Both players defeated their better-known opponents in the quarterfinals, placing them in a Squadron Mirror for the semifinals. Hironobu won the die roll, taking the coveted odd initiative, and led off with Ape X for Airskimmer. He then equipped Thunder Jet and passed to Yuuta, who played Joystick. A discarded Airskimmer sent Yuuta to 45. The following turn, Yuuta brought out Shape, which was met by a Melissa Gold ◊ Songbird, Sonic Carapace equipped with Image Inducer. An Airskimmer was discarded to send Shape into the protected Melissa Gold, and Joystick went into Ape X with a discarded Genis-Vell ◊ Photon, reducing Hironobu’s board while keeping his own and putting the endurance totals to 43-38 in his favor.
Turn 3 found a Lady Lark, Linda Lewis joining Hironobu’s field, while Yuuta played a Melissa Gold of his own. A discarded Airskimmer allowed Hironobu to send Lady Lark into Melissa Gold, who was reinforced with Joystick. This proved pointless when Other-Earth was played. Hironobu’s Melissa then attacked Shape, trying to earn some board position. This was negated by an empty hand and Panacea Potion on Shape during the recovery phase. This left Yuuta at 33 and Hironobu at 27.
Yuuta led off turn 4 with Golden Archer, followed by Enemy of My Enemy for Hawkeye, Clinton Barton from Hironobu. Yuuta played an Other-Earth of his own and declared Joystick into Lady Lark. Melissa Gold was sent into Hawkeye, who activated to stun Shape. Golden Archer went directly at Hironobu, bringing him down to 11 compared to Yuuta’s 22.
Yuuta thought for a long time before deciding to play Firestar, Hellion from the resource row, doing as much math as he could before committing. Just like every other game I watched in this tournament, Yuuta again hit Albert Gaines ◊ Nuke, keeping the pressure on Hironobu. Hironobu took his time to do some more math before sending Hawkeye at Nuke with the help of a Flying Kick, putting himself to 7 and Yuuta to 17. Firestar attacked Golden Archer, who burned Hironobu for 6, leaving him at 1 and Yuuta at 6. Before the end of the turn, Hironobu played Answer the Call for an Albert Gaines of his own.
Thinking hard before playing anything, Yuuta laid a resource and then played Golden Archer from the resource row that he then equipped with Image Inducer. Hironobu played Nuke and stunned Shape with Hawkeye before the big 2-drop could attack him. Yuuta’s Nuke attacked Hironobu’s. Hironobu then played Enemy of My Enemy in order to search out a power-up, emptying his hand in the process. Windstorm on Golden Archer attacked Firestar, and even with Firestar’s burn, the game was finished.
Yuuta took a 1-0 lead and the players shuffled up for the next game.
Game 2
Both players kept their hands, and Hironobu opened with Ape X, searching out and equipping Thunder Jet. Joystick came down with a Thunder Jet for Yuuta. He followed that with an Ape X of his own for an Airskimmer the following turn. Hironobu played Melissa Gold ◊ Songbird and equipped her with Image Inducer. A series of attacks stunned Hironobu’s board but Yuuta was able to keep his, leaving him at 47 to Hironobu’s 40.
Turn 3 brought a Lady Lark, Linda Lewis for Hironobu and a Shape for Yuuta. Other-Earth was played before Melissa Gold stunned Ape X, and Lady Lark stunned Shape, placing Yuuta at 30 to Hironobu’s 35. Golden Archer gave Yuuta a strong turn 4 play, which was answered for the second time this match with Enemy of My Enemy for a Hawkeye, Clinton Barton that Hironobu then played. Image Inducer was transferred to Hawkeye, and it was Yuuta’s turn to do some damage. Golden Archer attacked Lady Lark with a flipped Rocket Central and a power-up. Hawkeye stunned Shape before he could do anything, and Joystick attacked Hironobu’s Melissa. Panacea Potion recovered Yuuta’s Golden Archer, and Answer the Call and Panacea Potion were chained by Hironobu to recover his Lady Lark and search out Albert Gaines.
The following turn began with Hironobu at 17 to Yuuta’s 23, but he had Albert Gaines and an emptied hand to help even things out. Yuuta naturally played a Nuke of his own, and then passed. Melissa Gold stunned Joystick to break up an “L” formation, and Lady Lark was sent in to stun Golden Archer. The Nukes stunned each other, and a Panacea Potion prevented Hawkeye from attacking through the recovered Albert Gaines. A second Potion recovered Golden Archer, giving him a second +1ATK / +1DEF counter. Hironobu went into the next turn at 1 to Yuuta’s 7.
Turn 6 seemed anti-climactic, with Yuuta playing a Lady Lark, Linda Lewis and Hironobu only mustering Electric Eve. Yuuta revealed Other-Earth, causing Hironobu to pack up his cards. Yuuta won another game and advanced to the finals.