After a bad run in Houston, Shane Scurry is back on top of his game, finishing second at the end of day 1. His opponent today is Joseph Parchman from Team RIW. Primarily known for their accomplishments in VS System, RIW is now breaking into the upper echelons of SJC play as well.

Joseph won the roll and elected go first, summoning Card Trooper and dropping Dimension Fusion, among other things. He set a spell or trap and passed to Shane, who special summoned Cyber Dragon and attacked. Before he could get to the battle phase, however, Threatening Roar stopped his Dragon. Shane then set a card to each zone and passed over to Joseph who used Trooper again, this time hitting a Destiny Hero — Malicious. He removed it to summon a second Malicious and activated Reasoning. Shane called 8, but the third Malicious came off the top of the deck. Rough. Card Trooper swung on Shane’s set monster, but Sakuretsu Armor destroyed it and allowed Joseph to draw. He set a spell or trap and passed over to Shane who had two Monarchs, Heavy Storm, and another Sakuretsu Armor in his hand.

Shane flipped his set Legendary Jujitsu Master and attacked both Malicious before tributing the Master for Thestalos the Firestorm Monarch! Thestalos relieved Joseph of Monster Gate, and Shane set a spell or trap before passing. Joseph set his hand aside to have a good look at his graveyard before summoning Strike Ninja and activating Lightning Vortex, discarding Destiny Draw. The Ninja swung on Shane, but his Sakuretsu was useless since Joseph could dodge it. He took the damage and bided his time. Shane simply passed his next turn, and Joseph attacked again. Shane flipped the Armor this time and Joseph was forced to dodge. Ninja returned in the end phase, and Shane stole him with Brain Control. Mobius the Frost Monarch came down to destroy Joseph’s set Heavy Storm and the Monarch connected for 2400! Shane set a spell or trap and passed, now firmly in control of the game.

Joseph summoned Destiny Hero — Diamond Dude and missed on his effect before passing his turn. The Dude was obliterated by Mobius, and Shane set a monster. Joseph picked up his next card and activated Reasoning. Shane called 8 again, but was wrong again as well. Card Trooper came off the deck and Joseph contemplated what position he wanted it in. He settled on defense and dropped Destiny Hero — Dasher, Elemental Hero Stratos, and Reinforcement of the Army into the graveyard. He ended his turn and Shane flipped Gravekeeper’s Spy to fetch another. This was enough to earn the scoop from Joseph, and the players dug into their side decks for game 2.

Both players smoke-screened between games, and, when all was said and done, Joseph opted to start again. He started things off with a set spell or trap and passed over to Shane who had a Monarch flood hand. Shane set a spell or trap as well and passed back to Joseph who summoned Card Trooper and knocked a Threatening Roar, a Lightning Vortex, and a Strike Ninja off his deck. The Trooper hit for 1900 and Joseph passed his turn. Shane summoned Hydrogeddon, but Threatening Roar stopped him from capitalizing on the puny Trooper. He ended without further plays and action was back to Joseph. Joseph activated Card Trooper again, sending Reinforcement of the Army, Torrential Tribute, and Dasher to the graveyard before swinging in on the ‘Geddon. Enemy Controller stopped him from connecting, however, and now he was in a bit of a pinch. Joseph set a spell or trap and ended his turn, prompting Scurry to try again with his Hydrogeddon’s attack. It succeeded this time, drawing a card for Joseph and allowing Shane to fetch another Hydrogeddon. “I hope the third one is in your hand,” remarked Joseph implying that he was likely to need to leave a weak monster on the field next turn. Shane then set Gravekeeper’s Spy and a spell or trap and passed his turn. Dasher’s effect was activated during Joseph’s draw phase to special summon a freshly drawn Dasher. He was joined by Stratos, and Stratos’ effect targeted Shane’s set Book of Moon. The Book knocked Dasher down into defense mode, and Joseph was visibly displeased. Still, he tributed the Dasher to Monster Gate and found himself the third Dasher!

Joseph took out both Hydrogeddons, and Dasher switched to defense mode at the end of the battle phase. Joseph signified the end of the turn and Shane flipped Gravekeeper’s Spy. He then used Snatch Steal to take Dasher and Brain Control to steal Stratos before tributing a Spy for Thestalos and dropping Divine Sword — Phoenix Blade from Joseph’s hand. Shane attacked with everything and the game was over! Shane Scurry advances to the Top 8, defeating Joseph Parchman 2-0!