This was a match between two of the highest scoring players in the tournament. Benjamin, another member of the Goblin Bowling Team, came into the game with four wins and thus needed the win to secure a spot in Day 2. Benzie had already clinched hisfifth victory, and his seat in Day 2 was waiting for him.

Everyone at the feature table was a long-time acquaintance. In fact, Benzie taught me Literature back in Junior College. With evil grins, they promised to make it nigh impossible for me to follow their game, and kept that promise by playing at a pace of approximately fifteen seconds per turn.

Benjamin won the die roll and chose to take the odd initiatives.

Turn 1:

Both players had no plays.

Turn 2:

Benjamin recruited Gnaxos, while Benzie had a Kyle Rayner, Last Green Lantern who searched for No Evil Shall Escape Our Sight.

Gnaxos’s being inherently bigger deterred Kyle from attacking, and he proceeded to lay the smack down on his smaller counterpart.

(Benjamin 50 – Benzie 47)

Turn 3:

Benjamin could not muster an answer to Benzie’s Olapet, though because of Gnaxos’s size, Benjamin (having the initiative) could attack without being attacked in return.

(Benjamin 50 – Benzie 45)

Turn 4:

Abin Sur came down on Benzie’s side, while Benjamin had Malvolio.           

Abin Sur ran Gnaxos down and passed the attack, while Ben returned the favor by having Malvolio ram into Kyle. Benjamin flipped Prison Planet before combat resolved for an additional 2 points of endurance loss.

(Benjamin 44 – Benzie 39)

Turn 5:

Benjamin flipped Book of Oa and activated it before bringing Katma Tui into play. Benzie’s response was Element Man.

Combat progressed with Gnaxos edging out over Olapet and Malvolio doing the same to Kyle Rayner. Finally, Katma Tui swung into Abin Sur, and Benzie flipped No Evil Shall Escape Our Sight before allowing the character to stun.

Given the initiative, Benzie could only run Element Man into Gnaxos in a bid not to fall too far behind in endurance totals.

Benjamin chose not to recover Gnaxos, while Benzie lost Kyle Rayner and Olapet.

(Benjamin 37 – Benzie 24)

Turn 6:

Benzie got St’nlli and decided to leave Abin Sur in the concealed area while making the rest of the team visible. Benjamin once again activated Book of Oa before recruiting Sinestro, Lantern in Exile and Light Armor on Katma Tui.

In combat, Benjamin used Sinestro to move Malvolio into the concealed area. Benzie then got St’nlli to run into Sinestro for a double stun. Element Man tried to gain Benzie board advantage by attacking Katma Tui, but Benjamin had Nero Unleashed for the double stun. Benjamin then used Sweeping Up targeting St’nlli.

With the path clear, Abin Sur attacked Benjamin directly, and Cosmic Conflict was flipped before priority was passed.

Benjamin took the opportunity to have Malvolio swing into Abin Sur, and then flipped both Thunderous Onslaught and Femme Fatality.

When the dust settled, Benzie was left with Element Man, while Benjamin kept Sinestro and Malvolio.

(Benjamin 14 – Benzie 5)

Turn 7:

Ben activated the Book of Oa and recruited Grayven. Benzie’s play was Ultraman.

At his point, Benzie sized up the situation, laughed, and conceded.

Benjamin won the game and secured his place in Day 2.