Dark Crystal Cup
I practiced a few times on OCTGN a few days before the Dark CC, so while I didn’t expect much from this tournament, I was still hoping for non-bad pairups and at least wanted to Top 16 for prizes. Unfortunately, I did have quite a few bad matchups and misplays. I played my normal Earth/Wind deck (not your traditional toolbox meta deck) since I didn’t have time to learn another deck. I had to go up against Thomas Nguyen from Meta Potion (Moogles) and a lot of ice. 😓 Ice is so frustrating, but at least it’s a decent enough matchup if I can set up and draw answers at the right time. Water is always an automatic loss for me. I went 4-3 for this tournament. While that’s enough to be on tiebreakers for top cut, I knew that I was out of Top 16, due to one of my losses being a double loss. My opponent decked out on Turn 3 too, but didn’t concede. 🙄
I still had a great time. Thanks to everyone that greeted me a Happy Birthday and gave me small freebies. Rice for the first birthday greet that was basically announced to the whole room when I walked in, Brian for the free water, Jonathan Chen for the free playmat bag and boards, and Samsonite for the Alba promos. And of course to Arvin, who gave me a bunch of promos and Full Arts. 😊
NA Nationals Day 1
I decided to skip the Win a Box at Card Game Coliseum so I could sleep in. 😊 I had a late birthday lunch with the family before heading to L.A. I like pie. 🥧😋 For the rest of the day, Arvin and I practiced Title games, played a few constructed games with others, and played some fun Chocobo Crystal Hunt with the expansion pack. Joey Cimino went undefeated three times in a row. 😮 Near the end of the night, we dropped by the food lounge for dessert and I ate six big cookies. 🍪😋 But we eventually had pizza for dinner with everyone after the Day 1 tournament was over. We celebrated Richard’s Day 2 entry and chilled with some drinks. These guys are so silly and fun to be around with. They even managed to get John Schreiner in on the robe shenanigans. 🤣
NA Nationals Day 2 Side Events
Title Event
The format was 5 Swiss Rounds, no top cut, and prizing to Top 8. I honestly did not expect good results from the Title tournament ever since I got wrecked at the Title tournament at the Earth Crystal Cup. Granted, I did play an outdated Tactics Title deck then. But for the Nationals Title tournament, I finally updated my old Type-0 Cadet Title deck and tried to give it a go. A meta deck for Title, that's for sure. 😮 I wasn't confident since there's a lot of new cards that I needed to learn to play and practice within the three day weekend. Arvin was in a similar boat and made the deck the night before Dark CC. He never even played Type-0 cards before, so we both practiced and luckily, it paid off with Arvin and I getting 2nd and 1st place, respectively. 😊
Round 1 Win - VIII by Chris Neal
Ah what an intimidating pair up every time I see a Meta Potion member as my opponent! Chris was actually new in playing Title and had to ask to brush up of the rules right before we started our match. He had quite a slow start, but so did I with playing mild backups and him making me discard two cards. It was when he had Rinoa out that his board became pretty wide with dulling and freezing my Forwards. Luckily, I drew into my answer early and got my one-of Trey. Leaving him up as purely a blocker helped me set up my board and stabilize.
Round 2 Win - Type-0 by Ryam Magpantay
Fuzzy on details for this match. I searched for the Ace into Ace combo and got it out before he could. I think I played a Seven too, so he couldn’t block. When he did play his Ace Legend, I broke it immediately. After that, it was a lopsided match.
Round 3 Win - VIII by Jen-Natalia
Forgot this guy’s name, but definitely remember his username. 😕Trey again for MVP award. My opponent had a good start with even backups and went to town on playing Forwards with Opus IX Rinoa out. I didn't see Legend Ace for quite a while in the match, so I had to setup my board for when I did draw it. Seven's Snakebite Special was definitely the game winner here. With a wide board, he just needed to freeze my backups and dull the rest of my Forwards. Trey alone couldn't block everyone from party attacks and I would’ve gotten to the 5th or 6th point of damage. I would've looked at fatal if it wasn't for the Snakebite to cancel Ultimecia's entry effect.
Round 4 Win - Type-0 by Thomas Nguyen
I started out with a play I learned from Arvin during our practice sessions and managed to get the classic Starter Ace into Legend Ace combo as well as playing a backup. There wasn't much Thomas could do that early except to waste resources hard casting a summon to break my Legend Ace. Unfortunately for him, I drew into another Legend Ace. After that, he was too behind to catch up.
Round 5 Win - Type-0 by Arvin Bernardo
Arvin tried to "dethrone" me and I had to defend my title. Our win ratios during our practice sessions were about 25:75 for me to Arvin, so he definitely had the upper-hand here, or so he thought.😏 I got the Ace into Ace combo first. Unfortunately for him, he wasn't paying attention when I grabbed both Seven's and played one. His next turn was an anticipated Ace into Ace combo, but luckily, I learned right then at that match that I could cancel that combo. I only noticed it because I only had two Seven cards in hand with nothing else to respond with. Who knew reading what cards do actually helps? 😕 Of course, Arvin says it's a tainted victory since he was distracted talking to Josh Gardner during my turn when I grabbed both Seven's. We did a second funsies match afterward and I still got it. 😏
Arvin and I at the Final Round (thanks to Kyle McGinty for the photo!)
I was super stoked to have done well this tournament.😊 Prizes were lit for a free entry tournament.
Prizes
1st Place
- Zidane World to Championship Promo
- Carbuncle Plush
- Cloud KH Costume Bring Arts Figure
2nd - 4th Place
- Zidane World to Championship Promo
- Carbuncle Plush
5th - 8th Place
- Zidane World to Championship Promo
Wolves Den
I didn't get to participate in Wolves Den at all, so I'm unsure on how this event went. I regret not participating at all, because in previous events, they at least give you a participation promo when you turn in your sheet. 😕
Gunslinger
I don't think I've ever had the chance to gunsling against any of the Hobby Japan members at any of the events I've been to, which is quite a few. They always fill up. My friend mentioned that the sign up sheet filled up with the first 15 minutes. 😕 I should've done that. Many people just sign up and then do the other side events. I always try to do it when the other side event I participated in is over. Lesson learned. Sign up first, then do the other side events.
Chocobo Crystal Hunt Nationals Championship
There were several that didn't even know this event had fired off. Many weren't aware that they had sign ups and started the tournament, so it was a real turn off for them. I didn't pay much attention after the Title event started, but I don't recall any announcements for this event either. The event was only for the base Chocobo Crystal Hunt game, not with the expansion pack. While the expansion pack is much more fun and entertaining, I think the TO opted for the base game due to time constraints. The prizing was spectacular for a free event. I only know of the prizing that Danica won for getting 1st place, which was an army of different Chocobo plushies (4 to be exact), a Chocobo hat, and a few other items that I couldn't tell.
Merch Booth
It was a bit tame this year with the merch, but there’s only so much product they can bring in. They did have newly designed keychains, but I wasn’t as hyped about them as before and didn’t get them even though Arvin offered to buy them. He already bought a lot of stuff for me for my birthday. He did buy a FFTCG Annual 2017 book for me. I said I would’ve opened it to get people to sign it, but I left it in my bag in the car! 😥 But I’ll for sure bring it to Worlds if I go. 😊 I think another good item to bring for good sales would be the FF rubber cellphone straps or the FF Trading Arts minis. Those would be fun to trade with people at the event.
Near the end of the event, I managed to get a foil Opus IV Hecatonchier signed by Kageyama-san. I rarely ever ask him to get stuff signed, but I haven't done it in a while. I think the last time was the first time I met him at the first Nationals 2017. I got a foil Sahz, another foil promo, and my Nationals 2017 playmat signed since they were the only things I had in my hands as I was leaving at the time.
A playset of Zidanes, Cactuar, and signed Hecatoncheir I managed to get this weekend. 😏
The only photo I have relating to the main event: the final bracket board. Too bad it was taken with my old crappy phone so it's blurry. 😓
And trophies!
Day 2 Dinner
A bunch of us went to Rock & Brews for dinner and took a group photo. Unfortunately, there's a few people missing that left a bit earlier. Still, I really cherish the time I get to spend with these folks.
