Troy Armstrong is a well-respected member of the Sydney Vs. System community. Famous for his square head and uncanny resemblance to Jack Black, Troy is another Yu-Gi-Oh! convert to find success in the Vs. System.
Luke Bartter claims that he is yet another overrated Vs. player from Sydney. Whether he's scrubbing out from another Pro Circuit Day 1, or absorbing another humiliating 0-3 draft, Luke continues to lose them all. "I don't like my chances in the feature. Heck, I'm not even sure why you guys need to embarrass me on the internet," he whimpers. We think it's his machismo and ridiculous comments throughout every game that keep the fans coming back for more and more.
Stay tuned, one and all, to see whether machismo beats square-headedness, and whether the infamous Luke Bartter can beat none other than Jack Black himself . . . oh wait, err. Troy. We mean Troy Armstrong. Here we go!
As we begin, Luke exclaims, "We have a better system than dice roll!" Troy grabs 5 random cards and puts them all face down. One picks odd, the other even, the total cost of all the cards determines the winner — try it with your friends!
Troy wins and takes Odds.
Turn 1
Both players lay a resource and move right on over to turn 2.
Endurance
Luke: 50
Troy: 50
Turn 2
An optimal Kate Spencer, Manhunter comes out for Luke with an enthusiastic "Hooray for Spencer!" Stargirl comes out for Troy in equally impressive form.
Manhunter and Stargirl trade and it’s off to turn 3.
Endurance
Luke: 46
Troy: 48
Turn 3
A copy of Ibis, Prince Amentep was recruited into Troy's front row, while Arthur Kendrick, Knight was recruited into the hidden area back row by Luke.
Stargirl did what she does best and attacked the Manhunter without trading. Ibis attacked Luke directly for 4 and play moved over to Luke. Not wanting to lose board, Luke opted not to attack with his 3 and moved on to recovery.
Endurance
Luke: 41
Troy: 46
Turn 4
Animal Man came out for Luke, causing a large box of counters to appear alongside. "With Animal Man comes the bling!" exclaimed Luke and play was passed over to Troy. Dr. Occult came out on Troy's side and was equipped with a potentially deadly copy of T-Spheres.
Spencer attacked Stargirl, and with no Team-Up available, Troy was unable to reinforce and simply took the 4 endurance when both characters traded. Animal Man swung into Dr. Occult and scored himself some bling to become a 7ATK/7DEF. Thanagar was flipped and activated by Luke to dodge a trade. It was met with Defend Yourself! from Troy and Luke decided this was the right time to start forcing through some damage — he flipped Epic Battle, and Troy reinforced with Ibis. Kendrick then attacked Ibis and both characters traded with Luke evening up the scores somewhat. In recovery, Animal Man and the Occult were recovered.
Endurance
Luke:32
Troy:34
Turn 5
Troy decided to go off curve in the form of a concealed Michael Holt ◊ Mr. Terrific, Renaissance Man and Atom Smasher. With his Occult equipped with T-Spheres, Troy had some solid options available if Luke persisted with curve. However, Hourman III ◊ Hourman came out for Luke in the back row, providing a potential brick wall.
Atom Smasher and Holt teamed into the Animal Man (now an 8ATK/8DEF and getting blinged up nicely, yet again) and the JLI character traded with Holt. Sitting on 31 endurance, Troy had no real great way to turn on Occult's text but the 4-drop attacked into Hourman nonetheless. Hourman, naturally, became an 11ATK/11DEF and which was met by Mystical Binding from Troy. Thanagar from Luke took Hourman up to 9DEF and then Knightmare Scenario took him to 10DEF. A copy of Forbidden Loyalties (and some more bling for Luke's characters) took him to the necessary 11DEF, but it was met with a copy of The Phantom Stranger, Fallen Angel by Troy. Both characters traded and Occult/Hourman were revived during recovery.
Endurance
Luke: 23
Troy: 27
Turn 6
Luke had to under-drop in the form of Black Adam, Teth-Adam, while Troy had the slightly more formidable Zatanna, Showstopper. Hourman started off by attacking Zatanna.
Hourman used his free ability to become a 12ATK/12DEF (including the counter from the previous turn) and a pump took him to the required 13ATK. Abjuration stopped Luke's Hourman dead in its tracks and the characters simply bounced.
Black Adam attacked Atom Smasher (who activated to add some more bling to the board) and Troy elected to simply take the 9 breakthrough. With no other attacks available, play passed to Troy who sent a 12ATK/12DEF Occult into Black Adam.
Luke had no way to trade and Adam's vengeance was allocated to Zatanna.
Regardless, the Shadowpact vixen attacked Hourman III and passed. Luke could only muster a Thanagar activation and reluctantly took 5 damage.
Hourman was recovered and Atom Smasher was sent to the KO’d pile with Troy not wanting to leave any hole in his defense.
Endurance
Luke: 9
Troy: 16
Turn 7
A fresh copy of The Phantom Stranger, Fallen Angel was recruited by Troy and Zatanna received Cloak of Nabu and Helm of Nabu, setting Troy up for a very powerful attack phase. Luke used his 7 resource points to recruit Alexander Luthor, Diabolical Double, draw 2 cards and then equip a T-Spheres onto the Villains 6-drop.
When Troy declared Zatanna and Dr. Occult into Alex Luthor, Luke gave him the handshake and both players began to discuss the match.
Troy Armstrong and his Shadowpact build take more names and take him to an impressive 4-1 record!