BattleCON G18 - KingdomAces (Joal) vs. Zorblag (Tatsumi)

[Zorblag]

It's another game of BattleCON! This game sees the Monster Hunter, Joal fighting the Water Mystric, Tatsumi (and her cute cuddly water panda familar, Juto.) Does Joal really think that Panda is a Monster? Or maybe he thinks it's Tatsumi. We'll find out if he's loaded for bear in this match!

If you're interested in learning about or playing a game yourself at some point I'll point you to the BattleCON discussion thread in the Arcade. For now, thanks to KingdomAces for stepping up to be the next scummer to whale on a Troll in the pbf fighting series!

We'll be playing with Dodge and the Force Gauge.

@KingdomAces, you know the drill. Yada yada yada!

-Zorblag R`Lyeh

[Zorblag]

Starting ante goes to Joal on 1 and Tatsumi on 2.

Original Roll String: 1d2

1 2-Sided Dice: (1) = 1

-Zorblag R`Lyeh

[Zorblag]

Spoiler: Opening Discards and Finisher

Discard 1: Force Special Grasp
Discard 2: Fearless Dodge
Finisher: Guardian Xandjinn

-Zorblag R`Lyeh

[Zorblag]

Joal's Tentative Setup:

Discard 1: Force Special Dodge
Discard 2: Relentless Hand Cannon
Finisher: Annihilator
Stockpile: Grasp, Binding Knife, Strike, Knuckle
Hand: Shot, Drive, Burst, Runeblade, Ironstar

I believe that you're right about the finisher for the first part. Start of Beat and End of Beat are triggered. Also, Passive Effects like Dodge's This attack does not hit don't apply (though the triggered start of beat which allows movement and stops me from hitting if you move past me with that movement does.) I also take it mean that range and priority are not relevant. I also agree that the cards are revealed, but not discarded and that the reveal happens in the normal start of beat stage, so possibly after my start of beat, and that you pick them after seeing my attack pair and possibly the start of beat choices.

Some other things to note about this matchup are that Juto's zone can change during the beat (or I can lose his bonuses if he's removed during the middle of the beat.) They're calculated at the time they're relevant. Also I'm pretty sure your Dual Wield Style give you a second attack and stun guard and soak apply to each one (though my source of soak or stun guard could be removed by the first attack in the form of losing Juto.) It feels like there was one other thing worth mentioning, but I don't recall what it was. Maybe the Soak 3 is always applied in full if Juto is in zone 1, even if less than 3 damage being soaked takes him out of the game?

-Zorblag R`Lyeh

[Zorblag]

Assuming that setup for you is correct, here's my Beat 1:

Spoiler: Beat 1 Attack Pair

Empathic Shot!

Spoiler: Reaction Ante

Pass if you pass.

-Zorblag R`Lyeh

[Zorblag]

Yeah, with the bases in your hand there didn't seem any reason not to use that attack that beat. There were attacks that it didn't work as well against, but it covered almost everything you had. I think that format for Juto will work; possibly we should start doing that bit in bold and color again. But I'm pretty lazy these days. Adding in the Finishers probably does make sense.

Spoiler: Beat 2 Attack Pair

Riptide Burst!

Spoiler: Reaction Ante

Pass if you Pass.

-Zorblag R`Lyeh

[Zorblag]

You win priority (by 5.) I'll retreat 2 start of beat and then use Riptides start of beat so that you can't hit me at range 3 or greater.

I'll wait to see what second attack you pick before deciding where to move Juto.

-Zorblag R`Lyeh

[Zorblag]

So then I think I hit for 3 damage and then will have Juto retreat 2 to me.

oooJoo

T

Joal 11/4
Dual Wield Knuckles, Shot
Slayer's Drive
Stockpile: Grasp, Binding Knife, Strike
Hand: Burst, Runeblade, Ironstar, Hand Cannon, Dodge
Annihilator

Tatsumi - 20/4
Riptide Burst
Empathetic Shot
1 Familiar Counter
Guardian Xandjinn

-Zorblag R`Lyeh

[Zorblag]

Spoiler: Beat 3 Attack Pair

Siren Drive!

Spoiler: Reaction Ante

Pass if you Pass.

-Zorblag R`Lyeh

[Zorblag]

Yeah, we can definitely do a rematch. I thought both of those last two beats were likely to be countered as you have the tools to do so, and I expect you'll see them coming more next time through.

I'll advance 2, hit you for 3, then advance Juto 1 so that he's right behind me.

oJooT

o

o

Joal 8/5
Cutthroat Burst
Dual Wield Knuckles, Shot
Stockpile: Grasp, Binding Knife, Strike
Hand: Drive, Runeblade, Ironstar, Hand Cannon, Dodge
Annihilator

Tatsumi - 20/5
Siren Drive
Riptide Burst
1 Familiar Counter
Guardian Xandjinn

-Zorblag R`Lyeh

[Zorblag]

Spoiler: Beat 4 Attack Pair

Force Special Grasp!

Spoiler: Opening Ante

Pass.

-Zorblag R`Lyeh

[Zorblag]

I'll keep my finisher the same (and take the two force for the turn, editing that in.)

Spoiler: Beat 5 Attack Pair

Riptide Burst!

Spoiler: Opening Ante

Pass.

-Zorblag R`Lyeh

[Zorblag]

I'll retreat 1.

oooJo

T

o

-Zorblag R`Lyeh

[Zorblag]

OK, so you hit me, but I soak the two damage and lose my last token which removes Juto. I then miss you at range 1.

ooooJTo

Joal 5/9
Dual Wield Dodge, Drive
Warded Hand Cannon
Stockpile: Grasp, Binding Knife, Strike
Hand: Runeblade, Ironstar, Knuckle, Shot, Burst
Annihilator

Tatsumi - 20/8
Riptide Burst
Force Special Grasp
0 Familiar Counters
Guardian Xandjinn

-Zorblag R`Lyeh

[Zorblag]

Reactive Player is determined at reveal after all clashes. Although your priority can change (and would matter if you were playing against Demitras, for example,) I think that the choice for pulse and the first to ante the next beat is based on active player which would not change. In this case, both of your attack pairs would beat me anyhow.

I think I will not pulse.

Spoiler: Beat 6 Attack Pair

Fearless Dodge!

Spoiler: Reaction Ante

Pass if you Pass.

-Zorblag R`Lyeh

[Zorblag]

Pass.

-Zorblag R`Lyeh

[Zorblag]

I don't think I'll pulse.

I can't recall any characters that I've played that stop someone from moving past. Maybe Eligor or Alexian (but Alexian wasn't against you.) Your choices do seem to have that ability somewhere fairly often.

Spoiler: Beat 7 Attack Pair

Siren Drive!

Spoiler: Opening ante

Priority +2

-Zorblag R`Lyeh

[Zorblag]

Power +1

-Zorblag R`Lyeh

[Zorblag]

Soak 1.

-Zorblag R`Lyeh

[Zorblag]

Another good beat for you! I'll advance 1, hit for 3 (-1 each for the style and the soak, +1 each for the power and the zone.) You aren't stunned due to enough stun guard and the warded style. You hit for 4 and regain 2 life. I'll then advance Juto 1 at the end of beat.

ooooJ

T

o

Joal 4/7
Warded Runeblade
Slayer's Ironstar
Stockpile: Grasp, Strike
Hand: Knuckle, Shot, Burst, Hand Cannon, Binding Knife, Dodge, Drive
Annihilator

Tatsumi - 11/4
Siren Drive
Fearless Dodge
4 Familiar Counters
Guardian Xandjinn

-Zorblag R`Lyeh

[Zorblag]

Spoiler: Beat 8 Attack Pair

Riptide Grasp

Spoiler: Reaction Ante

Pass if pass.

-Zorblag R`Lyeh

[Zorblag]

Spoiler: Beat 9 Attack Pair

Fearless Whirlpool!

-Zorblag R`Lyeh

[Zorblag]

Power +1

-Zorblag R`Lyeh

[Zorblag]

Pass.

-Zorblag R`Lyeh

[Zorblag]

Hmm, still no finisher. It's like I'm being fast for no reason at all.

I pull you one at the start, hit for 3 after soak and then I'll retreat 2 and retreat Juto 2. That should put me out of range for your attack. You can pulse if you like.

And I'll have to get back to the game later.

-Zorblag R`Lyeh

[Zorblag]

Right, you anted twice. I'll still need to get back to this tomorrow though.

Nice hand size there!

-Zorblag R`Lyeh

[Zorblag]

Spoiler: Beat 10 Attack Pair

Wave Dodge!

Spoiler: Opening Ante

Pass

-Zorblag R`Lyeh

[Zorblag]

Pass.

-Zorblag R`Lyeh

[Zorblag]

Well, if it's those three cards then I'll retreat 3 spaces to get away from the potential 3 advance, and then I'll need to see where you end up before deciding on Juto for the end of beat. No hurry on that as a final decision though.

-Zorblag R`Lyeh

[Zorblag]

The first three beats made this first game hard to come back from. You've played the beats since then much better than me in general so I think that the rematch will look different than this one does.

I'll advance Juto 1.

TooJ

o

oo

Joal 1/6
Shot
Slayer's Ironstar
Stockpile: Strike
Hand: Burst, Hand Cannon, Binding Knife, Dodge, Drive, Grasp, Runeblade, Knuckle

Annihilator

Tatsumi - 9/5
Wave Dodge
Fearless Whirlpool
4 Familiar Counters
Guardian Xandjinn

-Zorblag R`Lyeh

[Zorblag]

Spoiler: Beat 11 Attack Pair

Empathic Shot!

Spoiler: Reaction Ante

Stun Guard 2

-Zorblag R`Lyeh

[Zorblag]

Soak 1

-Zorblag R`Lyeh

[Zorblag]

Pass.

-Zorblag R`Lyeh

[Zorblag]

Nice! I think that you will be able to hit me and that will stun me.

You move first with Cutthroat.

-Zorblag R`Lyeh

[Zorblag]

I will not swap places.

-Zorblag R`Lyeh

[Zorblag]

TJoo

o

oo

Joal 1/6
Cutthroat Binding Knife
Shot
Stockpile: Strike
Hand: Burst, Hand Cannon, Dodge, Drive, Grasp, Runeblade, Knuckle, Ironstar

Annihilator

Tatsumi - 8/2
Empathic Shot
Wave Dodge
4 Familiar Counters
Guardian Xandjinn

-Zorblag R`Lyeh

[Zorblag]

Spoiler: Beat 12 Attack Pair

Riptide Grasp!

Spoiler: Reaction Ante

Pass if you Pass.

-Zorblag R`Lyeh

[Zorblag]

I've had Relentless in the back of my mind the whole game, but it's never really been as scary as I think it should be.

That's a clash.

Spoiler: Beat 12 Attack Pair - Clash 1

Riptide

Grasp

Strike!

-Zorblag R`Lyeh

[Zorblag]

Hmm, I'm not sure what that attack was, but I did strike, so that's probably good for you!

-Zorblag R`Lyeh

[Zorblag]

*nods* That makes sense.

Spoiler: Beat 12 Attack Pair - Clash 2

Riptide

Grasp

Strike

Whirlpool!

-Zorblag R`Lyeh

[Zorblag]

Grasp was actually what I expected last time before your comment. And, yeah Hand Cannon makes lots of sense if you're expecting Strike which you clearly were (and would lose to Drive.) Plus, at this point why would you cheat in these games? I think that trust should be well won by now.

This time you'll get pulled one away so that Grasp misses, but you still have a second attack at -1 Power.

-Zorblag R`Lyeh

[Zorblag]

*nods* That sounds right.

I'll pull Juto to the spot you just left.

T

o

Joooo

Joal 3/8
Dual Wield Grasp, Rune
Cutthroat Binding Knife
Stockpile: Strike
Hand: Burst, Hand Cannon, Dodge, Drive, Grasp, Runeblade, Knuckle, Ironstar
Annihilator

Tatsumi - 6/4
Riptide Whirlpool
Empathic Shot
4 Familiar Counters
Guardian Xandjinn

-Zorblag R`Lyeh

[Zorblag]

Strike Actually lost to Grasp because you could dodge after hitting with it (admittedly, just for 1,) but you could beat anything with Grasp followed by either dodge or some other attack depending on what I'd played.

Spoiler: Beat 13 Attack Pair

Force Special Drive!

-Zorblag R`Lyeh

[Zorblag]

No, I've made some mistakes (a few of which ended up hurting me after I noticed them.) We're also switching between wildly different players game to game so we need to be aware of both character kits, usually for the first time in the given game so attention should clearly be given some level of a pass. I'm also happy to finish this off later. You're closing the gap quickly so I need to see if I can hold on for a win. I'm probably making obvious moves by going so quickly.

Have a lovely rest! I'll see you later! I'm looking forward to seeing how you squeak out a win here. I know that it's turned out that there were a couple beats I could have won if I'd predicted your moves better, but you're staying a step ahead!

-Zorblag R`Lyeh

[Zorblag]

And speaking of making obvious moves by going so quickly, here's my revised attack if you don't mind.

Spoiler: Revised Beat 13 Attack Pair

Fearless Grasp!

-Zorblag R`Lyeh

[Zorblag]

Soak 1

-Zorblag R`Lyeh

[Zorblag]

Priority +2, then pass as I'm out of Force.

-Zorblag R`Lyeh

[Zorblag]

Hah, I second guessed myself out of the attack that would have worked better there. Though the Slayer's Knuckle that I did notice after I submitted would have beaten it (and it looks like you noticed it as well.)

In any case, I'll hit you for one and push 1. I assume you advance 2 and then hit me for 5?

T

J

ooooo

Joal 2/4
Relentless Drive
Dual Wield Grasp, Rune
Stockpile: Strike
Hand: Burst, Hand Cannon, Dodge, Grasp, Runeblade, Knuckle, Ironstar, Binding Knife
Annihilator

Tatsumi - 1/2
Fearless Grasp
Riptide Whirlpool
4 Familiar Counters
Guardian Xandjinn

-Zorblag R`Lyeh

[Zorblag]

Don't worry about it at all. Like I said, you've clearly established that you're playing on the up and up. This outguessing is a big part of the game and I've won my fair share and lost my fair share. No hurry on the move as I need to think this one through as well and really look at what you can do. It's an exciting finish which is all good! And I'll want a rematch no matter how these next beats go. There were so many beats at the end here I could have won if I'd played slightly better/differently.

Also with after a quick search of the rules on BGG (because it had the potential to come up,) Ironstar does prevent direct movement that switches sides with Joal. Which means that you don't need to worry about countering my doing that (though if you'd played Ironstar I don't think that you could have countered it if it had worked.)

-Zorblag R`Lyeh

[Zorblag]

In fact, thinking about the next couple days, I might not get to this until Sunday evening or Monday, so there's really no hurry at all on your part. Find the right move to crush me!

-Zorblag R`Lyeh

[Zorblag]

I was looking at Empathic to see what the options were, but I did have Juto in the wrong space. That's fixed now.

-Zorblag R`Lyeh

[Zorblag]

Spoiler: Beat 14 Attack Pair

Wave Dodge!

Opening Ante: Pass

-Zorblag R`Lyeh

[Zorblag]

Pass.

-Zorblag R`Lyeh

[Zorblag]

Pass.

-Zorblag R`Lyeh

[Zorblag]

Hmm, looks like you were considering Siren Grasp in there (which I didn't have as I'd used Fearless Grasp last turn.) It also looks like you didn't like you clash options if I used Siren Drive. I considered them and decided that you would probably win that clash matchup (not to mention you've burned me with Warded too many times.)

You can't advance. I'll advance 3. You should miss then I'll miss. I'll then push Juto to Spot 1. Sound right?

-Zorblag R`Lyeh

[Zorblag]

And it also looks like you know what your move will be. Make sure you take the Juto push into account.

o

JooToo

Joal 2/2
Cutthroat Knuckle
Relentless Drive
Stockpile: Strike
Hand: Burst, Hand Cannon, Dodge, Grasp, Runeblade, Knuckle, Ironstar, Binding Knife, Shot

Annihilator

Tatsumi - 1/4
Wave Dodge
Fearless Grasp
4 Familiar Counters
Guardian Xandjinn

-Zorblag R`Lyeh

[Zorblag]

Spoiler: Beat 15 Attack Pair

Siren Burst!

I'll wait to see your ante before anteing.

-Zorblag R`Lyeh

[Zorblag]

Power +1

-Zorblag R`Lyeh

[Zorblag]

Er, I probably did. I just fixed a mistake with that earlier today when I noticed that it was saying I couldn't use Empathic, but I was pretty sure I could (sadly I also thought that Juto wasn't on your space for most of the time I was thinking about it this weekend despite you correcting that earlier.) Sorry about that!

Pass.

-Zorblag R`Lyeh

[Zorblag]

And that will let you dodge away no matter what I do. I'll retreat 2, though it doesn't matter. Dual Wield Dodge was the obvious move in my mind as I too forgot that you can't move past me with it. I thought I needed to clash that and then one more. Empathic Shot would have either clashed here or won had I gone with Priority, but I wasn't looking at Warded at all as the flexibility of Dual Wield was the way you get through this beat.

Congratulations! Nice comeback and very well played after those first three beats!

-Zorblag R`Lyeh

[Zorblag]

In any case, I'm down for a rematch if you are. Just let me know if you want to stay with this match up!

-Zorblag R`Lyeh

[Zorblag]

Slayer's is really pretty good. The range and the effects are very nice and I think it would still be good if you got the extra base and put it with the attack pair in discard 1 at the end of the beat; getting access to the base right away makes it great! Joal also clearly shines in end game, but Adjenna's styles just get better towards the end of the game as she hands out more of those petrification counters so although her options don't increase, they just mostly all get better. I don't know which one I'd rank as better.

I like seeing your thought process, so please keep putting them in! No annoyance from me at all!

I link both the battleguides and the wikia characters for anyone who happens to be looking. I didn't have you in mind in particular and I'm not expecting you to use the strategy there (most of which doesn't take force gauge and dodge into account anyhow,) but because I wanted everyone to be aware of the resources out there. I think that playing over the forum gives much more time to think things through, so having the big ideas there upfront is less necessary anyhow.

In any case, I'll set up a new game shortly!

-Zorblag R`Lyeh