The Postgame report: Week 6 - Top 8 Bracket

Gods Bleed!
A turn 4 Win!
 A rush pushed back, to turn ... SEVEN?!
All this and more on this weeks...

 

 

 

(For the nitty gritty, check out the bat-reps by clicking on the  match titles! You will also see them on the right with the blog history. But for fast information on winnders and losers... read on!)

 

Match 1 - BroStat-X  -VS-  IMMORTALS

With 2 new Brotherhoods out by turn 3, There really wasn't much IMMORTALS could do, but at least we all learned something with our event's first ruling interruption! While it is true that IMMORTALS manage to win the roll, they decisively lose this one, with BroStat-X doubling the spread and ending it on turn 4.

BroStat-X  ELIMINATE  IMMORTALS
37  to  -3

Match 2: Dark Magic  -VS-  Gods Matter

Dark Magic? More like Dark Cockroaches. The went to -3 then 2 turns later they are ending the game at 14. A very taxing use of Conclaves in this one keep Slipstream off the table and far less relevant that he is accustomed to being in a solid display of control.  Dark magic wins the roll, wins the game, beats the spread, and takes their candy.

Dark Magic  ELIMINATE  Gods Matter

14  to  -18

Match 3: WEE  -VS-  The MorMans are Coming!

In what turned out to be a slugfest gone late game, two teams uniquely unable to fare well, in a late game matchup found themselves going to turn 7, with WEE finally squeaking out a win to advance.
WEE wins the roll and beats the spread.

WEE  ELIMINATE  The MorMans are Coming!

0  to  -8

Match 4: Foul-Mouthed Dark God  -VS-  Devourer of Speed

FMDG knew the simplest way to stop the turn 6 insanity, was to focus draws and hope to land 2 Mystical Paralysis by 6. it didn't happen. But not one, not two, but THREE Anti-Life's managed to find themselves into play by turn 5 forcing a substantial deficit going into 6.
Considering Devourer misses the surfboard entirely, it's actually a surprise they managed to fish what they needed to push it through. While Devourer wins the Roll, and the game, Foul-Mouthed Dark God beats the spread.

Foul-Mouthed Dark God  ELIMINATED BY  Devourer of Speed

-16  to  3

CHECK OUT THE TOP 8 BRACKET

Top 8: Match 1 - BroStat-X -VS- IMMORTALS

BroStat-X
Pilot - JS

-VS-

IMMORTALS
Pilot - Mark

IMMORTALS win the roll and elect to take odds.

Mulligan



        TURN 1 (Mark Initiative)

    DRAW PHASE
(Both Players draw 2 cards)

    BUILD PHASE
Mark sets a resource and passes.

JS sets a resource and recruits Doop, forward observer in the hidden area, then passes.

    COMBAT PHASE
Mark passes combat.

JS sends Doop direct for 1, triggering his effect to deal an additional damage.

Both players pass.

    RECOVERY PHASE


    BroStat-X -> 50    IMMORTALS -> 48

 

       TURN 2 (JS Initiative)

    DRAW PHASE
(Both Players draw 2 cards)

    BUILD PHASE
JS sets a resource and recruits Kleinstock Brothers and Barnacle adjacent in the front row and passes.

Mark sets a resource and recruits Havok. passing.

    COMBAT PHASE
at the start of combat, Havok exhausts from his effect.

JS sends Barnacle and Doop into Havok with a team attack.
Mark passes stunning back Doop.
JS continues with Kleinstock Bros direct for 1. he plays Planetx X from the row, replacing itself for +2 ATK, then, hits a second one, once more using it for +2 ATK, and flips up a New Brotherhood, for yet another +2. Not done yet, he plays Glory Hound from the row, replacing it before he FINALLY passes.
    "You must know, how bullshit that was."
    "I've actually seen worse."

    RECOVERY PHASE
JS recovers Doop.
Mark recovers Havok.

   
BroStat-X -> 49    IMMORTALS -> 39

        TURN 3 (Mark Initiative)

    DRAW PHASE
(Both Players draw 2 cards)

    BUILD PHASE
Mark sets a resource and recruits Dr. Sivana, forming it behind Havok before passing.

JS sets a resource, reveals and recruits Senyaka from the row, replacing the resource with a card in hand.
    "Burn for 2."
    "I don't think it works like that. Since recruiting happens before it enters play. Recruiting is paying         relevant costs to play, isn't it?"
After some rules digging, The Summer of Love 2, team is proud to present:

*******THE RULES INTERMISSION*******
After a fierce debate on rule 301.5 and the surrounding area define the process of recruiting a character,, the entire debate was put to bed with the definition of recruit in the CRD Glossary:
Recruit
To recruit a character or equipment means to announce it, put it on the chain, and pay its costs.

**************

Because of this, Senyaka actually does not deal damage from recruiting itself.

JS forms Senyaka behind Barnacle, leaving Kleinstock Bros, adjacent to barnacle as well and passes.

    COMBAT PHASE
Mark sends Havok into Barnacle. Havok can't be stunned, Senyaka reinforces, and both players pass into a barnacle stun. Then Dr. Sivana swings into Kleinstock bros for a one-sided stun and he passes.

JS passes.

    RECOVERY PHASE
JS recovers barnacle, KOing Kleinstock Bros.

    BroStat-X -> 44    IMMORTALS ->  39

        TURN 4 (JS Initiative)

    DRAW PHASE
(Both Players draw 2 cards)

    BUILD PHASE
JS sets a nd flips glory hound, replacing it. he then reveals a rowed, senyaka, and a rowed Spoor, to alt recruit Amelia into the front row adjacent to Amelia.
He then Reservist recruits Spoor on Barnacle's other side in the front row, dealing 2 endurance loss to Mark as he does so, before passing

Mark sets a resource, and recruits Dark Beast, protecting Dr. Sivana, then passes.

    COMBAT PHASE
At the start of combat, Havok exhausts.

JS flips up a second new Brotherhood.
He then declares Barnacle with his whopping 8 ATK into Dark beast and tentatively passes.
Mark uses Dark Beast's effect (discarding Havok) to place a +1/+1 counter on it, and powers up to 9, aiming to brick.
JS plays The Next brotherhood from his hand, shooting barnacle to 10ATK.
Mark powers up again to 10, then flips and activates Remote Facility (discarding Black Manta) to power up again at for 11.
JS plays Air Strike from the row, replacing the rowed Senyaka, for 12 atk.
    "Touche."
    "Indeed."
Mark reinforces with Senyaka.
Both pass, JS then declares Amelia into Sivana, at a hefty 8/3 for a mutual, with the breakthrough triggering Doop.
He continues with Spoor into Havok, but after some thought Opts to skip on his effect leaving him at 13 for an easy stun. and another doop trigger.
Senyaka declares a direct swing but Mark plays Code White on Sivana, recovering it. So instead Senyaka swings into the Doc at 11 ATK for a mutual stun.
Doop triggers again.
Then doop declares a swing direct.|
Not legal, mark Plays another Code White, recovering Sivana. Leaving his hand completely empty.
Doop swings over Sivana with 7 ATK.

Doops effect procs one last time on the mutual trade.

    RECOVERY PHASE

The game is over, BroStat-X wins!

BroStat-X  DEFEAT  IMMORTALS
37  to  -3

Postgame Thoughts:

JS:
Planet X into PLanet X into New Brotherhood.
Dreams really DO come true!
And Doop did like 10 damage! go Doop!

Mark:
I suspected this one wold be difficult. and when i had a decent curve and two code whites on 3, i was even feeling a bit cocky. But wow was that a crazy turn 4!
Avenge me!

Top 8: Match 2 - Dark Magic -VS- Gods Matter

Dark Magic
Pilot - Aaron

-VS-

Gods Matter
Pilot - Darius

Dark Magic (Aaron) wins the roll and elects to take odds.

Both Players Mulligan.



        TURN 1 (Aaron Initiative)


    DRAW PHASE
(Both Players draw 2 cards)

    BUILD PHASE
Aaron starts things off setting a resource and passing.
Darius does the same.

    COMBAT PHASE
Both players pass.

    RECOVERY PHASE

    Dark Magic  -> 50     Gods Matter -> 50

        TURN 2 (Darius Initiative)

    DRAW PHASE
(Both Players draw 2 cards)

    BUILD PHASE
Darius sets a resource, and recruits an AGL (Anti Green Lantern), he then flips The Exchange, (discarding another AGL) to fetch Chomin, recruiting it and forming it in the hidden area protected by the AGL before passing.

Aaron sets a resource and recruits Blue Devil, Dan Cassidy, its effect triggers and he loses 4 endurance. He then passes.

    COMBAT PHASE
Darius sends the AGL into Blue Devil, passing once the attack is legal.
Aaron flips Total Anarchy, with a smirk.
    "Dipshit."
    "Yep."
Aaron then plays Wake the Devil from his hand, looking at the top 3 cards of his deck, placing 2 cards on the bottom and drawing a card before passing.

Darius considers for a time and passes as well.
With mutual stuns, both characters are KO'd by Total Anarchy. Aaron takes 2 breakthrough.
Blue devil triggers, Aaron gains 6.

Darius then swings direct with Chomin for 2 and both players pass to recovery.

    RECOVERY PHASE
Darius readies Chomin.

    Dark Magic  -> 46     Gods Matter -> 49

 

        TURN 3 (Aaron Initiative)

    DRAW PHASE
(Both Players draw 2 cards)

    BUILD PHASE
Aaron sets and flips Wake the Devil, once more checking his top 3, he places 2 cards on the bottom of his deck and draws a card. He then recruits Zatanna. then passes build.
    "I hate to wiff Ilsa, but here we are."
    "I hate Total Anarchy, but here we are." Darius retorts.

Darius sets a resource and Flips Royal Decree, drawing a card. He then plays The Exchange from his row.
"1 second there."
Aaron chains The Conclave from his hand, negating The exchange and losing 4 Endurance.
"Ouch. At least I don't discard now, either."
Darius instead recruits Xallarap protecting Chomin in the hidden area (Revealing an AGL) and passes.

    COMBAT PHASE
Aaron swings direct with Zatanna for 4 and passes.

Darius sends Xallarap into Zatanna for a one-sided stun as she is KO'd to anarchy. then continues direct with Chomin for 2 before activating Chomin's effect to stun it, dealing 3 damage to Aaron and KOing it to anarchy. He then passes.

    RECOVERY PHASE
Darius Readies Chomin

    Dark Magic  -> 30     Gods Matter -> 42

 

        TURN 4 (Darius Initiative)

    DRAW PHASE
(Both Players draw 2 cards)

    BUILD PHASE
Darius sets a resource and recruits another Xallarap protecting Chomin before following it up with an AGL. He then plays a rowed the ring has chosen, and waits expectantly.
    "Nope go right ahead, no negates this time."
Darius fishes out a Slipstream and discards a Blood Feud to The ring has chosen before passing.

Aaron sets a resource and recruits Grigori Rasputin into his front row, then passes.

    COMBAT PHASE
Darius sends Xallarap into Grigori, Both players pass and Grigori stuns. Darius continues with AGL and Chomin direct before using chomin to stun Xallarap to deal 3 more.

Aaron Passes.

    RECOVERY PHASE
AGL KOs, Chomin readies.
Aaron recovers and readies Grigori.

    Dark Magic  -> 15     Gods Matter -> 39

        TURN 5 (Aaron Initiative)

    DRAW PHASE
(Both Players draw 2 cards)

    BUILD PHASE
Aaron sets a resource and alt-recruits night master by paying 3 endurance, he then flips up New and Improved, KO-ing Nightmaster, before playing a rowed Mobilize (Discarding Witchfire) to fetch Nightmaster, demon slayer from his deck and recruits it into his front row, adjacent to Grigori. Thanks to New and Improved it gains 2 +1/+1 counters. Aaron then plays Wake the Devil from his hand, placing all 3 on the bottom and drawing a card.
"Welp, THAT just happened."
Aaron passes build.

Darius sets a resource and recruits slipstream protecting Chomin in the hidden area and then passes to combat.

    COMBAT PHASE
Aaron swings direct with everything and tosses in two savage beatdowns for 28 endurance loss, then passes.

Darius declares an attack with Slipstream into Grigori, once legal he plays Thunderous Onslaught.
Aaron laughs. "About that..."
    "You didn't!"
    "I did."
Aaron pays 4 endurance to negate Thunderous Onslaught with The Conclave.

Darius goes into the tank. counts up endurance totals and plays flying kick on Slipstream leaving it at 9 atk.
Aaron KO's Grogori to new and improved, and Slipstream readies.
Darius ponders for a bit and then declares slipstream and chomin into the 11/11 Nightmaster, once legal, he plays mega-blast on chomin. for 15 total ATK.

Aaron ponders for a bit then plays Abjuration from the row. paying 5 endurance for +3 DEF and passes.
"Uh, thats not enough though."
"Yeah i know."
Both players pass into mutual stuns for slipstream and Nightmaster. Slipstream is KO'd to Anarchy.

    RECOVERY PHASE
At the Start of recovery, Abjuration triggers, and Aaron gains 5 endurance
Aaron recovers and readies Night Master.

Darius readies Chomin.

    Dark Magic  -> 3     Gods Matter -> 8 

 

        TURN 6 (Darius Initiative)

    DRAW PHASE
(Both Players draw 2 cards)

    BUILD PHASE
Darius sets a resource and recruits Slipstream protecting Chomin, and an AGL. then passes.

Aaron sets a resource, and recruits Blue Devil, protected by Nightmaster, losing 4 endurance.
he then uses Night Master's effect, paying 1 resource point to gain 5 endurance, before passing.

    COMBAT PHASE
Darius declares Slipstream and Chomin into the 11/11 Nightmaster. Once legal, playing thunderous onslaught on slipstream, and moving it to the visible support row. he then pays 3 endurance to ready it and plays a megablast onto slipstream for a total of 12 ATK.
Aaron passes and stuns back Chomin. It KO's from total Anarchy.
Darius continues with another team swing into Blue Devil for an easy stun. Blue Devil trades with Slipstream and Slipstream is KO'd, both players pass.

    RECOVERY PHASE
At the start of the recovery Phase, Abjuration triggers, and Aaron Chains New and Improved, to KO Blue Devil, triggering his effect to gain 8 endurance. the chain resolves and he then recovers and readies Nightmaster.

Darius' AGL KOs from its effect.
    Dark Magic  -> 7     Gods Matter -> 1



        TURN 7 (Aaron Initiative)

    DRAW PHASE
(Both Players draw 2 cards)

    BUILD PHASE
Aaron sets a resource and recruits Blue Devil (2 cost) losing 4 endurance, and then recruits Zatanna (3) both in his support row. he then uses Nightmaster's effect to Gain 5 endurance. and passes build.

Darius laughs as he wiffed any playable characters and passes, flashing a blood feud and a crackshot as theonly cards in his hand.

    COMBAT PHASE
Aaron swings direct with everything, for 19 damage, then KOs Blue Devil to gain 6 endurance, before passing combat.

Darius passes. Offering the virtual handshake.

    RECOVERY PHASE
Abjuration triggers but fails to gain endurance, as Aaron is above 10 endurance.

    Dark Magic  DEFEATS   Gods Matter
                           14  to  -18

Postgame Thoughts:

Aaron: When I failed to interrupt his turn 3 recruit with the Conclave, I was thinking, crap it's over i just took 4 endurance that should have been a thunderous onslaught negate instead. But the usual bonkers lifegain tricks this deck brings did the work for me. the early abjuration really paid off as it ended up being a +5 endurance net gain when i realized we were going to go into 6.

Darius: Missing slipstream on 3 really blew open the game, Not sure Aaron noticed it at the time, but i actually said "It's over" when he did that. the second one into the thunderous onslaught was backbreaking. all mid game I was just hoping to rip a Moonrider but i guess he was too busy to take my call.

Top 8: Match 3 - WEE -VS- The MorMans are Coming!

WEE
Pilot - Aaron

-VS-

The MorMans are Coming!
Pilot - Wes

WEE wins the roll and takes odds.

Both players Keep.


        TURN 1 (Aaron Initiative)

    DRAW PHASE
(Both Players draw 2 cards)

    BUILD PHASE
Aaron sets a resource and recruits Crippler in his support row before passing.

Wes sets a resource and recruits Electric Eve, evading her adn then recruiting Tommy protecting her and passes.

    COMBAT PHASE
Aaron declares Crippler into Tommy, Once legal, he flips up Prison Planet and passes.
Wes considers for a while and passes for the mutual stun.

    RECOVERY PHASE
Electric Eve recovers, dealing 1 endurance damage to Aaron.

Aaron recovers Crippler.
Wes recovers Tommy.

    WEE -> 49    The MorMans are Coming! ->  45

 

       TURN 2 (Wes Initiative)

    DRAW PHASE
(Both Players draw 2 cards)

    BUILD PHASE
Wes sets a resource and recruits Leech forming him adjacent to tommy in the front row and protecting electric eve.

Aaron sets a resource and recruits Fatality, equipping her with capture net and forming her behind Crippler, he then passes to combat.

    COMBAT PHASE
Wes flips up and activates the Alley, then declares Tommy into Crippler crippler pays 2 ATK tom prevent tommy from readying and both players pass to a mutual stun. continuing he declares an Electric Eve swing into Fatality.
Once legal, Aaron flips up a rowed Bounty Hunt, and activates capture net, returning Tommy to Wes' hand, this places 2 bounty tokens on the hunt and he immediately cashes them in to draw 2.
both players pass into mutual stuns.
Leech swings direct.
Both players pass to recovery.

    RECOVERY PHASE
Wes recovers Electric Eve, dealing 1.
the alley deals 1.
Aaron KOs Crippler and recovers Fatality.



    WEE -> 43    The MorMans are Coming! -> 43

        TURN 3 (Aaron Initiative)

    DRAW PHASE
(Both Players draw 2 cards)

    BUILD PHASE
Aaron sets a resource and  recruits Battlestar, protecting Fatality. then passes.

Wes sets and flips Plans Within Plans, and recruits Manhunter Clone. immediately evading it to mill a card from Aaron (hitting The Shark) before recruiting tommy again for free. he activates the Alley and passes.

    "Ouch."
    "Yeah. Underdrop."

    COMBAT PHASE
Aaron sends the 7/5 Battlestar into Tommy. Wes evades.
Aaron then opts Fatality into Electric Eve, Wes considers for a while before saying, Legal. Aaron flips up Stryker's Island and activates it for +3 (prison planet =1, Bounty hunt = 2, strykers = 3)
Wes evades Electric Eve.
Aaron thinks for a while and activates fatality's Capture Net on electric Eve. netting 2 bounty counters again, immediately spent to draw 2 cards.
    "It's so nice the Alley only prevents KOs. I'm paranoid about that last stand this deck runs."
Aaron then sends Battlestar into Leech, Both pass and leech stuns.

Both Players pass to recovery.

    RECOVERY PHASE
Wes auto-recovers Tommy and Manhunter Clone, burning 2 endurance.
Plans within Plans sends Bloodhound to wes' KO pile.
Wes recovers Leech.

    WEE -> 41    The MorMans are Coming! ->  33

        TURN 4 (Wes Initiative)

    DRAW PHASE
(Both Players draw 2 cards)

    BUILD PHASE
Wes sets a resource, and exhausts Manhunter Clone for Plans Within Plans, replacing it and snagging Bloodhound from his KO pile, he then plays it (discarding Electric Eve) to fetch Storm, recruiting her in the front row surrounded by Tommy, Leech and Manhunter Clone.
Wes passes turn.

Aaron sets a resource and then plays a Mobilize from his hand (discarding Chen) to fetch GoldFace, (discarding a Battlestar and a Fatality for his additional recruit cost)
The massive 4 drop forms protecting fatality, while a second Capture net is equipped on Battlestar.
Aaron Passes.

    COMBAT PHASE
Wes ponders the point of the Alley in this match-up before activating it anyway.
    "Just in case I guess."
Wes then goes into the tank for a while before declaring Storm and Tommy into Goldface, and both pass to mutual stuns.
Once resolved, Aaron activates Fatalities Capture Net on Storm.
Wes chains Manhunter Clone to evade (Milling Aaron's Blind-Sided)  and then chains a Rebellion on Oa, exhausting Leech.
Aaron Chains Battlestar's Capture Net targetting Manhunter Clone.
realizing rebellion on Oa requires more stunned characters than the opponent to work, Wes evades Tommy and Leech.
    "Problem with Leech is he doesn't negate anything at all. Just prevents."
    "And I can't justify using fatality to save him yet."
Both players pass.
Manhunter clone goes back to Wes' hand.
Add 2 bount tokens.
Goldface KOs.
Storm goes back to Wes' hand.
add 2 Bounty tokens.

Aaron cashes in all 4 tokens to draw 2 cards, twice. and both players pass to recovery.


    RECOVERY PHASE
Tommy and Leech auto-recover.
The Alley burns for 2.

    WEE -> 35   The MorMans are Coming! -> 25

 

        TURN 5 (Aaron Initiative)

    DRAW PHASE
(Both Players draw 2 cards)

    BUILD PHASE
Aaron sets a resource and plays Mobilize from the hand (discarding bounty hunt) fetching Major Force and recruiting it into the front row protecting Fatality before passing.

Wes sets a resource and activates The Alley.
"Time for drastic Measures."
Wes recruits healer a Manhunter Clone and an electric Eve. forming the clone protected behind Healer, and Eve protected behind leech with Tommy adjacent to Healer and passes.

    COMBAT PHASE
Aaron Declares Major Force into healer. Passing once legal.
Wes evades Tommy. Aaron doesnt respond.
Wes evades electric Eve. Aaron responds with Fatalitie's Capture Net
Wes responds with Manhunter Clone reinforcing Healer and evading (Milling Aaron's Chen) and then plays Last Stand on healer from the row. granting +10 Def for the turn.
Aaron activates Stryker's Island for+3 bringing the 5 drop to 14/9 and flips up a rowed Empire of Tears, KOing the spent Stryker's Island and Bounty Hunt as an additional cost to flip.
The loss of resources grants Major force a +2/+2 pump for 16/11.
Wes laments Battlestar preventing bonus last stand duplicates, and instead opts for Shrapnel Blast.
Aaron promptly Chains Empire of Tears on Major Force and pops the spent Empire of Tears for Fatality's effect. Negating the Shrapnel Blast Leaving Major Force at 19/14.
Chain resolves, capture net resolves,
Healer stuns.

battlestar declares an attackinto Leech.
Wes evades it.
Battlestar swings direct for 7.

    RECOVERY PHASE
Tommy, Leech, and Manhunter Clone Auto-recover
Wes recovers Healer,
The alley burns Aaron for 4.

    WEE -> 31    The MorMans are Coming! -> 12

        TURN 6 (Wes Initiative)

    DRAW PHASE
(Both Players draw 2 cards)

    BUILD PHASE
Wes sets a resource, activates the Alley, and recruits Electric Ever behind Tommy, and Marrow behind Leech before passing.

Aaron sets a resource (now at 3) and recruits Sinestro, corrupted by the ring for 3 since his opponent has 6 recources. He then equips major force with a Capture net and passes.

    COMBAT PHASE
Wes Team swings everything but Marrow into Sinestro with 10 Atk. Both players pass and Sinestro trades stuns with Healer. Leach evades and wes uses his triggered effect (discarding Tar baby) to target Fatality who immediately chains capture net on Leech.
Leech returns to hand and Fatality's payment effects get locked.

Wes declares Marrow into Battlestar, once legal, evading Tommy, Eve, and Clone (milling Aaron's Empire of tears) and activates Bum rush from the row.
Aaron chains Battlestar's Capture net on Electric eve spinning her back to hand and bum's rush resolves at +4/+4 on the 12/11 marrow for  16 Atk.
Aaron is forced to pass and take a massive hit.
With nothing else to play, Wes Passes.

Aaron Surveys the scene, a 12/11 Marrow and 3 stunned characters. VS his 13/11 Major force.
    "I may regret this but i think you have the last stand."
Aaron activates Major Force's Capture Net, returning healer to Wes' hand.
Pass to recovery.

    RECOVERY PHASE
Tommy and Clone auto-recover
The alley burns Aaron for 2

Aaron KO's Battlestar, and recovers Sinestro.

    WEE -> 10    The MorMans are Coming! -> 4

 

        TURN 7 (Aaron Initiative)

    DRAW PHASE
(Both Players draw 2 cards)

    BUILD PHASE
Aaron sets a resource, and recruits Silver Sable, protected by Sinestro, then passes.

Wes sets a resource, and recruits Healer, Manhunter Clone, Leech, and Electric Eve forming Eve, Clone, Clone and Marrow in the support row, and Tommy healer, Leech in the front row with Marrow unprotected.
he activates the alley and passes.

    COMBAT PHASE
Aaron declares Silver Sable into Healer.
Wes evades Leech, (discarding Caliban) to target Fatality, and reinforces with manhunter clone.
Aaron doesnt respond. Fatality's payment effects are negated.
healer stuns and is returned to hand by Silver Sable's effect

Aaron sends Sinestro into electric eve, Baiting the evade, as unreinforced sinestro will hit at 14.
Electric Eve evades of course, tehn sinestro does teh same with tommy. who also follows suite and evades.Same with manhunter clone, 1 at a time. (milling Golface and Man-Eater)
    "How big is she?"
    "15/14."
Aaron does some path and flips up Empire of tears from the row, (as an additional cost to flip electing to KO Prison Planet and a strykers island)

Aaron declares a team swing into Marrow with Sinestro, Major Force and Fatality.
    "Oh yah that'll do it." Wes plays Last stand but it wont be enough compared to the team swing.
Aaron activates Empire of tears to give Major force +2/+2 and then flips up a second empire of tears, KOing the prior Empire and itself as an additional cost leaving the resource row empty and Major Force at 16/16, Sinestro at 13/9 and fatality at 3/2.

Marrow stuns back Sinestro and both players pass to recovery.


    RECOVERY PHASE
Eve, Tommy, both Manhunter Clones and Leech auto-recover, proccing the Alley for 5 burn.

WEE  DEFEATS  The MorMans are Coming!
0 to -8

Postgame Thoughts:

Aaron:
A few misplays when I should have stayed on board control cost me a solid win. But to say Capture net was MVP is still a gross understatement.

Wes:
The Alley shows up on 2.
Go figure it was mostly just for show.
Oh yeah except it dealt 16 damage. haha.

Top 8: Match 4 - Foul Mouthed Dark God -VS- Devourer of Speed

Foul-Mouthed Dark God
Pilot - Mark

-VS-

Devourer of Speed
Pilot - Darius

Devourer of Speed wins the roll, electing to take evens.

Mark keeps.
Darius Mulligans.

        TURN 1 (Mark Initiative)

    DRAW PHASE
(Both Players draw 2 cards)

    BUILD PHASE
Mark sets a resource and passes.

Darius sets a resource and also passes.

    COMBAT PHASE
Both pass.

    RECOVERY PHASE


    Foul-Mouthed Dark God -> 50    Devourer of Speed -> 50

 

       TURN 2 (Darius Initiative)

    DRAW PHASE
(Both Players draw 2 cards)

    BUILD PHASE
Darius sets a resource and recruits Silver Surfer (2) into his visible support row. immediately activating it (fetching Alias Investigations) placing the card on the top of his deck. He then passes his build.

Mark sets a resource, nd passes.

    COMBAT PHASE
Both players pass.

    RECOVERY PHASE


    Foul-Mouthed Dark God -> 50    Devourer of Speed -> 50

        TURN 3 (Mark Initiative)

    DRAW PHASE
(Both Players draw 2 cards)

    BUILD PHASE
Mark sets a resource and recruits Elsa Bloodstone in his support row before passing.

Darius sets a resource, and recruits Air-Walker protecting Silver Surfer and passes.

    COMBAT PHASE
Elsa triggers, Mark Calls Darius a generally bad person and Darius loses 2 endurance.
Darius responds with Air-Walker's effect, forcing mark to exhaust his only possible attacker.
Mark Passes.

Darius activates silver surfer (fetching Full Throttle) and places it on top of his deck. then passes.

    RECOVERY PHASE
all characters ready.

    Foul-Mouthed Dark God ->  50   Devourer of Speed -> 48

        TURN 4 (Darius Initiative)

    DRAW PHASE
(Both Players draw 2 cards)

    BUILD PHASE
Darius sets a resource and recruits Morg, corrupt destroyer adjacent to the protected Silver Surfer. he activates the Surfer (fetching a Beatdown) and sets his top card. He then flips and activates Alias Inverstigations, calling Plot Twist, and rallies the Beatdown to his hand.
Continuing, he flips up Elemental Converters (discarding a Wally West 5-drop) and activates it to draw a card.
Apparently satisfied, he passes.

Mark sets a resource and recruits The Captain protecting Elsa.
Mark passes.

    COMBAT PHASE
The Captain Triggers,
Elsa triggers,
The effects resolve.
Mark says Darius has bad breath.
A clearly offended snowflake, Darius loses 2 endurance.
Then The Captain gains the name Darkseid, and Mark draws a card.

Darius then declares Morg into The Captain, Mark reinforces with Elsa before both players pass into a mutual stun. Darius activates Air-Walker exhausting Mark's Elsa, and passes combat.
Mark flips up two rowed Anti-Life, and passes combat.

    RECOVERY PHASE
Darius elects to take 6 endurance loss.
Darius recovers & readies Morg.
Mark recovers & readies Captain Darkseid.


    Foul-Mouthed Dark God -> 46    Devourer of Speed -> 36

 

        TURN 5 (Mark Initiative)

    DRAW PHASE
(Both Players draw 2 cards)
Darius chains Kindred Spirits to the draw, (fetching Barry Allen, crimson tornado, and Galactus, the maker) He then activates Alias to rally for a character, netting Galactus.

    BUILD PHASE
Mark sets a resource, and plays a rowed Mobilize (discarding Darkseid, apokoliptian oppressor) to search out The Captain, recruiting it into play and forming it protected by captain darkseid adjacent to Elsa. He then passes.

Darius sets a resource, then activates Silver Surfer (fetching Wally West<>the flash) then activates Elemental converters to draw it, and then recruits it into play, forming with wally protecting the Surfer, and Air-Walker protecting Morg, he passes to combat.

    COMBAT PHASE
Captain Darkseid triggers.
The Captain Triggers.
Elsa Triggers.
Mark calls Darius a buggerer of the infirm for 2 endurance loss, and possibly thousands of dollars of therapy.
The Captain gains the name, Dr. Doom, drawing a card.
Captain Darkseid gains the name Dr. Doom, drawing a card.
Mark declares Captain Doom into Wally West. Once legal, Darius activates Air-Walker, exhausting Elsa. Mark continues with No Man Escapes the Manhunters targetting Wally then passes his attack.

Darius goes into the tank for a while eventually passing into the mutual stun.

Mark continues with The Captain into Silver Surfer.
Darius reinforces and Mark flips up a third Anti-Life! Then both players pass.

    RECOVERY PHASE
Darius pays 6 endurance for the first 2 anti-life's and kos Silver Surfer for the third.
Morg Gains a cosmic counter.

Mark recovers and readies Captain Doom.
Darius recovers and readies Wally West.

    Foul-Mouthed Dark God -> 42    Devourer of Speed ->  19

        TURN 6 (Darius Initiative)

    DRAW PHASE
(Both Players draw 2 cards)

    BUILD PHASE
Darius sets a resource and activates Elemental Converters drawing a card. he then activates Alias Investigations, calling out plot twist hitting a Terminal Velocity, and recruits Barry Allen, founding Member, forming them so the 6 is protecting Morg, while the 5 is protecting Air-Walker. he passes.

Mark sets a resource, and removes Else from play, substituting her for Dark Firestorm, drawing him a card. He then flips up Survival of the Fittest from his row, and recruits Darkseid, The Omega, forming up with darkeid up front and the two Caps in the support row.
Darkseid's effect triggers swapping Darius' face-up Kindred Spirits for Survival.

    COMBAT PHASE
Captain Darkseid Doom triggers.
Captain Doom triggers.
Captain Doom gains the name Darkseid and draws a card.
Captain Darkseid Doom gains the name Mad Harriet, and draws a card.

Darius plays Terminal Velocity, and declares a direct swing with Barry Allen.
Mark responds with a rowed Mystical Paralysis, exhausting captain Doom Darkseid to exhaust Barry making the declared attack not legal.

Darius uses Barry's effect (discarding another Barry 6) to ready it. Once more declaring the direct swing.
    "Yeah but will it do more than 40?"
    "Probably."
    "...oh."
Darius plays 2 beatdowns on Barry, flips up carrying the torch, (removing Silver Surfer from play,) granting the name to Barry, he then powers Barry up with 2 silver surfers, for a total of 24 ATK, then plays a Full Throttle, from the row (Discarding Barry Allen 4 drop) to make him a readied attacker, and plays a team Tactics from the hand, passing his attack at 48.
Continuing, Darius uses wally's free ability and declares an attack into Dark Firestorm, both players pass and Firestorm goes down. Morg then declares into the still protected Captain Darkseid Doom Harriet passing once legal.
Mark bricks with Lord of Apokolips and a double power-up of mad harriet and darkseid. for the easy stunback, then Darius closes with an Air-Walker Activation. Exhausting Captain Darkseid Doom Harriet. and passes combat to Mark.

Mark sends Darkseid, the omega into Wally West. Once legal, playing No Man escapes the Manhunters to drop Wally to 5 DEF and passing.
Darius also passes. for the one-sided stun.

Both players pass to recovery.


    RECOVERY PHASE
3x anti-Life trigger.
Survival of the fittest triggers.

Darius' board gains +1/+1 counters but he KO's Wally and Morg.
Darius KO's Survival of the Fittest to Anti-life.
Darius KO's carrying the torch to Anti-life.
Darius KO's Full Throttle to Anti-life.

 Foul-Mouthed Dark God DEFEATED BY  Devourer of Speed
-16  to  3

Postgame Thoughts:


Mark:
I had no choice but to draw as much as humanly possible and hope for the second Mystical to show itself. it wiffed and i lost because of it. simple as that. Anti-Life in multiples is back-breaking to see first-hand.

Darius:
When I saw the first Mystical I was pretty sure he had the shutout. it feels odd to not need the second terminal Velocity when he subbed in Dark Firestorm, and I realized I'd be dealing faceshot damage with wally anyway.

The Goods: Summer of Love - Week 6 - TOP CUT BREAKDOWN

 Up until this point, we've had a double elimination event.
But now that we have a top 8, The safety net has been removed.
That's right. From here on out, all losses are final.
Unfair? Maybe.
Not to worry however!
Every match from here on to the finals will be transposed in a detailed play-by-play for your own reading pleasure.

Let's meet our contenders, let's get to ...

 

Lets review and meet with out top contenders in the order their success this far has placed them!

#1 Ranked Seed: BroStat-X

At this point, if they ever make a movie out of this event, I'm sure BroStat-X is going to be the antagonist.
This thinly veiled TNNB list does everything you'd expect TNNB to do, and a few extra things thanks to the automatic crossover this event allows. granting unprecedented access to resource replacement effects and clutch pumps.

What it needs to do to win:

Every single game it has ripped TNB by turn 3 has been a win. So all things considered, this deck will only ever lose on a wiff of bad draws. If this deck makes it to the finals it's all but a foregone conclusion, since the finals will be a best of 3.
And I mean BAD draws.
Basically Anything short of baby Jesus coming down from the heavens holding hands with Mr. Rogers to hand BroStat-X the worst possible series of mulligans and topdecks over the first 4 turns of the game, while giving his opponent the absolute NUTS.
Because that's what it is going to take for this deck to lose.
Good thing we play VS System.
A game, where every once in a long while, baby Jesus comes to visit. God-draws happen, and even OP decks can lose...
MAYBE.

#2 Ranked Seed: WEE

Taking a TNNB-LIGHT approach, and milking some of the unique strengths of Wild Pack, along with the borderline absurd stat weights of the EE self-harm character roster, WEE seems to be the only other undefeated team in any sort of position to threaten BroStat-X's dominant claim to the throne. Its MVP play is a simple one. Prison Planet and Crippler by turn 2. Allowing an often under-rated slowing of incoming early damage. The Capture Net + Bounty Hunt interaction serves to fuel Goldface's heavy cost of discarding 2 EE characters to recruit, and a Major Force on an off-initiative turn 5 tends to be one of the strongest plays the deck can offer. as it can easily have him defending as a, SURPRISE! 17/15 for some unexpected stunbacks. Similarly on this turn Goldface can hit a rock-solid 15/13.
The only team unilaterally happy with even initiatives, it isn't hard to see why.

What it needs to do to win:

A PERFECT curve. An obvious statement, of course.
However with no search fixing before 3, turn 2 tends to be the weakest link, a link that often benefits from a hidden Chen, or a Fatality. While in almost all situations, Man-Eater is the best 3 drop it can put into play. (an overextending BroStat-X may feel that BattleStar is a tougher 3 to play around if they clump New Nexts though)

#3 Ranked Seed: Foul-Mouthed Dark God

The only list to manage to stop a hardline rush (Gods matter) in its tracks and steal a win, you'd be hard pressed to build a better all-comers list with the draw potential this one offers. The Doom control package is no secret, but always manages to surprise enemy players regardless, with perfect-timing, and initiative breaking exhausts to extend play to those oh-so-valuable late game turns.

What it needs to do to win:

Hit curve, and Sub the Mockeries into play. This is such a crazy good tempo setting play. Drawing cards and preventing stuns on hidden characters, enables some fantastic potency with curve options.
On initiative, the nextwave early drops are almost always better, however once it goes turn 4 or later, we definately want to see some mockeries take their places as we set up some Darkseid/Doom/etc... brick plays. Survival of the fittest into Darkseid, the Omega on turn 6 is a ball-busting 7 drop Magneto in disguise that works beutifully in tandem with Anti-Life, and the Dark God win condition, which it has already managed to land, once in this event!

#4 Ranked Seed: Dark Magic

As the lowest ranked undefeated team, this deck can be summarized as simply, hard to kill. Willing to spend nigh-RIDICULOUS Endurance amounts to fuel some of the coolest outplays we've seen in this event so far, it doesn't seem to have any true answers for the other top teams, aside from perhaps a clutch Conclave or KO ability.

What it needs to do to win:

For 99% of its matchups? Easy. NEVER. WIFF. ILSA. Beyond that, it needs an early Anarchy in any matchup vs WEE or BroStat-X almost without exception. Also, in any rush matchup, a little bit of some baby Jesus lucksack won't hurt it any.

#5 Ranked Seed: Gods Matter

Considered to be the number 2 seed at the start of this event, the shocking upset loss recieved at the hands of Darkseid proved that this events results are not set in stone.
This particular list uses repeat swings from Slipstream to deliver some pretty amazing endurance swings on turn 3, and in a perfect world, closes its games out on 4 with some decent access to burn and initiative-willing, another double-swing.

What it needs to do to win:

Chomin by turn 2, and at least 3 pumps, and of course, slipstream on turn 3.
That's literally all it needs to win most games it plays. Will this recipe prove true in the top 8?

 

 

#6 Ranked Seed: Devourer of Speed

Taking a page from the Thunderbolt playbook, Devourer of Speed seeks to consistently set up the required pieces for an over-statted direct swing to push the game out of reach. Due to the consistency of the search engine, it affords some substantial silver bullet splashes like Flame trap, and I Must Obey to help it sneak past the kill turns of rush builds.

What it needs to do to win:

Silver Surfer with an equipped Board by 3. If it can do that, it will guarantee an infinite mass punch, substantial bonus draw, and a perfect curve. Not bad for an aggressive mulligan.

#7 Ranked Seed: The MorMans are Coming!

Extremely efficient rush. a remarkable ability to sustain. A solid and consistent burn.
This deck has answers to almost everything. Almost.

What it needs to do to win:

Early evaders to set up the midgame are the most important tools this list can use to setup its support pieces. And an early Alley. The earlier the better. get that and it holds a shot to win almost any game. Almost.

#8 Ranked Seed: IMMORTALS

A fan favorite using a leader focus to ensure, well... immortality of it's curve thanks to Code White and Dr. Sivana. Used in conjunction with other potent Leaders Like Gorilla Grodd at 6 and a great draw package with Dark Beast and Survival of the fittest, and this deck looks to out-sustain, out brick and later-on, out damage all that it faces.

What it needs to do to win:

Since the curve tends to stay around for such a long time, IMMORTALS' best success is when they dont miss a drop. Honestly, not a hard ask considering the 8 searchers the deck mains. Best successes all land a location to recur by 2. VS rush, the obvious code whites will be needed in FULL as it has no other real method to deal with early damage.

Now you've met the players, let's cover our top 8 match-up breakdowns!

 

...B*tches. There. sounds official now.

CHECK OUT THE NEW TOP CUT BRACKET!

 

Match 1: BroStat-X  -VS-  IMMORTALS

IMMORTALS have a dog in this race, and then some. It's a shame that they face BroStat-X. Against most other contenders they might have had a real shot. Unfortunately, IMMORTALS will be looking for that baby Jesus divine intervention sort-of love, and in a big way too. I'll put it plainly.
IMMORTALS cannot win. What they NEED is for BroStat-X to LOSE
Favored to win: BroStat-X by 15.5 endurance

Match 2: Dark Magic  -VS-  Gods Matter

At first glance, Gods Matter looks like just about every other game they've featured in as a runaway favorite, however we've seen what an effective brick can do in GM's only loss. What's more, A conclaved say... Thunderous Onslaught could literally HALF the damage output for the turn. While a total Anarchy on top of that could literally steal a win here in a BIG way. While I don't want to outright call for the upset, I'll just say...
Watch for the upset.
Favored to win: Gods Matter by 8.5 endurance

 

Match 3: WEE  -VS-  The MorMans are Coming!

Mormans have serious game and some hugely statted combat swings... and Combat phase board security. WEE has serious game and hugely statted combat swings... AND out of combat board control options. This one sits on a razor's edge folks, and something is about to give. This one is WAY too close to call.
Favored to win: NO LINE (Just pick a winner)

 

Match 4: Foul-Mouthed Dark God  -VS-  Devourer of Speed

The Devourer of speed has faced down a doom firing on all cylinders and delivered it with a loss. It seems hard to imagine a Darkseid playing at doom tricks can avoid the big hit with LESS field manipulating tricks. However If Dark God can use Darkseid, the omega to swap a Survival of the fittest before some solid key stuns... the game could pretty much end right there. The edge, however will go to Devourers consistency.
Favored to win: Devourer of Speed by 30.5 endurance

HIT UP THE OFFICIAL TOP 8 BETTING THREAD!

The Postgame Report: Week 5 - Losers' Bracket

This is it. The losers are out. The winners are in the top 8 cut.

 

Too sick to dress it up, some killer games and some gut-wrenching losses to be had here. Read on!

Match 49- Gamma Robuts  -VS-  Devourer of Speed
Gamma Robuts took evens from Devourer, negated in its entirety their turn 7 kill turn with a build phase mystical paralysis series, leaving the entire roster exhausted and primed for a gamma bomb on 8 thanks to latveria.
However, Devourer used a Full Throttle in tandem with Barry's ability to self ready to slam in 34 damage over a Puppet Master that couldn't be reinforced to seal the win at the 11th hour before the doom stall ran away with it. Don't let the score lull you into a false sense of an easy win, a slight formation change and the Robuts win.
Fun Fact: Boris was recruited 6 times in this game!

Robuts win the flip, But Devourer beats the point spread.

Gamma Robuts DEFEATED BY Devourer of Speed
-14  to  43

Match 50- Unjust Fear  -VS-  The MorMans are Coming!
I'd have called this one for MorMans 10 out of 10 times, but as in every other match they played, Unjust Fear somehow found a way to shut down game plans and take the games CLOSER than anyone anticipated. -often to a win. Mormans hit the elusive Alley on 2, and that basically was the game. Burn versus a controlled stall. While the turn 7 proved to be climactic, it is worth noting that the mormans with an even initiative, never managed a swing after turn 5. not one. Dr. Light does that.
A CLUTCH stunback from a last-standed Storm thanks to a Shrapnel Blast set up a start of recovery turn that burned for 8, ultimately deciding the game.

Mormans win the flip, and the game, but Unjust Fear Beats the spread in a nail-biter.

Unjust Fear  DEFEATED BY  The MorMans are Coming
-6 to -3

Match 51- Gods Matter  -VS-  Intergalactic Carpool
Intergalactic Carpool was poised to utterly dominate on turn 5 and then 6.
The answer of course?
Just win on 4.
With a double swinging slipstream on an off initiative turn 3 and another double swinging slipstream on 4, it ended before it began for the Carpool's gameplans.

Gods Matter win the flip, win the game, and beat the spread.

Gods Matter  DEFEATS  Intergalactic Carpool
22 to -4

Match 52- Crapple Jacks  -VS-  IMMORTALS
Crapple Jacks made a run of it. Let no-one call that into question. But it was Black Manta recycling Path of Destruction repeatedly that allowed Immortals to push through despite the turn 5 Deadpool's attempts to cancel the notable swings. Fun Fact: a recurring +8 atk on a Charaxes that enters play every turn for free, IS a notable swing.

Crapple Jacks win the roll, but IMMORTALS win the game and beat the spread.

Crapple Jacks  DEFEATED BY  IMMORTALS
-18 to 4


Stay tuned for the top 8 decks, who they fight and how betting will change going forward!

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