Preview: Thanksdueling! - November 6, 2021

 

Can you even believe it's November?!?  And can you believe we've even had fall-like weather?!?  You're full of surprises, Central Texas!  

You know what else is full of surprises?  Jabba's Palace.  In fact, he has a dungeon he loves to throw Duelers into, and inside of that dungeon is...A RANCOR!  That's right, this year's Thanksdueling! is once again being played in the Rancor Dungeon!  But the added element of surprise is...we don't know who is playing the Rancor yet!  We've got 13 Duelers signed up to play, but we're going to randomly select the Rancor at the start of the game.  And for the lucky Dueler who gets to wreck havoc and damage with the Rancor, check out some of the cards they get to play with:

Whoever gets the Rancor is going to have some fun.  The Rancor can't technically win the Duel, but if it outlasts the other 12 Duelers it definitely gets to hold onto the trophy for the next year!  So...much...carnage!

THANKSDUELING! HISTORY:

2020 - Duncan won with Darth Vader in the Rancor Dungeon

2019 - Alex C. won with Darth Maul in the Geonosis Arena

2018 - Ben H. won with Luke Skywalker in the Geonosis Arena
2017 - Rob won with Boba Fett on the Kamino Platform
2016 - JD won with Yoda in the Emperor's Throne Room
2015 - Nathan won with Darth Vader in the Geonosis Arena
2014 - Alex R. won with Boba Fett in the Geonosis Arena

MEET THE DUELERS:

Our Thanksdueling! tradition is to list the Duelers and what they're thankful for.  Here we go...

Alex C. - Instead of listing what Alex is thankful for, I'm going to list what we're thankful for about Alex!  As it turns out, this will be Alex's last Duel.  He recently joined the Evil Empire down in Austin (HORNS DOWN) and will be departing our little league at the end of the month.  We're going to miss the heck out of Alex, who is in the conversation for best Dueler in league history.  In fact, he'll retire with the best average of any former professional.  We love you Alex!

Evan - Assuming Evan doesn't get the Rancor, Thanksdueling! will mark his sixth official Duel, meaning he's reached professional status.  Congrats Evan!  He's thankful for joining the big leagues.

Fiona - She played with us a few times at the beginning of the year when we were still online.  This will be her first in-person Duel!  Fiona is thankful face to face interactions!

Ian - We've only played the Rancor Dungeon once.  The Rancor doesn't enter the game until the first character is killed.  Guess who killed the first character last time?  Ian is thankful for creating sweet, sweet chaos.

JD M. - He's played four Duels so far and has finished 3rd, 1st, and 11th two times.  That's quite the seesaw.  JD is thankful for the chance to (Force)rebound.

Juan - Juan is one of three Duelers making their second career start.  He is thankful for second chances!

Kaleb - Duels Hall of Famer alert!  We sweet-talked Kaleb into coming back into town to help eliminate his good friend Alex in his final game.  Kaleb is thankful for dusting the cobwebs off.

Karson - He turned professional in his last Duel, so this marks Karson's first match with that status.  Kaleb is thankful for veteran respect.

Kevin F. - Holy cow, Kevin played his first Duel ever last month and nearly won it, making it all the way to 4th with Mace Windu.  Kevin is thankful for destroying the myth about sophomore slumps.

Miguel - What a night for Miguel last month...he finally finished in the top six of a Duel!  Let's hope he's got his sights aimed a bit higher for Thanksdueling!  He's thankful for...top five finishes!

Peach - We love when rookie Duelers come back for their second game!  You can't teach heart.  Peach is thankful for round #2.

Rob - The Godfather had a rough 11th place finish at Fight Night, so he's glad to put that one in his rearview mirror.  Secretly he hopes he gets to play the Rancor.  Rob is thankful for 1 in 13 chances.

Rylie - Always the 12th (or 13th in this case) Dueler to commit to playing, Rylie is coming off an impressive 2nd place finish at Fight Night.  She's thankful for a chance at career victory #2.

MONOPOLY PREDICTS THE WINNER:

I don't even know why I continue to ask, but...Monopoly, who will win Thanksdueling!?

Well golly, you don't even ask how I am???

Nobody likes you, Monopoly!  Please tell us who will survive the Rancor already.

That's an easy answer...NOBODY!
The Rancor will be last one standing!
And if you think he's big and scary, you should
see the rats that live under Boardwalk...

Wow.  Monopoly is siding with the Rancor.  That feels right.  We'll see if it's right after tomorrow night.  Thanksdueling!  Gobble gobble!