With Pro Tour Singapore on the horizon, we have the final drip of Battle Hardened events to kick up the competitive scene. With events here and Kuala Lumpur, we can expect the metagame to be shaken up going into the Pro Tour.
This event in particular had huge implications for the future of the game.
Battle Hardened Bucharest Top 8 Decks
The Top 8 decks were: 4 Arakni, Marionette, Azalea, Ace in the Hole, Cindra, Dracai of Retribution, Dorinthea Ironsong, and Jarl Vetreiði.
The lack of Gravy Bones, Shipwrecked Looter is noteworthy. In the format that has been warped by his existence, the decks that prey on him are what's top. The four copies of Mario and the one off Jarl are not those decks. Perhaps his overall meta share was low in this Europe region event, hence why the deck that was close to becoming a meta top dog, Mario, had such a strong showing.
5th Place
Mario
This version of Arakni, Marionette piloted by Szabolcs Egri has the usual fair popularised by Taotao Chu in Santa Clara.
It's worth looking to see what noteworthy changes have been made to a deck that has such a clear path to deck building. Starting Point in the legs slot can give a Graphene Chelicera Go Again, or any other Assassin attack if another reaction has been used. The reads on when it'll be utilised is much harder to spot, and can put opponents on a harder axis.
17 Blues, a mixture of Assassin staples and utility cards like Under the Trap Door are well suited to send multiple Dagger attacks as well as potent Stealth on hits.
The inclusion of Battlefront Bastion is always needed to respect Prism. The deck is then wrapped up with a slightly higher than average number of Retrieve effects.
Cindra
Vlad Margarit's version of Cindra is offering the switchboard versatility of using both Mask of Momentum and Mask of the Pouncing Lynx, having Salt the Wound and Tenacity to search up.
The Blue base provides great reach when the deck needs to send a Kunai of Retribution as a chain starter.
Rally the Coast Guard is the popper of choice, since it can convert two cards into 5 points of defence if the Prism side steps the pop.
It's been very interesting to see more and more Cindra decks move away from Art of the Dragon: Fire in favour of Art of the Dragon: Scale to bust up certain kinds of equipment, particularly when this card can also destroy Compass of Sunken Depths.
Jarl
Speaking of a deck that benefits from blowing up Compass, the Elemental Guardian made a respectable top 8 finish despite his difficulty into the Necromancer. To combat this, the version piloted by Valentin Popov is running 2 Scar for a Scar as an easy Go Again to knock out almost any zombie ally. The copies of Enlightened Strike are welcome chain extenders that help the Guardian convert the hand and send the necessary damage.
This version is working with the usual Decompose package. Felling of the Crown and Plow Under will be in earth decks forever.
With only two copies of Pummel, this version is looking to slow the game down thanks to his hero power and by busting up equipment with Frozen to Death.
Mario
Battle Hardened Bucharest has been dominated by the Mario players.
This version of Vasil Popov, much like Egri's is also running Starting Point in the legs slot. The mind games behind this particular equipment is potent in Mario, as they never know when it'll be best used, despite the telegraphing that can come from Snapdragon Scalers or Blacktek Whisperers.
This version features a slightly higher number of playable Blues. It's surprising to see a complete lack of wod022-reapers-call-3-the-hunted-blitz-deck-arakni-web-of-deceit-precon, despite being a staple to Mark in your Blue base. Instead it's dusted off former Assassin staple, Surgical Extraction. This card shines in second cycle, offering an awkward breakpoint that can pick apart a hand.
The respect toward Prism is seen again in the form of Wage Gold. Given how characteristically bad the matchup has always been for Assassin, the deck also includes 1 mst129-pick-to-pieces-3-part-the-mistveil-booster to prevent any Ward the Illusionist may have.
3rd Place
Dorinthea
The first Warrior is not a deck you see in every top 8.
Though versions with the hatchets or Cintari Saber have risen or fallen in prominence, Traian Costea took Jubeel, Spellbane and the classic Dawnblade to top 4.
Notably absent is the combo card Twinning Blade. No chance of swinging thrice in a single turn in this list. Instead, it's built with the front pumps to pressure decks that may attempt to block.
While Wizard has always been a tough matchup for Warrior, this deck is equipped with a heavy Blue base, AB3, and Arcane Compliance.
Mario
Yet another Mario. Yet another copy of Starting Point. Maybe the Romanian Assassin players know something I don't.
This version played by Bogdan-Andrei Oros is the most clean cut with the tech cards trimmed to 2 and 1, but nearly everything being clean three of's.
Cut From the Same Cloth is phenomenal information and damage into the mirror and the Slippy matchup.
Speaking of Slippy, this version is borrowing some tech and playing 2 Infiltrate to add a sticky on hit.
Finalist
Mario
The Finalist Mario deck offers the same Daggers based value that we've seen since Santa Clara.
Once again Starting Point is in the legs slot.
It's interesting to see that that more and more decks are reducing the numbers of Mark of the Black Widow as its a disruptive effect that is easily telegraphed, and can be played around in the same way one plays around Pummel. Its more effective in the Blue slot since it can be paired with Just a Nick.
Winner
Azalea
The final result in a high level event that Azalea will ever get in Classic Constructed. It was at this event that the first Ranger earned her final Living Legend points. You can see our takes on the implications of Azalea leaving Classic Constructed in another article.
This version, piloted by Ivaylo Ivanov is a classic take on Red line archetype. All the Yellows and Blues are there for utility and additional damage.
There are many utility arrows in the main deck, all searchable with Nock the Deathwhistle. Cards like Sleep Dart turns off engine decks like Gravy Bones and Murkmire Grapnel was a thing to be feared in my Enigma, Ledger of Ancestry days, but is just as effective into Prism.
Wrap Up
Pro Tour Singapore is on the horizon and we have seen the metagame painted out based on the results here and Kuala Lumpur. I know players who have had to change decks due to Azalea hitting Living Legend.
Keep your eyes right here to fabtcg.gg for the latest news in Flesh and Blood.
