The 2018 ROC U.S. Cup has come and gone and a living legend has resurfaced to claim the title. George Massu flew out from Michigan to complete in sunny southern California against many of the region’s top players. Perennial Top8’ers were all in attendance. The field had diversity, but in the end, it was the 2010 World Champion that emerged victorious with his unique take on the format. His superb play in the Finals showed why he is an all-time great (watch the video!) Congrats, Black Adam… err, George!
Analysis:
Champion – George Massu
As one of the last major events leading up to the ROC Cup, we get a better view of the landscape of Moder Age. There are about 4 main archetypes in the field with varying degrees in team builds (and crossover), with a sprinkle of fringe archetypes. All were represented. We saw X-Men, Cosmic (including Uni-Mind), Shredders, and Sam Cap. We also saw a couple of Retaliation-abuse teams (one had an undying element to it), and even a Thanos Copter sighting(!). Green Arrow is the main fringe piece in the format as his stock has gone down quite a bit since the rotation of his ID Card. Also, with Mjolnir and Symbiote being the objects of choice, Stormbreaker has seen little play. However, George utilized both to great effect, and perhaps there is a place for both in the format going forward.
Date: 9/8/18
Location: Orange, CA
Venue: Majestix
Format: 300pt Modern Age
Number of Players: 19
1st Place – George Massu
80 Green Arrow
70 Sam Cap
30 Commissioner Gordon
25 FF Domino
15 Kite Man
15 Ape Batman
10 Carnage
10 FF Giant-Girl
8 Pym Pocket Tank
10 Stormbreaker
5 Boxing Ring
21 ID Cards:
-Professor X
-Cyclops
-Wolverine
-Chamber
-Cyclops (student)
Sideline: XXS052 Cyclops x2, XXS053 Wolverine 50, XXS037a Professor X, XXS037b Professor X, Chamber, Pym Particle Tank, Troubalert: Firestorm
Maps: Galador Promenade, Train Yard, Avengers Island
2nd Place – Steve DiCarlo
(X-Men Theme)
60 Blackbird + Resource Dial
50 SR Wolverine
50 SR Wolverine
50 Cyclops
25 Moira MagTaggert
25 Moira MacTaggert
8 Pym Pocket Tank
5 Suited Henchman
5 Boxing Ring
20 ID Cards:
-Wolverine
-Cyclops
-Wolverine (bounty)
-Cyclops (student
-Professor X
-Leech
-Rusty
-Jubilee
Sideline: XXS053 Wolverine x2, XXS052 Cyclops x2, XXSFF Rusty, Leech, XXS037b Professor X, Pym Particle Tank
Maps: Amok Time, Underground Cavern, Sporting Arena
3rd Place – Clay Wood
85 Shredder Clone + Ocean Resurrection
70 Sam Cap
35 Overdrive
25 Ironheart
25 Ironheart
20 Groot
10 Carnage
6 Symbiote
5 Boxing Ring
19 ID Cards:
-Wolverine
-Professor X
-Chamber
-Iceman
-Cyclops
Sideline: XXS052 Cyclops, XX063 Cyclops, XXS053 Wolverine, 037b Professor X, XXS064 Iceman, Chamber, Shark Shredder Troubalerts: Firestorm, Batman
Maps: Halfworld, Genosha
4th Place –Emilio Gutierrez
65 Unseen
50 Red Leader
45 Green Lantern (Tangent)
30 Mangog
25 Surtur
20 Groot
20 Groot
15 Serpent Spider-Man
10 Carnage
7 Mirror of Mysolljh
3 The Joker’s Gas Canister
9 ID Cards:
-Iceman (student)
-Jean Grey (student)
-Cyclops (student)
Sideline: XXS052 Cyclops, XXS063 Iceman, XXS065 Jean Grey, Troubalert: Wonder Woman
Maps: Muir Island, The Courtyard, The Sewer
5th Place – Eric Clixer
90 Mini Shredder
70 Sam Cap
65 Unseen
35 Overdrive
20 Groot
19 ID Cards:
-Wolverine (bounty)
-Wolverine
-Cyclops (student)
-Jean Grey (student)
-Chamber
Sideline: XXS053 Wolverine x2, XXS052 Cyclops, XXS065 Jean Grey, Chamber
Maps: Bank Heist, Friendly Neighborhood
6th Place – Tony Rodriguez
(Cosmic Theme)
125 Thanos LE
75 Infinity
50 Thanos Copter
20 Groot
10 Thunderstrike
5 Invisible Plane
14 ID Cards:
-Wolverine
-Cyclops (student)
-Jean Grey (student)
-Jubilee (student)
Sideline: XXS052 Cyclops, XXS053 Wolverine, XXS065 Jean Grey, Jubilee, Troubalert: Robin
Maps: Junkyard, Harley Apt, Galador
7th Place – Kevin Sharp
165 Uni-Mind + Forged In Blue Flame
65 Hawkeye (chase)
50 Red Leader
20 Groot
Sideline: Makkari, Sersi, Thena
Maps: Amok Time
8th Place – Robert Gallagher
75 Lockjaw
50 HAHA Joker
40 GCPD Corrupt Cop
25 Surtur
25 Sinestro
20 Groot
10 Carnage
10 Carnage
10 FF Giant-Girl
6 Symbiote
5 Boxing Ring
21 ID Cards:
-Wolverine
-Cyclops
-Wolverine (bounty)
-Cyclops (student)
-Beast (student)
-Chamber
Sideline: Chamber, XXS053 Wolverine x2, XXS052 Cyclops x2, XXSFF Beast, Troubalerts: Apache Chief, The Flash, Batman
Maps: Warehouse, WK Office, Underground
