The Goods: Kingmaker Week 3

Week 3 is here! Lets take a quick look at our KINGMAKER match-ups as we go over:

With week 2 behind us lets take a brief moment to remember the fallen. So please, a moment of silence for Sniper Shot, Moloid Burn, Secret Avengers, Crisis Doom, Hulk Smash, Xbox, Neutron Stall and Horsemen Stall...

While some eliminations were rightly so, others seemed to fall victim to improbably difficult matchups, twice in a row. Regardless, to those that have passed on, WE SALUTE YOU.


LOSERS BRACKET - ROUND 2
So this week we split our brackets to equalize our results. We will only be playing the 8 Loser bracket games this week, to allow the loser bracket to catch-up with the winners bracket. This means we will have 8 matches this week and 8 more matches next week. This also helps equalize content and gives me a much needed break from writing these out a SLEW incredibly time consuming reports, deck-lists and bat-reps. I don't care WHO you are: over 70 articles within a three week period deserves a light week. That said, So lets review the lists fighting to stay in the hunt, shall we? While the pilot pairings are still mostly balanced, you'll notice some pilots gravitating towards personal favorites and comfort picks as they apply.


Match 33: Spider-Stall(Lee) VS (Aaron)Ultimates
Spider-Stall has the tools it needs to put this one to bed. Between Lex on 5, Human Torch on 6, and a couple of potential Omnis, Stall may be the best equipped to run away in this match-up. If Ultimates can land a timely stun on a key character however, They are suddenly a clint away from turning the tide. A combo deck hidden in a curve designed to be as consistent as Curve Sentinels, the key will be controlling them right into the Koriand'r win condition.
- Favored to win: Spider-Stall

Match 34: Quickfate(Steph) VS (Mark)Highest Voltage
This one will go fast. With Highest Voltage's reliance on quicksilver to attack to compliment its substantial burn damage, my impression is that it will always be facing a stunback from a fated opposing quicksilver, limiting its effectiveness, and by extension, the value of its for-the-turn attack pumps. Quickfate on the other hand does 1 thing exceedingly well. Almost shockingly so. When any VS System deck hits this kind of consistency and speed few other things tend to matter. For me personally, Highest Voltage's lack of reinforcement from their mixed roster locks my pick to win.
- Favored to win: Quickfate

Match 35: Invisible tOUCH(JS) VS (Aaron)Fantastic Fun 2.0
Fantastic fun with an amazing draw can go off as early as turn 4. With a GOD draw, they can technically go off on 3. Short of that, I expect the ladies to get together and vote out the combo deck.
- Favored to win: Invisible tOUCH

Match 36: Just ONE(Mark) VS (Josh)Secret Society Control
Secret Society is fast becoming a bit of a fan favorite with its assumed bad match-ups turned into combo'd SUPERPUMPS. Riding some big swings to some surprising victories. It has a few things going for it in this match:
-Easy and consistent access to Chemo through Ivy.
-A searcher that only costs 2.
-Consistent recursion that does not rely on plot twists.
Watch out for Just ONE though. This is a deck it LOVES to be matched against. And Ivy is a perfect Reign target.
- Favored to win: Just ONE

Match 37: Migga City(Josh) VS (Mark)SHIELD Burn
After a heartbreaking loss to Both Guns, Migga City is out for revenge and wielded by the same Pilot. Finally able to prioritize an early game beatdown approach in one of its matchups.
SHIELD however is notorious for its ability to not need Wolverine to seal the deal. While this puts it as a favorite to win, I am unconvinced we've seen the last of Migga City and will not be surprised to see the upset here.
- Favored to win: SHIELD Burn

Match 38: Exiles(Lee) VS (Steph)Bosom Buddies
Well here we are.
MEV giant vs MEV giant.
Winner stays and loser hangs up their hat.
While both can win on turn 4, it is worth noting, that when Exiles combo out, they can easily put so many bodies into play that Bosom Buddies may never get those coveted face shots. With that said, on paper, with an ideal situation, Bosom Buddies can team attack over 17 times. That's 6 EXTRA face shots MORE than the most characters in play Exiles has ever ended the game with so far in this event. That is just BONKERS damage output.
Favored to win: Bosom Buddies

Match 39: Chess Press(Lee) VS (Steph)Captain Italy
Captain Italy is an inspired build. But the lack of reinforcement removal may be its end. On turn 5 we typically see Chess Press fielding 7 characters. that many reinforcement options may prove to be too much. Beyond that, lets not forget mitigating damage via a playset of cover fires.
Favored to win: Chess Press

Match 40: COMBEX(JS) VS (Aaron)Black Bamboo
the fact the COMBEX exists outside of the undefeated bracket speaks to the effectiveness of a fast win vs the combo build. Now we've already seen some supremely unlikely victories, so I'm not saying it is IMPOSSIBLE for Black Bamboo to pull out the win it needs... But with its simple engine components and the consistency of Checkmate's ability to set the table, Dinner may be served early. And tonights menu calls for steamed Bamboo, with a side of deep fried Black Bolts.
Favored to win: COMBEX

Agree with my thoughts this week?
Think I'm on crack with my logic?
Let me know either by replying to this post or in the 

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