Patrick Achramovitch traveled here this weekend from Buffalo, New York, and is here running his Skill Drain Zombie Deck. His opponent is Chris Martinez of San Antonio, Texas. This is going to be a tough Match for Achramovitch, because Martinez is playing Blackwings – a difficult matchup for Zombies, which has trouble with the Blackwing Deck’s Royal Oppression in particular. Let’s see how it goes!

Martinez opened the Match with 2 Set cards to his Spell and Trap Card Zone, then Normal Summoned Blackwing – Bora the Spear.

Achramovitch had 2 Goblin Zombies, Pyramid Turtle, Lonefire Blossom, Mezuki, and Ryko, Lightsworn Hunter. With no Spell or Trap Cards in sight, he Set Ryko and ended.

Martinez attacked Ryko with Bora. Ryko was destroyed in battle, and Ryko’s effect destroyed Bora in turn, sending D.D. Crow, Dimensional Prison, and Torrential Tribute to Achramovitch’s Graveyard. Martinez Summoned another Bora.

Achramovitch Set Skill Drain and Goblin Zombie.

Martinez attacked again with Bora, Achramovitch flipped Skill Drain in response to the attack (to protect his Life Points from Bora’s piercing effect), and Bora destroyed Goblin Zombie. That let Achramovitch get Plaguespreader Zombie from his Deck, and Martinez finished his turn by setting a card to his Spell and Trap Card Zone.

Next turn Achramovitch drew Caius the Shadow Monarch, Set Mezuki, and ended.

Martinez destroyed Mezuki with an attack from Bora.

Achramovitch removed Mezuki to Special Summon Goblin Zombie in Defense Position, Normal Summoned Plaguespreader Zombie, and tried to Synchro Summon Goyo Guardian, but it was lost to Royal Oppression! Achramovitch had drawn all of his Zombies, so he couldn’t search for Goblin Zombie’s effect. He Set a Spell or Trap.

Martinez attacked with Bora for 1700 Battle Damage.

Achramovitch Set a monster.

Martinez Summoned Thunder King Rai-Oh, and Achramovitch destroyed and removed it with Bottomless Trap Hole. He then tried to Special Summon Blackwing – Gale the Whirlwind, and Achramovitch paid 800 Life Points to negate the Summon with Martinez’s Royal Oppression. Bora attacked Achramovitch’s face-down Mystic Tomato, and Achramovitch Special Summoned Sangan.

Achramovitch drew and Set Spore. The Duel stood at 2900 Life Points to 7200, with Martinez leading.

Martinez Normal Summoned another Bora, attacked to destroy Spore, and attacked Sangan: Achramovitch got Dandylion from his Deck. Martinez Set another Spell or Trap.

Achramovitch drew, Martinez activated Trap Dustshoot, and revealed Achramovitch’s hand of Pyramid Turtle, Dandylion, Lonefire Blossom, Caius, Goblin Zombie, and Starlight Road. He sent Pyramid Turtle back to Achramovitch’s Deck. Achramovitch removed Mystic Tomato to try and Special Summon Spore, lost to Royal Oppression, but returned a card to the top of his Deck to Special Summon Plaguespreader Zombie successfully. He Tributed it for Caius, attacked with it, and conceded moments later when Martinez revealed Blackwing – Kalut the Moonshadow.

Monster-heavy draws for his opponent and some precision plays from Martinez let him capitalize on the matchup and take the first Duel! Could Achramovitch Side Deck well enough to make up for the loss?

Achramovitch started the second Duel with Thunder King Rai-Oh, Spore, Mystical Space Typhoon, Plaguespreader Zombie, Pot of Avarice, and Dandylion. He Summoned Thunder King and Set Typhoon.

Martinez activated Allure of Darkness, drew 2 cards, and removed Blackwing – Bora the Spear. He Summoned Thunder King, attacked his opponent’s Thunder King to destroy them both, and Set Bottomless Trap Hole. It was destroyed by Mystical Space Typhoon in the End Phase.

Achramovitch Set a monster.

Martinez activated Black Whirlwind, Summoned Blackwing – Shura the Blue Flame, and used Whirlwind’s effect to get Blackwing – Kalut the Moonshadow from his Deck. Shura attacked through Dandylion, destroyed it, and Achramovitch Special Summoned 2 Fluff Tokens while Martinez Special Summoned Blackwing – Vayu the Emblem of Honor. Vayu attacked a Fluff Token, Martinez Set a card to his back row, and play was to Achramovitch.

Achramovitch summoned Mystic Tomato, attacked Vayu, and Martinez Tributed Vayu for Icarus Attack in response, destroying Tomato and the last Fluff Token.

Martinez Summoned Bora, used Black Whirlwind to get Blackwing – Blizzard the far North from his Deck, and attacked with both Shura and Bora. Another Set card to his back row ended his turn.

Achramovitch Set Spore, holding Tytannial, Princess of Camellias, Blackwing – Gale the Whirlwind, Pot of Avarice, and Plaguespreader Zombie.

Martinez Normal Summoned Blizzard, Special Summoned back his Vayu, and when he Special Summoned Gale, Achramovitch knew it was time to pack it in. With another monster-heavy hand there was just nothing he could do, except offer a concession with a smile.

Chris Martinez defeats Patrick Achramovitch, scoring a 2-0 win with Blackwings!