Arena of Honor: Match 14 | Last Place is Just Like First Place if You Close Your Eyes

As the fourteenth match of this second Arena of Honor season approached, our team was coming off a couple of two strong finishes, a second place and then a first. We were starting to feel like we were back in our element, but it had been a rough climb to get there. The earlier matches this season had been uphill battle after uphill battle, often leaving us low on the scoreboard and the Glory Tier rankings. But now, after these two well-fought matches, our spirits were lifted and we were ready to face the next challenge.

At least we thought we were. As we took our places under the House Targaryen banner on this familiar battlefield, none of us could have guessed that this match would throw us right back into the height of a struggle. For now, however, we held onto the hope that we could keep our winning streak alive. 

Once we were able to examine the rosters of the other teams, our hopes were still not dulled. Though strong players from MBL, BTa, and Av0 made us aware it wouldn’t be a simple fight, we should have some ground to stand on in this battlefield. 

As we raced to the strongholds, we turned to our strategist Belore, whose ability to think several steps ahead had guided us to victory countless times through challenging matches. Today, after observing that most other teams on the map decided to construct Trading Posts, we opted for Cavalry Camps. This meant we would be fighting House Greyjoy and House Tyrell for those precious center structures. 

The fight for the Altars begins now, and after securing our Altar of the Stranger our fighters make a strong showing on the field by going for the first Altars of House Stark and House Baratheon. Ultimately, House Stark’s forces are unable to be overtaken by Ice Bear, but Belore finds success against House Baratheon. But it won’t prove easy to hold, as MBL’s players are quick to double-rally, and Host0fDoom’s army knocks us out with just seconds left on the clock. This was just the start of this battlefield proving to us just how not in control we were this time. 

By this time, some worry begins to set in, as success with the Altars will be crucial in securing the Watchtowers and Catapults. With a hint of desperation, we launch on as many Altars as we can manage. As we spread out, reinforce, and defend, House Greyjoy takes a big lead after securing the first Watchtowers. In the chaos of the map, it seems that for every Altar we gain, one more slips away. Soon, the other teams on the scoreboard have begun to pull away in points leaving us at the bottom. 

As the situation becomes more dire, Belore calls out for us to try rebuilding our Cavalry Camps into Spearman Camps. The scoreboard was not looking great, and we had to hope that we may be able to counter House Greyjoy’s hold on the center structures. With the battle now half-over, we need to make some changes quick to have a chance at pulling ourselves out of last place. 

At this point House Stark have been the first to implement themselves into the City of Glory, so we send out a rally to challenge them in another last-ditch effort to gather some points. Though our troops fight bravely in Belore’s army, the report makes it clear that our efforts will make no difference here. 

Our first moment of hope comes when our change in the strongholds allows us to overtake one of the Catapults. But even that is short-lived, as they respond by rebuilding strongholds as well and reclaim the Catapult. Though we continue to fight for the rest of the match, we only make one final effort, rebuilding into Trading Posts and fighting hard for the Mine Shafts to hopefully be able to pass House Tyrell in points for 5th place. 

The final ten minutes of the battle dragged on, while we scrapped for Altars and anything else we could get our hands on, and the reality of our position set in. It had been a grueling match, and no one could exactly identify where things went wrong. We’d been unable to secure the central structures, and hadn’t been able to adapt in time to make up lost ground. In the end, the other teams just outplayed us. Still, we continued to fight where we could until the clock finally ticked down. 

Though a last-place finish is never what we hope for, there seemed to be an understanding throughout the team that matches like these are just part of the journey. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, and sometimes you just have to laugh at your own misfortune. As we regrouped after the match, there were only thanks to go around - gratitude for everyone showing up and giving their best even when things didn't go to plan.