Feature Match, Round 1: Fili Luna vs. Eric Vaughn
Lightsworn Vayu?!? That’s the Deck that several previous SHONEN JUMP Championship winners have teamed up to play this weekend. Fili Luna, Jerry Wang, Adam Corn, and other Duelists are all playing the same build of Lightsworn Vayu, a strategy we didn’t see at SHONEN JUMP Championship Orlando. The Deck uses Lightsworn effects to send “Blackwing – Vayu the Emblem of Honor” and “Blackwing – Sirocco the Dawn” to the Graveyard, where they can do their thing.
But Fili Luna’s first opponent today is San Antonio’s Eric Vaughn. He’s an experienced Duelist with numerous Regional tops and a killer Synchro Cat Deck. If Vaughn can draw the right cards and the right combos, Luna might not even get to put together his Vayu plays. This one should be interesting!
“I’ve been stressed out aaaaaaall morning,” grinned Luna, leaning back in his chair before the match started. “I just started playing this deck about…” He checked his watch, “…Ten minutes ago.” Luna was clearly confident in the Deck’s strength, to make a last minute change like that. We were about to see if that would pay off.
Vaughn opened with a Set card to each Zone. Luna had “Blackwing – Vayu the Emblem of Honor,” “Jain, Lightsworn Paladin,” “Charge of the Light Brigade,” “Lyla, Lightsworn Sorceress,” “Necro Gardna,” and “Mystical Space Typhoon.” It was a pretty great hand. He Normal Summoned Lyla, attacked to flip Vaughn’s “Gravekeeper’s Spy,” and Vaughn Special Summoned another copy from his Deck with the effect of the first. Luna activated Lyla’s effect in Main Phase 2, destroyed Vaughn’s face-down “Royal Oppression,” Set “Mystical Space Typhoon,” and ended.
Vaughn Set another card to his Spell & Trap Card Zone, attacked Lyla with a Spy, and Set “Bottomless Trap Hole.” He lost it to “Mystical Space Typhoon” in his End Phase. Luna drew “Monster Reincarnation.”
“Cards in hand?” Luna asked. “Four?”
“Yes,” confirmed Vaughn. Luna activated “Charge of the Light Brigade,” sending “Pot of Avarice,” “Lumina, Lightsworn Summoner,” and “Blackwing – Sirocco the Dawn” to his Graveyard – the first hint to Vaughn that this was not an average Lightsworn Match. Luna searched his Deck for “Lumina, Lightsworn Summoner,” Summoned her, and discarded “Necro Gardna” to Special Summon Lyla. Lyla attacked Vaughn’s Attack Position Spy, destroyed it, and Luna sent “Judgment Dragon,” “Monster Reincarnation,” “Giant Trunade,” “Gold Sarcophagus,” “Necro Gardna,” and “Blackwing – Sirocco the Dawn” to the Graveyard in the End Phase.
Vaughn Set another monster. Luna drew “Celestia, Lightsworn Angel,” a huge draw against two monsters! He Tributed Lyla for Celestia, sent four more cards to his Graveyard for her effect, and destroyed Vaughn’s face-down “Ryko, Lightsworn Hunter” and his remaining “Gravekeeper’s Spy.” Luna now had a “Judgment Dragon,” 3 differently-named Lightsworn monsters, 2 “Necro Gardnas,” 2 “Blackwing – Sirocco the Dawns,” and 1 “Blackwing – Vayu the Emblem of Honor” in his Graveyard. He discarded “Blackwing – Vayu the Emblem of Honor” for Lumina’s effect. He Special Summoned Lyla with Lumina’s ability, then removed Vayu and Sirocco to Special Summon “Blackwing – Armed Wing”! He discarded Jain with “Monster Reincarnation” to take back “Judgment Dragon” from his Graveyard and load his fourth Lightsworn, Special Summoned the Dragon, and with five monsters on the field Luna attacked for game!
Fili Luna captures the first Duel quickly, clinching victory with the united power of “Blackwing – Vayu the Emblem of Honor” and “Judgment Dragon”! Both competitors did some serious Side Decking before Game 2 started.
Vaughn opened Duel 2 with a Set monster, then backed it up with a Set card to his Spell & Trap Card Zone. Luna had a really rough hand: 3 “Necro Gardnas,” “Ehren, Lightsworn Monk,” “Lumina, Lightsworn Summoner,” and “Blackwing – Sirocco the Dawn.” All monsters, with three of them being Gardnas.
He Normal Summoned Ehren, attacked into Vaughn’s “Ryko, Lightsworn Hunter,” and Ryko was sent back to the Deck with Ehren’s effect. Vaughn then resolved Ryko’s Flip Effect, sending “Pot of Avarice,” “Sangan,” and “Lightning Vortex” to the Graveyard to destroy Ehren. Luna had to end, holding nothing but monsters.
Vaughn Normal Summoned “Summoner Monk,” discarded “Smashing Ground” for its effect, and Special Summoned “Rescue Cat” from his Deck. He sent it to the Graveyard to Special Summon two copies of “X-Saber Airbellum” from his Deck next. The first Airbellum attacked and Luna discarded “Necro Gardna.” He removed it from his Graveyard to block the second attack. Vaughn Tuned Airbellum to “Summoner Monk” for “Arcanite Magician”, Set another card to his Spell & Trap Card Zone, and ended.
Luna Summoned Sirocco, attacked over Arcanite, and next turn Vaughn Special Summoned “Cyber Dragon.” “Cyber Dragon” attacked over Sirocco, and Vaughn Set another monster. The Duel stood at 6300 Life Points to 8000, with Vaughn leading. Vaughn Set a third card to his Spell & Trap Card Zone and play was to Luna.
He was holding 2 “Necro Gardnas,” “Lumina, Lightsworn Summoner,” “Lyla, Lightsworn Sorceress,” and “Charge of the Light Brigade.” He activated Charge, sending “Blackwing – Vayu the Emblem of Honor,” “Monster Reincarnation,” and “Malevolent Catastrophe” to his Graveyard to get “Ryko, Lightsworn Hunter.” He now had a Vayu and a Sirocco in his Graveyard.
He removed them both to Special Summon “Blackwing – Armed Wing,” and attacked “Cyber Dragon.” Luna Set “Ryko, Lightsworn Hunter.” Vaughn fired back, Flip Summoning “Gravekeeper’s Spy” to Special Summon another from his Deck in Defense Position. He had one card left in hand, and Normal Summoned it: “Rose, Warrior of Revenge”! He Tuned it to the Attack Position Spy and Synchro Summoned “Stardust Dragon,” running over “Blackwing – Armed Wing”!
Luna drew “Malevolent Catastrophe,” which wasn’t very helpful with “Stardust Dragon” on his opponent’s field. He Normal Summoned Lumina, discarded “Necro Gardna” for her effect, and tried to bring Ehren back to the field. Vaughn chained “The Transmigration Prophecy,” sending Ehren and the “Necro Gardna” back to Luna’s Deck. In the End Phase, Luna sent “Giant Trunade,” another Sirocco, and “Charge of the Light Brigade” to the Graveyard with Lumina’s effect.
Vaughn sent his Spy to attack Lumina next turn – that choice would keep Luna from activating “Malevolent Catastrophe,” because he’d have to activate Ryko’s effect first to force “Stardust Dragon’s” activation. Otherwise Stardust would just negate Catastrophe’s effect. In Main Phase 2 Vaughn made matters even worse for Luna, activating “Creature Swap” to trade Spy for Luna’s Ryko.
Luna activated “Solar Recharge” next turn, discarding Lyla to send “Judgment Dragon” and “Solemn Judgment” to the Graveyard. He tried to Special Summon “Dark Armed Dragon,” but lost out to “Royal Oppression.” Luna Set “Necro Gardna,” attacked Ryko with Spy, and Ryko destroyed the monster he’d just Set – “Necro Gardna.” Stardust attacked the Spy next turn, and Luna removed a “Necro Gardna” to stop it. Luna turned Spy to Defense Position and ended.
Vaughn activated “Soul Release” next turn, and Luna chained his “Necro Gardna” before it could be removed. He lost cards like “Dark Armed Dragon,” Sirocco, and “Judgment Dragon.” He drew “Solar Recharge” next turn, discarded “Jain, Lightsworn Paladin” to activate it, and was left with a hand of “Cold Wave,” Charge, and Vayu. He activated Charge to send “My Body As A Shield,” “Heavy Storm,” and “Lumina, Lightsworn Summoner” to the Graveyard. He got Lyla from his Deck.
He Summoned her and activated her effect, destroying Vaughn’s “Torrential Tribute.” He sent 3 more cards to his Graveyard in the End Phase: Lumina, Garoth, and Celestia. Vaughn Set another card to his Spell & Trap Card Zone, then Special Summoned “Dark Armed Dragon”! Luna paid 800 Life Points to destroy it with “Royal Oppression,” and when “Stardust Dragon” attacked, he finally flipped “Malevolent Catastrophe”! Vaughn had to let it go, destroying Lyla and losing his Oppression and “Bottomless Trap Hole” to Catastrophe. He heaved a deep sigh. He now had nothing left but Stardust.
Luna had “Gravekeeper’s Spy,” and drew “Gold Sarcophagus.” He added it to his hand of Vayu and “Cold Wave,” and then used Sarcophagus to remove “Judgment Dragon” from his Deck. He’d claim it in two turns. Vaughn ran over Spy with “Stardust Dragon,” Luna Set Vayu, and Stardust destroyed it in battle next turn. Vaughn Set a monster, and Luna drew another Sarcophagus – he only had 3 cards left in his Deck. He took his “Judgment Dragon,” but knew its End Phase effect would lose the game for him if he Summoned it and couldn’t win in the same turn. Vaughn still had 7000 Life Points.
Luna activated “Monster Reincarnation,” bringing back “Garoth, Lightsworn Warrior” – it wouldn’t eat his Deck. But when he attacked, Garoth swung into “Gravekeeper’s Guard,” and was returned to Luna’s hand. Next turn Vaughn attacked with Stardust, Set a monster, and passed play to Luna.
He drew “Gorz the Emissary of Darkness.” He Set Garoth, and Vaughn Flip Summoned “Ryko, Lightsworn Hunter” to destroy Garoth with Ryko’s effect. He then Summoned “Mystic Tomato” and attacked with “Stardust Dragon” – Luna Special Summoned Gorz, and Special Summoned a 2500 ATK “Emissary of Darkness Token”! He attacked the Token with “Mystic Tomato,” intending to Special Summon “Blackwing – Gale the Whirlwind” from his Deck, but didn’t realize he’d sent it to his Graveyard with Ryko’s ability! Vaughn Special Summoned nothing and was down to 5900 Life Points. Luna had 50 Life Points remaining. He had one card left in his Deck when he drew next turn.
Gorz attacked over Stardust, and the “Emissary of Darkness Token” punched 2300 damage through “Ryko, Lightsworn Hunter.” Vaughn had 3400 Life Points. Was Luna really going to pull this one out with 50 Life Points and no cards left in his Deck? He still had that “Judgment Dragon,” as well as “Cold Wave,” and he Set a card to his Spell & Trap Card Zone to finish out.
Vaughn drew, and activated “Pot of Avarice” to send five monsters (including “Rescue Cat” and its cohorts) back to his Deck. He drew two cards, then Set a monster and Set “Book of Moon,” which he immediately lost to “Mystical Space Typhoon.”
Luna drew his last card, “Charge of the Light Brigade.” He’d needed another monster, and didn’t have enough attackers to win the game. To make things even more decisive, Vaughn Special Summoned “Gorz the Emissary of Darkness” when Luna made his one direct attack.
Eric Vaughn takes the Duel with 400 Life Points remaining, as Fili Luna finally decks out with just 50 Life Points left! A valiant effort from Luna, struggling to recover from a triple “Necro Gardna” opening hand, but just not enough. This Match was going to a third Duel.
Luna opened with 2 “Lumina, Lightsworn Summoners,” “Necro Gardna,” “Blackwing – Vayu the Emblem of Honor,” “Malevolent Catastrophe”, and “Charge of the Light Brigade.” He activated Charge, sending another Charge, “Solar Recharge,” and “Necro Gardna” to the Graveyard to search for “Garoth, Lightsworn Warrior.” He Normal Summoned it, Set Malevolent, and ended.
Vaughn Set a monster, then a card to his Spell & Trap Card Zone. Luna tributed Garoth for “Celestia, Lightsworn Angel,” sending “Dark Armed Dragon,” 2 “Monster Reincarnations,” and “Blackwing – Vayu the Emblem of Honor” to his Graveyard. Celestia was destroyed and removed when Vaughn chained “Bottomless Trap Hole.” Next turn Vaughn activated “Soul Release,” stripping Luna’s Graveyard of everything. He ended his turn with nothing on the field.
Luna summoned Lumina, attacked, and Vaughn Special Summoned “Gorz the Emissary of Darkness” with a 1000 ATK Token. He attacked Lumina with the Token next turn, attacked directly with Gorz, and Set a Spell or Trap. Luna Set a monster and passed.
When Gorz attacked next turn, Luna flipped Catastrophe to destroy Vaughn’s face-down “Royal Oppresion”! Gorz destroyed Luna’s Set “Necro Gardna,” and Vaughn Set a monster to end his turn with three cards in hand. Luna Normal Summoned Lumina, discarded “Ehren, Lightsworn Monk” to Special Summon her, and Set a Spell or Trap before attacking with Ehren. Ehren hit “Gravekeeper’s Spy,” kicked her back to the Deck, and another took her place. In the End Phase, Luna sent another “Necro Gardna” to his Graveyard.
Vaughn cleared the field with “Lightning Vortex,” discarding “Creature Swap.” Gorz attacked, and Luna removed “Necro Gardna” to stop it. He Set a monster, Vaughn Normal Summoned “X-Saber Airbellum,” and he Tuned it to Spy to Synchro Summon “Arcanite Magician.” Arcanite then destroyed “Ryko, Lightsworn Hunter” and Luna’s set Catastrophe.
Luna drew, holding another Lumina, “Blackwing – Sirocco the Dawn,” and “Blackwing – Vayu the Emblem of Honor.” Sirocco attacked “Arcanite Magician,” Gorz attacked Sirocco, and Sirocco went down. Vaughn Set another card to his Spell & Trap Card Zone, Luna Set a monster, and Gorz swung into it next turn: “Ryko, Lightsworn Hunter.” Gorz was destroyed, but Vaughn activated “Pot of Avarice” in Main Phase 2 to draw another 2 cards. He Set a monster, then Set two cards to his Spell & Trap Card Zone to finish out.
Luna had just 1900 Life Points left, while Vaughn had 7000. Luna Set a monster, set a Spell or Trap, and ended, clearly on the defensive. He had a Sirocco in his Graveyard but no Vayu. Vaughn passed, Luna passed, and Vaughn Flip Summoned “Mystic Tomato.” Vaughn Normal Summoned “Rose, Warrior of Revenge.”
He Tuned it to “Mystic Tomato,” Synchro Summoned “Stardust Dragon,” and ran over Luna’s Vayu! Luna drew, and had Gorz, Lumina, and “Solar Recharge.” Once again he found himself low on cards. Would he Deck out again? He Set Lumina, Stardust attacked, and Luna protected Lumina with “Necro Gardna.” Vaughn Set a monster and Luna flipped “Cold Wave.”
Vaughn Chained “Threatening Roar”! Luna removed Sirocco and Vayu to Special Summon “Blackwing – Armed Wing” in Attack Position, but his “Solar Recharge,” Sirocco, and Gorz were all useless in his hand. A shot from Stardust would end the Match before Gorz could ever be summoned, but he Tributed Lumina and Armed Wing to Set it instead.
Vaughn Flip Summoned “Neo-Spacian Dark Panther,” Normal Summoned “X-Saber Airbellum,” and Synchro Summoned “Goyo Guardian”! Luna immediately offered the handshake, conceding the Match.
Eric Vaughn overcomes Fili Luna’s Lightsworn Vayu build to win the first Match of the day!