Jonathan Epstein is here today as part of the, as-of-now, local Team Omega. Dedicated to playing more unconventional builds, Epstein has opted to bring his own variant of The Six Samurai to the event today, but will it be able to stand up to Andres Ochoa’s Demise OTK? Both of these players have been quiet for quite a while now with no recent accomplishments, but they’re both looking to change that.

Jonathan won the roll, and he opted to start things off with a set spell or trap. Andres started out with Manju of the Ten Thousand Hands to fetch Demise, King of Armageddon to his hand and he declared an attack. Jonathan took 1400, and Andres set a spell or trap. Jonathan fired back with Cyber Dragon and Card Trooper, knocking Heavy Storm, another Cyber Dragon, and The Warrior Returning Alive, off his deck. Manju bit the dust and Card Trooper attacked directly before Jonathan set a spell or trap to finish out his turn.

Andres thought for a moment before summoning Senju of the Thousand Hands to fetch out another Demise from his deck. Just in case, I suppose. He then activated Advanced Ritual Art sending Insect Knight and Neo Bug to the graveyard to summon one of his copies of Demise. He activated the effect, and Jonathan chained with Bottomless Trap Hole! Andres had Royal Decree, but Jonathan chained to it with Ring of Destruction! The chain resolved backwards, and everything was gone, leaving Jonathan to draw for Card Trooper. Andres set a bluff Megamorph, but lost it to Mystical Space Typhoon next turn as Jonathan summoned The Six Samurai — Yaichi and attacked for game! Jonathan takes a quick game 1!

Andres took a long look at his side deck between games. He didn’t have it sleeved, so any changes would be easily noted. In the end, he opted to do nothing while Andres had already finished his side decking. He had the option of starting the second game, and he led off with two Doom Dozers, Metal Armored Bug, Advanced Ritual Art, Demise, King of Armageddon, and Premature Burial. He passed without a play and took 1700 damage from The Six Samurai — Irou next turn. Jonathan set a spell or trap, and passed back over to Andres, who activated his Advanced Ritual Art to send a pair of Insect Knights to the graveyard. Demise hit the field, and Andres activated his effect. Jonathan chained with Book of Moon to flip down Demise, and Andres continued with Doom Dozer and Manju of the Ten Thousand Hands! Manju pulled another Advanced Ritual Art, and Jonathan took 4200 damage from Andres’ attack. Doom Dozer’s effect knocked Lightning Vortex off the top of Jonathan’s deck (ouch!) and play returned to him. The Six Samurai — Zanji came down next, with Snatch Steal on Doom Dozer not far behind. Andres lost both of his monsters, and Jonathan set a spell or trap. Play was back to Andres, and he activated Premature Burial to pull back Demise. Demise blew up the world and Return of the Six Samurai was chained meaninglessly. The field was bare, and Andres activated Swords of Revealing Light to preempt a pounding from Jonathan. Jonathan set Zanji, but he was destroyed by Neo Bug next turn. Jonathan set another monster, and Winged Kuriboh was destroyed by the Neo Bug. Jonathan set a spell or trap next, but took the attack of Neo Bug this time. Swords was now over, and Jonathan took the opportunity to win the game. He started with The Warrior Returning Alive for The Six Samurai — Zanji, and followed it up with Grandmaster of the Six Samurai and Great Shogun Shien to take the game! Jonathan Epstein advances to 2-0 with his Six Samurai, defeating Andres Ochoa’s Demise OTK, 2-0!