Affinity vs Turbo Initiative | Semifinals 1 - Quest for the Best Pauper Deck Ever

[@CardmarketMagic]

All decklists & Swiss matches: bit.ly/49tJHSF Decks featured in this video: bit.ly/430ToXe The Swiss pilot for All that Glitters Affinity was @walker7355 The Swiss pilot for Turbo Initiative was @saltandpauper

[@tempest1246]

I like how the chatterstorm deck was so favored to win that its still highlighted on the bracket over elves

[@MateoByrd-kg9rf]

The little shape showing which cards are being put on bottom post-mulligan is a nice touch

[@sl3848]

To add to this, it would be nice if there were a way to better see which cards get discarded/brainstormed/etc in these videos. I usually have to rewind a few seconds to catch it

[@theelectricant98]

The editing on these is unmatched by any mtg channel. Great info, displayed in a satisfying way, but never over the top or obstructive

[@stefan_wsl3398]

The dead three are the three dead gods, Bane (tyranny), Baarl (Murder) and Myrkul (death)

[@jacobeden2083]

I think in canon Bane survived (not sure if undead myrkul counts) and became an actual god, but they were all working together to take over the job of the previous god of death, then inevitably betrayed each other, murdered the brand new god of murder, and the other two split the rest of the portfolio

[@davidhouseman4328]

Yeah, Bhaal is the fella that spawned a score of mortal progeny to kick of Baldurs gate.

[@GaybrohamStinkton]

Bane (Batman), Baal (Diablo), Miku (will punch you to death)

[@JerryTheToast]

Sad to see Carl doesn't seem to have played Baldurs Gate 3 :(

[@Mightypi]

And they are fools, every one.

[@aryst0krat]

Andrea's "Nooooooo :D" would make a great reaction gif

[@redstoneplaysmc1639]

The same could be said for Andrea's face when he top-decked that Galvanic Blast

[@fish_in_distress]

So would his "I'm sorry (I'm not, I'm not sorry)" at the end there lol

[@MrWnw]

He lost by his own mistake. It was obvious when the opponent was counting rooms that he can get to the trap.

[@outputcoupler7819]

"Damage on the stack" to steal the fez killed me.

[@joshuaplank9791]

I don't think "damage on the stack" is required though, since putting on a hat is a special action!

[@fwop7436]

It also killed Karl! 😄

[@giacomofasulo3861]

A Vintage exclamation

[@Tharkon]

Even if you put damage on the stack, The Initiative only triggers when you deal the damage, and then SBA's will end the game before it can resolve so there is no way to take the initiative here and Carl would take the initiative, and the fez, with him to the grave.

[@CommanderAmateur]

The thing i love most about the "Quest for..."-videos is not only that the games are highly competitive, but all participants have such a sweet chemistry with one another. Thats what makes these games so enjoyable to watch.

[@bricelory9534]

Unsurprising MVP: Snuff Out on the one side, Gingerbrute on the other. Turns out unblockable, haste 1/1s are the most important part of the matchup - to have or to deal with. (Not at all surprising since Initiative itself is so busted).

[@malte54]

I mean, the only reason why Snuff Out is the MVP on the one side, is because Gingerbrute is on the other side :D

[@Dracomandriuthus]

I knew very well how this MU would go. Either Andrea has ginger Or Andrea loses

[@ursulcx299]

When I say why I love pauper, my main reason is how close the meta is, no deck truely ever is dominant and on a good day you can see basically any of the good deck pull a win. This just show it again. Pauper is awesome.

[@MelanieOh]

You guys are always very dynamic, but the back-and-forth plays in this match in particular were fantastic. Well done!

[@sh41]

Yes! Go Andrea, go! Only aggro decks remain. None of the games went the way I expected. The tech play around the pyroblast was very cool

[@lucamarsiglia7284]

no

[@sh41]

@@lucamarsiglia7284 I guess you're a fan of initiative?

[@joshuagriffith9191]

@@sh41 It turned out not to matter due to Andrea drawing the galvanic blast , but the correct creature was the sneak. It would have hexproof until Karl’s next turn. Pyroblast wouldn’t have been able to kill it and he would have had a flyer.

[@ari_cool]

that last draw in game 2 was amazing!!!

[@eigilbundgaard3364]

How did you finish already? It dropped 6 min ago😂

[@EmbeJuicemazzopazzo]

@@eigilbundgaard3364 people watch stuff at 1.5x speed or even more

[@ari_cool]

@@eigilbundgaard3364 I like to see who wins the game so I can root for them

[@boleto_toon]

Love to see Pauper content!

[@augustoyuthayasuda6631]

Chama no boleto!

[@saltandpauper]

Me too!

[@sorin_markov]

"Damage on the stack" 25:08 that's some *old* Magic lore lol

[@Aaackermann]

Bring it back, I say! 😅

[@Ifedoll]

I've never seen anyone draw like Andrea. This man can't be stopped.

[@NNNNTTTT-q6c]

Thank you for putting indicators on what cards get bottomed when you mulligan this time! That's really helpful for following the game

[@Dropzewinner]

Andrea’s piloting of affinity has finally made me get the non commander bug and I’ll happily say I’m joining pauper with affinity

[@ericadams2045]

This is my favorite series on KZbin

[@saltandpauper]

Mine too!

[@Yodel1ngS0up]

Cardmarket uploading on my birthday!!!! I love this series, amazing game!

[@CardmarketMagic]

Happy birthday! 🥳

[@Yodel1ngS0up]

@@CardmarketMagic thanks so much! You guys are by far my favorite Magic content creators, top tier content!!!

[@johncameron1935]

@@Yodel1ngS0up Happy birthday!

[@joefekete4384]

Andrea. Hire Andrea. These videos with him are the best you guys make

[@CardmarketMagic]

We tried, but you'll never get Andrea out of Italia :)

[@filippodardi2180]

@@CardmarketMagic Just open an Italian branch already!! >:D

[@Jinxedfromthestart]

I’ve never seen two gentlemen that look so dapper and debonair in a fez! Great vid, this has been a fun series so far.

[@NNNNTTTT-q6c]

Of all the decks in the bracket, if one deck was going to beat Turbo Initiative, it was going to be Glitters (... or Chatterstorm). Turns out the deck with a built-in way to take the Initiative is pretty good in this matchup.

[@gotic1926]

I love it, when Andrea comes to visit and a beat down to you guys.

[@ThankYouForTheVideos]

Those were some great games! Always love seeing Mengu!!

[@djanpo993]

I think game two was one of the best this channel ever showcased. And your chemistry in this one was amazing. Thanks :)

[@andreww479]

I think one of my favorite things about these series with decks from different eras is the little things in matchups that never come up, like Andrea not having a basic but commenting that he would have one if Initiative didnt get banned out.

[@MindstabThrull]

Carl putting on his cap at the start of game three was cool. Because it's a fez, and fezzes are cool!

[@CardmarketMagic]

They are! 🤓 so are bowties!

[@gauntel2301]

6:35 Bane, Bhaal, and Myrkul. This is foundational knowledge, Carl!

[@nicobaur3076]

1 am in Japan and the best thing this week just dropped. Thank you guys, perfect for after the gym.

[@CardmarketMagic]

I hope you enjoy it :)

[@faefeatherweight]

THIS WAS SO GOOD!!! The suspense! The reads! That game 2 was incredible! Thank you once again for an amazing video!

[@modothegreat108]

For the record: When Jamin says turbo initiative isn't great at taking lost initiative back, it should be noted that any of his creatures do just that by ETB-ing, so it's not all that bad! Provided you have the lands to deploy more creatures, of course. I hear Jamin's bad at peat mining.

[@HearseonHydros]

Tough draws for initiative! Really close though this was a fun one to watch

[@betabrett0223]

I never knew how much I needed those arrows you put next to the card being bottomed. Thank you so much editor(s)!

[@CardmarketMagic]

I saw it asked for in the comments once or twice and realized it was very low effort for me to add them :) so it's definitely worth it for the few people who care

[@AgonalRhythm]

Great games! Also, the shade from Andrea at @21:57 😂

[@cerocero2817]

I noticed that now indicate what card is going to be discarded with a subtle arrow. Such a nice detail.

[@munsterotaku3058]

Whole match was tense and so good to watch! Andréa top decking for real :D

[@TheMichaelArmando]

What a great match! Can't wait for the next video loving this series!

[@rusholotl]

seeing initiative will always be amazing.

[@VonSilvermoon]

This is one of the most entertaining games of Magic i've ever watched. This is a great tournament!

[@keithbarlow9701]

This was a good match up. I would've put my money on Turbo Initiative, but I'm not terribly surprised that Affinity won. This series has been quite an adventure. Stoked for the next 2 videos!

[@astrograph7875]

20:14 God that was such a heart of the cards moment. Was literally praying praying in my head when I saw andrew reach for his top card and my prayers were asnwered. LET'S GOOOOOOOOO AFFINITY BEST DECK BABYYYYYYY

[@bfoley32]

Love your guys videos, its getting me to want to play more than just commander as a newer player.

[@castanus4343]

What an insane deck it's Jeskai Affinity! Can't believe it defeated the initiative😮

[@jakfrost2]

Love seeing my favourite deck coming out on top. Great video as always!

[@bambabam1234]

Great matchup, awesome close games and great banter. Love this series

[@hashtag156]

Thank you for adding an indicator for what cards you bottom after a mulligan!

[@miyomiyo1050]

Fantastic match! Three super close and dynamic games. Saw the final game was only 4 mins and still didn't know who would win.

[@GotchaPlaysGer]

We love Andrea Mengucci, bring him every time!

[@thewannabecraftsman]

Day 19 of complimenting great plays instead of pointing out misplays. HOLY POOP Game two was one of the best games I have seen in a long time. it was like an amazing game of tennis, just back and forth, one turn you think player a has it in the bag, then player b adds 3 creatures to the board- only decided by the BEST topdeck on the right turn.... Great game guys!!!

[@beforememory]

Great video, enjoying all the pauper!

[@jash5437]

This might be my new favorite feature match. The gameplay videos are the best

[@quickdrawz05]

WHAT AN ABSOLUTE BANGER. MY HEART WAS PUMPING!!!

[@PeterKorlus]

Love to see more Pauper content with Andrea :-)

[@derAlphabet]

Love to see Andrea and Carl! You two are goaded :)

[@MrEliakimRAS]

Carl, I'm really impressed on how you managed the initiative deck: that game 2 was gloriously played. Too bad Gingerbrute+All that Glitters is more busted.

[@CardmarketMagic]

Thank you :) that is very kind of you to say!

[@maarten0104]

“Damage on the stack….” 😂😂😂

[@Verlisify]

WHAT AN END TO GAME 1! Carl channeling his inner red player tapping the table to count for lethal

[@hgarcia9021]

I'm such an andrea mengucci fan man, this guy's so happy and expressive, more than 99% mtg players

[@hayden32040]

The gingerbrute laugh gets me every time XD

[@ToraminoSiB]

Did someone else notica at 0:23 how Elves are greyd out and Chatterstorm is highlighted in the quarterfinal bracket? My working hypothesis is that the person who did this graph just couldn't see Chatterstorm lose :D

[@saltandpauper]

Really proud of you and the deck in getting this far! Such a close match! Grwat watch :)

[@ralr]

I was just in the process of ordering my All That Glitters cards from cardmarket! 🎉 Now I get to see how I should be playing it! ❤ Thanks!

[@CardmarketMagic]

Ralph! Be careful 😅 enjoy it while it lasts. Many people are worried All That Glitters is likely to get banned this year

[@theprojectdaemon]

These are some real titans of Pauper right here, honestly I'd be happy to see either win because either can make for really tense games.

[@massive_avecado]

for some reason, i just really like listening to Andrea's voice

[@CardmarketMagic]

It is very soothing!

[@mRboylls]

I can’t believe how good of a matchup this is

[@LK90512]

How is it this not the best format ever?? I wish every day for a permanent queue on Arena :') Thank you for the content, you're also the best! Always enjoy when Mengucci is a guest (true Italian pride! Although the fez is not necessarily a good look on us :/)

[@CardmarketMagic]

I think Andrea looked great with the fez :)

[@LK90512]

@@CardmarketMagic he certainly did :D

[@joshuagriffith9191]

Sadly most of the best pauper cards aren’t on Arena.

[@LK90512]

@@joshuagriffith9191 i know, but historic pauper is still a very enjoyable format! unfortunately it's only available through sporadic events (or via direct match)

[@joshuagriffith9191]

@@LK90512 Agreed, the format is fun and I’m not sure why they don’t have a pauper queue especially seeing that it is a popular format on MTGO. It’s the same problem with Arena Cube. I would play Arena cube a lot if they had it available more often. It feels like they are blatantly trying to get people to not play non rotating formats on the platform which is disappointing as a customer.

[@Thatguy223-vc4wb]

I'm actually addicted to watching Mengu play pauper rn.

[@zurreal8087]

I am constantly impressed by Andrea Mengucci. He’s just so good!

[@garrugmahlag]

@CardMarketMagic In the beginning when the tournament bracket is shown at 0:23, Chatterstorm is colored, making it look like it won, even though Elves, while grayed out, did go to the next round. Just wanted to point that out real quick in case you use the same template for all videos so you can fix it for the future ones.

[@CardmarketMagic]

Thank you! I'll fix it for the next one :)

[@theelectricant98]

Other mtg channels gotta learn from how you guys edit these, top notch!

[@RPGeater]

Wonderful match, it really gave me chills...

[@arnoldjohannfrancisco5641]

Yes! I love All that glitters! So happy it won!

[@LukeCTFD]

Best episode of the serie so far, second game was amazing!! Go Andrea for the wiiiiin 🚀

[@tyler2906]

Love seeing Mengu!

[@cpnpmp94]

Not sure if this series is proving which deck is the best, or that Mengu is a Pauper beast… either way, I’m here for it. Lol

[@rmz1986]

At 0:22 in the bracket. You have Chatterstorm highlighted in the quarter finals game as the winner but Elves advancing to Semis. Elves did win but can we fix the bracket highlighting?

[@CardmarketMagic]

Yes I will fix it for the next video :) thank you for pointing it out

[@eigilbundgaard3364]

Awesome! Cant wait to finish the vid!❤❤❤

[@Kobabel333]

great match, game 2 was incredible

[@el_pablodocus]

Great game and great entertainment, thank you !

[@emoman7777]

I will always love it when Carl talks big game, have the highest confidence throughout the video Then proceed to lose despite playing a broken deck with a banned mechanic

[@waves-]

Love the series!

[@clord2674]

Nice content as always 😁

[@jaundicedmisanthrope7817]

another banger of a video, ya love to see it

[@Sinfulpapaya]

You make the game so legible and interesting i came to love these series and i don't even play magic

[@RoxyGotMoxy.]

09:45 You activated my trap card!

[@danthelionxyz]

congrats on 150k guys!

[@CardmarketMagic]

Thank you! :D

[@TheDevlain]

Sorry Andrea but the game ends before the trigger of initiative resolves so you technically don't get to have the hat xD Anyways it was such an amazing match!

[@KKDY28]

0:23 Chatterstorm is incorrectly highlighted

[@CardmarketMagic]

It is! Thank you for pointing it out :) I'll fix it for the next video

[@Izelor]

Glad to see Affinity still being a force to be reckoned with after 20 years!

[@sh41]

Lol, I remember playing it in standard

[@MarkChaney-b8k]

I’ve killed people with plattings and ravagers in every format I wish it was still a teir 1 deck in modern

[@Dammarc1]

@CardmarketMagic name of the song at 1:13? great video as usual 😁

[@TerminallyNerdy]

I love how Elves and Goblins will be going up against each other XD

[@arielgomes7989]

Those were some great games!

[@Matyanson]

Wow, such a close game!

[@Lolo90419]

Something on the chart at 0:22 is wrong. Chatterstorm vs elves has the wrong color

[@cowisiontv6611]

If I’m not mistaken last turn Carl had still an out, play the untap land and go into throne for mulldrifter that draws ritual+snuff out, very unrealistic but it was worth trying

[@CardmarketMagic]

I actually did that in the game, saw that I still wouldn't win, and rewinded and did the interview portion where I say I would just pass the turn to save myself from having to animate so many game actions for the video :P

[@cowisiontv6611]

@@CardmarketMagiclol

[@nicolascasime9248]

Meguuuuu. At 9:06 you already had the game next turn... why blocking with only one creature?😮 Cool game though, loved it

[@rubensmith776]

Andrea wearing a fez was not something I knew I needed to see.

[@GM_MorganV]

A deck that makes me cheer for affinity. Zoinks

[@IceCoola]

this is what i wait for every 12am here rooting for glitters since it's one of my pet decks

[@JarneB]

I, we, you, they LOVE Cardmarket