“Are You Not Entertained? Are You Not Entertained? Is This Not Why You Are Here?”
For those of you not aware of 7 Wonders: Duel, it is card drafting, civilization building game whereby opponents must construct buildings (draft cards) in order to build the player’s civilization and this is all whilst they try to protect themselves against pushes from the opponents military and the frantic scientific research that could ultimately be the downfall of their empire. This game has three possible avenues for winning (points, military and science) and each player has to fend off being defeated via any number of the avenues for the entirety of the game whilst making all the right decisions to overcome their opponent.
As the metaphorical dust settles on the playing boards, the barrage of competitive 7 Wonders: Duel fixtures have come to an end. Over the last 2 months, 27 competitors have played over 110 games and our champion has been crowned. This tournament saw some spectacular games get played out and these include games that came down to 1 point difference, games with 50+ points difference and even a draw!
Here are some stand out moments.
Ivy Wales may have been our Icurus last tournament but our head honcho, Luke Allen, is our Icurus this month. After going undefeated for one and half tournaments (13 games) he was toppled by our 3 newcomers: Charlotte, Aaron and Pablo. I would love to say that this sent shockwaves through the gaming community, but we aren’t that big…. yet. Instead, there were some shocked emojis and GIFs sent in the group chat. For only our second competition, that is a pretty big deal.
Further to his close victory over Luke Allen, a shout out has to go to Pablo who left his games late and went on a streak of wins on the last evening of the competition but just fell shy of the playoffs. DISCLAIMER: This is not a feasible tactic in later tournaments, regardless of how well it worked, as my brain can’t take it.
A special mention goes to Chris Heighway for performing magnificently throughout the competition (7 wins and 1 loss) and was the only person to defeat top seeded Jason Becket in the group stages but unfortunately he was unable to make Sunday’s live event.
This tournament introduced the play-offs, whereby the best 8 players (available to attend the event on Sunday) went up against each other in an elimination bracket contest. This whittled some of the best 8 players down to the best and eventually ended in a crowned champion.
Playoff games (QF)
1. Jason (1) vs Aaron Garrett (8)
2. Colin (2) vs Peter (7)
3. Charlotte (3) vs Matt (6)
4. Luke (4) vs Robert (5)
Game 1 saw notorious winner, Jason Beckett, take on the newcomer, Aaron. The game looked like it was heading Jason’s way, as usual, as he maintained a points lead over Aaron at all times but things started to go south for Jason when resources to build things became very scarce to him and Aaron chipped away at acquiring military cards. Without an answer to the fast growing military presence and his limited resources, Jason had succumbed to a military defeat by the 3rd round.
Game 2 was going to be interesting. Colin had won more games than Peter BUT I don’t think he knew that Peter had won 100% of his games via military victories. From an outsider perspective, I felt sorry for Colin as he appeared as just another notch on Peter’s bedpost (which I imagine is shaped like a chariot and has Russel Crow bedsheets on it). Early on in the game it was clear that this game was going no different to Peter’s other games because by the middle of round 2 he was 3 military points away from winning. Colin’s only saving grace was that Peter hadn’t drafted enough resources earlier on, therefore, cards Peter needed to get the victory were costing him too much to actually see the game out. Colin chipped away at gaining points while forcing Peter to sell cards for funds that he desperately needed. By the end, the right military cards didn’t come available to Peter and, because he put all his gladiators in one arena, he fell to a 24-56 loss and Colin moved on to the semi finals.
Game 3 was a comprehensive defeat for me, by Charlotte. She is adamant that she got lucky but it didn’t feel like a lucky thrashing to me. After the 1st round of this quarter final fixture it became clear to me that it was all skill. Charlotte was ahead on military, points and science by the end but it was points where she claimed her victory.
Game 4. Luke wins again. Shock. This time it was science. Onto the next victim.
Playoff games (SF)
1. Colin (3) vs Aaron (8)
2. Charlotte (3) vs Luke (4)
Game 1 – Colin got dealt a tough hand this game. Every card he revealed to Aaron was a great asset and it happened time and time again. Saying that, Colin was 1 card away from winning via military, then he was one card away from winning via science but ultimately fell to a victory points defeat. It was a bitter pill to swallow, I’m sure, but nobody said the road to the finals was easy. Aaron and Luke were due to meet again, but this time it was in the finals.
Game 2 – Despite Charlotte overcoming Luke in the group stages, Luke won again. The only analysis I have is that Luke made it really tricky and cards really costly for Charlotte. Her luck ran out.
3rd place playoff
Colin (2) vs Charlotte (3)
Colin took confidence into the game based upon the fact that he was better at calculating costs of cards and knew the physical board game better than Charlotte and, early into the game, this confidence proved useful. Although, apparently Charlotte’s luck was back. Moments of tactical genius were deemed accidents and a military win in round 3 was not apparently part of her plan. Colin saw it coming and there was nothing he could do. Lucilla in the grass!
Spoon final – Best of the worst
Amy (27) vs Mel (25)
Amy took this via science. Her aggressive, fast play got her the cards she needed and in good time. By the middle of round 3, the game was over and Mel had to concede to the fact that Amy was ‘Best of the Worst’.
Final
Luke (4) vs Aaron (8)
These two met in the group stages a few weeks ago and it was seemingly a David vs Goliath fixture. Little ol’ Aaron took a surprising and deserved win back then and I’m sure gave him confidence going into this repeat fixture for the final.
This game was a David vs Goliath part 2. Would Goliath be trumped again… Who are we kidding, fairy tales aren’t real, the little guy rarely wins twice, good guy Maximus dies in the end, Luke Allen wins again. No mercy was given. Long live the Emperor… I mean, well done Luke. Luke was given the trophy again and held it aloft as crowned champion for the 2nd tournament in a row.
That’s the end of another successful tournament. Now for some stats and facts about the end of the competition.
Of all the reported games, these are how they finished:
Victory points – 60%
Science – 17%
Military – 23%
Awards:
1st place: Luke Allan
2nd place: Aaron Garrett
3rd place: Charlotte Amery
Spoon winner: Amy Harris
Most improved: Peter Hughes (3 more wins)
Most Military wins: Peter Hughes (100% Military wins) 1/4 of all wins
Most Science wins: David Thornton
Most Civil wins: Jason Beckett
Most points scored in a game: Daisy Harvey (85)
Least points scored in a game: Charlotte Amery (22)
Biggest points difference: Jason Beckett