The Magic: The Gathering world lost one of its greatest players with the passing of Kai Budde. Known as “The German Juggernaut,” Kai lived up to the nickname through his stunning record as a competitive Magic player. With five Pro Tour titles, two Team Pro Tour titles, seven Grand Prix wins, an incredible string of Top 8 appearances, a Magic World Championship win in 1999, a Team World Championship win in 2002, a Team Masters Series title in 2002, recognition as Player of the Year an unprecedented four times, and induction into the Pro Tour Hall of Fame in 2007, Kai’s unrivaled accomplishments left a monumental mark on Magic that has inspired countless players.
One of the first decks I ever played competitively was an artifact/red deck during Urza’s block constructed that I had seen from him. He of course won the 1999 WC with a better busted version of it too, which I also built for casual play. I loved that deck and still do, some of the most fun I ever had was ramping into Wildfires and Temporal Apertures! I will always think of him when I think of those days.
I didn’t realize just how much he was the GOAT too. 5 Pro Tour titles and 2 World Championships. Absolutely amazing career and a truly amazing guy.
My friend and I used to play the shit out of those world championship decks, Wildfire especially. Really been thinking about building the deck in Premodern.
I accompanied my friend to a random LGS in Germany sometime last year. In there, the owner told me it was the LGS Kai Budde frequents and usually played in all the prereleases at. He also showed me his signature on a poster on the wall (“If you’re actually as into MTG as your friend claims, you should recognize this signature.” is how the conversation started. I did.) That’s also where I learned of his battle with cancer and that the prognosis was dire. Despite not really being very enfranchised in MTG over the last few years, I’ve thought back to that interaction and to Kai Budde quite a few times since then.
I’m not entirely sure where I was going with that. Just sharing what popped into my mind.
Damn, sad to hear. Everything anyone’s ever said about the guy has been nothing but compliments, and to be taken so young… Fuck cancer.
Truly GOAT. Fuck cancer.
Rest in peace to an absolutely amazing player and person.
