Thomas Luebke made the Top 16 of YCS Charlotte piloting Karakuri Machina Plants, and today he’s competing for a shot at the continental Championship with a T.G. Tengu Deck.  His opponent is Dallas’ Lane Woodall, who qualified for this tournament through a Lubbock Regional in March.  Woodall is playing Six Samurai.

Woodall opened the match with Shien’s Smoke Signal, getting Legendary Six Samurai – Kageki from his Deck.  He activated Gateway of the Six and Shien’s Dojo, then Normal Summoned Kageki to Special Summon Kagemusha of the Six Samurai!  That put 2 Bushido Counters on Dojo and 4 on Gateway: Woodall removed 2 from Dojo and 2 from Gateway to get Legendary Six Samurai – Kizan from his Deck, then Special Summoned it.  He removed all 4 Counters from Gateway to get another Kizan; Special Summoned that; and Tuned Kageki and Kagemusha for Legendary Six Samurai – Shi En!  He had 4 Counters on Gateway and 3 on Dojo.  He removed 2 Counters from each Continuous Spell to get Grandmaster of the Six Samurai from his Deck, then used Dojo to get Shien’s Squire!  He tuned it to Kizan for another Shi En, and Special Summoned Grandmaster to Special Summon Squire with Gateway!  He Tuned that to Kizan, and Synchro Summoned Naturia Beast.  2 Set Spell or Traps ended the turn.  “Ah think ah did pretty good,” laughed Woodall, faking a southern drawl.

Luebke started with Horn of the Phantom Beast; 2 King Tiger Wanghu; T.G. Rush Rhino; and 2 Pot of Duality.  He Summoned T.G. Rush Rhino, and Woodall banished it with Bottomless Trap Hole: that was it for Luebke, who instantly conceded.

An incredible opening with double Shien’s Squire leads to three Synchro Summons on turn one, and an easy win in the first Duel for Lane Woodall!  Luebke would have his work cut out for him: he’d have to win two Duels back-to-back to keep his perfect record.

Luebke started the second Duel with a hand of 2 T.G. Warwolf; Puppet Plant; Monster Reborn; Dimensional Prison; and Horn of the Phantom Beast.  He Summoned Warwolf, and Woodall took a moment to read it.  Luebke then Set Horn and Dimensional Prison.

Woodall Summoned Legendary Six Samurai – Kizan, and attacked into Horn of the Phantom Beast!  Warwolf went to 2000 ATK; Kizan went down; and Luebke drew Fiendish Chain!  Woodall Set all 5 of his remaining cards to his back row.

Luebke drew and Normal Summoned T.G. Rush Rhino.  Luebke attacked into Mirror Force, and he Set a card to his back row.  In his End Phase he used his T.G. monster’s effects to get T.G. Striker and Rush Rhino from his Deck.

Woodall passed.

Luebke drew Solemn Judgment and Normal Summoned Rush Rhino: Woodall banished it with Bottomless Trap Hole, and Luebke Set Judgment.

Woodall passed again.

Luebke drew Reborn Tengu and tried to Summon it: Woodall negated the Summon with Solemn Warning, but Luebke brought it back in a flash with Monster Reborn!  Tengu struck for 1700 Battle Damage.

Woodall passed again.

Luebke drew another Reborn Tengu, and Summoned his second Warwolf.  Warwolf and Tengu both made direct attacks, dropping Woodall to 1200 Life Points.

Woodall shook his head again, before flipping Book of Moon to turn Tengu face-down.  He activated Dimensional Fissure, then followed up with Dark Hole: when Luebke Chained Solemn Judgment Woodall immediately conceded!

“I had no monsters,” remarked Woodall.  “When I have no monsters, I can’t attack or block.”  Woodall grinned, and went straight for his Side Deck.  “I had a Mystical Space Typhoon, but I didn’t go for it…”  Victory in Duel 2 goes to Thomas Luebke!  Play quickly moved to the third Duel.

Woodall opened up with Gateway of the Six and Legendary Six Samurai – Kageki: he activated its effect, and Luebke pitched Maxx “C” in response.  Woodall Summoned Kagemusha of the Six Samurai, and Luebke drew.  Woodall searched his Deck for Grandmaster of the Six Samurai and Special Summoned it, then Synchro Summoned Shi En, giving Luebke 2 more draws.  He used Gateway again, this time getting another Kageki, and Set 2 cards to his back row.

Luebke had 8 cards: Solemn Judgment; Pot of Avarice; 2 T.G. Rush Rhino; T.G. Striker; Solemn Warning; Skill Drain; and Reborn Tengu.  He Special Summoned Striker with its ability, then tried to Normal Summon Reborn Tengu: he lost out to Solemn Warning.  Luebke Set 4 cards to his back row: everything he had left save his 2 Rhinos.

Woodall attacked Striker with Grandmaster, destroying Striker.  Shi En did not attack, and Woodall Set a Spell or Trap.  Luebke used his Striker’s effect to get T.G. Warwolf from his Deck.

Luebke drew Monster Reborn.  He activated it, targeting his opponent’s Kagemusha: Woodall let it go.  In response to the Special Summon, Luebke Special Summoned Warwolf from his hand.  He Normal Summoned Rush Rhino, making 9 Levels of potential Synchro Materials total.  “Sure.”  He Tuned everything together to Synchro Summon Trishula, Dragon of the Ice Barrier!  Woodall responded with Solemn Warning, and Luebke Chained Solemn Judgment in an instant: but Woodall had Seven Tools of the Bandit, his last Set card!  Trishula was destroyed, and Luebke was left with 3350 Life Points. He flipped Pot of Avarice, and now Woodall negated it with Shi En’s effect.  Luebke Chained Skill Drain, forcing through his Avarice!  He sent Trishula, Dragon of the Ice Barrier; T.G. Striker; Reborn Tengu; Warwolf; and Rhino back to his Deck, drawing Reborn Tengu and Fiendish Chain.  He Set the Chain.

Woodall drew and activated Six Samurai United, then Normal Summoned Kageki.  He attacked for 200 Battle Damage with Kageki, then attacked with both Grandmaster, and Shi En: Fiendish Chain saved the Duel, stopping Shi En’s attack.  “I misplayed,” remarked Woodall.  “I should’ve used Gateway to boost my ATK and win.”  Luebke had 50 Life Points left.  Five-zero.

Luebke drew Horn of the Phantom Beast, holding Rush Rhino and Tengu.  He Set Tengu.  Next turn Woodall played Hand of the Six Samurai from his hand, and Luebke immediately conceded!

Lane Woodall moves on past the halfway point in today’s Swiss Rounds, 5-0 with Six Samurai!