Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 5

Hello everybody and welcome back for the 3rd entry in our Super league predictions. A reminder for how it works for anyone who is reading for the first time, each week my opponent and I will attempt to predict the scores of the other games happening in our game week, a correct result is worth 10 points and a correct score is worth 25. At the end of the League the person with the highest point tally (mine being average score) will win a Alt Ulix Unicorn and Pixies box. Week 2 saw me take on Luke Cocksedge and even though our game ended in a 3-3 draw (Titania vs Euripides) Luke scored 60 in the predictor league to my 50, predicting 6 correct outcomes placing Luke as the one to beat in the predictor league.

Week 3 sees me square my knowledge against newcomer to the UK scene Jan Pietzrak. Jan picked Malifaux up in March just before the national lockdown due to COVID-19 came into effect, picking up 10T has played a few games in person but mainly plied his craft on vassal. Having never had the chance to meet Jan and eager to see what a fresh mind brings to the game. Our match up is taking place on 23/10/20 at 3pm and will see Neverborn Chonky boys (Euripides) take on Asami.

The encounter for Week 3 is as follows:

Flank Deployment

Recover Evidence

Sabotage

Catch and Release

Let Them Bleed

Breakthrough

Take Prisoner

Super League Prediction League Table

Luke Cocksedge 60 Points (Week 2 opponent)

Lewis Phillips 50 points (2 week average)

Steve Johnston 50 Points (Week 1 opponent)

Original source : https://scottishmetamalifaux.wordpress.com

Jamie Varney vs Adrian Mills

Jamie was on the wrong end of an upset result last week falling to Dan Brown, however a write up of the outcome seems Jamie’s deck abandoned him at a critical point in the game. Adrian lost in a close game to Matt Cole’s replacement Craig Colley. Looking to kick on from the result last week I can see Jamie winning yet another close game here. Adrian is running Greed as master for the league and Mr Varney ensured she got toned down in playtest after she upset him while he trialed Reva. Adrian is up against it as his scheme pool is knocked down to 4 choices with C&R being impossible. Jamie is likely to take advantage of the Crossroads all costing the same and all being henchman to make scheme choice easier and with only one legal target for Take prisoner, the usual game of guess the scheme is much narrower for them both.

Lewis’ Prediction: 5-4 win for Jamie

Jan’s Prediction: 6-4 win for Jamie

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Dan Brown vs Radek Bry

As mentioned above Dan came out the unlikely victor vs Jamie last week, while Radek beat Kai with a resounding 5-0 scoreline. This is a game where Dan will have to hope to ride his luck again as I’ve played Radek in a pool similar to this and his crew is filthy. Radek is the UK master for a reason and the gears are slowly starting to gel again on the Outcast front. Colette is probably Dan’s best hope to carry the unlikely win streak going but I could see Radek spoiling the victory parade with Rats or guilty ghosts.

Lewis’ Prediction: 5-3 victory for Radek

Jan’s Prediction: 5-5 draw

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Craig Colley vs Karl Adam

Craig was a substitute entry after Matt Cole had to drop and got his league off to a flying start with a win against the Adrian and the CR7 last week. Karl was embroiled in the ‘Battle of the Gingers’ last week that ended with a gentlemanly draw between Karl and Stef. Battling last week for Best Ginger, this game is a potential best Resser 6 pointer and I believe while Craig may be the better all round player, Karl will have enough faction knowledge to see it through in a bitterly close game.

Lewis’ Prediction: 4-3 win for Karl

Jan’s Prediction: 4-3 win for Craig

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Kai Young vs Rice Chowder

The man who eats soup vs the man made of soup, this has the potential to be real open and high scoring match for both players. Kai has yet to gain a TP in the Super League but has faced 2 knowledgeable opponents, where as Rice has played countless Vassal games. Feedback from both Kai and Radek after their game last week suggests the game was alot tighter them the 5-0 scoreline suggests, which Kai can take as a confidence boost to his ability. Rice is on a win and a loss but is sitting in a tightknit pack of Jamie Varney, Ross Mcginness and Rice (8th, 9th, 10th respectively). Ross will be hoping team mate Kai can give him a helping hand towards best Bayou by beating Rice, I believe Kai will have to wait a little longer to open his TP account.

Lewis’ Prediction: 6-3 win for Rice

Jan’s Prediction: 5-3 win for Rice

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Stef McGlen vs Carl Lee

From a draw in the ‘Battle for top Ginger’ to a game that could decide best 10T at the end Stef’s faction knowledge should see assist him against Carl. Carl beat my meta mate Steven last week but Steven is running Explorers so his options are limited which could have been a factor. Recover Evidence is a strat that 10T can excel in as they have many masters that can do it easily. The choice in master and subsequent Keyword is what could swing this game in either players favour although I wouldnt be surprised to see a mirror match happen here.

Lewis’ Prediction: 5-5 Draw

Jan’s Prediction: 6-5 win for Carl

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Steven Thomson vs Alasdair Cunniffe

Steven suffered from bad luck and a less then ideal scheme pool last week but this week the pool is much more suited to both Basse and McCabe. Alasdair ran Ironsides in week 2 but came up against the high flying Luke Athiko so feel to a 6-3 loss. Aladair’s biggest advantages against Steven are the existence of masters like Colette and Sandeep but also when Steven declares his master, his crew is pretty straight forward to work out, allowing for less guess work surrounding schemes. If Alasdair can narrow the potential schemes down quickly I can see this being an uphill struggle for Steven sadly and a great opportunity for Alasdair to get some TP on the board.

Lewis’ Prediction: 5-4 win for Alasdair

Jan’s Prediction: 6-3 win for Steven

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James Noillavert vs Andrew Humphrey

James is certainly helping prove the preconception Guild are the week faction in Malifaux wrong, scoring 12 VP in his two games and conceding 7 and sitting 3rd overall. Andrew however has unfortunately conceded 15VP in two games while only scoring 2VP, the upside to this stat? Andrew has played 2 of the UK’s top players in Ollie and Ross. This week may not be straight forward for Andrew against a knowledgeable Guild player especially if James drops Lucius into the game. I can see James’ momentum keeping him going through this game however.

Lewis’ Prediction: 5-3 win for James

Jan’s Prediction: 7-2 win for James

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Ross McGinness vs Steve Johnston

A regular game seen on the top tables in the Scottish scene and sometimes on the weekly Tuesday club night these two have played each other a number of times. The game is Zipp vs Von Schtook, so arguably the top master in Ressers vs one of the top masters in Bayou. I can see this game coming down to a close win on scheme points which both players need to watch for, By your Side makes take prisoner ad catch and release a real threat from a VS crew while Zipp has the mobility to threaten Sabotage and Breakthrough.

Lewis’ Prediction: 4-3 win for Ross

Jan’s Prediction: 6-5 win for Ross

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Luke Athiko vs AJ Barr

Luke is currently sitting 2nd overall with 2 wins from 2 games and a +7 diff while AJ has a draw and a loss. The thing about each players games is AJ has arguably had the harder games of the two while this game could be seen as Luke’s first real test for the podium – Carl was playing his first ever game with 10T in his and Luke’s game and last week Luke faced Alasdair who hasn’t got a great record in the league. I think this game will be a low scoring affair with the win going to AJ on the basis he used to higher profile games so will feel less pressue then Luke.

Lewis’ Prediction: 3-2 win for AJ

Jan’s Prediction: 5-5 draw

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Ollie Hedges vs Luke Cocksedge

A battle of two of the Malifaux UK scene heavyweights – former UK master Ollie up agaisnt current UK number 1 Luke. Ollie is currently 1st overall and smashing games by scoring 13/16 VP. Luke drew with me 3-3 last week in a game that could go towards deciding best Neverborn, however I’m big enough to admit Luke should have won the game but he’s a gentleman. Luke should provide a different challenge for Ollie as last week Steve was playing his first game with Von Schtook, Luke knows his faction masters inside out. I think this game will be another narrow one but still a win in Ollie’s favour.

Lewis’ Prediction: 5-4 win for Ollie

Jan’s Prediction: 8-4 win for Ollie

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Matt Lewin vs Rich Walters

Another match between two regular top table names in the UK Malifaux scene. Matt has rode a wave of success heading into week 3 but as I’ve said in a few other predictions I think Rich will present him his toughest challenge yet. Outcasts seem very well equipped for the scheme pool this week while Neverborn have many options that are ok at it (outside Dreamer, we all know how good he is but he’s also borrrrrring) noone really jumps out as great for the pool. I know its dull and repetitive to say again but I can see this being another close low scoring game. I think Rich could edge this one if he drops Levi or Jack Daw as Neverborn don’t have great answers for those two, whereas Matt’s best chances lie with Dreamer or Zoraida though I imagine he’ll drop Pandora.

Lewis Prediction: 3-2 win for Rich

Jan’s Prediction: 6-6 draw