October 1st 2018 OCG Banlist

Ryusei the Morning Star · October 28, 2018

These 64 players will be returning on Day 2 and duel in a Single-Elimination bracket.

https://ygoevents.wordpress.com/2018/10/28/yot-taiwan-2018-day-2-top-64-metagame-breakdown/

13 Sky Striker

12 Gouki

11 Trickstar

7 Magician

4 Altergeist

3 Dinosaur Thunder Dragon

3 Good Stuff Link

2 Burning Abyss

2 Infernoid

2 Gandora-X FTK

2 Zombie

1 Cyber Dragon

1 Mekk-Knight

1 Monarch

Ryusei the Morning Star · November 19, 2018

OCG 2018.10 Metagame Report #4

Week #4 of the OCG 2018.10 format.

YOT Taiwan 2018.

This report will cover 66 top-performing decks from 12 tournaments that were held in Japan and Taiwan during 23 – 30 October 2018.

Metagame Breakdown

13 Gouki:

12 mono Gouki

1 Greener Gouki

13 Sky Striker

9 Trickstar

8 Magician

5 Altergeist

4 Good Stuff Link

2 Gandora-X FTK

2 Mekk-Knight

2 Subterror

2 Zombie

1 Dinosaur Thunder Dragon

1 Infernoid

1 Metalfoes Zefra

1 Meta Beat

1 Sky Striker Invoked

1 Thunder Dragon

Gouki

Wu Ting-En went 13-1 and finished 1st in “YOT Taiwan 2018” which had 403 participants.

Savage Strike has bolstered Gouki decks considerable with the addition of Neo Space Connector and Psychic Wheelder.

Neo Space Connector is used to bring out Neo-Spacian Aqua Dolphin. This forces the opponent to use their Ash Blossom & Joyous Spring or it would be destroyed by Aqua Dolphin. While Ghost Ogre & Snow Rabbit can be chained to Aqua Dolphin to destroy it, Neo Space Connector could tribute itself to revive Aqua Dolphin. Ghost Belle & Haunted Mansion is often picked off by Aqua Dolphin.

To beat Gouki and their Extra Link, The Winged Dragon of Ra – Sphere Mode is one of the most popular Side Deck choice, especially in the mirror match. As Sphere Mode is a Normal Summon, it would not be impeded by the effect of Knightmare Corruptor Iblee. Sphere Mode also has ? ATK, and that meant that Aqua Dolphin is unable to select and destroy it while it is in hand.

Sky Striker

Garosu (ガロス) went 8-1 (including 1 bye) and finished 3rd in “Orbis Cup in Takatsuki with Hatti CS” which had 61 participants.

Running 3 Sky Striker Mecha Modules – Multirole is trending recently as an out to Illusion Dragon Phantazmei.

Phantazmei has a negation effect against targeting effects, making it a very problematic monster for Sky Striker to deal with. After activating Multirole’s first effect, the opponent will be unable to respond with Phantazmei’s effect against your spells such as Sky Striker Mecha – Widow Anchor or Sky Striker Maneuver – Afterburners!.

Trickstar

Hsu Fang-Wei went 7-0 and finished 2nd in YOT Taiwan 2018 Asia Premier which had 205 participants.

With the rising popularity of Gouki, running Inspector Boarder in the Main Deck is a reasonable tech that could steal a win from Gouki in Game 1 when they have no answer in their Main Deck.

Magician

Ryuto (りゅーと) went 8-1 and finished 1st in “Orbis Cup in Takatsuki with Hatti CS” which had 61 participants.

Borreload Savage Dragon, the cover card of Savage Strike, is a strong addition to Magician.

When Borreload Savage Dragon is Synchro Summoned, it would equip Heavymetalfoes Electrumite to itself, giving itself 2 Borrel Counters for negating cards or effects.

Combined with Mist Valley Apex Avian, this double negation opening setup is extremely difficult to break.

Conclusion

The popularity of Sky Striker continues to drop. While Sky Striker is still one of the more popular deck, it is no longer the clear cut winner.

Gouki has been doing considerable well and has caught up to Sky Striker in performance.

Trickstar, Magician and Altergeist are also strong contenders in the current competitive scene.

The biggest surprise of this week would have to be the Zombie deck based on Structure Deck R: Undead World going 11-3 to finish 2nd in YOT Taiwan 2018

Ryusei the Morning Star · November 19, 2018

OCG 2018.10 Metagame Report #5

Week #5 of the OCG 2018.10 format.

This report will cover 32 top-performing decks from 6 tournaments that were held in Japan during 3 – 6 November 2018.

Metagame Breakdown

6 Gouki

6 Sky Striker

4 Altergeist

3 Magician

2 Burning Abyss

2 Gandora-X FTK

2 Thunder Dragon

2 Trickstar

2 Zefra

1 Madolche

1 Orcust

1 Subterror

Gouki

Kumatch (くまっち) went 9-1 (including 1 bye) and finished 1st in “Hatti Grand Challenge Cup in Fukuoka by HAKATA CUP” which had 84 participants.

Running 1 Necroworld Banshee and 1 Zombie World in the Side Deck of Gouki is trending as a tech against the Gouki mirror match.

While Zombie World is on the field, neither player can Tribute Summon monsters except Zombie monsters, and that would prevent the opponent from breaking your board with The Winged Dragon of Ra – Sphere Mode.

Setting up Zombie World is easy as both Armageddon Knight and Mathematician are able to send Necroworld Banshee from the deck to the graveyard. Necroworld Banshee‘s graveyard effect would then activate Zombie World from the deck.

Other than the Gouki mirror match, Zombie World is also useful against Thunder Dragon.

Sky Striker

Sharurun (しゃるるん) went 8-0 and finished 1st in “2nd Amagasa CS” which had 39 participants.

Kaiser Colosseum is seeing play in the Side Deck of Sky Striker against Gouki.

As Sky Striker usually ends with only 1 Link Monster on the field, Kaiser Colosseum essentially limits the opponent to placing only 1 monster on the field.

Gouki would be unable to perform any Link Summon when limited to only placing 1 monster on the field.

Altergeist

YU-YA went 9-1 (including 2 byes) and finished 2nd in “Hatti Grand Challenge Cup in Fukuoka by HAKATA CUP” which had 84 participants.

Most Altergeist are now running the full 3 copies of Pot of Indulgence in the Main Deck.

Magician

Cream Cheese (クリームチーズ) went 6-2 and finished 2nd in “2nd Amagasa CS” which had 39 participants.

He had a spicy tech Hot Red Dragon Archfiend King Calamity in his Extra Deck.

Open with any standard play to bring out Heavymetalfoes Electrumite, whose effect will get Astrograph Sorcerer and then Special Summon Astrograph Sorcerer with its own effect.

Using Heavymetalfoes Electrumite + a Tuner Monster, Link Summon Crystron Needlefiber whose effect will Special Summon Glow-Up Bulb. Astrograph Sorcerer + Glow-Up Bulb will then be used to Synchro Summon Borreload Savage Dragon.

Upon its Synchro Summon, Borreload Savage Dragon will equip Heavymetalfoes Electrumite to itself and gain 2 Borrel Counters. Glow-Up Bulb‘s effect is activated to revive itself before ending the turn.

During the opponent’s Main Phase 1, after the opponent plays their first card or effect, you may choose to negate it with Borreload Savage Dragon, depending on how threatening it is.

Then right after the resolution of that Chain, when the opponent passes priority back to you, you could then activate the effect of Crystron Needlefiber, banishing itself to Special Summon Shooting Riser Dragon from the Extra Deck.

Upon its Synchro Summon, Shooting Riser Dragon will send any Level 4 monster from the deck to the graveyard, thus reducing its Level to 3.

Again right after the resolution, when the opponent passes priority back to you, activate the Quick Effect of Shooting Riser Dragon to perform an Accel Synchro. Using Shooting Riser Dragon + Glow-Up Bulb + Borreload Savage Dragon, Synchro Summon Hot Red Dragon Archfiend King Calamity.

When Hot Red Dragon Archfiend King Calamity is Synchro Summoned, its effect will prevent the opponent from activating any cards or effect for the rest of their turn.

Against Gouki or Magician, this would effectively cause the opponent to end their turn without any play. On the next turn, simply Pendulum Summon from your hand and go for an One-Turn-Kill.

While the opponent cannot activate any cards or effects after Hot Red Dragon Archfiend King Calamity is Synchro Summoned, they are still able to set cards and summon monsters. Hence this is not quite useful against Sky Striker or Altergeist.

Sky Striker could just Normal Summon Sky Striker Ace – Raye and then during your turn, activate its effect to Special Summon Sky Striker Ace – Kaina to stall King Calamity.

Altergeist could set a Trap, and then flip it during your turn to follow up with Altergeist Multifaker, whose effect would then Special Summon Altergeist Silquitous to bounce King Calamity.

Conclusion

Gouki and Sky Striker remains as the top, with Altergeist and Magician following behind.

The power level among the various decks are rather close and we are seeing a lot more players topping with unique decks in various tournaments.

For this week we have a Madolche making Top 4 in “2nd Amagasa CS” and an Orcust making Top 8 in “Hatti Grand Challenge Cup in Fukuoka by HAKATA CUP”.

If you enjoyed these Weekly Metagame Reports, do consider supporting Road of the King on Patreon. Thank you.

https://roadoftheking.com/ocg-2018-10-metagame-report-5/

Ryusei the Morning Star · November 19, 2018

YOT Taiwan 2018: Feature Match Round of 64

In our first feature match of Day 2 we have two players from Taiwan.

On the left is Lu Xin-Hao running a Zombie deck based on Structure Deck R: Undead World.

On the right is Zhang Yi-Xiang running a Trickstar deck.

Duel 1

Yi-Xiang went first and opened with Trickstar Light Stage, but it was negated by Ash Blossom & Joyous Spring. He had a Trickstar Candina to follow up and it fetched Trickstar Lycoris.

Lycoris was Special Summoned by bouncing Candina and that was the turn.

Xin-Hao lead with Zombie World and then Foolish Burial. Foolish Burial sent Glow-Up Bloom whose Trigger Effect was activated to Special Summon Doomking Balerdroch from the deck. This followed with a Normal Summon of Mezuki.

Mezuki attacked Lycoris and Balerdroch went in for a direct attack.

Yi-Xiang followed up with Special Summoning Cyber Dragon, Dinowrestler Pankratops and then Normal Summon Trickstar Candina.

When the effect of Candina is activated, Balerdroch’s effect was chained to it and it banished Candina. Candina’s effect added Trickstar Lilybell, whose effect then Special Summon itself to the field.

Lilybell went for a direct attack and took back Lycoris. Pankratops attacked Mezuki. Lycoris attacked Balerdroch and was boosted by Trickstar Calobane.

On Xin-Hao’s turn, during the Standby Phase, he tried to Special Summoned Balerdroch from the graveyard but it was negated by Ghost Belle & Haunted Mansion.

Mezuki‘s graveyard effect was activated on Balerdroch, causing Pankratops’ effect to be activated in a chain to take out Zombie World before Balerdroch hits the field.

Glow-Up Bloom was Normal Summoned and immediately used to Link Summon Linkuriboh. Bloom was then banished from the graveyard to add Vampire Fraulein from deck to hand. Balerdroch is also triggered on activation, banishing Lycoris from the field.

Balerdroch attacked Cyber Dragon, and Linkuriboh direct attacked.

Yi-Xiang drew and conceded as he had no answer for Balerdroch.

Lu Xin-Hao [Zombie] 1 – 0 Zhang Yi-Xiang [Trickstar]

Duel 2

Yi-Xiang opened with Trickstar Light Stage for Trickstar Candina, which was Normal Summoned and added Trickstar Reincarnation to hand. 3 Spells/Traps were set to the backrow and that was the turn.

Xin-Hao Normal Summoned Necroworld Banshee and attacked into Candina, but Lycoris jumped out and bounced Candina back to hand. Banshee took out Lycoris, a Spell/Trap card was set and the turn was over.

Yi-Xiang used Trickstar Light Stage on Xin-Hao’s set card, forcing an activation of Zombie Struggle on Banshee to increase its ATK by 1000.

Yi-Xiang continued with Special Summoning Dinowrestler Pankratops and Normal Summoning Candina. Candina’s effect was negated by Ash Blossom, halting Yi-Xiang’s plans to push for big damage this turn.

The turn was back to Xin-Hao and he Normal Summoned Uni-Zombie which was taken out immediately by Pankratops’ effect. Banshee attacked Candina, and Vampire Fraulein was activated from hand, but Trickstar Reincarnation banished it and gave Xin-Hao a new hand.

Banshee traded with Candina and Xin-Hao ended with an empty board.

Yi-Xiang tried to Special Summoned Trickstar Calobane but Xin-Hao had a Maxx “C”. Reincarnation was chained to it and banished to Special Summon Candina from the graveyard, giving only 1 card draw.

Calobane and Candina pushed for damage before ending the turn.

Xin-Hao went straight to the End of the Battle Phase on his turn and threw out an Evenly Matched but a Solemn Judgment negated it.

The Main Phase 2 saw Pankratops being Special Summoned, followed by Glow-Up Bloom being Normal Summoned.

The turn was back to Yi-Xiang and he played another Light Stage to fetch for Lycoris.

Calobane attacked Glow-Up Bloom, and Banshee’s graveyard effect was activated banishing itself to activate Zombie World on the field from the deck.

The attack continues and Bloom was destroyed by battle and sent to the graveyard. Its effect is triggered and then activated to Special Summon Doomking Balerdroch from the deck.

Lycoris was Special Summoned by bouncing Calobane to hand. Candina attacked Balerdroch, and Pankratops’ effect was activated to destroy Candina.

As Pankratops is now a Zombie due to Zombie World, this triggered Balerdroch’s effect and banished Lycoris.

The next turn saw Xin-Hao playing Foolish Burial to send Mezuki whose effect was activated to Special Summon Pankratops back from the graveyard.

Yi-Xiang scooped up his cards knowing that he has no way to break the Pankratops and Balerdroch with Zombie World combo.

Lu Xin-Hao [Zombie] 2 – 0 Zhang Yi-Xiang [Trickstar]

This game was a fantastic display of the prowess of Structure Deck R: Undead World. Doomking Balerdroch was able to powered through both games and clenched a clear win for Lu Xin-Hao.

https://ygoevents.wordpress.com/2018/10/28/yot-taiwan-2018-feature-match-round-of-64/#more-3114

Ryusei the Morning Star · November 19, 2018

YOT Taiwan 2018: Feature Match Round of 16

Just one more round before the Top 8.

On the left is Deng Xiang-Hong running a rogue Mekk-Knight deck. On the right is Huang Shin-En, the 2013 World Champion, running Altergeist.

Duel 1

Shin-En went first and opened with Altergeist Meluseek into Linkuriboh.

The Special Summoning of Linkuriboh allowed Xiang-Hong to Special Summon Illusion Dragon Phantazmei from hand.

Meluseek’s effect added Altergeist Multifaker to hand, and Shin-En set 2 Spells/Traps before ending the turn.

On Xiang-Hong’s turn, Mekk-Knight Purple Nightfall was Special Summoned on the same column as Linkuriboh and a set Spell/Trap. Purple Nightfall’s effect was then activated to add Mekk-Knight Blue Sky to hand. This drew out a preemptive Maxx “C” from Shin-En.

Blue Sky was Special Summoned in the same zone on the same column as Linkuriboh and a set Spell/Trap. Blue Sky’s effect added another Purple Nightfall and Mekk-Knight Avram to hand. Avram was Normal Summoned and attacked Linkuriboh, forcing it to activate its effect. Blue Sky and Phantazmei then went in for direct attacks. Two Spell/Trap was set before moving to the End Phase.

During the End Phase, Shin-En flipped Personal Spoofing and upon resolution, allowed Multifaker to be activated from hand. Xiang-Hong chained with a Maxx “C”, but Shin-En responded by shuffling Multifaker back into the deck with Personal Spoofing.

Personal Spoofing added Altergeist Marionetter to hand. And since Multifaker is no longer in hand, its effect to be Special Summoned from hand resolves with no effect. Shin-En pulled off an ingenious play to deny his opponent from drawing off Maxx “C”.

On his turn, Shin-En Normal Summoned Altergeist Marionetter which set a Altergeist Protocol from his deck to the field. Marionetter’s effect was activated targeting itself and Meluseek in the graveyard, but it was negated by Ghost Belle & Haunted Mansion.

Personal Spoofing shuffled back Marionetter to add Multifaker, while One for One Special Summoned Meluseek. Meluseek went in a for a direct attack and took out one of the set Spell/Trap, revealing to be World Legacy’s Memory.

In Main Phase 2, Meluseek was used to Link Summon Relinquished Anima in the same column as Blue Sky. Meluseek’s effect added Altergeist Kunquery to hand.

Anima’s effect was activated on Blue Sky, but Phantazmei’s effect negated it by discarding Purple Nightfall.

During the End Phase, World Legacy’s Secret was activated to revive Purple Nightfall. Shin-En took a moment to ponder and finally decided to negate it with a Solemn Judgment.

On his turn, Purple Nightfall returned to the field, and Xiang-Hong used it effect by banishing Avram and adding another Blue Sky to hand. Shin-En wanted to activate Ash Blossom & Joyous Spring to negate it, but it was too late as he had allowed Xiang-Hong to banish Avram, thinking that the banishing part was the cost.

Xiang-Hong set a Spell/Trap in the same column as Personal Spoofing, allowing him to Special Summon Blue Sky from hand. Blue Sky’s effect was activated on summon, and Shin-En threw out Ash Blossom to negate it.

However, Xiang-Hong had another play in mind. He flipped over the Spell/Trap that was just set and it was Instant Fusion, Special Summoning Sea Monster of Theseus. Theseus and Blue Sky were used to Link Summon Crystron Needlefiber. Needlefiber Special Summoned Linkuriboh and they were used to Link Summoned Topologic Trisbaena.

Glow-Up Bulb‘s Special Summoned itself into a zone that Trisbaena’s Link Arrow was pointing at and it triggered Trisbaena effect. Shin-En responded by flipping up Protocol, and then activating Spoofing to shuffle Protocol back into the deck to add Marionetter to hand.

Spoofing and Bulb was banished by Trisbaena. Multifaker came down in the new Chain and brought out Altergeist Silquitous.

Trisbaena attacked Silquitous, but the attack was negated by Kunquery. Kunquery then negate Phantazmei. Blue-Sky attacked Silquitous, whose effect returned Kunquery and bounced Trisbaena. Blue-Sky continued to take out Silquitous, and that was all for the Battle Phase. Xiang-Hong decided not to continue with any attacks as it would trigger Kunquery.

Shin-En Normal Summoned Marionetter on his turn and set Protocol from his deck to the field. Marionetter’s sent Multifaker to the graveyard and Special Summoned Meluseek.

Meluseek went for a direct attack, promoting Xiang-Hong to activate Purple Nightfall by banishing itself and adding Mekk-Knight Indigo Eclipse to hand. Meluseek continued with the direct attack. Meluseek’s effect was activated but it was negated by Phantazmei. Meluseek was sent to the graveyard and added Multifaker to hand.

On Xiang-Hong’s turn, Avram and Purple Nightfall returned to his field. He activated Purple Nightfall but it was negated by Effect Veiler.

He activated Mind Control to take control of Marionetter and used it with Avram to Link Summon Knightmare Phoenix. Phoenix’s effect targeted the set Protocol, forcing Shin-En to flip it. Protocol was destroyed and Multifaker was Special Summoned in the new Chain. Multifaker’s effect brought out Silquitous.

Xiang-Hong then used Phoenix, Blue Sky and Phantazmei to Link Summon Borreload Dragon.

During the Battle Phase, Borreload Dragon attacked Silquitous, and using his priority, he activated Borreload Dragon‘s effect to decrease Multifaker’s ATK by 500. Since this was activated during the Attack Declaration, this prevented Shin-En from chaining with Kunquery from hand.

Moving on to the Battle Step, Silquitous’ effect was activating, returning Multifaker and Purple Nightfall to hand. Borreload then takes control of Silquitous.

Shin-En set a monster and ended. Silquitous was sent to the graveyard during the End Phase, adding Protocol from the graveyard to hand.

Xiang-Hong went for the finishing move on his turn, Normal Summoning Ghost Ogre & Snow Rabbit and together with Borreload Dragon they were used to Link Summon Security Dragon in the other Extra Monster Zone, along in the same column with the set monster.

This allowed Purple Nightfall to be Special Summoned from hand in the same column, and its effect banished itself to add Blue Sky to hand. Blue Sky was then Special Summoned to the same column and added Mekk-Knight Red Moon to hand. Blue Sky and Security Dragon were used to Link Summon Mekk-Knight of the Morning Star in the same Extra Monster Zone.

Shin-En scooped up his cards knowing well that Mekk-Knight Spectrum Supreme was going to come out next in the other open Extra Monster Zone and he had no way to stop the lethal direct attack.

Deng Xiang-Hong [Mekk-Knight] 1 – 0 Huang Shin-En [Altergeist]

Duel 2

Shin-En chose to have Xiang-Hong go first.

Xiang-Hong opened with Pot of Desires before following up with Glow-Up Bulb into Linkuriboh.

World Legacy’s Memory was activated and Shin-En threw out a Maxx “C” but Xiang Hong had an Ash Blossom & Joyous Spring to negate it.

Mekk-Knight Purple Nightfall was Special Summoned and its effect banished itself to add Mekk-Knight Indigo Eclipse to hand.

A Spell/Trap was set in the same column as Linkuriboh, allowing Mekk-Knight Red Moon to be Special Summoned in the same column. Red Moon and Linkuriboh are then used to Link Summon Mekk-Knight of the Morning Star.

Upon Morning Star’s summon, Indigo Eclipse was discarded to add World Legacy’s Secret to hand. Another Spell/Trap was set and that was the turn.

Shin-En Special Summoned Dinowrestler Pankratops and followed with Normal Summoning Altergeist Meluseek.

Moving to the Battle Phase, Xiang-Hong preemptively activate Infinite Impermanence on Pankratops.

Meluseek attempted a direct attacked but World Legacy’s Secret Special Summoned Mekk-Knight Indigo Eclipse in the same column as Meluseek. Meluseek continued to direct attack, but World Legacy’s Secret‘s effect negated Meluseek causing it to be unable to send a card to the graveyard.

Pankratops attacked Morning Star, but since it was in a different column, Morning Star was not destroyed by battle.

In Main Phase 2, Pankratops and Meluseek were used to Link Summon Knightmare Phoenix, whose effect was activated and targeted World Legacy’s Secret. Indigo Eclipse’s effect was activated in a Chain, and it moved itself to the same column as Phoenix, causing World Legacy’s Secret to negate its effect.

Shin-En shook his head realising he had played right into Xiang-Hong’s plan. Meluseek’s effect gave him Altergeist Multifaker, and he set a Spell/Trap before ending his turn.

Purple Nightfall returned on Xiang-Hong’s turn and he used its effect again, banishing itself to fetch Mekk-Knight Blue Sky. Indigo Eclipse tried to moved itself to another zone, but Shin-En flipped over Infinite Impermanence to negate it, and World Legacy’s Secret in the same column was negated as well.

Multifaker was Special Summoned from hand and brought out Altergeist Silquitous.

Morning Star and Indigo Eclipse are then used to Link Summon Mekk-Knight Spectrum Supreme. Mind Control took Silquitous, Blue Sky was Special Summoned and Ghost Belle was Normal Summoned.

Blue Sky and Ghost Belle were used to Link Summon Crystron Needlefiber, but Xiang-Hong found no Tuner Monsters left in his deck. They had been all banished by Pot of Desires earlier on.

Needlefiber and Silquitous are then used to Link Summon Security Dragon.

Spectrum Supreme went for a direct attack while Security Dragon attacked and took out Multifaker.

In the Main Phase 2, Xiang-Hong continued with reviving Glow-Up Bulb and Link Summoning Linkuriboh.

On his turn, Shin-En drew and played Pot of Desires but after drawing the 2 cards, he extended his hand offered a handshake, conceding the game.

Deng Xiang-Hong [Mekk-Knight] 2 – 0 Huang Shin-En [Altergeist]

The rogue status of Mekk-Knight had played out well for Deng Xiang-Hong in this match.

Huang Shin-En was unfamiliar and unprepared for this match-up, resulting in many misplays throughout the games that cost him the match and the chance to make the Top 8.

YOT Taiwan 2018: Top 8 Duelist Profile

2 Sky Striker, 2 Gouki, 1 Magician, 1 Mekk-Knight, 1 Trickstar, 1 Zombie.

https://ygoevents.wordpress.com/2018/10/28/yot-taiwan-2018-feature-match-round-of-16/

Ryusei the Morning Star · November 19, 2018

YOT Taiwan 2018: Feature Match Semi-Final

It is the semi-final but we have two decks that have exceeded expectations and made a deep run this tournament.

Ku Hung-Hsiang is running Magician, while on the right is Lu Xin-Hao running Zombie.

Duel 1

Xin-Hao opened by Normal Summoning Uni-Zombie and activated its 2nd effect to send Necroworld Banshee to the graveyard. He followed with activating the 1st effect by discarding Doomking Balerdroch. A Spell/Trap was set and the turn passed over to Hung-Hsiang.

Hung-Hsiang drew and Xin-Hao activates the graveyard effect of Banshee to activate Zombie World from deck onto the field. This allows Balerdroch to activate its revival effect during the Standby Phase, but Xin-Hao had a Called by the Grave to banish the Doomking.

Hung-Hsiang proceed to his Main Phase 1 and placed Oafdragon Magician in his Pendulum Zone before playing Duelist Alliance. The Alliance was negated by Ash Blossom & Joyous Spring, leaving Hung-Hsiang with no other plays for the turn.

Xin-Hao drew and activated Uni-Zombie‘s 1st effect again, this time sending Glow-Up Bloom. Bloom was then triggered and banished from the graveyard, and since Zombie World is on the field, this allowed Balerdroch to be Special Summoned from deck.

Uni-Zombie and Balerdroch direct attacked before ending the turn.

Hung-Hsiang played Pendulum Call by discarding Ghost Belle & Haunted Mansion and added Double Iris Magician and Purple Poison Magician to hand.

Purple Poison was Normal Summoned and attacked into Uni-Zombie, destroying itself and thus triggering Astrograph Sorcerer in hand. Astrograph was Special Summoned and added another copy of Purple Poison to hand. Purple Poison’s effect then destroyed Zombie World.

Astrograph attacked Uni-Zombie before moving to Main Phase 2.

Double Iris was activated in the other Pendulum Zone and that saw Maxx “C” came out preemptively from Xin-Hao, making Hung-Hsiang end his turn.

Xin-Hao Normal Summoned Effect Veiler and used it with Balerdroch to Link Summon Crystron Needlefiber. Needlefiber brought out Glow-Up Bulb which was used to Link Summon Linkuriboh and then revived itself using its graveyard effect. All 3 are then used to Link Summon Borrelsword Dragon.

Borrelsword Dragon attacked Astrograph Sorcerer and its Trigger Effect cause it to gain half of Astrograph’s ATK. During the Battle Step, Borrelsword Dragon‘s Quick Effect changed Astrograph to Defense Position. While no damage was caused during this battle, this allowed Borrelsword to make another attack, and this time a direct attack dealing 4250 damage for the game.

Ku Hung-Hsiang [Magician] 0 – 1 Lu Xin-Hao [Zombie]

Duel 2

Hung-Hsiang chose to have Xin-Hao go first and he opened with Glow-Up Bloom into Linkuriboh. Bloom’s effect was then activated and banished from graveyard, but it was negated by Ash Blossom.

On Hung-Hsiang’s turn, he Special Summoned Dinowrestler Pankratops, and activate Mythical Beast Master Cerberus in the Pendulum Zone. Master Cerberus popped itself to add Mythical Beast Jackal King to hand, which was then activated in the Pendulum Zone and popped itself to Special Summon Master Cerberus from the Extra Deck.

Purple Poison Magician was Normal Summoned and it attacked Linkuriboh, causing Linkuriboh to activate its effect and reduce Purple Poison’s ATK to 0. Master Cerberus and Pankratops went in for a direct attack.

The End of Battle Phase saw Evenly Matched being played from Xin-Hao’s hand, and this left Hung-Hsiang with only Pankratops and no other plays for the turn.

Xin-Hao Special Summoned his own Pankratops and both Pankratops battled each other.

Main Phase 2 had Glow-Up Bloom being Normal Summoned and then tributed to Special Summon Linkuriboh from the graveyard. Bloom was banished to add Vampire Fraulein to hand. A Spell/Trap was set and the turn was back to Hung-Hsiang.

Hung-Hsiang activated Chronograph Sorcerer in the Pendulum Zone, and followed with Normal Summoning Performapal Odd-Eyes Synchron. Performapal Odd-Eyes Synchron‘s 2nd monster effect was activated, targeting Chronograph Sorcerer, but it was negated by Effect Veiler. Chronograph Sorcerer‘s pendulum effect was then activated and it was negated by Ash Blossom & Joyous Spring.

The turn was back to Xin-Hao who simply attacked Odd-Eyes Synchron using Linkuriboh, and set another Spell/Trap before ending the turn.

Hung-Hsiang activated Mythical Beast Jackal King in the Pendulum Zone and Pendulum Summoned Jackal King from the Extra Deck. He followed with Chronograph Sorcerer‘s pendulum effect to Special Summon Timegazer Magician from the deck. Double Iris Magician was Normal Summoned.

Timegazer attacked Linkuriboh whose effect was then activated. Jackal King direct attacked and Vampire Fraulein was Special Summoned from hand and was taken out by

Jackal King. Double Iris went in for a direct attack.

At the End of Battle Phase, Xin-Hao first flipped Called by the Grave to banish Ash Blossom, and after it resolved, he flipped over another Evenly Matched. Jackal King was left on board and that was the turn.

Xin-Hao drew and concedes the game.

Ku Hung-Hsiang [Magician] 1 – 1 Lu Xin-Hao [Zombie]

Duel 3

Hung-Hsiang went first and opened with Wisdom-Eye Magician in the Pendulum Zone. He followed with Duelist Alliance but it was negated by Ash Blossom.

Another Wisdom-Eye Magician was played in the Pendulum Zone and they were popped to place Oafdragon Magician and Double Iris Magician from deck to the pendulum zone.

Maxx “C” came down but Hung-Hsiang had kept his Called by the Grave for it. Wisdom-Eye Magician from Extra Deck and Performapal Pendulum Sorcerer from hand were Pendulum Summoned. Pendulum Sorcerer’s effect tried to destroy Double Iris but Xin-Hao had an Effect Veiler to negate it.

Wisdom-Eye and Pendulum Sorcerer are then used to Link Summon Heavymetalfoes Electrumite whose effect was negated by another Effect Veiler.

After 4 ‘hand traps’ from his opponent, Hung-Hsiang finally no other plays for the turn.

Xin-Hao Special Summoned Dinowrestler Pankratops and Normal Summoned Gozuki. Gozuki‘s effect sent Mezuki from the deck to the graveyard. Mezuki‘s effect then Special Summon Ash Blossom from his graveyard.

Gozuki and Ash Blossom are then used to Synchro Summon F.A. Dawn Dragster.

Dawn Dragster attacked Electrumite, while Pankratops went for a direct attack.

Pankratops’ effect was then used to destroy Oafdragon in the Pendulum Zone.

Hung-Hsiang drew and passed his turn, allowing Dawn Dragster another direct attack before passing over back.

Wisdom-Eye Magician was activated in the Pendulum Zone, but it was negated by Dawn Dragster.

Black Fang Magician was Normal Summoned, and Double Iris’ pendulum effect was activated targeting it. Double Iris’ effect added Time Pendulumgraph to hand.

Black Fang attacked Dawn Dragster and a Spell/Trap was set before ending the turn.

Xin-Hao played Herald of the Abyss, causing Black Fang to be sent to the graveyard.

Shiranui Solitaire was Normal Summoned and its effect activated by tributing itself to Special Summon Uni-Zombie. Uni-Zombie‘s effect then send Mezuki from the deck to the graveyard and increasing its level by 1. Mezuki‘s effect Special Summoned Solitaire from the graveyard.

Together, Uni-Zombie and Shiranui Solitaire are used to Synchro Summon Shiranui Shogunsaga.

Shogunsaga direct attacked and that was the game.

Ku Hung-Hsiang [Magician] 1 – 2 Lu Xin-Hao [Zombie]

Against all odds, Lu Xin-Hao have using his unique Zombie brew have made his way in the finals of the YOT Taiwan 2018.

https://ygoevents.wordpress.com/2018/10/28/yot-taiwan-2018-feature-match-semi-final/

Ryusei the Morning Star · November 19, 2018

YOT Taiwan 2018: Deck Profile [burning Abyss]

“che la verace via abbandonai”

Leung Siu Pan from Hong Kong is no stranger to YOT.

He finished 2nd in YOT Thailand 2018 earlier this year, and was also featured in YOT Singapore 2017 for going undefeated with Magical Musket and finishing 1st on the Day 1 Standing.

Once again, he has accomplished the incredible feat of going 8-0 undefeated in Day 1 of YOT Taiwan 2018 to finish 1st on the Day 1 Standing using a very unique deck – Burning Abyss.

Unfortunately he met with a fellow Hong Kong duelist at the Round of 64 on Day 2 and was taken out by Sky Striker.

Burning Abyss

https://forum.yugiohcardmaker.net/topic/375146-october-1st-2018-ocg-banlist/page-2?do=findComment&comment=7129035

Ryusei the Morning Star · November 20, 2018

YOT Taiwan 2018: Feature Match Final

For our final match we have Wu Ting-En is running a familiar Greener Gouki deck. While Lu Xin-Hao is running Zombie. Both players are from Taiwan.

Duel 1

Ting-En went first and opened with Armageddon Knight, sending Destiny HERO – Malicious to the graveyard. He was left uninterrupted and that allowed him to setup his Extra Link board through Isolde, Two Tales of the Noble Knights.

Summoning Topologic Gumblar Dragon as the last component of the Extra Link allowed him to activate the Ignition Effect and cause Xin-Hao to discard Doomking Balerdroch and Necroworld Banshee.

He finished with Knightmare Mermaid, Knightmare Cerberus, Knightmare Goblin, Tri-Gate Wizard, Topologic Gumblar Dragon and “Steam Token” on hid field, and Knightmare Corruptor Iblee on his opponent’s field. He set 2 Spells/Traps before ending the turn.

During Xin-Hao’s turn, Ting-En tributed the “Steam Token” to Special Summon Linkuriboh below Gumblar Dragon and thus triggering it. This results in Xin-Hao scooping up his cards making a quick Game 1.

Wu Ting-En [Greener Gouki] 1 – 0 Lu Xin-Hao [Zombie]

Duel 2

Xin-Hao chose to have Ting-En go first.

Ting-En opened with Special Summoning Speedroid Terrortop to fetch Speedroid Taketomborg and followed up with Normal Summoning Neo-Spacian Aqua Dolphin. Aqua Dolphin’s revealed Xin-Hao hand and the only threat was Illusion Dragon Phantazmei, but Aqua Dolphin could only destroy Glow-Up Bloom.

Xin-Hao opted not to use the effect of Bloom so as not to be locked into Zombie monsters, allowing Phantazmei to be Special Summoned later in the same turn.

Ting-En continued with his combo through M-X-Saber Invoker, leading into Isolde, Two Tales of the Noble Knights and then Crystron Needlefiber.

When Ting-En Link Summons Knightmare Phoenix, Xin-Hao finally Special Summons Phantazmei from hand, and that drew him 4 cards and returning 3 back into the deck.

Ting-En used Isolde and Needlefiber to Link Summon Firewall Dragon and then used Phoenix to Link Summon Knightmare Mermaid, thus successfully setting up the standard combo.

The series of Chain saw Firewall Special Summon Gouki Twistcobra and Mermaid Special Summon Knightmare Corruptor Iblee. Twistcobra and Iblee are then used to Link Summon Knightmare Goblin, While the Trigger Effect of Firewall Dragon is on Chain, Firewall Dragon‘s Quick Effect was activated to retrieve Aqua Dolphin and Iblee.

Aqua Dolphin was Special Summoned and its effect was activated again, but this time the only new threat was Ash Blossom & Joyous Spring which was promptly destroyed by Aqua Dolphin.

This gave Ting-En free rein with his combo and brought out Topologic Gumblar Dragon. Gumblar Dragon effect was activated, causing Xin-Hao to discard Zombie World and Gozuki. Gozuki‘s effect then banish Bloom to Special Summon Uni-Zombie from hand.

Ting-En continued into Tri-Gate Wizard whose effect banished Uni-Zombie.

Ting-En finished with a similar board as Game 1 – Knightmare Mermaid, Knightmare Cerberus, Knightmare Goblin, Tri-Gate Wizard, Topologic Gumblar Dragon, but this time lacking a “Steam Token”.

He set a Spell/Trap before finsihing up the turn.

Xin-Hao drew and swiftly Normal Summon the Glow-Up Bulb he drew. Using it and Phantazmei he Synchro Summon Borreload Savage Dragon at the top of Gumblar Dragon causing it to trigger and discard Ting-En’s only card.

Bulb’s graveyard effect was activated to Special Summon itself as Xin-Hao hopes to mill something with a graveyard effect. However, it was an Effect Veiler that was sent to graveyard.

Savage Dragon attacked Gumblar Dragon before Xin-Hao extends his arm and congratulates Ting-En for becoming the YOT Taiwan 2018 Champion.

Wu Ting-En [Greener Gouki] 2 – 0 Lu Xin-Hao [Zombie]

https://ygoevents.wordpress.com/2018/10/28/yot-taiwan-2018-feature-match-final/

Ryusei the Morning Star · November 20, 2018

YOT Taiwan 2018: Top 8 Decklists

5 – 8th, Loo Wei Jing (Malaysia) [Trickstar]

5 – 8th, Kung Shiang-Wen (Taiwan) [Gouki]

5 – 8th, Deng Xiang-Hong (Taiwan) [Mekk-Knight]

5 – 8th, Hiroshi Odate (Philippines) [sky Striker]

https://ygoevents.wordpress.com/2018/10/29/yot-taiwan-2018-top-8-decklists/

Ryusei the Morning Star · November 20, 2018

YOT Taiwan 2018: Top 4 Decklists

1st, Wu Ting-En (Taiwan) [Greener Gouki]

2nd, Lu Xin-Hao (Taiwan) [Zombie]

3 – 4th, Lin You-Jyun (Taiwan) [sky Striker]

3 – 4th, Ku Hung-Hsiang (Taiwan) [Magician]

https://ygoevents.wordpress.com/2018/10/29/yot-taiwan-2018-top-8-decklists/

Ryusei the Morning Star · November 20, 2018

YOT Taiwan 2018: Asia Premier Top 8 Decklists

5th, Gerald Mercado (Philippines) [Trickstar]

6th, Hua Bo-Han (Taiwan) [Trickstar]

7th, Ho Yun Kang (Malaysia) [sky Striker]

8th, Tai Shih Chen (Taiwan) [Trickstar]

https://ygoevents.wordpress.com/2018/10/29/yot-taiwan-2018-asia-premier-top-8-decklists/

Ryusei the Morning Star · November 20, 2018

YOT Taiwan 2018: Asia Premier Top 4 Decklists

1st, Chien Hung (Taiwan) [Gouki]

2nd, Hsu Fang-Wei (Taiwan) [Trickstar]

3rd, Sun Chih-Che (Taiwan) [sky Striker]

4th, Hsiao Tsun-Yu (Taiwan) [Magician]

https://ygoevents.wordpress.com/2018/10/29/yot-taiwan-2018-asia-premier-top-8-decklists/

Ryusei the Morning Star · November 20, 2018

OCG 2018.10 Metagame Report #6

Week #6 of the OCG 2018.10 format.

This report will cover 40 top-performing decks from 7 tournaments that were held in Japan and China during 10 – 13 November 2018.

New Product Release

Duelist Pack: Legend Duelist 4

Yu-Gi-Oh! Chips

Potato & Chips

Soul Unseal

Farm Delivery

Metagame Breakdown

7 Sky Striker

5 Gouki:

4 mono Gouki

1 Greener Gouki

3 Altergeist

3 Trickstar

3 Zefra

2 Link Doppel

2 Magician

2 Subterror

2 Thunder Dragon

1 Dinosaur Thunder Dragon

1 Gandora-X FTK

1 Greener Infernoid

1 Junk Doppel

1 Mekk-Knight

1 Meta Beat

1 Prankids

1 Qliphort

1 Sekka Kaiju Luna

1 Train

1 Zombie

Sky Striker

Miikun (みゐくん) went 7-0-1 (including 2 byes) and finished 1st in “85th Aichi CS in NextPro Osu Shop with Hatti CS” (Team 3v3).

He ran a copy of World Dino Wrestling in his Side Deck, allowing Foolish Burial Goods to indirectly Special Summon Dinowrestler Pankratops from the deck.

Foolish Burial Goods will send World Dino Wrestling from the deck to the graveyard, and then World Dino Wrestling can be banished from the graveyard to Special Summon Dinowrestler Pankratops from the deck.

Other than increasing the odds of opening with Dinowrestler Pankratops, this also provides Sky Striker with a little bit of burst potential as 2 Pankratops could be Special Summoned in the same turn, one by Pankratops’ own effect and the other by World Dino Wrestling‘s effect.

Gouki

Peroyon (ペロヨン) finished 1st in “Tetsu CS Light 2018” which had 64 participants.

There is a resurgence of PSY-Framegear Gamma being played in the Side Deck as a straight-up solution to stopping the Gouki combo.

Conclusion

The competitive scene continues to diversify causing Sky Striker, Gouki, Trickstar, Altergeist to take a smaller share of the metagame.

Zefra has been doing decent in the past weeks. They are using the same Darkwurm combo, but instead of ending with Baxia, Brightness of the Yang Zing, they could Synchro Summon Borreload Savage Dragon instead. Borreload Savage Dragon would provide another disruption in the form of a negation.

Subterror has also been getting some results with new cards from Savage Strike. Not only are they able to run Pot of Indulgence for card draw, Subterror Succession has improved the consistency of the deck. Subterror Guru and Subterror Succession are able to add each other from deck to hand, making it easier to start the flow of the deck. As Subterror Guru is EARTH, this also allows Subterror Succession to add Maxx “C” to hand.

The interesting deck of this week is Prankids making Top 4 in “Tetsu CS Light 2018”

Ryusei the Morning Star · November 20, 2018

Ryusei the Morning Star · November 26, 2018

OCG 2018.10 Metagame Report #7

Week #7 of the OCG 2018.10 format.

This report will cover 69 top-performing decks from 11 tournaments that were held in Japan and China during 17 – 20 November 2018.

Metagame Breakdown

15 Altergeist

10 Gouki

9 Sky Striker

8 Magician

6 Thunder Dragon

5 Trickstar

4 Subterror

3 Gandora-X FTK

2 Lair Infernoid

2 Link Doppel

2 Zefra

1 Artifact Meta Beat

1 Phantasm Spiral

1 World Chalice

Altergeist

Tsujimura Ryosuke “ひつじ”, 2017 World Champion, went 6-1-1 and finished 1st in “7th MCS with Hatti CS” (Team 3v3) which had 36 teams (108 participants).

He ran PSY-Framegear Gamma in the Main Deck to improve the match-up against Gouki.

In his Side Deck are 3 Illusion Dragon Phantazmei and 2 Iron Dragon Tiamaton.

Tiamaton has a powerful effect but has been difficult to pull off due to its demanding condition. But with the assistance from Illusion Dragon Phantazmei, Tiamaton becomes much easier to Special Summon. This is discussed indepth in the Iron Dragon Tiamaton article.

Gouki

Teibi@JYT (ていび@JYT) went 6-1 and finished 1st in “3rd Center CS with OCSGP Challenge” which had 56 participants.

Using Neo-Spacian Aqua Dolphin with Topologic Gumblar Dragon to accomplish the 6-cards discard is now the current primary gameplan for Gouki.

Gouki players are also increasing to 3 copies of Equipment Spell for Isolde, Two Tales of the Noble Knights to Special Summon Neo-Spacian Aqua Dolphin.

The presence of Aqua Dolphin caused a shift in the choices of ‘Hand Trap’ as players are cutting down on Ghost Belle & Haunted Mansion and Ghost Ogre & Snow Rabbit. Instead we are seeing more Effect Veiler and PSY-Framegear Gamma which can not only negate M-X-Saber Invoker and Isolde, Two Tales of the Noble Knights, but can be chained to Aqua Dolphin’s effect as well.

Sky Striker

Game Watch (ゲームウォッチ) went 7-1 and finished 1st in “4th Hitsuji CS with Hatti CS” which had 88 participants.

Sky Striker is slowly losing appeal as the deck stagnant with a lack of new cards from Savage Strike.

It no longer has the lead in card advantage especially with many decks being able to run Pot of Indulgence.

Magician

Nanase (七瀬) went 6-1-1 and finished 2nd in “7th MCS with Hatti CS” (Team 3v3) which had 36 teams (108 participants).

Ghost Reaper & Winter Cherries is also seeing a return against Gouki, mainly to hit Firewall Dragon and Crystron Needlefiber.

It has the advantage of being able to be chained to Aqua Dolphin’s effect.

Conclusion

This week saw a huge spike in Altergeist, overtaking Gouki and Sky Striker.

Thunder Dragon is showing good result this week with the addition of The Lone Wolf from Savage Strike. The Lone Wolf synergies with Thunder Dragondark, Thunder Dragonroar and Thunder Dragonhawk, helping the deck to starts its flow and also recuperating resources later on.

The Lone Wolf and Illusion Dragon Phantazmei are also DARK monsters, enabling Thunder Dragon to run 3 Allure of Darkness with ease. With a stronger focus on DARK monsters, Thunder Dragon are also running Gozen Match in the Main Deck.

If you enjoyed these Weekly Metagame Reports, do consider supporting Road of the King on Patreon. Thank you.

https://roadoftheking.com/ocg-2018-10-metagame-report-7/

Ryusei the Morning Star · December 4, 2018

Asia Championship Winter 2019 Singapore Qualifier

The Asia Championship Winter 2019 Singapore Qualifier was held during 1 – 2 December 2018 and had a total of 86 participants.

Metagame Breakdown

The bulk of the metagame is made up of Sky Striker, Gouki, Trickstar and Altergeist.

They performed equally well in the Swiss Rounds with 3 Sky Striker, 5 Gouki, 4 Trickstar and 2 Altergeist making the Top 16 cutoff.

The last 2 slots were taken by 1 Six Samurai and 1 Phantom Knights.

Results

1st Choo Wee Min Trickstar

2nd Ryan Peh Six Samurai

3 – 4th

Yong Qian Rui Sky Striker

Bryan Tew Gouki

5 – 8th

Shuan Lin Altergeist

Peh Jun Yong Sky Striker

Wallace Wee Gouki

Ho Yun Kang Sky Striker

Sky Striker, Gouki, Trickstar and Altergeist managed to proceed to the Top 8, and they were joined by the last Six Samurai.

Ryan Peh with his Six Samurai had two amazing games during his Quarter-Final and Semi-Final matches.

In his Quarter-Final match, he had Great General of the Six Samurai and Gateway of the Six on the field, allowing him to generate 9000 Bishido Counters by looping Legendary Six Samurai – Shinai and Legendary Six Samurai – Mizuho. This result in a Six Samurai monster with an incredibly huge ATK which attacked for the game.

In the Semi-Final match, Bryan with his Gouki took on the Maxx “C” challenge, but could only made Ryan drew till his second-last card. Ryan on his turn opened with 3 Gateway of the Six and went off with the loop combo to generate 9000 Bishido Counters on each of his Gateway of the Six. This followed with looping the 2 Legendary Six Samurai – Mizuho to destroy all of Bryan’s monsters, before attacking with a massive Six Samurai monster.

The Final match came down to Wee Min and his Trickstar against Ryan and his Six Samurai.

Unfortunately Ryan bricked in both games as he drew a hand full of Gateway and Equip Spells.

The match was over shortly as Wee Min went for a quick beatdown in both games.

1st, Choo Wee Min [Trickstar]

Source: Asia Championship Winter 2019 Singapore Qualifier

2nd, Ryan Peh [six Samurai]

Source: Asia Championship Winter 2019 Singapore Qualifier

3 – 4th, Yong Qian Rui [sky Striker]

Source: Asia Championship Winter 2019 Singapore Qualifier

3 – 4th, Bryan Tew [Gouki]

Source: Asia Championship Winter 2019 Singapore Qualifier

https://roadoftheking.com/asia-championship-winter-2019-singapore-qualifier/

Ryusei the Morning Star · December 8, 2018

YOT Hong Kong 2018: Feature Match Swiss Round 2

In the round 2 of Swiss, we have Liang Xiangming from China on the left running Zefra going up against Hiroshi Odate from Philippines running Sky Striker.

Hiroshi is a veteran duelist who have participated in Asia Championship 2017 and Asia Championship 2018. His recent achievement involves getting Top 8 in YOT Taiwan 2018.

Duel 1

Hiroshi went first and opened with a typical opening, finishing with Sky Striker Ace – Shizuku adding Sky Striker Mobilize – Engage! to hand.

Xiangming lead off with the standard Zefra combo of Supreme King Dragon Darkwurm and Zefraath. Hiroshi threw out Maxx “C” mid-combo, but Xiangming take up the challenge and push through with Heavymetalfoes Electrumite and follow with Pendulum Summoning 5 monsters.

However, Hiroshi had Effect Veiler and Ash Blossom & Joyous Spring to disrupt Xiangming, leaving Xiangming with a weaker board.

Borrelsword Dragon was stopped by Sky Striker Ace – Kaina, allowing Hiroshi to survive the turn.

The cards drawn off Maxx “C” allowed Hiroshi to clear the Zefra board with a combination of Engage for Sky Striker Maneuver – Afterburners! and Sky Striker Maneuver – Jamming Waves!.

Hiroshi went with his own Borrelsword combo leading to a quick concede from Xiangming.

Liang Xiangming [Zefra] 0 – 1 Hiroshi Odate [sky Striker]

Duel 2

Xiangming went first but was stopped by a Typhoon destroying his Zefraath.

Hiroshi had a slow turn too as his Raye was negated by PSY-Framegear Gamma when activating its Quick Effect.

Xiangming Pendulum Summoned Zefraniu, Secret of the Yang Zing, but it was negated by Sky Striker Mecha – Widow Anchor.

Hiroshi went for Crystron Needlefiber using Glow-Up Bulb, but it was negated Effect Veiler.

Hiroshi scooped to go into Game 3.

Liang Xiangming [Zefra] 1 – 1 Hiroshi Odate [sky Striker]

Duel 3

Hiroshi opened the turn with Engage and finished with Shizuku and 3 set cards to the backrow. Kagari took back Engage, allowing Shizuku to fetch another Engage during the End Phase.

Xiangming activated Twin Twister targeting 2 Spell/Trap and Hiroshi chained with them, activating Sky Striker Mecha – Eagle Booster first and then Twin Twisters, discarding Afterburner.

Hiroshi intended to used Twin Twisters to destroy itself and Eagle Booster, and that would give him 3 Spells in the graveyard, giving Eagle Booster the extra bonus effect.

However, Twin Twisters cannot be activated to destroy itself, resulting in a wasted move for Hiroshi.

Xiangming wasn’t able to do much for the rest of his turn.

He merely took out the last Spell/Trap using Yazi, Evil of the Yang Zing, but that costed him half his LP using Destrudo the Lost Dragon’s Frisson.

Electrumite gave him Ritual Beast Tamer Zefrawendi, and it attacked into Shizuku, destroying itself. That allowed him to Special Summon Dinowrestler Pankratops during Main Phase 2.

During Hiroshi’s turn, Xiangming activate Called by the Grave in Chain 1 to banish Raye, and then Pankratops in Chain 2 to destroy Shizuku.

That left Hiroshi with nothing to play on his turn.

Xiangming Normal Summoned Zefrawendi but its effect is negated by Effect Veiler.

Xiangming extends his hand as he was unable to deal enough damage after time was called.

Liang Xiangming [Zefra] 1 – 2 Hiroshi Odate [sky Striker]

https://ygoevents.wordpress.com/2018/12/08/yot-hong-kong-2018-feature-match-swiss-round-2/

Ryusei the Morning Star · December 8, 2018

YOT Hong Kong 2018: Feature Match Swiss Round 5

We are halfway into the tournament and here are two players currently at 3-1.

On the left is Zheng Ze Bin from China using Gouki, and on the right is Wang Chia Ching from Taiwan playing Trickstar.

Wang Chia Ching is the current 2018 World Champion and he is here wearing his World Championship 2018 shirt.

Duel 1

Ze Bin went first and opened with M-X-Saber Invoker which followed into Isolde, Two Tales of the Noble Knights.

After Gouki Twistcobra and SPYRAL Super Agent were added to hand, Chia Ching threw out a Droll & Lock Bird.

Isolde sent 3 Equip Spells to the graveyard to Special Summon Neo-Spacian Aqua Dolphin.

Aqua Dolphin’s effect was activated by sending Destrudo the Lost Dragon’s Frisson and that saw a concede from Chia Ching.

Zheng Ze Bin [Gouki] 1 – 0 Wang Chia Ching [Trickstar]

Duel 2

Chia Ching went first and opened by setting a Trap card. He considered for a moment before summoning Trickstar Lycoris and ended his turn.

Ze Bin tried to setup his play but was heavily disrupted along the way. Destrudo from hand was banished

by Trickstar Reincarnation, Mathematician was negated by Effect Veiler, and there was even a Maxx “C”.

Ze Bin decided not to give his opponent any cards and ended his turn.

Chia Ching simply followed up with a Crystron Needlefiber into Borrelsword Dragon and finished the game.

Zheng Ze Bin [Gouki] 1 – 1 Wang Chia Ching [Trickstar]

Duel 3

Ze Bin went first and opened into Isolde, which was met with a Ghost Ogre & Snow Rabbit.

However he had a Soul Charge and was able to follow up into Aqua Dolphin.

Aqua Dolphin revealed Chia Ching had a terrible opening hand including Psyframe Driver and Speedroid Taketomborg.

Ze Bin continued for a few more moves before Chia Ching concedes.

Zheng Ze Bin [Gouki] 2 – 1 Wang Chia Ching [Trickstar]

This was a fast game between both players but unfortunately Chia Ching fell to a poor opening hand.

https://ygoevents.wordpress.com/2018/12/08/yot-hong-kong-2018-feature-match-swiss-round-5/

Ryusei the Morning Star · December 9, 2018

YOT Hong Kong 2018: Feature Match Swiss Round 7

This is the second-last round of Swiss and we have two players currently at 6-0 at Table 2.

On the left is Luo Hao Ming from China playing Trickstar, and on the right is Lam Wai Hong from Hong Kong playing Greener Infernoid.

Duel 1

Hao Ming went first and opened with Trickstar Candina for Trickstar Light Stage which then got Trickstar Lycoris. Two Spell/Trap were set before passing the turn.

Wai Hong starts with Pot of Indulgence to draw 2 cards. Infernoid Patrulea followed and took out Solemn Warning, but a second Warning was able to negate Monster Gate. Wai Hong set 3 cards and pass the turn.

Hao Ming looped back Candina with Lycoris but when Candina was Normal Summoned, its effect was met with a Psy-Framegear Gamma.

That Grass Looks Greener gave Wai Hong the resources to counterattack by Special Summoning Infernoids from his graveyard.

Ghost Ogre during the End of the Battle Phase forced Seitsemas to tribute itself.

Hao Ming set Steam the Cloak which was taken out by Devyaty. Steam’s effect was going to be negated by Devyaty but a Ghost Belle stopped it.

Wai Hong brought back both Seitsemas and Devyaty before ending the turn.

Steam tried to revived itself by tributing the token but was banished by Seisemas.

Hao Ming drew Light Stage and that fetched him Candina, but it was negated by Infinite Impermanence.

Devyaty took out Candina, and Scapegoat bought Hao Ming another turn.

The Sheep Tokens and a Normal Summon brought out Borrelsword Dragon for Hao Ming and that finally took out Devyaty.

However, that allowed Wai Hong to play Void Imagination and to Fusion Summon Infernoid Tierra using materials from the deck.

A quick Link Summon frees up the board for Wai Hong to special summon more Infernoids from the graveyard to attack for the game.

Luo Hao Ming [Trickstar] 0 -1 Lam Wai Hong [Greener Infernoid]

Duel 2

Hao Ming had Wai Hong go first and he had a slow opening with Card Destruction and then One for One for Decatron.

Hao Ming went all out on his turn using double Lycoris for Cherubini, Black Angel of the Burning Abyss to get 2 Tokens by sending Dandylion.

That allowed him to flood his board fast through Knightmare Goblin to Normal Summon Candina again.

The full combo was only able to bring Wai Hong down to 700 LP, which went down to 300 LP during his draw phase due to Lycoris.

Wai Hong came back into the game by activating Void Imagination again and that turned the tables.

Hao Ming drew and concede the game as he could not overcome the overwhelming advantage.

Luo Hao Ming [Trickstar] 0 -2 Lam Wai Hong [Greener Infernoid]

Hao Ming overextended in Game 2 and that allowed Wai Hong to take advantage of Void Imagination to mount a massive comeback.

https://ygoevents.wordpress.com/2018/12/08/yot-hong-kong-2018-feature-match-swiss-round-7/

Ryusei the Morning Star · December 9, 2018

https://ygoevents.wordpress.com/2018/12/09/yot-hong-kong-2018-metagame-breakdown/

Ryusei the Morning Star · December 12, 2018

YOT Hong Kong 2018: Feature Match Round of 64

Welcome to Day 2 of YOT Hong Kong 2018.

On the left we have Thai Kok Jing from Malaysia using Sky Striker, and on the right is Tian YongKang from China using Phantom Knight Orcust.

Kok Jing went first and opened with the standard Sky Striker Ace – Shizuku to add Sky Striker Mobilize – Engage! to hand.

YongKang went off with an explosive turn, using a variety of Crystron Needlefiber, Knightmare Mermaid and The Phantom Knights of Rusty Bardiche to continuously Special Summon monsters and allowing him to develop the board.

Kok Jing had Effect Veiler for Needlefiber, but YongKang was still able to power through. The second Effect Veiler tried to negate Rusty Bardiche and that forced out Called by the Grave.

Rusty Bardiche destroyed Shizuku, and The Phantom Knights of Break Sword tried to destroy the Raye that returned, forcing it to switch to Kagari.

Rusty Bardiche attacked Kagari and Break Sword went for a direct attack. 2 Spell/Trap were set before ending the turn.

Kok Jing Jamming Wave hitting Called by the Grave which was chained to banish Raye. Another Raye was summoned to make Kagari, which was promptly negated by Phantom Knights’ Fog Blade.

He followed with playing 2 Widow Anchor in a Chain to take control of both Rusty Bardiche and Break Sword, switched Kagari to Hayate and attacked with all.

As Kok Jing tried to make a Link Summon, his opponent points out that Rusty Bardiche cannot be used as a Link Material.

Kok Jing could only make Shizuku and return both monsters to his opponent.

The next turn saw Break Sword took out Shizuku and Raye could not return due to the previous turn Called by the Grave, giving YongKang an open board to attack for game.

Thai Kok Jing [sky Striker] 0 – 1 Tian YongKang [Phantom Knight Orcust]

Duel 2

Kok Jing opened with another Shizuku for Engage opening, but this time it was done using Hornet Drones.

On YongKang turn, Kok Jing had a Maxx “C” but it was negated by Ash Blossom.

A Crystron Needlefiber and Knightmare Mermaid later, he pulled off the same Rusty Bardiche and Break Sword, destroying Shizuku.

Borrelsword Dragon was brought out and then reviving Break Sword allowed YongKang to pull off an OTK right on the second turn.

YongKang with his unique Phantom Knight Orcust deck moved onto the Top 32!

https://ygoevents.wordpress.com/2018/12/09/yot-hong-kong-2018-feature-match-round-of-64/

Ryusei the Morning Star · December 12, 2018

YOT Hong Kong 2018: Feature Match Round of 16

We are one game away from the Top 8.

On the left is Leung Chin Lam playing Subterror and on the right is Poon Chun Kit playing Six Samurai.

Both players are from Hong Kong.

Duel 1

Chin Lam went first and opened with double Gateway of the Six and a Legendary Six Samurai – Shinai.

He activated the effect of Gateway to add a Six Samurai monster but was stopped by a Ghost Ogre & Snow Rabbit.

Chin Lam opened with The Hidden City but it was negated by Ash Blossom. He set a monster and 3 Spell/Trap before ending the turn.

Chin Lam was able to control the game with Subterror Guru and Subterror Fiendess.

Having his Shien’s Smoke Signal negatd by Fiendess caused Chun Kit to make a quick scoop.

Leung Chin Lam [subterror] 1 – 0 Poon Chun Kit [six Samurai]

Duel 2

Chun Kit went first and had Gateway to pull off his combo.

An Outer Entity Azathot followed by Great General of the Six Samurai saw Chin Lam concedes knowing well that Chun Kit is going infinite.

Duel 3

Chin Lam went first and was able to setup his Guru and backrow.

Chun Kit tried to start his combo but was stopped by Gozen Match.

With no outs to Gozen Match, Chun Kit was slowly grinded out by Guru.

Chin Lam makes the Top 8 with his Subterror, using an apt Gozen Match to lock out the Six Samurai opponent.

https://ygoevents.wordpress.com/2018/12/09/yot-hong-kong-2018-feature-match-round-of-16/

Ryusei the Morning Star · December 12, 2018

YOT Hong Kong 2018: Feature Match Final

Our final two is Mok Hou Teng playing Magician and Li Zi Hao playing Trickstar Link.

Hou Teng is from Hong Kong while Zi Hao is from China.

Duel 1

Hou Teng went first but thought for a moment before deciding to pass the turn with no play.

Zi Hao opened with Trickstar Calobane and Blackwing – Steam the Cloak, allowing him to go into Borrelsword Dragon through Crystron Needlefiber and Glow-Up Bulb.

Borrelsword Dragon attacked for 3000 damage and “Steam Token” attacked for 100 damage.

Borrelsword Dragon changed “Steam Token” to Defence Position and attacked again for 3000 damage.

“Steam Token” was tributed for Linkuriboh which attacked for 300 damage.

Finally Emergency Teleport brought out Psychic Tracker to deal the game winning 1600 damage.

Mok Hou Teng [Magician] 0 – 1 Li Zi Hao [Trickstar Link]

Duel 2

Zi Hao opened with Trickstar Candina for Trickstar Reincarnation and set a card before ending the turn.

Hou Teng Special Summon Dinowrestler Pankratops, Normal Summoned Timegazer Magician and then activate Purple Poison Magician as a Pendulum Scale.

Pankratops attacked Candina, which was bounced back to hand by Lycoris. Lycoris was taken out instead.

Timegazer Magician then attacked and was ATK boosted by Purple Poison Magician‘s Pendulum Effect.

Purple Poison’s destruction allowed Chronograph Sorcerer to Special Summon itself, and then Special Summon Ghost Ogre & Snow Rabbit from the hand.

Chronograph joined in the attack after Timegazer.

Ghost Ogre and Timegazer were used to Link Summon Crystron Needlefiber, whose effect brought out Psy-Framegear Gamma.

On Zi Hao’s turn, he Special Summoned his own Dinowrestler Pankratops and it was joined by Trickstar Candina. Candina’s effect was negated by Effect Veiler.

Zi Hao wanted to move to the Battle Phase, but Hou Teng took the priority to activate Needlefiber, prompting a Maxx “C” from Zi Hao.

Formula Synchron was Special Summoned and then it was used to Synchro Summon Supreme King Dragon Clear Wing.

Zi Hao chained with Pankratops’ effect to destroy his opponent’s Pankratops before his monsters are wiped out by Supreme King Dragon Clear Wing‘s effect.

Hou Teng summoned Luster Pendulum, the Dracoslayer and attacked with all, forcing Zi Hao to activate Reincarnation, and then banish it from the graveyard to bring back Lycoris to block an attack.

With a Steam the Cloak and Psychic Wheelder, Cherubini, Black Angel of the Burning Abyss was Link Summoned and its effect sent Dandylion, giving Zi Hao a lot of tokens to go off with his Link spam.