clay gets out an early Hearth Kami, which is soon met by the Deadman’s Frostling. Each fighter trades shots when the Deadman brings out the heavy artillery courtesy of Ishi-Ishi, Akki Crackshot. The smile on Clay’s face as a well-timed Glacial Ray burns the Crackshot to a cinder is replaced by a look of dread as a second Ishi-Ishi enters the fray. The Deadman plants a Lava Spike to the dome before casting up a Genju of the Spires. Clay counter-punches with Cunning Bandit and yet another Hearth Kami, but he still can’t draw a swamp.

There is a lull in the action as the Referee checks Clay’s deck to see if there are indeed seven swamps and only four Hearth Kamis. Shaking his head in amazement, the Referee lets the fight continue.

Clay flips the Bandit, but is against the ropes as the Deadman starts pummeling away with the combo of Goblin Cohort and the Avalancher. Trying to turn the fight around, Clay takes control of both of Deadman’s critters (courtesy of the Bandit’s ki counters) and brings the pale one down to eight life…. but it isn’t enough, as Clay still cannot find a swamp and the Deadman lands a heavy right in the form of Genju. With no blockers left, Clay once again scoops.

Score: Deadman leads 2 - 0

Round Three
Again, Clay seems to be short on swamps but he does cast three Frostlings early on to pitty-pat at Deadman’s life total. And while the Genju is going to go unused as long as Clay’s Frostlings are on the table, it doesn’t prevent the Deadman from pumping the deadly combo of Lava Spike with spliced Glacial Ray into Clay’s face, bringing his life total down to fifteen, then ten in a hurry. A roar from the crowd as a swamp is suddenly seen on Clay’s side of the ring which allows the Throat Slitter to make his first appearance of the night. But it’s anti-climactic as the Deadman keeps finding one Glacial Ray after another and Clay slumps to the canvas.

Score: Deadman leads 3 - 0

Round Four
The Deadman goes for the knockout by planting a Genju on the first turn. Clay remains calm and responds with a Hearth Kami, then a Cunning Bandit. A Lava Spike smacks into Clay like a girder beam, but the Deadman is stuck at two mountains and cannot maintain the assault. The three-punch combo of Thief of Hope, Hearth Kami, and Bandit whittle away at the Deadman, who can only respond with a meager Akki Raider as defense.

A Rend Flesh serves to rid the Raider and flip the Bandit to take the form of his bigger brother, Azamuki, Treachery Incarnate. A final Glacial Ray cuts Azamuki down to size, but does little to stem the tide of punishment. A sneaky punch in the form of Ink-Eyes, courtesy of the Ninjitsu mechanic, ends any hope the Deadman might have had for winning this round.

Score: Deadman leads 3 - 1

Round Five
The Deadman, eager to get the momentum back, casts a first-turn Goblin Cohort and gets his licks in courtesy of a second-turn Frostling. Clay responds with — you guessed it — a Hearth Kami and must keep his anger in check as the Frostling takes out his Kami to make a path for a newly-cast Ishi-Ishi. Suffering from repeated body shots, Clay is once again covering up with only another Hearth Kami for protection. The Deadman goes in for the kill and gets Clay down to three life before his Ishi-Ishi meets his maker via a Glacial Ray.

A sliver of hope in the form of Ink-Eyes arrives in the ring… and as another Ishi-Ishi is sent to the netherworld, the Deadman has seemingly run out of gas. But looks can be deceiving as he draws, smiles, and finishes off Clay with a booming right, courtesy of Lava Spike.

Score: Deadman leads 4 - 1

Round Six
Clay’s mood is not very good…. and it wasn't helped when he saw a first-turn Genju. But all is not lost, as his Frostling holds off any assault the Genju might make!

The combatants stare at each other viciously, but are unable to generate much of an offense. Deadman leads with a Zo-Zu that quickly gets quashed. Clay responds with a Cunning Bandit and Thief of Hope, but they get booted out courtesy of a spliced Glacial Ray off of a Lava Spike, then a hard-cast Glacial Ray.

The fight stalls out as each combatant tries to take command, but is unable to. The timekeeper must be asleep as this is the longest round in recent memory. The Deadman finally hits with an Ishi-Ishi to liven things up as Clay’s life total drops to eight. Once again, Clay punches with a Frostling-and-Hearth Kami combo, but they are traded away to the Deadman’s duo of Akki Avalanchers.

With the ring cleared of all creatures and Clay sitting with two cards in hand, the Deadman takes a risk and swings with his long-dormant Genju. Clay smiles and reveals two mountains before conceding the round.

Score: Deadman leads 5 - 1

Round Seven
It’s not an instant replay as the Deadman starts off with a Frostling followed by Clay’s Hearth Kami; it only seems that way. Ishi-Ishi is added to the mix, but he is smacked to the cheap seats courtesy of Clay’s Throat Slitter. The force known as Zo-Zu arrives, and his path is cleared of the Slitter via a sacrificed Frostling, but Clay responds with a Thief of Hope.

After a short burst of punches, the Zo-Zu stands alone in the ring until Clay barbeques the beast with a Glacial Ray. This signals a turnaround in the Deadman’s fortunes, as he can only draw one mountain after another. Clay punches away with a Cunning Bandit and Hearth Kami only to be interrupted by a Blind with Anger, which takes the Bandit and blocks the Kami, eliminating both. This is his last stand, however, as Clay loads up on the burn and fires away with Glacial Rays until the Deadman is truly dead.

Score: Deadman leads 5 - 2

Round Eight
For a change of pace, Clay starts off with a Frostling. Deadman replies with Akki Avalancher and Raider, which trade. A double-shot of Glacial Rays to the dome sends the Deadman into the corner where he covers up while a newly-cast Thief of Hope starts punching away… But Clay has left himself wide open and is caught off-guard by a freshly-cast Genju and his life total plummets to seven.

Desperate, Clay keeps his Thief of Hope on defense while the Deadman brings an Akki Raider into the fold. Both fighters’ trade critters and Clay attempts to kill the Genju with a Rend Flesh.

“Foul!” cries the crowd, and the referee admonishes Clay for illegal use of a spell.

The Genju is allowed through and Clay’s life total dwindles to one. When the Deadman adds an Ishi-Ishi to the fray, Clay quickly scoops.

Score: Deadman leads 6 - 2

Round Nine
A Goblin Cohort starts the festivities for the Deadman, and Clay returns to his "second-turn Hearth Kami" rut. A second Cohort comes in, but Clay responds with a nicely-cast Throat Slitter and takes it out, courtesy once again of the Ninjitsu mechanic. A Glacial Ray removes the other Cohort and the Deadman’s life total sinks to fourteen, but he does counterpunch with the vaunted Lava Spike and spliced Glacial Ray combo.

Both fighters trade away and are clearly growing weary as the fight nears the end. This fatigue grips Deadman a little too much, as he attempts to Blind with Anger Clay’s Ink-Eyes.

The Referee screams “Low Blow!” and it’s the Deadman’s turn to be warned before the fight continues.

The Deadman finds a second Blind and manages to take Clay’s Akki Avalancher and pump him up enough to reduce Clay’s already-meager life total to four. But it is not enough to stave off the punishment of Ink-Eyes, and the Deadman scoops.

Score: Deadman leads 6 - 3

Round Ten
Both fighters are dead tired, but are determined to finish this fight. Clay has no chance for victory, but he can eke out a majority draw if he wins this round.

The Deadman comes out like a tiger on fresh meat as a first-turn Goblin Cohort is joined by a second-turn Frostling. Clay offers no response and watches as another Cohort and Akki Avalancher join in. With his life total dropping fast, Clay gets out a Cunning Bandit just in time to block an onrushing Genju. A second Genju is cast — and with it, the Deadman adds a Frostling to lay the red carpet of pain for Ishi-Ishi. Clay tries to stem the tide with Ink-Eyes, but quickly scoops when the Deadman fishes out a third Genju.

Final Score: Deadman wins 7 - 3

Final Results
The judges’ cards have been tallied, so let’s hear from the ring announcer;

“The winner by unanimous decision is the Deadman and his 'Kami Block Sligh - Pimped!' deck, courtesy of Mason Peatross!”

Post-Fight Interviews and Analysis
Before we get to the contestants, I’d like to pat myself on the back a bit for correctly picking the winner of tonight’s match. It doesn’t happen very often…well, perhaps it’s more correct to say that it happens so infrequently that I am now tuning into the Weather Channel to see if Hell has indeed frozen over.

But enough of that; let’s hear from the contestants as they leave the ring.

The Deadman seems quite happy with his win, and even pushes aside the ring girl to get to our microphones and tell us about the fight:

“A pretty even match-up, I thought. The luck of the draws certainly was in my favor, though. But I gotta give it up to Genju of the Spires; it’s excellent in Kamigawa Block. Let me say that this is my kind of creature and my kind of deck!”

Thanks Deadman, and now let’s hear from the somewhat dejected Clay:

“I believe our two decks are pretty evenly matched as well, but Deadman’s deck had a bit more tempo and speed on me, which led to his unanimous decision win. If I could change anything, it would be to drop one mountain and add a swamp to help with the mana flow. Also, I’d like to have a couple of Genju of the Spires in this deck as well.”

It’s clear that mana issues turned a potential close fight into a solid victory for Mason’s deck. And while I still disagree with the inclusion of more expensive spells like Blind with Anger, there’s no doubt that the Genju played an important role as the ultimate finishing critter. When it gets going, this deck can be a nightmare to handle.

I’ll side with Clay and agree that the land mix needs one more swamp to insure getting enough black mana out to cast creatures like Ink-Eyes. But otherwise it seems pretty solid and has enough room for improvement when Saviors of Kamigawa is released. But in this matchup, Adrian’s deck was just a bit too slow for Mason’s.

That’s it for tonight; we hope you enjoyed the fight and tune in next time as two diminutive decks duke it out for supremacy right here on the StarCityGames.com network.

Good night.

Ken McElhaney