The second Grand Prix of 2020 was attended by 1,436 hopeful competitors, all playing Theros Beyond Death Limited for their share of $50,300.
Isaak Krut, who also recently won back-to-back MTG Arena Mythic Qualifiers, played a predominantly white deck, splashing red for a few red cards, including 2 copies of Wrap in Flames and finished the Swiss rounds as the first seed.
The Top 8 of Grand Prix New Jersey featured a cast of familiar faces, including Pro Tour Guilds of Ravnica champion Andrew Elenbogen and 2019 SCG Tour Season One Invitational Champion Collin Rountree.
In the Top 8, Krut drafted a Selesnya deck featuring Bronzehide Lion and Arasta of the Endless Web. In the Quarterfinals, Krut first defeated Elenbogen 2-0, then moved on to defeat Rountree 2-1 in the Semifinals.
Creatures (15)
- 1 Heliod's Pilgrim
- 1 Leonin of the Lost Pride
- 1 Nylea's Huntmaster
- 1 Nyx Herald
- 1 Arasta of the Endless Web
- 1 Renata, Called to the Hunt
- 1 Hero of the Pride
- 1 Bronzehide Lion
- 1 Daybreak Chimera
- 2 Captivating Unicorn
- 2 Sunmane Pegasus
- 1 Transcendent Envoy
- 1 Hyrax Tower Scout
Lands (17)
Spells (8)
In the Finals, Krut met Christian Trudel, piloting a Gruul deck with Setessan Champion, Furious Rise, and three copies of Voracious Typhon.
Creatures (14)
- 1 Underworld Rage-Hound
- 1 Setessan Champion
- 2 Moss Viper
- 3 Voracious Typhon
- 1 Renata, Called to the Hunt
- 1 Skophos Maze-Warden
- 3 Loathsome Chimera
- 1 Stampede Rider
- 1 Skophos Warleader
Lands (16)
Spells (10)
In Game 1 of the Finals, Trudel took advantage of Krut’s lack of white mana and easily won on the back of Setessan Champion.
Krut bounced back quickly in Games 2 and 3 however, overcoming powerful enchantments like Furious Rise to win the match 2-1, making him the Champion of Grand Prix New Jersey.
Read the original article from Wizards of the Coast and Channel Fireball.