This matchup features one of the giants of U.S. Magic: the Gathering—Eugene Harvey. Eugene is a previous U.S. National Champion and has multiple Pro Tour and Grand Prix Top 8’s to his name. He didn't start playing the Vs. System game until this fall, however, when his TOGIT teammates forced him into it. Eugene immediately broke the format by designing the incredibly clever X-Men stall deck that all of the TOGIT players are running this weekend.
Billy Postlethwait is a Florida TCG player on the rise. He's posted consistent finishes at all of the tournaments he's attended lately, including placing fourth at Magic’s U.S. Nationals (earning him a slot as an alternate on the U.S. National team). Now, he's looking to avenge his loss at PC Indy, where he failed to make Day 2. He certainly has the deck to do it with, as he managed to barn TOGIT's list before the event.
Cerebro and Wolverine, Logan came online early for both players, as did Rogue, Power Absorption. Postlethwait lowered both player's life total by equal increments as he attacked each turn, while Eugene seemed content to build forces for a while until his discard elements were online.
When Professor X, Charles Xavier entered play, things got interesting—the discard game began. It got quite ridiculous (both players said so) when each player recruited Emma Frost.
I'll use Rogue's ability. In response, I'll use Xavier's ability. In response, I'll use Xavier's ability. In response, I'll use Emma Frost. I response, I'll use Emma Frost . . .
“Damn it, stop repeating me!” cried Postlethwait. “Now that we’ve got that over with . . . ”
“This is so stupid,” lamented Harvey.
Harvey put Professor X, World’s Most Powerful Telepath into play on his turn 7, while, for the first time all game, Postlethwait did not have a play to match. Eugenius began to pull away on turn 8, as Billy again had no recruit and Harvey played Jean Grey, Phoenix Force. Billy used two Pleasant Distractions on Harvey’s power hitters to keep the beats from coming.
Harvey played Onslaught on turn 9, saying, “It's not especially wonderful in the mirror match.” Billy just rolled his eyes, though, as his deck had stopped providing him characters around turn 6. Cerebro finally found Jean Grey, Phoenix Force for Billy, and he used her to return all characters to their players’ hands before combat. This ensured that Eugene would have to start all over to apply any beatings.
Postlethwait played an Onslaught of his own on turn 9, which Eugene matched, saying, “Let's fight.” Billy attacked with Onslaught, putting the endurance totals at 31 for Harvey and 16 for Postlethwait. However, both players had X-Corporation working overtime, so the totals were basically brownian in their motion. When Eugene played Puppet Master and Jean Grey, Phoenix Force, Billy’s face fell—he knew he was sunk. Rather than prolong the agony, he simply scooped up his cards.
When I asked the players about the keys to the mirror match, they said that having the odds (like Eugene did) is key because that allows you to better use the discard elements of the deck. They also said that the 8-drop Jean Grey is the single most powerful character you can have. Billy had already used his, whereas Eugene still had one in hand, and with life gain and Cerebro being equal, that basically sealed the deal.
Harvey 1 - Postlethwait 0