Preview: A New Hope - January 15, 2022

 

A new year is upon us!!!  Can you even believe we've reached the year 2022???  We're already off to a rough start with the stupid rise of the omicron variant of COVID, but we won't let us stop that from having...A NEW HOPE!  Our annual January Duel is A New Hope, and those of us playing will be vaccinated and masked up...anything to avoid going back online!  Don't make us do that again!!!

HISTORY OF A NEW HOPE:

2021 - Rob won with Lando Calrissian on Arvala-7

2020 - Curtis won with Darth Maul in the Emperor's Throne Room

2019 - Joel won with Darth Maul in the Geonosis Arena
2018 - Ethan won with Anakin Skywalker on the Kamino Platform
2017 - Nathan won with Mace Windu in the Carbon Freezing Chamber
2016 - JD won with Anakin Skywalker in the Geonosis Arena
2015 - Rob won with Mace Windu in the Emperor's Throne Room

MEET THE DUELERS:

Hey...since we're starting a new calendar year, how about...some New Year's Resolutions!?!

Corona - A New Hope will make it three career Duels for Corona.  His resolution for 2022?  Make it to six Duels and professional status!

Curtis - Nobody had a better 2021 than Curtis, who won four times, including The Centurion.  His resolution for 2022?  Win the Singles Tournament!

Duncan - Our most senior student Dueler had a bit of a dry spell in 2021.  His resolution for 2022?  Career win #3!

Elliot - Nobody had a better END of 2021 than Elliot...he and Natalie got engaged!  Congrats again you two!  His resolution for 2022?  His first career win!

Evan - Had it not been a turn as the Rancor (suddenly the most popular creature in Star Wars again), Evan would already be a professional.  He makes that a reality at A New Hope.  His resolution?  Win his professional debut!

Grant D. - Ohhhh doctor, look what the Loth-Cat dragged in!  The greatest Han Solo Dueler in the history of Epic Duels, and 2021 Singles Champ, is back at the table!  Bad timing kept him away most of last fall, but every Duel is better with Grant D. at the table.  His resolution?  Break his winless streak!

JD M. - JD reached professional status in the most dramatic way possible...at the 2021 Championship!  He had a deep run at that Duel too, finishing in 5th.  His resolution?  His second career victory!

Karson - A veteran of our league, Karson has yet to secure his first win, though he's come close a couple of times.  His resolution?  Career victory #1!

Kat - Kat ended 2021 on a real hot streak, finishing in the top four in her last three Duels.  Her resolution?  She wants her second trophy!

Kevin - This rookie Dueler can't quench his Dueling thirst!  He's played the last three games, including a fantastic 3rd place at the Championship.  HIs resolution?  Reach professional status in 2022!

Miguel - The rumors are true...Miguel is now the lead saxophone player in the Cantina Band.  He gave a surprise performance at Common Grounds this week too.  His resolution?  A top five finish!

Rob - Now that Rob finally has a Championship title, there's one more big win he still needs.  His resolution?  The 2022 Singles Championship!

MONOPOLY PREDICTS THE WINNER:

And now the most useless portion of the preview...an animated board game tries to predict the winner of the Duel on Saturday.  After a flash in the pan with it's Doubleheader predictions, Monopoly has been clueless ever since.  I hesitate to ask...Monopoly, who you got for A New Hope?

Haaaaaappy New Year's Duelers!!!  I've got a special treat 
for your 2022!  I made a new friend on New Year's Eve...
and she's going to help me make my pick!

Now just you wait, Monopoly, nobody said anything about...what the?!?

Please meet Hungry Hungry Hippo!!!  She sure is...
HUNGRY to help!

What in good heavens is even going on here???  That doesn't even look like a Hungry Hungry Hippo game!

I promise - she's the real deal!  Turnaround and show him,
Hungry Hungry Hippo!  Be careful though, Duelers...
...sometimes she loses her marbles!  Hahaha, get it???

Every month I think this can't get any stupider, but you always find a new low, Monopoly.  For the love of blue milk, please make your pick.

Open me up, Hippo!  Let's see who is inside!

Monopoly picks...Jyn Erso!  I apologize in advance to whoever gets her for the Duel on Saturday.

Well folks, we're ready to properly kick off 2022!  The Duelers above play at 8PM Saturday in North Village.  Normally we'd invite others to watch, but with COVID...just wait for the recap!