fitchburg-mass-the-ps2-is-mine
Title: fitchburg-mass-the-ps2-is-mine
Author: Andy "RexBanner7" Klema
Date: Mar 14, 2001
After some persuasion and a lot of backhanding, my friend Cody Legolas DiCara got work off on Saturday so we could play in a tournament in Meriden to prepare for Sundays tourney in Fitchburg, Mass, where the PS2 would be up for grabs. Around this same time, I began talking to Mike Deck Gemme and Steve Stevie B Baroni about staying at Mikes house before going to the tourney, since Mike was home from college on Spring Break. After Baroni told me that Mike had a hot @#$% sister, all was decided; me and Cody would attend the Meriden tourney, then drive up to Mikes and spend the night playtesting and having sex with his sister.
About the day before, plans started to breakdown somewhat. Cody, who was driving both of us up, told me that he couldnt go to Meriden because of some problems he was having with his parents. I told him it wasnt that big of a deal, and wed just go up to Mikes a little earlier than we thought originally. So Cody leaves his house and comes to mine. I keep him there at least an hour and a half because Im trying to finish burning a Rage Against the Machine mix CD, and its taking forever because my computer sucks. We finally leave my house at about quarter after 3, and make the drive up to Mikes house in Worcester, Mass.
On the way up there, nothing amazingly exciting happened except for watching an undercover cop car flying by people in the far right hand lane going at least 90 mph. Other than that and listening to the RATM mix (which, as will be explained later, was key tech for the weekend), the right was uneventful, and we find Mikes house at about quarter of 5.
So, we go into Mikes house, and we get introduced to his mom, dad, kid brother Matt, and BAM!; his hot @#$% sister. And believe me, she was pretty fine, everything Baroni said she was. After finding out that she was having many other hot friends over, we secluded ourselves in Mikes room like dorks and waited for Baroni while starting to playtest. Steve got there shortly after us, and we starting playing.
For LS I had my WYS deck which has done really well so far, but I wasnt sure if it could stand up to HuntDown, so I was trying out a MWYHL high destiny mains deck. This was a pretty sweet deck....if the only thing you ever played against was HuntDown or Bring Him Before Me. But MKOS and Court absolutely killed it, and TIEs probably would have beat it too. So I switch it back to WYS because I knew the deck so much better, and it did well in playtesting so I didnt care. For DS I was playing my undefeated MKOS (yeah, it doesnt really matter if its undefeated, but I like saying that anyway) which I was sure I would play no matter what. It had some trouble against Baronis QMC deck because thats a horrible matchup (Menace Fades hurts!), but it did fine against everything else. Cody played my MKOS and some @#$% HDWGITM? based on Cloud City. It was a good idea on paper, but it was @#$% when actually played. Baroni went with HuntDown 7s (of course) and the QMC, and Gemme went with Skrilling MKOS and Hoth Clouds, which Baroni made and isnt that bad.
In between doing a significant amount of testing, Gemmes sisters friends show up, and theyre all hot. They ask Baroni to take a picture of them, and from that comes the quote of the weekend; Were not sluts, we just dress like them. Anyway, Baronis cover is blown when one chick asks him what grade hes in, so hes depressed for the rest of the night. Me and Cody dont say much aside from random witty comments (well, me, not Cody because Im the witty one - see D-Con report for more on that), and they leave us alone for the most part, and we do the same because wed rather be quiet then be dorks and show them how to play Star Wars.
Around 11:30 pm, we go out to Dennys for the Brownie. Now, let me tell you, everything I have read on the Brownie cannot even begin to describe it. You must experience the Brownie before you can understand it. I make the mistake of ordering some sampler piece of crap before ordering the Brownie (Gemme does the honors because were staying at his house), and thus have somewhat of a hard time choking the Brownie down. And Clint Hays (from which most of my Brownie knowledge comes from) is right; eating the Brownie is not a pleasurable experience. It is too rich, too dry, and too big all at the same time. Im halfway through it, but Im not really halfway through it because I was eating the smaller end. Anyway, I choke it down and finish first (without the aid of milk I might add) and laugh at Cody, Mike, and Steve because theyre having more trouble than me. Cody and Steve need milk to finish theirs, and Mike is eating around the whipped cream because the waitress ignored his request of nuts and no whipped cream by bringing him the exact opposite. But Mike thought he would get a little extra luck because the waitress brought him a free Brownie. This turned out to be untrue because when he woke up the next morning, he discovered that his sister and her friends secretly ate the Brownie in the night, cursing him for the next day. All this time, Baroni is trying ot eat some of Mikes Brownie, and vice versa, while Cody is just getting more pale (if thats possible :) ).
After the Dennys experience, we all go back to Mikes where we get some more testing in and then try to fall asleep. Then Gemme comes up with his mad Tzzvit tech (read his TR for more), and we all laugh, mocking him at the same time, though Baroni is totally into it. I fall asleep around 4-4:30 am, only after slapping Baroni across the face because he was snoring, and punching Cody in the shoulder for wanting to change his LS deck at 4 oclock in the morning.
We wake up early the next day, get a game or two in, and then pack up and head out. Of course Fitchburg turns out to be a half an hour DUE NORTH of Worcester (which isnt good for us CT people), so we will have to drive even further to get home. While getting lost in Fitchburg, Cody and I repeatedly play Know Your Enemy by RATM, which is easily the best song ever. This, combined with the RATM shirt under my hoodie, gave me mad tech for the day, even more so because I sang along.
We show up to the shop and there is a good amount of people, I think something like 30 in the end. As Im scrambling to put together my decklist (and not get DQd), who shows up but the Terwilligers. Gemme knew that this would happen and didnt tell us (the bastard!), so now the scene is Brian and Chris (both over 2000), Steve Brentson (2000+), Michael Schiemer (2040 something), Eric Hunter (dont know, but high 1900s if not 2000), but no Hayes because hes grounded or something. On to the first game.
Game 1: DS vs Jimmy Schiemers Throne Room Mains
I apologize to both Jimmy and Mike if I spelled their last name wrong, but that really cant be avoided. Anyway, he starting Insurrection, Staging Areas, and Your Insight in response to my There Is No Try/Oppressive Enforcement, No Bargain, and Power of the Hutt (which I would start in every game). His first turn is absolutly rediculous because he throws down 4 Twixs, pull a docking bay, and put Melas there. Then he adds Goo Ne Tay! So this deck that I should always be able to beat is killing me to start. I start pulling stuff and tracking Jabba through my reserve deck. Of course that plan all goes to hell when I dont find a site on the second turn and he gets to verify. So I just chuck down Jabba, Ephant Mon, and next turn Boelo, all with Scum on the table. He activates and draws for a turn or two, and then comes down with EPP Obi, who gets Barriered, and EPP Leia. He doesnt battle, but he does put out Order to Engage. My turn I come down with EPP Fett, who gets Barriered which gets grabbed, and Dr. E. Here is where I lose the game. I initiate even though EPP Fett is Barriered, which cost me two destiny because of Jabba and the Jabbas Through With You in my hand. I should have just Projectived the battle, Disarmed Obi next turn, and beat the hell out of him. But Im an idiot. He swings and hits Jabba, shoots Dr. E, and plays Slight Weapon Malfunction to get a destiny, getting around Boelo. I draw destiny, and Obi dies, but I have to lose 3 characters. His next turn comes down with, I believe, another EPP Obi and EPP Han and EPP Luke, but doesnt battle, probably because he didnt want to lose a character to the Bacta Tank (which he had out) and then lose more next turn. On my turn I put down Guri, but battle anyway (second mistake). He again hits everyone, I dont even hit Han (and I forget to play JTWY), and I lose everyone but Guri. On his turn he cancels Scum and the game was basically over. I get him down a lot of force because I beat on his Corran Horn for 12 cards, but after the first couple of turns, the game was pre-determined. FL by 5
0 (-5)
Highlights: Getting Scum out early. Nothing else.
Lowlights: MKOS lost! I can no longer say its undefeated! My stupid play on numerous occasions.
Not feeling too good after this game, but I remember that there probably wont be any undefeateds, and a first round loss by that little might actually help me. I think it turns out that I was right.
Game 2: LS vs Greg Doyles Raltiir Ops
I remember Greg from CT States last year, and joke around a bit with him and his friend Ian. Hes got balls to play Raltiir, but I have no Oonee Ta to hit him with, so it could be a good game. I get a pretty decent draw, except that when I look for a docking bay with Insurrection, there isnt one and he gets to verify. I return the favor a few turns later, so its not a big deal. He starts to set up, but only at one site, and with the Emperor at a 1/0 db. I put Super Falcon (Captain Han and Melas) up to the system, and fly to Raltiir since I have no Tatooine Celebration in hand. I then set up Jedi Luke and some smugglers at the docking bay. He responds with Vader, Tarkin, and Nemet in the Cantina, and Arica to block my drain. On my turn I try to SATM Arica, and draw duel ones, something that should never happen in my deck. Its alright, because I play a Cantina Brawl and get Tarkin. Then I move over to Mos Eisley. He follows with Arica, and I place SATM out of play to miss her again. He does nothing special over the next turn except get in position to flip if he can get rid of the Falcon (he Lateral Damages it but doesnt deploy ships). On my turn, I Cantina shuffle into the Cantina, drop some characters, and initiate against Vader and Nemet, but Clash Vader. Nemet gets hit up for something like 23 battle damage. Thats game (basically), and I set up Celebration for a turn or two just to get diff, but the game is over, and Ive won. FW by 33
2(+28)
Highlights: Just about everything.
Lowlights: Beating Greg, because he really is good people. Missing Arica twice.
Im feeling better, especially because I think LS is my weak deck, and it was good to win big with it. The next game is called out, and I get to play a game that I have wanted to for some time.
Game 3: LS vs Michael Hawleys HuntDown
Michael (rayc on Decktech) and I have talked for some time, met each other, but never played each other. Both of us were happy for the opportunity. Unfortunately, this game was over with early. Michael deploys Janus to DS:DB (where I dont go for fear of a Put All Section on Alert), and loses off the top to Visage because of a good hand. Lord Vader. Im giddy. I activate, pull my DB, and see that I have Melas, Captain Han, and a OOC/TT all in my Force Pile. I draw up til I get them all, and play OOC. Its Prepared Defenses or Vader and I get....Vader. Game. Its a bad way to win, but its a win. Im sorry it was to Michael though. The rest of the game is me setting up on Tatooine and the sites, retriving a little with Tatooine Celebration, and basically dominating since he couldnt do much without Vader. I fail an On the Edge on Captain Han because I was just trying to retrieve, but that was after battling away the threat of Bossk and Zuckuss, so it didnt matter. FW by 26
4(+54)
Highlights: The OOC. Setting up solidly.
Lowlights: Beating Michael. Winning a game (I feel) cheaply.
Feeling even better because LS won again. I know Im going be start playing the 2000 players now though, and here we go.
Game 4: DS vs Michael Schiemers EBO Mains
This was a weird game, but also over pretty early since this is a great matchup for me. I start with Jabba in hand, and over the first turn or two, spread pretty thinly across Jabbas Palace with a None Shall Pass for protection. Then I get Search and Destroy out, and he has to do something. He hadnt been able to find his A New Secret Base (he started 3 effects), and hes just been generating force with Crix at a docking bay. He gets out Oonee Ta and comes down with Tawss and Chewie, who gets None Shall Passed. Here he realizes his mistake and adds Melas, but it doesnt do much good. Iggy gets added to Price Xizor, the Abyssin, and Dengar. We battle, and I miss Tawss (lucky for him), but hit both characters and play Jabbas Through With You. Im flipped and I get 3 destiny, so all of them are huge. He loses something like 19 cards from that battle, and thats game. Search and Destroy plus my Galid drains are killing him, so the game is over, and by a lot as well. Never even got out Scum. FW by 34
6(+88)
Highlights: Dominating a good player. The big beatdown and good draw.
Lowlights: This was a bad matchup for Mike, and a new deck for him as well. Id like to play another game with him that would turn out closer.
Well, Brentson just beat Brian Terwilliger (pretty sure thats it), and Im the highest 3-1, so guess who Im playing?
Game 5: DS vs Steve Brentsons Hidden Base Celebration
This is the bad matchup for my deck. Menace Fades kills Galid bonus, Battle Plan makes me pay for everything, and Celebration retrieves what little damage I do. I cant rely on battle damage because of fear of Fallen Portals, so I decide that I have to take the system. My opening draw has Bossk, and I track Boba in Ship through the deck and set them both up on Tatooine around 3rd or 4th turn. I then set up the basic crew in the Audience Chamber with Scum out as well. Steve sets up some of his matching pilots at Rendezvous Point, and is apparently waiting for the right ships before he moves in after me. He also sets up Ben, Han, and Chewbacca, Protect at the docking bays and starts draining. At the system he has Mirax in ship, Dash in Ship, and a random Tala pilot. I initiate up there and begin the retrival. I lode up with fodder, and my 2 draws are huge because Im flipped. He loses Mirax, the ship, and Dash. I lose fodder. He comes down next turn with Dash again (stupid Oonee Ta!) and we battle some more. This goes on for a while, with me running away after a long fight because my only ship left is Bossk. Meanwhile, Steve is slowly moving into the palace, mostly because a Sandwhirl is chasing him. I set up EPP Fett and Dr E in the chamber, so when he finally makes his way there, Ben is Disarmed and operated upon. I go for the big beats in the chamber, but he Narrow Escapes away. I move my characters around to wipe him out. He battles, and both sides are cleared, flipping my objective back. Around this time, Ive drawn into Zuckuss, so I put him at Tatooine and move Bossk over to Tatooine, also flipping my objective by getting out Galid and spreading WAY out in Jabbas Palace, comforted by my two None Shall Passes. We battle at the system, but I have Myos to cancel drains and use as forfeit fodder, and Im retriving all the time, so Im ahead. My Galid drains are starting to get to him, and even though he retrieves about 15 force with On the Edge (which I should have grabbed but was an idiot), the game is winding down. After a lot of battling, I take the system, and thats basically game. FW by 29
8(+117)
Highlights: A great game with Steve. Winning one of my hardest matchups.
Lowlights: Almost losing because I lost Fett in Ship. Not grabbing On the Edge.
This has me pretty happy, not only because I have a realistic shot at the PS2, but because I determine whether or not I win it. I am far ahead on differential from anyone else, so if I win my next game, even by 1, I should win the whole thing. But the pairings are called, and Im playing Brian Terwilliger.
Game 6: LS vs Brian Terwilligers MKOS Fortress
Much like my MKOS, Brians is the fortress version that is so close to old school ROps it isnt funny. This deck is a beast, but it disadvantaged against my WYS, which is one of the reason I play it. My deck does to Brians what Brentsons should have done to mine. I set up the Super Falcon at the system early, and I get Jedi Luke with saber, + crew out quickly as well. Tatooine Celebration as well as Battle Plan come up, and the game is going decidely my way. Im doing a good amount of damage, and retrieving much of what he is throwing at me. He has the Sail Barge with Dengar, Xizor and others sitting at Mos Eisly, and I want to Shuffle, Sorry About the Mess, and Clash to win in one big battle (as I often do), but Im afraid of Disarmed, so I wait until I have ECC Lando in hand before I do anything. He sees taking the system as his only chance of winning the game, so he loads Zuckuss and the Stinger (with Guri inside-curses!) with tons of fodder, and then fun begins. I play this as smart as I can, and when he battles, I play Punch It! to make the Falcon immune. I lose Dash to the Bacta Tank and the Outrider to the docking bay (Ill Take the Leader) to cover everything. I set right back up next turn, and then same thing basically happens, with me playing Punch It! from the lost pile, and more of his fodder dying. Around this time, I make my move with the Shuffle. There is no SATM in my lost pile anymore, so I Disarm Dengar and Clash Xizor. He barriers both my characters that I try to throw down, so he doesnt lose that much force. Xizor stays Clashed, but when he becomes unClashed, Brian leaves him there, backing him up a little. I take full advantage of this mistake, and Clash Xizor from the lost pile, and beat up Dengar and Myo for 19 battle damage. This is basically game, as it leaves Brian with hardly any cards to draw for destiny at the system, so there is no way he can wipe me out. The game ends with my retriving with Celebration, and draining him out. FW by 31
10(+148)
Highlights: Another excellent game. Beating one of the best players in the world.
Lowlights: Brian forgetting to move Xizor. Almost losing the system.
So, I win the tourney and get the Playstation 2! Mint! I get many congrats from everyone there, and Im a happy man. Hayes shows up late to find out what happened, and is surprised as hell that I won, so its all good. :) Me and Cody leave after thanking everyone, and we make the 2 1/2 hour ride home in about 1 3/4 hours. Speeding is fun. And of course, in tribute to the mad tech that made the weekend, we play RATM and Know Your Enemy all the way back. Throw in some Bad Religion, and it was a sweet @#$% car ride. Now, for the time honored tradition of props and slops:
Props:
Mike Gemme for letting us stay at his house, for having a hot sister, for having the balls to play Hoth Clouds, and just being the man. You better come down to Terryville.
Steve Baroni for being just as cool, and for doing well, despite Gemme eating your brownie.
Cody for playing a @#$% light side and not caring (that much), and for the ride of course.
Justin Desai for being cool as always, despite scrubbing out. :)
Eric Hunter for being there and doing good, even though I didnt get to play him.
Michael Hawley for being one of the coolest guys I know that plays this game, and for finally playing each other. I had a blast.
The Terwilligers for making the trip, for being cool, for beating the crap out of Cody and Baroni in the Snow Ball Wars, and for being great opponents. It was awesome having you guys down there.
Kris Earle for running a tremendous tourney with no mistakes whatsoever. It was very nicely done, thanks a lot Kris.
Jimmy Schiemer, for beating my MKOS (even with a god draw) and being cool.
Ditto for Mike Schiemer, except for the beating me part. :)
Gemmes sister for having hot friends over. Hey Mike, ask her if shes still sore. :)
The Brownie and RATM for bringing me luck, even if it came at a price.
I think thats about it, but dont be insulted if I forgot you. A lot happened, and a lots a blur.
Slops:
Eric Hunter for dancing.
Hayes Hunter for not going. Jerk. :)
Wendys for putting mayo on burgers. WTF?
The Brownie for tasting so bad.
I think thats about it.
Its been real all, and that PS2 sure looks nice. I hope to see as many people as possible in Terryville, cuz its gonna be a blast. Later all, and good day.