awildnoobappeared and loppo draw
http://dom.retrobox.eu/?/20131005/log.50955175e4b013548a3d58f0.1380960370860.txt - loppo 34-25
Duchess, Embargo, Village, Familiar, Moneylender, Nomad Camp, Procession, Talisman, Bazaar, Junk Dealer
So there isn't a lot on offer here, there's heaps of trashing but not really much to do once you're trashed down. loppo lands a Junk Dealer on turn 2 and therefore can trash into a thinner and richer deck than I can, and I'm left chasing Embargoed Duchies.
http://dom.retrobox.eu/?/20131005/log.50955175e4b013548a3d58f0.1380961508419.txt - awildnoobappeared 30-21
Haven, Urchin, Wishing Well, Caravan, Moneylender, Rats, Governor, Minion, Mint, Pillage (shelters)
Lots of tough decisions here, but Urchin's presence means this is a Governor game. I have first player advantage, and manage to get my nose in front at the end - I think Mercenary did just enough to keep loppo from ending the game before I do.
http://dom.retrobox.eu/?/20131005/log.50955175e4b013548a3d58f0.1380962371038.txt - loppo 37-21
Embargo, Fool's Gold, Pawn, Urchin, Throne Room, Bazaar, Hunting Party, Stables, Tactician, Vault
I try some Hunting Party thing with Mercenary, it takes too long to get moving against double-Tactician with Vault even with Mercenary's trashing and discard attack.
http://dom.retrobox.eu/?/20131005/log.50955175e4b013548a3d58f0.1380963195932.txt - awildnoobappeared 42-33
Lighthouse, Advisor, Envoy, Scavenger, Baker, Highway, Jester, Rabble, Nobles, Peddler
Fairly straightforward game without trashing or +buy, and the only +actions is Nobles - this means there isn't a lot on. I go for lots of Bakers with a decent amount of money - some good draws, plenty of saved up tokens along with loppo having nothing at all on turn 18 mean I can finish the game fairly easily.
http://dom.retrobox.eu/?/20131005/log.50955175e4b013548a3d58f0.1380964179922.txt - loppo 29-20
Transmute, Shanty Town, Workshop, Death Cart, Marauder, Moneylender, Procession, Treasure Map, Knights, Adventurer (shelters)
I still have no idea how to play Knights. They wreck an opponent's deck so hard, but likely if you've been concentrating on them your deck is pretty bad too. And there's a decent chance your opponent has been able to sneak a Province if the split is about even, which is bad news when both your decks are awful.
Loppo managed to build a better economy besides me winning the Knights battle, and his Death Cart was the difference in the end game, allowing him to buy enough Duchies to get a decisive lead.
http://dom.retrobox.eu/?/20131005/log.50955175e4b013548a3d58f0.1380964711646.txt - awildnoobappeared 42-35
Scrying Pool, Oasis, Philosopher's Stone, Cutpurse, Island, JackOfAllTrades, Smithy, Counterfeit, Embassy, Explorer
Loppo gets a pretty bad 5/2 opening on a board where Counterfeit and Jack are going to dominate. I'm tempted by Embassy at some point, but decide against it as Counterfeit is just going to be too good with all that free silver. In the end it's fairly close but my luck holds out just long enough.
Thanks to loppo and everyone else I've played this tournament. This brings my tournament record to 2 wins, 2 losses and 3 draws, with a games record of 15 wins and 16 losses - I'd have taken that going into the tournament, especially as I came up against some excellent players. I'll certainly be watching the finals series with interest!