After the first round of any tournament, half of the Duelists in attendance are still undefeated. But at the end of this second round, only one quarter of the field will remain undefeated, and only 4 of our 8 Featured Duelists for this round will have a perfect 2-0 record.

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At Table 1, we have Christopher Krause with his Rescue Rabbit Dinosaur Deck, facing off against Matthew Linoski’s Gemini HERO Deck featuring Psi-Blocker!

In Duel 1, Krause activated Heavy Storm on his first turn to destroy a Super Polymerization, and then Normal Summoned Rescue Rabbit! He banished it to Special Summon 2 Kabazauls from his Deck, and then Xyz Summoned Evolzar Laggia. Laggia beat Linoski down before finally using its effect to negate a Reinforcement of the Army. Krause correctly suspected that Linoski had Super Polymerization, and didn’t want to give Linoski the chance to use it by adding an Elemental HERO to his hand. Using Laggia to control the Duel, Krause managed to secure the victory. The easy early Summon of Evolzar Laggia is one of the main reasons why so many Duelists have hopped on over to Rescue Rabbit Decks. It’s a powerful first turn play that’s difficult to overcome.

In Duel 2, Krause didn’t get the chance to Summon Rescue Rabbit until later on, and used it to Special Summon 2 copies of Sabersaurus from his Deck. He tried attacking Linoski’s monster with Sabersaurus, and Linoski used Super Polymerization to fuse his Elemental HERO Neos Alius with a Sabersaurus and Summon Elemental HERO Gaia. Krause never recovered. Super Polymerization is a great card for countering Rescue Rabbit Decks. Even though Evolzar Laggia can negate just about any Spell, Trap, or Monster Summon, it can’t negate Super Polymerization. A HERO Duelist can fuse his Elemental HERO with an opponent’s Evolzar Laggia by activating Super Polymerization, wiping Laggia off of the field even if it has 2 Xyz Materials under it.

But Christopher Krause won Duel 3 and piloted his Rescue Rabbit Deck to a 2-1 victory over Matthew Linoski’s Gemini HERO Deck!

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At Table 2, we have Benjamin Lodise’s Dark World Deck against Christopher Rodriguez’s Herald of Perfection Fairy Deck.

In Duel 1, Rodriguez achieved the goal of his Deck and Summoned Herald of Perfection and Archlord Kristya to seal his victory. Once these 2 monsters hit the field, it’s nearly impossible to recover, since Archlord Kristya prevents Special Summons and Herald of Perfection negates Spells, Traps, and Monster Effects.

In Duel 2, Lodise kept using The Gates of Dark World to draw cards and discard Dark World monsters. He eventually dominated the Duel with none other than Grapha, Dragon Lord of Dark World. Rodriguez just shouldn’t keep up with The Gates, and Grapha eventually paved the way to victory.

The final Duel went to time. Lodise had Steelswarm Roach and Wind-Up Zenmaines on the field with a 500 Life Points lead when time was called. Rodriguez managed to get through the Roach, but just couldn’t take down the Zenmaines quickly enough!

Benjamin Lodise is moving on to Round 3 undefeated with Dark World!

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At Table 3, we have Reuben Kirk and his Spellcasters against Richard Cave’s Master Hyperion Deck!

In Duel 1, Cave opened up with 2 copies of Mystical Shine Ball, and Reuben Chained Maxx “C” to The Agent of Creation – Venus’ effect. Taking advantage of the situation, Kirk managed to Tune Oracle of the Sun with Night’s End Sorcerer to Synchro Summon Arcanite Magician! After destroying 2 of Cave’s back rows with Arcanite Magician’s effect, he activated Miracle Synchro Fusion to Summon Supreme Arcanite Magician and seal the first Duel!

In Duel 2, Cave Summoned an early Black Luster Soldier – Envoy of the Beginning to apply pressure to Kirk. Kirk couldn’t destroy the Black Luster Soldier – Envoy of the Beginning, and Cave was able to use it to achieve victory.

In Duel 3, Kirk Summoned Breaker the Magical Warrior and Set Solemn Warning on his first turn. It was a strong start, since it enabled him to negate a Monster Summon and destroy a Spell/Trap, but Cave broke through the opening! Cave Summoned The Agent of Mystery – Earth, and Kirk activated Solemn Warning to negate its Summon. Then Cave banished Earth to Summon Master Hyperion, and attacked over Breaker. I asked Kirk if he wished he hadn’t used the Solemn Warning to negate Earth’s Summon, since it allowed Master Hyperion to hit the field, and he replied in the affirmative. “Yes, I really regret using that Solemn Warning.”

But a killer topdeck allowed Kirk to turn the Duel back around on his next turn! Kirk Special Summoned Oracle of the Sun and then Normal Summoned Plaguespreader Zombie. He Synchro Summoned Arcanite Magician, and lost out to Solemn Warning. But Kirk Special Summoned another Oracle of the Sun, activated Instant Fusion to Summon Musician King, and Xyz Summoned Adreus, Keeper of Armageddon. Then he activated Miracle Synchro Fusion to Summon Supreme Arcanite Magician and it was all over!

Reuben Kirk pilots his Spellcaster Deck to victory over Richard Cave’s Master Hyperion Deck!

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At Table 4, we have Bertha Pena running a Gravekeepers Birdman Tengu Deck, facing off against Brock Henley’s Rabbits!

After a long first Duel, Pena used Enemy Controller in her battle phase to take control of Henley’s monster and attack for the win. Duel 3 was similar – Pena maintained steady control and eventually won with Enemy Controller. Enemy Controller is a great card for turning a Duel around, because it turns an opponent’s monster against him. Chaining Enemy Controller to a Trap Card like Bottomless Trap Hole or Mirror Force may allow a Duelist to grab a victory from the jaws of defeat.

In Duel 2, Henley Summoned an early Evolzar Laggia after Setting a bunch of back rows on his previous turn. One of his Set back rows was a Starlight Road that he revealed with Pot of Duality. Pena had Bottomless Trap Hole Set when Henley Tributed his Rescue Rabbit, but she couldn’t use it against the 2 Sabersauruses Summoned by Rabbit, since she knew that Henley would stop the Bottomless Trap Hole with Starlight Road. Pena never overcame Henley’s Laggia in Duel 2, but thanks to Enemy Controller, still managed to win the Match with Duel 3.

Bertha Pena took a 2-1 victory over Brock Henley’s Rabbits!

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Krause, Lodise, Kirk, and Pena are moving on undefeated!