One of the new Decks that’s emerged thanks to Starstrike Blast has sailed a bit under the radar today – until now. Jake Mattern is 6-1 so far with Formula Monarchs, a Deck that combines Treeborn Frog and Fishborg Blaster to unleash devious Synchro Summons, and to Tribute Summon Monarchs and Light and Darkness Dragon. It’s a bit ahead of its time, because it gets even better with the release of Gungnir, Dragon of the Ice Barrier in Hidden Arsenal 3. But it’s worked pretty well for Mattern so far, and could take him to Day 2.

His opponent is Milton T. Perry, an Anti-Meta Beatdown Duelist armed with a number of solutions to Mattern’s biggest plays. Banisher of the Radiance could cause problems for Treeborn Frog and Fishborg; lots of Spell Speed 2 monster destruction could mean bad things for Light and Darkness Dragon; and a steady stream of big attackers could see Perry clinch a win before Mattern even gets set up. Perry’s effectively racing against the clock, trying to take Mattern down before his strategy comes together. How would it play out? Read on!

Perry started the Match with Pot of Duality, revealing Enemy Controller, Mystical Space Typhoon, and Monster Reborn. He took Typhoon, skipping a chance to get Reborn. He Summoned Thunder King Rai-Oh, and Set 3 cards to his Spell and Trap Card Zone.

Mattern had 2 Soul Exchanges, Genex Undine, One for One, Battle Fader, and Caius the Shadow Monarch. He Summoned Undine, activated its effect, and sent Treeborn Frog to his Graveyard. Thunder King kept him from adding Genex Controller from his Deck to his hand.

Perry attacked to destroy Undine, and Set another Spell or Trap.

Mattern drew Light and Darkness Dragon. He Special Summoned Treeborn Frog, Tributed it for Caius the Shadow Monarch, and removed Thunder King Rai-Oh. Perry removed Caius with Bottomless Trap Hole in response.

Perry Set a fourth Spell or Trap, Summoned Doomcaliber Knight, and attacked for 1900 Battle Damage.

Mattern drew Swap Frog, activated Treeborn’s effect to force Doomcaliber Knight to Tribute itself, then activated Treeborn’s effect again to Special Summon it. He activated One for One by discarding Swap Frog, and Special Summoned Fishborg Blaster from his Deck. He Tributed both of his monsters for Light and Darkness Dragon; Perry had no response. The Dragon attacked, Perry flipped Book of Moon, and then Chained Dimensional Prison, removing Light and Darkness Dragon from the game! Mattern had 2 Soul Exchanges and Battle Fader left in his hand.

Perry drew to 2 cards in hand with 2 cards Set to his Spell and Trap Card Zone. He Set a third Spell or Trap, Summoned Banisher of the Radiance, and attacked for 1600 Battle Damage. Mattern was down to 3800 Life Points.

Mattern drew Enemy Controller, and Special Summoned Treeborn Frog. He then discarded Soul Exchange to Special Summon Fishborg Blaster, and turned Banisher to Defense Position with Enemy Controller. Fishborg attacked and destroyed Banisher, leaving Treeborn to make a direct attack for 100 Battle Damage. In Main Phase 2 Mattern Synchro Summoned Formula Synchron, drawing another Enemy Controller.

Perry drew and Summoned Thunder King Rai-Oh, attacking to destroy Formula Synchron.

Mattern drew another Genex Undine, and Special Summoned Treeborn Frog in Defense Position.

Perry drew and Set another Spell or Trap, then activated Smashing Ground to destroy Treeborn. Thunder King attacked to drop Mattern to 1900 Life Points.

Mattern’s next draw was Effect Veiler. He Special Summoned Treeborn Frog again, discarded Veiler to Special Summon Fishborg Blaster, and Synchro Summoned another Formula Synchron. This time he drew Mobius the Frost Monarch. He activated Soul Exchange, targeted Thunder King, and Perry Chained Enemy Controller, Tributing Thunder King to take Formula Synchron. Mattern Summoned Genex Undine, sent Treeborn Frog to the Graveyard and got Genex Controller from his Deck to his hand. He ended, taking back his Formula Synchron.

Perry Summoned Thunder King Rai-Oh, and when he tried to leave Main Phase 1, Mattern used Formula Synchron’s effect to Tune it to Genex Undine and Synchro Summon Ally of Justice Catastor! Perry ended.

Mattern drew yet another Enemy Controller, and Special Summoned his Treeborn Frog. He moved to his Main Phase, discarded Genex b to Special Summon Fishborg, then Tributed it for Mobius! Perry lost his Mystical Space Typhoon and Sarkuretsu Armor!  Mobius ran over Thunder King, Catastor made a direct attack, and Perry was down to 5200 Life Points with no cards left. Mattern discarded Battle Fader to Special Summon Fishborg and Synchro Summoned Formula Synchron.

Perry Set a Spell or Trap, and Mattern Synchro Summoned Stardust Dragon on Perry’s turn.

Mattern Special Summoned Treeborn Frog, then attacked with both Stardust and Catastor. Perry was down to 500 Life Points. He Set 2 cards to his back row. Perry conceded on the following turn.

Jake Mattern takes a beating in the early game, as Milton Perry outplays Caius the Shadow Monarch and Light and Darkness Dragon! But patience prevails, as Mattern’s strategy comes together and a series of Formula Synchron plays let him claim the first Duel. Duel 2 began after a bit of careful Side Decking.

Perry started Duel 2 by Setting a Spell or Trap, then Summoned Banisher of the Radiance.

Mattern was holding 2 Cyber Dragons, 2 Soul Exchanges, Jinzo, and Battle Fader. He Special Summoned Cyber Dragon, and attacked into Mirror Force.

Perry Summoned King Tiger Wanghu, attacked with both of his monsters, and dropped Mattern to 4700 Life Points. Perry Set another Spell or Trap.

Mattern drew One for One and activated Soul Exchange, targeting King Tiger. He Tributed it for Jinzo.

Perry flipped his Set Smashing Ground, destroyed Jinzo, Set another card to his back row, and attacked for 1600 more damage with Banisher.

Mattern drew Mobius the Frost Monarch. He activated Soul Exchange again, Tributed it for Mobius, and Perry responded with Solemn Warning to negate the Summon.

Perry Set a Spell or Trap.

Mattern drew Cold Wave and passed.

Perry Set another Spell or Trap.

Mattern drew another Mobius and activated One for One, discarding Battle Fader to Special Summon Treeborn Frog from his Deck.

Perry Special Summoned Cyber Dragon, attacked to destroy Treeborn Frog, and Set a third Spell or Trap.

Mattern activated Mystical Space Typhoon in his Standby Phase, destroyed Perry’s Bottomless Trap Hole, and brought up his Treeborn Frog. In Main Phase 1 he activated Cold Wave, then Tribute Treeborn Frog for Mobius, destroying Perry’s Sakuretsu Armor and Book of Moon! Mobius then ran over Cyber Dragon in battle, and Perry was down to 5700 Life Points. Mattern had 1 card left in hand.

Perry drew to 3 cards with a bare field, and Special Summoned Cyber Dragon in Defense Position.

Mattern drew Monster Reborn, adding it to his hand of Cyber Dragon. He Special Summoned Treeborn Frog, Tribute Summoned Cyber Dragon, sent both Cyber Dragons to the Graveyard for Chimeratech Fortress Dragon, and activated Monster Reborn to bring back Mobius! All three monsters attacked to end the Duel and the Match.

Jake Mattern takes a 2-0 victory, as Formula Monarchs take an impressive win over Anti-Meta Beatdown!