Jeremy Renda is the hometown hero in this tournament. A Minnesota native, Jeremy just took his first loss last round to a Cedric Sequerra Crush Card Virus. His opponent is another player straight from Minneapolis. Dow “Dowster” Moua and Jeremy play each other at local tournaments, so they both know each other’s decks and playstyles inside and out. Both players realized the importance of this match though, as a win would almost guarantee them a spot in the Top 16.
Jeremy won the roll and elected to go first. He did so by setting a card to each zone. Heavy Storm flopped for Dow, and he played Reasoning afterward. Jeremy called 8, and, after losing two Dark Armed Dragons and Dimension Fusion, Dow revealed Dark Magician of Chaos. Dow played Monster Reborn though, and with the Magician’s effect recovered Dimension Fusion. The Magician removed Spirit of the Six Samurai from play and Dow passed with no set spell or traps.
Jeremy was up now and played Six Samurai United. He summoned The Six Samurai – Zanji, popped his United for one card, and played Swords of Revealing Light before passing. Dow did nothing with his turn, and Jeremy drew into Cyber Dragon, a huge card to draw considering he had Brain Control in hand and no other way to take out Dark Magician of Chaos. Dow could simply get the Magician back with Dimension Fusion though, so Jeremy had to weigh his options. Eventually he decided to make the play, playing Brain Control and dropping Dow to 3400 with his attacks. Next he used the Magician to tribute summon Cyber Dragon.
Dow played another copy of Reasoning. Jeremy called four which took care of the Destiny Hero – Diamond Dude Dow picked up. Dow knew he didn’t have much time to play the Dimension Fusion, but that Swords of Revealing Light was really disabling his ability to win the game. He played Lightning Vortex though, destroying both of Jeremy’s monsters before playing Dimension Fusion. He took back E – Emergency Call to take Elemental Hero Stratos from his deck. Premature Burial revived Destiny Hero – Diamond Dude whose effect hit a Brain Control. Stratos was summoned to destroy the Swords, and Dow attacked to drop Jeremy to 1200. Jeremy’s only play was to lose The Six Samurai – Irou in battle and special summon Enishi, Shien’s Chancellor to remove the Magician. Dow didn’t forget his Brain Control from the last turn though, and that ended game 1.
“Well I said I would,” said Jeremy. He was siding in 7 Colored Fish. I guess he lost a bet or something. “I’ll hit it off of Reasoning for game.”
Jeremy opened the second game with Six Samurai United, The Six Samurai – Yaichi, Swords of Revealing Light, and a set spell or trap. He popped the United to draw another card and passed. Dow simply set a spell or trap before passing his turn. His turn again, Jeremy summoned The Six Samurai – Irou. Dow played Torrential Tribute but it was blocked with Solemn Judgment. Two copies of Great Shogun Shien dropped next and that was game.
Dow opened the third and final game with Destiny Draw, discarding Destiny Hero – Dasher. Reinforcement of the Army came next, grabbing Elemental Hero Stratos, and with Stratos’ effect, Destiny Hero – Diamond Dude. Another Reinforcement of the Army came down for another Diamond Dude, and Dow played Allure of Darkness. One Diamond Dude was removed. Dow played Monster Reborn by accident, but since it was down had to make his play. He grabbed Destiny Hero – Dasher with its effect. Dasher was tributed to Monster Gate, which found Dark Magician of Chaos, who returned Monster Reborn to Dow’s hand. Dow set two spell or trap cards before finishing.
On his turn Jeremy played two copies of Six Samurai United and summoned The Six Samurai – Zanji and Grandmaster of the Six Samurai. He drew four, then played Mystical Space Typhoon on Torrential Tribute. Reasoning was next; Dow called 7. Unfortunately 7 Colored Fish was only level 4, and it flopped right off the top. Zanji took out the Dark Magician of Chaos, Grandmaster cleared Stratos out of the way and 7 Colored Fish punched for an embarrassing 1800 damage. Next Jeremy brought out Great Shogun Shien in defense mode, set a spell or trap, and passed. Dow flipped Royal Decree in his end phase.
Monster Reborn came down for Dow again and once more brought back Dasher. Diamond Dude was summoned and hit Lightning Vortex from the top of his deck. Diamond Dude was tributed to pump Dasher up and he attacked to destroy the Shogun. Jeremy tributed Grandmaster of the Six Samurai to keep the Shogun there. Dow could do nothing but pass, and next turn Jeremy summoned enough monsters to attack for game.
And, oh yeah. He ended it with the Fish off of Reasoning, exactly how he called it. “I’m not going online for like a month,” joked Dow.
Jeremy Renda takes the game in style, moving on with a 6-1 record and high hopes of making day 2.