Jacob’s been on a horror run since dominating the early part of the tournament. He had a 13-2 record but proceeded to lose the next four rounds, putting him on the cusp of elimination from the Top 8. He needed to win his last two rounds and hope for some favorable breakers to keep the dream alive. In his way was Brian Gates, who hails from Las Vegas. He had drafted a Darkseid’s Elite/New Gods deck that had some ridiculously strong characters at every drop point.

Both players passed their turn 1 recruit steps, but they made up for it with Shaligo on Jacob’s side and Vykin on Brian’s. They traded stun damage with no effects on either side. Brian used his third recruit step to bring out a Big Bear on the next turn, revealing Izaya ◊ Highfather and foreshadowing the next turn’s play. Jacob’s ill luck continued with him passing his third turn without a drop.

With Big Bear taking down Shaligo and Vykin him locking him down with its ability, Jacob’s chances looked grim. He attempted to make a comeback with a fairly large Trok, but he knew that Brian was not missing this recruit, and the previously revealed Izaya was brought down. With Izaya hiding behind Big Bear and with Jacob’s resource row full of characters, Trok had no choice but to attack Big Bear to remove his cosmic counter. Izaya easily took down Shaligo, and Vykin added insult to injury by coming in for another 2 endurance. This put Jacob at 27, while leaving Brian at a relatively healthy 40.

Brian “missed” his turn 5 drop, only recruiting a Trok on his side of the board. With Jacob being forced to play many characters in the resource row, Trok was at least 10 ATK. Jacob tried to rally his board position with Devilance, but the 13 endurance difference was tough to turn around. Brian then flipped a Royal Decree, naming Darkseid’s Elite and New Gods. Izaya was sent on a mutual stun mission with Trok and was successful, and Brian then sent his large Trok into Devilance, which resulted in both players losing 8 endurance.

It was the beginning of the end for Jacob, as his run for the Top 8 ended with Brian recruiting the best 6-drop in the format, Big Barda, and arming her with a Beta Club. Jacob was gracious in defeat, but there was no hiding his disappointment in missing out a valuable opportunity.

Brian Gates wins!