Dominant.

That is the only word you can use to describe Phoenix Foundation's devastating run through the Team Rochester Draft format. They were riding a sixteen match winning streak at Pro Tour events coming into this round. As dominant a Pro Tour presence as team leader Kai Budde has been at individual Pro Tours, his performances with his wingmen Dirk Baberowski and recent Grand Prix champion Marco Blume has been nothing short of staggering.

When asked in a quick question about what it would take to derail Kai and company, Jon Finkel answered simply, "Random variance." Enter the random variance.

(3 x1) -1 +1 is pretty random as far as team names go. In fact, no one seems to know what it means. It was an early morning name change after the first choice was deemed too "unsavory" for the competition. Mike Long is the most recognizable name on the team followed closely by recently unbanned Justin Schneider and yet neither of them is sitting in the pilot seat for this event. Their B player--with the unappealing job of taking down Kai--is Mike Krzywicki. This unlikely trio ran roughshod over the competition at Grand Prix - Pittsburgh and was looking to put an impressive notch in their collective belts.

They needed the win for more than just bragging rights, though. They took a back-breaking draw in the previous round when Krzywicki's opponent stole the second game with an unexpected Brain Freeze. It should also be noted that Phoenix Foundation was not a lock for Sunday yet. They needed one more victory to lock their third straight Sunday appearance.

While many notable competitors had elected to "receive" in this tournament--most notably the CMU-TOGIT crew and Bob Maher's team--you have to lend the opposing point of view more than a little credence when Kai's team chooses to kick off, which is what happened this round.

Onslaught Pack One

Onslaught Pack Two

Onslaught Pack Three

Onslaught Pack Four

Onslaught Pack Five

Onslaught Pack Six

Legions Pack One

Legions Pack Two

Legions Pack Three

Legions Pack Four

Legions Pack Five

Legions Pack Six

Scourge Pack One

Scourge Pack Two

Scourge Pack Three

Scourge Pack Four

Scourge Pack Five

Scourge Pack Six

After the draft was over, everyone who was gathered along the rail agreed on one thing. Random variance was looming over the Phoenix Foundation like Warren Sapp staring down a gimpy offensive lineman. They didn't make any glaring mistakes in the draft, but they were significantly out-opened. "I have literally never played in a draft like this in anny format," said a stunned Dirk moments after the draft. "Kai is winning, but we're about to lose. If we do win it is not going to be on my shoulders, I'll tell you that."

When asked about the draft, Marco just shook his head slowly with a look of embarrassment. When pushed for a comment on what exactly he felt was missing to make his deck better he shrugged, "Even a Coast Watcher would have been nice." He was somewhat surprised at some of the draft errors he felt that his opponent made. His only hope to win was his Centaur Glade and yet they let him get Nantuko Vigilante after Vigilante on the way back.

Everyone agreed that Kai had a favorable matchup, but Kai was quick to downgrade it from "very good" to a mere "good" matchup. Several spectators suggested that (3 x 1) -1 +1 had erred when they counter-drafted an Aven Warhawk form Dirk instead of a Graveborn Muse from Kai, but he disagreed. He believed that the Bird was a better card and that it would have given Dirk a shot in an otherwise hopeless match.

"Mike Long's deck is retarded!" -- Kai Budde

When asked about what cards he would have liked his team to see in order to swing the odds his team's way Kai laughed, "Siege-Gang Commander and a pair of Shocks maybe. All the stuff they opened."

(3 x 1) -1 +1 was less optimistic about their matchups. Justin was apprehensive about his chances against Marco. "His deck is good--he has two Rush of Knowledge and a Choking Tethers," complained Justin.

"Those two Rush of Knowledge at the end were pretty hard," was Mike Long's assessment while examining the Siege-Gang that had allowed the first Rush to get to Marco. "I don't pass this guy right?"

Krzywicki was adamant that you do not pass Siege-Gang and explained simply, "Rush of Knowledge helps you win games, but this guy flat out wins them." Despite Jareth and Soul Collector, he was not looking forward to facing Kai's deck. "He was just cutting red cards toward the end because his deck is so ridiculous!"

Long was pretty confident in his matchup but he had one concern, "I would gladly trade my Cutthroat for Dirk's Cutthroat--his is soooo much better than mine because I have all these quick beats." Mike was referring mainly to a pair of Goblin Brigands.

With apparently lopsided matches in Mike Long and Kai Budde's favor, it appeared as though the outcome of the overall match would come down to Justin and Marco. Mike tried to talk it up to the glum Schneider, "He's blue-green, and you should have an excellent chance. You know what card he can't deal with? Feral Throwback."

Perhaps Justin was regretting those Nantuko Vigilantes when he came back with a dour, "Yes, he can. He has Frozen Solid."

Justin Schneider

(3 x 1) -1 + 1, Seat A

Main Deck 40 cards
11  Forest 7  Mountain 18 lands 2  Bloodstoke Howler 1  Charging Slateback 1  Elvish Warrior 1  Feral Throwback 1  Frenetic Raptor 1  Krosan Drover 1  Krosan Vorine 1  Lavaborn Muse 1  Patron of the Wild 3  Root Elemental 1  Skirk Marauder 2  Spitting Gourna 1  Wirewood Guardian 17 creatures	1  Accelerated Mutation 1  Dragon Fangs 1  Erratic Explosion 1  Scattershot 1  Vitality Charm 5 other spells Sideboard 1  Aven Warhawk 1  Berserk Murlodont 1  Break Open 1  Chill Haunting 1  Cover of Darkness 1  Death's-Head Buzzard 1  Dragon Breath 1  Dragon Fangs 1  Elvish Guidance 1  Fever Charm 1  Goblin Goon 1  Goblin Grappler 1  Goblin Lookout 1  Haunted Cadaver 1  Invigorating Boon 1  Plated Sliver 1  Run Wild 1  Secluded Steppe 1  Spark Spray 1  Spurred Wolverine 2  Treetop Scout 1  Wirewood Hivemaster 23 sideboard cards

Mike Krzywicki

(3 x 1) -1 + 1, Seat B

Main Deck 40 cards
1  Barren Moor 9  Plains 7  Swamp 17 lands 1  Aven Liberator 1  Aven Redeemer 1  Daru Lancer 1  Gempalm Avenger 1  Gempalm Polluter 1  Glory Seeker 1  Infernal Caretaker 1  Jareth, Leonine Titan 2  Karona's Zealot 1  Shepard of Rot 1  Smokespew Invoker 1  Soul Collector 2  Starlight Invoker 1  Wingbeat Warrior 16 creatures	1  Chill Haunting 1  Dragon Scales 1  Dragon Shadow 1  Inspirit 1  Lingering Death 1  Profane Prayers 1  Reaping the Graves 7 other spells Sideboard 1  Aven Envoy 1  Blood Celebrant 1  Brain Freeze 1  Crown of Ascension 1  Crown of Vigor 1  Crude Rampart 1  Daru Stinger 1  Defensive Maneuvers 1  Demystify 1  Glintwing Invoker 1  Goblin Burrows 1  Goblin Turncoat 1  Hunter Sliver 1  Rain of Blades 1  Recuperate 1  Riptide Biologist 1  Sandskin 1  Uncontrolled Infestation 1  Wall of Hope 19 sideboard cards

Mike Long

(3 x 1) -1 + 1, Seat C

Main Deck 40 cards
8  Island 9  Mountain 17 lands 1  Charging Slateback 1  Disruptive Pitmage 1  Echo Tracer 2  Goblin Brigand 1  Goblin Clearcutter 1  Goblin Warchief 1  Mistform Skyreaver 1  Mistform Stalker 1  Mistform Wakecaster 1  Riptide Director 1  Rock Jockey 1  Shoreline Ranger 1  Siege-Gang Commander 1  Skirk Drill Sergeant 1  Skirk Marauder 1  Voidmage Apprentice 1  Zombie Cutthroat 18 creatures	1  Choking Tethers 1  Frozen Solid 1  Scattershot 2  Shock 5 other spells Sideboard 1  Aphetto Grifter 1  Blade Sliver 1  Crown of Vigor 1  Daru Sanctifier 1  Daru Stinger 1  Foothill Guide 1  Hindering Touch 1  Infernal Caretaker 1  Misguided Rage 1  Patron of the Wild 1  Plated Sliver 1  Quick Sliver 1  Root Sliver 1  Screaming Seahawk 1  Serpentine Basilisk 1  Shaleskin Bruiser 1  Spurred Wolverine 1  Treetop Scout 1  Trickery Charm 1  Unburden 1  Upwelling 21 sideboard cards

Marco Blume

Phoenix Foundation--Seat A

Main Deck 40 cards
8  Forest 9  Island 1  Tranquil Thicket 18 lands 2  Gloworing Rogon 1  Imagecrafter 1  Keeneye Aven 1  Krosan Drover 2  Nantuko Vigilante 2  Patron of the Wild 1  Primoc Escapee 1  Riptide Biologist 1  Riptide Survivor 1  Seedbirn Muse 1  Timberwatch Elf 1  Wirewood Channeler 15 creatures	1  Backslide 1  Centaur Glade 1  Choking Tethers 1  Dispersal Shield 1  Frozen Shield 2  Rush of Knowledge 7 other spells Sideboard 1  Accursed Centaur 1  Ark of Blight 1  Blood Celebrant 1  Brightstone Ritual 1  Chill Haunting 1  Crown of Ascension 1  Frontline Strategist 1  Fugitive Wizard 1  Goblin Firebug 1  Goblin Warchief 1  Headhunter 1  Long-Term Plans 1  Misguided Rage 1  Read the Runes 1  Ridgetop Raptor 1  Skirk Prospector 1  Spined Basher 1  Taunting Elf 2  Temporal Fissure 1  Treetop Scout 1  Wretched Anurid 22 sideboard cards

Kai Budde

Phoenix Foundation - Seat B

Main Deck 40 cards
7  Plains 11  Swamps 18 lands 1  Aven Redeemer 1  Cabal Executioner 1  Corpse Harvester 1  Daru Lancer 1  Embalmed Brawler 1  Fallen Cleric 1  Graveborn Muse 1  Infernal Caretaker 1  Karona's Zealot 1  Screeching Buzzard 1  Smokespew Invoker 1  Vengeful Dead 1  Whipgrass Entangler 1  Wingbeat Warrior 1  Withered Wretch 1  Zealous Inquisitor 1  Zombie Cutthroat 17 creatures	1  Crown of Suspicion 2  Cruel Revival 1  Dirge of Dread 1  Lingering Death 5 other spells Sideboard 1  Airdrop Condor 1  Bloodstoke Howler 2  Bonethorn Valesk 1  Brain Freeze 1  Crown of Suspicion 1  Crown of Vigor 2  Death's-Head Buzzard 1  Disciple of Grace 2  Goblin Turncoat 1  Goblin Warchief 1  Macetail Hystrodon 1  Quick Sliver 1  Recuperate 1  Seaside Haven 1  Shaleskin Plower 1  Spark Spray 1  Torrent of Fire 1  Uncontrolled Infestation 1  Unified Strike 1  Words of Worship 23 sideboard cards

Dirk Baberowski

Phoenix Foundation - Seat C

Main Deck 40 cards
8  Island 9  Plains 1  Temple of the False God 18 lands 1  Aven Farseer 1  Crookclaw Elder 1  Daru Spiritualist 1  Daunting Defender 1  Deftblade Elite 1  Glintwing Invoker 1  Grassland Crusader 1  Keeneye Aven 1  Liege of the Axe 1  Noble Templar 1  Primoc Escapee 1  Raven Guild Initiate 1  Shieldmage Elder 1  Thundercloud Elemental 1  Willbender 1  Wingbeat Warrior 2  Zealous Inquisitor 1  Zombie Cutthroat 19 creatures	1  Annex 1  Dragon Scales 1  Mage's Guile 3 other spells Sideboard 1  Berserk Murlodont 1  Blade Sliver 1  Brain Freeze 1  Chain of Vapor 1  Daru Cavalier 1  Demystify 1  Dragon Breath 1  Fever Charm 1  Fugitive Wizard 1  Ixidor's Will 1  Kamahl, Fist of Krosa 1  Mistform Sliver 1  Nantuko Vigilante 1  Nosy Goblin 1  Quick Sliver 1  Scornful Egotist 1  Skirk Outrider 1  Taunting Elf 1  Temporal Fissure 1  Vitality Charm 1  Wipe Clean 21 sideboard cards