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It was Saturday, it was Mega Day and it was the first Marquee to be held in Middlesbrough Gamers Club (technically the second but the first had to be held at a different venue). This was the day Collateral Damage© really came to town. An excellent turnout saw thirteen keen Heroclix© players arrive looking to be crowned the Collateral Damage© Champion of Middlesbrough. These players included Phil Grinstead who had travelled South from Durham and Ste Hunt who made a more lateral trip from Darlington, except he travelled to Durham first to pick Phil up and then again afterwards to drop him off. So in real terms Ste Hunt had travelled the furthest to play today. Myself and Craig Woolnough had come in from Hartlepool and Ste Date and Dave Smith from Stockton and with other Smoggies and, I believe, a Billinghamite in the game we had clocked up some fair milage between us to get this thing going.

This great turnout was a new record Marquee attendance by three players but dipped out on tying the venue record by one player. Still as this was a pay-per-play game it was a smashing show, so before I go on I want to say a big THANK YOU to each and every one of you for helping to make it a great Marquee. There was a lot of anticipation for the event and players eagerly clammered to get their boosters early.

The players were charged £15 each for three boosters apart from Ste D (again) with whom a complicated multi-item barter was undertaken involving the transfer of Rocketmen© boosters and about £25 worth of comics. One or two other individual deals were also dealt including a sale of a brick to one player and by the time a couple of single boosters were sold at the end of the day a total of 50 boosters were sold. Not too shabby!

The crowd begins to gather for Middlesbrough's Collateral Damage© Marquee. Some even guard their boosters at pain of death

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Seven out of thirteen players preferred Dr. Mid-nite today

The only disappointment about the day for me was that due to having an odd number of players (as well as just some odd players) one player each round had to take a bye and miss out on a game. This is a shame, but was totally unavoidable.

After managing to do the pairings with a players score card missing (D'OH!) I had to hastilly re-allocate players to tables for the first round. The unlucky player to come out last was Stephen Hunt (both times), so he had to settle with 300 points and a win. Oh yeah and a trip to McDonald's for my McFlurry ... which was a bad mistake, but I digress.

The 13 players are paired up leaving Mr Hunt with a 1st Round Bye

Paul Atherton's nameless, so Judge named "Orion's Belters", team lead by guess who were drawn against James Pattison's "The Dragon Masters" a name I am becoming very familiar with. Paul started well taking 544 points against James' Superman (R), Red Tornado (E), Owlman (U), Katana (V) and Sue Dibney (poor Sue by the way, the victim of foul murder again!). James wasn't quite left as pointless as Phil as he picked up 44 points of KOs in the game.

Craig Woolnough's "Door of Doom" started with a hard fought win against Paul Wastell's "Hive Troopers FTW!". Craig's team, lead by the very impressively sculpted Kalibak (U) and supported by Dr. Mid-Nite (E) who was everywhere today for some reason, Vixen (R) and Green Lantern (R) scrapped away for a win gaining 389 points. Paul has to be awarded a moral victory though as he had a Hive Trooper (V) and they rule! He was also using Speedy (E), Vixen (E), Azreal (E), Ragman (E), Captain Cold (R) and OMAC (R) so probably had the largest team tag as well as his 201 points at the end of this game.

David Smith kicked off the day against tournament newcomer Alec Barrett. Dave's "Eat Transparent Plastic Death" lead from the front by Superman (V), Dr. Mid-nite ((V) using a Running Start) and Fire (V) sportingly took a good deal of time to help and assist Alec who is pretty new to the game and ensured that it wasn't a massacre. Well done Dave. Alec's "S.W.O.R.D. Subterrainean World of Righteous Deeds" got 60 points of KOs and had 33 remaining points for a total of 93, whilst Dave picked up the win and 493 points. Alec was using Dr Psycho (U), surely the coolest character in this set? he had a Dr. Mid-nite (R) too!

Paul Brown was paired against Parry Cooke and "The Misfits" proved an apt name as Parry's "The Brains" showed their intelligence in picking up the win. Paul had Emerald Empress (V) and Red Tornado (V) amongst others and guess what, he also had a Dr. Mid-nite (E), the clone tanks must have been in overload prior to today's battles. Parry didn't have a Dr. Mid-nite, but he did have a Brain (E) and a Detective Chimp (GO Detective Chimp!) and a Hive Trooper (V). Where were all these Hive Troopers when I was opening my boosters, that's what I'd like to know? Parry collected the win with 394 points condeming Paul to defeat and 182 points.

The very observant Phil Guba had named his team "I've Got Capital Letters" and was pretty unlucky with his booster pulls opening two that were almost identical and not great to boot. After making sure no-one objected I donated him one of my personal spare boosters which was slightly better. Phil went with Manhunter (V), Geo-Force (R) Azrael (E) Shadow Lass (R), Ragman (R) and Monsieur Mallah (R) which would have prompted me to call the team "If I Only Had A Brain!" Phil's first round saw him come up against a rampant James Phoenix. JP's "Phoenix No Hopers" with Orion (U), Emerald Empress (R) and good old Dr. Mid-nite (E) seemed all but that as they KO'ed Phil's entire roster and gained a 467 points to 126 victory.

Dave does a great job of showing Alec the tournament 'ropes'

More poker chips and DIY boxes than you could shake a stick at!

Shadow Lass goes crrrrazzzzy with a laser turret in 'Death Alley'

Stephen Hunt, fresh from his McFlurry purchasing bye in round one got lucky and, due to having the lowest points of the winners, was the only winner to play round two against a round one loser. That was a mouthfull but i am sure you understand??? I do anyway and that's what matters! So it was that Mr Hunt and his "Superman Blue Electric Boogaloo III" had the pleasure of Paul Wastell's company for the second round. It was not such a pleasure for Paul, as despite getting stuck in he fell to his second defeat with a total KO. He did however take 125 points from the Huntmeister taking out Green Lantern (E) and Uncle Dudley before his lot were all seeing stars. As we will see later, this was an impressive feat in itself.

Craig Woolnough continued his impressive 'opening' performace leaving his opponents mouth 'ajar' as he 'shut' out the opposition. Ok, enough of the puns. Craig's "Door of Doom" came up against Parry's "The Brains" for this round. Craig was evidently taking no prisoners as he KO'ed Parrys entire team. In fact Parry was also not allowing prisoners to be taken as he appeared to have equipped his team with suicide pills. This was aptly demonstrated by Felix Faust (U) who having rolled an attack and missed immediately rerolled using Probability Control for a Critical Miss! This KO'ed him and meant that was at least one point of Mystics™ feedback damage Craig wouldn't be taking. I imagine Craig's celebration at this may have cost him Parry's Fellowship vote, it was funny though. Final scores; Craig 590 points, Parry nil points (in dodgey french accent).

Dave's reward for his first round win was a match up with James Phoenix's "Phoenix No Hopers". In one of the big damage games of the day, Dave managed to fully KO JP's team, but not before he saw 123 points of his team go the journey to sleepy-land. Still JP was indeed made to "Eat Transparent Plastic Death" as Superman and his pit crew churned up the opposition taking Dave to 467 points and a winning game. JP had to settle for 123 points and his first L of the day in the W/L column despite the private medical practice of one of the Dr. Mid-nite clones.

Paul Brwon and Phil Guba having both lost in their first game were looking to come out of match-up two with a win. Paul's "The Misfits" started to fit in a little better as they inflicted heavy damage. This was probably the biggest number of KO's seen in a game all day as a tight game saw the majority of the protagonists hit the dirt and not get back up. Phil took out 220 points of Pauls team leaving just Red Tornado (V) standing as the metaphorical whistle blew. Alas for Paul the whistle blew early as all of his clix were clicked and kicked to KO before time was called. Paul collected a hard fought win and 361 points, whilst Phil moved on to 0 - 2 and increased his points haul by 200 points.

The rounds last pairing involved James Pattison and newcomer Alec Barrett. James' "The Dragon Masters" had suffered at the hands of Paul Atherton's Green lantern but they soon got stuck into poor old Dr. Psycho. Pick on someone your own size you big bullies! Alec once again saw his "S.W.O.R.D." sheathed as James managed to preserve all but Katana (V) during the game. Alec did manage to hang on to the NHS rejects Dr. Psycho and Dr. Mid-nite until the end so collected more points than in his earlier encounter ending with 172 points. James collected 421 points and his first Marquee win.

It was very unfortunate for Phil, after his lengthy journey, that due to his 1st round drubbing he was bottom of the pile and had to settle for a second round bye. Although he clocked a win and 299 points I am sure he would have preferred to play a game. But he did take it very well and used the opportunity to look at a few of the other teams that were around today.

Mr. Guba and Mr. Brown ignore the hopspitality of this luxury abode and decide to kick each others heeds in round the back. At least the mess would be easy to tidy up after the battle - with a dumper truck!

Do you realise how totally ridiculous you look today sir? No nothing to do with the hat, you just look totally ridiculous.

Nice purple rings ... and is that two Dr. Mid-nites I spy with my little eye?

The top table witnessed Ste Date's "Green Lantern 'AT LAST'" take on Craig Woolnough's "Door of Doom". Craig made a few tactical errors, though none on his usual grand scale, including exposing Kalibak to a good ranged pummeling before realising that he had a ranged attack himself. Quite how he managed to forget when he only used it the round before is beyond me, but the water in Hartlepool is filled with strange salts. It was only a matter of time before GL & Co. swept up the remains of the Doomed Door and it didn't actually take much time at all. Ste D. 594 points and progression to the final, Craig 0 points and left licking his wounds. Don't do that in public man! At least it was easy to add up your total points for the event after that.

Table 2 went in a very similar fashion as it was a battle of the Men of Steel (sounds like a good idea for a scenario). Although Mr. Hunt had lead us to believe that he felt Superman (V) would be too much for his "Superman Blue Electric Boogaloo III" to cope with, 'Remorseless Hunt' was uncompromising as ever and put in a 591 points to zip performance. We should have known it would happen as soon he he pulled that medic. I mean he managed to destroy me last week thanks to a Support Roll and he DIDN'T EVEN HAVE A CHARACTER WITH SUPPORT! I shall watch your dials more closely from now on Mr. "You can't blame me I am colour-blind". Just as well I don't hold grudges .... Grrrr! So poor Dave had his excellent first two rounds pulled from underneath him and experienced the full force of the Orange Tornado as he whirled through Dave's team of fresh meat. God help us all if Ste H is ever infected with a zombie virus, we will all be doomed.

Paul Atherton ended his Marquee with an appointment with the "Phoenix No Hopers". This time Orion was back on song and pummelling like he should and helped Paul to his second win and a good final points total, perhaps JP's had inherited the IOS (Ineffectice Orion Syndrome)? JP didn't let Paul have it all his own way though and ... ok I am lying JP did let him have it all his own way. Paul 463 points, JP 131. All JP's points came from surviving characters so I can only assume one of the Orion's was firing blanks.

Paul Brown ended the event with a respectable 2 : 1 record after dispatching James Pattison in round three. The Emeral Empress - Dr. Mid-nite Express handed out much pain to Superman Blue and Red Tornado. If James had pulled a Black Mask or a Green Lantern he could have had a nice Rainbow Team (yes I am aware there is no black in a rainbow). James took out 170 points of Paul's team before they were all unconscious so Paul managed to amass 410 points for a clear win to "The Misfits".

Phil Grinstead got back on the right track with a 'proper' win as his "Rag Tag and the Monkey Bunch" made it past the potential banana skin of Parry's "The Brains". With Mallah carring round a Brain and another seen atop a stand one was obviously a phoney moany cranial cloney and it was down to the game to prove which. Monsieur Mallah was not gonna have anyone make a monkey out of him and proved he was holding the correct Brain as he swung into action and helped Phil go ape over a 479 point win. Parry was left with less brain than a Zombie Captain America as his retaliation was only 118 points of KOs.

In the last game of the Swiss Rounds Phil Guba rounded off the day with a match up against Alec. "I've Got Capital Letters" blunted the "S.W.O.R.D." and ran out easy victors clocking up 537 points. Alec fought on to the end and took out 52 points of Manhunter (V). Alec may have lost all three games in his first event but he didn't get a total wipe out and there were a few of those handed out today. Plus he had better news to come later, for which he had to be dragged from the pub opposite the venue.

Paul Wastell had elected to take the final bye to allow Alec an extra game, it also made sure he didnt end in last place as it gave him a free win and 294 points.

Paul Brown has to hastilly rethink his strategy as his map is without a roof

This is the map Paul Brown should have been on, but Ste D makes up for a lack of Paul Brown by camping on the roof corner sniper's nest

Judge Duck takes a photo just as JP is hit by a sniper and falls in his seat (you see what happens when there are too many rooves on a map!). I do wish the club would stop letting snipers take pot shots at players though

Those hoping for a close fought strategic battle were disappointed. A deadly combination of good play, hot dice, well constructed team and SUPPORT (which at least this time WAS actually on the dial) took Stephen Hunt rather comfortably to his second sucessive Marquee win in the town. A forlorn looking Green Lantern (V) and his companions were left ruing Azrael (V) for having support on his back end rather than front as the going got tough and not surprisingly Dr. Mid-nite pulled out a big roll for a crucial heal just when it was needed.

So another total wipe-out of a final saw Ste Hunt again crowned marquee king and collect the Captain Marvel LE to go with his Oberon pog. Not a bad effort, but in the end the 1st round bye may have actually helped rather than hindered for a change due to the great turnout. Ste D had to console himself with getting the Judges OMAC LE but seemed quite happy with that and the two extra OMACs he had pulled in his boosters. Not to mention a second Veteran Green lantern. There is no shame in being a losing finalist though, certainly not when it is in a sealed Marquee event with thirteen players, not even when you lose badly. So well done Ste.

As it happens, only Paul Wastell managed to KO any of Ste Hunt's clix today (although he did get a 1st round bye so missed one game) so that was well done by you too Paul.

Ste D surverys the scene from a higher perpective, but even this can't save Green lantern and friends, today's final victims of the Orange Tornado

A great big thanks as ever to all the players for coming along and having a go. As far as I am concerned everyone was a winner today. A few extra LEs were awarded courtesy of Judge Jules so a big thanks to him for 'sponsoring' the following extra wards;

1st Opponent KO: James Phoenix (as Ste Date gratiously turned it down)

1st Critical Hit: Paul Atherton

1st Critical Miss: Paul Wastell (at least you got an LE for it!)

1st Opponent Wipeout: Craig Woolnough

Thanks to Wizkids for the great Prize Support and particularly to Psychic Anup for making sure everyone got an Oberon (how did he know we would get 13 players?) and thanks to MGC for hosting the Marquee.

Ste Hunt (left) may have won but he still looks ridiculous. Alec picks up the Fellowship Award in his first ever event, not too shabby

Thanks again and see you all soon for the inaugural event in the ...

LEAGUE!

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