Round 3 - January 2011 Lazy Laundry Tournament

Well, my predictions are starting to get a little better, probably just because I’ve had a chance to see all the teams in play—but we’ll see how my predictions hold out.

Round 2 was played on a map that was kind of like a collapsed overpass— there was a road going from start zone to start zone, connecting three high points, but it fell low around the central and longest high point, which was running perpendicular to the road as a whole. The other two high points were abutting the start zones, but the low part of the road was toward the center of the map. The terrain was situated such that it created 4 small valleys, two were hot & cold valleys—you had to go through a lava field and an ice patch to get to a glyph on a dungeon space (on one side was the wind glyph, the other the wound glyph). The other two valleys were swampy, jungle valleys, through which you could gain the easiest access to the central high ground. Where the road collapsed nearest the central high ground were the Move +4 Treasure and the Teleportation Treasure Glyphs. The road leading to the central high ground was situated so that figures with 7+ height and 5 move could use the road to get up to the high ground quicker than figures of 6 height or less. There was a water patch up against the central walls so that you could jump from the high ground to the low ground without hurting yourself. Battlements, trees, icebergs and rocks were strategically placed on mid-level terrain to make line of sight particularly tricky from the highest high ground.

Anyway, here are a few notes on interesting match-ups in Round 2 (below that are the bracket and my predictions for Round 3):

Hatamoto Taro, Kaemon Awa, Ninjas, Izumi, HarquebusX3
Captain America, Kozuke, Snipers, Tarn, RepulsorsX3 *

This was much tougher than I was suspecting, and it was all because of the Harquebus. They lack the defense, but they still have all of the offensive power of the 4th Mass and 10th Reg, and for a while it looked like they were going to murder Cap’s army. In fact, if the good Captain hadn’t one-shotted Kaemon Awa with a shield throw, I dare say Hatamoto Taro would’ve stumbled into another victory.

Red Skull, MotH, Hydra, Pulverizer, Kelda, Shiori
Moltenclaw, Moriko, DeathstalkersX2, StingersX2 *

This was not a terribly close match-up, but only because Kelda was on fire. She did several 3rd-turn healings of the Hydra and Pulverizer that were followed by initiative flips in the Red Skull’s favor.

Eltahale, Airborne Elite, Sir Gilbert, KoWx3, Eldgrim *
Brunak, Sir Denrick, SnipersX3, MacDirks

I have yet to win a game with Eltahale, which is a big surprise considering she looks like such a great unit, and that means I just haven’t figured her out. But I’ll tell you this: the Omnicron Snipers have been dominant lately with the castle walls, whether shooting from low or high ground.

Venoc Warlord, Sharwin, MohicansX2, Armocs, Theracus, VenocsX3 *
Werewolf, WoBx2, WarforgedX3, Zetacron

The Venocs couldn’t roll a frenzy to save their lives in this one, and their low defense made them Scooby snacks for the Wolves of Badru. The Mohicans managed to take them and the Werewolf Lord out with a little bit of help from the Venoc Warlord and his Armoc escorts. Still, things weren’t looking good for VW and the gang, because they still had to face three sets of Warforged Soldiers and Zetacron. Theracus and Sharwin flew to the central high ground, but Eladrin couldn’t do any damage with her Arcane Bolt against the Warforged, who had gone on to occupy the wound glyph. Luckily for her, Zetacron whiffed on a long-range attack and fell to her Arcane Riposte. The Warforged continued to climb to the high ground and finally caught her, but with high ground, her Shocking Grasp and Arcane Riposte was a good match for the Soldiers, and she managed to take most of them out (while using Theracus as a strategic blocker). But she fell eventually and it came down to a wounded VW, one Armoc and three warforged soldiers. The dice-gods were rooting for the lizards that day.

Othkurik, Mika, 10th RegX3, GreenscalesX2 *
Tandros, Mogrimm, Dund, AxegrindersX2, Roman ArchersX2

Frankly, I didn’t think Tandros and the gang had a chance against the 10th Reg, but a few things went their way. Othkurik and the Greenscales headed out first to thin out the herd, but the Axegrinders spread out too quickly for the black dragon to Acid Spray their start zone, and the Roman Archers proved to be remarkably tough as they took down the dragon. The Axegrinders took out Mika and whittled down the Greenscales enough that essentially the 10th Reg were all that was left. Still, three sets of 10th Reg vesus a 3 heroes and a few leftover squaddies? My money was still on the Redcoats. But a couple things went against them: first off, Mogrimm used the teleportation treasure to pop right into the middle of their crowd, severely limiting their movement to high ground spots, and being Tough gave the dwarf warlord some stamina. In the meantime, Dund managed to roll for crippling gaze 3 times in a row! So most of the time, the 10th Regs’ eyes were glazed over while they were getting slaughtered by a couple very short people. Always entertaining to see Dund get his licks in.

Warhulk, Mind Flayer, Pulverizer, DeathchasersX4, White Wyrm *
Braxas, Krav, PhantomsX2, DrudgeX3

This was a very swingy game. The original plan for Braxas’ gang was to build a physical screen with the Phantom Knights while the Krav climb up high and start shooting, but the Deathchasers were waaaay too quick, grabbing the wind glyph on the first turn and severely limiting the Ghosties’ movement. The Krav then found an angry Ogre and Orcs bearing down on them rapidly. So, okay, plan B was to build a screen from which Braxas could breath away some of the orcs. Braxas aimed for the orc on the wind glyph while the Phantoms were distracting the Ogre, but the Pulverizer snuck up under her. The dragon queen took some serious damage before taking out the lumbering bully, but then she liberated the Wind glyph, flew up high and started melting orcs (plus a White Wyrmling and a Mind Flayer) with wild abandon. It all came down to Braxas with 3 lives left and the Warhulk with 2 lives left, and the final initiative roll went the Warhulk’s way.

An * indicates my predictions for each round
Bold lettering indicates the winners in each match-up
Italics indicate a notably close game

ROUND 3 MATCH-UPS

AnubiansX3, Khosumet, MezzodemonsX4, Guilty *
Shurrak, Hydra, Sgt. Drake 1.0, Sir Hawthorne, Iskra, Rechets

Sgt. Drake 2.0, SentinelsX2, 4th MassX3 *
Frost Giant, Wyvern, GladiatronsX3, BlastatronsX2

Hulk, VenocsX3, Blue Wyrm, Black Wyrm, Red Wyrm *
Captain America, Kozuke, Snipers, Tarn, RepulsorsX3

Torin, Kurrok, FireX6, WaterX5 *
Red Skull, MotH, Hydra, Pulverizer, Kelda, Shiori

Brunak, Sir Denrick, SnipersX3, MacDirks
Silver Surfer, Krug, Dividers, Arrow GrutsX2, Swog *

Venoc Warlord, Sharwin, MohicansX2, Armocs, Theracus, VenocsX3
MotH, Agent Carr, Microcorps, DeathreaversX2, Blue WyrmX3, Black WyrmX2 *

Thanos, Gorillinators, GoblinsX3 *
Grimnak, ProtectorsX2, Heavy GrutsX3, ChainfighterX2

Tandros, Mogrimm, Dund, AxegrindersX2, Roman ArchersX2
Warhulk, Mind Flayer, Pulverizer, DeathchasersX4, White Wyrm *


ROUND 2 MATCH-UPS(Elgin’s Predictions = 10 of 16 correct)

AnubiansX3, Khosumet, MezzodemonsX4, Guilty *
Dr. Doom, Tornak, 10th Reg, Nerak, Blade GrutsX3

ProtectorsX2, Major X17, Marcus, Warforged, Sacred Band, ChainfightersX2
Shurrak, Hydra, Sgt. Drake 1.0, Sir Hawthorne, Iskra, Rechets *

Sgt. Drake 2.0, SentinelsX2, 4th MassX3
Charos, DW7000, GreenscalesX2, Black Wyrm, White WyrmX3, SahuaginX2 *

Frost Giant, Wyvern, GladiatronsX3, BlastatronsX2 *
Spider-man, Sir Dupuis, Siege, Templars, Repulsors

Warhulk, Iron Golem, Deathstalkers, BrutesX2, GoblinsX2
Hulk, VenocsX3, Blue Wyrm, Black Wyrm, Red Wyrm *

Hatamoto Taro, Kaemon Awa, Ninjas, Izumi, HarquebusX3
Captain America, Kozuke, Snipers, Tarn, RepulsorsX3 *

Abomination, Heirloom, MohicansX2, Brave Arrow *
Torin, Kurrok, FireX6, WaterX5

Red Skull, MotH, Hydra, Pulverizer, Kelda, Shiori
Moltenclaw, Moriko, DeathstalkersX2, StingersX2 *

Eltahale, Airborne Elite, Sir Gilbert, KoWx3, Eldgrim *
Brunak, Sir Denrick, SnipersX3, MacDirks

Silver Surfer, Krug, Dividers, Arrow GrutsX2, Swog *
DW9000, Wo-Sa-Ga, Marrden HoundsX2, Zettians, NagrubsX2

Venoc Warlord, Sharwin, MohicansX2, Armocs, Theracus, VenocsX3 *
Werewolf, WoBx2, WarforgedX3, Zetacron

MotH, Agent Carr, Microcorps, DeathreaversX2, Blue WyrmX3, Black WyrmX2 *
Pelloth, Raelin 1.0, DrowX3, AubriensX3

Thanos, Gorillinators, GoblinsX3 *
Sujoah, Parmenio, BlastatronsX2, Sacred BandX2, Red WyrmX3

Nakitas, Templars, Sentinels, Laglor, Concan, Darrak
Grimnak, ProtectorsX2, Heavy GrutsX3, ChainfighterX2 *

Othkurik, Mika, 10th RegX3, GreenscalesX2 *
Tandros, Mogrimm, Dund, AxegrindersX2, Roman ArchersX2

Warhulk, Mind Flayer, Pulverizer, DeathchasersX4, White Wyrm *
Braxas, Krav, PhantomsX2, DrudgeX3



ROUND 1 MATCH-UPSAND RESULTS (Elgin’s predictions = 18 of 30 correct)

AnubiansX3, Khosumet, MezzodemonsX4, Guilty
Bye

Dr. Doom, Tornak, 10th Reg, Nerak, Blade GrutsX3 *
Scarcarver, Ana Karithon, Kumiko, Finn, Saylind, Erevan, Shotgun Sullivan

ProtectorsX2, Major X17, Marcus, Warforged, Sacred Band, ChainfightersX2
Acolarh, Syvarris, Jorhdawn, Morsbane, ArmocsX2, WoA *

Shurrak, Hydra, Sgt. Drake 1.0, Sir Hawthorne, Iskra, Rechets
Warhulk, DW8000, Valguard, Roman ArchersX2, LegionnairesX2 *

Sgt. Drake 2.0, SentinelsX2, 4th MassX3 *
MotH, Rhogar, Mindflayer, Pulverizer, PhantomsX2

Tul-Bak-Ra, Agent Skahen, MicrocorpsX2, DividersX3 *
Charos, DW7000, GreenscalesX2, Black Wyrm, White WyrmX3, SahuaginX2

Frost Giant, Wyvern, GladiatronsX3, BlastatronsX2
Sonlen, Migol, EOV, James Murphy, AxegrindersX2 *

Spider-man, Sir Dupuis, Siege, Templars, Repulsors
Major Q9, GorillinatorsX2, ZombiesX4 *

Major Q10, Venom, Kee-Mo-Shi, Marro Warriors, DeathreaversX3 *
Warhulk, Iron Golem, Deathstalkers, BrutesX2, GoblinsX2

Ulginesh, Chardris, Emirroon, Arkmer, WoAx3, Kyntela, Otonashi
Hulk, VenocsX3, Blue Wyrm, Black Wyrm, Red Wyrm *

Mimring, Sudema, Ice Trollx2, Arrow GrutsX2, SwogX2 *
Hatamoto Taro, Kaemon Awa, Ninjas, Izumi, HarquebusX3

Tor-Kul-Na, GroksX2, Marrden Hounds, Nagrubs
Captain America, Kozuke, Snipers, Tarn, RepulsorsX3 *

Abomination, Heirloom, MohicansX2, Brave Arrow *
Taelord, Mind Flayer, Brandis, Death KnightsX2, AirX2, DumutefX2

Torin, Kurrok, FireX6, WaterX5 *
Werewolf, Crixus, WoBx2, CapuansX2, Tagawa Archers

Red Skull, MotH, Hydra, Pulverizer, Kelda, Shiori
Nilfheim, Raelin 2.0, Alastair, MacDirksX2, Isamu *

Jotun, ImperiumX2, Kiova
Moltenclaw, Moriko, DeathstalkersX2, StingersX2 *

Eltahale, Airborne Elite, Sir Gilbert, KoWx3, Eldgrim
Bye

Zelrig, Groks, Ne-Gok-Sa, Me-Burq-Sa, LegionnairesX2, Sahuagin, Marcu *
Brunak, Sir Denrick, SnipersX3, MacDirks

Silver Surfer, Krug, Dividers, Arrow GrutsX2, Swog *
Warhulk, Frost Giant, Wyvern, BrutesX2, Drudge

GGx4, EarthX5, Sahuagin
DW9000, Wo-Sa-Ga, Marrden HoundsX2, Zettians, NagrubsX2 *

Venoc Warlord, Sharwin, MohicansX2, Armocs, Theracus, VenocsX3 *
Frost Giant, GIE, Ice TrollX2, Dzu-tehX2

Werewolf, WoBx2, WarforgedX3, Zetacron
Spartacus, Retiarius, Atlaga, CapuansX2, YariX2 *

MotH, Agent Carr, Microcorps, DeathreaversX2, Blue WyrmX3, Black WyrmX2 *
Hydra, Runa, Mind Flayer, Ornak, StingersX2, Blade Gruts

Frost Giant, Templars, MinionsX3 *
Pelloth, Raelin 1.0, DrowX3, AubriensX3

Thanos, Gorillinators, GoblinsX3 *
WyvernX2, ShadesX3

Kato, Tagawa Samurai, Tagawa ArchersX2, Harquebus, YariX2
Sujoah, Parmenio, BlastatronsX2, Sacred BandX2, Red WyrmX3 *

Iron Man, QuasatchX3, DED
Nakitas, Templars, Sentinels, Laglor, Concan, Darrak *

Su-Bak-Na, Hive, Iron Golem, DronesX3, Nagrubs
Grimnak, ProtectorsX2, Heavy GrutsX3, ChainfighterX2 *

Othkurik, Mika, 10th RegX3, GreenscalesX2 *
MotH, Hydra, Thorgrim, MonksX3

Tandros, Mogrimm, Dund, AxegrindersX2, Roman ArchersX2
Cyprien, Gurei-Oni, ObsidiansX2, Warden 816, Sonya *

Warhulk, Mind Flayer, Pulverizer, DeathchasersX4, White Wyrm *
WyvernX2, SnipersX2, Estivara, SpidersX3

GIE, Feral TrollX2, Death KnightsX2, AirX4, Dumutef
Braxas, Krav, PhantomsX2, DrudgeX3 *