Maximilien is a frequent Pro Circuit contender. He has two $10K Top 8s to his name and he’s looking to add a third. This is Andrew’s first Constructed $10K.
Andrew won the die roll and selected the odd initiatives. Maximilien kept his opener, while Andrew mulliganed. Both players passed on their first two turns, prompting remarks of surprise and relief from both of them.
Andrew finally hit a recruit on turn 3 in the form of Lady Lark, Skylark equipped with Thunder Jet. Maximilien recruited Sage, Xavier’s Secret Weapon. Andrew attacked Lady Lark into Sage and discarded two copies of Airskimmer to pump. Both characters stunned, and Andrew took an early (late?) lead of 47-41.
Maximilien had the initiative on turn 4 and recruited Fatality, Flawless Victory behind Sage. Andrew recruited Golden Archer with Image Inducer in front of Lady Lark. At the beginning of combat, Maximilien flipped Eye of the Storm to gain 4 endurance. He sent Fatality into Lady Lark. Andrew powered-up, and Maximilien responded with a power-up of his own. Andrew played the final card in his hand, an Answer the Call, to fetch another power-up and force the trade. Both characters stunned, and Lady Lark was KO’d. Maximilien passed on further attacks. Andrew took down Sage with help from No Man Escapes the Manhunters, and that was the turn. In recovery, Maximilien lost Sage. Andre led 43-31.
On turn 5, Andrew recruited Albert Gaines ◊ Nuke from his resource row without replacement. Maximilien recruited White Tiger in front of Fatality. In combat, Andrew discarded Airskimmer (his final card) to pump Golden Archer. He then sent Albert into Fatality. He played No Man Escapes the Manhunters on White Tiger and took him down with Golden Archer. In recovery, Maximilien lost Fatality. Andrew widened his lead to 39-18.
Maximilien began turn 6 with Enemy of My Enemy. He discarded Cardiac to fetch Jean Grey, Red. Andrew recruited Joystick before exhausting his Archer to hit Maximilien for 6. He replaced the Archer with another, played from the resource row without replacement, and set up with Albert protecting Joystick. In combat, Maximilien used Mikado and Mosha to stun Joystick. White Tiger took down Golden Archer without issue, but not before Maximilien took another 6. Finally, Jean Grey went after Albert Gaines. Maximilien played Psionic Storm and No Man Escapes the Manhunters, then used Jean’s ability and passed. Both characters stunned. In recovery, Andrew had two copies of Panacea Potion to recover his team. The endurance totals stood at 20-6 in Andrew’s favor.
Andrew completely passed on turn 7, playing neither a character nor a resource. Maximilien made the slightly more impressive play of Exodus in front of Jean Grey. Andrew went into the tank to contemplate his attacks. “This is really stupid,” he said. He sent Joystick into White Tiger, powering-up to get the card out of his hand. Joystick stunned. Andrew’s next attack sent Albert into Jean Grey. He powered-up with the last card in his hand, making Albert Gaines 15 ATK / 13 DEF. Maximilien played Alley-Oop! and Shrink to make the attack bounce. Andrew burned Maximilien for another 6 and passed. Maximilien showed a few Psionic Storms as he began shipping his team in, and Andrew conceded.