Winning the 2026 Gongaii Cornerstone With Avatar of Air

Sorcery: Contested Realm · by Sam Courtenay (SammyGL) · October 7, 2026

As of writing, this was the largest Cornerstone ever! We were slated to have 80+ players, but a few no-showed. I believe the final count was 67.

As one of our Helpful Hobs predicted, [fire] was the name of the game at this Cornerstone. Many saw the results of Grand Contest Germany followed by Grand Contest London and wanted in on the action. Naturally, I had to swing by and provide a breath of fresh air (see what I did there?).

{Avatar of Air} Turbo Towers by SammyGL

DECKLIST_START

Minions (37)

2 {Highland Falconer} [2][air]
1 {Highland Princess} [2][air][air]
2 {Palliburie Bats} [2][air]
1 {Skeleton Mage} [2][air][air]
2 {Tooth Faeries} [2][air]
3 {Gibbous Nightgaunts} [3][air][air]
3 {Headless Haunt} [3][air][air]
3 {Phase Assassin} [3][air][air]
2 {Stagecoach} [3][air]
2 {Sturmgeist} [3][air][air]
3 {Stygian Archers} [3][air][air]
2 {Avenging Angel} [4][air][air]
1 {Bane of Aventis} [4][air][air][air]
3 {Gyre Hippogriffs} [4][air][air]
3 {Skirmishers of Mu} [4][air][air]
2 {Hounds of Ondaros} [5][air][air]
2 {Legion of Gall} [5][air][air][air]

Magics (13)

2 {Displace} [2][air][air]
1 {Lightning Bolt} [2][air]
2 {Magic Missiles} [2][air]
2 {Grapple Shot} [3][air]
1 {Arc Lightning} [4][air][air]
2 {Chaos Twister} [4][air][air]
2 {Whirling Blades} [5][air][air]
1 {Arcane Barrage} [x][air][air][air]

Auras (1)

1 {The Black Plague} [4][air][air]

Artifacts (10)

1 {Ring of Morrigan} [1]
2 {Torshammar Trinket} [1]
1 {The Rack} [2]
3 {Toolbox} [2]
3 {Rolling Boulder} [4]

Collection (10)

1 {Zap!} [1][air]
1 {Disenchant} [2][air]
1 {Displace} [2][air][air]
1 {Lightning Bolt} [2][air]
2 {Magic Missiles} [2][air]
1 {Tactical Move} [2][air]
1 {Grapple Shot} [3][air]
1 {Murder of Crows} [3][air][air]
1 {Screamer} [3][air][air]
1 {Arc Lightning} [4][air][air]

DECKLIST_END

During my preparations, I tried plenty of different flavors of {Avatar of Air} variants, but ultimately decided to stick with my familiar and consistent mono-[air] build. Not worrying about threshold and having mobility on almost every site was too good to pass up, even if my units typically melt in the face of {Colicky Dragonettes}, {Quarrelsome Kobolds}, and Deserts.

I've always thought {Chaos Twister} was a strong card as a {Betrayal} that kills the minion betraying for one fewer mana, but avoided it as I typically compete online where the hit rate is unreliable.

After searching the list of [air] cards for the millionth time, I finally resigned to running {Chaos Twister} as a strong removal option with the potential to chunk a decent amount of life off my opponent or two for one them.

Despite a rather spectacular failure with my first attempt with a mode I hadn't accounted for, I went on to use it with great success in later rounds. After warming up, I have a roughly 90-95% hit rate.

I absolutely would not have made the top cut if I didn't have {Chaos Twister}. Also, absolutely insane timing with Geoffrey releasing his Chaos Twister tutorial while I was in the middle of figuring out my own style for it!

Our approaches weren't too different except for one key improvement: using your other arm for a measure of the height and stability.

Lastly, before jumping into individual matches, huge shout out to everyone who contributed to this event. It ran outrageously smoothly, the prizes were great, and the charity raffle was a ton of fun to participate in.

Also, Brian Smith was there with the original paintings for {Bladedancer}, {Death Dealer}, and {Frost Elemental}! I believe Decent_Josh, who was running the event, has a forthcoming write up with acknowledgements.

Round One — [earth][water] {Ironclad} Mortals | Win

My opponent was a new player who ran a Mortal-themed {Ironclad} list with anthem effects, such as {House Arn Bannerman}. My {Avatar of Air} leaned into its strengths and closed the game before they could establish their synergies.

Round Two — [fire] {Necromancer} | Win (On Camera)

My round two opponent was also new to Sorcery and relatively unfamiliar with {Avatar of Air}'s tricks. They opened with a turn-three {Morgana le Fey}, which I couldn't punish with a {Lightning Bolt} or a {Rolling Boulder}.

Fortunately for me, they {Morgana le Fay} voluntarily stepped onto my forward [air] site so I could blow her into {The Void} on my back row. I cast {Displace} on {Siege Giant} to push and banish it on the edge of my territory to quell my opponent's pressure.

I knew my opponent had a {Rolling Boulder} in hand from {Lookout}, so I lined up my minions to bait it while pushing damage simultaneously.

Tip of the Match:
Do NOT give {Avatar of Air} a free {Rolling Boulder}

My opponent had {Detonate} in hand to take {Rolling Boulder} away from me, but not before the {Rolling Boulder} pushes combined with some attacks put the game out of reach.

After reviewing the replay, my opponent had some pretty spooky cards in hand. A few more months of experience and I expect my opponent have great future results with their list.

Round Three — [air][fire] {Interrogator} | Loss (On Camera)

Eric, of Wizards of Fun! fame, is a great guy and excellent player. He had the most competitive {Interrogator} deck I've ever played against.

My {Avatar of Air} list has a similar-ish gameplan to the [air][fire] {Interrogator} deck, except if the 'Gator lands a hit they draw cards, which is hard to keep up with. I try not to elect for three damage since it adds up quickly, but that might be a mistake.

I didn't draw any early towers. Eric mulled/drew into a few so my advantage on the play was short-lived. I cast my first {Chaos Twister} of the event, but it was a warm day in Portland with 60+ people in a warehouse. As a result, the back of my hand was a bit damp and the card stuck to the side of my hand!

Eric had the win ({Sphere of Animosity}, {The Rack}, {Blaze of Glory}) regardless of the outcome of that play, but it left me in a bad headspace. I had practiced {Chaos Twister} for weeks only to have the first one fizzle spectacularly! At least it made for a great story.

Round Four — [fire] {Persecutor} | Win

This game was a nail biter. My opponent started on a turn one {Mobbed Court} which cost them a fair bit of life throughout the game. A {Key to the City} and turn two {Jihad} had them effectively start the game at 16 life.

They cast a turn three {Corruptor Freak}, which I was barely dealt with via an {Arcane Barrage} for four. They followed up with a 4-power {Redcap Powries}, and a leveled-up 5-power {Redmane Hyena} banishing the {Corruptor Freak} the turn after, and a 2-power {Persecutor} staring me down.

In any other situation, no single card in my mono [air] deck could bail me out without relying on a kill site, which I didn't have, but my newly added {Chaos Twister} was exactly right for the situation.

Trusting my weeks of preparation and freshly washed hands, I {Chaos Twister}ed the {Redmane Hyena} onto the site where the {Redcap Powries} and {Persecutor} were under the effect of {Jihad} to remove both minions and chunk the {Persecutor} for five damage.

A few attacks later put them to Death's Door. I finished the game with a stealthy {Gyre Hippogriff} off of his {City of Traitors}.

Round Five — [fire] {Pathfinder} | Loss

I was still in my head about the failed {Chaos Twister} in Round Three, and not feeling confident in this room full of [fire] decks. I misplayed some key moments in this match; not taking anything away from my opponent, Ally, who piloted their list very well!

I had an early {The Void} that I could have built around, but instead attempted an early {Legion of Gall} using an out of place {Beacon}. Not only did the {Legion of Gall} die immediately to {Majuz Ifrit} holding a {Torshammer Trinket} in a {Blaze of Glory}, but I played the {Beacon} directly in front of {Horns of Behemoth}!!

A match highlight was their {Betrayal} was played on my {Headless Haunt} in the void, and I didn't pause to consider if that was a legal play. It didn't didn't change anything, as I was too far behind in resources, but it was a good reminder to slow down, think through my lines, and double-check the validity of each play.

Round Six — [air][fire] {Persecutor} | Win

Played against a Seattle local, Chris! We've played this matchup a few times, and unfortunately its not an easy one for [air][fire] {Persecutor}. Unfortunately, I knocked a friend and fellow local player out of top cut.

Interlude

Between Swiss and Top Cut we had a wild amount of charity raffles to get through. I reflected on my performance so far, and shook off the funk with the help of encouraging words from friend and fellow {Avatar of Air} main Casey aka Astarael7th).

Top 16 — Deathspeaker | Win

After the gauntlet of [fire] aggro, I looked forward to a playing against strategy I presumed would not immediately go for the throat. Thankfully, this was a relatively quick match.

I dealt a lot of damage before {Deathspeaker} could establish any board presence. By the time they were cast {Daperyll Vampire}, I had enough Ranged minions to kill it and prevent my opponent from recovering.

Top 8 — [air][fire] {Interrogator} | Win

Eric again! The one player I hoped to dodge in the Top Cut. Eric opened on {Wuthering Heights} and a few towers to swiftly knock me down to 7 life.

With some careful trades and spot removal, I stabilized, but nearly ready to throw in the towel. Unfortunately for Eric, he was short on [fire] threshold, and elected to draw sites for a few turns, hoping to cast {Betrayal} to convert favorable trades, and stabilize.

Near the end, my {Palliburie Bats}, {Legion of Gall}, {Skirmishers of Mu}, {Hounds of Ondaros}, and {Gyre Hippogriffs} in the Realm prevented Eric from being able to hide behind Death's Door, even if he drew {Poison Nova} or {Lava Flow}.

I aim to play every game out, but frankly, I was tempted to concede when I felt like I was floundering early. This was a great reminder that even when things seem dire, you only have the opportunity to get lucky if you see the game through.

Eric's deck is absolutely a problem for me, but playing mono element with enough will power worked out this time.

Semifinals — [earth][fire] {Imposter} | Win

This was another matchup I was looked forward to, as I felt confident I could rush down the {Imposter} before they could out value me. {Chaos Twister} was the star of the show, killing an {Autumn Unicorn} with an animated {Wildfire} before it did any damage.

Shortly thereafter, I doored the {Imposter} and they fled to a {Gnome Hollows} while wearing an {Ironclad} mask. I patiently waited for a {Toolbox} or {Rolling Boulder} to end the game, as my opponent wiped the board and hit me for eight damage with the wombo combo of {Gigantism} and {Blaze of Glory} on a {Kettletop Leprechaun}.

Thankfully, I drew {Toolbox} to {Arc Lightning} for the win.

Finals — [fire] {Necromancer} | Win {On Camera)

Funnily enough, I met Winston (win$ton) for the first time (digitally) two nights before the Cornerstone in a match in the Summit. He beat me handily with [fire] {Necromancer}, so I asked to play a few friendlies to help prepare me for a big Cornerstone this weekend. Well, wouldn't you know it, he was playing in the Cornerstone, too!

At this point in the event, I felt pretty relaxed. The prizing was generous for the top two ranks, so win or lose I secured two foil promo {Den of Evil}s to complete my playset.

{Ring of Morrigan} is a good card, and having two of them is even better. Winston didn't give up in the face of a magical machine gun, and surprised me with a last minute {Courtesan Thais}! Ultimately, the {Ring of Morrigan}s prevailed.

Great performance from Winston despite being relatively new to TCGs and only having played Sorcery for two months. I expect we'll see him at many future top tables.

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Featured image: {Avatar of Air} by Séverine Pineaux