The table 1 draft pod of the last draft of a PC is always a good one, but this one is especially high profile. Dave Spears, the Southern Dandy himself, is one, perhaps two victories away from back to back PC Top 8s. His opponent for this round is Alex Brown, known as the “World’s Greatest Technical Vs. Player” and “The Excellence of Execution” to his mates Down Under. Alex has four losses coming into the final pod, so at least a 2-1 is needed to send this highly touted Sealed Pack player to the elimination rounds on Sunday.

Alex won the roll for initiative and selected odds. Both players kept their first four, and both missed their drops on the first turn. The second turn featured the feared Natasha Romanoff ◊ Black Widow, Super Spy from Dave and Erik Josten ◊ Atlas, Kosmos Convict from Alex. The two traded stuns, and on the third turn Alex recruited Quicksilver, Mutant Avenger while Dave had a concealed Kang, Kang Cobra. Quicksilver mauled Natasha, and then Atlas attacked directly. Kang decided he didn’t want any part of combat, and play moved to turn 4.

Spears underdropped slightly on his recruit, bringing out Speed Demon, and teamed up his squad with Stormfront-1. The multi-team fest continued unabated for Alex, with Kang, Master of Time coming down in the hidden area. Dave tried to team attack Atlas with Natasha and Speed Demon, but Alex put Speed Demon in the Sphere of Solitude before the attack was made legal. Dave then went after Atlas (currently a 4 ATK/4 DEF) with Natasha, getting a little help from Repulsor Ray for the double stun. Next, Speed Demon went after Quicksilver, which was declared legal. Dave then tried to power-up Speed Demon with Quinjet, but the play was illegal because of the Sphere of Solitude. Alex had The Time Keepers, and with Dave out of pump, Speed Demon got brick walled, effectively ending the game right there. Dave’s Kang again didn’t attack, so Alex brought a direct attack with his Kang and Quicksilver, then drew two cards at the start of recovery. Dave recovered Speed Demon.

On turn 5, Alex had Hank Pym ◊ Giant Man, while Dave recruited Charcoal. Giant Man and Charcoal traded stuns, then Atlas (now a 6 ATK/6 DEF) went after Quicksilver. Dave made one last, desperate attempt to get back into the game with two power-ups via Quinjet and The Time Keepers, but Alex had a Heroes in Reserve for the mutual stun. Kang and Quicksilver again got in directly, and the game was all but over. Dave even had Captain America, Super Soldier with the initiative, but facing an overwhelming endurance deficit and Alex’s Wonder Man, Dave offered the concession.

Alex Brown wins.