Big Red vs Azorius Control || North 100 Showdown

[@Gabbyreel]

I honestly love the level of casual camaraderie these two charismatic card players have. It's always a pleasure to watch. It's like they're playing while in a coffee shop.

[@JRandomHacker]

In case anyone is curious about the Weird Judge Thing that Wheeler mentioned re: Triumph of Saint Katherine - It says "your library", not "its owner's library". If you Act of Treason your opponent's Triumph and it dies, it will _attempt_ to shuffle itself into your library. But there's a global rule against cards going into libraries other than their owner's, so it goes back on top of its owner's library while you still shuffle your top 6.

[@kingfuzzy2]

Lich's mirror is another fun card with a similar ruling that ends the game in a draw

[@flyingtoastr]

Every time I see a Miracle card, my mind always goes to that old clip of Brian Kibler losing to the topdecked Bonfire of the Damned and watching Aaron Forsythe realize "Miracle might have been a mistake" in real time. Always makes me chuckle.

[@Kyleeliasdonovan]

36:05 Begins the set up for an immensely funny and well delivered joke. Awesome games, awesome people.

[@kurokougi]

Absolutely Beautiful.

[@SailorwaveII]

The fact that Wheeler also reveals he has Terminus in his hand later with Thought Knot Seer is 😩👌

[@aktyelements8034]

You can see Wheeler pushing terminus down cards with Top so that he can keep it in miracle range xD when the miracles player starts shuffling the same card down as they cast filter spells you know there's a miracle coming lol

[@Sodaman64Classic]

Gota say all the matches this time were 100% bangers but my favorite part was the 5 mins yall spent at the end just talking about them. Frankly I think I could listen to Wheeler and Serge talk about play lines for hours, the two of them bounce ideas of each other so well in a really easy to understand way that makes it feel like I'm learning alongside them every time.

[@BhbtheRock]

The trick is that Serge is exactly my taste in deck selection. I'm always rooting for him

[@germanyjones2700]

Ben is my favorite content creator but I’m always rooting for serge. That daze was fuckin brutal

[@amywilliams5233]

thats funny because Im always rooting for "the villain" Ben cause I love his decks so much

[@kaareendrup]

Only Ben Wheeler can pull off the Verdict with that level of charm. Always great to witness the chemistry between these two heroes, really makes you want to be there!

[@qzzyozzy]

i know it would probably never happen but i really really want to see someone play ruin your evening. that deck is the epitome of what makes magic fun for me

[@ILikePi31415926535]

I too would like a 5 hour game 1

[@zachpayne3572]

@ILikePi31415926535 extra content baby!

[@FrozenLavaDragonProd]

Do you know the decklist for ruin your evening?

[@Enderspartan911]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/qZm0o6iedqt8mpo Round 2 of this stream is Wheeler on Ruin Your Evening

[@zachpayne3572]

@@FrozenLavaDragonProd wheeler has it on moxfield under the name mono white Martyr Proc.

[@BirdBrotherGames]

Holy cow, this continues to be the greatest content on the internet. Excellent job, same time two weeks from now folks

[@XTimTheEnchanterX]

I've never actually played Canadian Highlander, nor do I know anyone irl who does, but I still love watching these games every other week with these awesome folks.

[@CovetedPeacock]

46:30 the sheer confidence of Wheeler openly revealing the Recall draws to confirm he is, in fact, cursed, is just one of the many things that makes this series such a joy to watch.

[@caseheroes9835]

Judge! At 44:32, Serge appears to try to untap Mana Vault in Wheeler's end step as though it were something like Grim Monolith, but Mana Vault can only be untapped using it's upkeep trigger, not anytime.

[@rodrigoavila4133]

this made my soul hurt

[@JamiesonLock]

Fortunately, it didn't affect anything because of all the spare mana he had with nothing to do, but yeah, I spotted that too.

[@Bimblewort]

Despite having never played it, I think this is easily my favorite format in magic. These Showdown videos are so good

[@trinir2581]

this series got some of my playgroup to play quite frankly lower powered cad highlander with me. the most fun i ever had with 100 card singleton

[@StanielJeffries]

Commander? Never heard of her!

[@trinir2581]

Commander is fun. But i have found this even more fun. I can actually keep up with all the information given now

[@trinir2581]

and games go so much quicker. i can go on a best of 5 instead of one game

[@StanielJeffries]

@@trinir2581 Exactly! I’m always a fan of more games! Lets the decks stretch their legs more. See more cards and all

[@emilysmith2965]

Low-powered Highlander honestly still seems like it slaps. Pauper Highlander still has plenty of potential to be incredible

[@nicholasfalasco8539]

This is my favorite showdown episode yet. Great table talk/banter, great decks and fun gameplay. Thanks Serge and Wheeler for the entertainment and knowledge. More MTG content creators should study you guys.

[@drknowtoomuchproductions5438]

Love love love the strategy discussions during gameplay. I don't have the opportunity to play Canadian Highlander in person but discussions on things like what to tutor for, or how to navigate certain board states can be applied to other formats, and are just great teaching moments in general.

[@Scud422]

Crucible is a good tutor target in game 1. I was thinking Walking Ballista would have also been a good target 'cause that gives you a real threat and something to do with your mana when you're in top deck mode, but Wheeler did still have 13 answers in his deck for it.

[@lgcarni]

The post game talks are GOLD. Talking through the various lines of play, what’s going through their minds at that time, counter arguments, etc. Chef’s kiss. Excellent. Thank you.

[@onewholeegg]

Really like the breakdowns at the end of each match, for someone getting into the format I love hearing strategic decisions being discussed.

[@robertabugelis3962]

I love how they are trying to beat each other, but still give great advice when asked. Very nice dynamic.

[@nik700]

For as good as Force of Negation is, people often forget that it's actually better because it exiles the countered spell. Modern cards, amirite? And as always, a joy to watch you two

[@sandmanlives3]

Excellent, as always. Thank you. These are always great, but this one in particular was delightful!

[@ILikePi31415926535]

We saw you get force off of that 1st recall Wheeler It couldn't counter the creature, but it's not ALWAYS 3 lands :P

[@bwheelermtg]

Gotta sneak in my Ancestral complaint equity

[@HighlanderBrasileiroMTG]

Thanks guys great format and great games you aways show here in Brazil we have a variant of highlander without the reserved list is pretty great too ☺ cheers from Brazil.

[@benmurrant5298]

Just started watching North 100 and I absolutely love this episode. Wheeler playing control is my favourite to watch. Back and forth banter is so good.

[@evanbowenfilm]

This is my favorite magic gameplay on KZbin. Just excellent commentary, camaraderie and powerful magic

[@stephenbene9817]

I love how clear and succinct the ruling on blood moon and saga was.

[@matthewcolyer6797]

Love how much you guys chat about what happened in the game and how you could have played better. Wonderful insights!

[@RumpledNutskin]

Yaaaaaas I've been waiting for a control matchup!

[@jgmweston]

Always a good time when this comes up on my feed.

[@Pokenonymous]

I play Blue White and honest to God my build has less than half of these nonland cards. This format is amazing.

[@StanielJeffries]

Yelled out loud in my hotel room when I saw a new North 100 Showdown dropped. Wildly excited!

[@Practicallyliterate]

Last night playing highlander at my local shop I also played Mystic Sanctuary and put Sleight of Hand on top and my response was identical to Ben’s in this video 😂

[@simonpayne4138]

I knew Ben had a Ponder tattoo, but not that he had Brainstorm and Top as well! Here's me getting a Brainstorm tattoo thinking I wasn't just copying Wheeler's! 🤣 Love the Canlander content as always, this series is easily my favourite MTG content to watch

[@caso2315]

This is my favorite series! Love the content, gents!

[@MarkFillmore]

Such a great match. Love this series

[@Slagomancer]

Damn that Azorius Control really brought me back to when I was still playing.

[@Pringlesman]

@44:30 That's not how Mana Vault works. You can only untap it in the upkeep. You are confusing it with Grim Monolith.

[@CromwellMTG]

Im not a fan of highlander as a format but watching these is so awesome!! Finding new staples for commander, especially for edh1v1

[@wyattis8313]

I'm a simple ape; I see Canadian Highlander content, I click.

[@CmdrUD87]

For the engagement: I'd take the Crucible, b/c of your yard. You can loop the fair and get the cards you didn't pick over the next couple of turns

[@AutumnReel4444]

Love to see Wheeler playing Lose Focus. Straight up very good counterspell.

[@maxkueter3202]

Bug control pls! Been loving these episodes guys!

[@grahamsommers4876]

Surge's face at 17:10 when ben says force of will

[@akivamann-robison3644]

Wasn't the saga in game 1 sacrificed too early? The saga sacs as a state based action at 3 counters, and it has two under the blood moon. The thing is, the blood moon was bounced, so the saga regains abilities before it hits the 3rd counter, and would tutor something

[@aGoshDarnTravesty]

They explained it in the video, but to put it in different words: Sagas don't technically sac at 3 counters (The Iroan Games has 4 chapters, for example), they sac when the number of counters is greater than or equal to the number of chapters. When Blood Moon hits the battlefield, Urza's Saga becomes a Mountain Saga and loses all other abilities, so the chapter abilities go away. Since the number of chapters is now zero, and the land has more than zero counters on it, the saga must be sacrificed to its own effect.

[@martinphillips2461]

Don't play Canlander but love this series for it's tight plays.

[@joshez_]

16:00 dont know how the game goes, but i agree with both serge and wheeler on the crucible pick. i think the certainty that you can get saga and fair going again next turn is more comforting to me than portal, especially when my opponent is on a 6 card hand of UW control. card draw is spells which get countered, urza's saga is just going to cause problems. it is super close though.

[@TheMisterEMachine]

I would'va also chosen Crucible, mostly because I think getting those lands back from the bin over and over is more fun.

[@koffeinx6738]

Love your style of videos and the commentary. But especialy the endgame discussion. Im taking away much for my edh game

[@ruke47]

Duplicant could have taken out Gideon while he was temporarily a creature in game 1, right?

[@DefinitelyNotReal627]

15:30 dunno what Serge picked yet, but I would not have the willpower to not take crucible.

[@Pokenonymous]

Not Serge Untapping Mana vault at the end of his opponent's turn!!

[@Sugarman96]

Damn, just as I was gonna go to bed. Oh well, time to watch some Canlander instead.

[@TheJamesawesome]

Always love to see this hit my sub box!

[@MakeVarahHappen]

I beg you guys to line up the thumbnail with what sides are playing what in the video.

[@alexandermartin6174]

Thank you for discussing how and why turns were important. The entire library of magic cards and the lines of play therein... It's hard to memorize and understand what exactly is going on

[@domotoro3552]

i am SO excited to see some big red action

[@kingfuzzy2]

Hoping for something big from either player these games.

[@Thekingsmantm]

Whoop Whoop! Another North100 showdown. Out of curiosity, why does the thumbnail have Ben & Serge on the opposite side of the screen to the one they play on?

[@emilysmith2965]

28:40 today I learned that Urza’s Saga dies to state-based actions under Blood Moon because Mountains don’t have chapters. Holy moly

[@artemi7]

I know 3 land Recall is rough, but if green had a card that was "G, Instant, reveal until you find three lands and put them in your hand then shuffle your deck" you know you'd play that all day!

[@skear0073]

Crucible was a great tutor target, both have a delayed effect but the crucible is so much more flexible.

[@ClexYoshi]

Serge exposing himself as a mark for Bobby Roode is a fun lil' detail here.

[@rkk667]

Happy holidays team 🎉❤

[@Eleventyearl]

Any chance Benny Wheels could update his Az Control list for an upcoming video? 😀

[@lostmarble540]

I think it would've been fun to tutor up Scarecrone and try to reanimate the sundering titan, probably not the best play against a deck full of removal though

[@namelessaccount2759]

I frickin love this series

[@spazywakjob546]

Curious about a play order thing that Wheeler did at @20:45 I was wondering why he didnt attack with Gideon first to see if he could just straight kill the duplicant and then possibly get to bottom the Crucible with the jace, or even post combat making the same line with jace bouncing the duplicant. If he sees this or if anyone has any insight, I'd love to hear it :D

[@bwheelermtg]

IIRC I wanted to guarantee the damage (needed to start killing him before things got out of hand) and could catch him w/ the Spell Pierce, getting value out of a mostly useless card at that point.

[@alecp-rb7wx]

I come for the highlander, I stay for the banter.

[@Vecna814]

44:33 does Serge end-step untap Mana Vault? That is uhhhh not what that card does!

[@chaosmittens]

Crucible would have been my tutor target.

[@fatefulwaffle]

"You're trying to monkey me!" - a classic line in magic

[@MahouShoujoAutumn]

16:50 Watching this again now that the lord of the rings set is out and goodness, I wonder if there’s a better four drop than the one ring now! Really like the crucible line though. The one ring is def better than portal, prolly cut portal for the one ring too. If he were at less life crucible is prolly better but at 29, slamming a one ring seems obvious!

[@MahouShoujoAutumn]

With loran taking out the cruible and all those bounce/ tuck spells I feel like Serge would’ve totally still won that game if it was one ring. What a crazy card that is. The game feels so different with it

[@dominiquesgaming3742]

When wheeler ancestral recalls the first time in the second game I think he draws a Force of Negation, and not 3 lands like he says

[@peterkirk8510]

44:30 that's... not how mana vault works.

[@silverlos6082]

Never played Magic, but I thought the Ragavan Play in Game 2 was overextension too and felt like a God when they said the same thing in the post game discussion lol

[@D_A_D_]

I'm so glad to see Gideon Jura getting the respect he deserves. The game becomes a minigame about your opponent killing Gideon before they can kill you (spoiler, they can't). He's not good enough for Modern anymore, and terrible in Commander, so he doesn't really have a home.

[@GamerdevilPro]

Recall drawing through all those lands is so good though, imagine if you'd just sit there drawing a card a turn and do nothing for 3 turns :D

[@canadianhighlanderbremen7717]

fantastic games!

[@joshcoppinger3975]

Yeah more Serge and Wheeler Content!

[@archalucard]

short question why do so many play arid mesa and co in mono colour decks?

[@TravisLastNameUnknown]

More Canlander!

[@thomasohara5926]

My favorite Koth fact is that his name is an acronym for his own name. K.O.T.H. = Koth Of The Hammer. I am forced to know this and now so are you.

[@mattperkinson9604]

Wheeler on blue-white and Serge on big red??? What is this, Opposite Day?

[@heartofgoldfish]

I think wheeler couldve won faster if he activated Colonnade? I am not a blue player though

[@kraxosOBK]

Serge's card situation in the thumbnail confuses me.

[@Azadiam]

YES. NORTH 100!!!

[@handfulloftrash]

Walking Ballista does not target planeswalkers!!!

[@SilverBordered]

As a Kaladesh Block enthusiast, I accept and appreciate your apology.

[@Liz-Istrata]

I'd love if yall like bring on other guest players to bring Alison on to demo The Rock.

[@zakariahmims7364]

Interacting so the algo likes the show

[@DummyUrD]

Now its just the 1 ring

[@davidwright8094]

BIG RED LETS GOOO

[@germanyjones2700]

lol is serge flipping Ben off?!

[@Lucarioguild7]

Obligatory "can't untap Mana Vault outside of the trigger" comment to feed the algorithm ;)

[@girlhunter2102]

Keep watching these thinking Serge is bound to eventually win and he keeps disappointing.

[@grantcapps8022]

Has Serg ever won a game? Lol

[@wumpmas2]

i love that this series has just become two boomers musing about card evaluation with the illusion of gameplay in the background

[@jameshedge8201]

Maybe I'm just being a little uncharitable because I don't find control interesting, but it kind of feels like this series is devolving into "The Serge Watches Wheeler Play Solitaire Show".

[@beckettakins6198]

hm