Welcome back to the Raging Bull Series adventure! After a nostalgic and delightfully chaotic Friday night, filled with old-school Magic and one too many beers, the main event on day 2 promised more challenging games and strategic depth. The camaraderie carried over, but the stakes were higher and the focus sharper.

In this blog, I’ll dive into the heart of day 2, recounting the thrilling matchups, standout plays, and the unforgettable moments that made the main event at Raging Bull a true testament to the spirit of Old School Magic.

What to play?

I recently decided to upgrade my favorite deck, Machine Head, to fully Swedish legal, a transition I postponed for as long as possible. Initially, I believed my deck was “finished” after collecting all the necessary cards, including dual lands from the Revised set. However, Richard, the organizer of Raging Bull, enlightened me, explaining that a Magic deck is never truly finished, as there are always opportunities to upgrade it.

While more and more tournaments are becoming less strict, some old school Magic communities or tournaments enforce strict rules regarding card legality. Upgrading to fully Swedish legal cards ensures compliance with the rules of almost every tournament, including Raging Bull. Machine Head was the obvious choice to play at Raging Bull, but I recently purchased three Beta Gauntlets of Might and brewed a perfect spice build. A week before the tournament, I began to have second thoughts.

In the end, with Richard being a main drive to upgrade to Swedish legal in the first place, I decided Machine Head was the best pick for Raging Bull.

Let’s shuffle up and play!

Before the tournament started, I had the pleasure of greeting many old school friends who hadn’t been there the day before. It’s always a joy to see and chat with players I consider true buddies. Although I’m not typically a hugger, something about Old School events brings out the man-hugger in me, and this event was no exception. There’s a unique camaraderie that permeates these gatherings, making each greeting feel like a reunion of long-lost friends.

During registration, there was plenty of time to catch up with everyone, which I thoroughly enjoyed. The atmosphere was filled with laughter and stories of past games, victories, and near-misses. Richard, ever the thoughtful organizer, had prepared a fantastic party-favor for all tournament participants. Instead of the traditional patch, he had steel bottle openers engraved with the Raging Bull logo. Very nice, very cool! This unique keepsakes was a huge hit and set the tone for the event.

After registration was complete, Richard took the stage to give a quick stand-up, welcoming everyone and explaining the rules of the tournament. His enthusiasm was infectious as always, and it really helped to set the stage for the day ahead. Before we knew it, we were ready to start playing!

Round 1: The Gauntlet Begins!

The first round is always a mixture of excitement and nerves. I was paired against a formidable opponent, my Old School nemesis Gideon! Gideon and I had crossed paths in previous tournaments, and I knew he was someone who wouldn’t give an inch without a fight.

As we shuffled and drew our opening hands, I couldn’t help but feel a surge of adrenaline. My deck, Machine Head, was finally in its fully Swedish legal glory, and I was eager to see how it would perform at Raging Bull. I glanced at my opening hand: a balanced mix of lands, a removal spell, and a couple of early threats. Not perfect, but very solid.

Gideon was playing an aggressive Naya Zoo deck, notorious for its fast and aggresive creatures and solid removal. This is a deck that seeks to be as fast as reasonably possible, in order to get under countermagic, and to play a threat on the first or second turn, and then follow it up with removal and more threats until the opponent is dead. I knew this match would require some good fortunre. I decided to play super aggressive, aiming to out pressure Gideon early and force him to expend his resources because the moment you need to play catch-up against decks like these you are in trouble.

During the first game, I was able to execute my game plan quite successfully. Despite a missed Chaos Orb flip, I managed to secure the win.

The second game was very interesting and was filled with dramatic plays. I Balanced myself out of a tight situation, clearing the board and forcing Gideon to discard down to two; Gideon played Wheel of Fortune on his next turn and filled the board again with creatures. I missed another Orb flip (not a good day for flipping) and was eventually beaten to death by an Erhnam Djinn.

During our final match, we were both mana screwed from the get-go. Around the 6th or 7th turn, things started to look a lot better for both of us. But by that time my bigger creatures controlled the board against his smaller guys. Victory was in reach with Sol’Kanar the Swamp King on the battlefield, but Gideon was able to double Bolt the poor guy. A Disintegrate to the face sealed the deal in my favor. The final handshake was firm and respectful, acknowledging a well-fought battle.

Winning the first round was a great boost to my confidence, and I was thrilled to see Machine Head perform so well. Gideon and I chatted briefly about our decks and the critical moments of the match, reinforcing the sense of community that makes Old School Magic so special. As I moved on from the first round, I couldn’t wait to see what the rest of the day had in store. With the first victory under my belt, I felt ready to face whatever came next.

Round 2: The Champ

My confidence wavered when I saw that the reigning champion, Koen, was my next opponent. His tournament-winning Dead Guy Ale deck is legendary, and the impressive Raging Bull champion ring on his finger commanded respect.

Despite my best efforts, Underworld Dreams proved to be my Achilles’ heel, draining my life as I drew cards. Koen’s expert play and the persistent damage from Underworld Dreams led to his victory in the first round.

The second game was just as thrilling. We traded powerful spells and creatures, each of us inching closer to victory. Once again, Underworld Dreams, this time combined with a Time Twister, sealed my fate. I lost in two rounds, but both matches were a blast, filled with memorable moments and high-stakes decisions.

After the match, Koen and I had an interesting discussion about the potential of Underworld Dreams in my sideboard. He convinced me that adding three copies could enhance my strategy, especially against control decks with heavy card draw. His insight was invaluable, and I plan to test this strategy in the next big tournament.

Round 3: Back to reality

Round 3 of the Raging Bull Tournament thrust me into a captivating showdown against Herman Djinn (I love that nickname!) Herman’s deck was a marvel to behold, brimming with the enchanting allure of Serendib Efreets and the formidable presence of not one but two Serendib Djinns.

The first match unfolded swiftly, with my Sengir Vampire asserting dominance early on. With a stroke of luck, Herman failed to draw one of his four Psionic Blasts, granting me a decisive victory. However, the thrill of triumph was momentarily overshadowed by a sudden interruption.

As the second game commenced, our waitress rushed over, her urgency palpable. She delivered the startling news that Herman’s wife urgently needed to speak with him. An air of concern enveloped around our table as we awaited further details, our minds momentarily pulled from the realm of Magic to the realm of reality. In moments like these, when the line between leisure and life blurs, we are reminded of the fragility of existence and the importance of perspective.

The reason for the interruption soon became clear: a bizarre incident involving Herman’s car had unfolded. The door had been torn off by a passerby just as his wife attempted to depart. Gratefully, no harm had befallen anyone, but the unexpected disruption served as a stark reminder of the unpredictability of life.

Despite the turmoil, Herman displayed remarkable composure, expressing his desire to continue the match without delay. Admirably, he was determined to channel his focus back to the game at hand.

The ensuing match showcased Herman’s skill and determination as he clinched a hard-fought victory, leveling the score. Yet, as fate would have it, the tide turned in the final showdown. With a powerful opening hand, I played Tropical Island, summoning Birds of Paradise, a Mox Ruby, Black Lotus, and the mighty Juzám Djinn, establishing an early advantage that proved insurmountable. The game concluded swiftly, and victory was mine once more.

Round 4: La práctica hace al maestro!

In round 4, I faced off against the Spanish maestro himself, Resti. Resti was piloting a LionDib Bolt deck, a formidable and frustrating opponent for my deck.

While my creatures were bigger, the ever-present threat of a Lightning Bolt or Psionic Blast loomed large in my mind. Making every attack or block a huge gamble. The first match went in my favor, however, the tide shifted dramatically after sideboarding.

In the subsequent games, Resti expertly dismantled my heavy hitters with his precise removal spells, clearing the path for his own threats. His sideboard strategy to destroy my mana base with Armageddon proved devastating, leaving me scrambling for resources. Both games were intensely close, each turn fraught with tension as we jockeyed for dominance. Despite my best efforts, Resti’s relentless assault and tactical prowess secured him the last two games.

After the match, we traded patches, a gesture of mutual respect and camaraderie.

The match against Resti was a thrilling, high-stakes encounter that tested my strategic limits and left me with a memorable token of our epic duel.

Round 5: Alles hat ein Ende nur die Wurst hat zwei

In round 5, I faced Malte Baum, a great guy from Germany. By this point, both of us were sitting at 2-2 in the tournament, so the pressure was off. We could relax and simply enjoy the matches ahead. Malte was playing a classic Erhnam Burn’em deck, a nostalgic and powerful archetype. Unfortunately, I don’t have a deck picture to share, but his deck was a beauty to behold in action.

Our matches were filled with camaraderie and good-natured competition. We both reveled in the game, appreciating the thrill of Old School Magic without the intense pressure of earlier rounds. My deck’s creatures proved to be faster and bigger, and Malte struggled to find answers to my relentless assault. Despite his best efforts, my superior board presence led me to victory.

Though the tournament outcome was important, the real highlight was the bond formed over our shared passion. Malte and I chatted about our decks, strategies, and future plans. We discovered that we would both be attending the Gray Ogre Battle Club in Gent. The prospect of meeting again, sharing some beers, and enjoying more games was something I eagerly looked forward to.

Our match was a perfect reminder of why we play: for the joy of the game, the friendships forged, and the memorable experiences shared. As I wrapped up round 5 with a win, I couldn’t help but smile, knowing that the best part of the Raging Bull Series was the people I met along the way.

Round 6: Joe, William, Jack or Averell?

The sixth and final round of the Raging Bull Tournament saw me pitted against Ole from Norway. Ole and his three friends, collectively known as The Daltons of Old School Magic, are a well-known and beloved group within the community. They even sport matching shirts that proudly display their group name. I had the pleasure of playing against Ole the night before during the Ice Age event, so it was great to see him again for the final round.

Ole was piloting a fascinating Sac deck, which included many creatures he could sacrifice for profit, along with some wonderful twists like Disharmony so he could sacrifce my creatures aswell.

This deck presented a unique challenge for me. During the first match, I found it difficult to play against him because I wasn’t entirely sure what I was up against. I didn’t encounter any Eggs or something like that, so I was left guessing his strategy as we moved into the second match.

Once again, both matches were incredibly close. Ole’s deck kept me on my toes, constantly adapting to his unpredictable moves. In the final match, I thought I had victory within reach. My Juzám Djinn was poised to swing for lethal with a well-timed Berserk, but Ole managed to Fireball it just in time, thwarting my plans and taking the win.

Of all the decks I played against during the Raging Bull Series, Ole’s was the most unique. His creative approach and the surprises in his deck made for an incredibly fun and memorable match. I loved every minute of our game, and it was a perfect way to conclude the tournament.

Time to wrap it up

Koen progressed to the Top 8 of the tournament. He even made it to the finals (again!), but this time he lost to Svante. Raging Bull got a new champion, and he is from Sweden. So, next year the Dutch players need to bring their A-game and go easy on the beers. But let’s face it, that’s not going to happen!

The Raging Bull Series 2024 was an unforgettable adventure filled with camaraderie and thrilling matches. From the nostalgic and delightfully chaotic Friday night filled with old-school Magic and lots of beers, to the high-stakes main event on day two, the experience was nothing short of amazing! I am filled with gratitude. A huge thanks to Richard for organizing such an incredible event. His enthusiasm and delightful authentic attitude toward everything in life made the tournament truly special. I also want to thank all the players I had the pleasure to play against or share a beer with. Each of you contributed to the wonderful atmosphere and spirit of the event.

I’m already looking forward to the next tournament, eager to reconnect with the amazing community and create more unforgettable memories. Until then!