Realz is one of ManaGrind's most experienced competitive gamers. He has won multiple tournaments on the World of Warcraft professional scene, including MLG Columbus and Blizzard NA Regionals with Team SK Gaming in 2009, and MLG Raleigh with Team Nerdstomper in 2010. Realz is responsible for the Freeze/Ice Block Control Mage deck popularized by Reckful at the Innkeeper's Invitational at Blizzcon 2013.

The Player

Name: Ryan "Realz" Masterson

Age: 29

Location: California, USA

Twitch: Realz_

The Interview

Play Style: "I tend to gravitate towards all things control. Control decks give me a sense of choice as games progress instead of making me feel like an observer to my own deck, which some aggro decks can do sometimes. That being said, I'm willing to play anything that I think will get me wins, especially in a tournament setting."

Favorite Class: "Definitely the Mage class. All the nerfs have really hindered the class's competitive potential, but it is still my favorite, and I am crossing my fingers about new card releases hopefully putting Mage back on the map!"

Favorite Card: "Alexstrasza. Alexstrasza has an exceptionally powerful and versatile effect that can really change the game seemingly out of nowhere. Honorable mention goes to Mirror Image. I initially wrote it off as being completely terrible and unplayable when I first started playing. Now I think it is a surprisingly impactful card with a lot of interesting synergies."

Hearthstone Achievements

1st ManaGrind/MLG Open #1

Top 4 ManaGrind/MLG Open #6

1st Soulfire Sunday

1st Hearth2P Open #2

4th NA Test Season 1 Final Standings

4th NA Test Season 2 Final Standings

Background by Toastthebadger, Interview by Thechiv, Formatting by Whale_Cancer