There is always something new to see at a Modern Grand Prix. Whether it is the newest tech or players coming out of the woodwork with their pet strategy, Modern events are full of stories. At Grand Prix Los Angeles, the tale on the tip of everyone's tongue was Ethan Brown.

Ethan Brown is 13 years old and found himself battling on Day Two after winning seven matches on Day One with Affinity. He then rattled off six wins in a row to secure his spot in the Top 8 as the youngest ever Grand Prix Top 8 competitor. He defeated Open Circuit grinder Joe Lossett in the Quarterfinals and Pro Tour Top 8 Competitor Pascal Maynard in the Semifinals. In the final match of the day Ethan found himself up a game against Simon Slutsky.

And this is where the story takes a turn. Slutsky, piloting the underdog Merfolk deck won games two and three on the back of well timed copies of Hurkyl's Recall. The sideboard all-star managed to clear a path for victory in a tense game three, allowing the finned army to march through with the help of Spreading Seas

Congratulations Simon Slutsky, your Grand Prix Los Angeles Champion! For more information on the event check out the Wizards coverage.

Merfolk ? Modern | Simon Slutsky, Winner Grand Prix Los Angeles

• Creatures (27)
• 4 Cursecatcher
• 4 Silvergill Adept
• 4 Lord of Atlantis
• 4 Master of the Pearl Trident
• 1 Tidebinder Mage
• 1 Phantasmal Image
• 3 Merrow Reejerey
• 2 Kira, Great Glass-Spinner
• 4 Master of Waves

• Spells (13)
• 1 Vapor Snag
• 3 Dismember
• 4 Æther Vial
• 1 Relic of Progenitus
• 4 Spreading Seas

• Lands (20)
• 2 Cavern of Souls
• 4 Mutavault
• 1 Oboro, Palace in the Clouds
• 1 Wanderwine Hub
• 12 Island

• Sideboard (15)
• 1 Tidebinder Mage
• 2 Relic of Progenitus
• 4 Tectonic Edge
• 2 Spell Pierce
• 2 Gut Shot
• 4 Hurkyl's Recall

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Affinity ? Modern | Ethan Brown, Finalist Grand Prix Los Angeles

• Creatures (27)
• 4 Arcbound Ravager
• 4 Signal Pest
• 1 Master of Etherium
• 4 Vault Skirge
• 3 Steel Overseer
• 3 Memnite
• 4 Ornithopter
• 4 Etched Champion

• Spells (16)
• 4 Galvanic Blast
• 4 Cranial Plating
• 4 Mox Opal
• 4 Springleaf Drum

• Lands (17)
• 4 Darksteel Citadel
• 1 Mountain
• 4 Blinkmoth Nexus
• 4 Inkmoth Nexus
• 4 Glimmervoid

• Sideboard (15)
• 2 Spellskite
• 1 Grafdigger's Cage
• 1 Spell Pierce
• 1 Wear // Tear
• 1 Blood Moon
• 2 Whipflare
• 1 Dismember
• 2 Thoughtseize
• 2 Ancient Grudge
• 1 Ghirapur Æther Grid
• 1 Relic of Progenitus

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