Although they are no strangers to Feature Match areas, Karsten and Edbury started by learning how to operate the new scorekeeping system. Basically, players put their endurance changes on Tablet PC, and the changes show up on the huge screens, allowing the spectators to know a bit more about the game state.
Frank Karsten, another stellar member of the “home” crew, openly admits that he’s still very new to the game. But if his past successes in other games are any indication, his dedication will soon push his name into a few Top 8 listings. Richard Edbury, with three $10K Top 8s and one title on his resume, is packing an extremely aggressive deck combining the most impressive “crush your skull” cards from teams Sinister Syndicate and Marvel Knights.
Edbury started with Hammerhead, and Karsten, who had to mulligan, answered with the slightly more exciting Blade, Eric Brooks and Jetpack opening. They traded blows, and Frank dropped a turn-3 Stick. The Englishman responded with Daredevil, Protector of Hell’s Kitchen. Blade brought down the red guy, and No Fear helped Hammerhead trade with Stick.
Edbury had no 4-drop, but he had Vulture, and Rhino with Jetpack. That allowed him to keep pace with Frank Karsten and his amazing turn-4 Moon Knight. Playing two copies of Wild Ride always helps your curve.
The big characters traded, and Vulture swooped down on Frank directly. The Dutchman dared Edbury to blink. “Any effects?”
Richard laughed, “That’s quite a good bluff if it is a bluff.” The Englishman agonized over it for a minute before deciding not to call it.
Karsten used Quick Kill to get rid of Rhino before playing Daredevil, Matt Murdock. Edbury answered with Green Goblin, Norman Osborn.
The Dutchman had the initiative and went over his options methodically. Finally, he sent his Daredevil into Edbury’s Daredevil, and Moon Knight crushed Vulture. Another Quick Kill sent Edbury’s Daredevil away.
They were now on turn 6, and Edbury was barely ahead (27 to 25 endurance). In came Luke Cage, Power Man to help out the Englishman. Across the table, the mighty webslinger Spider-Man, The Spectacular Spider-Man joined Frank’s side.
With the power levels surging, the Dutchman understandably had to sit back and work through his math like a madman, muttering and rereading cards. “I haven’t been playing this game for as long as I should,” apologized Karsten.
Richard smiled. “Take your time. It’s not like the game won’t be over in a couple of turns anyway.”
Frank nodded and muttered, “Exactly.”
After a few minutes, he announced, “I don’t care. I’ll just put everyone on the front row. I have no idea what you might have, and I’m totally clueless.”
Eagerly Edbury pounced, finally using his resource row. Green Goblin brought down Spider-Man with a little help from No Fear and Doc Ock’s Lab. Luke Cage, Power Man swung into Moon Knight with the help of two copies of Crime and Punishment. Karsten used No Fear to trade. That left Richard at 11 and Karsten at -2 endurance.
“And now, I have to hope you have nothing, really,” whispered the smiling Richard Edbury. Karsten reviewed all of his cards and then extended his hand. As I was finishing up my review, Frank walked back into the Feature Match area and explained that he had just learned he had made a mistake on the final turn.
He didn’t know that Daredevil, Matt Murdock’s ability allowed him to move to the front row. He could have left him in the support row and then moved him into striking position if he needed to.