by David Sutcliffe
We followed Christof Schilling’s draft in the second pod last night. While he was very happy with his deck, the one thing he said worried him was what Laurent Pagorek had drafted, because “he always wins the drafts.” Well, now it was time for Christof to face his biggest fear. Both players had won their first round of the draft, and returned this morning with high hopes for reaching the Top 8. This would be a tough and important match for both competitors. Christof brought the Fury Warrior, Ivan, while Laurent was the surly Dwarf Hunter Bordrak Barrelblast.
Laurent Pagorek won the dice roll and opened with Kaale, the 1/2 pumper Shaman, while Christof had what appeared to be the perfect answer--Grumdur Bladebane. Laurent followed up with his faithful hound, Fang, which allowed Kaale to attack anyway. Christof played Danyssa Stillheart, but she was just a sacrificial lamb to Laurent's board as he attacked with both his allies, clearing the board of everyone except Fang. Hoping to avoid more early damage, Christof played his Breastplate of Undeath to buy time, and it seemed to work--all Laurent had was Justicar Gavin Shadesticker and a helpless bump against Schilling’s Breastplate.
That bought Christof the time he needed to play his first Earthshaper Javuun. Faced with the large Shaman and his heavy dose of Mend, Laurent stepped on the gas. He attacked Christof for 8 before adding Archduke Franklin Pearce to the offensive. Christof couldn’t afford to simply soak up that damage turn after turn--he needed to start removing Laurent’s allies. He played a Reaper of Dark Souls and launched his hero at the Archduke, striking him down with a little help from Earthshaper Javuun. Laurent responded by attacking Javuun with both Fang and Justicar Gavin Shadesticker, and then destroying the Reaper of Dark Souls with his replacement: Buzz!
It seemed like every tactic Christof tried to get into the game was immediately foiled by Laurent, and the young German was forced to continue playing a stall game. He made a Debilitating Shout, but Laurent once again displayed his capacity to power through Christof‘s defenses, pressing the advantage. Although the Debilitating Shout had completely nullified his Commander Falstaav, he still had Buzz and Gavin Shadesticker around. He attacked, putting Christof to 11 damage.
Unable to get a foothold in the game, Christof resorted to playing a Bloodbane’s Fall and Sister Colleen Tulley. She immediately took a shot from “Tubs” Klankbopple, and Christof was behind once again. Laurent didn’t make the young German wait any longer. Commander Falstaav may have 0 ATK thanks to Debilitating Shout, but it didn‘t stay that way. Laurent played Kaale, pitched three cards to give the Commander +6 ATK, then doubled that to 12! Completely exhausted, and with no defenses, Christof was suddenly down a game to the surprising deathblow!
Pagorek - 1, Schilling - 0
A game down but now on the play, Christof had a chance to get the offensive . . . but he instead found himself behind on turn 2. Beginning with his own Kaale, Christof immediately had to pitch Danyssa Stillheart from his hand in order to give his Shaman +2 ATK and trade him with Laurent’s Vesperia Silversong! Giving your opponent a 2-for-1 trade on turn 2 was hardly an auspicious start, as Laurent seized the advantage with his own Kaale. Christof played his Bloodbane’s Fall and dealt Kaale a point of damage, using a second attack to finish the 1/2. Even so, Laurent was firmly on the front foot.
The Frenchman now had the 4/2 Justicar Maxwell Forthright in play, and added Commander Falstaav for support. This was a lot of muscle to face with a 1 DEF cloak--as Christof played an Earthshaper Javuun, he must have had a sinking feeling that he'd been in this exact position during the first game. Despite going second, Laurent had seized the initiative right away and was in control!
Maxwell and Falstaav removed Javuun from play, and Laurent followed with Buzz, removing the Bloodbane’s Fall. While losing Bloodbane’s Fall was a significant loss, it must have given Schilling some hope--if he could just kill the 5/5, his future weapons would be safer. Seizing his chance to get even the score, Christof played Olaf Steelbreaker--not just a a big protector, but a Warrior. That turned on Christof’s hero flip and finished off Commander Falstaav. Punching back, Laurent played Corrupter Mimi Whippleshade while Christof built his forces up with Crusader Lord Dalfors as the two players began an arms race.
Unfortunately for Christof, Laurent Pagorek was the first to draw his weapon: Saliva Corroded Pike. Christof played a blade of his own on the next turn--his Reaper of Dark Souls with 5 counters on it. As the two struck away the other's allies, they were suddenly left in similar positions. Neither had any allies, and they both had weapons. Christof might have finally found an edge! He had taken 18 damage in the early turns where he fought to stabilize, while Laurent had only taken 4 so far. Could Schilling really take the game from here?
Skaala of the Somber Watch was a perfect card for Christof to draw at this point--it gave Laurent’s hero -4 ATK, removing the threat of the Pike, but the 4/1 didn't last long. Klankbopple returned, and the pressure resumed. Christof had a Myrodan Silversong, but anyone could see the writing on the wall. Was it too late? Laurent attacked with “Tubs” and his Pike, putting Christof to 25 damage, and then sprang a Conflagration Trap on Myrodan's attack. It would take 8 turns for that to kill Myrodan, but only 4 turns for it to kill Christof‘s hero!
In the end, it didn’t even take that long. Laurent once again played Kaale, once again pitched cards, and once again swept home for the win. Two games won by Kaale--the humble 1/2 Shaman--and it looked as though Christof’s prediction that Pagorek would sweep the draft might well come true!
Pagorek - 2, Schilling - 0
Laurent Pagorek won the dice roll and opened with Kaale, the 1/2 pumper Shaman, while Christof had what appeared to be the perfect answer--Grumdur Bladebane. Laurent followed up with his faithful hound, Fang, which allowed Kaale to attack anyway. Christof played Danyssa Stillheart, but she was just a sacrificial lamb to Laurent's board as he attacked with both his allies, clearing the board of everyone except Fang. Hoping to avoid more early damage, Christof played his Breastplate of Undeath to buy time, and it seemed to work--all Laurent had was Justicar Gavin Shadesticker and a helpless bump against Schilling’s Breastplate.
That bought Christof the time he needed to play his first Earthshaper Javuun. Faced with the large Shaman and his heavy dose of Mend, Laurent stepped on the gas. He attacked Christof for 8 before adding Archduke Franklin Pearce to the offensive. Christof couldn’t afford to simply soak up that damage turn after turn--he needed to start removing Laurent’s allies. He played a Reaper of Dark Souls and launched his hero at the Archduke, striking him down with a little help from Earthshaper Javuun. Laurent responded by attacking Javuun with both Fang and Justicar Gavin Shadesticker, and then destroying the Reaper of Dark Souls with his replacement: Buzz!
It seemed like every tactic Christof tried to get into the game was immediately foiled by Laurent, and the young German was forced to continue playing a stall game. He made a Debilitating Shout, but Laurent once again displayed his capacity to power through Christof‘s defenses, pressing the advantage. Although the Debilitating Shout had completely nullified his Commander Falstaav, he still had Buzz and Gavin Shadesticker around. He attacked, putting Christof to 11 damage.
Unable to get a foothold in the game, Christof resorted to playing a Bloodbane’s Fall and Sister Colleen Tulley. She immediately took a shot from “Tubs” Klankbopple, and Christof was behind once again. Laurent didn’t make the young German wait any longer. Commander Falstaav may have 0 ATK thanks to Debilitating Shout, but it didn‘t stay that way. Laurent played Kaale, pitched three cards to give the Commander +6 ATK, then doubled that to 12! Completely exhausted, and with no defenses, Christof was suddenly down a game to the surprising deathblow!
Pagorek - 1, Schilling - 0
A game down but now on the play, Christof had a chance to get the offensive . . . but he instead found himself behind on turn 2. Beginning with his own Kaale, Christof immediately had to pitch Danyssa Stillheart from his hand in order to give his Shaman +2 ATK and trade him with Laurent’s Vesperia Silversong! Giving your opponent a 2-for-1 trade on turn 2 was hardly an auspicious start, as Laurent seized the advantage with his own Kaale. Christof played his Bloodbane’s Fall and dealt Kaale a point of damage, using a second attack to finish the 1/2. Even so, Laurent was firmly on the front foot.
Maxwell and Falstaav removed Javuun from play, and Laurent followed with Buzz, removing the Bloodbane’s Fall. While losing Bloodbane’s Fall was a significant loss, it must have given Schilling some hope--if he could just kill the 5/5, his future weapons would be safer. Seizing his chance to get even the score, Christof played Olaf Steelbreaker--not just a a big protector, but a Warrior. That turned on Christof’s hero flip and finished off Commander Falstaav. Punching back, Laurent played Corrupter Mimi Whippleshade while Christof built his forces up with Crusader Lord Dalfors as the two players began an arms race.
Unfortunately for Christof, Laurent Pagorek was the first to draw his weapon: Saliva Corroded Pike. Christof played a blade of his own on the next turn--his Reaper of Dark Souls with 5 counters on it. As the two struck away the other's allies, they were suddenly left in similar positions. Neither had any allies, and they both had weapons. Christof might have finally found an edge! He had taken 18 damage in the early turns where he fought to stabilize, while Laurent had only taken 4 so far. Could Schilling really take the game from here?
Skaala of the Somber Watch was a perfect card for Christof to draw at this point--it gave Laurent’s hero -4 ATK, removing the threat of the Pike, but the 4/1 didn't last long. Klankbopple returned, and the pressure resumed. Christof had a Myrodan Silversong, but anyone could see the writing on the wall. Was it too late? Laurent attacked with “Tubs” and his Pike, putting Christof to 25 damage, and then sprang a Conflagration Trap on Myrodan's attack. It would take 8 turns for that to kill Myrodan, but only 4 turns for it to kill Christof‘s hero!
In the end, it didn’t even take that long. Laurent once again played Kaale, once again pitched cards, and once again swept home for the win. Two games won by Kaale--the humble 1/2 Shaman--and it looked as though Christof’s prediction that Pagorek would sweep the draft might well come true!
Pagorek - 2, Schilling - 0
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Posted by: Kim Leak | 05/22/2011 at 11:52 PM