This past weekend, I had the pleasure of attending yet another Old School event on the Magic Old School tournament calendar. This time I traveled to the charming city of Ghent, Belgium, for the Quest for the Gray Ogre side event. Hosted at the Vrolijke Viking by our good friend Gwen, this event was a nostalgic journey back to the days of Revised Edition!
Hitting close to Home
Ghent is not just any city to me; it holds a special place in my heart. Growing up in a small town close to Ghent, I have always considered it my second home and one of my favorite cities in Europe. Ghent is a beautiful city built upon canals and cobblestone streets. Its skyline is punctuated by spires, and the harbor is framed with vibrant flowers. The streets, squares, and bars are more alive than anywhere else, creating an ambiance that is both historic and lively.
Festivals are taken very seriously there, and the thousands of students provide a young, energetic vibe that complements the city’s exciting cultural scene. This perfect blend of old-world charm and modern youth vibrancy makes Ghent an ideal breeding ground for a game like Magic: The Gathering.
In my very first Edge-Man blog, I briefly touched upon the role Ghent played during the first couple of years of playing Magic. Fantasy shop The Lonely Mountain was our only place to buy and trade single cards, experience more compatitive decks, and learn about powerful cards like Library of Alexandria.
Ghent opened up the world of Magic the Gathering for us beyond sealed packs at our local toystore. So when Gwen informed me about the Quest for the Gray Ogre event I knew I had to attend!
Revised Only
The tournament was strictly Revised only, meaning all decks were built exclusively using cards from the Revised Edition. One of the most appealing aspects of the Revised-only format is its relaxed nature and lower power level compared to Swedish Legal Old School. Revised is a well-balanced and complete set, providing a diverse yet manageable card pool. This means games are often less about explosive, game-ending combos and more about strategic plays and incremental advantages.
Cards like Serra Angel and Shivan Dragon are powerful finishers but require thoughtful deck-building and strategic gameplay to utilize effectively. The absence of some of the more broken ramp cards like Moxen and Lotus ensures that games are fairer and more competitive, without feeling overly punishing by power cards. The Revised set includes a healthy mix of creatures, removal, counterspells, and utility cards, making it a well-rounded format that encourages varied deck-building approaches.
Small but Mighty
The event had a small turnout—only four players attended. While more had signed up in advance, organizer Gwen received multiple cancellations on the day before the event, including my brother. I was sad to hear my brother had to cancel beacuse of the history we share in Ghent. However, this did not dampen the fun! The smaller group allowed me to really get to know the other players, fostering a deeper sense of camaraderie.
Gwen also had fantastic swag for everyone and he did not hold back on the prize pool! Juan designed two beautiful patches; one for the side-event and one for the main-event. Gwen also pledged a Plateau for the winner It’s not every day you get a 25% chance of winning a dual land! The generous prizes and the intimate setting made the side event a unique and enjoyable experience.
Reflecting on my deck build for the event, I must admit I had some regrets. Not knowing the turnout would be this small, I fixated on the grand prize and built a rather harsh deck centered around Stasis and Winter Orb. If I had known only four players would attend, I would have opted for a more casual and fun deck. I felt like an arrogant Dutch piece of shit among friendly Belgians. I really regreted my deck choice, but my concerns dissipated once the matches began, as three out of the four players had also crafted control decks. Turns out Belgians can be assholes aswell 😉
All games took quite a long time, but the plays were spectacular and fun. Every match was a nail-biter and could have gone either way. We almost had three players tied with each other. In the end two players were tied for first spot, leading to a grand finale. In the end Gwen dit not win his own tournament.
Despite the intense competition, we enjoyed many casual games afterward, discussing our shared love for Magic and the intricacies of our decks.
“Ambiance!”
Attending the Revised-only tournament at the Vrolijke Viking was a nostalgic and rewarding experience. The Vrolijke Viking, a cozy and welcoming game store/bar nestled in the heart of Ghent, provided the perfect backdrop for the event, in my opinion. The atmosphere was vibrant, filled with the buzz of excited visitors who came to enjoy all kinds of board and card games. The store’s rustic charm set the stage for a night of friendly competition and camaraderie. The owner of the bar/game store was a very nice guy who really loved Magic. All in all, it was a great event!
Unfortunately, I was unable to attend the main event the day after; The Quest for the Golden Gargoyle. My daughter turned 11 years old (congratulations, kiddo!), but the side event alone was well worth the trip!
It truly was a night with memorable matches, friends, and a renewed appreciation for the timeless appeal of Revised. If you ever get the chance to participate in a Revised-only event, I highly recommend it. Thank you, Gwen, for organizing a great event. I can’t wait till next year’s edition!
The Edge-Man 
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