This past Saturday, 39 players gathered in Regina to battle it out at the F2F Tour Modern Super Qualifier. The event was packed with competitive players and diverse strategies, but it was Ryan Christie who claimed first place with his innovative Boros Energy deck.

Boros Energy – Ryan Christie (1st)

8 17 32 18

Creatures (23)

4

Guide of Souls

4

Ocelot Pride

3

Ragavan, Nimble Pilferer

4

Ajani, Nacatl Pariah

4

Amped Raptor

4

Phlage, Titan of Fire's Fury

Spells (5)

2

Galvanic Discharge

3

Lightning Bolt

Artifacts (2)

2

The One Ring

Enchantments (8)

4

Static Prison

2

Goblin Bombardment

2

Blood Moon

Lands (22)

2

Aether Hub

2

Arena of Glory

4

Arid Mesa

2

Elegant Parlor

4

Marsh Flats

1

Mountain

3

Plains

4

Sacred Foundry

Cards (60)

Sideboard (15)

1

Drannith Magistrate

2

Magebane Lizard

2

Reprieve

1

Suncleanser

2

Thraben Charm

1

Sunspine Lynx

1

The One Ring

1

Jegantha, the Wellspring

4

Obsidian Charmaw

Ryan’s consistent gameplay and effective metagame calls earned him the championship title. In the finals, Ryan faced off against Mark MacDonald, who piloted Esper Goryo’s, marking an impressive run to second place. While we didn’t have the opportunity to interview the winner, we did sit down with the runner-up, Mark MacDonald, to discuss his experience at the event.

Top 8 Finishers:

1. Ryan Christie – Boros Energy
2. Mark MacDonald – Esper Goryo’s
3. Kyle Gellert – Yawgmoth
4. Jesse Speers – Eldrazi Ramp
5. Tanner Johnson – Gruul Prowess
6. Denver Young – Domain Zoo
7. Ryan Kirk – Dimir Murktide
8. Jerome Schmeiser – Merfolk

Let’s dive into an interview with the finalist, Mark MacDonald, who gave us insight into his journey to the finals with Esper Goryo’s.

Interview with Mark MacDonald, Finalist at the Regina Modern Super Qualifier

KYT: Can you introduce yourself and the deck you played in the event?

Mark: Hey, my name is Mark McDonald and I chose to play Esper Goryo’s. In the past, I had been playing different versions of Persist decks, but I made the switch over to Goryo’s a few months ago. I wanted to play a deck that could go big and interact on my opponent’s turn. I was a little worried that Grief being banned would negatively affect the deck, but after playing this weekend, I believe that the deck performs better without it.

Most versions are running four Thoughtseize to supplement the loss of Grief, but after talking with Eduardo Sajgalik, we both agreed that it was unnecessary and that we would rather be trying to go off on our opponent’s end steps while holding up interaction. I think the best part about Goryo’s is that there are multiple ways to build the deck, and they are all powerful.

Esper Goryo’s – Mark MacDonald (2nd)

13 13 38 11

Creatures (19)

2

Emperor of Bones

4

Fallaji Archaeologist

4

Psychic Frog

3

Solitude

4

Atraxa, Grand Unifier

1

Griselbrand

1

Ulamog, the Defiler

Spells (17)

4

Ephemerate

4

Goryo's Vengeance

4

Tainted Indulgence

3

Force of Negation

1

Sink into Stupor

1

Toxic Deluge

Enchantments (4)

4

Leyline Binding

Lands (20)

4

Flooded Strand

1

Godless Shrine

1

Hallowed Fountain

1

Island

1

Ketria Triome

1

Marsh Flats

1

Meticulous Archive

1

Plains

4

Polluted Delta

1

Shadowy Backstreet

1

Swamp

1

Undercity Sewers

1

Watery Grave

1

Ziatora's Proving Ground

Cards (60)

Sideboard (15)

2

Consign to Memory

1

Fatal Push

2

Nihil Spellbomb

3

Spell Snare

2

Celestial Purge

2

Wrath of the Skies

1

Force of Negation

2

Teferi, Time Raveler

KYT: What was your overall strategy going into this Modern Super Qualifier?

Mark: My strategy was to play a deck that could go big and disrupt my opponent. I wanted to interact on their turn while keeping my options open to combo off at the right moment. Holding up interaction while threatening to explode at instant speed was key for me. After the ban of Grief, I shifted my approach to focus on more proactive plays like Tainted Indulgence, which worked out great this weekend.

KYT: What was the most challenging match-up you faced throughout the event?

Mark: I had a few matchups that were quite challenging. I faced Storm in the first two rounds, and it was very scary—luckily, the matchup gets much better after sideboarding. My round four match versus FrogTide felt miserable! My opponent had a lot of great interaction, and Spell Snare was especially effective against me. I was hoping I wouldn’t have to face that deck again in the top 8.

My semi-final match against Jesse Speers, who was piloting RG Eldrazi, was very interesting. Game one lasted just over an hour and was a slog fest. In game two, I needed to find a Goryo’s Vengeance off a top-decked Tainted Indulgence in order to survive, and luckily I did. In game three, I was saved by Ulamog, the Defiler, as it came in with 13 counters due to the Emrakul, the Promised End that was exiled under Jesse’s Ugin’s Labyrinth.

KYT: Was there anyone who helped you prepare for the event that you’d like to shout out?

Mark: I’d like to give a shout out to Tyler Hofstra, Andrew Boa, Robert Brynn Mann, Jesse Speers, Eduardo Sajgalik, and John Wasson! I appreciate all the support and advice, and I truly could not have done it without them!

KYT: What was the most enjoyable part of competing in this event and finishing among the top players?

Mark: I only play in two events a year—the Regina and Saskatoon F2F events—so I really look forward to these tournaments. I love the community that we have here in the Saskatchewan Magic scene, and I always look forward to a weekend full of fun and laughs with friends.

It was nice to finally make it to the finals. I’ve top 8’d a few times since moving back to Saskatchewan, but I was never able to make it out of the quarterfinals. Kudos to my finals opponent—he played very well, was truly a terrific guy, and was very deserving of the win!

As we wrap up coverage of the F2F Tour Regina Modern Super Qualifier, congratulations once again to Ryan Christie on his victory with Boros Energy. We’re now looking ahead to our next major event: CommandFest Toronto, running from September 27-29. Stay tuned for more exciting Modern and Commander action!

Kar Yung Tom

Kar Yung Tom (KYT) is the Digital Content Manager for Face to Face Games. He oversees the F2FTour.com and Magic F2F websites. He is also the lead host of the First Strike podcast.