This was a critical match for both players. Each was sitting on four losses, and it was unclear if anyone with five losses could make it to the Top 8. Robert is considered one of the better technical Vs. System players on the circuit and is highly respected by all of his Realmworx teammates. His specialty is Constructed play, though, and he was not excited about the deck he drafted. To be fair, neither player seemed particularly pleased with his deck. Leander, fresh from his Texas $10K win, seemed especially glum. “Great, you have come to cover me losing.”

Osyp rolled his eyes. “Oh, that self deprecating style of humor.”

Osyp is one of the best TCG players in the world, with multiple high level tournament titles that include both a Magic Pro Tour and Grand Prix trophy. He is the most well-known member of the TOGIT team that ran the Going Rogue deck everyone was talking about yesterday. Normally, Osyp is one of the most gregarious TCG players in the room, but he has been much quieter and lower key this weekend than usual. He seems to be directing all of his energy towards mastering the Vs. System.

Both players had Solo on the second turn—much better for Leander, since he had the even initiative. On turn 3, Spider-Man, Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man protected Osyp’s Solo, while Leander put Rhino in front of his own.

Osyp team-attacked and bagged the Rhino. Leander flipped up Ace Reporter and fiddled with Osyp’s deck. Leander’s turn 4 saw Silver Sable, Rocket Racer, and a Jetpack for Rhino. Osyp’s turn was a little better, seeing as he had . . . oh . . . the best common 4-drop in the set: Puma.

Rhino taxed the engines on his Jetpack to attack into Puma, stunning both, and Leander followed by team-attacking Solo and Silver Sable into Spidey. Finally, Rocket Racer poked Solo in the eye, but Osyp had ESU Science Lab and a power-up. Leander flipped up Hired Goons, but Osyp had another power-up. When the dust settled, Osyp had only Puma, while Leander had Rhino and Rocket Racer.

It was 27 to 35 in Osyp’s favor after Leander paid for Rhino. Osyp had already played Daredevil, The Man Without Fear, and it was up front with Puma. Leander’s play was Archangel, Angel of Death. Puma and Rhino butted heads, and they both stunned. Daredevil made short work of Archangel, and the players moved onto turn 6. Rhino was not recovered from the wreckage of turn 5.

Leander’s Twist of Fate found a second Archangel—he would have preferred the 6-drop he missed—and he had to play Daredevil a turn later than is usually recommended. Osyp played Iceman, Cool Customer and put him in front of Puma, with his Daredevil in the back row. Archangel took down Puma, and Daredevil reinforced. Leander set Daredevil after his counterpart on the other side, but Osyp minimized the damage with Crowd Control. Osyp then sent Iceman to deal with Daredevil. The score was 22 to 10 in Osyp’s favor.

Leander’s cards were all a turn too late, as he played an Iceman, Cool Customer of his own on turn 7 after Osyp played Scarlet Spider. Osyp sent his Iceman to trade with Leander’s. Daredevil followed that trend and took down Leander’s Daredevil. Scarlet Spider] went after Archangel, and Osyp flipped up a Mojoverse for the extra point. Leander extended the hand in defeat.

Osyp won the match and was now 11-4, leaving him with a shot at Top 8 if he could win the remaining four rounds. Leander was left on an over-inflated bubble of players with five losses, all hoping to make Top 8.