WELCOME TO BATTLE OF THE SETS (BOTS) VII!!!

This is the official BOTS tournament center. In this first post of the BOTS tournament, you will find all the resources you need to follow the tournament: pairings, match results, decklists, rules, and a recap of the last tournament’s finals.

BOTS VII will be updated frequently over the next few weeks with match reports and previews before each round. Before the tournament starts, I would like to take this opportunity to thank two people:

1) Alfred, for his major role in the running of this tournament - both in playing all the matches with me, and in working on the deckbuilding. Without Alfred's excellent ideas and fine play, this BOTS tournament, as well as several before it, would not have been possible. Thank you Alfred!

2) Goblinboy - for his enthusiastic support of BOTS last time out when it appeared at MTG Salvation for the first time, and now for his support of BOTS as a front-page article. [Aww shucks *blush* -Ed]


And now - the storied tradition continues, as Magic’s 36 expansion sets battle for the most coveted championship in all of sport - the title of Battle of the Sets champion!

After the longest hiatus in BOTS history, the long-awaited seventh chapter of this ongoing saga returns, complete with all the drama, intrigue, rivalries and pulsating excitement you’ve come to expect.

Will buzz-saw Antiquities defend its title, making it three out of four, and become a dynasty?

How will newcomers Saviors of Kamigawa and Ravnica perform?

After Judgment’s magical run last time out, which lower seed(s) will become the latest to surprise with a run past the early rounds?

Watch as the drama unfolds for the answer to these and many other questions.


Over the next few weeks, this is the only place to be for BOTS match coverage - the place to be to comment on the matches and the decks and to make predictions. You are encouraged to make match predictions and analysis.


I. TOURNAMENT BRACKET & MATCH RESULTS (updated at conc. of each match)


DIVISION 1

(1) Mirrodin vs. (8) Stronghold

(4) Urza’s Saga vs. (5) Exodus

(2) Darksteel vs. (7) Alliances[/font][/size]

(3) Urza’s Destiny vs. (6) Invasion


DIVISION 2

(1) Antiquities vs. (8) Play-In

(4) Betrayers of Kamigawa vs. (5) Scourge

(2) Visions vs. (7) Urza’s Legacy

(3) Champions of Kamigawa vs. (6) Legends


DIVISION 3

(1) Tempest vs. (8) Mirage

(4) Arabian Nights vs. (5) Ravnica

(2) Apocalypse vs. (7) Planeshift

(3) Odyssey vs. (6) Legions


DIVISION 4

(1) Torment vs. (8) Prophecy

(4) Mercadian Masques vs. (5) Judgment

(2) Onslaught vs. (7) Ice Age

(3) Fifth Dawn vs. (6) Saviors of Kamigawa


PLAY-IN DIVISION

The Dark

Fallen Empires

Homelands

Weatherlight

Nemesis


Round 1: BYE = Nemesis

Fallen Empires vs. The Dark

Homelands vs. Weatherlight



II. ALL 36 DECKLISTS:

#1: ARABIAN NIGHTS
4 Juzam Djinn 4 Oubliette 4 Erg Raiders 4 Old Man of the Sea 4 Serendib Efreet 4 Flying Men 4 Unstable Mutation 4 Erhnam Djinn	4 Library of Alexandria 4 City of Brass 10 Swamp 10 Island

#2: ANTIQUITIES
4 Triskelion 4 Tetravus 4 Clockwork Avian 4 Tawnos's Coffin 4 Su-Chi 4 Rocket Launcher 4 Primal Clay 4 Onulet 4 Candelabra of Tawnos	4 Mishra's Workshop 4 Mishra's Factory 4 Strip Mine 4 Urza's Power Plant 4 Urza's Mine 4 Urza's Tower

#3: LEGENDS
4 Moat 4 Thunder Spirit 3 Greater Realm of Preservation 4 Spirit Link 4 Land Tax 3 Firestorm Phoenix 4 Pyrotechnics 3 Land's Edge 4 Chain Lightning	10 Mountain 17 Plains

#4: THE DARK
4 Wormwood Treefolk 4 Lurker 4 Tracker 4 Scavenger Folk 4 Witch Hunter 4 Preacher 4 Exorcist 3 Barl’s Cage 4 Maze of Ith	2 City of Shadows 11 Forest 12 Plains

#5: FALLEN EMPIRES
4 Thrull Champion 4 Derelor 4 Armor Thrull 4 Mindstab Thrull 4 Necrite 4 Order of the Ebon Hand 4 Hymn to Tourach 4 Thrull Retainer 4 Aeolipile	4 Ebon Stronghold 20 Swamp

#6: ICE AGE
4 Jokulhaups 4 Incinerate 3 Demonic Consultation 4 Abyssal Specter 4 Foul Familiar 4 Dark Banishing 4 Necropotence 4 Zuran Orb	4 Dark Ritual 4 Sulfurous Springs 8 Mountain 13 Swamp

#7: HOMELANDS
4 Abbey Gargoyles 4 Abbey Matron 4 Aysen Bureaucrats 4 Death Speakers 3 Autumn Willow 4 Roots 4 Leaping Lizard 4 Spectral Bears	4 Serrated Arrows 11 Forest 14 Plains

#8: ALLIANCES
4 Balduvian Horde 4 Pillage 4 Primitive Justice 4 Guerilla Tactics 4 Death Spark 4 Pyrokinesis 4 Deadly Insect 4 Yavimaya Ants 4 Elvish Ranger	11 Forest 13 Mountain

#9: MIRAGE
4 Volcanic Dragon 4 Wildfire Emissary 4 Hammer of Bogardan 4 Savage Twister 4 Incinerate 4 Kaervek's Torch 4 Wall of Roots 4 Rampant Growth	4 Fire Diamond 4 MountainValley 5 Forest 15 Mountain

#10: VISIONS
4 Peace Talks 4 Equipoise 4 Impulse 4 Vision Charm 4 Sands of Time 4 Wand of Denial 4 Coercion 4 Vampiric Tutor 1 Juju Bubble 1 Forbidden Ritual	8 Island 8 Plains 8 Swamp 2 Undiscovered Paradise

#11: WEATHERLIGHT
4 Buried Alive 2 Gallowbraid 4 Morinfen 4 Hidden Horror 4 Razortooth Rats 4 Serrated Biskelion 4 Barrow Ghoul 4 Fledgling Djinn 4 Circling Vultures 4 Straw Golem	22 Swamp

#12: TEMPEST
4 Dismiss 4 Intuition 3 Capsize 4 Counterspell 4 Whispers of the Muse 4 Humility 4 Orim's Prayer 4 Sapphire Medallion 3 Grindstone	4 Reflecting Pool 10 Plains 12 Island

#13: STRONGHOLD
4 Sliver Queen 4 Flame Wave 4 Flowstone Mauler 4 Shard Phoenix 4 Shock 4 Dream Halls 4 Sift 4 Mana Leak	4 Mox Diamond 11 Island 13 Mountain

#14: EXODUS
1 Spike Hatcher 4 Spike Weaver 4 Wood Elves 4 Survival of the Fittest 4 Pygmy Troll 1 Pit Spawn 2 Dauthi Jackal 4 Recurring Nightmare 4 Oath of Ghouls 4 Thrull Surgeon 1 Keeper of the Dead 1 Plaguebearer 2 Thopter Squadron	12 Forest 12 Swamp

#15: URZA'S SAGA
4 Time Spiral 3 Karn, Silver Golem 4 Phyrexian Processor 4 Smokestack 4 Worn Powerstone 4 Pit Trap 4 Thran Turbine 4 Voltaic Key 4 Claws of Gix	4 Tolarian Academy 4 Blasted Landscape 17 Island

#16: URZA'S LEGACY
2 Palinchron 4 Weatherseed Faeries 4 Fleeting Image 4 Cloud of Faeries 4 Snap 4 Miscalculation 4 Might of Oaks 4 Simian Grunts 4 Rancor	4 Faerie Conclave 4 Treetop Village 7 Forest 11 Island

#17: URZA'S DESTINY
4 Thorn Elemental 4 Ancient Silverback 4 Plow Under 4 Pattern of Rebirth 4 Yavimaya Elder 4 Rofellos, Llanowar Emissary 4 Heart Warden 4 Masticore 4 Thran Dynamo	24 Forest

#18: MERCADIAN MASQUES
4 Reverent Mantra 3 Story Circle 4 Cho-Manno's Blessing 4 Thermal Glider 4 Nightwind Glider 4 Disenchant 2 Ramosian Lieutenant 4 Fresh Volunteers 4 Steadfast Guard 4 Ramosian Sergeant	4 Rishadan Port 19 Plains

#19: NEMESIS
3 Skyshroud Claim 4 Rhox 4 Saproling Burst 4 Blastoderm 4 Blinding Angel 4 Parallax Wave 4 Topple 4 Tangle Wire 4 Fog Patch	12 Plains 13 Forest

#20: PROPHECY
4 Scoria Cat 4 Citadel of Pain 4 Rhystic Lightning 4 Veteran Brawlers 4 Branded Brawlers 4 Troublesome Spirit 4 Ribbon Snake 4 Spiketail Hatchling 4 Chimeric Idol	12 Island 12 Mountain

#21: INVASION
3 Void 4 Blazing Specter 4 Pyre Zombie 4 Shivan Zombie 4 Ravenous Rats 4 Addle 4 Skizzik 4 Urza's Rage 4 Ghitu Fire	1 Keldon Necropolis 4 Urborg Volcano 10 Swamp 10 Mountain

#22: PLANESHIFT
4 Voice of All 4 Sunscape Battlemage 4 Phyrexian Scuta 4 Bog Down 4 Rushing River 4 Stormscape Familiar 4 Dromar’s Charm 4 Meddling Mage 4 Mana Cylix	2 Dromar’s Cavern 6 Swamp 8 Plains 8 Island

#23: APOCALYPSE
4 Spiritmonger 4 Pernicious Deed 4 Vindicate 4 Death Grasp 4 Gerrard's Verdict 2 Desolation Angel 4 Phyrexian Arena 4 Spectral Lynx	4 Caves of Koilos 4 Llanowar Wastes 4 Forest 8 Plains 10 Swamp

#24: ODYSSEY
4 Upheaval 4 Standstill 4 Aether Burst 4 Careful Study 4 Roar of the Wurm 4 Call of the Herd 4 Wild Mongrel 4 Werebear 4 Nimble Mongoose	1 Tarnished Citadel 11 Island 12 Forest

#25: TORMENT
4 Laquatus's Champion 3 Mind Sludge 4 Shambling Swarm 4 Faceless Butcher 4 Rancid Earth 4 Nantuko Shade 4 Mesmeric Fiend 4 Chainer's Edict	3 Cabal Coffers 26 Swamp

#26: JUDGMENT
4 Glory 4 Battle Screech 3 Commander Eesha 4 Anurid Brushhopper 4 Elephant Guide 4 Ray of Revelation 4 Phantom Nomad 4 Suntail Hawk 4 Spurnmage Advocate	10 Forest 15 Plains

#27: ONSLAUGHT
4 Exalted Angel 4 Akroma's Vengeance 4 Astral Slide 4 Akroma's Blessing 4 Renewed Faith 4 Starstorm 4 Lightning Rift 4 Shock	4 Secluded Steppe 4 Forgotten Cave 8 Mountain 12 Plains

#28: LEGIONS
4 Clickslither 4 Goblin Goon 4 Gempalm Incinerator 4 Unstable Hulk 4 Skirk Marauder 4 Skirk Drill Sergeant 4 Goblin Lookout 4 Goblin Grappler 4 Warbreak Trumpeter	24 Mountain

#29: SCOURGE
4 Eternal Dragon 4 Noble Templar 4 Daru Warchief 4 Dawn Elemental 4 Decree of Justice 4 Wing Shards 4 Wipe Clean 4 Silver Knight	4 Temple of the False God 24 Plains

#30: MIRRODIN
4 Somber Hoverguard 4 Thoughtcast 4 Shrapnel Blast 4 Atog 4 Disciple of the Vault 4 Myr Enforcer 4 Frogmite 4 Pyrite Spellbomb 4 Bonesplitter 4 Ornithopter 4 Welding Jar	4 Glimmervoid 4 Seat of the Synod 4 Great Furnace 4 Vault of Whispers

#31: DARKSTEEL
4 Spire Golem 4 Arcbound Crusher 4 Arcbound Stinger 4 Arcbound Slith 4 Arcbound Ravager 4 Arcbound Worker 4 Myr Moonvessel 4 Genesis Chamber 4 Skullclamp	4 Darksteel Citadel 4 Blinkmoth Nexus 16 Island

#32: FIFTH DAWN
4 Engineered Explosives 4 Pentad Prism 4 Wayfarer's Bauble 4 Etched Oracle 4 Bringer of the Green Dawn 4 Bringer of the Blue Dawn 4 Channel the Suns 4 Eternal Witness 4 Joiner Adept	3 Swamp 3 Mountain 3 Plains 3 Island 12 Forest

#33: CHAMPIONS OF KAMIGAWA
2 Meloku the Clouded Mirror 4 Hana Kami 4 Kodama's Reach 4 Sakura-Tribe Elder 1 Wear Away 1 Joyous Respite 4 Sensei’s Diving Top 3 Eerie Procession 4 Gifts Ungiven 1 Cranial Extraction 4 Rend Flesh 1 Hideous Laughter 1 Etheral Haze 2 Soulless Revival	2 Plains 4 Swamp 8 Island 10 Forest

#34: BETRAYERS OF KAMIGAWA
2 Patron of the Kitsune 4 Final Judgment 4 Terashi's Grasp 4 Genju of the Fields 4 Three Tragedies 4 Yukora the Prisoner 4 Eradicate 4 Horobi's Whisper 4 Sickening Shoal	10 Plains 16 Swamp

#35: SAVIORS OF KAMIGAWA
4 Charge Across the Araba 4 Eiganjo Free-Riders 4 Promise of Bunrei 4 Descendant of Kiyomaro 4 Moonwing Moth 4 Hand of Honor 4 Kitsune Loreweaver 4 Kataki, War’s Wage 4 Ghost-Lit Redeemer	24 Plains

#36: RAVNICA
4 Hunted Dragon 4 Loxodon Hierarch 4 Skynight Legionnaire 4 Char 4 Moldervine Cloak 4 Lightning Helix 4 Watchwolf 4 Selesnya Guildmage 4 Birds of Paradise	4 Sacred Foundry 4 Temple Garden 3 Plains 6 Mountain 7 Forest

III. RULES

The rules, as usual, are as follows:

1) BEST OF 5: Each match is Best 3 out of 5.
2) SINGLE ELIMINATION: A series loss means elimination.
3) SEEDINGS & PAIRINGS: Each deck is classified before the tournament as a 1-8 seed. The competitors are then randomly divided into 4 Divisions (like regions in the NCAA tournament). For example, Antiquities, a 1 seed, could end up as the 1 seed of any of the 4 Divisions, and so forth.
4) DIVISION PLAY: Once the divisions are set, the divisions play out like normal tournament brackets, where each 1 seed plays each 8 seed, 2 vs. 7, 3 vs. 6, 4 vs. 5. The winner of the 1/8 then plays the winner of the 4/5, and the winner of 2/7 plays 3/6. The remaining two sets then play for the division title.
5) FINAL FOUR: Once four division champs are crowned, the Division 1 winner plays the Division 2 winner, and the Division 3 winner plays the Division 4 winner. Then the two left standing compete for the championship.
6) PLAY-IN DIVISION: With 36 sets, there is a play-in division consisting of the now 5 worst sets to decide which one of the five gets an 8 seed. The other four are out of the tournament. Format for the play-in division is best 3 out of 5, single elimination, with one deck getting a 1st round bye, then one of the remaining three getting a second bye, then the finals two contestants squaring off.


This is just an introductory article, but join us again soon when we'll go over BOTS VI's championship match!

Edited by Goblinboy
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