The last pre-release that the boys and I participated in a LGS took place a year ago. A resurgence in COVID-19 meant that many LGS were once again closed but we were fortunate enough that some events were still taking place in less affected areas for Zendikar Rising.

Fast forward to August this year and in-store events finally returned to Canada. We unfortunately did not have a chance to make a return to our local store to play as summer winded down but there was no chance we would miss the Midnight Hunt pre-release.

Early Saturday morning, we jumped into the car and went north to North of Exile. On the way up, Noah who rode shotgun began to read out the cards of the set and we discussed their usefulness as well as pros and cons of each. By the time we reached Penetanguishene, we were working our way through three-mana cards.

A quick lunch and it was time to crack some packs and start building. When the dust settled, Christian stood at the top of the leaderboard with a perfect 3-0 record. Noah and I held second and third spots with our 2-1 records. My one loss was to Noah!

We decided to stay for the next pre-release event, this one a two-headed giant. How often do we have the chance to squeeze in two events in a day? While Christian and Noah teamed up, I was fortunate to pair up with North’s very own Janis. Noah had never played in such an event and Christian and I had only played in one when we teamed up in our very first in-store event about six years ago for Oath of the Gatewatch.

By the time it was all over, it was clear that Lady Luck had decided to turn her attention to others after our first event. Both the boys and I ended up with 1-2 records, the only wins courtesy of byes.

As for fun pulls, I definitely enjoyed my Gruul werewolves deck in the first event. Kessig Naturalist was a solid performer and my werewolves packed a fearsome punch when combined with Unnatural Growth. Especially as day turned to night! And while Consuming Ooze is no Biogenic Ooze, it definitely helped put some more heft on the board when it resolved.

My Dimir deck for the two-headed giant event was designed to provide the defense to Janis’ Selesnya offensive. In both games, mana floods deprived us of much of our offensive and defensive plays, leaving us with few answers to power houses like Unnatural Growth and Meathook Massacre or a host of smaller but no less potent attackers.

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It was a bit after 2100 by the time we ordered some soft-serve ice cream for the road, finally bid our farewells to everyone and began the journey home. Noah decided that it was fitting that we continued our card review and so the return trip was filled with more Magic discussion and good laughs.