This round’s feature pits Overdose superstar, Kris Perovic, against national Top 4 competitor, Steven Arias.

Arias won the roll and chose to go first. Arias set one monster to start off his turn and backed it up with a face down spell or trap. Kris drew and examined his hand, electing to activate Reinforcement of the Army. He searched out Elemental Hero Stratos, and with it Destiny Hero — Diamond Dude. Perovic attacked into Mystic Tomato, which turned into Sangan, and passed his turn with six cards in hand and no backfield.

Arias drew for his turn and tributed Sangan to summon Zaborg the Thunder Monarch. The tributed Sangan added a Gravekeeper’s Spy to his hand. Zaborg attacked Stratos and Arias passed his turn. Kris drew Card Destruction and activated it, trading for a fresh six cards. Among Kris’ discards were two Destiny Hero — Malicious and Dark Magician of Chaos. He activated Heavy Storm and removed one Malicious to find another. Card Trooper was next out, and it pumped up to 1900 ATK. Reasoning was Kris’ next card. Arias called four, and Destiny Hero — Diamond Dude flopped straight from the deck to the graveyard. Lightning Vortex destroyed Zaborg, pitching Divine Sword — Phoenix Blade, which he retrieved, attaching it to the defense position Malicious, and swung in for 1900 with Card Trooper.

The life points stood at 5600 for Kris and 6100 for Arias. Arias summoned Hydrogeddon, which destroyed Malicious and the next Hydro took out Card Trooper. The final Hydrogeddon connected for 1600 and Arias set a second back row.

On Kris’ turn, he brought back the Phoenix Blade and used another Card Trooper. After using its effect, Kris hit one of the Hydro’s and set a back row. On Arias’ draw phase, Kris used Threatening Roar. Pot of Avarice came down for Arias, restocking his deck with recruiter monsters such as Mystic Tomato, Gravekeeper’s Spy and Hydrogeddon. He used Smashing Ground on the Card Trooper, and set a face down monster.

Premature Burial came down for Perovic who returned Dark Magician of Chaos to the field. The Magician brought Card Destruction back to Kris’ hand, and he played it and analyzed his new hand. With no Warriors left to bring back Phoenix Blade, Kris was running out of options fast. He attacked into one Hydrogeddon, set a monster and ended. Arias played Nobleman of Crossout on a Diamond Dude, but couldn’t get by the Magician! He set two back row cards and tributed a Hydro for Cyber Dragon. Kris drew and set a spell or trap. Arias simply flipped Ring of Destruction on his turn on Dark Magician of Chaos to end the duel.

Both players spent some time rearranging their decks for game 2. With twenty minutes remaining in the match, Kris began the next duel. Kris drew his opener and passed the turn. Arias sent Sangan his way, and on Kris’ turn he played Lightning Vortex on Sangan to discard Destiny Hero — Malicious. He removed the Malicious to find another one, and then tributed it for Jinzo. Another Malicious hit Perovic’s side of the field, and it was quickly tributed for Monster Gate. The Gate found Card Trooper, who pumped to 1900. Kris’ direct attacks were not blocked, and Arias dropped to 3700.

Arias destroyed the Jinzo with Smashing Ground, special summoned Cyber Dragon and normal summoned Spirit Reaper. Cyber took out the Trooper, and Reaper got in to discard Destiny Hero — Diamond Dude. Kris drew, set a backfield card and passed. On Arias’ draw, he used Threatening Roar, and Arias set a monster and switched Reaper to defense. Kris set another card to the back on his turn and Arias was up. His attacks from Reaper and Cyber Dragon were blocked by Mirror Force, and Kris passed his next turn. Arias hit him with Mystic Tomato and Legendary Jujitsu Master before beefing up his back row to two.

Kris played Reasoning, and Arias called eight. Kris hit Elemental Hero Stratos, searched for Destiny Hero — Diamond Dude and brought back his Phoenix Blade. He summoned the Diamond Dude and hit Destiny Draw from the top of his deck. He attached a Phoenix Blade to Diamond Dude and tributed it for Monster Gate, which found Card Trooper in defense mode. Phoenix Blade was bounced back to Perovic’s hand and attached to Stratos, along with two more Blades. Kris ended hoping for the best, but Arias had Smashing Ground and Zaborg the Thunder Monarch. Kris scooped them up in response.