Tim Batow is one of the more recognizable names in the game, having won last year’s $10K Las Vegas. He’s also the only undefeated player left in the tournament. Kyle Dembinski is a Kansas City player who came in second at $10K Chicago.

Kyle won the die roll and selected the odd initiatives. Both players kept their opening hands, and Kyle got the ball rolling with an Ape X and Image Inducer. Tim had no play and took some beats. On turn 2, Kyle had the ubiquitous Sage, Tessa. Kyle recruited Joystick behind Ape X and equipped Airskimmer to it. Tim used his Sage, and then attacked into Ape. Kyle attacked back with Joystick, playing a Flying Kick for a bit of extra endurance loss. At the end of the turn, Kyle led 48-40.

For turn 3, Kyle had Melissa Gold ◊ Songbird, Sonic Carapace. He transferred the Image Inducer and passed. Tim recruited Tarot, and the players moved to combat. Tim missed with Tarot, revealing Mutopia, and Kyle sent Melissa into the 3-drop with help from Windstorm. Both characters stunned. Kyle attacked directly with both of his characters, and Tim declined to attack back. At the end of the turn, Tim used Sage, while Kyle played Answer the Call to get Golden Archer. Kyle’s lead had widened substantially to 46-24.

Tim had his turn 4 Professor X, Headmaster, and he recruited it in front of Tarot. He flipped Mutopia before passing to Kyle, who recruited Golden Archer. Kyle set up with Melissa protecting Ape and Golden Archer protecting Joystick. At the beginning of combat, Tarot yielded Jean Grey, Red for Tim. His first attack sent Professor into Golden Archer. He used X-Corp: Amsterdam to attempt to prevent the stun back, but Kyle had Quagmire. After digging with Sage and flipping another Mutopia, Tim allowed the stun. He exhausted his two remaining characters to play X-Treme Maneuver on Melissa, and passed to Kyle. After a minute of thought, Kyle passed as well. At the end of the turn, he led 40-14.

At the beginning of turn 5, Tim drew a card with a Mutopia that was flipped down to Melissa’s effect. Kyle had his optimal Albert Gaines ◊ Nuke. He transferred the Image Inducer to Golden Archer and passed. Tim used Sage before recruiting Emma Frost, Friend or Foe. Tim formed with Emma next to the Professor in the support row and Tarot protecting the Professor. At the beginning of combat, Tarot missed, revealing Duck and Cover. Kyle played Other-Earth from his resource row, completing his excellent draw. He attacked Albert into Emma. Three copies of Duck and Cover and two power-ups later, Emma had 15 DEF. Kyle had the Rocket Central—really completing his excellent draw—and Tim showed his frustration. Before the stun, Tim used X-Corp: Amsterdam to fetch another Mutopia and draw an additional card. He found nothing of use, and Emma went down. Kyle’s next attack sent Joystick into Tarot. Both characters stunned. Kyle passed on further attacks, but a Golden Archer activation sealed the game.

Kyle Dembinski wins!