Luke Bartter has made multiple $10K Top 8 appearances, and I seeded him fourth going into this tournament. He is facing Andrew Morris, who is playing in his very first $10K! Andrew won the die roll and chose the odd initiatives.

Game 1

Andrew mulliganed, and Luke kept his hand.

On turn 1 Andrew had no play, while Luke played out Kang, Rama Tut to bash for 1.

Turn 2 was Luke’s turn to have no play. Andrew played Melissa Gold ◊ Songbird, Sonic Carapace. Rama attempted to attack Songbird with Repulsor Ray, but Andrew had the Shrink for it. Rama Tut stunned and Songbird swung back. The score was 49–43 to Andrew.

On turn 3, Luke flipped down Repulsor Ray. Andrew underdropped and played Quagmire. Luke had something useful this time with Helmut Zemo ◊ Citizen V, Tactician. Songbird made her move on Zemo, and Quagmire attacked in unopposed. In recovery, Luke flipped up Insect Swarm to make Andrew take 2. 45–38 to Andrew.

Turn 4 started with Luke flipping down Insect Swarm and playing Kang, Earth Mesozoic-24, which came and went for Luke. Golden Archer was recruited by Andrew and played in the support row next to Songbird. Quagmire protected the Archer. Helmut attacked Songbird with Repulsor Ray, and a mutual stun occurred. Andrew attacked directly, and in the recovery Luke used Psyche-Globe to fetch out Kang, Ultimate Kang. 40–25 to Andrew.

On turn 5, Psyche-Globe was flipped down. Much to Luke’s dismay, Hawkeye, Leader by Example came down in the front row with Songbird and Quagmire flanking him; Golden Archer held the rear. Luke played the Ultimate Kang in the front row and moved Zemo behind Ultimate Kang. Earth Kang was set beside Zemo. Golden Archer and Songbird wanted to team attack, but Spheres of Solitude was used on Golden Archer. Songbird then flew over to attack Zemo, with nothing happening to Songbird thanks to Hawkeye. Hawkeye then attacked Ultimate Kang. Before combat was resolved, Psyche-Globe was used to fetch Kang, Lord of Limbo. The Time Keepers and a power-up later forced Andrew to use Windstorm, but Luke had Rama Tut to return and power-up Ultimate Kang. This meant that Andrew had to use another pump in the form of Heroes in Reserve showing five reservists! In the end, Luke took 9 endurance loss and Andrew took 5 endurance loss. Andrew rammed into Earth Kang with Quagmire before passing. Luke attacked with Earth Kang into Golden Archer. An Eldritch Power from Andrew and a power-up from Luke meant that the Archer stunned. 25–7 to Andrew, but the board looked more favorable to Luke.

Turn 6 had Luke flip down Repulsor Ray before recruiting Tempus. He formed it beside Ultimate Kang in the support row. Earth Kang protected Ultimate Kang in an L formation. Andrew had Hyperion, Mark Milton, and placed him in the support row along with Hawkeye. He completed the L formation with Songbird in front of Hyperion. Luke had to think for a while before Earth Kang attacked Songbird, which was reinforced by Hyperion. Tempus attacked Hawkeye with double Repulsor Ray, and the turn ended with Luke on a precocious 1 endurance and Andrew on 10.

On turn 7, Andrew had to under drop for the turn with Doctor Spectrum. Luke had to use another Psyche-Globe to get a Rama-Tut and played Melissa Gold ◊ Songbird, Heroine Unbound. Earth Kang protected Ultimate Kang, and Songbird protected Tempus. Doctor Spectrum attacked Ultimate Kang, thanks to his flight. This prompted Ultimate Kang to use his ability and stun Rama Tut, leaving Luke on 0 endurance. Hawkeye attacked Songbird with some help from Airskimmer, and Luke scooped for game 2.

Game 2

Luke chose to take the odd initiative this time, and mulliganed. Andrew did so too, and the second game started.

Rama Tut made another appearance on turn 1, but so did Quagmire. Luke had to pass, and Quagmire attacked for 1.

A repeat performance of the first game had Songbird for Andrew and nothing for Luke on the second turn. 42–50 to Andrew.

On turn 3, Luke again had nothing, and used Psyche-Globe to get Ultimate Kang before playing another Rama-Tut. Andrew broke Luke’s heart when he played Mammomax, and Luke had nothing to do but pass. Andrew swung in unopposed. The endurance totals were now 28–50.

Golden Archer made a second appearance on turn 4 before Luke rolled his eyes and played Earth Kang. Andrew swung in again unopposed, and left Luke on 7.

Luke made an attempt to do something on the fifth turn of this game—maybe even do some endurance loss to Andrew, who was sitting pretty on 50 endurance. Ultimate Kang was recruited behind Earth Kang, and he passed. Andrew played Hawkeye, which also exhausted Mammomax. Golden Archer, Hawkeye, and Songbird were in the support row, while Mammomax protected Hawkeye and Quagmire protected Songbird. Earth Kang attacked into Mammomax, and finally Luke did some endurance loss to Andrew. Ultimate Kang attacked Quagmire with no reinforcement from Andrew. Hawkeye and Songbird team attacked Earth Kang. Luke tried to do something by powering up to a 19 ATK/19 DEF, but Andrew had the Windstorm for the win.

Andrew Morris wins, and advances to the semifinals!