Following the Draft: Tsuyoshi Fujita

Keita Mori

Tsuyoshi Fujita

Pod 2 of the second draft contained a who's who of Japanese Magic, all with 3-0 records, among them PT Tokyo Finalist Tsuyoshi Fujita, two-time GP winner and former National champion Masayuki Higashino, and former National team member Goro Matsuo. Competition at this table would be fierce, as all these players are looking to start Day 2 with a 6-0 record.

1st Pack: Invasion

Pack A (opened by Fujita):
Benalish Trapper

Pack B:
Elfhame Palace
Thunderscape Apprentice

Pack C:
Sky Weaver
Wings of Hope

Pack D:
Obsidian Acolyte
Irrigation Ditch

Pack E:
Vodalian Zombie
Liberate

Pack F:
Sunscape Familiar
Alabaster Leech

Pack G:
Probe
Teferi's Care

Pack H:
Teferi's Moat
Searing Rays

Seeing that Matsuo, sitting to his left, was drafting 5CG and Higashino two seats down was staying strictly with Treva colors, Fujita sent clear signals during the draft, for example choosing Vodalian Zombie over Harrow in Pack E, thus indicating his willingness to play nice and cooperate in the draft.

However, regardless of his intentions, fate was cruel to Fujita. He missed 2 Ghitu Fires and a Blazing Specter, and although he ended up with both a Probe and a Teferi's Moat, he was unhappy with the results of the draft.

2nd Pack: Invasion

Pack A:
Shivan Zombie
Viashino Grappler

Pack B:
Soul Burn
Sulfur Vent

Pack C:
Prison Barricade
Firescreamer

Pack D:
Stormscape Apprentice
Worldly Counsel

Pack E:
Exclude
Scarred Puma

Pack F:
Thornscape Apprentice
Phantasmal Terrain

Pack G:
Armadillo Cloak
Vigorous Charge

Pack H (opened by Fujita)
Glimmering Angel

With the second pack, Fujita was again unable to get any power cards. Although he was able to get the only Armadillo Cloak at the table, he missed out on an Armored Guardian, and was actually hate-drafted late in the draft. He could only stare in frustration as people sitting opposite from him picked cards in his colors.

Last Pack: Planeshift

Pack A:
Flametongue Kavu

Pack B:
Gerrard's Command
Shifting Sky

Pack C:
Steel Leaf Paladin
Sisay's Ingenuity

Pack D:
Confound
Darling Leap

Pack E:
Samite Pilgrim
Falling Timber

Pack F:
Disciple of Kangee
Sleeping Potion

Pack G:
Samite Pilgrim
Hull Breach

Pack H:
Waterspout Elemental

Once again, Fujita missed out on getting strong cards for his colors. Both he and Higashino were unable to open good cards, watching helplessly as those around them opened one bomb after another. Higashino, who prefers to play BR but was forced into Treva colors in the first pack saw 3 Flametongue Kavus go by. Fujita reached his breaking point when the Questing Phelddagrif he assumed was his got taken, yelling out "What did I do to deserve this!?" The fact that picked up a Waterspout Elemental was small consolation. After the draft, he commented that it was the most uncooperative draft he'd ever been in.

3 Forest
6 Island
2 Mountain
5 Plains
1 Elfhame Palace
1 Irrigation Ditch

1 Benalish Trapper
1 Prison Barricade
1 Obsidian Acolyte
1 Glimmering Angel
1 Sunscape Apprentice
1 Sky Weaver
1 Stormscape Apprentice
1 Thornscape Apprentice
1 Disciple of Kangee
2 Samite Pilgrim
1 Flametongue Kavu
1 Waterspout Elemental
1 Steel Leaf Paladin

1 Gerrard's Command
1 Shifting Sky
1 Confound
1 Worldly Counsel
1 Exclude
1 Liberate
1 Armadillo's Cloak
1 Teferi's Moat