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It's gotta be ASL if
the storage compartments tower over the board. Mark Pitcavage
(left) and Greg Schmittgens. |
A former Centurion tries to
reclaim past glory in the last ASL WBC Pre-Con . Next year's
event returns within the WBC week. |
Recon Ends its Run
RECON 2006 marked the third year of ASL action in the WBC
Pre-Cons. While year 3 may have seen a decline in number of players,
the level of play was as high as ever. Three former champions
and many other perennial tournament sharks descended upon Lancaster,
PA for three days of non-stop gaming and gunning before the main
attraction got underway. Expectations were met as all of the
top players (and many new faces) swarmed near the top, all vying
for top wood.
When the smoke had cleared, 2004 champion Gary Mei returned
to glory with a 4-1 record, besting tourney favorite Steve "The
Plevinator" Pleva. Steve entered the final round as the
last unbeaten player, but Gary thwarted Steve to take the win
and the wood based upon a head-to-head tiebreaker. Defending
champ JR Tracy had to settle for third, while Lance Roberts,
Ken Mioduski, and Mark Pitcavage rounded out the wood in places
4 through 6.
This year's tourney departed slightly from past years as only
one column of five scenarios was offered in each round. The result
was a greater shared experience as the room always featured multiple
playings of several scenarios. In addition, MMP was in attendance
with copies of ASL Journal 7. As a result, several players
opted to go off-list (by mutual consent) to sample some of the
new offerings. Most players felt comfortable with the scenario
choices, as the GM attempted to sprinkle a variety in each round.
Some expressed conceren about scenario length and balance, and
rest assured that all input is appreciated.
Of particular note was the strong showing by grognard but
ASL newcomer Doug Smith. Doug has only been playing ASL
for about a year (getting into the game via ASL Starter Kit
1), but he managed to win his first two games and was seen
hanging tough with Steve Pleva in a titanic playing of White
Tigers. Way to go, Doug! It looks like the ASL Starter Kits
are working
Recon is ending its three year run as a Pre-Con.
The noble experiement to restore ASL to its former
WBC glory has come to an end. ASL will return to the main
convention week next year under the watchful eye of MMP. They
intend to revamp the tournament into a quicker playing format
featuring new, unpublished scenarios. Stay tuned for more details!
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