Antonino De Rosa showed himself to be quite the draft specialist in PC SoCal, going undefeated to earn himself a Top 8 slot. Matt Oldaker is better-known for his Constructed performances, being one of the original designers of classic Control Doom and the new Evil Medical School build known as “New School.”

 

Matt Oldaker won the coin flip and chose to take the odd initiative. Both players kept their hands, and play began.

 

The first action was on turn 2, when Antonino recruited Sniper and Matt brought out Zodiak. Matt's next recruit was Plazm, who could stun most other 3-drops in the format but could also get stunned by most 2-drops. Antonino had Mr. Hyde, who was duly attacked by Plazm, clearing the way for Zodiak's attack to the head. Antonino thought better of attacking back and passed the turn.

 

Turn 4 was all about Saracen (the Freddy Mercury look-alike) for De Rosa, while Oldaker recruited Anton Hellgate. Saracen attacked Hellgate, and Mr. Hyde tried to attack down on Zodiak. Oldaker had the power-up to ensure the mutual stun though, and when Sniper attacked Plazm, it looked very much like there would be an entirely stunned board. Oldaker had different ideas about that though. A Missed Drop (discarding The Spike) kept Plazm alive and able to attack Antonino to the face.

 

Anarchist, Tike Alicar was Oldaker's chosen recruit on turn 5, while Mr. Fear was Antonino's choice to play. Both he and Saracen lined up in the back row, so they were able to reinforce each other. Anton Hellgate attacked Saracen, and in response, De Rosa powered-up and used Tryks to remove one point of Hellgate's ATK. Oldaker used Glory Hound on Saracen in desperation, but he still took the stun. Anarchist, Tike Alicar then went in to try for the same, and the mutual stun was ensured.

 

For turn 6, Antonino recruited Dracula, Lord of the Damned to the hidden area. Oldaker went for an identical play. De Rosa's Dracula attacked Anarchist, and with the help of Black Magic, he got his counters without being stunned. Mr. Fear then attacked and stunned Plazm, while Saracen had the luxury of being able to attack to the face.

 

Oldaker's Dracula had a chance to strike back. He attacked Saracen, and De Rosa paused for thought. Oldaker had just been knocked down to 6 endurance, and if Antonino could engineer a stun back, he would win the game. It was not to be, however. De Rosa dropped to 15 endurance, and his opponent's Dracula earned his counters.

 

Turn 7 was far from ideal for Oldaker. He brought out Zodiak but returned him to hand for Zarathos. Meanwhile, De Rosa was pretty happy with his Bullseye, Master of Murder. Oldaker's Dracula and Zarathos team attacked De Rosa's Bullseye. With no effects, Dracula and Bullseye were both stunned. When De Rosa showed The Family that would stop any breakthrough from further attacks and ensure the attacks back, it was enough for Oldaker to scoop.

 

Antonino De Rosa wins.