We managed six players for this, playing games over two weeks using the Multi Deck and No Final rules.

Game 1
Kieran Ardan Lane Wall > Andy FoS Corrupt > Nick Lasombra Bleed > Sam Cel Guns

I literally blasted forward with this, quickly gunning down Ardan Lane, but Nick applied lots of pressure with DOM bleeds that I could do little about. I tried to go back and slow him up, but it was not enough and Nick got the first oust. Unfortunately Kieran was unable to defend (mostly due to my shooting) and followed soon after. This meant that there was little pressure on Andy, who built up, and even stole a minion, which left Nick with little to react with, and he was ousted.

Draw
Andy 2vps, Nick 2vps, Kieran 0vps, Sam 0vps

Game 2
Nick Lasombra Bleed > Paul ThaCel Wall > Sam Ahrimanes > Andy !TreBloat > Kieran Petaniqua

After a quick first game this was the complete opposite, a very slow game. There was little forward pressure, either due to wall decks defending, or bloat decks not caring about blood loss. The table stabilised with each player able to maintain their place. I got Andy down low on a couple of occasions but Golconda saved him, Paul battered Nicks minions but didn’t go foward due to the ANI combat of the Ahrimanes. Nick had some bloat, and also little pressure as only Petaniqua could bleed and she could be bounced forward, so the game timed out.

Draw
Andy 0.5vps, Kieran 0.5vps, Nick 0.5vps, Paul 0.5vps, Sam 0.5vps.

Game 3
Stevan FoS Obf Pre > Paul Mage Maker > Nick Lasombra Bleed > Andy !TreBloat

This game came down to experience, as Paul and Andy knew how to play their deck and the table well. Stevan applied early pressure with sneaky bleeds, although some got bounced along. Nick struggled under the waves of Nephandi Mages, suffering under the Molotov Cocktails that they had. Andy bloated, although not to the extremes of some games, as Nick got some damage through. Unfortunately Nick could not hold off the hordes, and started to crumble so Paul pushed forward. At this point Stevan could have ousted Paul (as judge I could see both players hands), but being sensibly cautious he didn’t push forward with the Public Trust and Enticement. This meant that Paul got the oust, and had some pool for defence. Andy also pushed forward, using Mirror Walks and DOM bleed to get the oust, and then ousted Paul who had little defence against big vamp bleed.

Win
Andy GW 3vps, Paul 1vp, Nick 0vps, Stevan 0vps.

Game 4
Paul Toreador Grand Ball > Kieran Petaniqua > Sam !TreBleed > Stevan FoS Obf Pre

At this stage only Paul could challenge Andy for the win, so the pressure was on. Paul took some time to set up, as TGB decks tend to, which gave Stevan some space to get some damage in. However I battered some of his minions as I moved forward. Petaniqua also took some time to set up, this time with some weenie AUS support rather than the Procurers of before. Paul got the TGB set up, and started to Parity Shift Kieran. I moved forward, battering Stevan who couldn’t use The Joneses like he could in the previous game, and got the oust. Paul also moved forward and ousted Kieran, with KRCs taking a toll – unblockable votes, with vote lock as well. I then started to dismantle TGB, and then battering the Toreador with Blood to Water, this left Paul open and I got the oust.

Sam GW 3vps, Paul 1vp, Kieran 0vps, Stevan 0vps,

Results
Andy 1 GW 5.5vps
Sam 1 GW 3.5vps
Paul 0 GW 2.5vps
Nick 0 GW 2.5vps
Kieran 0 GW 0.5vps
Stevan 0 GW 0.0vps

Andy got the extra two boosters, the counters and the signed Waxen Poetica. I got the second place booster, while Kieran got the prize for the highest placed non sleeved deck – which was enough sleeves to sleeve it.

We will have to work out what to do in December, where we have three Wednesdays available. Nick is going away on the 15th, and has quite a lot of work, so will have to see. Also didn’t ask Kieran if he would come down again before Christmas, so don’t know the numbers yet. Hopefully Graham will have sorted out the work load and will return.
It might be a good time to play more fun games, such as Phased Motion Format, or the Jyhad Happy Families deck – did have an idea for a Gladiator game (extra rules for combat based ousting), but will have to see.

Sam