When I came to the venue yesterday to get some trading in, I said to myself “someone is going to give me a great deal for my Eradicator Epidemic Virus, and it’s going to be because of the new ruling on Fusilier Dragon, the Dual-Mode Beast.” I was absolutely correct, and, in fact, Tray Massengale was one of the players who expressed an interest in trading for it. He unfortunately didn’t manage to get any copies of the Epidemic Virus, but it didn’t stop him from bringing Virus control to Nationals today. Turns out, the lack of Eradicator Epidemic Virus hasn’t been that big of a deal, and Tray is now 2-0 going into the third round against previous SJC Day 2 competitor Jordan Nasser. Nasser is running a highly anti-meta Gadget deck with plenty of remove from play and special summon blocking tech to try and beat the top decks, including one card choice that no one is expecting.

Nasser won the roll and opened with a set spell or trap. Tray did the same, but lost his to Mystical Space Typhoon next turn. Banisher of the Radiance came down for Nasser and hit for 1600 before passing over the Tray, who simply set two spell or traps and passed. Banisher swung again and Nasser passed over to Jordan who tried to special summon Cyber Dragon. Bottomless Trap Hole flipped and threatened to remove the Dragon from play, but as the first playable monster he had achieved all game, Tray was reluctant to let it go. He did, however, and Banisher got another free hit next turn. Nasser set two spell or traps, and Tray threw down Brain Control to try and steal Banisher, but Book of Moon saved it from theft! Tray had to get rid of the Banisher, and he summoned D.D. Crow to do the job! Tray finished with a third spell or trap, and Nasser tossed down Fossil Dyna Pachycephalo! Torrential Tribute wiped the field in response, and Nasser set a second spell or trap leaving the field at two set back row cards each.

D.D. Warrior Lady came down for Tray, but another Bottomless Trap Hole from Nasser elicited a Solemn Judgment from Tray. D.D. Warrior Lady swung, dealing the first damage to Nasser, and Doomcaliber Knight came down on Nasser’s side of the field! Fissure eliminated the Lady, and Nasser swung for game! Both players side decked between games, and Tray counted his side deck numerous times to make sure he had done his siding properly. Tray was up first for game 2, and he started with a set to each zone. Nasser set two spell or traps and passed over to Tray, who tributed his face-down Sangan for Raiza the Storm Monarch. Raiza targeted Nasser’s Torrential Tribute, and he chained it to blow away the Monarch. Sangan fetched out Snipe Hunter, and play was back to Nasser.

Fossil Dyna Pachycephalo came down for Nasser, and he swung directly for 1200 before passing. Snipe Hunter came down for Tray, and he pitched D.D. Warrior Lady to blow up Fossil Dyna before attacking into a Dimensional Prison! Tray passed, and another Fossil Dyna came down to bite him for 1200. Nasser set a spell or trap, and Tray set a monster. He really needed a Virus and fast. Banisher came down for Nasser, but it ran straight into Legendary Jujitsu Master! Banisher was spun away, but Fissure took down the Jujitsu Master in main phase 2. Tray set a card to each zone, and Nasser redrew the Banisher and dropped Red Gadget to fetch Yellow Gadget. The Gadget hit Tray’s set Ryko, and Fossil Dyna was destroyed. Dark Armed Dragon, Crush Card Virus, and Monster Reborn were lost to Ryko’s effect eliciting a huge frown from Tray, and Nasser passed. Cyber Dragon and Card Trooper came down next turn, and Trooper pumped up to take down Red Gadget. Cyber Dragon was lost to Dimensional Prison though, and Nasser was up. He flopped Storm off the deck, but Solemn Judgment negated it. Banisher came down, but was flipped by Book of Moon before it could wipe Card Trooper!

Trooper was tributed for Caius the Shadow Monarch next turn, and Banisher was removed from play! Nasser ate 2400 damage, and Tray set a spell or trap before passing. Nasser drew to 4 cards in hand and summoned Cyber Dragon and Yellow Gadget to fetch Green Gadget. Cyber Dragon attacked, but Deck Devastation Virus tributed its attack target before damage step to wipe the Gadgets from the field and Nasser’s hand. Cyber Dragon swung direct though, and Nasser set Shrink before passing. Tray looked at his next card, and then offered the handshake.