Howdy! We had insane games in Fort Worth this weekend, with nail-biting games in the top cut. We had the expected decks in the top-cut, but Ruby Sapphire didn’t make it into the top 8. The Set 4 tournament still had Bucky in the meta, which meant that many players are still taking advantage of its discard strength in the Emerald Steel deck.
First Place: Edmond Chiu “Ed”
4 Be Prepared
4 Brawl
4 Chernabog's Followers - Creatures of Evil
4 Flynn Rider - Frenemy
4 Friends On The Other Side
4 Madam Mim - Fox
4 Madam Mim - Snake
2 Madame Medusa - The Boss
4 Magic Broom - Illuminary Keeper
4 Maleficent - Sorceress
4 Maui - Hero to All
4 Merlin - Goat
4 Merlin - Rabbit
4 Sisu - Emboldened Warrior
2 Sisu - Empowered Sibling
4 The Queen's Castle - Mirror ChamberRuby Amethyst won first place, beating the Amber Steel deck in the finals. This deck is all about bouncing cards to hand and getting more value out of them. It also has the control tools to keep the opponent’s side of the board in check, making it hard for them to fully commit to developing the board.
Ruby Amethyst has always been one of the best decks in the game, and although it lost popularity in Set 4, it continues to perform well in the meta and is a reliable deck to pick up.
Second Place:
4 A Whole New World
4 And Then Along Came Zeus
4 Ariel - Spectacular Singer
4 Baloo - von Bruinwald XIII
3 Grab Your Sword
4 Lawrence - Jealous Manservant
3 Let the Storm Rage On
4 Rapunzel - Gifted with Healing
4 Robin Hood - Beloved Outlaw
4 Robin Hood - Champion of Sherwood
4 Sleepy's Flute
4 The Queen - Commanding Presence
4 The Queen - Regal Monarch
3 Tinker Bell - Giant Fairy
4 Ursula - Vanessa
3 World's Greatest Criminal MindAmber Steel performed amazingly in Fort Worth, beating many popular meta decks and managing to take second place. This deck can win trades thanks to The Queen – Commanding Presence, forcing the opposing player to take a defensive approach before you switch to the Sleepy’s Flute win condition.
With A Whole New World in the list, Amber Steel can replenish its hand with resources, even when going against the discard Emerald Steel deck.
Top 4: Kevin Barrington “Danxor”
4 Aladdin - Brave Rescuer
4 Ba-Boom!
4 Beast - Tragic Hero
4 Bucky - Squirrel Squeak Tutor
4 Diablo - Devoted Herald
4 Diablo - Maleficent's Spy
4 Donald Duck - Perfect Gentleman
4 Hidden Cove - Tranquil Haven
3 Jafar - Dreadnought
4 Let the Storm Rage On
1 Robin Hood - Beloved Outlaw
4 Robin Hood - Champion of Sherwood
4 Strength of a Raging Fire
4 Tinker Bell - Giant Fairy
4 Ursula - Deceiver
2 Ursula - Deceiver of All
2 We Don't Talk About BrunoIt’s no surprise there’s an Emerald Steel deck in the top cut, the archetype has been one of the best-performing decks in the meta and players have been actively trying to counter it.
When taking Emerald Steel to a tournament, you have to expect you’ll play multiple mirror matchups during your run. However, the strength of the deck is worth bringing and playing the mirror. With Bucky getting banned in Set 5, players will need to adapt their Emerald Steel lists. It doesn’t necessarily mean the Emerald Steel deck will be out of the meta, but it will weaken it to the point that it won’t dominate the scene.
Top 4: Chris Oyola “Oyola”
4 A Whole New World
2 And Then Along Came Zeus
4 Ariel - Spectacular Singer
4 Cinderella - Ballroom Sensation
2 Cinderella - Stouthearted
3 Golden Harp - Enchanter of the Land
1 Grab Your Sword
4 Lawrence - Jealous Manservant
4 Let the Storm Rage On
4 Mr. Smee - Bumbling Mate
2 Perdita - Devoted Mother
3 Piglet - Pooh Pirate Captain
4 Rapunzel - Gifted with Healing
4 Robin Hood - Beloved Outlaw
4 Robin Hood - Champion of Sherwood
4 Strength of a Raging Fire
3 The Bare Necessities
3 Ursula - Vanessa
1 World's Greatest Criminal MindAnother Amber Steel player made it to the top 4, however, unlike the first-place list, this one doesn’t rely on Sleepy’s Flute for the Lore generation. Instead, it has Perdita – Devoted Mother and Cinderella – Stouthearted as late-game plays. Perdita – Devoted Mother offers value from the discard and board development, forcing players to Banish it as fast as possible.
The Amber Steel list uses Lawrence – Jealous Manservant, which can win a trade and remain on the board for those 2 Lore. If healed by Rapunzel – Gifted with Healing, Lawrence – Jealous Manservant gains back that 4 Willpower for another attack.
Top 8: Scott Dashy “Genre”
3 Aladdin - Brave Rescuer
2 And Then Along Came Zeus
4 Beast - Tragic Hero
4 Bucky - Squirrel Squeak Tutor
4 Diablo - Devoted Herald
4 Diablo - Maleficent's Spy
2 Donald Duck - Perfect Gentleman
2 Grab Your Sword
4 Let the Storm Rage On
4 Pegasus - Cloud Racer
4 Pegasus - Gift for Hercules
4 Robin Hood - Beloved Outlaw
4 Robin Hood - Champion of Sherwood
4 Strength of a Raging Fire
2 Sudden Chill
2 Tinker Bell - Giant Fairy
4 Ursula - Deceiver
3 Ursula - Deceiver of AllTop 8: Eric De Souza “Ejdesouza360
3 Aladdin - Brave Rescuer
4 Beast - Tragic Hero
4 Bucky - Squirrel Squeak Tutor
2 Cri-Kee - Lucky Cricket
4 Diablo - Devoted Herald
4 Diablo - Maleficent's Spy
2 Flynn Rider - His Own Biggest Fan
2 Hidden Cove - Tranquil Haven
4 Jafar - Dreadnought
4 Let the Storm Rage On
4 Robin Hood - Beloved Outlaw
4 Robin Hood - Champion of Sherwood
4 Strength of a Raging Fire
3 Sudden Chill
4 Ursula - Deceiver
4 Ursula - Deceiver of All
4 We Don't Talk About BrunoTwo Emerald Steel decks finished in the top 8, showcasing how strong and consistent the archetype is.
Top 8: Steven Brandt “BadVegas”
4 A Whole New World
1 And Then Along Came Zeus
3 Arges - The Cyclops
2 Ba-Boom!
2 Beast - Tragic Hero
2 Belle - Strange but Special
4 Cogsworth - Grandfather Clock
4 Fishbone Quill
4 Fortisphere
2 Gaston - Intellectual Powerhouse
3 Grab Your Sword
4 Hiram Flaversham - Toymaker
3 Let It Go
2 Lucky Dime
3 Mickey Mouse - Detective
4 Mr. Smee - Bumbling Mate
4 Pawpsicle
2 Rise of the Titans
4 Tamatoa - So Shiny!
4 Tinker Bell - Giant FairyThe Ramp Sapphire Steel also made it to the top 8. This deck ramps up with Fishbone Quill and Mickey Mouse – Detective, creating opportunities to play higher-cost cards on earlier turns. A Whole New World is important to replenish the hand and make sure you don’t lose to the Emerald Steel deck.
The Sapphire Steel deck relies on Tamatoa – So Shiny! and Lucky Dime for insane Lore generation and setting you up to win the game.
Top 8: Jourdon Serio “Jous”
4 Ariel - Spectacular Singer
3 Cri-Kee - Lucky Cricket
4 Diablo - Devoted Herald
4 Diablo - Maleficent's Spy
4 Kida - Protector of Atlantis
3 Mother Knows Best
3 Painting the Roses Red
4 Prince John - Greediest of All
4 Sir Hiss - Aggravating Asp
4 Sudden Chill
4 The Bare Necessities
4 The Muses - Proclaimers of Heroes
3 Under the Sea
4 Ursula - Deceiver
4 We Don't Talk About Bruno
4 You Have Forgotten MeFinally, Amber Emerald gets into the top 8! This deck has the discard power with cards like Ursula – Deceiver, Sudden Chill, The Bare Necessities, and You Have Forgotten Me.
Diablo – Devoted Herald and Prince John – Greediest of All are value-generation characters who draw you cards and force players to find answers to those value draws.