Preview: 2017 Championship - December 2, 2017

It's hard to even fathom, but this is the league's fourth annual Championship match.  If you're newer to our Dueling insanity, the Championship match is the biggest, hardest game of the year.  The top 12 ranked Duelers get the first invitations to the game, and those who can't commit are replaced with the next ranked Dueler.  It's the best of the best, and you sit around the table in the order of your ranking.  It's a nice way to ratchet up the tension!

This will also mark the first time our travelling Duels trophies (potentially) change hands.  Curtis currently holds the giant golden Darth Vader and he isn't eager to let it go.  In fact, he's been walking around the office with it today.  It was a nice run, Curtis, but this Saturday at 8PM it's back up for grabs!  For those of you not playing, feel free to come on out and watch the chaos.  It will be worth the price of admission!  (Admission is free.)

HISTORY:

2016 - Curtis won with Mace Windu
2015 - Nathan won with Count Dooku
2014 - Ryan won with Boba Fett

MEET THE DUELERS:

We're going back to our Championship Preview tradition of assigning the "most appropriate" main character to each of our Duelers!

Chair #12 - Austin.  He is currently the 14th ranked Dueler in the league and had a bit of a rough go in 2017.  He played in six Duels this year, including three straight appearances with Han Solo.  His best finish was at CL Training, where he was 5th.  Never tell Austin the odds, though...his perfect character is HAN SOLO.

Chair #11 - Jonathan.  Jonathan currently ranks in 13th place, just .05 points behind Daniel for the top 12.  He started the first four Duels of the year with shooters and also notched two second place finishes.  His cold, calculating style makes his perfect character...BOBA FETT.

Chair #10 - Stephen.  It's been a very strong 2017 for Stephen, the 11th ranked Dueler.  Despite earning no wins he had six top 4 finishes with three of those being second place!  Two of those second place finishes came with Darth Maul in the same day - the Doubleheader.  Stephen's ability to follow his heart makes him the perfect LUKE SKYWALKER.

Chair #9 - Curtis.  After an incredible 2016 Championship win in the same year as his singles title, 2017 was a rough sled for the 9th ranked Dueler.  He did manage five top 5 showings, though.  That included three fourth places too.  There's no denying his skill or his ability to get angry when needed, making him the perfect ANAKIN SKYWALKER.

Chair #8 - Chris.  The number 8 ranked Dueler only played in five matches in 2017, but three of those were top five finishes.  His greatest achievement in those games might be two fourth place spots with Luke Skywalker.  Because he has a soft spot for Luke, his perfect character is DARTH VADER.

Chair #7 - Joel.  Joel turned professional in 2017 and now sits as the 7th ranked Dueler.  He won two trophies this year with victories at CL Training and Fight Night.  He also logged a second place finish at Duel of the Fates back in April.  He's not afraid to be the leader in his alliances, directing how the action should flow.  This makes him the perfect COUNT DOOKU.

Chair #6 - JD.  Our master trophy maker is also our 6th ranked Dueler.  With two wins in 2017 (May the 4th and the Fall Brawl) he's now tied for second place in career victories.  He also nabbed three 3rd place finishes this year.  He's the second most experienced Dueler and has a strong moral compass at the table.  This makes him the perfect OBI-WAN KENOBI.

Chair #5 - Ian.  Ian is the 5th ranked Dueler in the league and brought home two wins this year.  The first came back in February at the Valentine's Duel and the second was his magical Birthday Surprise match.  He also came in second at CL Training.  We all know when Ian makes a decision he is ruthless in its execution.  That is why DARTH MAUL is his perfect character.

Chair #4 - Grant.  Don't be fooled by the lack of wins in 2017 - Grant is the fourth ranked Dueler for good reason.  In ten Duels this year he finished no worse than 8th!  Seven of those games he ended up in the top five!  Grant never dies first and is one of the most balanced professionals to ever play the game.  His Wisdom and skill make him the perfect MACE WINDU.

Chair #3 - Ryan.  The 3rd ranked Dueler in our league is Ryan, who is winless since 2015 but still near the top of the rankings.  He only played in six Duels in 2017 but finished in the top four three times!  That includes a second place finish at the Fall Brawl.  He's Rob's personal kryptonite and infamous for his mastermind tendencies.  That makes him the ultimate EMPEROR PALPATINE.

Chair #2 - Rob.  Rob enters the Championship 2nd in the rankings but with the most wins, three, in 2017.  Those took place at Curtis' Birthday Duel #1, Doubleheader #1, and just last month at Thanksdueling!.  He also came in 2nd at May the 4th.  Nobody is older or wiser in the ways of 12 Way Duels, and he's most likely to die first of natural causes, so that makes him the perfect...YODA.  (Wait, what...?)

Chair #1 - Kaleb.  That's right, the number one chair and top ranked Dueler in the league belongs to 2017's brightest star - Kaleb.  In just seven career Duels he already has two wins (Duel of the Fates and Birthday Duel #2) and a second place finish at Thanksdueling!.  When he debuted in the professional rankings he started right at the top.  He's a chameleon on the board, always adapting to his character and the changing conditions of the match.  Those skills make him the best JANGO FETT.

PEZ VADER PREDICTS THE WINNER:

"Search your Pez dispenser...you know it to be true!"

Whoa!  Pez Vader is picking himself for the win!  That's a bold call but fitting, considering the Championship trophy is also in his likeness.  #synergy

Pez Vader Prediction Record:  1-4

Folks, that's all for this preview.  On Saturday we'll literally see the best game of the Dueling season.  Don't miss it!  Saturday, 8PM, North Village...come watch history be made.