Preview: A New Hope - January 9, 2016

As the email invitation stated...a new year, a new movie, a new duel...A NEW HOPE!  That's right folks, the January Duel is upon us.

HISTORY:  Last year's New Hope duel was a contentious one, with Rob and Alex forming a tight alliance that carried Mace and Luke to the final two, with Rob's Mace winning.  It's also the Duel when Curtis made his infamous pact with Alex and Rob that Rob, through verbal technicality, didn't actually agree to!

LINEUP:  It's a new year, so let's look at our twelve Duelers and see what their Epic resolutions are...

Chris - win a 12 way Duel!  The veteran is past due.

Christian - reach professional status!  He'll only need one more Duel after this one.

Curtis - win the summer Singles Tournament!  After sweeping the first round last summer, he didn't make it to the final match.

Daniel - finish in the top three!  Daniel is steadily improving his ranking and average finish, but he hasn't placed higher than fourth...yet.

David P - keep his upward trajectory!  He only has two Duels under his belt, but they are a sixth and third place finish respectively.

Grant - continue his hot streak!  Grant hasn't finished below fifth place in his last five Duels.

Ian - win a 12 way Duel!  It eats him up inside...he wants that first place finish!

JD - stop picking shooters!  He's had both Fetts and Han in his last three Duels.

Nathan - make it three in a row!  There's no better Dueler right now than Nathan, who has won the last two Duels, including the 2015 Championship!

Rob - recapture his magic!  After winning the Fall Brawl, it's been two ugly last place finishes and an uninspiring seventh spot in the Championship.

Ryan - hold onto #1!  Ryan lost the top ranking for a short time in 2015, but is firmly back on top again rolling into 2016.

Stevie - harness his powers!  Few are as passionate a Stevie while playing the game, but can he use his emotions more constructively???

A New Hope has the makings of a spectacular match!!!

JAR JAR AND OBI-WAN PICK THE WINNERS:

Ok, who cares who these two think are going to win.  We've all seen The Force Awakens!  Obi-Wan, we demand answers, are you related to Rey?!?!?!

"The Duelers should pick me.  I have the high ground,
I'm going to win this Duel."

YOU DIDN'T ANSWER THE QUESTION!!!!

"What I've told you is true...from a certain point of view."

A certain point of...?  WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT???  ARGH....

Oh well, I guess we'll have to wait for Episode VIII...