That long day we all love: WMCQ 2016

I am sure that every qualified individual for this year's WMCQ had spent weeks in mastering their 75. A first or second place finish in a four or five rounder tournament a few days before the event will definitely not just makes you feel happy but also gives you enough confidence and momentum. Fellow modern players reading this, GOOD LUCK! Let me take this opportunity as well to say some reminders that I wish would be of help to you.


The deck list

It is very important to properly write everything. If you are that type of person who loves to abbreviate things like PTE for Path to Exile, bolt for Lightning Bolt, uses nicknames such as bob for Dark Confidant or D.Sphere for Detention Sphere; please, as much as possible do not do that when writing on your WMCQ deck list form. I strongly recommend you do your deck list at least the night before so that you'll have an ample time writing and reviewing them. You can download the form here or simply ask for a copy of it from your LGS.    

Pen, notepad, dice, proper tokens, marked check list and other necessary accessories
Use your pen and notepad wisely. Aside from taking down notes of his hand off your disrupt spell, I suggest that for every damage you'll take or you'll cause to your opponent a simple word or an abbreviation right beside the new life point will help remember what transpired during that moment in time. This will also be a good source of comfort when you are fighting for a life point differential in a crucial stage later on the game. Cards that requires naming such as Pithing Needle, Meddling Mage and the like, do not just try to mentally remember them, as much as possible write those named cards on your notepad. Regarding the tokens, some of them has an inherent ability such as death touch, first strike, flying, prowess and others. Your failure to exercise proper diligence when up against a token base decks will definitely cause your downfall. Lastly, if you are using flip cards in your 75, and for some reason you can still see a portion of the back part of a card, kindly use the necessary check list; and make sure that the number of check list in your 75 will tantamount to the number of the actual cards you have.

Proper etiquette
There are a lot of it but for this post, I will just discuss three that I think are most relevant to our game; and let me start things with bluffing. We can all agree that bluffing is an act engaging in a false display of confidence or self-confidence in order to deceive or intimidate someone. Admit it, we all do this. Some are great at it, some don't. And when you are going to do this, especially in a crucial part of the game, please be mindful of the time. If your cards at hand does not have the answer to whatever threat he has on the board, thinking for more than fifteen seconds is not acceptable. Second, whether as a fellow competitor sitting right beside another or simply being a bystander, never comment or make a body/ facial gesture to the play he makes or card drawn. Lastly, saying the phrase 'GG sir' or 'good game sir.' For me, if the game was decided in a very contested manner, regardless if you're the winner or not, saying 'good game sir' is fine. However, if you won the game where your opponent had mana screwed or mulled five or less, I think it is best to wish him good luck in his next assignments.

Master the ins and outs of your 75
Do not expect every card in your seventy-five to be a res ipsa loquitur. Do not memorize a card's ability solely base on its illustration, read those damn inscriptions on it and as much as possible hit the nail on the head.

And that's all folks for now! Thank you for reading and good luck once a again to your WMCQ campaigns.

-Paeng Paeng
6214089146

MTG related calendar for this weekend
June 11 (Saturday)
Regran Modern Open (Quezon City)
R4 Hobby Shop (Alabang Zapote Road)
Coswort Shop (Damariñas, Cavite)
NG Centris (Quezon Ave)
Hobby Pro (BF Aguirre)
Kick Engines (Cubao Expo)

June 12 (Sunday)
GPT at FQ (Mandaluyong)
ARJ Shop (Molino)