My FLGS (Games Plus in Mount Prospect, IL) had their Launch Party last night and it was a blast!

First thing was attendance, we got 24.

Second was the Mini-Tournament. Owing to a misconception on my part I thought the entire event was single Core and so even though I have three Cores I built Single Core Crane with Lion splashed. Well, as it turned out if you had multicore decks you could bring them. Oops!

So, I embarked on my epic journey of Single Core Crane against the world. First round I got another Single Core (Crab) and managed to prevail via him dishonoring out. Next I faced another Crane Single Core but they splashed Unicorn - I won via Province breaking, That put us at 6 remaining,

My next round was versus a three Core Scorpion - Crab that basically dishonored itself out - I cannot lay claim to any expertise here as the player was inexperienced and dug themselves into an Honor hole by both overdialing for cards and overdialing when dueling Kaezin. Then I got a Bye as the only Single Core deck in the Final Three.

My Final was against a three Core Phoenix-Scorpion deck. This was a doozy of a game! I kept winding up short of characters and nearly dishonored out myself but somehow (frankly I don't know how in one case) clung to life. Finally down to my last four Dynasty Cards, but having broken three of his provines (he had two of mine) I had a chance!

I had been scrimping on Fate so when I got my 7 I had a 9 Fate. And who should be turned over? Doji Hotaru (FINALLY), the Savvy Politician and the Doji Gift Giver. I bought them all but the Gift Giver as I also had one Ace up my hand - Outwit. I also dialed carefully for Cards to ensure no loss by Honor; then came the Political Assault on his Stronghold with EVERYONE.

He defended with Tsukune and Seeker of Knowledge and for his first action awarded Tsukune Grasp of Earth. So He is 7 right now and I am 8. First play - Court Games to Honor the Politician who per her card Honored Hotaru. So now it is 12-7. He passes. I then gave Hotaru an Ornate Fan. 14-7. He played to Honor Tsukune which made it 14-11. Then I played Outwit; and as Hotaru had a Political Number at this point of 11 versus Tsukune's 8 I sent Tsukune home!

His response was to shake my hand and say GG. I still can't believe I won.

Doji Hotaru for the win!

Outwit can only be used by courtiers, which unfortunately notary isn't, but still congrats for getting in the final with 1 core.

Whoops!!! That was a classic overtired mistake - and even funnier we BOTH missed it.

On the good side he did say he had nothing else to play (my guess is his cards were not 0 cost and he had no Fate left) and I had another Fan which I could have given the Politician. As such I think I still had the tools as she then could have sent the Seeker home. That would have made it 16-9.

That is what I get for going to a Store Launch Party at night right out of work without coffee!

Congratulations on the win. I was born and raised right next door in Des Plaines.

Doji Hotaru is one of my favorite Champions. I can’t believe all the sour grapes over the ruling in regards to her and Torturi’s ability. Resolving the ring twice when you win attacks is beastly if you choose wisely when selecting your ring.