Marconis Maximus (aka Marc, marco or whatever you want to call me): I'm running a slightly new Luke's X-wing deck. For the first time, I'm running 15 Characters and have dropped Mind Trick. Grand Moff Nicodemus Fett is running a completely new deck and I have no clue what it is. This should be interesting.

The main idea is to get Luke's X-wing (E) out with a Pilot and Yoda (J) in Character. I plan to use a triple strike to win Character (Yoda (J), Luke Skywalker (S), and Boba Fett (H)), win Space with Luke's X-wing, and play for Ground if I need to stall or if the draw goes in that direction. It's not like the old Luke's X-wing/Pilot that just went for Space and Ground. I have sacrificed a little in both but I now have an incredible Character arena that serves as a draw engine. We'll see how it goes.

	Luke’s X-Wing Pilot
	2x Boba Fett (H) 3x Luke Skywalker (S) 4x R2-D2 (J) 2x Wedge Antilles (C) 4x Yoda (J)		2x Anakin's Podracer (A) 4x Rebel Armored Freerunner 2x Sebulba's Podracer (A) 4x Unmodified Snowspeeder		2x Luke's X-Wing (B) 1x Luke's X-Wing (C) 1x Luke's X-Wing (D) 4x Luke's X-wing (E) 4x Republic Hyperdrive Ring
	4x Discuss It in Committee 3x Dismiss 4x High-Speed Dodge 3x Hotwire 4x Power Dive		3x Homing Missile
					Totals: 15 Character 12 Ground 12 Space 18 Battle 3 Mission 0Location 0 Equipment 60 Total Cards

	The Death Superstar!!!
	1x Darth Sidious (C) 1x Darth Sidious (E) 4x Emperor Palpatine (D) 1x Emperor Palpatine (G) 3x Imperial Banker 2x Moff Jerjerrod (A) 2x Orn Free TA (A)		4x Death Star II Ceremonial Legion 4x Death Star II Regiment 2x Emperor Palpatine's Guard (A) 4x Patrol Mode Vulture Droid		3x Death Star II (A) 1x Death Star II (B) 1x Death Star II (C) 3x Death Star II (D) 2x Emperor's Shuttle (A) 4x TIE Defender
	3x Discuss It in Committee 3x Hotwire 2x Imperial Misdirection		3x Jedi Master's Meditation 3x Palpatine's Teachings		1x Chancellor's Office 2x Occupied Coruscant
	2x Emperor Palpatine's Robe (A)				Totals: 14 Character 14 Ground 14 Space 8 Battle 6 Mission 3 Location 2 Equipment 61 Total Cards

Initial Set Up

Dark Side Draws 7 cards:
Death Star II Regiment [1], Death Star II Ceremonial Legion [1], Death Star II Ceremonial Legion [2], Emperor's Shuttle (A), Occupied Coruscant, Palpatine's Teaching, Hotwire
Dark Side Mulligans: None

Light Side Draws 7 cards:
Power Dive, High Speed Dodge, Power Dive, Homing Missile, Luke's X-wing (E) [1], Luke's X-wing (E) [2], Luke Skywalker (S)
Light Side Mulligans: Power Dive, High Speed Dodge, Power Dive, Homing Missile
Light Side Draws: Luke Skywalker (S), Anakin's Podracer (A), Luke's X-wing (B), Yoda (J)

Turn One
Roll for Build = 4

Retreat Phase:
Dark Side: None
Light Side: Retreats all Ground units

Marc's Thoughts:
This really is not that great of a setup for me. I don't have any pilots and I have invested a ton into Ground (which I don't like to do). Since I have Republic Hyperdrive Ring and Hotwire I feel safe in Space for a turn. Considering Fett's love for Disrupts I don't want to play Discuss it in Committee this turn. I would rather wait until next turn when I have 6 Force so that I can play Hotwire if needed. I feel that I can win Ground with two rounds of attacks (I hope to get out my other Rebel Armored Freerunner next turn). If I win Ground, Nicodemus should be done easily. He has too much build invested there and I can win Character and draw a Pilot for Space.

Nicodemus's Thoughts:
Perfect. As long as the dice are with me this match should be mine. Space will be the most difficult arena to take, even with the Death Star II (D). Ground worries me but not as much as Space; I should be able to sweep it clean within two turns. Unless one of us draw a big Character, it will take some time before either Yoda (J) or Emperor Palpatine (G) kills the other.

Space Battle

• Luke's X-wing (E) à Death Star II (D) à 1,2,6,5 (Lucky: 5) à 3 damage.
• Death Star II (D) à Luke's X-wing (E) à 4,4,3,5,4,2,3,6,3 (Lucky: 6) à 2 hits à 2 damage.

• DARK SIDE CONTROLLED.

Character Battle

• Yoda (J) à Emperor Palpatine (G) à 2,5,1,2,1 (Lucky: 1,4) à 2 Hits à Emperor Palpatine (G) pay 3F à Evade 2 à Prevent 2 damage.
• Emperor Palpatine (G) à Yoda (J) à Yoda (J) draws R2-D2 (J) into hand à 5, 3, 5, 6 (Lucky: 5, 6) à 3 Hits à Yoda (J) pay 2F à Evade 2 à 1 damage.

Arena check:

Space: contested
Ground: Dark Side
Character: contested

Turn Two
Dark Side Force: 5
Light Side Force: 6
Roll for Build = 2

Retreat Phase:
Dark Side: None
Light Side: Retreats all Space units

Marc's Thoughts:
Not bad, I didn't have to use my Republic Hyperdrive Ring and I drew R2-D2 (J) with Yoda (J)'s ability. Another build would have been nice but it's looking good.

Nicodemus's Thoughts:
It would be better if I had something more than Ground at my disposal, but this should do nicely for now.

Space Battle

• DARK SIDE CONTROLLED.

• Anakin's Podracer (A) à Death Star II Ceremonial Legion [1] à 4,1 (Lucky: 1) à 1 hità Parry 1 to prevent 1 damage.
• Sebulba's Podracer (A) à Death Star II Ceremonial Legion [1] à Tap Sebulba's Podracer (A) for its damage ability à 3 damage counters on Death Star II Ceremonial Legion [1] and 1 counter on Sebulba's Podracer (A).
• Unmodified Snowspeeder à Death Star II Ceremonial Legion [1] (3 damage) à 2, 6, 5, 1à 2 hits à Parry 1 to prevent 1 damage à 1 damage
• Rebel Armored Freerunner à Death Star II Ceremonial Legion [1] (4 damage) à Tap Rebel Armored Freerunner for its damage ability à 3 damage counters on Legion à discard Death Star II Ceremonial Legion [1] (7 damage).
• Death Star II Regiment [1] à Unmodified Snowspeeder (2 damage) à 1, 6, 1, 5, 6, 1 à 3 hits à Light Side player plays Discuss It In Committee (-4 Force) à Dark Side player plays Hotwire (-2 Force) à Light Side player plays Hotwire (-2 Force) à Dark Side player plays Hotwire (-2 Force) à 3 damage à discard Unmodified Snowspeeder.
• Death Star II Ceremonial Legion [2] à Sebulba's Podracer (A) (1 damage) à 4, 6, 3, 5, 1, 6, 4 à 6 hits à 6 damage à discard Sebulba's Podracer (A).
• Patrol Mode Vulture Droid à Rebel Armored Freerunner à 5, 6, 3, 4, 6, 1, 4, 2à 6 hits à 6 damage à discard Rebel Armored Freerunner.

Character Battle

• Yoda (J) à Emperor Palpatine (G) à 4, 6, 1, 1, 2 (Lucky: 4,3) à 3 Hits à 3 damage to Emperor Palpatine (G) (3 total).
• Emperor Palpatine (G) à Yoda (J) (1 damage) à Yoda (J) draws Discuss it in Committee into hand à 4, 6, 5, 6 (Lucky: 6,3) à 3 Hits à 3 damage to Yoda (J) (4 Total).

Arena check:

Space: Dark Side
Ground: contested
Character: contested

Turn Three
Dark Side Force: 5
Light Side Force: 4
Roll for Build = 2

Retreat Phase:
Dark Side: None
Light Side: Retreats all Ground units

Marc's Thoughts:
This turn was a disaster. TWO DISRUPTS!!! Well, I have just wasted 21 build, 7 cards, and 6 Force in the wrong arena (all by turn 2!!!). I still have a chance but it will require some luck.

Nicodemus's Thoughts:
Excellent. Ground is secure and Character is but a turn away. Nothing can stand in the way of the Emperor's domination now.

Space Battle

• Luke's X-wing (E) à Death Star II (A) à 3,2,2,3 (Lucky: 2) à 0 damage.
• Death Star II (A) à Luke's X-wing (E) à 2, 6, 1, 2, 3, 1, 5, 4, 4, 5, 1, 1, 2, 5, 1 (Lucky: 5) à 4 hits à discard Republic Hyperdrive Ring to prevent all damage.

• DARK SIDE CONTROLLED.

Character Battle

• R2-D2 (J) à Darth Sidious (E) à 4 à 1 Hit à 1 damage to Darth Sidious (E) (5 total).

Arena check:

Space: contested
Ground: Dark Side
Character: contested

Turn Four
Dark Side Force: 6
Light Side Force: 8
Roll for Build = 5

Retreat Phase:
Dark Side: None
Light Side: Retreats all Ground units

Marc's Thoughts:
I'm still in bad shape. Getting out Wedge Antilles (C) helps. I can win Space. The question is: can I win Character?

Nicodemus's Thoughts:
Sacrificing Darth Sidious (E) was tough, but I think I can hold Space long enough to deploy Emperor Palpatine (D). I have plenty of Force gain in my hand to make him huge.

Space Battle

• Luke's X-wing (B) à Death Star II (A) à 3, 4, 4, 3, 4, 2 à 3 hits à 3 damage to Death Star II (A) (6 total)..
• Death Star II (A) à Luke's X-wing (B) à 1, 2, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 4, 6, 4, 3, 1, 1, 6, 1 à 4 hits à Luke's X-wing (B) uses "Pay 0 Force -> Evade 1.", "Pay 2 Force -> Evade 2.", and "Pay 0 Force -> Prevent 1 damage to one of your Rebel Starfighters. Play only once per turn." to prevent the 4 damage.

• DARK SIDE CONTROLLED.

Character Battle

• NEUTRAL (no contest, no control)

Arena check:

Space: contested
Ground: Dark Side
Character: Neutral

Turn Five
Dark Side Force: 7
Light Side Force: 10
Roll for Build = 3

Retreat Phase:
Dark Side: None
Light Side: Retreats all Ground units

Marc's Thoughts:
How quickly things can change. I should win Space and now I can deploy Boba Fett (H) if Nicodemus pulls out a Character. Lots can change, as it will take me awhile to win Space, but right now I'm feeling much better.

Nicodemus's Thoughts:
Things are not looking so bright anymore. My perfectly held game is crumbling into decadence. I have no hope in holding Space anymore and am trying desperately to secure Ground and try to get out Emperor Palpatine (D)…

Space Battle

• Luke's X-wing (B) à Death Star II (A) à 1,4,5,6,6,1 à 8 damage (14 total).
• Emperor's Shuttle (A) à Luke's X-wing (B) à 5,1,4 à 2 hits à Luke's X-wing (B) uses "Pay 0 Force -> Evade 1." and "Pay 0 Force -> Prevent 1 damage to one of your Rebel Starfighters. Play only once per turn." to prevent the 2 damage.
• Death Star II (A) à Luke's X-wing (B) à 3,6,2,2,5,6,1,2,6,5,3,1,2,5,4 à 7 hits à Light Side plays Discuss it in Committee to prevent the 7 damage.

• DARK SIDE CONTROLLED.

Character Battle

• NEUTRAL (no contest, no control)

Arena check:

Space: contested
Ground: Dark Side
Character: Neutral

Turn Six
Dark Side Force: 11
Light Side Force: 10
Roll for Build = 1

Retreat Phase:
Dark Side: None
Light Side: Retreats all Ground units

Marc's Thoughts:
It's getting close. Hopefully, I can win the game before Emperor Palpatine (D) gets out (which GMNF seems dead set on doing). If not, then it's going to be a very, very, very long game.

Nicodemus's Thoughts:
It's not over yet. If I can somehow manage to stay alive until Emperor Palpatine (D) is deployed then I can at least delay the game for some time. It all depends on the dice, who have never been good to me as of yet…

Space Battle

• Luke's X-wing (B) à Death Star II (A) à 5,6,2,2,1,4 à 7 damage à Death Star II (A) is discarded.
• Emperor's Shuttle (A) à Luke's X-wing (B) à 4,4,5 à 3 hits à Luke's X-wing (B) uses "Pay 0 Force -> Evade 1." and "Pay 2 Force -> Evade 2." to prevent the 3 damage.

• DARK SIDE CONTROLLED.

Character Battle

• NEUTRAL (no contest, no control)

Arena check:

Space: contested
Ground: Dark Side
Character: Neutral

Turn Seven
Dark Side Force: 15
Light Side Force: 14
Roll for Build = 6

Retreat Phase:
Dark Side: None
Light Side: Retreats all Ground units

Marc's Thoughts:
I really hope I win this turn. If not, then we might be playing another 10 turns.

Nicodemus's Thoughts:
So close, yet so far away. This turn will be the moment of truth.

Space Battle

• Luke's X-wing (B) à Emperor's Shuttle (A) à 3,4,5,6 à 7 damage à Emperor's Shuttle (A) is discarded.

Ground Battle

• DARK SIDE CONTROLLED.

Character Battle

• Light Side uses Hidden Cost to deploy Boba Fett (H) into the Character arena.

Arena check:

Space: Light Side
Ground: Dark Side
Character: Light Side

LIGHT SIDE WINS!!!!

Marc's Thoughts:
Wow. This was really, really close. I love games when an arena has been cleared empty. We could have been playing for a long time if Emperor Palpatine (D) came out. Venerable Luke's X-wing pulls out another crazy win. In most games, I would have been close to conceding defeat. But with this deck, you never know.

As always, I thoroughly enjoy playing with Nicodemus Fett. He taught me how to play on Lackey and for that I will always be grateful. He is a true friend and I hope our next games are as good as this one.

Nicodemus's Thoughts: Regardless of the outcome, the game was good. There were many times were both of us thought we had ensured victory only to be ruined by the dice or by the other player's schemes. This new deck, though suffering a loss, will certainly go on to serve me in the future. The high build gain makes it a perfect combination with the heavy hitters I run.

I always enjoy playing against Marc, even though it usually ends up with another loss for me. It's funny to see most of the people I tutor on Lackey gradually rise above me until they're at the point as to where they can beat me without so much as thinking about it. Nevertheless, it's always a pleasure to play. Remember kids: the Force will be with you. Always.

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