We've featured Adrian in our Sealed Clinic for the first pool, and now is the time when we get to see whether his Earth 2 arsenal pays off. Both Michael and Adrian are Melbournites, and Adrian walks into this round confident, considering his track record against Michael is in his favor. Will Melbourne's hero triumph? Or will an underdog claim victory? Read on, fans . . .
Michael won the coin toss and opted to go second. "This is such bad times playing you first round," commented Michael.
Turn 1
Adrian laid a resource and passed. Adrian's copy of Terry Sloane ◊ Mr Terrific, Golden Age Gold Medalist was clearly not coming out this time. When Michael played a turn 1 Lois Lane, Earth 2 Adrian exclaimed, "Please don't get Huntress! Please don't get Huntress!" A copy of Wonder Woman, Earth 2 was searched out and then Lois swung in for 1.
Endurance
Caps: 49
Bonus: 50
Turn 2
Dr. Psycho, Mental Giant came out into Michael's front row while Prince Khufu ◊ Hawkman, Eternal Warrior came out for Adrian. Psycho and the Prince traded blows and then Lois swung in for another point of damage.
Endurance
Caps:44
Bonus:48
Turn 3
Kendra Saunders ◊ Hawkgirl, Eternal Heroine was recruited into Adrian's front row and Michael played Ted Grant ◊ Wildcat. He pushed them all into the front row and then passed.
The Prince went into Ted with a copy of Rann and both players passed.
Kendra then attacked Dr. Psycho and Adrian used The Phantom Stranger, Wandering Hero to try and avoid trading stuns. Kendra's ally ability triggered to become an impressive 7ATK/5DEF and Adrian passed. Michael flipped Forbidden Loyalties (teaming up Villains United and JSA) and discarded a card to make Psycho the necessary 5 ATK to trade. Both players passed, the characters traded blows and Lois snuck in for another point of breakthrough.
Endurance
Caps:38
Bonus:38
Turn 4
Michael had to under-drop in the form of Zazzala ◊ Queen Bee, Mistress of the Hive who he opted to bring into the visible area. Bizarro was recruited by Adrian and then The Phantom Stranger was returned to hand via an exhaust from Kendra and Bizarro.
Zazzala attacked Kendra and copy of Burning Gaze was used by Michael. Adrian had to use his Phantom Stranger to try trading stuns, but Michael had a timely copy of Watch the Birdie. With only 4 ATK, Kendra could no longer trade and Adrian was forced to play his own copy of Forbidden Loyalties (also teaming-up Villains United and JSA) and used Taking up the Mantle to bring Kendra to 6ATK/7DEF. This forced a copy of I Still Hate Magic! from Michael and Adrian had to concede the stun. Ted then swung into Bizarro and when he naturally became 7 ATK, Adrian could only pass (causing Michael to actually gain 1 endurance). A very cheeky Lois Lane snuck in again and both players moved onto recovery.
Baddest of the Bad returned Shayera Thal ◊ Hawkwoman to hand during recovery and Adrian fetched a copy of Mr. Freeze, Brutal Blizzard.
Endurance
Caps: 28
Bonus: 38
Turn 5
Mr. Freeze, Brutal Blizzard came out for Adrian while Michael had his copy of Wonder Woman.
Mr. Freeze attacked the Earth 2 Amazonian princess, showing clear intentions to use Freeze's vengeance. Return Fire! from Michael forced Adrian to take 5 endurance loss and when both players passed, it was decided that Wonder Woman was staying exhausted. Adrian realized a rare opportunity to even up the scores and so Bizarro, with Rann, forced through a huge 12 endurance loss on an open Lois Lane,
Endurance
Caps:18
Bonus:19
Turn 6
"I have to kill you this turn . . . otherwise, bad times!" commented Michael. Superman, Earth 2 came out for Michael, but with Wonder Woman exhausted he was in for a tough turn. Adrian decided that under-dropping was the best course of action and played his own copy of Wonder Woman with a copy of Terry Sloane ◊ Mr Terrific, Golden Age Gold Medalist in the concealed area, front row. When Wonder Woman and the Golden Age Medalist were exhausted to return the Phantom Stranger to hand, Michael knew that he was going to have trouble.
Superman declared an attack into Wonder Woman. Terry Sloane's ability triggered for Adrian then Rann was used to force the stun-back. Ted Grant attacked Bizarro and Adrian used a copy of The Phantom Stranger to try and brick-wall the attack. When Michael’s own copy of the 7-drop was revealed, Adrian used Return Fire! (commenting that he made a mistake not using it when Superman was attacking) and traded stuns. Adrian elected not attack with his available Mr. Freeze and both players moved on to recovery with Superman and Wonder Woman being recovered.
Endurance
Caps:9
Bonus:11
Turn 7
Adrian boosted Superman, causing the 6-drop to become a 15 ATK/14 DEF and Wonder Woman to become a 12ATK/11 DEF. However, with no 7-drop in hand, Michael could only muster Dr. Light, Furious Flashpoint and Bizarro, ME AM BIZARRO #1. The Doctor and Wonder Woman were exhausted to return The Phantom Stranger to hand and then both players moved onto combat.
Superman attacked over Wonder Woman into Bizarro. Michael had no choice but to reinforce with his own Superman and pass. When Adrian declared Wonder Woman into Dr. Light, Michael simply offered the handshake.
Adrian Capilitan and his amazing Earth 2 deck chalks up its first win of the day!