Game 1

At the young age of fifteen, Matthew Woodhall could become the youngest Vs. player ever to win a $10K event. After two Top 8 finishes in successive $10K events, Alex will be looking for his first $10K trophy to take home. This finals is like destiny, New Zealand vs. Australia, as we have seen so many times in many different sports.

Paul Ross flipped a coin for Matthew. Matthew called heads and lost the flip. Alex chose the even initiative and both players kept their hands.

Turn 1, plays are just about laying down a resource. Alex laid Bloke on turn 2 and rammed past the Caretaker that Matthew played. A bout of misfortune hit Matthew, as he missed his 3-drop. This got a surprised reaction from Alex. Plazm was Alex’s play, and Matthew passed the attack. With that, Alex attacked into Caretaker with Bloke and then Plazm caused direct breakthough endurance loss. The endurance totals were 39 to 50 in favor of the Australian.

On turn 4, Alex had Spike to go with his two other X-Statix characters. This made him seem like an absolute beating. Matthew had Moon Knight in front of Caretaker, but Alex just used Plazm to attack into Caretaker. Spike then went after Moon Knight, and Bloke attacked Matthew directly. “Grim” was a word to describe Matthew, as the endurance totals were now 23 to 46.

Matthew laid out Dead Girl to start off turn 5, and Alex put Vengeance into the hidden area. Alex’s formation was Plazm and Bloke in front, and Spike beside Plazm. Matthew tried to use Out of the Darkness on Vengeance, but Alex had Psychoville to negate its effect. Matthew pondered for a while, and flipped up Midnight Sons to team up Marvel Knights and X-Statix. He then used Dead Girl to attack Vengeance, with a little help from Head Shot. Moon Knight went after Spike, and they each traded stuns. Plazm and Bloke team attacked Dead Girl, and Alex used Grandstanding to stun Bloke and give Plazm +7 ATK/ +7 DEF. Dead Girl stunned. In recovery, Moon Knight, Bloke and Vengeance went to the KO’d pile. The endurance totals stood at 14 to 28 in favor of Alex yet again.

On turn 6, Luke Cage, Power Man came into play for Alex, protecting Plazm. Spike]was set up beside Plazm. Ghost Rider, Johnny Blaze was Matthew’s move, and he formed him up behind Dead Girl. Spike went after Dead Girl, and before he passed priority, used Black Magic to make him seem unstoppable. Ghost Rider reinforced, so Matthew only took 5. Luke Cage went after Ghost Rider now. Matthew didn’t want to have any of that and used Dead Weight. Alex trumped with Mind over Matter, returning Spike to his hand. This is when Matthew scooped up game 1.

Game 2

Matthew got to choose this time, and took even initiative. Alex seemed very casual at this point, I guess because he was up a game. Matthew was still relaxed, but focused, and seemed determined to not lose the next game.

Alex kept his hand, while Matthew mulliganed. Turn 1 was all about laying a resource. Matthew missed his 2-drop. Alex flipped Gravesite, then laid Corkscrew and attacked for 3.

Gravesite netted Alex 1 endurance before the draw resolved. Alex played Orphan and revealed Bloke; Matthew had Mr. Code. Alex declared a team attack on Matthew, but Matthew moved Mr. Code into the open to get team attacked. At this point, the endurance totals were 44 to 49 in favor of Alex.

Moon Knight wanted to be Matthew’s champion, and every Kiwi standing around watching hoped that it was so. Luke Cage, Street Enforcer was a strong play from Alex; he rearranged Corkscrew behind Orphan. Moon Knight attacked Orphan, and Orphan was reinforced. Out of the Darkness was played on Luke Cage, but yet again, Alex had Psychoville to negate the effect. Luke Cage then attacked Mr. Code. Endurance totals were 42 for Alex and 37 for Matt.

On turn 5, Anarchist was a good play from Alex. Vivisector, Lunatic Lycanthrope hit play for Matthew. A team of Anarchist and Orphan attacked Vivisector, and a slip of the tongue meant that Orphan was KO’d instead of Vivisector. Head Judge Paul Ross would not let him take back the play, even though Matthew’s intention was clear that he had meant to name Anarchist. Luke Cage then took on Moon Knight.

Gravesite yet again proved its worth to Alex on turn 6, as it got him an extra endurance and got Zarathos into the KO’d pile. Ghost Rider, Johnny Blaze came down for Matthew, and Alex played Venus Dee Milo, Dee Milo. Out of the Darkness from the hand made Matthew’s hand smaller than Alex’s, but Alex at least had Psychoville to negate the effect. Matthew then threw Ghost Rider onto Venus Dee Milo. Alex had the Blown to Pieces needed for the stun back. Moon Knight attacked up the curve and smacked Anarchist before passing. Luke Cage then had his way with Mr. Code again.

Alex had the best 7-drop in the devastating Varnae. Dr. Strange was a good reply from Matt, but it was not enough. After Venus and Luke Cage attacked Ghost Rider, Varnae jacked up in power with Crime and Punishment and Matthew scooped.

Alex wins a very lopsided match, 2-0.

Congratulations to Alex Brown, $10K Auckland Champion!