Joseph Maddalena had a 9-1 record heading into this round, and a win here would make him a lock for the Top 32!  His opponent, John Banks, was 8-1-1 with eight wins, a loss, and a draw.  Victory may or may not take Banks to the Top 32, but he was ready to throw down and find out!

Maddalena opened up with Ghost Ship, Machina Fortress, Machina Force, Lightray Sorcerer, and 2 copies of Gallis the Star Beast.

Banks Summoned Geargiarsenal and Tributed it to Special Summon Geargiarmor in Defense Position. He activated its effect to put it face-down and then Set 3 cards to his back row.

Maddalena revealed Gallis the Star Beast from his hand and Special Summoned it by sending Genex Ally Birdman from the top of his Deck to his Graveyard. Banks lost 600 Life Points due to its effect. Next, Maddalena activated Mind Control, targeting Banks’s face-down Geargiarmor; but Banks activated Solemn Judgment and paid half of his Life Points to negate Mind Control. Maddalena revealed another Star Beast from his hand Special Summoned it by sending Machina Fortress from the top of his Deck to his Graveyard. Banks dropped down to 2300 Life Points. Next, Maddalena discarded Machina Force  to Special Summon Machina Fortress from his Graveyard; but Banks flipped Bottomless Trap Hole and banished it. Maddalena combined his 2 Star Beasts to Summon Wind-Up Zenmaines in Defense Position in Main Phase 2 and then ended his turn.

Banks Flip Summoned Geargiarmor and activated its effect to add Geargiaccelerator from his Deck to his hand.

He used his Geargiarmor’s effect to put it face-down and then Set a card to his back row before ending his turn.

Maddalena discarded Cyber Eltanin and Machina Fortress from his hand to Special Summon Machina Fortress back to the field. Then he attacked Banks’s face-down Geargiarmor with Machina Fortress; but Banks flipped Fiendish Chain and stopped Fortress’s attack.

Banks flipped his Geargiarmor and activated its effect to add another Geargiaccelerator from his Deck to his hand. He Special Summoned 2 copies of Geargiaccelerator and then combined both Geargiaccelerators to Xyz Summon Gear Gigant X. He detached an Xyz Material from it to add Machina Gearframe from his Deck to his hand and then Normal Summoned his Gearframe. He activated its effect to add Machina Fortress from his Deck to his hand and then combined Gearframe with Geargiarmor to Summon another Gear Gigant X. He detached an Xyz Material from it in order to activate its effect and add another Machina Gearframe from his Deck to his hand. Next, he discarded Machina Fortress and Karakuri Watchdog mdl 313 “Saizan” to Special Summon Fortress back from the Graveyard, and then discarded Machina Gearframe and another Machina Fortress to Summon a second Fortress to the field. He combined both Fortresses to Summon Number 11: Big Eye and then ddetached an Xyz Material to take control of Maddalena’s Fortress. He ended his turn without making another play.

Maddalena drew Tragoedia next turn. He switched Zenmaines into Attack Position and attacked Gear Gigant X. Maddalena dropped down to 7200 Life Points and lost an Xyz Material from Zenmaines. Maddalena destroyed Number 11: Big Eye with Big Eye’s effect in the End Phase.

Banks detached an Xyz Material from each Gear Gigant X to activate its effect and add Geargiarsenal and Geargiaccelerator from his Deck to his hand. He Summoned Geargiarsenal and then activated Limiter Removal to double the Attack Points of all of his monsters. Geargiarsenal attacked Zenmaines to get rid of an Xyz Material and deal 1900 points of damage to Maddalena. Next, Gear Gigant X attacked and destroyed Zenmaines, dropping Maddalena down to 2200 Life Points. He Special Summoned Tragoedia from his hand, and Gear Gigant X attacked and destroyed it. Next, Banks Tributed his Geargiarsenal to Special Summon Geargiarmor from his Deck. He activated its effect to put it face-down and then Set a card before ending his turn. In his End Phase, his 2 Gear Gigant X and his Machina Fortress were destroyed.

Maddalena Special Summoned Ghost Ship and then Normal Summoned Cyber Valley. He used his Valley’s effect to banish both of his monsters and draw 2 cards. Next, he Special Summoned Lightray Sorcerer from his hand. He attacked and destroyed Geargiarmor, flipping it up and activating its effect so that Banks could add Geargiarsenal from his Deck to his hand.

Banks discarded Geargiarmor and Geargiarsenal to Special Summon Machina Fortress and then attacked Lightray Sorcerer to destroy it.

Maddalena Special Summoned Cyber Dragon and fused it with Machina Fortress to Summon Chimeratech Fortress Dragon. Next, he Normal Summoned Genex Neutron. Direct attacks from Genex Neutron and Chimeratech Fortress Dragon finished Banks off.

Joseph Maddalena takes the first Duel of the Match!  We were onto Duel 2 in a matter of heartbeats.

Banks Summoned Geargiarsenal and Tributed it to Special Summon Geargiarmor.  He turned it face-down with its effect, then Set three cards to his Spell and Trap Card Zone.

Maddalena had Cyber Eltanin; Ryko, Lightsworn Hunter; Genex Ally Birdman; Gorz the Emissary of Darkness; Chaos Sorcerer; and Machina Gearframe.  He Set Ryko.

Banks Flip summoned Geargiarmor to get Geargiaccelerator from his Deck, then Special Summoned not one, but two ‘accelerators!  He stacked everything to Xyz Summon Number 16: Shock Master, detaching a Material to restrict monster effects.  It attacked over Ryko and Banks Set a fourth back row cards.

Maddalena drew Heavy Storm and activated it, forcing Banks to activate Solemn Judgment.  The Duel stood at 4000 Life Points to 8000.  He Set Genex Ally Birdman.

Banks detached to restrict monster effects once again, attacking to destroy Birdman.  He Set another monster.

Maddalena drew Ghost Ship and Special Summoned Chaos Sorcerer, losing out to Bottomless Trap Hole.  Banks Flip Summoned Geargiarmor, getting Geargiaccelerator and Special Summoning it.  He stacked it with Geargiarmor to Summon Gear Gigant X and detached to search his Deck for Machina Gearframe.  That got him Machina Fortress, and he discarded it alongside Geargiarsenal to Special Summon it.  One more Shock Master activation later, Maddalena conceded the second Duel!

John Banks battles back to take Game 2, pressing the Match to one more Duel!  “Stop having Solemn!” laughed Maddalena. 

“Sorry!” grinned Banks.  “It would’ve been worse if it was Starlight Road!” 

“No fear!” chuckled Maddalena.  “I was like, ‘If this doesn’t go through it’s over either way, so whatever’.” 

Maddalena opened the last Duel with a hand of Genex Neutron; Machina Gearframe; Monster Reborn;  Gallis the Star Beast; Black Luster Soldier – Envoy of the Beginning; and Tragoedia.  He Summoned Neutron and ended his turn to add Genex Ally Birdman to his hand.

Banks Summoned Geargiarsenal and activated its effect, Tributing it to Special Summon Geargiarmor.  He turned it face-down, then Set two cards to his back row.

Mddalena ripped Heavy Storm yet again!  He activated it: “You got it this time,” replied Banks, as his Mirror Force and Solemn Warning were destroyed.  Maddalena withdrew visibly, counting out numbers in his head and then re-emerging sounding slightly frustrated.  “How – do – I – KILL YOU!?”  He Special Summoned Gallis, sending Gorz the Emissary of Darkness to his Graveyard for 1400 damage.  “Well,” he was cheery again, “That’ll help!”  He Normal Summoned Gearframe to get Fortress from his Deck, then bounced Neutron to his hand to Special Summon Birdman.  He pitched Neutron to Special Summon Fortress, then banished his only two in-Graveyard monsters to Special Summon Black Luster Soldier – Envoy of the Beginning!  He still had Tragoedia and Reborn in hand.  He attacked with the Soldier to destroy Geargiarmor and Banks offered the handshake!

Joseph Maddalena finishes the Swiss Rounds 10-1, and is taking his unique strategy to the Top 32!