Christian Orellana has that “How did I end up here?” vibe going on today. He’s never played in a Pro Circuit, and says he’ll likely not play in Indy, even if he wins this tournament. He commented, “I just play this game in my card store, I’ve never thought much about the Pro Circuit.” Admittedly, Orellana says he would be interested in using his qualification eventually, but can’t take the time off work for Indy and isn’t prepared enough for DC Modern Age.

Bauer came in second at $10K Orlando. With a win in this match, he’ll revisit the finals and have another opportunity to come home with a championship trophy.

Game 1

Bauer had a first turn Trask, getting Hounds of Ahab. He played it on turn 2, and had Sentinel Mark II on turn 3, while Orellana still had nothing. On turn 4, the best he could do was Trask searching for a Mark II. Bauer continued to curve out perfectly, with Sentinel Mark V. Trasks traded stuns, and Orellana stunned his Mark II for Search and Destroy on Bauer’s Hounds—he had one copy in hand. Both of Orellana’s characters were stunned, and Bauer smashed with Mark V and Mark II. This left Orellana at 24, while Bauer was at 47.

Nimrod bolstered Bauer’s side on turn 5, and Orellana had one of his own. Bauer team attacked with his smaller characters to get the repair counter off Nimrod, and Nimrod attacked a Mark II to KO it thanks to Total Anarchy. Orellana was now at 15, and the writing was on the wall. Orellana hit his Bastion drop and Bauer missed it, playing Trask and a boosted Mark V. Orellana sent Nimrod into Mark V, and Bauer had Finishing Move to make sure no comeback was possible. He had initiative with Magneto, Master of Magnetism on turn 7, and Orellana had one of his own. Orellana popped a Genosha, and Bauer used two. After some thought, Bauer sent Nimrod, Mark II, Mark V and Hounds at Magneto. Although he had the edge in numbers, and was far ahead on endurance, he was still lacking a Bastion.

Orellana did have one, however, and powered up Magneto a ton, even with two Reconstruction Programs. However, Bauer had Programs of his own, and was able to keep pace to win the power-up war, stun Magneto, and win the game.

Orellana 0 – Bauer 1

Game 2

This time around, it was Orellana opening with first turn Trask, second turn Hounds. Bauer had Trask on turn 2, and got a Mark II. It came out on turn 3, when Orellana had no character to play. Turn 4 saw Mark Vs on both sides of the table, and Orellana made them fight- both were stunned. Orellana used Search and Destroy to take out Sentinel Mark II, and due to Total Anarchy, Hounds was KO’d along with the Mark II. On turn five, Bauer had Nimrod, and Orellana had a boosted Mark V. Nimrod attacked the smaller one, and Nasty Surprise forced a repair counter off.

Both players recruited Bastion on turn 6. Orellana attacked his Mark V into Bauer’s and traded stuns, trying to power up before being told it was too late. His boosted Mark V attacked Bauer’s Nimrod, and they stunned each other as well. Bastion attacked Bastion, resulting in a power-up war. Part two of the combat trick phase of this attack saw Bauer player Nasty Surprise and Acrobatic Dodge, while Orellana flipped over Savage Beatdown. Bauer had a Reconstruction Program, and in the end, both Bastions were stunned. This left Orellana at 21, and Bauer at 24.

Bauer cracked a Genosha on turn 7 and shook his head, obviously upset that he didn’t have a Magneto. The same went for Orellana, although he had two copies of the big mutant in his hand—because he busted a Genosha on the previous turn, he was behind a resource. Instead, his play was a Mark II, the same play as Bauer. Bastion attacked and KO’d Orellana’s Mark II (thanks to Total Anarchy), and that was it for the turn.

Orellana dropped Magneto on turn 8, while Bauer had Trask and Mark V with boost. Magneto attacked Bastion, and with a little help, both were stunned. Orellana used Finishing Move to KO Bauer’s Bastion, and Bauer did the same to KO Magneto. Orellana was now at 11, and Bauer was at 18. Bauer begged his deck to give him a Magneto, but it wouldn’t comply. Instead, he had to settle for bringing Bastion back. Orellana had another Magneto as well, and things were back to where they were the previous turn.

After some thought, Mark V and Mark II team attacked Orellana’s Bastion. After some more power-up action, Bastion was stunned. With the help of two Savage Beatdowns, Bauer was able to push through the rest.

Orellana 0 – Bauer 2

David Bauer advances to the finals!