I’ve been keeping track of Brandon’s performance throughout the event, as he’s playing an interesting Dark World build that takes advantage of Deck Devastation Virus in order to paralyze the slower control decks. He’s within two wins of being the first player to make it to Top 8 of a Shonen Jump Championship with a dedicated Dark World deck. This is the first Shonen Jump Championship that Raymond has been to, and he’s here with only one loss, as well as looking to make an impressive debut performance. Locally known for his deckbuilding abilities, he’s playing a Chaos build utilizing Airknight Parshath and Mirage Dragon.
Both players were very friendly as they shuffled up. Raymond won the opening roll and opted to go first. He began with Confiscation revealing D. D. Warrior Lady, Mirror Force, two Smashing Grounds and a Night Assailant. He dropped the Warrior Lady then set a card to each zone and passed. Brandon set a card to each zone as well and passed to Ray who flipped Skelengel and summoned Breaker the Magical Warrior. Breaker destroyed Mirror Force and Skelengel attacked into Night Assailant which then destroyed Breaker. Brandon set another monster and during the end phase Book of Moon flipped Skelengel back down.
Raymond drew and flipped Skelengel before playing Graceful Charity. He discarded Goldd, Wu-Lord of Dark World special summoning it to the field and Magician of Faith. He then tributed Skelengel for Cyber Dragon and special summoned Chaos Sorcerer before hitting Brandon’s facedown Dekoichi the Battlechanted Locomotive. The Sorcerer and Goldd hit directly and Raymond set a spell or trap. Brandon used Snatch Steal to take the Sorcerer and remove Goldd before passing. Raymond lamented that he should have chained his facedown Mystical Space Typhoon to stop the Snatch, but it didn’t matter, as he also had Heavy Storm and more than enough ATK strength to win the game.
Raymond – 1 Brandon – 0
“I really don’t want to lose this,” remarked Brandon. “My mother’s going to read this and disown me!” he joked.
He started game two with a summoned Sangan and a set spell or trap. Raymond set one to each zone and Brandon chose to immediately attack, destroying Skelengel. In the end phase, he lost Torrential Tribute to Dust Tornado, and Raymond stole Sangan with Snatch Steal before tributing it to summon Airknight Parshath. Brandon fetched Broww, Huntsman of Dark World and the Airknight swung directly. Raymond drew and set his draw before passing.
Brandon drew, set a card to each zone and then played Card Destruction. Brandon lost Scapegoat, Pot of Avarice, Broww, and Heavy Storm, but he discarded his opponent’s Goldd, Wu-Lord of Dark World activating its punishment effect. After head judge Simon Choy helped the players resolve the chain, play continued and Goldd destroyed both cards on Brandon’s field. Brandon was not pleased at all with the situation, and he played Confiscation to try and lessen the hurt. He pitched Raymond’s Chaos Sorcerer and ended without a card on the field. Breaker the Magical Warrior for Raymond sealed the deal, clinching the victory 2-0!
Raymond advances to 7-1, one win away from the Top 8, while Brandon is need of a miracle to have any chance.