The December meeting saw eight players from the league gather to compete in the finals. The top 7 players were all available and present, and with Steve T unable to attend, it was 9th placed Mal O who competed in his stead.

To mix things up from our usual games, the format was sealed deck rather than constructed. To mix things up even further, the packs used were packs of each player’s choice from the achievement pool. Players were making their decks from a mix of about a dozen sets including Core sets from 2011, 2013 and 2014, the three Return to Ravnica block sets, the new Theros set, and even some older sets such as Innistrad and Shadowmoor. With 30 minutes for deck building, it promised to be an interesting match. Players chose six packs from the achievement pool to use, with the remainder put aside for prizes within and outside the top 8.

In sealed deck players build decks of a minimum 40 cards, rather than the 60 used for constructed. Basic lands were provided for people to add as needed. Having a smaller deck size means you have a greater chance of finding your key cards in time. As it turned out finding your key cards or not was the difference between victory and defeat. A couple of planeswalkers were opened by people, including Ral Zarek and Garruk, Primal Hunter.

With all decks built the players rolled randomly for seating, with 1st placed Anthony H forming the pivot, and things could start. The first few turns saw little action, though Garth P got off to a literal flying start with a turn 1 Suntail Hawk. The pressure was now on Jeremy N to find a flying blocker before the little bird could chip away too much of his life total.

Leanne J also got an early flyer down and soon Jeremy N and David K were seeing their life totals dwindle. Mal O was the first player to play a creature with Extort, Basilica Guards. Those who chose Gatecrash packs as part of their deck building had chosen wisely! Soon there were Extort creatures from Mal O, David K, and Adrian R. Then Anthony H landed a Guttersnipe. Those without Extort creatures soon saw their life totals go below 10.

There is always a first to fall and this year it was Jeremy N, caught by the pressure of early flying beats and nearby Extort. Leanne J, Anthony H, and Garth P followed over succeeding turns for similar reasons though not without dealing significant damage themselves. Last year’s winner Eddie C had an alternative win condition in Azor’s Elocutors but this did not help him against Mal O flying attacks and relentless use of Extort. For someone who hasn’t opened a booster since Ice Age Mal O was taking to the new cards very well indeed!

Now it was down to the three Extort players. David K was the weakest of the three and was soon removed by Adrian R’s attacks with Titan of Eternal Fire and Mal O’s Shadow Slice.

And then there were two.

Adrian R had more creatures and Mal O had more life. Adrian R spent a couple of turns removing Mal O’s remaining creatures, setting himself up for a big attack. Mal O was left with just a Colossus of Akros and nine land. Adrian R swung hard leaving Mal O with a greatly reduced life total, sure to be killed in the following turn’s attack. Adrian R has left himself with just two creatures to defend… could Mal O draw a tenth land?

He could!

Topdecking a Plains for the win, Mal O activated the Monstrous ability of Colossus of Akros, making it a 20/20 indestructible trampler. Adrian R had just 3 toughness worth of blockers to defend with, and was on 17 life… good game! Handshakes all round and Mal O is the winner of the 2013 Grand Melee League!

Prizes
After the finals further prize packs were distributed to those present. This year there were sufficient packs to award prizes down to and including 17th place. Some players who weren’t present have had packs put aside for them. If your name is on the list below, claim your pack by March 2014 or else they will be donated to the 2014 achievement pool!
Steve T (3 packs)
Maddy (1 pack)
Lochie (1 pack)
Nigel B (1 pack)