In one of the best possible matchups for a $10K tournament, I was blessed with the opportunity to witness Sammy Gilly and Josh Wiitanen facing off. It was the first time I'd seen either of these gents play in person, and it looked to be an exciting match. Each player was playing a deck that liked Green Lantern characters and Willpower, with Sammy's deck splashing back and forth and Josh's leaning towards Anti-Matter.

 

Josh won the flip and went first. After a turn one double pass, we passed Go and went directly to . . .

 

Turn 2

 

Sammy passed, missing his drop for the second time.Josh recruited Gnaxos, attacking directly (47-50).

Turn 3

Josh recruited Hal Jordan, Green Lantern of Earth, while Sammy recruited Jade.

 

Josh sent Hal into Jade, then attacked with Gnaxos directly (40-47).

 

Turn 4

 

Sammy recruited Dr Ub'X in the hidden area, looking for some board advantage. With Josh having an extra character in play, it would give Sammy a chance to force Josh to KO a character, even if he normally wouldn't need to.

Josh recruited Abin Sur behind Gnaxos, with Hal in support.

 

Sammy sent Jade into Hal (37-44), then Dr. Ub'X into Gnaxos (37-39).

 

Josh responded with a direct attack by Abin Sur.

 

With a double-stun on Josh's side, Sammy wanted to make sure Jade was taken down, discarding Chopping Block and two other cards to remove her from the game. Josh recovered Hal. It was Gilly 37, Wiitanen 39.

 

Turn 5

Josh and Sammy both recruited Solomon Grundy. Josh team attacked with Hal Jordan and Abin Sur into Sammy's Grundy, with Sammy choosing to stun Abin Sur (25-35).

 

Josh then hit Sammy directly with his Grundy. Gilly 15, Wiitanen 35.

 

Turn 6

 

Sammy recruited a Manhunter Lantern. Josh responded with Sinestro, Lantern in Exile. He placed Sinestro next to Grundy, who was in front of Hal.

 

Sammy sent the Lantern into Josh's Grundy (15-27). Then Sammy attacked Sinestro with his Grundy, using Yellow Impurity to lower Sinestro's DEF. Josh activated Sinestro to send Manhunter Lantern to the hidden area. This would clear out the bigger drop from the visible area, allowing Josh to increase the endurance loss he'd be dealing next turn.

 

Sammy then sent Dr. Ub'X into Hal (15-15). Josh recovered Sinestro, and Sammy played and activated a Willworld, getting himself an Alan Scott—just the topdeck he needed!

Turn 7

 

Josh returned Solomon Grundy to his hand from the KO'd pile, discarding Power Ring. He recruited Grundy, boosted, in front of his Sinestro.

 

Sammy played Alan Scott in front of his Grundy.

 

Josh activated Sinestro, banishing Alan Scott to the hidden area and opening up Sammy's Grundy for assault. It was Grundy on Grundy action, but Josh's was boosted, meaning that Sammy's got stomped. It was Gilly 0 and Wiitanen 15, with Sammy Gilly facing the moment of truth—it was now or never, unleash or be eaten alive.

 

Josh announced, “This is the dumbest game I've ever played—Sammy knows!”

 

Sammy wasn't having that. “I think you have it by 1. I have to recalculate.'

 

Sammy swung Alan Scott into Grundy, unleashing an Uppercut and bringing Josh to 10 (0-10). Sammy then counted, recounted, thought about his attack, then scooped, realizing that no matter how he configured it, it would miss by at least 2 endurance. He just didn't have the plot twists he'd need to pull it out with that Sinestro just waiting for an attack.