Games The 26th Jedi Draft - Congratulations to our victor, KenKenobi!

So ... Yes?

 

Not bad. One of my greatest in-theater memories is watching TLJ with Pointy and after the opening sequences he leans over to say: "Poe's a first-rounder"

And then after Skywalker seemingly took an entire army's laserfire, leaning back: "Luke's still a first-rounder"

Also doubles as maybe the only good theater memory of TLJ don't @ me

 

Antares Draco/Ganner Krieg vs. Rahm Kota

So Kota...

Can we just talk for a moment about how lucky this guy is?
First, he gets his butt handed to him by Starkiller in the beginning of the game and gets blinded. And then, he goes off and drowns his sorrows in alcohol for weeks before Starkiller pulls him back into the fight. But if you really look at Kota's accomplishments, the tend to involve leading groups, getting captured, getting rescued by Starkiller. Rinse and repeat. As a 1:1 fighter, Kota has the following:
- Lost to Starkiller early on
- Gets fried by Palpatine and has to be rescued by Starkiller
- Gets captured and put in an arena. Manages to survive for some time fighting off beasts but is eventually going to die before he is once again rescued by Starkiller.




My point here is that Kota is not a great offensive fighter. His style is defense and support. He has no prep. He doesn't even know what an Imperial Knight is. And here, we are talking about two knights who have fought side by side for years and have defeated numerous sith from small scrappers to serious opponents. Ganner alone would keep Kota on the defense based on what we have seen of Ganner's fighting style and his determination. But Antares is where the discipline and power comes in.

So some scans now. I spent most of yesterday speed reading through all of Legacy and Legacy: War

First, what exactly is an Imperial Knight. They are neither sith nor jedi. They are in that grey area and that middle way makes them both more aggressive, but also more likely to fall to the dark side (as Roan Fel and Havoc did). But, they are also the personal guard of the Imperial Emperor and their loyalty is to him/her.

So let's review: Kota is a military man and his training and fighting style are very much focused on that. The Imperial Knights were similarly trained in this but focused almost exclusively on martial combat. So it's not like Kota is out of their wheelhouse at all. An opponent like Kota is EXACTLY the type of fighter the Imperial Knights are trained to defeat.

Something else to keep in mind is that the armor the knights wear actually serve a practical purpose. Something that might be a bit problematic for Kota:

So of the knights, there are many of various talents. But when it comes to fighters, it's evident pretty early on that the two best are Masters Antares Draco and Ganner Kreig



First, Ganner Krieg

"Remember--we are Imperial Knights. There are none better." (Star Wars: Legacy War Issue #05)

Whereas Antares is at times driven by his emotion, Ganner is stoic and serious. He is very much the Obi-Wan to Antares' Anakin. And that is important to note because Ganner is rarely a talker so when he does talk, it's important to pay attention to what he says:



So that's his introduction essentially. Here he is, outnumbered by Krayt's sith and he's promising to leave the bones for the beasts to crack. Now, you might look at Ganner and call it bravado, but frequently in panels when Ganner is fighting, there is a silver blur near the torso of his opponents- indicating he has defeated them. Here's one example:

https://files.jcink.net/uploads/yodaminch//55992FA7_9CD7_42D8_B634_613E0A057FB6.jpeg
And another:
https://comicvine1.cbsistatic.com/uploads/original/11117/111173561/6934862-7023506312-69348.jpg
And another:
https://files.jcink.net/uploads/yodaminch//0D68143F_41B8_4FEC_BC7F_164B3A1CA848.jpeg
And another:
https://files.jcink.net/uploads/yodaminch//8FC1D81F_4A58_4ECE_BA7E_B80E99F40C14.jpeg

And a Rakghoul plague:
https://comicvine1.cbsistatic.com/uploads/scale_super/11117/111173561/6933312-ganner cut 3.jpg
https://comicvine1.cbsistatic.com/uploads/original/11117/111173561/6933275-6724871631-69332.jpg

And Ganner has no fear of dealing with any opponent. Here he confidently tells Antares that he will deal with the usurper (Darth Krayt)
https://comicvine1.cbsistatic.com/uploads/original/11117/111173561/6933348-6600659671-69333.jpg

Sadly, Rakghouls get in the way:
https://comicvine1.cbsistatic.com/uploads/original/11117/111173561/6933349-0223430270-69333.jpg

So when Ganner fights, despite the odds, he holds his own. Frequently he is outnumbered and may only have one other partner with him. Above you can see how Ganner had to step in after Sigel Dare was wounded. But as a duelist, Ganner is clearly one of the best.

]https://files.jcink.net/uploads/yodaminch//FB7F6EE3_9F5A_4766_A4CD_D7705658F15A.jpeg

And now Antares:


Quick power display:
https://files.jcink.net/uploads/yodaminch//BE2009D8_0E9B_4167_8FC7_9872A914F58D.jpeg
Woof that is a bad image for him. But it does demonstrate his powers. In this issue, he needed to rescue the Imperial Ambassador and actually just manages to stop Gar Stazi from killing him.

Antares is frequently described as the second most powerful knight next to Roan Fel.

He endures physical punishment as a captive of the sith and it is only after his emotional weakness (his love for Sia) is exposed that he breaks. Physically however, he endures some serious punishment from his former master:
https://comicvine1.cbsistatic.com/uploads/original/11111/111114474/4547674-eshkar niin2.png
https://comicvine1.cbsistatic.com/uploads/original/11111/111114474/4547617-dracotorture2.png

Where Ganner is stoic and calm, Antares has bravado and clearly believes himself to be a powerful individual:
https://comicvine1.cbsistatic.com/uploads/original/11111/111114474/4547686-vs sith6.png
Here he takes down two sith after infiltrating them to rescue Sia Fel
https://comicvine1.cbsistatic.com/uploads/original/11111/111114474/4547712-battle at korriban2.png
... Whom he holds off so the Princess can escape:
https://comicvine1.cbsistatic.com/uploads/original/11111/111114474/4547729-battle at korriban8.png
https://comicvine1.cbsistatic.com/uploads/original/11111/111114474/4547730-battle at korriban9.png
https://comicvine1.cbsistatic.com/uploads/original/11111/111114474/4547731-battle at korriban10.png
https://comicvine1.cbsistatic.com/uploads/original/11111/111114474/4547732-battle at korriban11.png
https://comicvine1.cbsistatic.com/uploads/original/11111/111114474/4547740-draco vs havok3.png
https://comicvine1.cbsistatic.com/uploads/original/11111/111114474/4547741-draco vs havok4.png
In fairness, it is at this moment that Darth Krayt announces his return to the galaxy and that does serve as a bit of a distraction for Antares.

Finally, there is the little matter of upholding his oath and killing the most powerful Imperial Knight and his Emperor:

https://files.jcink.net/uploads/yodaminch//409F6AFA_83D5_430C_B038_82F9FFBA0952.jpeg
https://files.jcink.net/uploads/yodaminch//6313707D_C3BF_42B7_8D9B_4AF7BE6083BF.jpeg

In the sequel to Legacy, Antares led a massive ground force:
https://comicvine1.cbsistatic.com/uploads/original/11111/111114474/4547798-26.png
https://comicvine1.cbsistatic.com/uploads/original/11111/111114474/4547799-27.png
https://comicvine1.cbsistatic.com/uploads/original/11111/111114474/4547800-28.png
https://comicvine1.cbsistatic.com/uploads/original/11111/111114474/4547803-31.png

Here he is expressing his confidence in his training against Shado Vao.

Given that they are in fact allies, we don't see this type of fight really. Aside from this brief disagreement:
https://comicvine1.cbsistatic.com/uploads/original/11117/111173561/6933244-1014372727-69332.jpg
And this little disagreement because Sia Fel gets captured
https://comicvine1.cbsistatic.com/uploads/original/11111/111114474/4547818-tk.png
https://comicvine1.cbsistatic.com/uploads/original/11111/111114474/4547819-tk2.png

But, we do see the knights holding their own alongside the jedi against multiple sith on many occasions. Here is one towards the end of the series where they are fighting Krayt's sith invasion of their hidden Jedi Temple:
https://comicvine1.cbsistatic.com/uploads/original/11117/111173561/7112452-9215560628-71124.jpg
https://files.jcink.net/uploads/yodaminch//2C1F41EE_BAC3_4C68_863E_0F68D3B7B4DA.jpeg

It's also critical to keep in mind that, because their mission is first and foremost the protection of the Emperor and the Princess, strategic retreats are sometimes necessary not because they couldn't win, but because the safety of their charge comes first. So when Sia is wounded and near death, obviously they need to retreat, as seen here:

https://comicvine1.cbsistatic.com/uploads/original/11117/111173561/6932901-0394106939-69328.jpg
And when the Emperor's life is in danger as seen here:
https://comicvine1.cbsistatic.com/uploads/original/11111/111114474/4547823-sense death.png
And here:
https://comicvine1.cbsistatic.com/uploads/original/11111/111114474/4547704-agamarsithattack6.png
https://comicvine1.cbsistatic.com/uploads/original/11111/111114474/4547705-agamarsithattack7.png

Some other tricks up their sleeves? How about hiding themselves in the Force and fooling some of Krayt's most powerful lieutenants like Maladi?

https://comicvine1.cbsistatic.com/uploads/original/11117/111173561/6933307-1488365483-69333.jpg
https://comicvine1.cbsistatic.com/uploads/original/11117/111173561/6933308-9175062779-69333.jpg



So yeah, the question here is should a drunk, blind jedi who had his rear handed to him by the secret apprentice really be able to defeat the two best Imperial Knights without any preparation? I don't think so. As I said before, Kota is frequently in need of rescue himself. The idea that he can take these two down without having any idea of what they are capable of just doesn't work. Here you have a perfect duo that have worked and trained together for years against a jedi who was trained late, never fully bought into the full jedi teaching and even lost his connection to the force at one point. And his survival is mostly by luck rather than skill. When it comes to actual fighting, we really don't get that much for Kota on his own. In contrast, we see the pile of bodies Antares and Ganner have left behind. We've seen the level of enemy they face and in my opinion, it's higher than Kota has faced outside of Starkiller. When faced with a truly powerful enemy, Kota loses every time.

 

*owning Krayt and watching Imperial Knights get argued up*

 

If prepped Krayt gets porgs, then I quit. Just imagine a one sith porg.

 

Sorry, things came up and this and that. Pretty exhausted, but I'll knock out two of the three now and maybe say a quick something about Celeste vs. The Boon Dogs tomorrow. Maybe. I am still working, which I'm grateful for, but I'm also putting in a lot of extra hours... which I'll also be grateful for once the dust settles on all this crap. But in the moment? I'm just wiped.

Anyways...

Vaylin vs. Mara - I concede this one. Barely. I put my judge hat on for this one, knowing what I now know about Vaylin, and I'd honestly give the nod to a prepped Mara in an absolute classic of a fight. Even with the prep restrictions, I'd still consider Mara the best prep in the draft, and I think she'd use that advantage along with a skill edge to just barely take this one against an overwhelmingly more powerful opponent.

Peak, unchained Vaylin is way, way up there on the power scale, and if the location were something more like last round (a big, open, empty arena), I might still be inclined to lean her way. But this location is actually pretty perfect for someone like Mara to play a cat and mouse type game and use her skills to eke it out. I still think that Vaylin will have thrashed her within an inch of her life by the end of it, but Mara is the type to have a plan within a plan within a plan in a way that pretty much no one else would and she'll manage in a squeaker.

Cade vs. Kyp - So because I'm so tired, I am actually just gonna copy/paste my rant from a few drafts back, and then just offer some additional details.

While part of me really loves that Kyp Durron is getting so much respect these days, most of me really kinda wonders why. I'm seeing comments about what an amazing pick he was where he was drafted (end of the second/start of the third area), and he's getting wins where it's like "Oh yeah, no argument needed. Kyp totally has this in the bag.". Matches that seemed really, really arguable, IMO. Mainly because of Kyp's almost complete lack of anything in the way of feats when it comes to lightsaber skill.

Raw power in The Force? No doubt whatsoever. He's got feats to spare. But lightsaber skill? I don't personally like it, but he really does have almost nothing of note. TLI even brought this up in an argument against Kyp and it wasn't really acknowledged. I had Kyp on my team once and argued him to some good wins on Force power alone, all the while silently hoping that the saber skill issue never came up (and I don't think it did).

Jedi Academy Trilogy? Awesome raw Force power feats, nothing really with a lightsaber (although it has been a billion years since I read these, so if I'm forgetting something obvious here, correct me).

Leviathan? Ditto.

NJO? He spent the vast majority of the war (that we saw of him) in the cockpit of a starfighter. And while he does have some more feats in this series that highlight his proficiency in the use of the Force, again, there's practically nothing impressive on his part with a lightsaber. First, he does participate in the rescue of Wurth Skidder, but unfortunately, he's not really showcased at all in the action. He, uh, probably defeated some Vong in that battle, but there's nothing for us to point to and say, "Wow, what skill!". Then we skip all the way ahead to Dark Journey where he "duels" Jaina, and I'll actually come back to that since it (to me, anyway) represents Kyp's lone halfway decent saber feat. And then nothing again until towards the end of the series when he gets his ass handed to him by a dying Vong Slayer and Leia had to bail him out. Yep, I hate that fight, too. But it happened. And that's like... it, for the entire 19 book series.

Dark Nest? Basically nil... oh, except for the raid he participated in against the Kilik ship in The Joiner King... in which the only real detail we get about that portion of the fight is that "Master Durron got his suit punctured and we have to pull back or something and I don't remember the exact line but that's basically it". Yeah, Kyp went in with some other masters, including Saba I think, and all we really get of what's going with them is... yeah, Kyp got hit, no mention of anyone else taking any damage and screw you, Denning! Oh, and he humiliated Corran, which was cool, but again, with the Force, no sabers involved.

LotF? Nothing. He's all talk in this entire series, what little we get of him. There's that sparring scene with Luke and the other masters in... one of the books, where he shows a few moves, but is, once again, much more impressive with his Force skills than anything else. And it was sparring.

FotJ? Zero. Zilch. Denning sucks.

So yeah, against Jaina in Dark Journey. They get into an argument, the sabers come out, and yeah, he and Jaina duke it out in what amounts to a heated sparring match. She's angry, but is not truly serious about trying to hurt him, and in the end, they just kinda stop and Jaina's all like "You didn't win." and Kyp's all like "Yeah, but I will and we both know it." And that, my friends, is Kyp Durron's most impressive fight/display with a lightsaber. A "fight" that was really more of a glorified sparring match against a 17/18 year old Jaina Solo, who by no means whatsoever was worthless at that age, but was still nowhere near either one of her brothers, and there was no satisfactory conclusion to the fight. Merely Kyp's assertion that he was better.

Again, I don't like it at all from a personal standpoint. I think Kyp's been disgustingly underused for pretty much the entire Denning era, but it is what it is. Inty's recent judgment of Cade over Plagueis kinda echoes my thoughts on Kyp overall. Kyp's shown amazing power (Leviathan was badass!), but... ya know... duel time? I just don't get the overwhelming love.

[/end rant]

So that was my opinion a few years back, and nothing has changed since. In the SFD, I think he's hella underrated. In this one? The exact opposite. And I don't like it, but it is what it is.

For someone who consistently gets picked in that low second round spot, you'd think he'd have SOMETHING in the way of experience against another Force-user in a life-or-death duel. But he doesn't. Not ONCE. Re-read the Dark Journey duel with Jaina if you want. It was... pretty tame, all things considered. And by the by, Janina's "fall" in that book is about the most tepid fall to the darkside we've ever been witness to. There have been dumber, more poorly written ones, sure. But in terms of sheer "meh" factor? Jaina's is top of the list, IMO.

You cannot question his power displays. Absolutely not. Those, taken in a vacuum, are second round-worthy. Fine. But for a second round pick, don't you want the total package? And that's what he should've been, but he never ever got the focus in the Denning Era, and so he got shafted.

And so you take Cade, who can match Kyp in a raw power sense, but then absolutely ANNIHILATES him in shown skill and known dueling experience. And yet, Cade gets drafted after Kyp (without actually looking back at every draft) pretty much every time...

Why?

So what did I miss in my initial rant from years back? Well, Kyp was showcased a little more against the Vong in Wurth Skidder's rescue than I originally thought. He is described as fighting alongside Ganner against dozens of Vong and coming out on top. And that's not nothing. So that's a definite plus that I missed. On the minus side, though... yeah in Dark Nest when he pinned Corran to the wall during a disagreement, he's then immediately pinned in turn by the TK of... Kenth Hamner. Ugh. Okay, sure, you could say his focus was on Corran, but to basically get owned by Kenth? Denning's disrespect of Kyp knows no bounds!

For a guy that should've been the Mace to Luke's Yoda, he just... has never been given the feats to actually put him there. He just hasn't. To reiterate, Cade is every bit as powerful and has way, WAY more known experience and displayed skill. It's not not a fun match, but it's fairly clear, IMO.

 

*owning Krayt and watching Cade Skywalker get argued up*

 

Wasn't so much of an arguing up of Cade as it was a dressing down of Kyp, but hey, I'm pickin' up what you're puttin' down.

 

Enjoy the Easter/Passover/(Your Religion's Holiday Here) folks. Stay Safe. See you guys on Monday night.

 

Easter round of args...


Mighty Quin vs. Marr

Quin arrives for the morning service.

Marr, as one of the greeters: "Hello, where's your cool Sith mask?"

Quin: "**** off mate"

Marr: "Excuse me?"

Quin: "Is this assigned seating?" *looks around for Asajj*

Marr: "Yes, you should have a ticket."

Quin: *looks at ticket, realizes he's sitting next to @heels1785* "Oh hell no"

Marr: "I'm sorry, you can't just--"

*Quin stabs him in the throat*


Ventress vs. Talzin

In the kitchen, Talzin is pissed the Station's cauldron isn't the right type for her potions noodles. Asajj offers to help find a new one, but Talzin just starts slamming pans and complaining.

Outside she notices Quin arrive. She looks at him wistfully, then even more wistfully when he stabs one of the greeters.

Talzin admonishes her for getting distracted.

Asajj ignites her saber without turning around and impales her in the throat.


Xesh vs. Treia

The service begins. A Prophet of the Dark Side says that Palpatine is risen.

JJ Abrams: *whispers* "Wow how'd he come back?"

Snoke: "You tell me."

Xesh, a relative newcomer, gets stuck sitting next to Kraya. She leans over.

Treia: "You know, we could stop people coming back from the dead if we killed the Force..."

Xesh lifts a finger and sends a bolt of lightning through her throat.


Later they all do an egg hunt.

 

Super sorry on the delay; been getting my butt kicked by rl lately...

Jaden v Maladi/Nihl/Talon
Just going to throw up some points

• Jaden is up toward the top in terms of people who get really good with prep - lots of toys and strategizing.
• Wide variety of Force powers - speed and precog are the ones that really stand out here, notably for Jaden's ability to integrated them into his combat style.
  
• He's faced a ton of Dark Jedi (Reborn), some Tribe Sith, ancient Sith, and even One Sith (Nyss Nenn). Pretty solid advantage going into this, even without the prep, in terms of understanding what he's up against.
• "He was apprenticed to Katarn and is, therefore, dangerous" - Wyyrlok
• He goes into Sith strongholds and punks them on their turf (Tavion/Ragnos on Korriban, the Reborn on Vjun, etc).
• He's handily taken down one Boba Fett, dunno you may have heard of him
• Often fights outnumbered (multiple Reborn, Penin + Kothis duo)
• Tangles with the crazy clones in Crosscurrent and Riptide, who are amped up no joke.
• Alpha (Kam), Soldier (Jaden), and Runner (Kyle) are all able to give Jaden tough fights.
• On the other side, Maladi is just kinda there I guess? She hasn't shown too much fighting skills too her credit.
• Talon and Nihl are both pretty solid, and without the prep I'd give this to the Sith, but with the prep I think Jaden has enough to be ready for these guys, who are decent - good, but ultimately don't bring anything he hasn't seen before.

Nomi/Oppo v Kaan/Kas'im

• Kas'im > Nomi > Oppo > Kann?
• I think Nomi is good enough to make Kas'im really work for it, but I'd give the edge to Kas'im
• On the other hand, we haven't seen Kaan actually fight anyone, while we have seen Oppo in action (posted a couple pages back).
• Oppo can handle Kaan, particularly with Nomi boosting him up
• I think Kaan gets killed much faster than Kas'im can get anyone, and then it's a 2v1
• I don't think there's enough of (or much of any) a gap between Kas'im and Nomi for him to handle Nomi + Oppo here.

 

Round 2 Matches

Rise of Skywalker Conference

@Wang Chi (1-0) (9-1) vs. @heels1785 (0-1) (2-6-2)

2. Vaylin vs. Mara Jade Skywalker (prep)
3. Cade Skywalker vs. Kyp Durron I'm not a big Kyp booster and Cade is a beast. He can survive beatings and still function at a high level.
6. Celeate Morne (PREP) vs. Arca Jeth TRUMPED with Vodo Siosk-Baas - Morne's Shadow training will benefit with the Prep as these two old Jedi won't know the station here.

@Jordan1Kenobi (1-0) (6-2-2) vs. @DarthTunick (0-10 (2-8)

2. Maris Brood (prep) vs. Shigar Konshi
3. Mace Windu vs. Zule Xiss
6. Ki-Adi-Mundi / Plo Koon vs. Te Corso

@Emperor Ferus (0-1) (1-9) vs. @DarthIntegral (1-0) (8-2)

2. Gavar Khai / Vestara Khai vs. Count Dooku
3. Ben Skywalker vs. Darth Maul
6. Darth Wyyyrlok vs. Darth Vader

Rise of Palpatine Conference

@BookExogorth (1-0) (9-1) vs. @DarkEagle (0-1) (4-5-1)

2. Darth Maladi trumped with Darths Talon and Nihl vs. Jaden Korr (prep)
3. Darth Zannah (PREP) vs. Lana Beniko + Senya Tirall
6. Lords Kaan and Kas'im vs. Nomi Sunrider/Oppo Rancissis

@KenKenobi (1-0) (7-3) vs. @Jedi Knight Fett (0-1) (1-9)

2. Asajj Ventress vs. Mother Talzin
3. Quinlan Vos vs. Darth Marr
6. Xesh vs. Darth Traya

@Yodaminch (1-0) (5-4-1) vs. @RX_Sith (0-1) (3-7)

2. Antares Draco/Ganner Krieg vs. Rahm Kota
3. Lord Hoth/Valenthyne Farfalla vs. Raskta Lsu
6. Wolf Sazen/Shado Vao trumped with K'kruhk vs. Zekk

@Point Given @cubman987

 

Round 2 Matches Final Scores

Rise of Skywalker Conference

@Wang Chi (1-0) (9-1) vs. @heels1785 (0-1) (2-6-2)

Wang (2) vs. Heels (1)

2. Vaylin vs. Mara Jade Skywalker (prep)
3. Cade Skywalker vs. Kyp Durron
6. Celeate Morne (PREP) vs. Arca Jeth TRUMPED with Vodo Siosk-Baas

@Jordan1Kenobi (1-0) (6-2-2) vs. @DarthTunick (0-10 (2-8)

Jordan (3) vs. Tunes (0)

2. Maris Brood (prep) vs. Shigar Konshi
3. Mace Windu vs. Zule Xiss
6. Ki-Adi-Mundi / Plo Koon vs. Te Corso

@Emperor Ferus (0-1) (1-9) vs. @DarthIntegral (1-0) (8-2)

Ferus (0) vs. Inty (3)

2. Gavar Khai / Vestara Khai vs. Count Dooku
3. Ben Skywalker vs. Darth Maul
6. Darth Wyyyrlok vs. Darth Vader

Rise of Palpatine Conference

@BookExogorth (1-0) (9-1) vs. @DarkEagle (0-1) (4-5-1)

Exogorth (1) vs. DE (2)

2. Darth Maladi trumped with Darths Talon and Nihl vs. Jaden Korr (prep)
3. Darth Zannah (PREP) vs. Lana Beniko + Senya Tirall
6. Lords Kaan and Kas'im vs. Nomi Sunrider/Oppo Rancissis

@KenKenobi (1-0) (7-3) vs. @Jedi Knight Fett (0-1) (1-9)

Ken (3) vs. Fett (0)

2. Asajj Ventress vs. Mother Talzin
3. Quinlan Vos vs. Darth Marr
6. Xesh vs. Darth Traya

@Yodaminch (1-0) (5-4-1) vs. @RX_Sith (0-1) (3-7)

Minch (3) vs. RX (0)

2. Antares Draco/Ganner Krieg vs. Rahm Kota
3. Lord Hoth/Valenthyne Farfalla vs. Raskta Lsu
6. Wolf Sazen/Shado Vao trumped with K'kruhk vs. Zekk

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Round 2 Matches

Rise of Skywalker Conference

@Wang Chi (1-0) (9-1) vs. @heels1785 (0-1) (2-6-2)

Wang (2) vs. Heels (1)

4. Ben Solo vs. Lowie/Tesar TRUMPED with Corran Horn
5. Jacen Solo vs. Corran Horn TRUMPED with Lowie/Tesar (FORFEIT)
8. Joruus C'baoth vs. Baby Yoda TRUMPED with Luke Skywalker
9. Aryn Leneer/Ven Zallow vs. Qui-Gon Jinn

USER=1374350]@Jordan1Kenobi[/USER] (1-0) (6-2-2) vs. @DarthTunick (0-10 (2-8)

Jordan (3) vs. Tunes (0)

4. Agen Kolar / Eeth Koth vs. Streen
5. Ahsoka vs. Gnost Dural
8. Kit Fisto / Aayla Secura vs. Kol Skywalker
9. Adi Gallia / Saesee Tiin vs. Dace Diath

@Emperor Ferus (0-1) (1-9) vs. @DarthIntegral (1-0) (8-2)

Ferus (0) vs. Inty (3)

4. Tahiri Veila / Ikrit vs. Shak'Weth
5. Darth Plagueis vs. Lomi Plo
8. Marasiah Fel vs. Alema Rar
9. Roan Fel vs. Savage Opress

Rise of Palpatine Conference

@BookExogorth (1-0) (9-1) vs. @DarkEagle (0-1) (4-5-1)

Exogorth (1) vs. DE (2)

4. Darth Sidious vs. Jaina Solo Fel Arguments please. Pretty please.
5. Darths Azard and Darth Havok vs. Revan
8. Lord Nyax vs. Senyal Tirall + Lana Beniko (FORFEIT)
9. Kar Vastor vs. Arcann

@KenKenobi (1-0) (7-3) vs. @Jedi Knight Fett (0-1) (1-9)

Ken (3) vs. Fett (0)

4. Luminara Unduli/Bariss Offee vs. Cal Kestis
5. X2 (PREP) vs. Tulak Horde/ Naga Sadow
8. Darth Jadus/Darth Nyriss vs. Sharad Hett
9. Darth Krayt vs. Second Sister/ Barriss Offee

@Yodaminch (1-0) (5-4-1) vs. @RX_Sith (0-1) (3-7)

Minch (3) vs. RX (0)

4. Ulic Qel Droma vs. Sora Bulq
5. Yoda vs. Bastila Shan
8. K'kruhk trumped with Wolf Sazen/Shado Vao (FORFEIT) vs. Rey Skywalker
9. Satele Shan vs. Kyle Katarn

 

Barriss so good she can fight twice

 

Round 2 Match 1 Final Scores

Rise of Skywalker Conference

@Wang Chi (1-0) (9-1) vs. @heels1785 (0-1) (2-6-2)

Wang (2) vs. Heels (1)

2. Vaylin vs. Mara Jade Skywalker (prep)
3. Cade Skywalker vs. Kyp Durron
6. Celeate Morne (PREP) vs. Arca Jeth TRUMPED with Vodo Siosk-Baas

@Jordan1Kenobi (1-0) (6-2-2) vs. @DarthTunick (0-10 (2-8)

Jordan (3) vs. Tunes (0)

2. Maris Brood (prep) vs. Shigar Konshi
3. Mace Windu vs. Zule Xiss
6. Ki-Adi-Mundi / Plo Koon vs. Te Corso

@Emperor Ferus (0-1) (1-9) vs. @DarthIntegral (1-0) (8-2)

Ferus (0) vs. Inty (3)

2. Gavar Khai / Vestara Khai vs. Count Dooku
3. Ben Skywalker vs. Darth Maul
6. Darth Wyyyrlok vs. Darth Vader

Rise of Palpatine Conference

@BookExogorth (1-0) (9-1) vs. @DarkEagle (0-1) (4-5-1)

Exogorth (1) vs. DE (2)

2. Darth Maladi trumped with Darths Talon and Nihl vs. Jaden Korr (prep)
3. Darth Zannah (PREP) vs. Lana Beniko + Senya Tirall
6. Lords Kaan and Kas'im vs. Nomi Sunrider/Oppo Rancissis

@KenKenobi (1-0) (7-3) vs. @Jedi Knight Fett (0-1) (1-9)

Ken (3) vs. Fett (0)

2. Asajj Ventress vs. Mother Talzin
3. Quinlan Vos vs. Darth Marr
6. Xesh vs. Darth Traya

@Yodaminch (1-0) (5-4-1) vs. @RX_Sith (0-1) (3-7)

Minch (3) vs. RX (0)

2. Antares Draco/Ganner Krieg vs. Rahm Kota
3. Lord Hoth/Valenthyne Farfalla vs. Raskta Lsu
6. Wolf Sazen/Shado Vao trumped with K'kruhk vs. Zekk

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Round 2 Match 2

Rise of Skywalker Conference

@Wang Chi (1-0) (9-1) vs. @heels1785 (0-1) (2-6-2)

Wang (2) vs. Heels (1)

4. Ben Solo vs. Lowie/Tesar TRUMPED with Corran Horn
5. Jacen Solo vs. Corran Horn TRUMPED with Lowie/Tesar (FORFEIT)
8. Joruus C'baoth vs. Baby Yoda TRUMPED with Luke Skywalker
9. Aryn Leneer/Ven Zallow vs. Qui-Gon Jinn

USER=1374350]@Jordan1Kenobi[/USER] (1-0) (6-2-2) vs. @DarthTunick (0-10 (2-8)

Jordan (3) vs. Tunes (0)

4. Agen Kolar / Eeth Koth vs. Streen
5. Ahsoka vs. Gnost Dural
8. Kit Fisto / Aayla Secura vs. Kol Skywalker
9. Adi Gallia / Saesee Tiin vs. Dace Diath

@Emperor Ferus (0-1) (1-9) vs. @DarthIntegral (1-0) (8-2)

Ferus (0) vs. Inty (3)

4. Tahiri Veila / Ikrit vs. Shak'Weth
5. Darth Plagueis vs. Lomi Plo
8. Marasiah Fel vs. Alema Rar
9. Roan Fel vs. Savage Opress

Rise of Palpatine Conference

@BookExogorth (1-0) (9-1) vs. @DarkEagle (0-1) (4-5-1)

Exogorth (1) vs. DE (2)

4. Darth Sidious vs. Jaina Solo Fel Arguments please. Pretty please.
5. Darths Azard and Darth Havok vs. Revan
8. Lord Nyax vs. Senyal Tirall + Lana Beniko (FORFEIT)
9. Kar Vastor vs. Arcann

@KenKenobi (1-0) (7-3) vs. @Jedi Knight Fett (0-1) (1-9)

Ken (3) vs. Fett (0)

4. Luminara Unduli/Bariss Offee vs. Cal Kestis
5. X2 (PREP) vs. Tulak Horde/ Naga Sadow
8. Darth Jadus/Darth Nyriss vs. Sharad Hett
9. Darth Krayt vs. Second Sister/ Ninth Sister

@Yodaminch (1-0) (5-4-1) vs. @RX_Sith (0-1) (3-7)

Minch (3) vs. RX (0)

4. Ulic Qel Droma vs. Sora Bulq
5. Yoda vs. Bastila Shan
8. K'kruhk trumped with Wolf Sazen/Shado Vao (FORFEIT) vs. Rey Skywalker
9. Satele Shan vs. Kyle Katarn

 

Excellent.

I'll have an argument on why Sora is terrible up soon enough. But think of it this way: If Ulic is like the Quinlan Vos of his era, then he STILL kills Sora - because Quinlan did too. To be clear, part of why I think Oppo sucks is because of his loss to Sora.

Yoda and Bastila have a very interesting philosophical discussion about the Force, but in the end Bastila can't get over how much Yoda looks like Vandar and just keeps refusing to believe Yoda is not Vandar. And then Yoda force pushes her into a wall.

That'll do K'Kruhk and co. That'll do.

Satele vs Kyle though...

Now that is an interesting battle of the video game characters. I will ponder it some more and then have an argument up.

 

Thinking I sent numbers with one of the greatest trumps in draft history and realizing it won't even be the best one this round:

 

Hopefully I'll have time tomorrow to do arguments on this one for the GMs

 

As an "impartial" observer, does Jaina/Sidious really deserve an argument? Because I think it is pretty obvious that Combination Sidious (Canon+Legends) wins solidly.

Satele/Katarn sounds like fun, though. Would watch that matchup if televised.

 

So,here's why it's not pretty obvious ...

1) Jaina is that damn good. Jaina vs. Jacen cemented her as a first-round pick, and I have no idea why she's not one. You could argue that with all the interactions between her and her brother - with her coming out on top in the end, and never doing worse than a stalemate - that she has the best showing against a high-end opponent in the draft. Luke vs. DE Palpatine might top it. Might. More on that later.

Meanwhile, what's Palpatine's best showing? Yoda (he wins by count out)? Maul trumped with Savage?

2) Jaina is that unorthodox. She was trained in the Jedi arts. She was trained by the Mandalorians. She knows the way of the Vong. Palpatine is ready for any Jedi or Sith underling challenge. But he never knew the Vong and he never prepared to take on the Mandalorians.

3) Palpatine is great at long-term planning and high end bursts of power. He took over the galaxy. Twice. He brought himself back from the dead. Like six times. He flashes his lightning and spins with a fast blade, killing pooka Jedi two at a time.

but ...

4) Palpatine is not great in scenarios where things don't go exactly as he foresaw them. Someone having a gun when he's trying to switch host bodies? He's toast. Someone deflecting his lightning back at him? He's toast. Someone throwing him down a vault? He's toast. Voices appearing out of no where? He's toast. I mean, if they guy was playing poker, he'd have pocket kings, go all in, and then be shocked that aces existed.

Combine that with

5) Jaina's lightsaber defenses are really, really, really good. Palpatine can move faster than the eye can see (DE), but Jaina doesn't need to rely on her eyes. The Force is her ally, and her lightsaber has proven time and again to be an extension of her body, especially in defense. It's part of why she's the Sword of the Jedi, because of he skill in PROTECTION.

Number two calls upon number 4, giving Jaina an opening. Number five means she has a chance, and number one proves she can take that chance - even against the best.


It's time to stop underrating Jaina and give her the proper respect she deserves.

 

Plus Jaina ain't dumb enough to think that essense transferring into a clone body is a good idea. Not once but multiple times! In different timelines!

 

Sidenote but Palps def knew about the Yuuzhan Vong as early as Rogue Planet (where Vergere goes to Zonama Sekot when it disappears, Palps had sent Tarkin there too). That's part of the plot of Outbound Flight, where he wanted to destroy the expedition not only to kill some Jedi but also b/c he didn't want it to trigger the invasion early knowing it'd ruin his Empire plans.

Not that it really affects what you're saying-- Palps knew of their biotech but how that'd translate to facing an actual amphistaff in combat is unknown, whereas Jaina has (though I'd assume she needs prep to access it for herself here). Facing YV gear is a major **** to handle and worth mentioning, it's why I've always weighted NJO experience and part of why I heavily targeted Krayt with his bioengineering & full ass vonduun suit. Cue:




But one of my fave alternate theories to consider is the idea that since Palps knew the YV were coming, he wasn't creating superweapons so much to "keep local systems in line"...but in fact to combat the eventual extragalactic invasion. There's even an arg to be made that without him orchestrating the creation of the clone army and what it eventually became that the galaxy would've fallen-- certainly the Old Republic would've been toast (sorry Horax).

It's very "Stalin killed millions to slow Hitler" but yeah.