Thanksgiving Nephew Wars

[Jexik]

Before today, I had already played 5 games of Summoner Wars with my 7-year-old nephew. 3 the first day he learned it, and then two more the next day. Even though he has only beaten me once so far, he's still eager to play it and asks about it as soon as I see him. Initially, his favorite faction was the Tundra Orcs, and he played them exclusively for his first 6 games. But now he likes the Phoenix Elves about the same.

We played three more games today. I was thinking of writing a full battle report, but I'm not sure I'll get around to it. This abridged version will have to do. If I get more inspired in the future, or take better notes, I might more in depth reports for future games.

Played a close game using the Phoenix Elves against the Tundra Orcs. I pulled a crazy maneuver where I used Spirit of the Phoenix to get a guaranteed 3-shot on Grognack. My nephew couldn't resist going in for a smack (although it was only that attack). He gets three hits in.

On my turn, I summon a Guardian and a Warrior. Warrior gets two hits. Guardian Precises him for 1. Down to 1 wound left- Fire Blast for the win!This was on turn 3 or 4. I think it was my fastest game yet. Of course we had to pay again.

Then I played the Elves again, with him trying out the Cave Goblins. This was his first time with them, and eventually I was able to corner Sneeks and get him with my Champions. This was a long game, but I always felt as though I had the upper hand. He never really had enough goblins in the right place at the right time, and when he played Goblin Invincibility I circumvented it with Precise/Fire attacks. I can see what Truth is talking about with this being a tough matchup for the Goblins. They're just free magic all over the place. I had no problem getting my champions out- all three of them!

After seeing the elves in action, he decides he has to try them out too. I try the Guild Dwarves against him. Early on, he blew up everything with 2 Burns and some long ranged attacks. He summons the Fire Drake right away. This was just a battle of attrition, with both of us running out of our deck. There were so many big plays back and forth. Oldin was down to just one wound left for the longest time, but I managed to keep them at bay with Defenders and careful reinforcements. When he summoned Kaeseeall and I explained her power, my little 7 year old nephew did something great- Blazing Conscripted my spearman to run around the corner and get a shot in on my Oldin, who I thought was safe... but he rolled a 2! I would have lost there! It dragged out for a bit longer. Eventually I destroyed his central, important wall, and got Gror out so Prince Elien couldn't run anymore. But it was pretty intense.

I feel kind of guilty for beating my nephew three times, but he's probably going to be leaping out of his chair the next time he beats me!

[hahma]

You're a meanie Jexik, beating your nephew like that. At least I had the decency to let my nephew beat me in the one game we played today. ;)

Then again, I think he cheated with Blarf. :(

[rym]

Nice battle report, Jexik. I am so jealous that you've gotten to play so many games.

But jealous in a good way. ;)

[Jexik]

Had a pretty crazy game last night. My Goblins vs. his Tundra Orcs.

My nephew chose for me to go first. I hardly do any damage. He still has fewer guys, so he gets some Reinforcements in right away, drops another Wall, and Freezes one of my guys. Kills some weaker goblins with ease.

I somehow get up to four magic, and Goblin Invincibility. I send two Berserekrs forward with that, and a turn or two later, I manage to do two damage to Grognack.

But then a timely Walls of Ice Shards wipes my board clean. He gets more walls ( he has 4 or 5 out now, with 3 solid ones), and he summons Blagog into the only hole in his defenses.

I keep drawing events, 2x Goblin Horde Attack, 2x Goblin Rage, etc... I try to burn one off. I summon Blarf and only get one Magic under him. He fails to kill a Fighter.

My nephew moves Blagog out of that hole he was plugging.

My hand is now 1x Goblin Fighter, Goblin Rush, 1x Goblin Rage, 2x Goblin Horde Attack. I summon the fighter and use Goblin Rage and use Goblin Rush to send that fighter way back to attack Grognack in the hole left by Blagog. I get two hits on him. Blarf kills that fighter that was blocking him before, now he has 2 Magic under him. I build one of my events, keeping Goblin Horde Attack. Then I swap Sneeks with the fighter.

He has 7 Magic, and had just use AHiB to put Krung in his hand. In one more turn, he'll have him out too. But that was a crucial mistake. Between Grognack, the Shaman back there, and his Fighter, he isn't quite able to bring Sneeks down. Blagog is far away.

I play Goblin Horde Attack, and move Sneeks and Blarf in for the kill.

He was a bit frustrated because he had so many more guys out on the table than I did, and had had a Magic advantage the entire game. "Why didn't you go through all of my other guys?" Sometimes, you just have to keep your eyes on the prize- the Summoner's head.

[Incognito]

I play Goblin Horde Attack, and move Sneeks and Blagog in for the kill.


Did you mean Blarf?

[Jexik]

Yes, yes I do. Bla!