(Victory Chimes | Uriah Voth)

Welcome everyone to the Sweet 16! It is known here as the DracoDraco round. This is where we operate those still in the deck and those dumped into the graveyard, not for cost.

Four double-digit seeds have fought their way here, and not a single one-seed could show themselves. So far, we have had significant upsets, tie-breakers, and some wins that mathematically boggle the mind.

There are no rule changes in this round, and scoring is the same as it has always been. The only difference is that the illustrious Arena RectorArena Rector and I will bring more energy to you, the fans.

With all that being said, take one last look at the scoring, and let's get on with the coverage.

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 202, 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 7x
• Salt Score <, > or = 1.2
  • < 1.2 avg. salt score 2.1x
  • > 1.2 avg. salt score 1.9x
  • = 1.2 avg. salt score 2x
• Basketball scores are made with a generator to align with the "math" used.

Onto the Sweet 16!

Shards Region

(8) Ghyrson Starn, KelermorphGhyrson Starn, Kelermorph vs. (4) Nekusar, the MindrazerNekusar, the Mindrazer

The first battle of the day has the new kids on the block, the Kelermorphs, taking on one of the most despised teams of old, the Mindrazers.

Both of these teams so far have made quick work of the competition, and early on, it appeared as though the Mindrazers were going to take this game with a fast-paced offense.

Behind early castings of Wheel of FortuneWheel of Fortune and sticking a quick Spiteful VisionsSpiteful Visions, the Mindrazers looked set up for a victory.

In the end, it would not be enough. Behind a monumental effort from star player Thermo-AlchemistThermo-Alchemist, backed up by a Sink into StuporSink into Stupor and fantastic bench play from Flame FusilladeFlame Fusillade, the Kelermorphs turned the game around almost as fast as they fell behind and found themselves moving on to the Elite 8.

Final Score: Kelermorphs 148 - Mindrazers 83,

(6) Arcades, the StrategistArcades, the Strategist vs. (7) Animar, Soul of ElementsAnimar, Soul of Elements

A tri-color battle for the final spot in the Elite 8 for the Shards Region featuring Arcades and the Walls against Animar and the Elementals. This game was a barn burner, to say the least. Until the game was over, neither of these two teams led by more than five points at any time during the game.

In other sports, they often say that a good defense brings a good offense, and the Walls live and die by that saying. With a record-setting performance in blocks thanks to Wall of DenialWall of Denial and steals thanks to Wall of Stolen IdentityWall of Stolen Identity, Arcades was able to stem off a mysterious offense brought in by the Elementals.

Final Score: Walls 88 - Elementals 64. 

Wedge Region

(9) Sidar Jabari of ZhalfirSidar Jabari of Zhalfir vs. (4) Giada, Font of HopeGiada, Font of Hope

In any other situation, two teams would most likely be battling side-by-side, the Knights against the Angels. The Angles have become the tournament sweethearts, with two of the most enormous margins of victory we have ever seen. Not to be taken lightly, the Knights have played with solid fundamentals and shown that no matter what, a win is a win. Sidar Jabari and his Knights might not win big, but they have toppled some large foes in the tournament.

With another close win in this game, the Knights add another mythical creature to their menagerie of defeat. It started with a dragon, then a leviathan, and now an angel. The battle was tight, but that is where the two power forwards of the Knights White KnightWhite Knight and Black KnightBlack Knight did their best work. A late push was shown by Baneslayer AngelBaneslayer Angel, but it was all for naught.

Final Score: Knights 124 - Angels 114.

(11) K'rrik, Son of YawgmothK'rrik, Son of Yawgmoth vs. (2) Yuriko, the Tiger's ShadowYuriko, the Tiger's Shadow

Yuriko and the Ninjas are unquestionably the best team in the tournament now. A true definition of an underdog rises to face them in K'rrik and the Sons. Like the previous rounds the Ninjas have been in, this one seemed over before it started. It always appeared as if Yuriko had possession, and there was nothing anyone on the Sons could do about it.

Ninja of the Deep HoursNinja of the Deep Hours and Fallen ShinobiFallen Shinobi provided constant pressure, and Temporal TrespassTemporal Trespass and Temporal MasteryTemporal Mastery sealed the deal for a victory. The proverbial slipper never found its way back to the foot of K'rrik, and they finally faced the Midnight ClockMidnight Clock.

Final Score: Ninjas 127 - Sons 64.

Guild Region

(8) Atla Palani, Nest TenderAtla Palani, Nest Tender vs. (13) Urza, Lord High ArtificerUrza, Lord High Artificer

Rankings are never perfect, and if there is one team in this tournament that shows the number next to its name, it is meaningless; the High Artificers are that team. They will face the prehistoric powerhouse of Atla Palani and the Dinosaurs, who have not had a close game yet.

However, today, Urza decided to cosplay as the Star of ExtinctionStar of Extinction to wipe out his Jurassic foes. The Urza's Blueprints provided the right strategy. Urza's Armor gave them a perfect defense. Urza's Rage powered them to victory. And the potent trio of

made it so that there was no nest to be tended to anymore.

Final Score: High Artificers 102 - Dinosaurs 77.

(14) Oloro, Ageless AsceticOloro, Ageless Ascetic vs. (7) Rin and Seri, InseparableRin and Seri, Inseparable

The lowest seed to make it to the Sweet 16 is Oloro and the Giants. They are the most adorable team left in Cats & Dogs. This might be the strangest matchup of the tournament.

The Giants play with a lineup of all-bigs. No one is under 4/4, and all are more than just statistics.

From Frost TitanFrost Titan, Grave TitanGrave Titan, and Sun TitanSun Titan to the Hundred-Handed OneHundred-Handed One, nothing is going over this team's head. But will size and stature be able to defeat speed and tenacity?

Whitemane LionWhitemane Lion and Pack LeaderPack Leader start out early and often for the Cats & Dogs. These felines bring players with tricks in the form of Ocelot PrideOcelot Pride and Ajani, Nacatl PariahAjani, Nacatl Pariah. Don't sleep on the dogs, or the next thing you know, Phelia, Exuberant ShepherdPhelia, Exuberant Shepherd, and Bolt HoundBolt Hound will show up out of nowhere.

Looks do not always get you the win, and unfortunately for the Cats & Dogs, they could not take home the trophy for best in the show this time.

Final Score: Giants 81 - Cats & Dogs 73.

Blind Eternities Region

(8) Meren of Clan Nel TothMeren of Clan Nel Toth vs. (13) Kinnan, Bonder ProdigyKinnan, Bonder Prodigy

Two true bogeymen types of teams face off in the first game of the final region. Shamans against Prodigies. Potentially two sides of the same coin. The two teams have the same strategy of not letting the key player get hot for the other side: every action needs an equal and opposite reaction.

There is one thing that each team has that could give them an edge over the other side. For Kinnan and the Prodigies, it is speed. They can explode to the board fast and never look back.

For Meren and the Shammans, it is answers. They can take away all the resources the other side tries to find with frightening accuracy.

Eventually, the answers all ran out for Meren and the Shamans. Behind the key piece in Birthing PodBirthing Pod, every well-timed answer lost a bit of its potent timing. Even Allstars like Spore FrogSpore Frog and Yawgmoth, Thran PhysicianYawgmoth, Thran Physician could not do enough when it came to the Big Flips playstyle of Kinnan.

Final Score: Prodigies 149 - Shamans 139.

(3) Gishath, Sun's AvatarGishath, Sun's Avatar vs. (7) Teysa KarlovTeysa Karlov

Our final game will determine who will be the final team in the Elite 8. Will it be the Big Chickens or the Oligarchs? Neither team has had it easy, as the Blind Eternities region seems to be the most competitive from top to bottom. And this was another competitive game from both sides. Hard to handle and large in stature is the name of the game for the Big Chickens. Influential in the paint threats like Zacama, Primal CalamityZacama, Primal Calamity and Zetalpa, Primal DawnZetalpa, Primal Dawn had you dialing 1-800-Flappin when they took an early lead. Turns out everyone had the wrong number.

The Oligarchs have the most clever coach in Teysa. Not only are they an envoy, but they are opulent, and they are also a scion.

In short, they are not to be taken lightly. They knew what needed to be done. Clever use of their undersized team paired with Grave PactGrave Pact and Dictate of ErebosDictate of Erebos allowed them to grind out a win. This exact strategy allowed the Oligarchs to finalize the field for the Elite 8.

Final Score: Oligarchs 134 - Big Chickens 106.

Elite 8

We have our field of competitors, and another round is in the books. Soon, regions will face one another as the tournament draws ever closer to its conclusion.

The action will not fade, but the dreams of half of the remaining teams sure will. I, for one, cannot wait for the next round to start, and if it were up to me, I would have it underway immediately. How about you, Arena RectorArena Rector?

Arena Rector: I agree with you on every point. I have loved the competition so far and cannot wait for every single remaining round. We have three rounds in the books and the same remaining, and I, for one, know who I will be putting my money on going forward.

O, and who might that be?

Arena Rector: For me, it seems the only options have to be Oloro, Ageless AsceticOloro, Ageless Ascetic, and the Giants. What about you?

Well, as they say, the bigger they are, the harder they fall, so I will not follow suit with your wager. But I will be backing my picks, Ghyrston Starn, Kelermorph, and Kelermorphs. I love a Universes Beyond card, and they are the complete package.

For the audience, I ask who they think will win. Are you backing either of our picks? Maybe you have a horse that is different from any mentioned above. Stay tuned as the competition marches on in March Magic Madness and the Elite 8!

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.