After a stellar Feature Match showing at YCS Philadelphia, Jonny Nagel is back in competition this weekend. His Deck of choice? Plant Synchro teched with his signature Spell Card, Super Solar Nutrient, plus Gigaplant, set to take advantage of Glow-Up Bulb. Nagel’s currently undefeated, but his opponent this round is Phillip Durham, wielding an unpredictable Lightsworn build. This is truly anybody’s Match!

Nagel opened the Match with a hand of Mirror Force, Dandlyion, 2 Lonefire Blossoms, Call of the Haunted, and Solemn Warning. “I’m not coming in 36^th this time,” remarked a hopeful Nagel, recalling his close-but-not-quite 36^th place finish at YCS Philadelphia. He Summoned Lonefire Blossom, Tributed it for its effect, and Special Summoned Gigaplant from his Deck. He Set 3 cards to his Spell and Trap Card Zone.

Durham Summoned Jain, Lightsworn Paladin, feeling the pressure to get rid of that Gigaplant before Nagel could use its Gemini effect. He Set a card to his back row and ended his turn, sending Celestia, Lightsworn Angel and Monster Reborn to his Graveyard with Jain’s effect.

Nagel drew Debris Dragon. He Normal Summoned his Gigaplant that was already on the field, Special Summoned Lonefire Blossom from his Graveyard with Gigaplant’s Gemini effect, then Tributed Lonefire to Special Summon Tytannial, Princess of Camellias. He sent Tytannial to attack Jain, destroying it, and Gigaplant made a direct attack. Durham was down to 4400 Life Points.

Durham Summoned Lyla, Lightsworn Sorceress, used her effect to try and destroy 1 of Nagel’s back row cards, and Nagel responded by Tributing Tytannial to negate Lyla’s effect and destroy her.

Nagel Special Summoned Tytannial back next turn with Gigaplant, and 2 swift attacks from the ‘plant and the Princess ended the first Duel!

Durham started the second Duel moments later, Summoning Lyla, Lightsworn Sorceress and Setting a Spell or Trap. He sent Garoth, Lightsworn Warrior, Plaguespreader Zombie, and Book of Moon to his Graveyard.

This time around, Nagel had Foolish Burial, Charge of the Light Brigade, Monster Reborn, Ryko, Lightsworn Hunter, Debris Dragon, and Lonefire Blossom. He Summoned Lonefire Blossom, Tributed it, and Special Summoned Tytannial, Princess of Camellias from his Deck. He tried to move to his Battle Phase to attack Lyla, but was denied by Threatening Roar. Nagel ended with nothing in his Spell and Trap Card Zone.

Durham Set a monster, then sent Ryko, Honest, and Monster Reborn to his Graveyard.

Nagel drew Lord Poison. With Monster Reborn and Foolish Burial in-hand, and Lonefire Blossom in his Graveyard, he could do some serious damage this turn, and he spent some time running numbers to see what he might be able to do. He planned out his potential options, patting his Game Mat in time to his calculations as he ran the numbers, thinking of all the Synchro Summons and plays he could make. “I have so many plays… just gotta think.” Arriving a decision, he activated Foolish Burial to send Dandylion to his Graveyard and Special Summoned 2 Fluff Tokens. Monster Reborn brought back Lonefire Blossom, and he Tributed it to Special Summon Spore from his Deck. He tuned Spore to a Fluff Token, Synchro Summoned Formula Synchron, and drew another Lonefire. He then Normal Summoned Debris Dragon, activated its effect, and Special Summoned Dandylion from his Graveyard. If he Tuned Debris Dragon to Dandylion and its Fluff Token for Stardust Dragon, he could Summon Shooting Star Dragon. He went for it! He gave up Debris Dragon, Dandylion, and the Fluff Token to get 2 more Fluff Tokens and Stardust Dragon! Nagel then Tuned Formula Synchron to Stardust, and Synchro Summoned Shooting Star Dragon! He removed Lonefire Blossom to Special Summon Spore as a Level 4 Tuner, then Tuned it to both of his Fluff Tokens for Brionac, Dragon of the Ice Barrier. Durham blasted it with Effect Veiler. Nagel attacked Lyla with Tytannial, but lost her to Honest! Brionac attacked into Ryko, Lightsworn Hunter, and Shooting Star Dragon’s effect negated Ryko’s ability. Nagel Set a Spell or Trap.

Durham turned Lyla to Defense Position, trying to destroy Nagel’s Set card, but Shooting Star Dragon negated her effect and destroyed her. Durham had 3 cards left in hand. He Summoned Lumina, Lightsworn Summoner. He discarded Celestia, Lightsworn Angel for Lumina’s effect with priority, and Special Summoned back Lyla. He then placed his last card back on top of his deck to Special Summon Plaguespreader Zombie, Tuning it to Lyla for Goyo Guardian. Goyo attacked, and Nagel removed Shooting Star Dragon from the game to negate the attack . Durham ended, sending Aurkus, Lightsworn Druid, Judgment Dragon, and Beckoning Light to his Graveyard. Shooting Star returned to the field.

Nagel Normal Summoned Lonefire Blossom, Tributed it to Special Summon Gigaplant, and discarded to clear the field with Brionac! Gigaplant, Brionac, and finally Shooting Star Dragon then made direct attacks for exactly 8000 Battle Damage!

Jonny Nagel sweeps the Match, dominating the second Duel with Shooting Star Dragon!