Michael Hamilton added another title to his growing list of Flesh and Blood accomplishments this weekend by winning US Nationals with Iyslander, Stormbind.
Already a two-time Calling champion, Hamilton entered US Nationals as one of the favorites to claim the trophy. After a 6-1 performance on Day 1, Hamilton entered the elimination rounds as the No. 2 seed with a record of 12-2. Also joining Hamilton in the Top 8 were Jacob Baugh, who made Top 8 at US Nationals last year, and Brodie Spurlock, the 16-year-old Dallas Battle Hardened winner.
The final match put Hamilton against Daniel Rutkowski, the No. 1 seed on Fai, Rising Rebellion.
In the end, Hamilton’s unique build of Iyslander, filled with cards like Wounded Bull, Scar for a Scar, and Fyendal’s Fighting Spirit that all benefit you if your life total is lower than your opponent’s, came out on top. By being able to leverage big attacks with go again and end the turn with an activation of Coronet Peak, Hamilton took control of the mid-game and piloted the Elemental Wizard to victory. Hamilton won $10,000, a gold cold foil legendary, and a PTI.
View Hamilton’s Iyslander deck, Rutkowski’s Fai deck, and the Top 8 lists here.
The Top 8 featured five different heroes, consisting of two copies of Iyslander, Stormbind, Fai, Rising Rebellion, and Oldhim, Grandfather of Eternity, and single copies of Briar, Warden of Thorns and Dash, Inventor Extraordinaire. The full metagame breakdown can be seen below.
US Nationals Metagame Breakdown
| Hero | Number of players |
| Fai, Rising Rebellion | 78 |
| Oldhim, Grandfather of Eternity | 75 |
| Dromai, Ash Artist | 61 |
| Viserai, Rune Blood | 43 |
| Iyslander, Stormbind | 39 |
| Briar, Warden of Thorns | 35 |
| Bravo, Showstopper | 30 |
| Dash, Inventor Extraordinaire | 23 |
| Dorinthea, Ironsong | 15 |
| Lexi, Livewire | 13 |
| Rhinar, Reckless Rampage | 11 |
| Boltyn, Breaker of Dawn | 5 |
| Kano, Dracai of Aether | 3 |
| Levia, Shadowborn Abomination | 2 |
| Katsu, the Wanderer | 2 |
The Calling Charlotte
Collin Kaiser won the Classic Constructed Calling in Charlotte as one of four Oldhim, Grandfather of Eternity players in the Top 8. Kaiser defeated Pro Tour New Jersey Top 8 competitor, Isaak Krut, in the finals to claim the gold cold foil Crown of Providence.
The Top 8 also featured Jonah Overholt, who won the Las Vegas team Calling with Alexander Vore and Matthew Vore, Aaron Shantz, winner of the Road to Nationals at SCG CON Syracuse, and Matt Dilks, runner-up at the Battle Hardened at SCG CON Columbus.
Other than the four copies of Oldhim, the Top 8 consisted of five heroes, with single copies of Iyslander, Stormbind, Viserai, Rune Blood, Dromai, Ash Artist, and Rhinar, Reckless Rampage.
View the Calling Top 8 decklists here.