I really like analyzing mirror matches. The slight differences in monster selection creates significant impacts on how the battle will unfold. Let's have a look at this top battle matchup in the Bronze League
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Life vs Life
Right off the bat we can some similarities in decision making from these 2 players. It's a mirror matchup against Letmaku and Choychoy. White vs White, Ilthain vs Ilthain. The chosen summoner gives +1 speed to all friendly monsters. As well as giving each ally the return fire ability which allows monsters to retaliate when receiving a ranged attack damage.
The battle is set at 30 mana cap allowing a good variety of monsters to be selected depending on strategy. There's no special ruleset at this is a Standard match which for me makes this battle more interesting to watch.
Lineup
Letmaku has selected a sneak lineup prioritizing damage on the back lines. The Shieldbreaker for his tank and with its taunt ability will attract all attacks from enemy monsters, Venator Kinjo is a strong low mana cost monster that has the reflection shield and camouflage making it a good second position card, at third position is the Dumacke Exile which has the sneak ability capable of reaching the back lines, Stitch Leech is another sneak attack monster along with Uraeus. These third to fifth position cards will specialize in backline attacks. Completing the lineup is the Venari Crystalsmith which has the tank heal ability to support the shieldbreaker.
Choychoy has selected Pelacor Conjurer with flying ability can evade physical attacks more, Corsair Bosun has been selected on second position as the offtank and can attack given its reach ability it also has the reflection shield which negates damage taken from thorns, return fire, blast and magic reflect, Truthspeaker will provide additional armor with the protect ability, Stich Leech and Dumacke Exile are similarly selected cards for sneak damage and Celestial Harpy is a flying monster that will target low health monsters given its opportunity skill.
Round 1
The celestial harpy almost went down the first round if it wasn't able to evade an attack from the Uraeus. The shieldbreaker has already lost armor and recieved multiple attacks dropping its health down to 3. The pelacor conjurer remains to be in good condition as it has also evaded attacks from the shieldbreaker and still has its armor intact. No monsters were lost in the opening round.
Round 2
Letmaku's Dumacke Exile sends the celestial harpy to the graveyard with it's opening attack. choychoy is a bit disadvantaged now losing one of his primary attack monsters. The venari crystalsmith will soon restore life to the shieldbreaker giving it more sustain.
Attacks from both the stitch leech and corsair bosun drops down the health of the shieldbreaker down to 1. Only 1 monster was lost this round. The dumacke Exile of Choychoy is vulnerable now entering the third round as it has lost all its armor already.
Round 3
First turn of the third round, Choychoy's Dumacke Exile is first to attack eliminating the shield breaker from play. the Venator Kinjo now moves into first position. Giving an even monster count for both players.
Midway into the third round, The Corsair Bosun makes quick work of the Venator Kinjo eliminating it from play. Choychoy now gains the upper hand and is up by one monster. The pelacor conjurer is doing a great job evading attacks and is still relatively healthy at this stage of the match.
Quickly equalizing the monster count is the Uraeus sneak attack on the Dumacke Exile and its now 4 monsters vs 4. not really seeing who has the advantage here.
Round 4
An attack from the stitch leech from the previous round, plus return fire of the pelacor conjurer kills of the venari cyrstalmisth. Letmaku is on the ropes now losing his only Support monster.
But late into the fourth round, we have an equal monster count again. With the Uraeus removing the stitch leech from the contest with another successful sneak attack. Choychoy is left with only 1 attacking monster. While Letmaku still has 3 cards which are all capable of attacking.
Round 5
Now it's Choychoy who is in a bind as the continued sneak attacks removes the truthspeaker from the contest and with it the armor buff the it gives. The pelacor conjurer will soon fall as well with jusst 1 health remaining. This is truly a back and forth matchup.
Round 6
Opening the sixth round the Pelacor Conjurer finally falls from an attack from the Dumacke Exile, The Corsair Bosun moves into first position and is up alone against 3 monsters.
It's 3vs1 and while the Dumacke Exile is down to just 1 health, it still managed to survive evading an attack from the corsair Bosun. Things are in favor as well for Letmaku whos attacks of the stitch leech and Uraeus connected dealing significant armor damage.
Round 7
Trading blows in the first 2 turns, the Dumacke Exile successfuly removed all armor from the remaining enemy monster. However retaliating back, the Corsair Bosun removes the tank from play with one attack.
Before the round ended both the stich leech and Uraeus focused their attack bringing down the hp to just 3. It is a 2on1 matchup and Choychoy is while holding the stronger card is still behind on monsters left.
Round 8
Having higher speed, the Corsair Bosun eliminates the Stich leech before it could deal any damage. This is pivotal as this brings the monster count to 1 apiece.
And as luck would have it, Corsair evaded an attack and will enter the next round with enough health to last 2 more attacks.
Round 9
Speed kills and the opening attack from Corsair Bosun eliminates the last monster Uraeus securing the victory for Choychoy over Letmaku. What a match which is down to the last card.
thanks as always.
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