by Michael Sacco

Two of only four players still standing here in Los Angeles, Brad Watson and Chad Dirks are playing two of the defining archetypes of the tournament. Brad is playing an all-aggro Grand Crusader build, aiming to pour on damage via a host of cheap allies, backed up by the notorious Protection Talent. Chad is running a Priest deck with ability removal aimed right at Grand Crusader, plus plenty of ramp into controlling allies like Gnash, Al’Akir the Windlord and Parexia, Herald of the Shadows. Oh, and a little Troll by the name of Mazu’kon. Maybe you’ve met?

Brad decided to mulligan, and Chad followed suit. Brad Stashed Cairne, Earthmother’s Chosen to start the game, gaining a Tauren token. Chad played Seeds of Their Demise and Telor Sunsurge. Brad played Seeds and Trade Prince Gallywix. Chad Delved with Seeds and put both cards on the bottom of his deck, then attacked Brad's token with Telor and Stashed Sava'gin the Reckless, dealing two damage to Brad. He played Bronze Warden to end his turn. Brad needed a moment to make his play decision, but ended up Delving with Seeds, then Stashing Sava'gin, killing Chad's Bronze Warden. He attacked Telor with Trade Prince Gallywix, then played Abysswalker Rakax and Dagax the Butcher, sending the Rogue across with Ferocity.

Chad played Jex'ali and healed for 4. Brad attacked Jex'ali with Gallywix, then played a new copy of the Trade Prince and attacked with his other allies. Chad played Shadowfang Keep to play Kraxos Chizzlecoin. “That's probably not what you're supposed to do.” Brad played Kor'kron Vanguard and paused for a moment before playing Grand Crusader. Gallywix traded with Kraxos and Rakax struck for 5, bringing Chad to 11. Chad played Telor and passed to Brad, who used Seeds to Delve and bottomed both cards. He attacked Chad's Telor with Rakax, killing it, and attacked his hero for 5 with Gallywix. His follow-up of Faceless Sapper and Dagax the Butcher was enough to have Chad scooping up his cards.

Brad Watson - 1, Chad Dirks - 0

Chad kept his opening hand, his chance at a place in the Final resting on this game. Brad wasn't happy to see Chad keep, but kept his too. “Go easy on me” seemed like an optimistic request, however! Chad played a resource and Telor to start. Brad's first play was a Stashed Sava'gin, hitting Telor. Just to be fair, he sent three damage at his own hero, taking the pain to get Rosalyne von Erantor onto the field. Chad played Lordann the Bloodreaver and ended his turn. Brad put Kor'kron Vanguard into play and ran Rosalyne into Lordann, then played Korlix Grimvik. Chad put a resource down and flipped his hero. Brad attacked Telor with Korlix, killing the Blood Elf, and played a Faceless Sapper, missing on the Enrage. Chad put a resource down and passed. Brad attacked with Faceless Sapper and Korlix for a total of 4 to Chad. Chad played Jex'ali, healing back to full and drawing a card, then played Seeds of Their Demise.

Brad played Bottled Light to bring Rosalyne back into play, then played Grand Crusader, which was promptly answered by Chad, Dispel Magic flying from his hand. Rosalyne traded for Jex’ali thanks to the Vanguard, and Chad took the opportunity to Delve with Seeds, bottoming both cards. He readies up and drew, then played Parexia, forcing Brad to discard two cards. Brad took his turn, running Faceless Sapper into Parexia. Bottled Light brought Faceless Sapper back into play, and Brad sent it into Suncaller Haruh. Chad played Gnash, clearing Brad's board. Brad played Edwin VanCleef to start to rebuild, and Chad Stashed Sava'gin to do two damage to Brad's hero. Gnash annihilated a Thug token before Chad passed the turn. 

Brad swung Edwin at Chad, bringing the tally to 15 damage, then played Korlix Grimvik. Rohashu flipped for 3 damage, then powered up with the Vanguard to swing at the Suncaller for another point. Chad's Gnash killed the other Thug, and he added Parexia to the board.

Brad kept up the beats, having to chew through two copies of Power Word: Barrier in the process. Sava’gin hit play, as an actual ally! Edwin VanCleef for Brad did what Edwin does, punching through for damage, the Thugs keeping him safe from Gnash. Even another Parexia wasn’t enough, and Chad succumbed to a final burst of aggression from Brad.

Brad Watson defeats Chad Dirk, 2-0!