-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Player Interview   Table of Contents   TT.ca News

Welcome to the April edition and boy have we got lots of matches to look forward to this month. We have hit the tournament schedules busiest time of the year and it’s all as exciting as ever. The semifinal of Clan Wars has passed us by and we have now got the finals underway and Triad Wars 5 is also upon us with round 1 up and underway.

First up, it’s Clan Wars. With the semifinals done we have our two finalists looking for the title. The semifinals saw two very interesting match-ups with my two favorites: Avalanche and Devas. They tore it up for that place in the finals and last year’s winners Zodiac Braves were up against the tournaments my surprise package: The Polish National Clan.

Last round 3 out of 4 predictions came through, but the expected mauling of .pl by the Brotherhood of SeeD was nothing more than a mere thought, as in fact the mauling came from the relentless Poles who simply destroyed the Brotherhood and ended the match-up unscathed from the meeting. The Devas routed the Triad Pirates as predicted and suffered no casualties. The Zodiac Braves versus Knights of the Round match had the makings of an interesting match up and looked to go either way until Stuff ended all the Knights dreams by demolishing Sola with his second move. The Braves came through as predicted with a 3-1 win. Avalanche against Triforce, in all truth, it was going to be very hard work for Triforce to gain anything from the match-up but they did not let the strength of the Avalanche team phase them and gave them a good fight.

Semifinals Recap

Zodiac Braves vs .PL

After the demolition work of the Polish National the Braves were going to have to guard against complacency and really work hard it what could have been an upset for the 2-time champions. I caught up with the Poles leader Gafgarion and here’s what he had to say:

Before Clan Wars started what was your realistic goal for this year’s competition?

After so high places with other tournaments, (I was 2nd in TTAC, Kazik was 2nd in SE) we were thinking about 3rd or second place. We haven't got many members active, but a little motivation and voila. So, before CW started main goal was the final.

Last round many didn't think you could beat BoS, were you guys always confident or did you guys think it was the end?

Nah, we never give up. After last Newsletter, I was a bit pissed off that you underestimated PL and predicted it will be 5-0 for BoS. Motivation was really high to show everyone that we are not just a noobish clan and we did that without help or our best player: Kazik.

As a clan, how do the members prepare for these big match-ups?

It’s working same as whole PL structure: better players helping others. We are playing few games before our games to check weak and strong sides of our hands, making them better and better. Every training game is watched by other players, so they could learn few new moves or watch the style. After each move there is the basic question, why there? Player explain what he want to do next and we (Kazik or me) explains how he could move in other, better places.

To come through the match-up without losing must have given you a lot of confidence. Are the members confident for the semifinals?

Yeah, we are stronger now. Our new player, Mall, showed us really great moves in his game. So, we are strong, we are team and we'll do our best to win that tournament.

Again, many regarded .pl as the underdogs against last year’s winners, The Zodiac Braves. Do you prefer to be the underdogs, as it provides less pressure, or would you prefer to be the favorites?

We weren't favorites even in times when karmazin played with us. But we didn't underestimate anyone. It will be hard to win but I believe that we can do it. We are winning atm. ^_^ Its just a game, we wont cry if we lose. Basically it should be great fun.

After taking a 2-0 lead, .pl looked good to advance on to the finals, but the Braves dragged it back and ended up coming out on top with a 3-2 victory.

Avalanche vs. Devas

This match-up was always going to be contested right down to the final card placed. Both teams are worthy of a place in the finals, but unfortunately for the spectators, you have to witness this bout in the semifinals. Avalanche drew first blood, but the Devas didn't wait long to strike back, and in the end the tie finished up 2-2 and a coin toss meant a premature end to the Devas tournament campaign.

The Final

Zodiac Braves vs. Avalanche

This match-up is going to be very tightly fought and I see nothing more than a 3-2 margin on the cards.

Kamikaze*zb vs. Stev3~Avl: The first match-up of the finals. Both players are very comfortable on Level 2 and will look to outwit each other from the beginning.
Sola's Prediction: Kamikaze win

Seif*zb vs. Coops~Avl: A very evenly matched pair that have gone either way, but coops came away with the win.

Mette.zb vs. Tezuka~Avl: Again, another very similar pairing. This could be a key match-up to the success of either team. A win here could shape the end of this tournament.
Sola's Prediction: Mette win

Shadwell.zb vs. Seto~Avl: This match-up sees Seto on the opposite team this year. Will he be able to score a win against his former clan ?
Sola's Prediction: Seto win

Stuff.zb vs. Jedat~@vl: Again, this match-up could be the deciding game of the tournament. With the match-up tightly contested, a slip here could be the difference between a neat icon on the players profile or letting your teammates down
Sola's Prediction: Jedat win

Championship Prediction: Avalanche win 3-2

Not only do we have a fine selection of games to watch over for the Clan Wars finale, but we have the hottest singles tournament underway also. Yes im talking about Triad Wars !

Triad Wars has sparked its 5th visit to the site and as always, the turnout has been immense with 64 hopefuls looking to win a Fusoya. The past winners of the competition are Kaus Debonair, DocEvil, Brenn, and Vergil. Of those four, only two remain in this year’s competition. No player has won the competition twice, so will Kaus Debonair or Brenn be the first player further written into Triad Wars history? Here are the rules for the first round:

Rules: S, P, SW, C
Levels: 8,9
Open/Closed: Open
Minimum Time Limit: 5 Minutes
Decks: All (No Rares)

The players are poised and ready to kick start their title ambition and get that much sought first round win. The first round win could potentially be the most important. Overcoming your opponent in the first round provides the confidence to progress through the tournament and talk of possible future match-ups creep into conversation. Beware though! Amongst the confidence that predictions can bring, being overconfident can become the door to your early exit from the competition. Guard against the upset you established players because there is always somebody waiting to knock you from your perch. Who will be the first casualty? Who will be the new found talent? Who will provide the community's talking point for weeks and months after? Only time will tell in the early stages of the competition, but rest easy, because one of the above questions will be answered.

Amongst this year’s hopefuls stand the usual suspects. Players such as Delial, Seto, Cookie, Kamikaze, and MafiJosie are all looking for that top prize. Can they succeed through he tournament to the crown?

This first round has thrown up some very nice match-ups , at least for the spectators , including the must-see games:

Tezuka vs. Mette

Unfortunately, this one was over quicker than a Hollywood marriage, but both players were more than capable of taking the victory here. Mette is coming off the back of his SE tournament victory and is also having a solid run in Clan Wars, so facing up to him is always going to be tough. Tezuka is somewhat of a quiet figure in the community, but he makes up for his silence with his quick thinking and complex mind.

Match Result : Mette win

Seto vs. Cookie

This match-up would have made a very exciting quarterfinal or semifinal, but the fact it’s a first round makes even juicier. Both players are staring the Triad Wars exit doors blank in the face. With a lot riding on this, game both members will have to draw on all their experience to get by this round.

Sola's Prediction : Cookie's win

Kazik vs. MafiJosie

Both players could potentially score a final appearance from gaining the upper hand. But before they begin to dream about any quarter final appearance, but they must first over come one another. Kazik is having a great tournament run as of late having just made a final appearance in the latest SE tournament, and he also guided his clan to a Clan Wars semifinal against the odds. MafiJosie is always a threat in tournaments and should not be taken lightly. MafiJosie is a slippery eel who can escape from the tightest of predicaments and will not go down without a fight.

Sola's Prediction : Kazik Win

There are many potential favorites for the competition, but my money lies on Delial or Mette taking home the Fusoya I believe FippesMC could be a contender and Anthony could be a surprise package this year. In such an early, round only time will tell. So stay tuned folks for your monthly installment of tournament action. I will keep trying my best to pick the winners before they happen!