“Wassup Ballard?” Danny Magnin grinned as he took his seat. Both competitors in this Top 8 feature match were locals from St. Louis, and they have a long player history in tournaments in this area. “We’ve played ten times,” remarked Ballard. “And I’ve never beaten him!”
Ballard was playing the innovative Jinzo – Returner deck, garnering a lot of attention this weekend. Magnin is playing Gladiator Beasts with two copies of Elemental Hero Prisma. This would be our first chance to see how Ballard’s deck worked.
He won the opening roll, setting two cards to his back row and setting one monster to end. Magnin summoned Gladiator Beast Darius, attacked into Giant Germ, ate 500 damage, and his opponent pulled two more Germs from his deck. Magnin forgot to activate Darius’ effect, and set three cards to his back row. “I’m an idiot.”
He flipped Trap Dustshoot next turn, sending Dark Armed Dragon back to his opponent’s deck. Ballard was left holding Cyber Dragon, Brain Control, and Limiter Removal. He activated Brain Control, took Darius, then tributed Giant Germ for Cyber Dragon. All three monsters attacked.
Magnin flipped Mirror Force. “Solemn Judgment,” replied Ballard. “Solemn Judgment,” responded Magnin. “Crap,” replied Ballard. Magnin laughed, and the field was wiped. Ballard passed with just one card set and Limiter Removal in hand.
Magnin drew for his turn and activated Gladiator Proving Ground to find Laquari. He summoned it, Ballard activated Torrential Tribute, and play was to Ballard, who passed with an empty field. The duel stood at 3600 to 3750, with Magnin leading.
He summoned Elemental Hero Prisma, activated its effect to kick Bestiari to the ‘yard, then traded Prisma for Darius. Darius brought out Bestiari from the graveyard, Magnin contact Fused for Gyzarus, and attacked for 2400 damage! He tagged out Gyzarus for Darius in attack and Hoplomus in defense mode, using Darius to bring back Gladiator Beast Laquari. He contact Fused all three for Heraklinos and passed with one card in hand!
Ballard drew, and had Jinzo, Crush Card Virus, and Limiter Removal. He set two cards, but Magnin pressed with Heraklinos next turn for the win! “I can’t believe I screwed up with that Darius first turn. I got really lucky.”
Danny Magnin overcomes a huge misplay, sweeping the duel with Prisma, into Gyzarus, into Heraklinos! Both duelists sided decked quickly, with Ballard presenting his deck within 80 seconds.
“I shall go first,” announced Ballard. He set Crush Card Virus and Jinzo – Returner! He activated Crush Card Virus, and Magnin kept two Waboku, Mirror Force, and Secutor, but lost Laquari and Bestiari. He set one card to his back row and ended.
Ballard summoned Armageddon Knight and used its effect to send Jinzo to his graveyard. Armageddon Knight attacked for 1400 damage, and he ended his turn. “Pass to you,” replied Magnin.
Ballard exploded. He tributed Armageddon Knight for Jinzo, special summoned two Dark Armed Dragons, and removed Armageddon Knight to blow away Magnin’s one on-field card, before attacking for exactly 8000 damage!
Magnin blinked. “Well . . . wow. I’m not sure how I come back from that one.” He reeled, and Ballard had shuffled and presented his deck before Magnin had even begun to side.
He opened the third and final duel with two set cards to his back row, and a set monster. Next turn, Ballard played a blind Mystical Space Typhoon to destroy his opponent’s Waboku, special summoned Cyber Dragon, and set a monster. The blind Mystical Space Typhoon would be the beginning of the end.
Reinforcement of the Army let Magnin search for Elemental Hero Prisma, who quickly mimicked Gladiator Beast Bestiari to send the real Bestiari to the graveyard. Magnin flip summoned Gladiator Beast Hoplomus, and out came Gyzarus! Gyzarus blew away Cyber Dragon and Giant Germ, attacked for 2400 damage, and tagged out for Gladiator Beast Laquari and Darius. Darius got Bestiari from the graveyard, and all three Beasts were contact Fused for Heraklinos! “Please don’t DAD me? Pass to you.”
Ballard summoned Armageddon Knight, and sent Dark Magician of Chaos to the graveyard. “You’ve got DAD in your hand!” He paused. “You suck!” Ballard and Magnin both laughed. Ballard rammed Armageddon Knight into Heraklinos, but when he played Dark Armed Dragon Magnin suddenly got a serious look and flipped Solemn Judgment! Ballard was forced to pass, and next turn Magnin summoned Hoplomus, special summoned Test Tiger, and traded both for Gladiator Beast Laquari. With the damage Ballard suffered ramming Armageddon Knight, the 5100 ATK from Heraklinos and Laquari was enough for game.
The match draws to a quick close, as Gladiator Beasts defeat Jinzo – Returner, and Danny Magnin moves on to the Top 4!