The showdown. This matchup has been talked about for quite some time, with the champion of PC: Amsterdam, Adam Horvath, squaring off against PC: Indy champion David Leader in a battle of the two Modern Age champions for a cool five grand, original artwork, and bragging rights. The matchup appears to give David a lopsided advantage, with his off curve Dr. Light, Master of Holograms–fueled deck having a clear edge against Adam's weaker characters and underpowered No Fear type effects. The gallery for this match had a very high energy level, with spectators cramming the railing and offering words of encouragement to the two players.
The two playmats at the feature match table were both Avengers ones, so Adam picked up David's, pointed at the Marvel logo, and threw it on the floor. This drew quite a laugh from the spectators, one of whom was kind enough to provide David with a much more appropriate JLA playmat. David won the choice for initiative and selected evens, drawing a sharp "Ba-ha" from Adam, who felt his only chance to win was on the odd initiatives.
Adam kept his opening hand and David threw his back. Adam had Mendel Stromm on the first turn, while David started with Willworld, revealing Guy Gardner, Strong Arm of the Corps and Tomar Tu, then pitched Rot Lop Fan and Hector Hammond, and finally recruited The Shark. Adam attacked and traded stuns. On the second turn, Dave started with a Willworld activation, this time hitting and discarding Olapet. He then recruited Tomar Tu,who went in front of The Shark. Adam had Cobra, who searched up his buddy Mr. Hyde. Adam formed with both of his characters in the back. The Shark hit Mendel, and the two traded. Tomar then traded with Mr. Hyde. Before recovery, Adam flipped Honor Among Thieves, and both players lost their 1-drops.
Adam elected not to go with Mr.Hyde on turn 3, instead recruiting Rhino. Dave hit again with Willworld, this time netting Kyle Rayner, Last Green Lantern, and then recruited Olapet with boost, getting G'Nort. Tomar protected G'Nort, with Olapet hanging in the back. Adam attacked Olapet with Rhino, which David reinforced. Then, Cobra attacked Tomar, and Adam took the opportunity to fire off two Crime and Punishments, getting in an additional 8 points of breakthrough. David kept Tomar during recovery.
On the fourth turn David used his Willworld, hitting Arisia, and curiously enough, he discarded his most potent weapon in the matchup, Helping Hand. He then recruited Kyle Rayner, fetching a Light Armor, and equipped a Chopping Block to G'Nort. Adam paid for his Rhino, then recruited Mr. Hyde, with Rhino in the front protecting Cobra. David kicked off his attacks with Kyle on Mr. Hyde, which Adam reinforced. Then, Tomar attacked Rhino, trading again. Shark hit Cobra, then Arisia got in a direct attack and G'Nort Chopped away Mr. Hyde. David kept Tomar, while Adam kept Cobra, signaling a re-recruit of Rhino next turn.
The top of Adam's deck had other ideas, giving him Mendel Stromm and Mysterio, which Adam boosted into play. David played The Ring has Chosen, getting Dr. Light, then brought Hector Hammond back from the KO'd pile. David flipped Birthing Chamber, drew a card, and had no further recruits. He set up with Hector protecting G'Nort, Tomar protecting Arisia and Dr. Light in the back. Adam had a second Honor Among Thieves and a bunch of No Fear-type effects, so if David had absolutely nothing defensive, Mendel could push through Hector, Mysterio could take down G'Nort, and then Cobra could attack Dr. Light with a variety of effects, and David would be unable to reinforce because he wasn't teamed up. This would be enough to kill David. Unfortunately for Adam, David had a Helping Hand and Shock Troops, and that was enough to blunt the Mendel on Hector attack, allowing him to survive the turn. Adam conceded on turn 6 in the face of a boosted Guy Gardner.
David Leader wins to become the Marvel vs.DC Showdown Champion!