by Mike Rosenberg

Matt Bryant is rocking the less expected of the Shaman heroes with Akumo of Thunder Bluff. Rather than relying on Samaku, Hand of the Tempest's draw-smoothing flip, Matt's hero goes for raw power, and can end games fast with allies like Erunak Stonespeaker. His opponent, Brody States of Idaho, is playing a variation on the popular Suncaller Haruh deck today... without Devout Aurastone Hammer. All he needs is Shadowfang Keep!

Matt won the die roll and chose to go first. Both players chose to mulligan. Matt led off with a Stashed Sava'gin the Reckless, while Brody placed The Ichor of Undeath. Matt had a turn 2 Venerable Mass of McGowan. Brody, however, only had Shadowfang Keep and no other action. A hero attack from Matt put Brody to 2, and Alethia Brightsong let Matt Delve. He lost his one drop ally to a Shadow Word: Death, as Brody Stashed one copy Sava'gin the Reckless, then played another. He lost his ally to Matt's Blazing Elemental Totem, with the remaining Fire Elemental token going for Brody's hero.

Brody wasn’t going to let that insult stand! He played Oppress on the Totem, forcing Matt to discard Zudzo, Herald of the Elements. Matt pressed on with an attack with his token, then Stashed a counter onto the Mass. He brought out Erunak Stonespeaker, making an Air Totem. However, Matt lost his Erunak to Mazu'kon, accelerated out via Shadowfang Keep and a Stashed Cairne, Earthmother's Chosen. Matt played Earthen Might and used his fully healed hero to take out Mazu'kon with the Venerable Mass of McGowan. Brody pressed on with Edwin VanCleef, and passed with two resources open for The Ichor of Undeath.

Matt played Zudzo, Herald of the Elements to take out one of the Thug tokens, while Brody used The Ichor of Undeath to get back his dead Mazu'kon. Brody drew, and then started to think. He instead played Obsidian Drudge, and attacked Matt's hero with Edwin and his Thug. He passed with Shadowfang Keep ready.

Matt drew into a Mazu'kon. He sent his hero with the Venerable Mass of McGowan into Edwin, but was thwarted by Power Word: Barrier. Zudzo finished off the Barrier, and a hero flip let Zudzo take out Edwin. Edwin's effect triggered, and Vanessa VanCleef came in, hitting Matt's hero for 4. With Mazu'kon in hand, the writing was on the wall. Brody had more than enough damage with his in-play allies, Mazu'kon, and the Shadowfang Keep to immediately trigger Mazu'kon's effect.

Brody States wins the match!