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Low piece density is a hallmark of
Starter Kit scenarios. |
That's one mean lookin' dice tower.
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Veteran Beginners
Given
the dwindling number of players in these events at WBC, one has
to wonder whether two ASL events is actually better than
one - especially when you consider how veteran the ranks of the
Starter Kit competitors has become.
The scenario for Round 1 (S4 ìWelcome Backî)
was an appropriate greeting for this fifth year of ASL Starter
Kit at WBC. Most of the field had been here before, many
for several years. The odd number of players gave ex-champion
Daniel Leader a bye into Round 2. This scenario from SK#1 broke
3-2 in favor of the Americans, with Rich Kircher and Gary Phillips
bucking the odds as the attacking Germans. Starter Kit returnees
Chuck Frascati, Phil Bradley, and Eric Filipkowski all went down
in the first round.
Eric graciously agreed to serve as an eliminator in Round
2 and was paired against Dan Leader. Round 2 saw the return from
last year of "No Monumental Acclaim" which recently
graced the pages of MMP's Operations magazine. This time the
attacking Americans all had the upper hand, except that crafty
German Dan Leader saw a late game opportunity to counterattack
and retake some victory buildings. Two-time runner-up Pete "Bridesmaid"
Pollard also advanced to the semi-finals as did the two young
guns who emerged last year - Andy Dunn and Jonathan Squibb, coming
in third and fourth respectively in 2007.
As luck would have it, the two old pros matched up against
each other in Round 3, with the two fresh troopers fighting each
other for the chance to advance in S14 "88s at Zon."
Those 88s emplaced before the bridge over the Wilhelmina canal
proved too powerful for the American paratroopers of the 506th,
consigning Dan and Andy to the ranks of the also-rans despite
well-executed attacks.
For the Final, Pete and Jonathan picked (with a little help
from the GM) scenario S16 "Legio Patria Nostra" featuring
a full company of Free French Legionnaires rescuing a small party
trapped in the middle of a small Italian village in June 1944.
Jonathan's AT and AA guns failed him, and his middle of the pack
defenders quickly broke before the strong French onslaught and
some timely dice from Pete. Mercifully it was over quickly, and
Pete finally captured the crown that had eluded him the past
few years while making his transition from Squad Leader
to ASL.
Congrats to Andy and Daniel for making it to the semis again,
and to Jonathan for making it to the Final. Thanks to all the
players for the high level of sportsmanship that has come to
be the norm. Congratulations to Pete Pollard - a heck of a nice
guy - for finally winning the championship.
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