What better way to kick off a brand new environment at a formative time in this game’s history, than with a Lazaro Bellido feature match? As usual, the dynamic Canadian Shonen Jump Champ is packing innovation: a Card of Safe Return Lightsworn build he designed for Team Overdose, carried this weekend by Paul Levitin, Marco Cesario, and Lazaro’s brother Dale. In addition to Lightsworns, Lazaro was rocking the weekend’s hottest tech, the face-up Gladiator Beast Fusion deck.

His opponent is Jacob Marino, a local duelist from here in St. Louis. A 17 year-old college student, he’s playing a Plasma Control variant packing Horus the Black Flame Dragon and Jinzo for total negation. If Lazaro’s deck failed to go off early, Marino might be able to lock down Lazaro’s important monster effects, but if he couldn’t summon Plasma, his other key monsters would fall to Ryko, Lightsworn Hunter, and Celestia, Lightsworn Angel in short order.

Lazaro won the roll and opened with a hand of Necro Gardna, Wulf, Lightsworn Beast, Lumina, Lightsworn Summoner, Card of Safe Return, and two Lyla, Lightsworn Sorceress. He played Card of Safe Return, summoned Lyla, and sent Judgment Dragon, Celestia, Lightsworn Angel, and My Body as a Shield to the graveyard for Lyla’s end phase effect.

Marino swung next turn with Cyber Dragon and Sangan, clearing the field before setting one card to his back row. Lazaro summoned Lumina, Lightsworn Summoner, discarded Necro Gardna to special summon Lyla, Lightsworn Sorceress, and drew for Card of Safe Return. Lyla attacked Sangan, Marino fetched Snipe Hunter with its effect, and, when Lazaro activated Lyla’s effect in main phase 2, her target was chained: Dust Tornado, destroying Card of Safe Return. In the end phase Lazaro sent six cards from his deck to his graveyard, including Wulf, Lightsworn Beast! Wulf was summoned and Lazaro was done.

Next turn Snipe Hunter came down, pitching Horus the Black Flame Dragon LV8 to destroy Lumina — Marino was playing around Honest. Pot of Avarice was discarded to try and destroy Wulf, but missed. Cyber Dragon then took down Lyla. Marino set another spell or trap.

Wulf ran into it next turn: Sakuretsu Armor, which destroyed Lazaro’s big, free beatstick. It was the kind of simplification Lazaro’s deck thrives on. He summoned Judgment Dragon in main phase 2, paid 1000 life points to clear the field, set a monster, and ended. Marino set one spell or trap and passed back.

Lazaro flip summoned Ryko, Lightsworn Hunter, destroying his opponent’s set Magic Cylinder. Marino had 7300 life points remaining and Lazaro started running numbers: he summoned Lumina, discarded Lyla for her effect, and brought back another Lumina. He discarded Solar Recharge next, brought up Wulf, Lightsworn Beast as his fifth monster, and swung for exactly 7300 damage!

A stumble into Dust Tornado proves to be nearly meaningless, as Judgment Dragon and Ryko make for a quick win! Both competitors dove into their side decks, and game 2 began moments later.

“Wow, you’re not helpful,” remarked Marino, setting a monster and passing. Lazaro summoned Ehren, Lightsworn Monk and attacked into his opponent’s Treeborn Frog — Treeborn was sent back to Marino’s deck! Lazaro set one spell or trap and sent Judgment Dragon, Garoth, Lightsworn Warrior, and Card of Safe Return to the graveyard with Ehren’s effect. Marino could do nothing next turn but set another monster.

“Summon Lumina,” announced Lazaro next turn, discarding Lyla to bring back Garoth, Lightsworn Warrior. Ehren attacked, returning Sangan to Marino’s deck! Garoth and Lumina attacked for 2850 damage, and Lazaro was sending some cards to the ‘yard!

Lumina sent Lyla, Heavy Storm, and another Lumina to the graveyard: Garoth sent Premature Burial and Foolish Burial away, not scoring a draw for Lazaro. Ehren then sent Wulf, Sangan, and Solar Recharge to the graveyard. Garoth triggered, and kicked away Necro Gardna and Monster Reborn. No draws with Garoth, but that Wulf was pretty sweet.

Heavy Storm cleared away Lazaro’s Divine Wrath next turn, and Marino summoned D. D. Warrior Lady to try and attack Lumina: the attack was stopped by Necro Gardna. Next turn Lumina was tributed for Celestia, blowing away D. D. Warrior Lady, and, after grabbing a free draw with Celestia and Garoth, Lazaro swung for game!

Lazaro Bellido takes a decisive 2-0 victory, giving a thorough demonstration of the speed and aggression his newest deck is capable of!

Paul Levitin approached the feature match table with a grin. “What took you so long?” Dale Bellido joined him moments later: three of Overdose’s Lightsworn players had ended their matches in under ten minutes.