The Goods: Kingmaker Week 5

After 5 weeks, we will have our top 8. And for that, things are going to be changing up a bit so be prepared! This week we will cover the 4 teams in the losers bracket to give us our top 8 finalists. please note, once the top 8 have been established, we will move to a single elimination, best of three format. This means that our top 4 in the undefeated bracket already qualify, while among the 8 teams in the losers bracket remain to be determined. Fear not! I'm going to give you...

To the Victors, go the Spoils

With their undefeated placements, the following 4 teams automatically qualify for the top 8. In order of Seed, they are:

TNNB - Should we truly be surprised here? The overall number 1 seed proves itself with elegant simplicity in concept and ball-busting aggression. A deck who's reputation preceeds it in most Golden Age styled formats. TNNB seeks to remind those below it that there is only one true king.

Anti-Matter Rush - While this variant has a focus on a multiswinging 3 drop, the premise remains the same: Gain tempo with AGL's and Xallarap. Use Chomin to keep them around and swing for the fences. Seems to have worked just fine this far.

Wolverine Direct - Should we really be surprised that 3 of the 4 undefeated teams look to end the game no later than turn 5? Wolverine Direct doesn't hide its purpose either. Its name is literally what it does, after all.

Rad Man - While the potential Plot Twist Lockdown on a stick seems great on paper, it is worth noting that it's the beefiness of the build alongside the utility of Iron Man that allowed this build to land itself here. Not the PT negation. Turn 8 Onslaughts being a thing probably didn't hurt it any either.

Fighting to join these 4 decks to complete our top 8 lets review our final 4 matches:

Match 49 - Randomizer(Lee) VS (Josh)Migga City
The multi-swinging Randomizer seems to enjoy the idea of using it's veritable pumps to force multiple power-up situations that might fatigue the hand capacity of the popular Migga, But a focus on recursion resources with Ivy will go far to mitigate this. And of course... Avalon is still a thing. If Randomizer can't pull it out on turn 3-4 I remain doubtful it can win at all. Mad Hatter robbing essential low drops won't make things any easier either.
Favored to Win: Migga City


Match 50 - Doomsday's Boomday(Aaron) VS (Steph)Captain Italy
With Doomsday's unorthidox stall, Captain Italy gets to do basically do exactly what it wants. And while Initiative Matters, it is access to effect removal like Spider-Man, secret avenger that might actually prove most useful. Needing to wait until turn 5 for it isn't going to do Doomsday much to stem a possible turn 5 win.
Favored to Win: Captain Italy


Match 51 - Both Guns Blazing(JS) VS (Aaron)Spider-Stall
Historically, Both Guns eats Spider-Stall for breakfast. That said, This isn't your momma's Spider-Stall. Loads of access to target denial, with potential to go FAR above curve, This spider-Stall doesn't want the late game. It just wants control and counter-swings. Ironically, that is also exactly what Both Guns wants. If guns gets its early access to the Alfred engine, The sheer access to answers may become too much to overcome. Then again, a turn 5 Lex may be all it takes to secure the spider-men a trip to the top 8. I am unsure if any other matchup to date is a closer call. What's More, JS and I opted to trade our traditional picks playing this Matchup. And to me, it is the access to Plot Twist lockdown that has me leaning towards....
Favored to Win: Spider-Stall


Match 52 - Sentinels 2.0(JS) VS (Mark)Fantastic Fun 2.0
Two resurrected lists. Only one can advance. Thus far RNGesus has been kind to both builds but it is the access to micro sentinels and Political pressure that yet again, have me wanting to favor the angry robots, but as a disclaimer, this one is going to go to the one RNGesus loves more. So i'm gonna leave this one 50-50.
Favored to Win: Sentinels 2.0 (?)

As usual if you disagree with me, let me know!
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