Domingo chose the odd initiatives.

Domingo is getting really good at dropping the turn 1 Cheetah. Arvin had Ishmael Gregor ◊ Sabbac on turn 2, while Domingo recruited Weather Wizard behind Cheetah. Cheetah and Ishmael traded, and the Wizard got a free attack.

Domingo played Rose Psychic in the concealed area on turn 3, and Arvin had Lex Luthor, Champion of the Common Man behind Ishmael. The Weather Wizard attacked and stunned Ishmael, while Rose traded with Lex. Arvin lost Ishmael.

Arvin played Deathstroke the Terminator, Lethal Weapon in front of a Lex who was wielding a newly minted Laser Watch. Domingo had Bizarro, ME AM BIZARRO #1 protecting Weather Wizard. Arvin targeted Rose Psychic with Watch the Birdie! and stunned her with Lex. Deathstroke then attacked Bizarro with a power-up for a double stun. Domingo used Systematic Torture on Deathstroke and KO’d Rose.

Domingo played Sinestro, Villain Reborn on turn 5, and then flipped Thanagarian Invasion, paying for Sinestro to get an ATK boost. Arvin played a Secret Six Mordru wearing the identity of Lois Lane beside Lex. Sinestro attacked Mordru for a double stun; and Weather Wizard, aided by Magical Lobotomy and Death From Above, traded with Lex. Domingo then used No Mercy on Lex, returning Weather Wizard. Arvin was now on 9 endurance to Domingo’s 16.

On turn 6, Arvin recruited Alexander Luthor, Diabolical Double equipped with Cloak of Nabu, while Domingo had a Dr. Psycho, Twisted Telepath protecting Bizarro and a Cheetah protecting Sinestro. At the beginning of the combat phase, Dr. Psycho brought Arvin down to 3 and Domingo to 8.

Arvin flipped Thanagarian Invasion and had Luthor attack Bizarro. Domingo used Thanagar and allowed his character to stun. Mordru then attacked Sinestro, and Domingo flipped Epic Battle for a double stun. However, both players were already at negative endurance, and Domingo had run out of means to close the small endurance gap between himself and Arvin. Arvin took game 1.

Game 2

Domingo went with the odd initiatives again.

This game was a little slower; the first play was Domingo’s Dr. Psycho, Mental Giant on turn 2. Domingo followed up with Dr. Light, Furious Flashpoint on turn 3, while Arvin had Rose Psychic in the concealed area. Arvin chose not to counterattack.

He proceeded to play Deathstroke the Terminator, Lethal Weapon, to which Domingo responded with Sinestro, Villain Reborn in front of Dr. Psycho. Domingo flipped Magical Lobotomy targeting Deathstroke and promptly flipped it back down. Deathstroke attacked Sinestro for a double stun, and Dr. Light counterattacked.

Domingo had Wonder Woman, Earth 2 on turn 5, while Arvin recruited Cheshire equipped with a Cloak of Nabu and protecting Deathstroke. Domingo played Burning Gaze on Sinestro and team attacked Cheshire with him and Dr. Light, Furious Flashpoint. Dr. Light and Cheshire stunned, and Talia, Beloved Betrayer was put into play with the doctor’s vengeance ability. Wonder Woman then attacked Deathstroke the Terminator, and Arvin used Return Fire. Deathstroke stunned and Arvin played It’s Not Over Yet on Cheshire in the recovery phase, to which Domingo responded by returning Dr. Psycho for No Mercy on Deathstroke.

Arvin recruited Zatanna, Showstopper behind Cheshire, and Domingo played Ragman, Redeemer of Souls. Ragman protected Dr. Light and Sinestro protected Talia. Arvin flipped Thanagarian Invasion and had Rose Psychic attack Talia. Dr. Light reinforced before allowing the double stun. Zatanna then attacked and stunned Dr. Light, with Cheshire doing the same to Sinestro. Domingo lost Dr. Light, and the endurance totals stood at Domingo 4, Arvin 16.

On turn 7, Domingo had The Calculator, Crime Broker, while Arvin played Alexander Luthor, Diabolical Double and Surveillance Pawn and immediately used the Pawn’s backup ability and having Cheshire protect Zatanna. When The Calculator attacked Cheshire with backup from Epic Battle, Arvin used Zatanna to reinforce. Next, Ragman attacked Luthor, and Domingo returned Talia for Grand Gesture and the double stun.

When Domingo discarded six Villains United characters to The Calculator, Crime Broker’s ability to bring the endurance totals down to Domingo -1, Arvin -12, the grounds erupted into cheers and players began to pat Domingo on the back in congratulations.

But wait—Arvin wasn’t budging from his seat, nor was he congratulating his opponent. A euphoric Domingo was clearly baffled at his opponent’s continued concentration on the game when there didn’t seem to be any way for Arvin to counterattack successfully.

Arvin merely said, “I gain 6 endurance from Rose Psychic” before playing It’s Not Over Yet targeting Cheshire and choosing to gain endurance.

Domingo was brought crashing back down to reality and was beginning to readjust his mindset to go on to the next turn when Arvin revealed his second It’s Not Over Yet!

In a stunning upset that saw Arvin crawling back from beyond the grave, Arvin is the $10K Manila 2006 Champion!