I'm terrible with game recollection, so don't expect much here! I will only remember a handful of things, so if people want to fill in where I left off feel free!
Game 1 - Brandon Frank (Tie 4-4)
I was more excited about this game, because it gave me some time to get to know Brandon a little better. He is a very good player, and has not been playing long (this was his first Nationals). I had somewhat gotten to know him (and his son) through Josiah Beers as him and Brian (who I brought with me) were teammates. Outside of our "personal" conversations all I remember is he played the cards he had, exactly the way he was supposed to. He built his deck well and played it great, which are both very unusual for newer players. When I created a side battle to try to take advantage of drawing, he made the proper play (which I can't remember) that crippled my offense for a few turns. I will also say that he took advantage of my one misplay this game, which was banding in my two red heroes to draw with Faith of Samuel, instead of just making the "safe play" and banding in multiple colors. He rightly popped my green hero, leaving me with the one enhancement that I didn't have a chance to play.
Game 2 - Jennifer Steckmann (Win 5-0)
I drafted with Jennifer and her husband Jonathan (which I played round 4), so I knew a little bit of what she might have. I don't remember much of this game other than I had a few good blocks early, and with the numbers on my characters Jennifer choose not to attack several turns in a row.
Game 3 - Allen Bradley (Win 5-2)
I very much enjoyed this game as well due to the fact that I met Allen before this game. He was excited about being a new player and him and his son were a lot of fun to be around. The sad truth about this game was that I had an early Nero that kept him from being able to get through. The few times he did attack I ended up blocking him with my two soul gen characters to be able to get enough to rescue.
Game 4 - Jonathan Steckmann (Win 5-4)
I don't remember much about this game other than it was obviously very tight. Most of Jonathan's rescues were early, and I had to catch up. I do remember by the end of the game my defense was where I needed it to be, and he didn't rescue a soul but maybe once or twice in the last several rounds. I do also remember getting the satisfaction of taking out his Leviathan with my Sword of the Lord!
Game 5 - Justin Alstad (Win 5-3)
Please see Justin's commentary about this game, as he remembers much more than I did. I do remember that me sitting at the head table, being recorded and playing a Nat's champ seemed unlikely. Don't get me wrong, I love booster, know how to draft and build a deck. I might even say I'm a decent player, but not a champ (Second doesn't count!
). I've played Justin many times (All type 2, or multi), so to be able to play him one on one knowing I had at least a chance was cool! This game was tighter than the score shows, and Justin had my defense beat at the end of the game, but my offense was able to sneak through one last time.
Game 6 - Joshua Potratz (Lost 5-4)
Yet another game being recorded and in first place! I guess I'm a choker! No, if you watch the video of this game, it would have been over very quickly had I had lost souls on the table. Joshua got off to a killer start and used I Am Holy to pop any evil in my hand, so most of the game I had no evil in my hand. Due to this, I was able to stay close and even maybe could have won this game. Had I choose a different blocker for my 4th soul, I would have been able to block his attempt for his 5th. This would have allowed me one last chance to get that 5th soul, but hindsight is 20-20. I probably wouldn't want to change the outcome anyways as I would have had to play Jonathan Wagenknecht, and there is no telling what could have happened.
Game 7 - Aidan Spurgetis (Won 5-3)
Wasn't looking forward to this game. The day before, I was judging and wondering who this "kid" was at the top table for several rounds. Come to find out he is the son of Kye Murphy, and it all starts to come together. So I knew this wasn't going to be a cake-walk by any stretch. Basically what I remember from this game was the fact all my rescues and blocks were just the result of having the right thing at the right time that Aidan couldn't stop. I'll take being lucky over being good most of the time, and I feel like that was this game!
So I do think about the two plays (against Brandon & Joshua) that I could have done better, but even then there is no guarantee that it would have worked out for me better. So I'm totally fine with the way it went down, and was happy to see Brandon get third as well! Felt bad for Joshua getting 4th despite beating me, but I've been there and done that before too, and know this will be far from the last time he will be at the top! Overall, just a fun experience!
