I know that I just featured Billy in the first round, but this matchup was too interesting to pass up. What we have here are two old-school Vs. professionals playing two old-school decks—Brotherhood and Teen Titans. However, these decks both feature new additions and new tech for the ever-changing metagame, so this matchup should be far from cut and dry. Billy won the die roll and chose to take the even initiatives.

Josh kept his opening four, while Billy mulliganed. Neither had a first turn play. Josh had the first recruit of the game on turn 2 in the form of Tim Drake ◊ Robin, Young Detective, while Billy missed again. Beast Boy came out for Josh on turn 3, and Billy finally recruited Quicksilver, Pietro Maximoff. Josh flipped USS Argus before team attacking, and he took 5 from Quicksilver’s activation. At the end of the turn, Billy led 45-43.

Billy had the initiative on turn 4, and he recruited Mystique, Villainous Shapeshifter (this card is from the X-Men Starter Set, if you’re not familiar with it). He set both of his characters in the front row and passed. Josh used Argus before recruiting Red Star next to Tim in the support row. Beast was set protecting Tim, and Josh passed. Billy’s first attack sent Quicksilver into Beast Boy. He had a Lost City power-up, and Josh reinforced. Billy traded Mystique for Red Star, and neither player had further attacks. Billy used Slaughter Swamp to retrieve the Quicksilver from his KO’d pile, and Josh lost Beast Boy in recovery. Billy led 41-34.

On turn 5, Josh used Argus before recruiting the optimal Garth ◊ Tempest. He pushed all of his characters to the front, and then passed. Billy recruited Scarlet Witch, Wanda Maximoff behind Quicksilver. He left Mystique next to Quicksilver in the front row, and passed back. Josh attempted to declare an attack of all of his characters into Mystique. It wasn’t legal; Billy flipped Total Anarchy and Flame Trap, KO’ing Tim Drake. Josh spent another minute thinking before again declaring a team attack into Mystique. Josh powered-up Red Star from his hand and passed. Billy had a Lost City power-up for Mystique from his hand. Josh played Teen Titans Go!, and then used Garth to return it to his hand. Garth stunned in combat, and Red Star went after Quicksilver. Billy exhausted him to burn Josh for 5, then flipped Avalon Space Station. He powered-up, and Red Star’s attack did nothing. Billy attacked back with Scarlet Witch, and the turn ended with Billy ahead 37-12.

Billy had his Mystique, Shape-Changing Assassin for turn 6, while Josh could only muster a Terra. Josh conceded; “My awful draw doesn’t beat your nut draw.”

Billy Postlethwait wins!