This weekend we had our first qualifier in the Shadows over Solis Championship series. The turnout was awesome, with lots of faces both new and old, and I'm excited to say that first place went to an unconventional deck list that no one expected to see in the top cut! Let’s take a minute to analyze some of the results from the event and discuss the meta as we see it right now.
Of the players that reached the top eight, three were playing the dreaded Nekrium/Tempys pairing with Nova Elementalist that we all know and fear. Ever since the release of Nova Elementalist in Battle for Whitefang Pass, this deck has been one to beat.
For those unfamiliar, Nova Elementalist is a Solbind card that comes paired with Rumblespark Energy. Rumblespark Energy can transform into Rumblespark Embodiment, which can terrorize opponents as its Attack value continues to grow. Cards like Darkheart Sorcerer and others that are easily able to damage opponents directly can cause Rumblespark Energy to transform as early as turn 1, creating immense pressure for opponents right out of the gate.
S1AL and BillyBadAim both piloted this deck archetype to 3rd and 4th place victories on Saturday.
Four of our top eight players were playing a deck archetype that’s been around since the release of our first set, Alpha. That archetype being the Nekrium/Uterra life-gain package. Both of these factions have lots of ways to gain life, allowing players to play later into the game while also benefiting from life gain payoffs from cards such as Glowhive Siren. Cards like Forge Seal and Mantis regularly show up in these decks as well, allowing players to access their Forgeborn abilities earlier than expected and providing big power swings for those players. Cards like Chrogias and Swampmoss Lurker round out these decks as closers that can end the game with just a few attacks.
Scubatoad took 2nd place in the tournament on the back of life gain and big monsters.
In spite of the tough competition, first place in the qualifier went to a deck that no one expected to see in the top eight, let alone winning the event. BionicSoup brought a spell-heavy, minion-generating, scientist deck fuse featuring Alloying and Nekrium faction decks. With a Betrayer Rallying Adept, no less! Watching BionicSoup play this deck was an absolute treat. The lines of play he came up with were impressive and inspiring. Late into one game he was able to take out a Level 3 Shambler by using a Level 2 Tech Upgrade, and then sacrificing his Level 3 Ossuary Mech to play the Level 3 Tech Upgrade from his discard pile to finish off the Shambler. BionicSoup’s skill and ability to see these lines of play led him to victory over all challengers and secured his place at the top of the qualifier.
This was an awesome event, featuring awesome players wielding awesome decks, and it’s just the tip of the iceberg regarding upcoming events. Our next Shadows over Solis qualifier event is coming up on March 29th, and we can’t wait to see what fun and exciting new decks players will cook up!
Below you can see the top 8 and the decks they used!
1st BionicSoup 2nd Scubatoad 3rd/4th S1AL BillyBadAim 5th-8th IronBrice mlvanbie NathasGaming mr huat
Players also got a sneak peak and one of the other versions of the Utteran legendary, Terrantis!
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