Preview: The Fall Brawl - September 19, 2015

Can you believe we're already playing our fifth duel of the season?  That's what happens when you play THREE duels in one day, which happened at the end of August.  The influx of matches has accelerated the learning curve for some of our amateur ranked duelers, making for increasingly competitive battles.  There are no easy paths to victory, and the lineup for our second annual Fall Brawl, which occurs every September, is rife with danger.

HISTORY:
Last year's Fall Brawl took place on the Kamino Platform, and was won buy D. Coy, who still ranks as the only amateur to win a Duel (others have won as an amateur but later achieved professional status).  The now retired Coy won with Darth Maul.

LINEUP:

Chris
The eighth ranked professional dueler experienced highs and lows at the Double Header.  He followed a disappointing 11th place finish in the first game with a near victory in the second, almost landing Mace Windu a win before falling to Grant's Yoda.  Word on the street is Chris is sick and needs Wookie Healing.

Curtis
Curtis was left with a lot of soul searching to do after a devastating trio of duels on August 29.  He finished 12th, 10th, and 9th and plummeted from third place to seventh in the dueler rankings.  Don't count on this two-time victor staying down for long, he's ready to Force Rebound.

Grant
He came to the double header just to watch the action, but got a seat at the table in game #2 when Alex left early.  And wouldn't you know it, Grant won with Yoda!  The victory, his third, puts him in second place in career victories and third in the dueler rankings.  For Grant this game has become All Too Easy.

Ian
Ian played the surprise birthday duel last month and had a career low finish in seventh place with Obi-Wan, but not before eliminating birthday-boy Rob.  The Fall Brawl will be Ian's sixth duel, meaning he'll reach professional status.  He's the topped ranked amateur and could take over the top spot on the professional rankings, blowing up the standings like a Thermal Detonator.

JD
August 29th is a day JD won't soon forget.  He won the surprise birthday duel with Darth Vader for his well deserved first career victory, and followed it up with nice tries in fourth and fifth place during the double header.  Can his Force Lightning strike twice?

Julio
The popularity and pool of duelers continues to grow as Julio will make his league debut this Saturday.  He played the 10 person game at the CL retreat, but has yet to experience a fully operational 12-way duel.  We eagerly await his Sudden Arrival in the standings.

Mackenzie
It's the "Return of the Mack."  Mackenzie is playing her first duel of the season after reaching professional status last year.  She's a quiet dueler who can sneak up on you during a match.  Will she be able to shake off the rust and operate with full Sith Speed?

Nathan
Nathan is another amateur dueler who has drunk the Yoda Soda and committed himself to the life of a dueler.  The Fall Brawl will be his fifth duel, bringing him within reach of professional ranking. His third place finish with Luke at the birthday duel indicates some strong Latent Force Abilities.

Rob
The crazed ring leader of this Duel league had a respectable birthday performance though he made some uncommon mistakes during the three matches that led to some earlier than expected exits.  Now in his fourth decade, he must rely on his Wisdom more than ever to conquer these padawans.

Ryan
Nobody had a better day with the trifecta of duels than Ryan.  He finished first at double header #1, and added second and fourth places finishes to his record too.  His two career victories and consistently high finishes have moved him into first place in the rankings by .01 points.  His rise to the top is a testament to his Force Balance.

Sakina
She now sits in fourth place in the dueler rankings but is still searching for that first career victory.  In the three duels on the 29th, she played with Darth Vader, Darth Maul, and Emperor Palpatine.  Those dark side influences caused her to stage one of the biggest backstabs in Duels history, though she got betrayed too.  What happens when you cross Sakina?  You Will Die.

Stephen
Stephen has a fever, and the only prescription is more 12-way Duels!  The Fall Brawl is already Stephen's fourth duel, though he might be ready for a different character after playing with Obi-Wan in both games at the double header.  Could he pick him again?  Never Tell Him The Odds.

JAR JAR AND OBI-WAN PREDICT THE WINNERS:

Ok Jar Jar, who do you think will bring home the bacon?

"Mesa be pickin lil' Annie the winner!"

Jar Jar, you're holding your card upside down.

"Oopsa!  Here you be going!"

Ok...

Obi-Wan, what say you?  Who will win?

"I will win the Fall Brawl.  The duelers should select my character.
I have the high ground."

There you have it folks.  Feel free to share your own predictions in the comment section below!