Relative newcomer Cody Miller, who we featured earlier yesterday, was now facing veteran duelist Jonathan Labounty of Team Rampage (and now, the new team YugiohETC). This match pitted two Machine beatdown decks against each other, so action was going to be fast and furious.

Miller opened with a set card to each zone. Labounty summoned Spirit Reaper, activated Nobleman of Crossout, and attacked into Ring of Destruction. He set a spell or trap, Miller attacked with Reaper, and Labounty lost his Brain Control, a huge hit that might make Reaper even more troublesome. “I end,” declared Miller.

Labounty’s set card was Call of the Haunted. He special summoned Cyber Dragon, normal summoned Cyber Phoenix, and attacked twice against Reaper to drop Miller to 5000 life points. Miller tributed Reaper for Jinzo, attacked through Cyber Phoenix after a brief moment’s hesitation, then set a spell or trap card.

Card Trooper came down for Labounty. He boosted its ATK to 1900 and attacked with Cyber Dragon. Limiter Removal boosted its ATK in the damage step! Jinzo went down and Trooper attacked directly. A replay was triggered, as Miller brought back Jinzo with Call of the Haunted. Card Trooper took it down, and Call of the Haunted flipped on Labounty’s side to special summon Cyber Phoenix for another attack!

He activated Confiscation next, revealing Miller’s hand of Limiter Removal, Snatch Steal, and Cyber Dragon. It was 600 to 5200, and Cyber Phoenix would render Miller’s Snatch Steal a dead card. Cyber Dragon was discarded and, when Labounty ended his turn, Limiter Removal destroyed Jinzo and Card Trooper.

Miller set a card to each zone, and Labounty summoned Sangan. “That’s game,” stated Miller, scooping his cards. His set monster was Sangan as well, and he could do nothing to defend himself.

Jonathan Labounty takes the first duel in mere minutes! Both duelists did some intense side decking.

“I had Limiter in my hand, and if I’d set it, none of that would have happened.” Miller was frustrated with himself. “I am so mad. I even thought of setting it.”

Miller opened by summoning Cyber Phoenix and setting a spell or trap. Labounty special summoned Cyber Dragon, normal summoned Card Trooper, boosted it, and ran straight into Mirror Force! He set two back row cards and ended.

Miller normal summoned Card Trooper, boosted it, activated Premature Burial to special summon another, then attacked with one Card Trooper. Labounty let it through and took 3800 damage when Miller flipped Limiter Removal!

But it was a trap! When the next Trooper attacked, Labounty flipped Scapegoat, meaning Miller would lose all his Machines in the end phase without dealing any more damage! Miller didn’t attack any tokens, and next turn he lost his in-hand Cyber Dragon to Spirit Reaper. He set two cards to his back row, set a monster, and Labounty tributed his own Reaper for Jinzo. He attacked, hit Miller’s set Reaper, and tried to activate Snatch Steal, but it was ruled as an illegal play since Labounty didn’t have any open monster zones; Snatch Steal was turned face down and Reaper remained on the field.

Miller passed. Labounty passed back, and Miller activated Snatch Steal to take Jinzo. It attacked a Sheep, and Miller tributed it for a set monster in main phase 2. He set a spell or trap, Trap Dustshoot, and used it to send Labounty’s in-hand Snipe Hunter back to his deck as soon as Labounty drew for his turn.

Labounty summoned Sangan, attacked into the face-down defense mode Jinzo, and passed. He was just begging Miller to attack the Sangan with Jinzo, so he could get Snipe Hunter for the following turn. Labounty had 3700 life points to Miller’s 6900. Jinzo attacked Labounty’s Sangan, and he dropped to 2300 life points. Predictably, Labounty pulled Snipe Hunter.

He summoned it, discarded Gravekeeper’s Spy, and destroyed Jinzo with Snipe’s effect. He discarded Cyber Dragon next, targeting one of Miller’s set spell or trap cards, but Millar chained Call of the Haunted to target Jinzo; Labounty chained his own, bringing out his Jinzo and keeping Miller from special summoning! Miller’s Call of the Haunted was destroyed by Snipe’s shot, and Labounty attacked directly with both Snipe Hunter and Jinzo.

Miller special summoned Cyber Dragon and ran over Snipe Hunter. Labounty’s Jinzo attacked Cyber Dragon next turn. Confiscation robbed Miller of his in-hand Nobleman of Crossout and Labounty ended.

A set monster was Miller’s only move. Labounty set a spell or trap, Jinzo attacked Miller’s face-down Card Trooper, and Miller looked downright glum. He summoned Snipe Hunter, discarded Heavy Storm for its effect, destroyed Jinzo, and attacked a Sheep Token. Labounty still had two.

He activated Heavy Storm, and brought out Chimeratech Overdragon with Overload Fusion! It had 4000 ATK, not quite enough to finish Miller off. It destroyed everything on Labounty’s field, attacked through Snipe Hunter, and Labounty ended his turn.

Miller had one turn to topdeck his way out of his predicament, but all he drew was Machine Duplication. Next turn the Chimeratech attacked directly and it was all over.

Jonathan Labounty moves on to the Finals!