And we are back with the second half of US Masters pairings, you can find the first cast here. Basically I am including a list of the pairings, time stamps, as well as my brief thoughts on each match up. Without further delay lets get going!
Match 17: Jeff Swan (Ogres) vs. Kyle Pietsch (Order of the Green Lady)
Time: 1:13- 12:22
I like both of these lists, they take a nice variety and some choices you don’t see a ton. However, in this match up I like Kyle’s list just a hair more. He has some great anvils, a little bit more shooting, and some fast hammers. Jeff’s list still has the tools to win, but purely from a list perspective I am giving Kyle the edge.
My Predicted Winner: Kyle
Match 18: Nick Mikelonis (Nightstalkers) vs. Steven Housenick (Ratkin)
Time: 12:22-24:10
This is a match-up where the Stealthy on Nick’s Nightstalker’s is going to be really valuable. A lot of points in Steven’s list are invested in shooting that is going to be drastically less effective. In comparison, a lot of Nick’s choices match up well versus Steven.
My Predicted Winner: Nick
Match 19: Aaron Chapman (Varangur) vs. Devlin Smith (Empire of Dust)
Time: 24:11- 36:49
This is going to be the first and only match that I bring completely ridiculous logic to play. Devlin Smith has beaten me like 3 times, all during grudge matches, literally 100% of the games he and I have played. However, in my single game versus Aaron, thanks a lot due to a nutty combination of terrain and scenario, as well as hot dice, I did beat Aaron. Devlin thinks he can beat Aaron because he beats me, but I think that Aaron sees the underdog coming this time, and will crush Devlin so soundly that the loss reverberates back to me.
*In all seriousness both lists are solid, but I just love the punch and speed Aaron is bringing*
My Predicted Winner: Aaron
Match 20: Grant Fetter (Basilea) vs. Keith Conroy (Herd)
Time: 37:00 – 48:33
Two of the fastest lists in the tournament this is a really cool match-up. In a meta where some people have argued alpha strike is dead, we have two players living and dying by their alpha hits. In this pairing, however, I think Keith’s Pathfinder, and great variation in units is going to give him the edge. Grant will have speed on his side, but Keith has a wider variety of approaches, heights, ect.
My Predicted Winner: Grant
Match 21: Brad Mckay (Northern Alliance) vs. Marc Taylor (Empire of Dust)
Time 48:42 – 1:00:33
Brad’s list looks very similar to Dustin’s, not too shocking since they are club mates and also both great players. Marc’s Empire of Dust list is interesting, and I think has a chance, but the toughness, hitting power, and shooting Brad is putting on the table gives him a pretty powerful edge.
My Predicted Winner: Brad
Match 22: Corey Reynolds (Ratkin) vs. John Green (Forces of the Abyss)
Time: 1:00:50 – 1:10:40
Wow, John’s army is basically just Succubi, which is hysterical, it is going to ruin some player’s day, if I was playing Undead I would 100% not want to face it. I think Corey is also one of the armies that doesn’t want to see spammed horde killers like the Succubi, Ratkin struggle versus all the Ensnare and Stealthy, and the Succubi just churn through the hordes of Ratkin.
My Predicted Winner: John
Match 23: Hank Googe (Varangur) vs. Ryan Munsell (Salamanders)
Time: 1:10:56 – 1:20:00
I really like Ryan’s list, he has put in the work with Salamanders all through Second Edition, and now I think the list is particularly good, and he is reaping the benefits. I do feel salty that he took Elf allies, but the variety of shooting quality, combat, and anvils I think is going to give the Varangur trouble.
My Predicted Winner: Ryan
Match 24: Jon Carter (Undead) vs. RG Allen (Nightstalkers)
Time: 1:20:30 – 1:31:30
I think John’s is rather cool, I really respect no Soul Reaver Undead, and the double Gore Blights and double Zombie Troll Hordes provide a really solid core, with Werewolves for fast flanking. I don’t quite see how RG’s list works, that’s more a me problem than his list’s fault, but as is I am all about this shambling Undead!
My Predicted Winner: John
Match 25: Felix Castro (Northern Alliance) vs. Patrick Justice (Abyssal Dwarves)
Time: 1:32:00- 1:44:30
Probably the biggest shocker here for me is Pat Allen, of RC fame, dropping the bomb that the Hellfane gets the Wild Charge aura, despite not being Infantry, because the thing always benefits from its own Aura! This suddenly makes the Hellfane not quite as junky as I thought! That said, in this list I don’t think the Hellfane is really playing much of a point. The inverse, Northern Alliance brings a LOT of Crushing Strength to the table, and Patrick’s paying points for Defense 6 that Felix won’t care about.
My Predicted Winner: Felix
Match 26: Greg Person (Ogres) vs. Nick Murray (Undead)
Time: 1:45:00- 1:59:35
If you fast forward to the end, the cast reads the custom names Greg gave to each of his units (most important bit of this match-up). Both of these are really good lists. Double Wights with Undead is no joke, but I am a big fan of Greg’s list, he is bringing a lot of chaff to the table that should let him control the fights. That combined with Gobling Blasters Greg has I think gives him a clear edge.
My Predicted Winner: Greg
Match 27: Nathan Clevenger (Nightstalkers) vs. Thomas Strother (Abyssal Dwarves)
Time: 1:60:00 -2:10:15
I’m not going to comment on this match up, unfortunately Thomas had to drop last minute, and I am substituting in for him. I’m also playing Abyssal Dwarves, but a different style list.
My Predicted Winner: Abstain
Match 28: Doug Blake (Rhordia) vs. Kara Brown (Ogres)
Time: 2:11:00 – 2:23:00
Kara’s Ogre list is bringing a lot of smashing power and high Defense, but Doug has a LOT of shooting and stuff to slow the Ogres down. If Doug can’t bring enough Ogres down before combat ensues, he is in trouble, but I think Kara doesn’t have cheap fast tools to lock down Doug’s shooting, so it puts his shooting in a good place, which I think will be the deciding factor.
My Predicted Winner: Doug
Match 29: Marcelo Rouco (Order of the Brothermark ) vs. Michael Sigler (Kingdoms of Men)
Time: 2:23:03 – 2:37:30
I absolutely LOVE this match-up, some human-on-human combat, with a TON of units on the board. That said I think Marcelo drew a bit of a tough match-up as Michael is putting a lot of Phalanx on the board when Marcelo’s main hammers are cav. I don’t think this is a complete skew list, but I think Michael has a slight edge. Both lists are pretty good and I think could do well.
My Predicted Winner: Micheal
Match 30: George O’Connel (Goblins) vs. K2 (Orcs)
Time: 2:38:00 – 2:48:00
I am all about K2’s orc list, and I love the flavor and theme he is bringing to the table too. Orc Town matched versus Goblins with Ogres allies is very cool. I really want to say K2 has the edge, but George has enough shooting to give K2 a lot of trouble. K2 does have the individuals to negate that some, but I think George has the edge here.
My Predicted Winner: George
Match 31: Cyle Poole (Goblins) vs. Joey Greek (Nightstalkers )
Time: 2:48:01 – 3:01:00
This is a really cool match up, Cyle and Joey have an ongoing MidAtlantic vs. MidWest rivalry that involves passing back a now, I am certain, worn thin, golden sweater. Both of these players are bringing their A game lists, and I think both are prepared for what the other is bringing. I think Joey’s list has a nice edge with his Wiltfather ally though, so I am going to give Joey the barest edge.
My Predicted Winner: Joey
Match 32: Alex Chaves (Forces of the Abyss) vs. Ryan Wubbles (Orcs)
Time: 3:03:30 – 3:14:50
Alex is bringing the absolute filth here, SO SO many shots. And he is facing a slower orc foot list. This is exactly what I think Alex wants to see.
My Predicted Winner: Alex
Whew! And there you have it the 2021 US Masters. A big shout out of thanks to everyone making this event happen, I cannot wait to see how some of these matches shape up!
FYI, it is Jon Carter (no h).