In my opinion, the dark horse pick for success here this weekend is Dimensional Fissure and Macro Cosmos (which I’ll shorten to “Macro Cosmos” to make it a bit easier for discussion). With most players regarding Gadgets and Monarchs as the two big decks to beat, Macro Cosmos has an advantage over both: Monarchs lose their precious Treeborn Frog and Mystic Tomatoes, while the monster removal Gadget decks depend on is near-useless in the face of an immortal D.D. Survivor. The deck also has great matchups with Dark World and Chimeratech Overdragon, both of which rely on the graveyard for special summoning, and both of which are surprisingly popular here today.

Two things immediately stand out about this build. The first, as I mentioned before, is its dedication to its theme. While the only previous Top 8 build of this theme ran just one copy of Macro Cosmos, Herdzik and Moosman’s is packing three, as well as three Dimensional Fissure. Three D.D. Survivor ensure that the deck hits its key monster as often as possible, and a full retinue of D. D. Scout Plane ensures a viable backup plan. In true Moosman fashion, the deck has been crafted for reliability above all else. One match’s worth of bad luck can mean disaster in a Shonen Jump Championship, and it’s a fate that these two experienced veterans know all too well.

Monarchs? While many duelists who’ve run Macro Cosmos before have used D.D. Survivor more as a jumbo-sized Treeborn Frog than anything else, this build is far more focused on the otherworldly Warrior’s raw offensive potential: there’s just one copy of Mobius here, and no other tribute monsters aside from Cyber Dragon.

The second thing that strikes you when you see the full decklist is the low monster count. With 24-monster Monarch decks being so common as recently as three weeks ago, this deck’s sixteen monsters is somewhat surprising. Beyond the central lynchpins, the deck only runs Exiled Force, Gravekeeper’s Spy, Morphing Jar, and Breaker the Magical Warrior. Spy is an excellent Gadget-stopper, ensuring that Moosman and Herdzik have the time they need to properly set up. It’s a popular pick here today that I’ve been seeing all over the tournament floor. Breaker is self-explanatory, and Morphing Jar is filling its favorite role: draw support in a combo-reliant deck. Its inclusion is noteworthy, because in an environment where Dark World is a concern, this is probably the only deck that can safely run it.

Two Reinforcement of the Army help the deck dig towards D.D. Survivor and Exiled Force in the situations that demand them. While five Warriors might be the bare safe minimum for running a pair of Reinforcement, this deck has the advantage of being able to activate it as soon as it’s drawn: D.D. Survivor is an easy pick no matter what the situation, and if Exiled Force is needed immediately then it’s an even easier decision. The deck is simple, and that gives Reinforcement even higher utility than normal. Three Smashing Ground provide removal and simplification, but Enemy Controller’s a bit more interesting. Since the deck isn’t counting on tributing its Survivors and Scout Planes for Monarchs, it can often afford to burn them for Controller instead. An unpredicted monster theft is going to win games for these two duelists sometime today, guaranteed. Controllers can also fend off Hydrogeddon before Cosmos and Fissure come online, and can be used for the expected “hate on the little guy by turning him to attack position” plays.

The trap lineup is pretty straightforward: Bottomless Trap Hole has been chosen over Sakuretsu Armor, and cuts a much-feared Mobius the Frost Monarch off before it can create damage. It’s a smart main deck pick when many duelists have just swapped their Zaborg the Thunder Monarchs for Mobiuses in preparation for Gadgets. Three Solemn Judgment also help deal with the same problem, stopping anything that would threaten Macro Cosmos and Dimensional Fissure. If those cards go down, then the entire deck follows suit rather quickly after, so the value of Solemn is pretty obvious. The deck sacrifices Ring of Destruction to make room in the trap lineup, a veteran move that serves as further testament to the deck’s focus.

If you’re going to be with us all day, follow Herdzik and Moosman in the standings. I wouldn’t be surprised if we see them back tomorrow.