Richard Paninski is undefeated so far in this tournament, and with three Rounds left in competition today, he’s well on his way to making Day 2 with a “shocking” strategy – Watts!

But his opponent is Kevin Ward, who’s packing a shocking strategy of his own!  Ward is running a HERO deck that sides into Wind-Ups.  Ward expects his opponents to side out their copies of Effect Veiler and Maxx “C” after seeing they’re up against HEROes, giving him the perfect opportunity to unleash Wind-Up combos unopposed.  Would the trick work?  We were about to find out!

Ward started things off with a Set monster, then Set a Spell or Trap.

Paninski opened with Lava Golem; Effect Veiler; Magic Cylinder; two copies of Wattdragonfly; and Swords of Revealing Light.  He Set the ‘fly and Cylinder.

Ward blasted the Cylinder with Mystical Space Typhoon next turn.  He Flip Summoned Spirit Reaper, then Normal Summoned Elemental HERO Neos Alius.  Alius attacked to destroy Wattdragonfly, and Paninski Special Summoned Wattcobra from his Deck.  Ward Set a second card to his back row.

Paninski drew Wattgiraffe.  He Normal Summoned it and attacked, losing both of his monsters to Mirror Force!  In Main Phase 2 Paninski activated Swords of Revealing Light.

Ward destroyed it with another Mystical Space Typhoon next turn, then attacked with Neos Alius and Reaper to make Paninski discard Effect Veiler.

Paninski drew Messenger of Peace, and Tributed both opposing monsters for Lava Golem!  He activated Messenger to finish out the turn.

Ward Special Summoned Spirit Reaper with Monster Reborn, attacking under Messenger of Peace to discard Paninski’s Wattdragonfly.

Paninski drew and Set Honest.

Ward drew and Set another card to his back row, then turned Reaper to Defense Position.

Paninski drew Torrential Tribute and Set it.

Ward drew and Set another back row.

Paninski topdecked Pot of Avarice and activated it, sending all five of the monsters in his Graveyard back to his Deck!  He drew Wattcobra and Secret Barrel, Summoning the Cobra.  When he tried to attack with it, Ward destroyed it with Hero Blast, taking back his Elemental HERO Neos Alius.

Ward dropped to 4000 Life Points from Lava Golem’s effect, then activated Mystical Space Typhoon to destroy Messenger of Peace!  Paninski had 5400 Life Points remaining.  Ward attacked with Lava Golem, destroying Honest.

Paninski drew a Mystical Space Typhoon of his own and Set it.

Ward dropped to 3000 Life Points and Normal Summoned Neos Alius: Paninski responded with Torrential Tribute, and Ward Chained Compulsory Evacuation Device targeting his Neos Alius.  Paninski Chained Secret Barrel to dish out 1600 damage; Ward returned his Neos Alius to his hand; and Spirit Reaper and Lava Golem were destroyed.  Ward Set a Spell or Trap and Paninski destroyed it with Mystical Space Typhoon in the End Phase: Mirror Force.

Paninski drew and Set Solemn Judgment.

Ward Summoned Neos Alius and attacked for 1900 Battle Damage.

Paninski drew and Summoned Thunder King Rai-Oh, passing.

Ward tried to Summon another Neos Alius, but Paninski Chained Solemn Judgment.  Ward Chained Dark Bribe to negate the Judgment, then attacked to trade one Neos Alius with Thunder King before making a final attack!

Kevin Ward captures the first Duel, as an early Mirror Force kills Richard Paninski’s momentum and leaves him playing catch-up for the rest of Game 1!  Ward labored a bit over what he should side in for this match-up, and Game 2 began moments later.

Paninski opened up the second Duel with a hand of Messenger of Peace; Wattpheasant; Wattgiraffe; Secret Barrel; and two Wattcobra!  Not too shabby.  He Set Barrel, then Set Wattpheasant.

Ward Set two cards to his back row.

Paninski drew another Wattgiraffe, and Summoned Wattcobra: Ward flipped Torrential Tribute, wiping Paninski’s field just like last game.  “Your move.”

Ward activated Mystical Space Typhoon, and Paninski Chained Secret Barrel to deal 1200 damage. He Summoned Wind-Up Rat!  Ward had sided into Wind-Ups!  He Special Summoned Wind-Up Shark, and Xyz Summoned Wind-Up Carrier Zenmaity.  He Special Summoned Wind-Up Magician, then Special Summoned Wind-Up Shark from his hand, Special Summoning another Magician with the effect of the first!  He reduced the Shark’s Level to 3, then Special Summoned his third Wind-Up Magician from his Deck to Xyz Summon Number 16: Shock Master. 

Ward activated Shock Master’s effect, prohibiting Spell Cards from being played, and attacked with everything to reduce Paninski to 2700 Life Points.  Paninski Set a monster next turn, but Ward bounced it way with Compulsory Evacuation Device and attacked for game next turn!

Kevin Ward takes a 2-0 victory, with a HERO deck that sides into Wind-Ups!  Over on the other Feature Match table, Paul Cooper was about to claim victory with the same strategy.  Could these two Duelists be headed to the Top 32 with their tricky deck concept?