Well, if we can do it once, we can do it a second time, right??

Saturday, September 12, 2026, the Retromancers put on their second large event of the year with Buckeye Brawl II. A 125-player event with 7 rounds of Swiss (& a cut to top 8), held at the Warp Gate here in Columbus, Ohio. This was a charity event, raising funds for the Mid-Ohio Food Collective, who provide meals for those in need here in the Columbus metro.

Being a lover of all things [[Jackal Pup]], [[Mogg Fanatic]] and [[Grim Lavamancer]], what’s the only deck choice I could make?

You guessed it, Mono-U [[Phyrexian Dreadnought::Dreadnought]].

A few months back, I finally took the plunge and purchased a set of [[Phyrexian Dreadnought::Dreadnoughts]] from a friend in the community. I figured it was a complete 180 from what I normally play and viewed it as a challenge to see if I could play a control (but we all know it’s kinda combo-y) deck. I also was very excited for the reaction from a few of my close friends within the Retromancers. I had been the one hating on [[Phyrexian Dreadnought::Dreadnought]] more than anyone. The card [[Foil]] made me sick to my stomach after the numerous times that I had deployed all my [[Overload::Overloads]] and Blasts to beat a [[Phyrexian Dreadnought::Dreadnought]], only to be outmatched by a [[Gush]]-[[Foil]]. And when it came to the first Monthly where I played the deck, I got a LOT of shocked looks.

The other benefit was the brains I could pick to discuss the deck. People like Jason (Soup Smuggler), Justin Pro-Ven-Call (did you hear he placed 2nd at Lobstercon 2025?), Hodge, and many others in The Trenchcoat. So, by the time Buckeye Brawl II rolled around I felt good about the deck. I didn’t have a million reps on it like others or like I had on Sligh, but like… fuck it, we ball.

Small aside…on the Retrocast, Josh, Jason and I made a bet. A bet that truly did impact the whole day for me. The wager was that whichever of the three of us finished last at our monthly in early September would have to play with the basic land choices that the other two picked. And being the unlucky one who finished 2-1-1 (with a sketchy pair down into Moneyball) and 10th place at the monthly, I had to play the grossest collection of Islands I have seen (except yours Hodge). See below.

Round 1 vs. BR Song of Blood.dec (?)

The last thing I wanted to do was go into round 1 and play a completely off the wall deck, and I’ll be damned if I didn’t see the most interesting pile of cards.

Game 1 he starts on turn 1 with [[Swamp]] -> [[Blood Pet]]… huh????? This led to [[Mesmeric Fiend::Mesmeric Fiends]] stealing cards out of my hand, [[Dauthi Horror::Dauthi Horrors]] attacking, and me having to [[Foil]] a [[Song of Blood]] only to lose Game 1.

I remember shuffling up for Game 2 and looking at Josh Lapointe who was sitting next to us, and all he does is give me a Joey Bosa shrug. I got game 2 after sticking a Turn 2 [[Phyrexian Dreadnought::Dreadnought]] with protection.

Game 3 was where I became tilted by my own Islands. Twice during game 3 I [[Gush::Gush’ed]] returning two of those gross Islands to my hand to then draw 2 more of them. I completely flooded and lost in game 3… devastating.

Record: 0-1 (1-2)

Round 2 vs. GW Oath Ponza

This one felt good. There is something so satisfying about [[Gush::Gush-ing]] in response to a [[Winter’s Grasp::Winter’s Grasp]]/[[Thermokarst]].

In Game 1, he played an early [[Sphere of Resistance]] and an [[Oath of Druids]] while I had 2 [[Vision Charm::Vision Charms]] in hand. I landed a [[Phyrexian Dreadnought::Dreadnought]] with plenty of protection after [[Vision Charm::Vision Charm-ing]] his Sphere. He Oath-ed and flipped over [[Mox Diamond]], [[Terravore]], leading to him having a 2/2 [[Terravore]] and he scooped.

Game 2 [[Back to Basics]] was the MVP. Fought through him Porting me early and stuck the [[Back to Basics::B2B]] leaving him with 3 tapped non-basics. From there I played the control side of things until I could cantrip into [[Phyrexian Dreadnought::Dreadnought]] combo and it was over from there.

Record: 1-1 (3-2)

Round 3 vs. 4C Terrageddon

Super long Game 1 that was put on pause by a [[Kor Haven]] that he fetched off of a [[Weathered Wayfarer]]. Had to battle through an [[Armageddon]] with a [[Terravore]] on board by [[Gush::Gushing]], using the floating mana to [[Chain of Vapor]] the [[Terravore]] and the following turn [[Foil::Foiling]] the [[Terravore]] when he went to re-cast it. I was eventually able to fight through it after drawing almost all my cantrips and after activating my [[Powder Keg]] to blow up his [[Mox Diamond::Mox Diamonds]].

In Games 2 and 3, [[Meddling Mage::Meddling Mages]] took over and he was able to chip away at my life total before I could get set up.

Record: 1-2 (4-4)

Round 4 vs. Moneyball Black

And the wheels have fallen off.

Game 1 my hand is ripped apart, a [[Phyrexian Dreadnought::Dreadnought]] is [[Smother::Smother-ed]] and it was a quick Game 1.

Game 2 I turn 2 jammed a [[Phyrexian Dreadnought::Dreadnought]] because at this point, fuck it…ended up sticking and got there by turn 4.

Game 3 mirrored Game 1 and we are officially on a mission to claw back to get a record above .500.

Record: 1-3 (5-6)

Round 5 vs. The Rock

Never mind.

Literally don’t remember a single thing from this match in the slightest other than I played good friend Ryan Jean, who might be my favorite spicy brewer in the Old School Magic realm. Drop… Time to Cube.

Final Record: 1-4 (5-8)

Shoutouts & Thanks

Shoutout to Dave from Dayton for bringing his ‘93/’94 cube with him for those of us who scrubbed out. Gave me an opportunity to draft WRG little shitters and made me feel better about my MTG skills.

Continuing the shoutouts, Big Thanks to NeonMushroom, HiI’mMax, Guy and their gang from that state up north. The Motor City Metalworkers know how to have a good time. I am probably forgetting many more folks, but lastly, I want to thank Al aka Mr. Meseeks and Shertie for all of their work on Raffle Prizes, Alters for the Charity Alter Binder, the Art Table contributions and The Buckeye Brawl II Trophy.

We, the Retromancers here in Columbus, Ohio, are EXTREMELY lucky. We have a great location geographically, and we are also a Magic: The Gathering-crazed city. We have been lucky enough to connect with groups from other cities, like the Metalworkers, the Shared Discovery guys, the Impulse Crew (still watching you Carl) and many members of the Duress Crew/Other New Englanders.

Speaking on behalf of the Retromancers, thank you for supporting our event! It means the world to us that we had 125 people there with many others inquiring about results or how the day went.

We’ll see you all again in 2027!