Interview with a true Wizard - Aloysius Goh

In week 2 of our coverage, we will visit an unique hero initially deemed unplayable in Classic Constructed. With a low starting life total and demanding specific draws over the course of a game, read on to see how our player of the week managed to make things work!

A familiar face in daily events, grinder Aloysius Goh took up the challenge of working on the Kano archetype, emerging as the first Kano player to Top 8 a Road to Nationals event. He is also the 2nd-ranked player based on the 90 day ranked system, so you know there are plenty of gems and insights to be shared!

Interview with Aloysius Goh
1. How long have you been playing FaB?
I started playing in May 2021, when local shops ran online Armory events due to the Covid-19 restrictions.

2. How many days a week do you play FaB events?
With ongoing online events, I am able to play for 5 days a week.

3. Which part of the game do you like the most?
Understanding the pitch cycle of cards - the system is more skill-based as compared to games that require luck with draws

4. Which hero did you choose for Road to Nationals?
Kano, Dracai of Aether (click on the picture for a decklist link!)

 

5. Why this hero?
Kano games end faster compared to other heroes and most players only run 1 Nullrune equipment. In a way, due to my own work during the RTN period, I was incentivized to play a fast deck because of this.

6. In your opinion, what are your best and worst match-ups?
Best - Chane, Dorinetha, Boltyn
Typical lists for these heroes run only 0 to 1 copy of Nullrune equipment, which makes Kano’s arcane attacks easier to go through.

Neutral - Katsu, Prism, Bravo
Aggro Kastu threatens the defender with high power attacks and is able to tutor (search) for their combo line, which translates into a lot of pressure that the Kano player must be prepared to deal with.
Prism’s herald attacks are high in power, and requires more cards to use for blocking.
Bravo has more life gain compare with other heroes, which runs at odds to Kano's arcane damage play lines.

Worst - Rhina, Dash
Rhina’s intimidate ability makes it harder to activate Kano’s ability and block efficiently.
Aggro Dash can be explosive and boosting for multiple attacks a turn, and given Kano's low starting life total, it is entirely possible to be overwhelmed by the pressure.

7. How do you sideboard?
Prism – Since typical decks play 0-1 Nullrune equipment, I'd suggest:
In - Nourishing Emptiness, Raging Onslaught, Remembrance, Reverberate
Out - all defense cards with 2 defense power

Katsu/Chane/ Dorinthea – Slightly more variable, since they may play anything from 0-3 Nullrune equipments
In - 1x Nourishing emptiness, 3x Reverberate, 2x Fate Foreseen (Katsu only)
Out – 3 Stir the Aetherwinds, 1 Tome of Aetherwind (if sideboarding against Katsu, take out an additional 2 cards with 2 defense power to accommodate the additional Fate Foreseen copies, based on your preference)

Tank type heroes – Bravo, Dash, Rhinar - Who play 3 Nullrune equipments with healing
In – 2x Fate Foreseen, 2x Nourishing Emptiness, 2 Forked Lightning, 1 Voltic Bolt, 1 Remembrance
Out – 2x Scalding Rain (Red), 3x Tome of Aetherwind, 3x Sonic Boom
(Strategy is to block and go tall, only Kano after the attacks and defense cards are out.)

8. What is the class do you like the most in Tales of Aria, and why?
Briar, Warden of Thorns – Runeblade, the most supported class with cards coming from previous sets (ARC, CRU, MON and now TOA)