Paul “Little D” Rietzl, well known for his accomplishments in other TCGs, hails from the Boston area. Melissa is from Maine, and this is her second $10K. These players aren’t at the top tables—they are both 2-2 going into the fifth round—but they are certainly still in contention for tomorrow. Both players mulliganed their openers.
Melissa kicked off the game with a first turn Ape X, fetching Thunder Jet. The 1-drop was equipped, and Melissa attacked for 3 into Paul’s empty board. On turn 2, Paul was forced to use Optitron to get Roy Harper ◊ Speedy, discarding Roy Harper ◊ Arsenal, Sharpshooter. He recruited the 1-drop and passed. Melissa recruited Shape behind Ape X and passed. Paul took out Ape X with Roy, and Melissa used Mega-Blast and Flying Kick to hit Paul for 11. At the end of the turn, the endurance score was 50-36 in Melissa’s favor.
Melissa had Lady Lark, Linda Lewis behind Shape for turn 3. Paul recruited Dawn Granger ◊ Dove with boost, fetching Hank Hall ◊ Hawk. He set up with both of his characters up front, and then passed. Melissa sent Shape into Dove with a power-up. Paul had Titans Tower, discarding another Roy, to force the stunback. Lady Lark traded stuns with Hawk, and that was the turn. Melissa led, 44-26.
Turn 4 was Paul’s initiative, and he began the turn by using USS Argus. Next, he used Optitron to trade Speedy for a copy of Beast Boy, which he recruited alongside Hawk. Melissa flipped and used Slaughter Swamp to trade a Whizzer in her hand for the Shape that she had lost on the previous turn. The 2-drop was recruited, along with Melissa Gold ◊ Songbird, Sonic Carapace. Melissa set up with Shape protecting Melissa Gold, and then passed. Paul sent Beast Boy into Lady Lark, and the characters traded stuns. Next, Hank Hall went after Shape with help from a Savage Beatdown. Paul also activated Tamaran for another point. Again, both characters stunned. Melissa Gold attacked directly for 6. In recovery Shape and Hawk were lost. The endurance totals were 36-12 in Melissa’s favor.
On turn 5, with Melissa Gold’s ability on the chain, Paul used USS Argus. He flipped the location face down. It was Melissa’s initiative, and she recruited Albert Gaines ◊ Nuke from her resource row without replacement. Paul recruited Garth ◊ Tempest behind Beast Boy. Melissa sent Lady Lark into Beast Boy and powered-up from hand, bringing her down to zero cards. Paul simply reinforced, and both characters stunned. Next, Albert Gaines attacked Garth. Paul powered-up with Tamaran, then flipped and used another Tamaran to power-up again. This wasn’t nearly enough to save him, though, and an attack from Melissa Gold sealed the deal.