Heroes of Cards tournament is underway and only two players from group A, LiquidSavjz and Lothar, are still in the running to win a hefty chunk from the $5,500 prize pool. Check out the match reports below for some close games, some onesided ones, and one game that ended due to a 1/4 Ragnaros dealing the remaining 1 life of damage to a very sad player.
Reynad bans Hunter. Sjow bans Warlock.
Game 1: Reynad Hunter vs Sjow Rogue
Reyand starts the game off quick with a nice Undertaker draw, but Sjow answers back Preparation, Shiv, Coin, SI:17 agent. Interested to note that Sjow could of played a Edwin VanCleef instead of the Agent, but feared freezing trap more than Eagle Horn Bow. However, The Bow was drawn next turn and Reynad quickly took control of the match.
Game 2: Reynad Hunter vs Sjow Warrior
Sjow’s Warrior deck flexed it’s early game dominance through a series of full value Fiery War Axes and Frostbites that dealt with everything Reynad could threaten with. A turn 5 Savannah Highmage pushed through with The Coin looked to be Reynads saving grace, but a timely Loatheb by Sjow made that impossible. From then, Reynad could never get ahead on board control and the game went to Sjow.
Game 3: Reynad Shaman vs Sjow Warrior
Shaman normally has a powerful answer in the form of Hex against Death rattle cards like Sludge Belcher, but against control warrior, it is a tough call to make. Hex is better served for larger threats. Among other nuances seen in this match, the health of both players stayed at max for around 8 turns- it was an all out control fest and it came down to a very close finish. Ultimately, Sjow has the greater threat in the form of an enraged Grommash and that combined with a very powerful top decked Black Knight gave Sjow the win.
Game 4: Reynad Rogue vs Sjow Warrior.
Reynad clearly didn’t want to be facing control warrior against Rogue, but he had to make the best of it. Reynad went all the way to fatigue, using nearly every card in his deck to dish out massives amounts of damage to a resilient Sjow. However, the natural advantage of Armor Up and numerous taunt creatures made the win impossibe, and Sjow went on to win the match.
Sjow wins: 3-1
Game 1: Lothar Druid vs LiquidSavjz Druid.
The Druid vs Druid matchup is decided around the Force of Nature + Savage Roar combo, and this game was no different. Both players were careful when to utlize the taunt minions in the deck and their HP, constantly trying to stay safe from the 16 damage burst combo. The equilibrium of the match was broken however, as Savjz saw an opportunity to pull the trigger early and use Savage Roar with his already established board to go straight for face. Left with only 6 HP after the assault, Lothar was forced to use his pieces of the combo to clear potentially lethal board, allowing Savjz to simply play a Druid of the Claw in charge from + another Savage Roar to win the game.
Game 2. Lothar Hunter vs LiquidSavjz Druid
Lothar was gifted with a very powerful Under Taker hand, but Savjz was quick to anwser with a turn 1 Innervate + Coin into Chillwind Yeti. As the match progressed, Lothar was able to deal significant damage to Savjz, breaking through a Cenarius and his taunt minions to leave Savjz with only 5 hp. However, Savjz had an Ancient of Lore in hand and the 5 extra Health was enough to save him against the last card in Lothar’s hand: Kill Command.
Game 3: Lothar Rogue vs Liquid Savjz Druid
Lothar runs two copies of Shade of Naxramas in his rogue deck, which is a relatively new trend. It paid off tremendously this game however, as two giant shades were able to give Lothar the board control to fight past multiple Swipes and taunt minions. Savjz’s cards weren’t so effective, as he lost the game with 2 copies of wild growth in his hand and no turn to ever play them on. Hats off to an excellent usage of Loatheb that ultimately sealed the win for Lothar.
Game 4: Lothar Rogue vs LiquidSavjz Warrior
Lothar was able to keep up with Savjz’s Warrior deck throughout the game, however that type of long game is exactly what Control Warrior wants. Despite the value Lothar’s Rogue deck can get from card draw and Violet Teachers, Savjz still had 26 health on turn 9. With no damage or minions in Lothar’s Hand, Savjz easily finished the round with a lethal Grommash.
LiquidSavjz Wins: 3-1
Liquid Savjz Banned Priest and Sjow Banned Warlock
Game 1: LiquidSavjs Hunter vs Sjow Hunter.
Hunter vs Hunter is a strange match up. What animal companion will show up? What random beast will web spinner create? Will all of those Knife Jugglers hit their marks? Sometimes though, all of that RNG can be largely ignored, and Savjz did a very good job at doing so, drawing multiple weapons and finding the ideal curve to Steady Shot nearly every turn. The game was very one sided, and Sjow when down fast.
Game 2: LiquidSavjs Hunter vs Sjow Warrior
LiquidSavjs started the game off strong, but after missing his turn 3 and 4, was forced to give Sjow control of the board. After that start, Savjz knew he was not going to win the game rushing the warrior down, and instead used his Unleash the Hounds and Eaglehorn Bows to fight for board control, eventually whittling the game down to a drawn out match. LiquidSavjs was clearly favored to win the match, but Sjow played to his outs, and instead of armoring up, played Ragnaros. This meant he needed a lot of very precise Ragnaros dice rolls to win the game. First shot missed, second shot hit face, and the third rag shot hit face again, giving Sjow the win.
Game 3: Liquid Savjs Druid vs Sjow Warrior
Both players traded evenly through most of the match, up until Savjz was able to put Sjow into lethal range from the infamous druid combo. Now, Sjow had to keep up the fight for the board, and still find a way to stay above 16 hp. Savjz was still at 28 hp and Sjow’s only chance was an enraged Grommash he was able to clear the board with. Savjz had the perfect answer in the form of Big Game Hunter, and the value was too much for Sjow to come back from.
Game 4: LiquidSavjz Druid Vs Sjow Rogue.
Savjz started the game with an early Chillwind yeti that quickly set the tone of the match; Sjow must play catch up. Although Sjow was able to eventually control the board and gain a lot of value from his various removal spells throughout the early portion of the game he never was able to draw Gadgetzan Auctioneer. Now with a hand of only two Preparations and no spells or minions, Sjow could do nothing to stop Savjz Cenarius followed by Loatheb on the next turn. With no board, and 5 mana Preparations and 7 mana Sap’s in his hand, Sjow was forced to concede.
Result: Savjz wins, 3-1
Match reports not available, check out the vods for Reynad vs Lothar and Sjow vs Lothar
