Preview: The Imperial March - March 28, 2020

Well folks, I've said it before.

I've mentioned how there's no way we could possibly get nerdier when it comes to this beautiful game of Star Wars Epic Duels.

Yet here we are.

Restricted by a global pandemic that necessitates social distancing, it looked like our game, like every other professional sporting league, wouldn't be able to continue until public health officials deemed it safe, possibly months from now.  But where there are Duelers, there is a way!

We're going online.

For the first time in league history, and to keep our league going, we're playing a Duel online!  Will it be painful?  Almost guaranteed.  Will it be slow?  Of course.  Will it be hilarious?  Maybe.  Will we pull it off?  NEVER TELL US THE ODDS!

If Rob can get his act together, he might actually live stream it.  Are you bored enough, isolated at home, to watch???

THE IMPERIAL MARCH HISTORY:

2019 - Rob won with Darth Maul in the Carbon Freezing Chamber
2018 - Rob won with Luke Skywalker in the Carbon Freezing Chamber
2017 - Dalton won with Obi-Wan Kenobi in the Emperor's Throne Room
2016 - Alex R. won with Anakin Skywalker in the Geonosis Arena
2015 - Grant won with Han Solo in the Carbon Freezing Chamber

MEET THE DUELERS:

Because we're playing online and isolated from each other, we needed to get folks without a copy of the game their playing decks.  So last week we randomly drew for chair and character.  Here were the results!

Chair 1 - Elliot w/ Count Dooku.  He made his rookie debut last month at the Valentine's Duel and got roughed up in tenth place.  We're glad he's back with us for a second chance.

Chair 2 - Christoper w/ Han Solo.  This will be Christopher's ninth Duel and, incredibly, his fifth time with a shooter!  Is that good luck or bad?  Depends on the board?  Who knows, but Grant sure is glad he doesn't have Han again...

Chair 3 - Rylie w/ Anakin Skywalker.  Rylie recently renewed her contract with the league to extend her playing time another two years.  Congrats Rylie!  Now let's try to rebound from that last place finish at the Valentine's Duel.

Chair 4 - Jordan w/ Obi-Wan Kenobi.  He's trying to recapture that magic from his first Duel, when he finished fourth at CL Training.  That's a career high finish for him.

Chair 5 - Ryan w/ Boba Fett.  This will be Ryan's first time with Boba Fett since the New Hope Duel back in 2017.  He has a first place finish and two fifth place finishes in his past four Duels.

Chair 6 - Grant w/ Luke Skywalker.  Grant is coming off consecutive eleventh place finishes, including with Luke Skywalker at the New Hope Duel.  He hasn't finished above seventh since the Twin Sun Slam.  He's due!

Chair 7 - Alex C. w/ Jango Fett.  Incredibly, this will mark his fifth time playing with a Fett in his last six games!!!  Before you go feeling sorry for him, realize that includes a first and second place finish.  Pew pew!!

Chair 8 - Rob w/ Mace Windu.  Rob is looking to be the first Dueler to win a trophy three years in a row.  It would be convenient for him if he did because he has no idea how to deliver it to somebody new in the time of covid-19!

Chair 9 - Curtis w/ Emperor Palpatine.  2020 has been a tale of two Duelers for Curtis.  He followed his A New Hope victory in January with an eleventh place finish at the Valentine's Duel.

Chair 10 - Lucas w/ Darth Maul.  After a string of early success Lucas is looking to turnaround from two ninth place finishes and a tenth.  He's still learning the social dynamics of the game but be warned, he knows how to play his cards.

Chair 11 - Ben H. w/ Darth Vader.  The entire Duel could be in jeopardy if the Emperor's Throne Room is picked.  Ben might walk.  Er, log off.  The early Vegas betting lines have it as a 50/50 toss-up.

Chair 12 - Kaleb w/ Yoda.  This marks the fifth game in a row Kaleb has been blessed with a Jedi.  The second ranked Dueler, though, is trying to avoid the seventh place finishes that have plagued two of his last three Duels.   

BB-8 PREDICTS THE WINNER:

In a shocking pick last month, BB-8 predicted Anakin Walker to win...and he was right!!!  That brings his record to 2-7 on the year, which really ain't that bad.  Who does he have for the Imperial March?  Watch the video to find out!



No matter what happens tomorrow night, it's bound to be historic.  We're playing in a way we never have before.  Wash your hands, keep your distance, and get ready to DUEL.  Tomorrow at 7PM, let Rob know if you want to watch it live!