(Stunning Reversal | Zoltan Boros)

We are back with the round of 32 in our March Magic Madness tournament. I also have news from the Arena RectorArena Rector.

Arena RectorArena Rector: Attention: Two of the scores from our last round were recorded and flipped. We apologize to anyone who used these scores to try and acquire monetary compensation.

We promise that while the scores might have read wrong, the correct winners were granted advancement in the tournament.

We also realized we did not include the categories in which our competitors are being scored in your information packet.

Those will be listed below, and remember it is, after all, just a game, so do not attack the scorers if you see them at the Concession StandConcession Stand.

Scoring:

• Color Multipliers
  • Colorless 1.6x
  • Mono 1.5x
  • Two-color 1.4x
  • Three-color 1.3x
  • Four-color 1.2x
  • Five-color 1.1x
• Deck Count < or > 15 Thousand
  • > 15 Thousand 15.1x
  • < 15 Thousand 14.9x
• Original Print Date
  • Over five years ago, 5.9x
  • Printed in 2020, 5.5x
  • Printed less than five years ago, 5.1x
• Was it a "design mistake"
  • Yes 6.9x
  • No 7x
• Game Changer
  • Yes 2.5x
  • No 2x
• Salt Score <, >, or = 1.2
  • < 1.2 avg. salt score 2.1x
  • > 1.2 avg. salt score 1.9x
  • = 1.2 avg. salt score 2
• Basketball scores are made with a generator to align with the "math" used.

This concludes the round of announcements, so let's get on with the action.

Round 2 FIGHT!

Shards Region

(16) The NecrobloomThe Necrobloom vs. (8) Ghyrson Starn, KelermorphGhyrson Starn, Kelermorph

The clock struck midnight for the 'Blooms almost as quickly as it started ticking.

Tragically for them, facing a team of triple arm three gun-wielding Tyranids lead to a beatdown of immense proportions.

No amount of Landfall triggers could Ram ThroughRam Through the heavy defense that Ward 2 provided to the Kelermorphs.

Final Score: Kelermorphs 134 - Blooms 69.

(5) Aragorn, the UniterAragorn, the Uniter vs. (4) Nekusar, the MindrazerNekusar, the Mindrazer

I think the King of Men took a bit of an offense to the horde of Zombie Wizards opposite them on the court.

This was a game that Aragorn and his team had come prepared for, but unfortunately, things do not always go the way they do in the movies.

Nekusar was able to raze the minds of the opposition effectively.

While the game ended with a small margin of victory, some of the members of Fellowship United will never be able to forget this game.

In contrast, some will never be able to remember it again.

Final Score: Mindrazers 82 - Fellowship United 69.

(6) Arcades, the StrategistArcades, the Strategist vs. (3) Kaalia of the VastKaalia of the Vast

And at the final sound of the buzzer, is the score tied? The score appears tied to the battle between Walls and The Vast. This is unprecedented and unheard of.

In the first half, it was all Assault FormationAssault Formation and Tower DefenseTower Defense.

Still, after half-time, we saw a real turnaround thanks to some outstanding effort by Baneslayer AngelBaneslayer Angel, Thunderbreak RegentThunderbreak Regent, and the Master of CrueltiesMaster of Cruelties.

With the final buzzer sounding and the score tied, we had both teams enter a Mana ClashMana Clash.

It started as a real Game of ChaosGame of Chaos, but luckily for everyone involved, Krark, the ThumblessKrark, the Thumbless, was there to oversee the entire ordeal.

The final coin came up heads, meaning the Walls will move on to the Sweet 16.

Final Score: Walls 96 - The Vast 96.

Final Coin Flip: Heads, Walls win.

(7) Animar, Soul of ElementsAnimar, Soul of Elements vs. (15) Zaxara, the ExemplaryZaxara, the Exemplary

The final of the Shards region was a three-color monty of a match. The elements themselves squared off against Hydras straight out of your worst nightmare in a game that seemed to be going the way of the 15-seed in Zaxara, the ExemplaryZaxara, the Exemplary.

Animar is never one to be outdone, and with the dual threats of protection and a proclivity to play a morph-style offense, the elementals found a way to win.

Final Score: Elementals 82 - Hydras 73.

Wedge Region

(1) Xyris, the Writhing StormXyris, the Writhing Storm vs. (9) Sidar Jabari of ZhalfirSidar Jabari of Zhalfir

Not to be one-and-done, Xyris and the Snakes took to the second round ready to play. Sssssadly for the Snakes, they had the plan to fend off the Flanking of Sidar Kondo of JamuraaSidar Kondo of Jamuraa, but they were not prepared for the Eminence that came along with Sidar Jabari of ZhalfirSidar Jabari of Zhalfir.

Constant card advantage and Knights that always found a way back led to a decent victory over the Snake in the sky.

Final Score: Knights 130 - Snakes 114.

(12) Urza, Chief ArtificerUrza, Chief Artificer vs. (4) Giada, Font of HopeGiada, Font of Hope

The mono-colored entries in this tournament might be few and far between, but so far, Giada only knows how to do one thing: win and win by many points.

Last round, they won by 39, and now they're following it up with a 52-point beatdown. Giada, Font of HopeGiada, Font of Hope, and the Angels might be one of the most dominant teams right now, and anyone who says they are incapable of making a deep run is lying to themselves.

Final Score: Angels 123 - Constructs 71.

(11) K'rrik, Son of YawgmothK'rrik, Son of Yawgmoth vs. (14) Prosper, Tome-BoundProsper, Tome-Bound

When this matchup was finalized for the round of 32, many said Prosper was a disrespected team based on getting a 14th seed. Well, no one is saying that now.

A decisive win for K'rrik, Son of YawgmothK'rrik, Son of Yawgmoth, as the Treasures could not find the proverbial X marking the victory spot.

The real question is, can the Sons keep up with the style of play they fall back into as the tournament goes on?

I have heard players leaving their blood, sweat, and tears on the court, but this is ridiculous.

Final Score: Sons 127 - Treasures 88.

(7) Muldrotha, the GravetideMuldrotha, the Gravetide vs. (2) Yuriko, the Tiger's ShadowYuriko, the Tiger's Shadow

Precise and deadly. Quick but efficient. Surprisingly silent.

All words to describe how the Tiger's Shadow could dispatch Muldrotha, the GravetideMuldrotha, the Gravetide, seemingly single-handedly.

It is a bit of a shame that both Yuriko and Giada are in the same quadrant of this tournament, because that is the showdown I want to see.

Final Score: Ninjas 138 - The Grave 89.

Guild Region

(1) Edgar MarkovEdgar Markov vs. (8) Atla Palani, Nest TenderAtla Palani, Nest Tender

How many 1/1 Vampires does it take to crack an egg? Not enough, as Edgar MarkovEdgar Markov falls to the Nest Tender themselves.

No one on the team of Vampires will be enjoying an omelet anytime soon as Atla Palani, Nest TenderAtla Palani, Nest Tender, and her EGGscelent surprises advance to the sweet 16.

Final Score: Dinosaurs 90 - Vampires 69.

(5) Shorikai, Genesis EngineShorikai, Genesis Engine vs. (13) Urza, Lord High ArtificerUrza, Lord High Artificer

It was the single biggest upset in the tournament's short history.

Urza and the High Artificers pulled off a stunning and defiant upset over Shorikai and the Pilots.

This was not a challenge; it looked like a warm-up for Urza, Lord High Artificer. This game was not even close as the margin of victory was 70 points, almost as many as Shorikai, Genesis EngineShorikai, Genesis Engine could put up in total.

The true Cinderella story might be about an old man and his robot army.

Final Score: High Artificers 145 - Pilots 75.

(11) Breya, Etherium ShaperBreya, Etherium Shaper vs. (14) Oloro, Ageless AsceticOloro, Ageless Ascetic

Every year, we see a team that has a wealth of experience on its side. This year's team is the Giants, led by Oloro, Ageless AsceticOloro, Ageless Ascetic.

They predate broken mechanics, four-color commanders, and even the tournament itself.

While this was a closer game than some of the others we have seen in the second round, the unexperienced Breya, Etherium Shaper could not find Krark-Clan IronworksKrark-Clan Ironworks, Time SieveTime Sieve, or Nim DeathmantleNim Deathmantle to close out the competition.

Final Score: Giants 95 - Shapers 87.

(7) Rin and Seri, InseparableRin and Seri, Inseparable vs. (2) Lathril, Blade of the ElvesLathril, Blade of the Elves

These teams are always told that it is a dog-eat-dog world out there, but no one ever discusses how it might be a cat-and-dog-eat-elf world.

This game was thrilling to the end, and every moment seemed like it would lead to victory for one side over the other.

Lathril, Blade of the ElvesLathril, Blade of the Elves relied on their new transfer Craterhoof BehemothCraterhoof Behemoth, and all looked well near the end of the game.

However, Rin and Seri, InseparableRin and Seri, Inseparable spelled double trouble for the other side, and a last-second Naya CharmNaya Charm allowed them to squeak out a win.

Final Score: Cats & Dogs 147 - Elves 145.

Blind Eternities Region

(1) Krenko, Mob BossKrenko, Mob Boss vs. (8) Meren of Clan Nel TothMeren of Clan Nel Toth

It was one of the most attended games in the tournament so far—two long-time fan favorites and two teams that both have what it takes to go all the way.

On the side of Krenko, Mob BossKrenko, Mob Boss, this was the end of their run, and this now leaves no #1 seeds left in the tournament.

The matchup was close, but in the end, the constant onslaught brought about by Meren of Clan Nel TothMeren of Clan Nel Toth and cards like Sakura-Tribe ElderSakura-Tribe Elder, PlaguecrafterPlaguecrafter, and Eternal WitnessEternal Witness, the Shamans take a close win.

Final Score: Shamans 101 - Goblins 96.

(12) Omnath, Locus of CreationOmnath, Locus of Creation vs. (13) Kinnan, Bonder ProdigyKinnan, Bonder Prodigy

There's a reason that their name is Kinnan, Bonder ProdigyKinnan, Bonder Prodigy...!

No one plays with more team cohesion than the Prodigies, so they have strung together wins.

Omanth is used to creating ways to win games, but they could not pull it off this time and fell convincingly.

Final Score: Prodigies 145 - Locus 102.

(6) Zhulodok, Void GorgerZhulodok, Void Gorger vs. (3) Gishath, Sun's AvatarGishath, Sun's Avatar

Arena Rector: Zhulodok was my dark horse pick for the tournament to take the entire thing down. I love the scrappy underdog story of a colorless commander.

I'm sad to see them go, and I would not expect them to be back next year, but you never know when it comes to a tournament like this.

Thanks for that insight. Yes, it was sad to see the only colorless entry to win in the first-weekend leave with an underwhelming performance in the round of 32.

The Big Chickens snacked on the competition and will move on to the Sweet 16.

Final Score: Big Chickens 95 - Void Gorgers 71.

(7) Teysa KarlovTeysa Karlov vs. (15) Alela, Artful ProvocateurAlela, Artful Provocateur

The final matchup of the round of 32 features Teysa KarlovTeysa Karlov and her death-trigger army against Alela, Artful ProvocateurAlela, Artful Provocateur, and their foreboding faeries. It was a close fight, but in the end, the simple means of execution brought about by Teysa was enough when put up against Alela, who was, unfortunately, splitting too much of their focus between artifacts and enchantments.

Final Score: Oligarchs 121 - Faeries 115.

Wrapping Up The Round

Well, that's all we have for the round of 32. From surprising upsets to downright domination by some teams this year, the tournament has had everything so far.

Where else will you get a game decided by a coin flip, old favorites still showing they can perform, and newcomers taking the competition by storm?

Who do you have moving on to the Sweet 16? What other categories would you have let people score in? Is your bracket busted?

And finally, who is your pick to win the whole darn thing? Let me know, and don't forget to return as the tournament continues. On behalf of the Arena RectorArena Rector and myself, we will see you in the Sweet 16.

Nicholas Lucchesi

Player and lover of all Magic the Gathering formats. Forged in the fires of Oath of the Gatewatch expeditions. Always down to jam games with anyone and everyone. When not playing Magic I am doing something else equally, if not more nerdy.