Interview with Junior Magic Prodigy Noah Walker

 Pimpin Aint Easy…

As covered before on our site, Noah Walker is poised to become the most terrifyingly power MTG player in the realm. Much like the NBA pros feared a young Lebron James’ entrance into the league, the Magic players at the top should be keeping a wary eye on this fourteen year old phenom, who following his incredible string of impressive tournament  finishes, is now ranked in the top 200 players in the world. In 2010 alone he has Top8′d three PTQs, National Qualifiers, States, two 1K’s, and a 5K, while his own twist on Naya, featuring the Eldrazi Conscription combo, has seen play across the globe, even taking home the Slovakian Nationals. Our own Roberto Castro caught up with this  junior Superstar for an exclusive interview.

Roberto:

Welcome Noah!  This is DraftMagic.com’s second chance to speak to you.  How do you feel that Magic players all over New England respect a 14-year old as their rival and top competitor?

Noah:

My friends and new people I meet notice how well I play and I like the respect that comes from it.  It’s good to know people are trying to dodge me as they climb through the standings.

Roberto:

Last Saturday your top8 finish at PTQ-Concord popped you into the top 200 in ratings worldwide. What do you think about that?

Noah:

I think it was awesome to have a rating that high; definitely the best of my age and it’s a real self-esteem boost to know I’m that high rated. It makes me want to try to perform better in events, because when I do well I feel good about my Magic playing ability.

Roberto:

I think it’s ridiculous… I still beat you.

Noah:

No.  No you don’t *laughs* (Yes I do – Roberto)(No you don’t Roberto – Roberto’s Editor)

Roberto:

What’s your rating now?

Noah:

Constructed 1939

Limited 1840

Total 1976

I was total 2025 going into the weekend. I wish that I didn’t lose 49 total rating points at the PTQs from going 7-2 then 2-2.  But that happens when you have such a high rating.

Roberto:

Rumor has it that you bring several different decks to tournament sites and metagame from there.  Is this true?

Noah:

Most of the time, when I’m not set on a certain deck to bring to an event, I bring a few choices and check out what other decks there are.  I decide how well I would do with my original choice and if I doubt it at all I switch to a deck that has better matchups versus the field.

Roberto:

How do you afford such an extensive collection?

Noah:

I have most of the cards I need for the decks I build, but with the help of all my friends at the local store I play at; X9 Games; they all help find any cards that I am missing.

Roberto:

I’m sure your winnings amped your collection too.

Noah:

Yes. My winnings have helped because when I win packs I draft with them. [[By redrafting]] I win cards that I need for all of the decks that I plan on trying to build.

Roberto:

How do you get ready for a tournament?

Noah:

To prepare for a tournament I playtest against all of the decks that I think are the top decks in the format.  I make changes to my deck according to what I feel are the decks worst matchups.

Roberto:

Got any brews cooking recently?  What’s your next big Magic event?

Noah:

The next big magic event that I’m going to play in is GP Columbus. The deck that I’ve been working on is a UWG Countertop deck with Natural Order to fetch out Progenitus. I’m fairly confident that I’ll perform well even though I don’t know the Legacy format that well.

Roberto:

Columbus is a long way.  Do you get to travel like this a lot?  How do you get to these events?

Noah:

Columbus is the farthest that I’ve traveled but I travel 2-5 hour distances a lot to play in PTQs and the like. I get there by the help of my friends because I’m too young to drive. I’m so glad that I know so many people willing to drive me to these events.

Roberto:

Do you only play constructed?

Noah:

No, as I said I play draft very often because I enjoy it a lot.  I’ve also played in lots of sealed events and have Top8′d one sealed PTQ.

Roberto:

What’s your favorite draft archetype in M11 draft?

Noah:

I think that my favorite draft archetype thus far is GXx because I pick all of the green ramp and fixer spells and then splash two other colors for removal and good guys.  I think it’s very powerful having nice removal to go along with your big guys and ramp.

Roberto:

Are there formats where you force a particular deck?  I won’t count the times you sat on my right and tried to de-draft me out of UW Merfolk in LLM…

Noah:

Well… in Zendikar block, my favorite archetype was probably WG because it was pretty good.  I like having some removal in white and big creatures in green.  Most of the people that I would draft with in that format didn’t really like Green as a color so I would just pick up all of the good green cards.

Roberto:

What cards were you especially fond of that would trigger the jump?

Noah:

I really liked Baloth Cage Trap and Timbermaw Larva and Kor Hookmaster.

Roberto:

If DraftMagic.com decides to sponsor you when you finally reach the Pro Tour, will you let the world know about the best draft website?

Noah:

Hell yeah boi!

Roberto:

Awesome!  Well Noah, thanks for your time!  It’s been a pleasure and I know people love reading about a young Magic prodigy.  Any thoughts you want to leave with us?

Noah:

Nah… I’m good *laughs* Wish me luck every body!

Good luck Noah! You can follow his progress at Legacy Grand Prix Columbus this weekend, and if all goes well there you’ll be seeing him on the pro tour next! Keep it up kid, we’ll buy you a DraftMagic.com shirt eventually…