Updated over at TC: http://teamcovenant.com/sozin/2014/11/08/2014-x-wing-world-championships-top-8-report/

Text:

The round is over. Ira won a very close game against Jonathan that came down to the last couple of turns of the game. Jonathan did a beautiful job herding Han around, landed him on an asteroid, nearly drove him off the board, and got him down to only one hull left, but it wasn’t enough when the game when to time.

Paul and Sunny played a very precise and interesting game that featured some spectacular maneuvering and dice swings. R2D2 once again proved invaluable and the game hit an ending with a 1-hull Lambda, 1-hull Whisper, and healthy Soontir versus a 9 hp Han. After a lot of excitement Paul managed to finish off Whisper and won on points.

Tex and Morgan ended in victory for Morgan, coming down to the very last roll of the game, where Tex had to kill a tie fighter and couldn’t.

Finally the 3XZ rebel list was unable to withstand the swarm, but made a great go at it. Richard killed four tie fighters but it wasn’t enough and he landed in a Cracken versus Dark Curse and 2 AP endgame. Keith patiently tracked down and killed the last Cracken of the tourney.

I snapped a bunch of pics which I’ll post at some point!

So fat Han is definitely in the finals, with a 50/50 shot of a phantom being in as well... We'll never hear the end of it

I can absolutely predict one thing:

The 2014 World Champion will be 11-0!

has anyone been watching Paul Heavers list in action. How big is R2-D2 in his matchups?

I can absolutely predict one thing:

The 2014 World Champion will be 11-0!

Or 10-0 and an overseas champ (Morgan and Keith both had byes round 1)

has anyone been watching Paul Heavers list in action. How big is R2-D2 in his matchups?

I think it really helps his falcon v falcon matchup in the end game because it lets Han effectively ignore three damage a turn, with C3PO, evade action via the title and then regenerating one shield a round.

I know it saved the one Chewie build that had the Hull upgrade. So annoying.

I can absolutely predict one thing:

The 2014 World Champion will be 11-0!

Or 10-0 and an overseas champ (Morgan and Keith both had byes round 1)

Good point! I was counting the bye as a win. Double-digit wins with no losses is still pretty good.

Updated batrep (with pictures!) here : http://teamcovenant.com/sozin/2014/11/08/2014-x-wing-world-championships-top-4-report/

R2-D2 has been huge for Paul.

Another thing we can say that the game is in a good shape. There are a variety of different lists that have done well. The falcons have 2 in the top 4 true but a swarm and a phantom mini swarm have also made it.

However most tellingly is that the players that have made it are clearly skilled having done well in others events prior. A game based on player skill is a game that will appeal to many including me!

Update: Ira's cooked - Paul's going to the finals.

Update: Morgan’s Phantom’s is going nuclear – he just dropped a tie (after a three blank roll by Keith) with a h,h,h,c. Whisper now has free range of the field and is Keith’s swarm has become disorganized. It’s now even on ties, so Morgan definitely has the advantage with the mobile whisper.

Paul just destroyed Ira's Han - he's on to the finals.

Thanks for the updates! I am watching on the live stream but it is hard to follow.

Morgan just took out another tie. Barring some awful blunder on his part, he should be able to mop up now with Whisper.

How come no Keyan Farlander? Is Rebel Aces not tournament legal?

Twich is showing a no commentary on thr second semi. Low angle but its good.

Whisper +1 versus 4 ties i think

Twich is showing a no commentary on thr second semi. Low angle but its good.

Whisper +1 versus 4 ties i think

Yep, and the +1 is injured pilot howlrunner

Phantom vs falcon final!

So, Phantom vs Falcon for the finals. At last, all questions over which is the most broken will be answered...

Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi!

Morgan won. We're getting a Fat Falcon versus Phantom + Tie Swarm finale!

Paul's Han + R2D2 + C3P0 (love it) + Predator + Falcon + Engine Upgrade, Tala x3 will be taking on Morgan's Whisper + ACD + Rebel Captive + FCS + VI, Howl + Swarm Tactics, AP x3

Good luck Morgan, Australia is behind you.

Whatever happens, youve done us all proud.

Now bring out that smiling assasin persona and takenout the ex-world champ

Whisper with init v han with no gunner. I give the edge to whisper, list to list.

Good luck Morgan, Australia is behind you.

Whatever happens, youve done us all proud.

Now bring out that smiling assasin persona and takenout the ex-world champ

This is one of the few times New Zealanders will be cheering for the Ozzies.