Entering the fifth round of this tournament, two very notable players sit at the first table. Josh Wiitanen, who was featured in Round 1, is a consistent professional gamer with a reputation for bringing home the money. He’s playing Teen Titans. His opponent is none other than Rian Fike, the legendary StuBarnes, a man who needs no introduction. This larger-than-life community figure and Metagame.com writer is playing the same deck that he’s brought to every tournament since Vs. System was introduced—Wild Vomit. Both players have four wins in four matches. “I don’t really have a shot in this matchup,” said Josh as they shuffled up.

Rian won the die roll and took some time deciding whether he would take even or odd initiatives. “I’m playing Sentinels. Who isn’t playing Sentinels?” Josh lied. As they shuffled each others’ decks, Rian chose to take the odd initiative. Rian kept his opener, while Josh mulliganed. “Longshot,” called Josh. Rian had it and immediately activated it, naming Wild Sentinel and Sentinel Mark IV. He hit two of each. Josh played Dawn Granger ◊ Dove and attacked into Longshot. That was the turn.

Josh kicked off turn 2 with Tim Drake ◊ Robin, Young Detective. Both of his characters were put in the front row. Rian used Longshot naming Underground Sentinel Base and Wild Sentinel. He hit the Base but missed the Sentinel, and the cards went to the bottom. He played two Wild Sentinels, one protecting Longshot, and passed. Josh attacked Dove into Longshot. Rian had the power-up, but Josh had the Tamaran. Josh elected not to attack with Tim Drake. Rian team attacked his Sentinels into Tim, and Josh used Betrayal to take one down. A lone Sentinel with a power-up went in to complete the job, and Josh used Finishing Move to KO Longshot before the stun. The endurance totals were now 46 each, and a Wild Sentinel faced down Tim Drake on an otherwise empty board.

Rian had two more copies of Wild Sentinel on turn 3. Josh had Roy Harper ◊ Arsenal, Sharpshooter, which was promptly taken down by Search and Destroy. Rian team attacked his remaining two Sentinels into Tim, and a Tamaran activation was not enough to prevent the stun. Josh was left with his Roy, while Rian had two Wild Sentinels. The endurance score was now 44–41 in Rian’s favor.

Josh played Terra on turn 4 and set her in front of Roy. Before recruit, Rian used Breaking Story. He missed, hitting a Mark IV. He played another Sentinel Mark IV from his hand and set all of his characters in the back row. Josh declared an attack of Roy into a Wild Sentinel, and Rian used Search and Destroy to stun Roy. Josh’s next attack brought Terra into the other Wild Sentinel. He used Tamaran, and Rian reinforced with the Mark IV. The endurance totals were now 42–38 in Rian’s favor.

Rian began turn 5 with another Breaking Story. This one netted him a Wild Sentinel. He recruited the Wild Sentinel and another Mark IV, making his board two of each. All of Rian’s characters were left in the back row. Josh had Garth ◊ Tempest behind Roy and set Terra next to Garth. Rian’s first attack brought a Mark IV into Roy. Josh used Roy to pump himself, and passed. Rian passed as well, and both characters stunned. Rian’s next attack sent all three of his characters into Terra. Josh used Tamaran on Terra, then used Terra’s ability to stun a Wild Sentinel. Both the Mark IV and Terra stunned in combat. Garth smashed back into the remaining unstunned Wild Sentinel with help from Titans Tower, and both players recovered. Josh kept Terra and Garth, while Rian had a lone Mark IV. Josh had re-established the endurance lead; the score was now 23–21.

Josh’s turn 6 brought out a boosted Hank Hall ◊ Hawk and a Beast Boy. “My last gasp,” said Rian as he recruited another Mark IV. He played Senator Kelly, burning Josh for 2. Another Senator replaced the previous one and hit for another 2. Josh had a Teen Titans Go!, and that was more than enough for him to run over Rian’s board.

Josh Wiitanen wins!