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If you are a valid StarCityGames.com Premium member and still cannot view the article, please consult this FAQ. StarCityGames Power 9 Circuit: Rochester has finally arrived! With it has come players from all over the Northeastern part of North America, including the dreaded Canucks. Before the event there were numerous whispers about a massive contingent of Canadians that have come to America to rob us of our precious Power cards.
Talking to Richard Mattiuzzo (a.k.a. ShockWave on TMD), I uncovered a shocking secret. The Canadians, long revered for their rogue deckbuilding and erratic card choices have become, get this, Americanized. It seems the influx of American music, television shows, and McDonalds featuring their precious Maple Leaf in the Golden Arches, has finally brought them to the dark side.
As a part of their effort to become more like their inferior neighbors south of the border, nearly every major deck in the Vintage metagame is being represented: Fish, Drain Control of all varieties, and even possibly some Tendrils combo. Many of the Montreal players will be playing their famed "Bomberman" deck; the Auriok Salvagers combo deck that kills with Pyrite Spellbomb. Most will be playing Control Slaver variants, but they couldn't tell me what kinds.
This isn't to say that none of them are sticking to their rogue roots. The fabled Mishra's Workshop/Mana Drain control deck has been built by none other than Mr. Landstill, Rich Mattiuzo. I had a chat with Peter O. (dicemanxx) and he told me that no one from Canada was bringing Dragon, instead saving it for local events. A few unidentified players will be holding true to the Canadian way - running their "special" creations and continuing to perform above everyone's expectations.
Speaking of the border, apparently the Ottawa players - who will mostly be running combo decks - were stopped not once, but twice at the US/Canada border due to a member of their car being a minor. A minor can only cross the border with a signed letter from their parent or guardian giving them permission to leave the country. Unfortunately the border guards didn't believe that the letter was written by this poor soul's parents, leading to a trip back to the youngling's home to get another letter. Again, after an encounter with the border guards they were refused entry.
Luckily the old saying "Third time's a charm!" held true, and they were finally able to cross the border into New York state. Their hardship would only get worse the farther into enemy territory they went, as they became victims of a vicious hate crime from an oncoming driver who T-boned them, holding them up even longer. Luckily the accident occurred at the entrance to the plaza where Millennium is located, so they were able to finish their journey on foot.
It also worked well for the people in my car, hopelessly lost until the accident provided a noticeable enough landmark to guide us to our destination.
With a hearty 173 players this event promises to be the best yet of the nine stop Star City Power 9 circuit.
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