First match of the tourney is Doom-Bots vs. Superman Robots.  Ben took Superman robots, so I got Doom Bots. We rolled for initiative and I won taking odds.

Turn 1. Doom-Bots misses on a recruit, but I do have Arsenal of doom I activate and see a Lancer on top of my deck and decide to keep it.  Ben hits Lois Lane and reveals 3 robots and keeps one.  Lois swings in for one. 

Endurance Doom-bots  49 Superman Robots 50

Turn 2. Ben recruits Krypto and puts the pup in front of Lois.  I recruit Lancer and put her in the support row.  Krypto chomps on Lancer and that’s all the attacks for the turn since Lois does not have range. 

Endurance Doom-bot  46 Superman Robots 50

Turn 3. I recruit Doom-bot Corps and put it in front of Lancer.  Ben recruits Superman Robots and forms with Krypto in front of Lois with Superman robots to the side of Lois.  I pay 3 endurance to turn Doom bot into doom, stun Lancer to her effect, flip a doomstadt and go after Lois Lane.  Ben reinforces with Superman Robots, and then the Robot becomes stunned to Lancer’s effect.  Krypto can not attack since he is no longer protecting anyone.  Lois is lost in recovery.

Endurance Doom-bot 41 Superman Robots 46

Turn 4. Ben boosts a Superman Robot.  Both bots go to the support row with Krypto protecting one.  I recruit Mr. Fantastic and bring back a Doom-bot that was in the KO pile from Arsenal of Doom.  I believe Mr. Fantastic and Doom-bot were in the front row with Mr. Fantastic protecting Lancer, and a Doom-bot protecting another Doom Bot..  Ben sends Krypto into the back row doom bot and I pay 3 endurance to turn it into Dr. Doom and stun Lancer to her ability.  Combat resolves and Krypto and the Doom-bot stun along with a Superman Robot thanks to Lancer’s ability.  Ben sends his remaining Superbot into Mr. Fantastic for the duel stun.  My remaining Doom bot goes into Lois Ben flips Dirty tricks and plays Acro dodge on Lois to save on some breakthrough.  Before recovery I flip up torture chamber and KO Mr. Fantastic.  Ben flips My Name Is Peter Parker and calls Superman Robots.  Start of recovery I ready torture chamber and KO a Doom-bot

Endurance Doom-bots 30 Superman Robots 40

Turn 5. I play Boris and Mr. Fantastic getting back a Doom-bot.  Ben boosts Superman Robot bringing his total to 3 Superman robots each getting +3+3.  I do the 5 endurance combo of turning one of my Robots into Dr. Doom and send Boris back into the deck to get a Sacrificial Pawn.  I send the Doctor Doom bot into a Superman Robot, Ben powers up for the brick wall I KO Lancer to Doom needs only Doom to give the Robot -4 def Ben reinforces with his other robot in the back row.  Each both bots stun and the Superman robot stuns to Lancers ability.  Mr. Fantastic and the remaining Doom-bot team attack the remaining Superman robot to be on the safe side.  I play Sacrificial Pawn KO’ing Mr. Fantastic to KO a Superman Robot.

Endurance Doom-bots 18 Superman Robots 27

Turn 6. Ben boosts a Superman Robot and recruits a Krypto.  I recruit yet another Mr. Fantastic pulling out another Doom-bot from the KO pile.  I also recruit a Robot Sentry.  Before his attack phase I exhaust Krypto with Robot Sentry, which was pointless as Ben flips H’ronmeers Curse and the Sentry and Krypto stun.  Ben sends a Superman Robot into Mr. Fantastic.  I have the power up to get the mutual stun.  Superman Robot #2 is sent into a Doom-bot and I flip two Robotic Offensives to get another mutual stun.  We have another Superman Robot on Doom-bot combat leaving me at 1.  My notes suck, but I believe I have two Doom-bots left with his board stunned so I get to attack direct for 10 putting him at 7.

Turn 7. looks rough for me, but the deck craps out on Ben and he cannot recruit a single drop.  I drop more Doom-bots easily take down his one guy and swing for the win.

Game 2 Ben decides to take odds this game and we are on to game 2

Turn 1.  No Recruits

Turn 2.  I recruit Lancer and Ben recruits Krypto.  No attacks

Turn 3.  I have a Doom-bot, to Ben’s no recruits.  Krypto can still not attack so Ben passes to me.  For some reason I teamed Doom-bot and Lancer into Krypto, I think I did this since he missed on 1 and 3 I figured he was holding defensive pumps or dirty tricks or power ups and I didn’t want the attack to bounce.  Doom-bots 47 Superman Robots 48

Turn 4.  I Mobilize for Mr. Fantastic pitching a Doom-bot.  I recruit Mr. Fantastic getting back the Doom-bot.  Ben boosts Superman Robot.  I do the turn into Doom stun lancer 5 endurance combo.  Then I send Dr. Doom-bot into Krypto for the Mutual stun, with Superman Robot stunning off Lancer’s ability.  Mr. Fantastic and the other Doom-bot go in for 12 direct.  Ben plays For the Man that has Everything to get Superman Metropolis Marvel discarding a Krypto.  Doom-bots 39 Superman Robots 36

Turn 5.  Ben recruits Superman Metropolis Marvel.  I recruit Robot Sentry and a Doom-bot.  Ben flips up H’ronmeer’s Curse and my Robot Sentry stuns off it.  Ben sends Superman Robot into the only Doom-bot that could reinforce Lancer.  We both take 3 off the mutual stun.  Ben sends Superman Metropolis Marvel into Lancer.  So I could reset the attack by Stunning Lancer to her ability, and make him attack someone that can be reinforced.  I don’t really like that idea cause that makes me lose another person, and depending on what I draw next turn I may be able to get a free stun off Lancer’s ability again.  Plus I think I need as many bodies as possible.  So I decide to let Lancer take one for the team and she gets run over by Superman.  Doom-bots 17 Superman Robots 33

Turn 6.  I recruit two Doom-bots.  Ben boosts a Superman Robot, and in an ultimate sign of dickery puts Mandroid Prototype on Superman.  I do the turn into Dr. Doom stun Lancer thing and send the Dr. Doom-bot, two other Regular Bots and Mr. Fantastic into Superman.  I play a Robotic Offensive and pitch two power ups on Mr. Fantastastic to get right at Superman’s defense.  Ben flips a Dirty Tricks, I KO Lancer to Doom needs only Doom to give Sups -4 defense.  Ben plays Acro Dodge on Supes I KO my last Doom-bot that was not in the attack to Doom needs only Doom.  Mr. Fantastic, Superman and a Robot off Lancer’s ability stun.  Doom-bots 8 Superman Robots 25

Turn 7.  Ben plays a For the Man who has Everything getting a Superman Robot who he boosts into play.  I mobilize for a Boris to get a Mystical so Superman can’t attack this turn but its all academic as the Robots have enough firepower to stun two of my guys and put me below zero.

Game 3 I take odds with thoughts of Stunning Superman on 5 and Koing him, surely that will win me the game

Turn 1. I recruit Boris, Ben has Lois Lane revealing a Krypto.  Boris swings his stick at Lois and she swings back with her hairdryer.  Doom-bots 49 Superman Robots 49

Turn 2.  Ben has Krypto to my Robot Sentry.  Sentry activates to exhaust Krypto and that’s the end of combat.  Doom-bots 49 Superman Robots 49

Turn 3.  I recruit a Doom-bot.  Ben has a Superman Robot.  I pay three to turn the bot into Dr. Doom and activate Boris getting a Sacrifical Pawn.  Dr. Doom bot goes into Superman Robot who Acro Dodges and I have no pump so the attack bounces.  Robot Sentry activates on Krypto and Superman Robot whales on Robot Sentry.

 Doom-bots 42 Superman Robots 49

Turn 4.  Ben boosts a Superman Robot.  I recruit Mr. Fantastic getting a Doom-bot.  Ben plays My Name is Peter Parker calling Superman Robot.  Robot Sentry exhausts Krypto.  Ben sends a Superman Robot into a Doom-bot, I KO Robot Sentry for Doom needs only Doom to get the mutual stun.  Ben sends his other robot into my other Doom-bot and I power up for the mutual stun.  Mr. Fantastic takes this opportunity to beat up on the defenseless lois.  I believe a Superman Robot was exhausted to home surgery another.  That should explain why only two attacked.  Doom-bots 33 Superman Robots 36

Turn 5. I have a Doom-bot and Lancer, to Ben’s Superman Metropolis Marvel.  Ben sets up with a Superman Robot in front of Superman.  That means I have to waste my Mr. Fantastic into him to ensure I get the stun and can attack Superman.  Mr. Fantastic and Superman Robot mutual stun.  I send two Doom-bots and Lancer into Superman, if he has any kind of pump or defensive trick I am screwed.  Luckily he does not and Doom-bot and Superman stun.  I play Sacrifical Pawn KOing Doom-bot to KO Superman.  Krypto goes into Lancer and I have the pump for the mutual stun.  Superman robot exhausts to home surgery the one that was stunned by Mr. Fantastic  

Doom-bots 24 Superman Robots 23

Turn 6.  Ben boosts Superman Robot, I mobilize for a new Mr. Fantastic, recruit him bringing in another Doom-bot.  Sadly my guys are too small for his boosted stats, and all die without stun back.

Superman Robots wins 2 games to 1

Round 1

AGL VS S.H.I.E.L.D

It’s the first game of round one.  My friend Ben that is helping run this tournament decides on Shield so I take AGL.  We roll for initiative and I win taking odds.  I mull my Chomin less hand into one that does have Chomin score! and Ben keeps. 

Game 1

Turn 1. I play Chomin and Ben has a Shield Agent burning me for 2.  I go into the agent with a flying kick.  AGL 48, SHIELD 46

Turn 2. Ben bounces his Agent to Origin story then plays two Agents burning me for 4.  I have two AGLs.  Ben passes his attacks.  I send one AGL into an Agent and he reinforces.  I send another AGL into the other Agent, and then Chomin goes in direct.  After combat is over Chomin stuns an AGL to his effect and I bounce the other to Origin Story to get an AGL.  Ben loses an Agent in recovery.  AGL 43, SHIELD 39

Turn 3. I recruit three AGL.  Ben recruits Nick Fury then uses his ability to put two more Agents into play burring me for 4.  I try to send an AGL into an Agent and Ben decides to send his Agents back to his hand via flipping Shield Hellicarrier.  So I swing to the face with my AGLS and Chomin, the use Chomin’s ability stunning an AGL.  All my AGL’s die to their ability except the stunned one of course.  AGL 39 SHIELD 20

Turn 4. Ben recruits Squirrel Girl bringing an Agent with her, and then recruits two more Agents burning me for a total for six.  I recruit four AGLs.  Ben sends Nic Fury to the face with two Savage Beatdowns for 16 points of damage.  Three Agents and Squirrel got the face for 9.  I send an AGL into Squirrel Girl, an AGL into an Agent three times, and an AGL and Chomin Direct, with Chomin stunning an AGL to his ability.  AGL 7 SHIELD 1

Turn 5. I have one measly AGL because this deck likes to make things difficult for me; luckily all Ben could recruit was one Agent as well.  I play Banished to the Anti-Matter Universe on an Agent to break up reinforce I saw like no pumps this game so I am trying to do as much damage as possible.  I send an AGL into the lone visible Agent.  Then send my remaining AGL and Chomin to the face.  Ben sends his hidden Agent to the face for two and Megablasts Nick Fury and powers him up twice.  Its close but when the dust settles its AGL -7 SHIELD –8

Game 2

Ben decides to keep even initiative and it’s on to game two. 

Turn 1. I recruit an AGL and Ben has an Agent.  AGL swings into the Agent.  AGL 48 SHIELD 47

Turn 2. Ben plays Origin Story on his Agent, to get another Agent, and then recruits two Agents.  I have a Watchdog and an AGL.  Ben has no way to pump through the Watchdog at the moment and passes on his attacks.  I send an AGL into an Agent and he reinforces.  I bounce my AGL back to my hand with Insect Swarm.  AGL 44 SHIELD 46

Turn 3.  I’ve had a Willworld since turn one but so far it has just been revealing plot twists and laughing at me, this turn it feels sorry for me and gives me a Chomin I recruit him and two AGLs.  Ben has two more Agents.  Feeling reckless stupid or both, I send a Chomin in as my first attack to break up reinforcement; Ben decides to bounce three agents back to his hand to flip Shield Hellicarrier.  So now I decide to send an AGL into an Agent and that one gets bounced to Origin Story.  So now I send an AGL to the face with Megablast.  Another AGL direct and Chomin direct.  Then Chomin does his thing to an AGL.  AGL 39 SHIELD 31

Turn 4. Ben recruits Nick Fury and an Agent.  I have an AGL.  Nick activates to bring in another Agent.  Ben sends an Agent into Watchdog with a Megablast.  The remaining Agent goes in direct.  I send AGL into Agent twice, then Chomin direct with a flying kick, then Chomin an AGL.  AGL 30 SHIELD 19

Turn 5. I get a Xallarap off Willworld.  Ben has four Agents.  I send an AGL into an Agent to leave one Agent all by himself so Xallarap can beat up on him with the next attack.  This fails though when the lone Agent Xallarap is gunning for gets bounced to Origin Story.  Xallarap can only go into a reinforced Agent for one with his new attack.  Chomin can’t hit anyone so he stuns Xallrap to his ability.  Nick and the remaining Agent attack to the face.  I flip Torture Chamber and KO a AGL to it.  AGL 14 SHIELD 10

Turn 6. Ben recruits three Agents.  Flips another Hellicarrier KO’ing the first one and bouncing the three Agents back to his hand then re-recruiting them.  I draw into another Xallarap and an AGL.  So making the most of it I KO my current Xallarap then recruit the new one and the AGL.  Ben sends Nick Fury to the face with two Big Leagues and a Savage Beatdown. Then his five Agents swing to the face as well.  All I can do is send an AGL into an Agent and Xallarap into an Agent.  Final Score AGL -27 Shield -3

Game 3

Turn 1.  I have Chomin, Ben has an Agent.  Chomin into Agent.  AGL 48 SHIELD 49

Turn 2.  Ben recruits two Agents.  I recruit Qwardian Watchdog.  Ben has no way to get through the Watchdog.  Chomin goes into an Agent; Ben plays Origin Story on that Agent.  Chomin goes after the other Agent.  AGL 44 SHIELD 48

Turn 3.  I have no recruits, yep you read that right no recruits.  Ben has Nick Fury.  Chomin figures out that the AGL are sitting this one out so it’s all on him.  So he Banishes an Agent to the Antimatter Universe.  Then he goes to the face with a Megablast and Cosmic Conflict.  Nick goes into the Qwardian Watchdog with two power ups.  An agent decides to get frisky and goes after Chomin with a power up.  Little did he know is that in lieu of giving me AGL the deck has already gave me three Chomin, so I power up as well.  Feeling the Agents are better served being played instead of pitched to power up battles Ben lets the Agent stun on the brick wall.  AGL 42 SHIELD 37

Turn 4.  Ben plays Origin Story on an Agent, and then recruits four Agents.  Yet again I have no recruits.  I decide to keep my Chomin that is visible to at least soak up one point of damage instead of recruiting him into the hidden area.  Ben sends Nick Fury into Chomin.  No hellicarrier yet so the Agents can do nothing.  AGL 30 SHIELD 37

Turn 5.  I recruit an AGL, then Origin Story that AGL play him again and play a Xallarap.  Ben recruits two Agents.  I send an AGL into an Agent and Ben reinforces.  Xallarap is free to whale on a lone Agent and does so.  Chomin does the stun thing on Xallarap, and then goes after an Agent himself.  Nick goes into Chomin.  I origin story an AGL back to my hand to search for another.  AGL 19 SHIELD 25

Turn 6.  Ben recruits an Agent and a Maria hill.  He then puts an Agent on top of his deck with Asgard  and activates Maria and of course hits, giving all his guys plus 1 attack this turn.  Then recruits the Agent he just rallied for.  I recruit a new Chomin (I kept Xallarap last turn) and three AGL.  Nick Fury goes to the face with two Savage Beatdowns.  Six Agents go to the face.  All I can do is swing back into his Agents have no pumps so it’s not enough to come back.  Final Score AGL -5 SHIELD 7 I believe it wasn’t enough to kill him so I may be off a bit

SHIELD wins 2 to 1

I really felt like I let Shadow trooper down but I couldn’t overcome the lack of guys game three and the lack of pump all match.  Even with good draws on both sides these deck seem pretty evenly matched.  Shield can swarm out some many guys it’s hard to deal breakthrough.  I hope it wasn’t too annoying with me not saying what each person kept during recovery.  I kind of didn’t realize how important this was until half way through doing the games.  My reports in the future should be more detailed as I get the hang of this. 

Since, I will not be able to start the Armed Forces Challenge till I get up with my friends either tonight or tomorrow.  I thought I would fill up the downtime by satisfying my ego, and presenting you with deck lists of teams that have army characters but was not picked for the Armed Forces Challenge.

The first team I wanted to try my hand at was Underworld.  I’ve always been obsessed with the New Blood and their interaction with their “Leader” Deacon Frost.  So lets see the list then I can explain some of my choices

18 New Blood, Army

4 Deacon Frost, Vampire Master

4 Nekra, Nekra Sinclair

3 Witch Woman, Lindy Littletrees

2 Witching Hour

3 Gravesite

3 Wake the Dead

4 Spirits of Vengenace

2 Undead Legions

4 Team Spirit

4 Agents of Hate

3 Savage Beatdown

3 Mausoleum

3 The Darkhold

My idea for the deck was that, by hopefully bringing back New Bloods over and over again, that I would produce some kind of card advantage against my opponent.

To achieve these goals I started out with two Witching Hours.  To support Witching Hour I tried to run some semi life gain cards as a min theme of the deck.  This is where Gravesite and The Darkhold come in.  Plus those two cards feed your KO pile and that is always a good thing in an Underworld deck.

Nekra seems like a good way to fill your hand and ko pile.  Witch Woman is there to keep multiple beatdowns and big leagues from being played on you in a turn.

I’ve always wanted to try the keep the stunned around them that they also had, so that is the reason for the Mausoleums and Undead Legions.  Not sure how well they will work in the deck but it’s worth a try.

Finally I have 4 team spirit in the deck, I think it’s a great card in rush decks and was surprised to not see it being ran in any of the 24 decks competing.

Our last deck comes from ukyo rulz and its features Wild pack army again, but this time its the ones of the Spider-friends affliation.  I believe when this team is on the board its all Fun and Games.

20 Wild Pack, Army
4 Silver Sable, Silver Sablinovia
4 Spider-man. Friendly Neighborhood Spider-man
2 Human Torch,Friendly Rival
2 Scarlet Spider, Ben Reilly

3 Birthing Chamber
3 ESU (MSM)
3 Fun and Games
3 Superhuman Registration Act

4 Omnipotence
4 Cover Fire
4 Press the Attack
4 Lanterns in Love

Wait a minute!  What is the Lord of Latveria doing entering into an army contest?  Why is there so many of them as well?  Maybe its not Dr. Doom himself, but those sneaky Doom Bots pretending to be him.  The following Shenanigans is brought to you by roniman

14 Doom-Bot Corps – Army
4 Robot Sentry – Army
4 Mr. Fantastic – Doom’s Adversary
4 Lancer – Samantha Dunbar
4 Boris – Personal Servant of Dr. Doom

Plot Twists
4  Armies of Doom
4 Mobilize
3 Mystical Paralysis
4 Doom Needs Only Doom
2  Sacrificial Pawn
4  Robotic Offensive

Locations
4 Arsenal of Doom
1 Torture Chamber
4 Doomstadt – Castle Doom

My only regret is  that I didn’t have enough doom bots so I wouldnt have to proxy this deck, I love all things doom and this deck looks like a lot of fun.

Exardave brings an OMAC invasion to the Armed Forces Challenge with the help of everyone’s favorite location finder.

3x Retrieval Protocol, OMAC Army

4x Black Thorn, Elizabeh Thorne
4x Ahmed Samsarra, White King
5x Elimination Protocol, OMAC Army
4x Annihilation Protocol, OMAC Army

4x Brother I Satellite
2x Brother Eye
3x Dr. Fates Tower
1x Coast City
1x Psychoville
1x Birthing Chamber
2x Heart of the Machine, Worldeater
2x Proton Piston, Worldeater
2x Elemental Regulator, Worldeater
1x Biosphere Boiler, Worldeater

4x For Great Justice!
4x Mobilize
4x Cover Fire
3x Traitor to the Cause
3x Level 12 Intelligence

1x Helm of Nabu
1x Cloak of Nabu
1x Amulet of Nabu

Life gain, looks like the name of the game, will it be able to withstand the swarm decks to bring the beats of its own?

Thanks Exardave for submitting the deck and putting up with my nitpicks

I like are next deck for the various ways its has to kill you.  Swarm you with the Ninja, or kill you with a huge Nazi Superman.  What could be more fun?  Neo882004 helps answer that question with

23x The hand, Army*Hydra
4x Master Man, Max Lohmer * RAID
2x James barnes, <> Winter Soldier, Communist Puppet * RAID
1x M.O.D.O.K, Mobile Organism Designed Only for Killing * A.I.M.
1x Baron Von Strucker, Baron Wolfgang von Strucker * HYDRA

2x Duty calls
4x Mobilize
4x Lanterns in love
3x Clash of Worlds
3x New King in Town
4x Invasion Plans

4x Birthing Chamber
2x Alias Investigation

2x Force Field Belt

Very sick deck, can’t wait to see what it’ll do

I’m really excited for this next deck to be in my tourney, because I was not playing Vs at the time when this deck was popular and it looks so fun to play.  DavidG updated this classic with a couple of new cards from recent sets to really make it a beast in the tourney

Qwardian Stall

17x Shadow Creatures
2x Scarab, Qwardian Conglomerate
1x Qwardian Watch Dog, Gatekeeper
1x Ultra-Man, Despot of Kandor
4x Kiman, Chief Weaponer
1x Element man, Qwardian Conglomerate
1x Prometeus, New Year’s Evil
1x Sinestro, Korugaran Despot
1x Anti-Monitor
29 Characters

4x Qward
3x Birthing Chamber
4x Sector 2814
1x Espionage
12 Locations

1x Helping Hands
3x Rat-tat-tat
3x What are friends for?
4x Invasion Plans
1x Rain of Acorns
2x Mobilize
2x Emerald Dawn
1x Lanterns in Love
1x Q Energy
2x Messiah Complex
20 Plot Twists

I love it, an army deck that doesn’t win by swarming at least in the attacking sense.  Should throw quite a bit of decks in the tourney for a loop.  Thanks David!

This next deck is evil.  Filled with so many evil cards its not even funny.  It’s so evil that I didn’t even realize how evil it was till I started putting it together.  If all the swarm decks weren’t packing so much pump i think this deck would be pretty hard to beat.  Who could have made such an evil deck?  Its none other than Tommy Ashton and he has corrupted the Superman Robots to his evil ways.

4 Lois Lane, Star Reporter
4 Krypto, Guard Dog of El
2 Hiro Okamura <> Toyman, Whiz Kid
15 Superman Robots, Army
1 Superman, Metropolis Marvel

4 Mandroid Prototype

4 Acrobatic Dodge
4 Dirty Tricks
4 Home Sweet Home
4 For the Man Who Has Everything
4 Home Surgery
4 Shock Troops
2 My Name Is Peter Parker
4 H’ronmeer’s Curse

Will the robots be able to handle the fastest swarm decks, or will they get burned and pummeled out the game before they have time to breath?

LordofLimbo deserves an award, actually several.  When he first sent me his list I thought he was joking, it looked so simple, but then I started to put it together and realized it was a card advantage machine.  I can’t wait to see it in action in the tourney

4x Maria Hill