Two National Championship Top 8’ers were now facing off, on the bubble. Victor Reinert made Top 8 in 2006, while Rockenbach did the same this past summer.
Rockenbach won the roll and opened with Destiny Draw, discarding Destiny Hero – Disk Commander. He then activated Reinforcement of the Army, searching his deck for Elemental Hero Stratos, summoning him, and searching his deck for Destiny Hero – Malicious. He set one card to his back row and ended.
Four set cards to his back row were Reinert’s only play. Rockenbach activated Heavy Storm, and Reinert chained Secret Barrel! He chained Jar of Greed next, and then chained Accumulated Fortune! Reinert drew a total of three cards, and then dished out 1600 damage. Rockenbach summoned Mystic Tomato, and the Tomato and Stratos attacked for 3200 damage. “Your go.”
The duel stood at 6400 to 4800, with Rockenbach leading. Reinert set four cards once more. “Maybe I’ll draw Heavy Storm again,” remarked Rockenbach. He drew, summoned Snipe Hunter, and passed priority. He then discarded Destiny Hero – Malicious and Reinert chained the target, Waboku. Mystic Tomato went to defense mode, Stratos attacked for 0 damage, and Rockenbach set a spell or trap to end.
Reinert activated Tremendous Fire, resolved it, and then set a fourth spell or trap card yet again. Rockenbach discarded Torrential Tribute to target another of Reinert’s cards, and this one too was Waboku! He chained it and Rockenbach passed.
A pass was Reinert’s only play, and Rockenbach discarded another Malicious next turn to destroy Reinert’s set Mirror Force. He discarded Zaborg the Thunder Monarch to target another card, but Reinert chained it: Ceasefire. Phoenix Wing Wind Blast bounced Reinert’s last card from his back row and Snipe Hunter, Stratos, and Tomato attacked directly for game!
Bryan Rockenbach capitalizes on what appeared to be rough draws for Reinert, claiming the first duel! Both competitors sided, Rockenbach moving at a brisk pace while Reinert took a bit more time. There were just under 30 minutes remaining in the round.
Reinert opened game 2 with Restructer Revolution, dealing 1000 damage to his opponent. He set three cards to his back row and ended. Rockenbach activated Reinforcement of the Army, searched his deck for Stratos, summoned him, and then used his effect to nab Destiny Hero – Malicious from his deck. Stratos attacked, but Reinert responded with Magic Cylinder, dropping Rockenbach to 5200 life points. Rockenbach set two cards to his back row and Reinert activated Jar of Greed in the end phase.
He passed his next turn, and Rockenbach summoned Breaker the Magical Warrior. Breaker targeted Reinert’s one last set card, but Reinert chained it, Secret Barrel, for 1600 damage. Stratos and Breaker both attacked directly and Reinert was reduced to 4600 life points. “You can go.”
Ookazi knocked Rockenbach down to 2800 life points, and Reinert set his remaining four cards. In Rockenbach’s draw phase he activated Fire Darts, chained Just Desserts, and then chained Chain Strike. Rockenbach was reduced to 600 life points by Chain Strike and Just Desserts, and Fire Darts dealt 800 damage, 200 more than was necessary!
Victor Reinert pulls out a win in the second duel, courtesy of Chain Strike!
Play began swiftly after more side decking on both sides. Rockenbach opened up with a set monster and a set Phoenix Wing Wind Blast. Reinert activated Poison of the Old Man, then set all five remaining cards in his hand to his spell and trap zone.
Rockenbach tributed his set Destiny Hero - Fear Monger for Jinzo! He then followed up with Heavy Storm, destroying all five of Reinert’s remaining cards, all traps! Jinzo attacked for 2400 damage, Reinert drew and set his topdecked card to the back row. Jinzo attacked directly, Reinert set another back row card, and a turn later Rockenbach was attacking for game with Banisher of the Radiance and Jinzo.
Bryan Rockenbach moves on, one win away from a guaranteed spot in the Top 16!