Good Man of the Week: Brian Kibler, the Awakener
From the King to the Dragon King, this week we recognize Brian Kibler. Brian and I first met at Grand Prix Boston. This tournament was tempest block constructed in which he was part of a conspiracy to keep the best deck ever constructed from me. This was the first of two times the Speds kicked me right in the cock. They had Counter-Phoenix before anyone else (except CMU) and they didn’t share.
At this tournament, Kibler and I shared a moment that neither one of us would ever forget. Randy Buehler was waiting for a ruling and laid back in his chair with his hand behind his head. Kibler and I bore witness to the largest pit stains ever seen by man. We exchanged a look of horror that resembled the first time one would see Faces of Death.
Kibler and I bore witness to the largest pit stains ever seen by man. |
Kibler still kept in touch with the magic community through IRC and managed to still build good decks on apprentice that were winning tournaments while he was out of the game. Kibler eventually decided it was time for a come back and he headed to Syracuse, NY for a PTQ.
You may remember this PTQ from last week’s GMOTW in which Opalka chased Guevin out with a chair. Well in this tournament I played Kibler in the 2nd round after a first round draw. It is game three and Kibler peels Wave of Reckoning to kill every attacking creature in my deck. Kibler went on to win the PTQ despite having to face a deck in the top 8 draft sporting the dreaded Saprazzan Raider. He did almost fall to the vicious 1/2 but he managed to pull it out.
Brian emerged as one of the premier players at swinging with large men, seeming taking the title from the stagnant Jamie Wakefield. Shortly thereafter he went to the World Championships in Sydney and discovered his hidden talent as a drafting savant.
Kibler, as a partial Philosophy major, has helped me in real life situations I needed advice for. Brian is not only easy to talk to but extremely insightful.
So for being a true gamer and a true friend I give Brian Kibler, The Awakener a much deserved Good Man of the Week.
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