March 24th Border Battle - Misty Mountain

[webtroll]

So we will add some new levels to the predictions this week.

In honor of the Border Battle, we are going to attempt two events tomorrow night. If we get the decks in time the first will be a Methos vs. Kalas event. Otherwise, it will be Search for Veng sealed/draft or constructed. The second will definitely be a Lean and Mean.

The German Kid: For constructed I am thinking either Martin Hyde or Richie. Something with either direct damage or ranged attacks. For the Lean and Mean I am thinking Marcus or Mako for either weapon lock or straight lockdown.

The Dude: I am picturing for constructed the Luther Stones deck. For Lean and Mean I am guessing either Rameriez or Malick. This one is a little unfair as I have some insider information on this one.

Van the Man[ager]: From what I heard The German Kid™ was going to offer to build him a L&M deck so that makes the call tougher. I am leaning towards a L&M of Nefertiri or General Katana. Constructed I am guessing Slan as the old reliable.

Ed the Illini Immo: (We will pick a new nickname for him later.) If GenCon serves me correctly, I am picturing Grayson as one of the two decks he is bringing, but we shall have to see which. Other options for Lean and Mean I am putting money on Rameriez, and Kurgan for a full constructed.

Zombie Joe: In answer to the impending visit (and the subsequent gutting of the Tommy Gun deck), I am putting the Rock Stars of Highlander on hold this week. I am thinking to try something new. I am going to reveal the hand a bit and say I will do one of them as a series deck and the other a movie deck. That is as much of my hand as I am tipping.

Nick the Infected by Lineage: (He needs a new nickname too.) For him I would guess something iconic. One of the "big boys", although I know he wants to play one of the immortals from the anime. I am just not sure I have enough to pull one of them off. In short, he is playing whatever I have built but do not use.

Full report and prediction verification post-event!

[webtroll]

Let's start with the Lean & Mean event from tonight...

Zombie Joe - Luther Head Shot deck
Infected Nick - Xavier Hunter Deck
The German Kid - General Katana
Van the Man[ager] - Richie Combo
The Dude - Rameriez Chain Saw
Ed the Windy Immy (best I can do on short notice) - Kurgan anti-cheese

Rough Summary: Kurgan was a bit of a challenge, forcing me to discard attacks to play them, but the deck runs attack heavy, so that was ok. Richie was a bit much for Luther as he had some alertness to him, but not enough to deal with the combos he was running. And while the Blade Barriers worked well on the Ramierez slash, the vertical ones took it's toll on him.

Standings
The German Kid 3-0 with three heads taken
The Dude 2-1 with no heads taken
Ed 1-2 no heads taken
Nick 1-2 no heads taken
Van the Man[ager] 1-2 no heads taken
Zombie Joe 1-2 no heads taken

Second event (constructed)...

Ed - Grayson Mill
The German Kid - Slan the Cat
The Dude - Luther's Stones
Van the Man[ager] - Malick
Infected Nick - Anthony Gallen
Zombie Joe - Connor ala Slan

Summary: Against Anthony Gallen it took a bit to set it up, and he did plant a bomb on my hilt once, but Connor did pull through a taunted head shot to take his head. With Grayson, Ed drew a horrible hand with only one defense. Connor didn't even have to taunt the head shot on the third turn. Against Slan there was a trading off of power blows, but replacing his Catwalk (get it... Slan the Cat...) kept Connor from the 4 points with Shooting Blade and a 7 point Master's Attack. Even with him not attacking for fear of the Master's Block it was only a matter of time before one of the head shots went through.

Standings
Zombie Joe 3-0 with 3 heads taken
Ed - 2-1 no heads taken
The German Kid 2-1 no heads taken
Nick 1-2 no heads taken
The Dude 1-2 no heads taken
Van the Man[ager] 0-3 no heads taken

[sordmn]

Well here's my report for my first tourney since gen con and also like to thank the guys at the Mountain for the fun and friendliness to an outsider.

First tournament Lean and Mean I decided to go with Kurgan anti cheese deck with dirty trick and mhs as my attack device also i went with a spreadout toolbox which would cost me as i should of setup toolbox more for the unblockable undodgeable attack by my opponents.

First round:
Kurgan vs. Luther- a blood battle that went to time with Luther drawing a lil extra blood early
6-4 abilty when time was called in sudden death we danced with the kurgan throwing the Mhs as I went to 0 an exertion by Luther and a loss with no abilty to start out.

Second round:
Kurgan vs. Xavier hunter- Perfect Battle for my deck and although Kurgan was tagged early by the hunters once Bone Armor Hit Xavier Evade his way till his demise no Headshot was succesful though.

Third Round:
Kurgan vs. General Katana vapor Head shout deck- as i said this is where my toolbox selection hurt me in my building only haveing one alertness. With ironsides and his lean and means katana whisked thru his deck setting up Kurgan for his demise with a well timed sending an immortal ally to my side and me losing my alertness in an exertion to be aggresive and power blow him thinking i was setting up for MHS the next three turns The General sent the unblockable/undodgeable Headshot at me Kurgan knew the prize would not be his as his head was lost.
So 1-2 in Lean and Mean which i will state is my least favorite tourney but i can accept the outcome and realize my deck tried to toolbox way too much u cant have an answer for everything thrown at you if another deck is focused on one thing.

Tourney 2 constructed to reported on later.

[sordmn]

Border Battle Constructed Tourney report:

Ok now for my true test a constructed event for this test i run a typical grayson mill deck Kris and his hilt we will see how i fair.

First Round:
Grayson Vs Malick- Ok this is my first time playing a search for vengence immortal all i can say is I like Malick. I have a lot of ideas for myself seeing him in action. But Grayson Mill works to perfection with getting all 3 risk managements early then its defend and exhaust him out. No headshot as i only have one in deck.

Round 2:
Grayson Vs. Connor Headhunter- All I can say is after looking at my hand I even make the statement wow this will be quick. First turn hilt by connor third turn Head lopped off 2 succesful exertions extended my life 1 defense in my starting hand never had a chance.

Round 3:
Grayson vs Galen Dirty Trick: Once again an early 3 risk Management and the Mill defend cycle begins. He explodes my hilt and Bloodied my nose once ouch but with either no police or just one not sure he mills thru till time and then milled out til he hits 0.

So 2-1 in constructed a much better showing even though Round 2 a starting hand with 1 defense against a headhunter deck never a good sign and my exertions just prolonged agony. But this happens every so often.

Overall 3-3 in both tourneys probably should of went 4-2 if i played tourney scene and new the meta game for up there as its much different from the home playing scene. But look forward when I can retravel up Nort (inside joke for wisconsin people) and compete again.
also for the guys up there in the pack i bought and didn't get too open in front of you Premium card was Chainsaw.

[webtroll]

I expect a Lumberjack deck next time you come up.

[5thhorsemen]

I enjoyed Ramirez Lumberjack! Even if Luther had to start the chainsaw for me

[braxus]

Oooh, a shiny chainsaw. You know what they say: "The saw is family."

It was great that you could make it to the event, Ed. I hope we will see you come back.