Reports from Servers Near and FarRecap the Highlights of Last Weekend's Plugged-in Tour Stops
The Plugged-in Tour for Android: Netrunner is gearing up for its final runs!
We have five runs remaining, starting with the spooky festivities already underway this evening at The Covenant Store in Tulsa, OK. From there, we press deeper into the heart of Texas, and our staff step up to defend our HQ and its servers right here in Minnesota.
However, before we dive into the last weekend of the Plugged-in Tour, we’re happy to recap the highlights of last weekend’s action in California, Florida, Georgia, and Nevada.
Little Shop of Magic – Las Vegas, NV
Last weekend’s action began at Little Shop of Magic in Las Vegas, where players turned out to meet our staff and run the nets.
We ran nearly a dozen demos for players who had just purchased the game and were learning to play, as well as for some others who were thinking about getting into the game.
During the tournament, Criminals stole the show once again. They accounted for nearly half of the Runner field, half of the Top 8, and grabbed top honors, as Gabriel Santiago found his way to first place. Shapers made another strong showing, as well, claiming three of the Top 8 seats. Meanwhile, Noise showed up for the tournament and managed to take second.
On the Corp side, Haas-Bioroid edged ahead of the Weyland Consortium decks that have been so popular throughout the tour. Both factions pushed three decks into the Top 8, but it was Haas-Bioroid that was able to engineer the victory.
Congratulations to Jason Flanzer for pulling off the victory. His combination of Gabriel Santiago and Haas-Bioroid: Engineering the Future put him one step ahead of his opponents.
Gabriel Santiago |
Haas-Bioroid:
Engineering the Future |
Event (25)
3 Account Siphon
3 Dirty Laundry
3 Emergency Shutdown
3 Forged Activation Orders
3 Indexing ***
2 Infiltration
3 Inside Job
3 Quality Time *
2 Special Order
Hardware (5)
2 Desperado
3 Plascrete Carapace
Resource (6)
3 Armitage Codebusting
3 Same Old Thing
Icebreaker (6)
1 Corroder **
3 Crypsis
1 Femme Fatale
1 Yog.0 *
Program (3)
3 Sneakdoor Beta
|
Agenda (11)
3 Accelerated Beta Test
1 Director Haas’ Pet Project
3 Efficiency Committee
1 Gila Hands Arcology
3 Project Vitruvius
Asset (9)
3 Adonis Campaign
3 Jackson Howard *
3 Melange Mining Corp
Upgrade (3)
3 Ash 2X32B9CY
Operation (3)
3 Hedge Fund
Barrier (11)
3 Eli 1.0
1 Heimdall 1.0
3 Heimdall 2.0
3 Ice Wall *
1 Wall of Static
Code Gate (7)
3 Pop-up Window *
2 Tollbooth **
2 Viktor 2.0
Sentry (5)
1 Archer **
1 Draco
2 Ichi 2.0
1 Janus 1.0
|
It was also a great night for Jinteki as our staff used a pair of Jinteki challenge decks to thwart Runner after Runner. In fact, between our two staff members and all the games they played, they suffered only one loss.
Our staff want to thank John Coviello, Brooke Rutledge, and the rest of the staff at Little Shop of Magic for a fantastic event! They were amazing; they ran the whole tournament very smoothly, were helpful, courteous, and very excited for the event! Players had a great time, and our staff enjoyed their introduction to the local food truck delicacies of the Robo Duck Truck.
Coliseum of Comics: Fashion Square Mall – Orlando, FL
On the other side of the nation, our staff traveled to Coliseum of Comics - Fashion Square Mall in Orlando, FL. This top-notch comic shop hosted a truly enthusiastic crowd of players that struck around for games until the mall’s lights went out.
Shapers and Criminals led the tournament’s Runners once again, with the Shapers winning over most of the attendees and Criminals earning half of the Top 8 spots. Though Noise managed to run his way to second place, top honors went to Gabriel Santiago.
The Corp factions were split much more evenly, with Jinteki lagging only slightly behind, and though Weyland Consortium has dominated much of the Plugged-in Tour, they were matched in the Top 8 by Haas-Bioroid and outnumbered by NBN.
After a series of hotly contested rounds, the Top 8 spots were full of quality, and the evening’s victory went to Jesus Ramos by the narrowest of margins.
Gabriel Santiago |
Weyland Consortium:
Building a Better World |
Event (23)
3 Account Siphon
2 Dirty Laundry
2 Emergency Shutdown
3 Forged Activation Orders
1 Infiltration
3 Inside Job
3 Quality Time *
3 Special Order
3 Sure Gamble
Hardware (7)
2 Desperado
1 E3 Feedback Implants
3 Plascrete Carapace
1 R&D Interface **
Resource (6)
2 Bank Job
2 Daily Casts
2 Same Old Thing
Icebreaker (7)
2 Corroder **
1 Faerie
1 Femme Fatale
1 Gordian Blade ***
1 Ninja
1 Yog.0 *
Program (2)
2 Sneakdoor Beta
|
Agenda (12)
3 Geothermal Fracking
3 Hostile Takeover
2 Posted Bounty
1 Priority Requisition
3 Project Atlas
Asset (3)
3 Snare! **
Operation (15)
3 Beanstalk Royalties
3 Green Level Clearance *
3 Hedge Fund
2 Power Grid Overload
3 Scorched Earth
1 SEA Source **
Barrier (6)
1 Bastion
2 Hadrian’s Wall
3 Ice Wall
Code Gate (2)
2 Enigma
Sentry (9)
3 Archer
3 Caduceus
2 Data Raven **
1 Shadow
Other (2)
2 Chimera
|
While our staff enjoyed playing challenge matches until the store started closing down, they also enjoyed seeing all the new players who had just joined the game, as well as the colorful ways that players customized their play experiences. In addition to a slate of alternate art cards and other components from our Game Night Kits, we saw hand-painted playmats and Legos used as game components.
Our staff want to thank Coliseum of Comics for all their help throughout the event. They ran a tight ship and allowed us to focus on playing challenge matches and meeting players. It was a top-notch experience. Thanks!
Game Empire Pasadena – Pasadena, CA
On Saturday, the two members of our staff who hosted the Plugged-in Tour stop at Little Shop of Magic headed to Game Empire Pasadena where they witnessed the triumph of the first two-time Plugged-in Tour winner, Jason Flanzer.
Jason once again put his Criminal and Haas-Bioroid decks to good use, triumphing over a vibrant tournament field that saw Criminals and Shapers split the lead among the field and Top 8. On the Corp side, NBN took the early lead, outpacing the other factions in the overall field, but the Weyland Consortium caught up to them in the Top 8, while Haas-Bioroid accelerated even further, claiming an additional Top 8 seat, as well as the overall victory, largely due to Jason’s skillful play. (You can find Jason’s deck lists in the report on Little Shop of Magic.)
This was a truly energetic and experienced group of players, and our staff ran a few demos, but a ton of challenge matches. Players had been tweaking their decks to face our Weyland Consortium challenge decks, having heard about its awesome destructive powers, so our staff switched gears and ran Jinteki most of the weekend.
We want to thank Game Empire for hosting us. The gaming space was fantastic! We had plenty of room and tables, and everyone had fun. We also want to send a special “thank you!” to Travis, our tournament organizer, for running a great tournament!
Gamescape North – San Rafael, CA
Our first stop in the bay area was at Gamescape North in San Rafael, CA. Players from all over California came to participate in this Plugged-in Tour stop, and the staff at Gamescape, who are no strangers to running tournaments, were very enthused and ready to make the day a memorable one.
California is no stranger to the camera and big media, and our events reflected that in the large percentage of NBN decks being played. Meanwhile, Criminals and Shapers once again led the Runners, with Criminals edging slightly ahead.
Davis Kingsley stormed to first place. His NBN: Making News deck was undefeated, and he backed it up with his sturdy Kate “Mac” McCaffery runner deck.
Kate "Mac" McCaffrey |
NBN: Making News |
Event (13)
3 Dirty Laundry
1 Escher
2 Infiltration
1 Levy AR Lab Access
1 Stimhack *
3 Sure Gamble
2 Tinkering
Resource (9)
3 Daily Casts
3 Kati Jones
3 Professional Contacts
Hardware (13)
3 Clone Chip
3 Plascrete Carapace
3 R&D Interface
2 Rabbit Hole
2 Spinal Modem **
Icebreaker (5)
1 Corroder **
1 Deus X
1 Faerie ***
1 Gordian Blade
1 Ninja **
Program (5)
1 Crescentus *
1 Parasite **
3 Self-modifying Code
|
Agenda (12)
3 AstroScript Pilot Program
3 Breaking News
2 Character Assassination
1 Gila Hands Arcology
3 Project Beale
Asset (3)
3 Jackson Howard
Upgrade (5)
2 Bernice Mai
3 SanSan City Grid
Operation (12)
3 Beanstalk Royalties *
2 Closed Accounts
1 Freelancer
3 Green Level Clearance *
3 Hedge Fund
Barrier (5)
1 Bastion
2 Ice Wall *
1 TMI
1 Wall of Static
Code Gate (5)
2 Enigma
2 Pop-up Window
1 Tollbooth
Sentry (7)
3 Caduceus **
3 Draco
1 Shadow *
|
Throughout the day, children from the neighborhood stopped by in costume to take advantage of the storefront trick or treating event, and some of the older ones took an interest in Android: Netrunner. We ran several demos, introducing the game to new players, and our challenge decks were once again a big hit.
People were very excited to be a part of this event, and the talk was that they saw Android: Netrunner as “...the card game of the future.” We didn’t have a single person drop from the tournament, as everyone who came to play stayed until the end, and even stuck around afterward to play more games and talk about the metagame.
Our staff want to thank everyone who attended the event, and we want to extend a special thanks to tournament organizer and store co-owner Andre Sisheros for making us feel welcome and making our trip to California as nice as the weather!
Brookhurst Hobbies – Garden Grove, CA
Brookhurst Hobbies is a gigantic, fantastic retail store in Garden Grove, CA, and they played host to one of Sunday’s two California tour stops.
The Shapers came out in force at Brookhurst Hobbies. Nearly half of all the Runners opted to go green, and their tinkering resulted in a first place result, as well.
On the Corp side, Haas-Bioroid continued to push back and demand serious consideration within the metagame. They edged out both NBN and the Weyland Consortium to earn the distinction of the tournament’s most popular faction.
Playing to the strengths of the tournament’s most popular factions, Travis Day won the event with his Kate “Mac” McCaffrey and Haas-Bioroid decks.
Kate "Mac" McCaffrey |
Haas-Bioroid:
Engineering the Future |
Event (13)
3 Dirty Laundry
1 Escher
2 Indexing
3 Infiltration
3 Sure Gamble
1 Scavenge
Resource (9)
3 Daily Casts
3 Kati Jones
3 Professional Contacts
Hardware (11)
3 Clone Chip
3 Desperado ***
2 Plascrete Carapace
3 R&D Interface
Icebreaker (5)
3 Atman
1 Deus X
1 Femme Fatale *
Program (7)
3 Datasucker *
1 Parasite **
3 Self-Modifying Code
|
Agenda (11)
3 Accelerated Beta Test
1 Director Haas’ Pet Project
3 Efficiency Committee
1 Gila Hands Arcology
3 Project Vitruvius
Asset (9)
3 Adonis Campaign
3 Jackson Howard *
3 Eve Campaign
Upgrade (3)
3 SanSan City Grid ***
Operation (6)
3 Biotic Labor
3 Hedge Fund
Barrier (9)
3 Bastion
3 Ice Wall *
3 Wall of Static
Code Gate(5)
2 Enigma
3 NEXT Bronze
Sentry (6)
3 Grim
3 Rototurret
|
While tournament participants packed the play area to capacity, our staff ran challenge matches and demos. Whether it was due to staff fatigue, advance knowledge of the challenge decks, or increased player skill, our staff had a harder time defending their servers during their Sunday staff challenges. They still won the majority of their matches, but not in overwhelming fashion, and we want to congratulate all the players who walked away victorious from their encounters with our Jinteki and GRNDL decks!
We want to thank Brookhurst Hobbies and everyone involved for making this a smooth and enjoyable event!
Gator Games & Hobbies – San Mateo, CA
Further north, Gator Games in San Mateo played host to another Sunday Android: Netrunner Plugged-in Tour event. We enjoyed some pleasant California weather that allowed us to set up tables outside, which was an interesting change of pace for most players. The store had capped the tournament at thirty-two players due to space, but we were able to squeeze in a few more, and the previous day’s winner, Davis Kingsley, gave up his spot in order to allow more people to enjoy the tour. Thanks, Davis!
Haas-Bioroid was again the prevalent Corp faction, and the percentage of the Shapers that came to compete spiked the network.
However, it was Martin Presley’s combination of Weyland Consortium and Gabriel Santiago that took first place.
Gabriel Santiago |
Weyland Consortium:
Building a Better World |
Event (21)
3 Account Siphon
3 Dirty Laundry
2 Emergency Shutdown
3 Forged Activation Orders
2 Indexing ***
2 Inside Job
3 Special Order
3 Sure Gamble
Hardware (5)
2 Desperado
3 Plascrete Carapace
Resource (6)
3 Armitage Codebusting
3 Same Old Thing
Icebreaker (6)
1 Corroder **
3 Faerie
1 Femme Fatale
1 Yog.0 *
Program (7)
2 Datasucker *
2 Parasite **
3 Sneakdoor Beta
|
Agenda (12)
2 False Lead
3 Geothermal Fracking
1 Government Contracts
3 Hostile Takeover
3 Project Atlas
Asset (3)
3 Snare! **
Operation (16)
2 Anonymous Tip *
3 Beanstalk Royalties
3 Green Level Clearance *
3 Hedge Fund
3 Scorched Earth
2 SEA Source **
Barrier (7)
2 Bastion
3 Ice Wall
2 Wall of Static
Code Gate (3)
3 Enigma
Sentry (5)
2 Archer
3 Grim
Other (2)
2 Chimera
|
Even those people who could not play in the tournament were happy to hang out, talk with our staff about Android: Netrunner, and play in as many challenges as we could fit into the day. 
Our staff played their Corp decks very well in San Mateo, advancing their agendas and flatlining those Runners who dared poke their noses into places they didn’t belong.
Thanks to Corey, our tournament organizer, and the rest of the staff at Gator Games! Also, our staff want to thank all the players who attended both our events in Northern California; we have been truly delighted to meet so many members of the great and growing community that enjoys and supports Android: Netrunner!
Wasteland Gaming – Duluth, GA
Sunday’s third Plugged-in Tour stop was at Wasteland Gaming in Duluth, GA, and it drew players from the Atlanta area, as well as groups from South Carolina, and Huntsville, AL.
One of the weekend’s largest and most diverse events, this tournament saw no fewer than eighteen different identities making their bids for control of the net. Despite the overall diversity, one identity stood above all others: Andromeda was by far the most popular Runner identity and earned half of the Top 8 spots on her own.
The field’s diversity extend to the Corps, as well, as the factions were rather evenly split, and the three usual candidates appeared as the event’s top identities – Weyland Consortium: Building a Better World, NBN: Making News, and Haas-Bioroid: Engineering the Future.
In the end, it was Wesley Kinslow who mastered the field with his Andromeda and Weyland Consortium decks.
Andromeda |
Weyland Consortium:
Building a Better World |
Event (18)
3 Account Siphon
2 Dirty Laundry
3 Emergency Shutdown
2 Hostage
2 Inside Job
3 Special Order
3 Sure Gamble
Hardware (7)
3 Desperado
2 Plascrete Carapace
2 R&D Interface **
Resource (7)
3 Daily Casts
1 John Masanori
2 Kati Jones
1 Professional Contacts **
Icebreaker (9)
2 Corroder **
2 Crypsis
2 Faerie
1 Femme Fatale
1 Mimic *
1 Yog.0 *
Program (4)
3 Datasucker *
1 Sneakdoor Beta
|
Agenda (9)
3 Government Contracts
3 Hostile Takeover
3 Priority Requisition
Asset (3)
1 Melange Mining Corp
2 Thomas Haas *
Upgrade (5)
3 Ash 2X32B9CY **
2 Corporate Troubleshooter *
Operation (12)
3 Beanstalk Royalties
3 Green Level Clearance *
3 Hedgefund
3 Oversight AI
Barrier (8)
2 Bastion
3 Hadrian’s Wall
3 Ice Wall
Code Gate (3)
2 Enigma
1 Toll Booth **
Sentry (8)
3 Archer
3 Caduceus
2 Shadow
Other (1)
1 Chimera
|
Throughout the tournament, players at the top tables finished their matches quickly, freeing them up to ask our staff for challenge matches. In fact, the event was full of players looking to play challenge matches, and our staff were eager to accept as many challenges as possible. However, the quality of the players involved forced our staff to play carefully and deliberately, but they still lost nearly as many games as they won.
One of the most rewarding discoveries our staff made during the stop was that this was the first time many of the Atlanta area’s players had met each other, and we expect this will lead to larger, more energetic game nights and tournaments in the months to come!
Thanks to the staff of Wasteland Gaming for hosting us! The store was enormous and held our players comfortably, allowing everyone to focus on the event and enjoy themselves!
The Final Stretch
The final stops of the Plugged-in Tour take place this weekend, starting this evening at The Covenant Store in Tulsa, OK. It’s been a great month of gaming so far, and we look forward to a spectacular finish and lead-in to the Android: Netrunner World Championship event at the FFG World Championship Weekend!
We’ll have our final transmissions from the tour next week, and we’ll post the official results of the vote for the tour’s two potential Runner IDs at the beginning of the World Championship on Friday, November 8th. Until then, keep up with the action on our community forums and by following us on Twitter (#pluggedintour)!
...
Source:
Reports from Servers Near and Far
