By Spencer Sacht-Lund (Kanaka)

7th Seed Robin G.

Robin is a pillar of the Canadian Highlander community, having more or less created the format. A former councilor, and longtime player, Robin is known for playing various forms of tempo such as U/G “Sorenson” and also for a long running success with the “Storm” archetype.

Robin, you are known for playing Storm, how do you feel that deck has gone for you during the 2016 season?

I might play Storm. It’s pretty good. With combo you really have to keep pressing to get over “the hump”, yeah it’s pretty good.

What are your thoughts going into this year’s Top8? This particular Top8 has some very known archetype players, how has this affected you and your deck decisions?

More interesting than last years, as there will be some Hoof and Goblins. You can choose some new different decks to meta this time.

What do you think is the most important; knowing your deck, knowing the matchup, or knowing the metagame?

Familiarity is super important, probably the most important. You can play around matchups if you want, but I go for familiarity and consistency every time.

Any Comments/Taunts/Challenges/Nose Tweaks?

Not as strong a finish this year, because my deck was basically banned [Storm is still very playable Robin, nice try]. I kinda squeeked in, but didn’t really at the same time. It’s a good time for me to win I think.

What I would put him on? Storm, R/U Burn, or Dark Jeskai. I think that Robin has put so much time and energy into Storm that it gives him a significant advantage, and adding in the fact that the deck is off most people’s radars means the hate will be low. The deck can race, or just straight beat, the creature decks, while having a certain inevitable nature versus the slower blue decks slanted towards creature removal. Alternatively, Robin has also put in a lot of reps with various blue decks with a removal heavy slant. I think he would rather opt for the more proactive strategy here.

8th Seed Pat B.

Pat is a recent council addition known for brewing, piloting, and smashing with the 4-Colour Kikki-Pod deck. This creature based strategy can either combo kill you, or just beat your face with midrange value. Pat has played this archetype so long that many of the various tutor into survival/pod “kills”, which can be fairly complex, are second nature.

Pat, you are known for playing and representing the 4c Kiki-Pod deck, how do you feel that deck has gone for you during the 2016 season?

It’s been awesome, really great at crushing other midrange decks. Good versus Blue/x decks. I just feel that I can go toe-to-toe with most other midrange or creature players and come out ahead.

What are your thoughts going into this year’s top8? For the first time this Top8 has some very known archetype players, how has this affected you?

It gives you an advantage knowing your deck, but others a larger advantage if they are flexible.

What do you think is the most important; knowing your deck, knowing the matchup, or knowing the metagame?

For a Monday night, I would say matchups. However, for this Top8 the metagame really matters. All players are super high quality, so knowing what changes to put into a deck [pre-sideboard essentially]

Any Comments/Taunts/Challenges/Nose Tweaks?

Sorry Noel, Love you. PAT PAT PAT

What I would put him on? 4c Pod. It would be weird for Pat to deviate from his most successful and familiar archetype. What will be interesting is what “flex” slots he chooses in this toolbox deck. I wouldn’t be surprised to see some spice such as Peacekeeper for the hoof/goblin match, or old faithful Glen Elendra for some potential combo matches. These creature toolbox decks always have game. Maybe with some Huntmasters and Thragtusks, he can even beat Jeskai. The real problem for Pat is that being a known archetype player may make one of the top seeds (Josh or Ben) pick him as their opponent and play a hard combo deck into him.