Round 1 of the Los Angeles $10K is underway. In our first feature match of the day, we bring you a battle of epic proportions. Andre Muller, hailing from the distant European utopia that is Germany, brought the pain. Andre is fresh off his sixth place finish at PC: LA 2005 and was determined to replicate his success. Alex Gellerman, a local boy who hails from just over the bridge, vowed to dash his hopes. Alex’s best finish was in Amsterdam, a respectable ninth place. Day 3 vs. Day 3 (almost).
These two have a bit of history. Their last encounter, back at PC: LA in November, left Alex gasping for air after the complete thrashing he suffered at the hands of the brutal German. At first Andre claimed to have little recollection of these events, but once Alex jogged his memory, he quickly recounted them in great detail. Due to the coarse language used I am unable to report to you the actual conversation.
The players shuffled up and shook hands. Andre rolled a 1, Alex rolled a 2. A hint of things to come? Alex chose evens, perhaps ensuring the turn 6 win. The players kept their opening hands and play began.
Turn 1:
Andre dropped a Toad, Hopalong and swung on an empty board for 1.
Turn 2:
Alex recruited Friedrich Von Roehm in the visible area and passed. Andre matched his play with a Longshot, Hero of Mojoworld behind Toad, Hopalong. Alex wasted no time and sent his only character smashing into Toad, Hopalong. Andre flipped a team-up, Planet X, and reinforced with Longshot, Hero of Mojoworld.
Longshot, Hero of Mojoworld’s ability went on the chain, putting Andre in the lead in terms of card advantage.
Turn 3:
Andre played Destiny, Freedom Force with Boost, more card advantage. He formed with Longshot, Hero of Mojoworld behind Destiny, Freedom Force and Toad, Hopalong in front. He passed to Alex, who recruited Black Panther, King of Wakanda in the hidden zone, netting him a Mindtap Mechanism. He pushed both characters forward, ready for a beating.
Andre went into the bunker, presumably trying to figure out how to keep board advantage while keeping Longshot, Hero of Mojoworld face-up. Andre finally announced Toad, Hopalong into Freddy, discarding Scaleface to pump. Double stun. Destiny, Freedom Force went in for the cheap shot.
Alex passed, figuring an 8/5 3-drop to be a superior play than pushing damage. Alex got his counter and Andre did the Longshot, Hero of Mojoworld dance. Once again Andre wass forced to make tough decisions. After a few minutes, he chose to draw Retribution and Sunder.
At this point, Andre led 48-44
Turn 4:
Alex had a dilemma. Should he stay curve or was it time to start swarming the board? He went into the tank, leaving us wondering what he could whip up. He held the Feral for what felt like hours but ultimately decided to play Healer and Pyro, Freedom Force.
Andre had an easier choice but either play seemed unsatisfactory to him. Hump or Empath? It is at this point that Andre felt confident enough to say to Alex, “You have no chance by under-dropping. Actually, I don’t think you have any chance at all.”
Alex replied, “Well, I think I’m doing pretty well here.”
“By all means Alex, prove me wrong.”
Andre finally played Empath and Alex responded by teaming up Morlocks and Brotherhood with Mutopia. He called “energy” and drew a card, closing the gap in card advantage. Andre formed with Empath and Toad, Hopalong in front of Longshot, Hero of Mojoworld and Destiny, Freedom Force.
The attack step began when Alex sent Healer into Destiny, Freedom Force using Sewer System. Andre discarded Exodus for Destiny, Freedom Force’s effect and netted the double stun. Longshot, Hero of Mojoworld reinforced. Black Panther, King of Wakanda traded with Empath. Friedrich went into Longshot, Hero of Mojoworld, cutting short his dancing career. Alex flipped Neutralized, exhausted Pyro, Freedom Force and targeted Empath. Andre grunted; things were looking bad. Alex passed with no more plays.
Andre declared Toad, Hopalong into Friedrich and discarded Hump for the stun. Andre chose to bounce Toad, Hopalong, saving some endurance. Andre saved Destiny, Freedom Force and Alex saved Panther. Empath remained stunned, silently mocking his owner.
Turn 5:
Andre began the turn with a speedy recruit, slapping Sunder down with a whispered, “Boom.” Alex plays finally gave Feral the “go”, sending her into battle with an extra resource point to keep her safe in the hidden zone and unstunable on attack.
Keeping in mind that the match had been progressing rather slowly, Andre called a judge to ensure a brisk turn 5.
Sunder attacked into Pyro, Freedom Force for massive endurance loss. Destiny, Freedom Force went to the face once again for 3. Andre now sat comfortably in his chair with a 37-19 point lead, but Alex jumped back with a monstrous Feral into Sunder. Black Panther, King of Wakanda took care of Destiny, Freedom Force. They both saved their biggest characters and moved on to Turn 6.
Andre still led 19-16.
Turn 6: The Final Showdown!
Perhaps sensing victory, Alex slammed his Harry Delgado on the table and passed.
Andre returned to the bunker, and the bombs were on the way. Andre took his time, trying to salvage a win. He paid a resource for Sunder, making him huge. He then dropped Electric Eve, Toad, Hopalong; he rubbed his head in deep contemplation and then dropped Tarot as well.
He set up defensively, putting Sunder and Tarot in front of Eve and Toad, Hopalong. He flipped District X, more team-up goodness. At this point time was called.
Alex returned to the tank, did a little math (Andrew Yip style) and returned with a fresh-baked beatdown pie!
Panther, traveling through the sewers of NYC, ambushed Toad, Hopalong. Toad, Hopalong was reinforced and went down. Delgado’s power was activated on Tarot. Feral was then sent into Tarot resulting in the double stun. The final attack, Delgado with Retribution into Sunder, never resolved. Andre scooped with no outs.
Andre concluded, “I’m an idiot. I would have won. If I reinforce on turn 5 you’re dead.”
Alex agreed with a gracious, “Fair.”
The players shook hanks. Alex Gellerman won the round and recovered his pride.