Brian is from Omaha, Nebraska. Casey is a Minnesota native. Neither of these players have any Pro-level accomplishments under their belts, but they’re both 5-1 going into the seventh round. Also, I hear that Casey’s deck is a hot one. Brian won the die roll and chose to take the odd initiatives.

Brian led off with a first turn Pantha and a Surprise Attack from the resource row. Casey recruited Electric Eve. Brian attacked Electric Eve with Pantha, using a Flying Kick for 3 more. Casey evaded and took 6 anyway. Brian had already established a lead of 49-38.

Casey’s turn 2 play was Ape X, which he used to get Advanced Hardware. Eve got the Hardware, and Casey passed. It was now clear that this was a rather random mirror match. Sorry, readers! Brian played an Advanced Hardware and Electric Eve of his own. Casey traded Ape X for Pantha, and then attacked Electric Eve into Electric Eve. Brian burned, then evaded. Casey played Mega-Blast on Electric Eve, and then attacked directly for 9. A Death in the Family got rid of Brian’s Eve, and that was the turn. Brian still led, 38-28.

For turn 3, Brian had Black Panther, King of Wakanda with another Advanced Hardware. Casey mirrored his play exactly. He protected Black Panther with Ape and passed. In combat, Brian played Enemy of My Enemy to get Mikado and Mosha. He discarded it in an attempt to stun Electric Eve, and was burned for 3 in response. Casey evaded Eve, and Mikado’s ability did nothing. Brian played Flying Kick on Pantha, and went after Black Panther. Casey burned Brian for 3, and both characters stunned. Brian proposed Panther into Ape X, but Casey used Die for Darkseid! to get Ape off the board. Panther attacked directly, and the turn ended with Brian ahead 26-15.

Casey didn’t have a 4-drop for turn 4. Instead, he recruited Chomin in the hidden area. Brian had the far superior Golden Archer behind Pantha. Casey attacked Pantha with Black Panther, and then passed. Pantha went down. Next, Chomin went into Golden Archer with help from a Mega-Blast. Brian burned Casey, who powered-up from his hand. Both characters stunned. Finally, Electric Eve went after Black Panther with two more power-ups. At the end of the turn, Brian’s Black Panther faced down Casey’s Panther and Eve. Brian led 7-4.

On the fifth and undoubtedly final turn, Brian had another Golden Archer. Casey neglected to play a resource, and instead recruited another Ape X. The Ape got Flamethrower, and Casey set up with the flaming Ape in front of the Panther. Casey passed. Brian attacked Electric Eve with Golden Archer. Casey burned Brian for 3 and evaded. Next, Brian attacked Ape with Golden Archer. Casey burned Brian for 5, and both characters stunned. Brian played Mega-Blast on Black Panther, attacking Casey’s Panther. The players did the math, and Brian clinched the game by 3 points of endurance.

Brian Stewart wins!