Desmond Johnson is from Atlanta, and traveled with a unique Karakuri Deck featuring Psychics, Instant Fusion, and Solar Wind Jammer! Jonathan Swartz is from Seratoga, FL, and is playing a Mermail Deck. For one of these Duelists, it’s the end of the road – they both need a win to guarantee a spot in the Top 32.

Duel 1

Johnson began the final round with 2 Emergency Teleport , Royal Decree, Instant Fusion, Karakuri Komachi mdl 224 “Ninishi”, and Karakuri Soldier mdl 236 “Nisamu”. He played Instant Fusion for Cyber Saurus, then Normal Summoned Ninishi, and Swartz used Effect Veiler on it. Johnson Synchro Summoned Karakuri Steel Shogun mdl 00X “Bureido” and used it to bring a Ninishi to the field. He Normal Summoned Nisamu and Synchro Summoned Karakuri Shogun mdl 00 “Burei”. Its effect brought out Karakuri Merchant mdl 177 “Inashichi”, and Emergency Teleport brought Psychic Commander to the field. He drew Ninishi with Bureido, then Synchro Summoned Naturia Beast. He Set Decree. When Swartz drew his card, he immediately conceded so Johnson couldn’t see what he was using before Side Decking.

Desmond Johnson takes the first Duel by playing right through Effect Veiler to set up an impenetrable field! After seeing nothing but Effect Veiler, Johnson decided to Side Deck as though he were up against Chaos Dragons or Agents, the Decks that most commonly use Veiler in today’s tournament environment. That may give Swartz an edge, since he’s actually using Mermails.

Duel 2

Swartz Set a monster.

Johnson had Nisamu, Karakuri Strategist mdl 248 “Nishipachi”, Inashichi, Solar Wind Jammer, Instant Fusion, and Mystical Space Typhoon. He Special Summoned Solar Wind Jammer, then Normal Summoned Nishipachi. He Synchro Summoned Bureido, and its effect was negated by Swartz’s Veiler. Bureido took out Mermail Abysslinde in battle, and Swartz Special Summoned Mermail Abyssmegalo from his Deck.

Swartz Normal Summoned Genex Undine on his turn, sending Atlantean Dragoons to the Graveyard. He put Genex Controller and Abyssmegalo into his hand. He Special Summoned the Abyssmegalo by discarding Abysslinde and Moulinglacia the Elemental Lord, and added Abyss-sphere to his hand. He stacked both Abyssmegalos for Number 11: Big Eye and stole Bureido, then attacked with Undine and Bureido. Swartz Set 2 back row cards to finish.

Johnson drew another Mystical Space Typhoon. He Normal Summoned Nisamu and attacked Big Eye, and Swartz used Maxx “C” in response to the attack. Nisamu lost the battle, and brought Karakuri Ninja mdl 919 “Kuick” to the field. Kuick destroyed Undine in battle, then Special Summoned Nishipachi from the Graveyard. In Main Phase 2 Johnson Synchro Summoned Black Rose Dragon and used its effect. Swartz Chained Abyss-sphere and Johnson used Mystical Space Typhoon to destroy it before it resolved. Black Rose cleared the field, and Johnson Set his other Typhoon.

Swartz Normal Summoned Genex Controller and attacked directly, dropping Johnson to 1400. He Set Abyss-sphere, losing it to Mystical Space Typhoon in the End Phase.

Johnson drew Effect Veiler. He entered his Battle Phase, then Main Phase 2. He Normal Summoned Karakuri Merchant mdl 177 “Inashichi”, which put Ninishi in his hand. Johnson wouldn’t last long enough to use it, though, because Swartz cleared the field with Dark Hole and Normal Summoned Dragoons to finish Johnson off!

Jonathan Swartz takes the second Duel, and the Duelists quickly Side Deck in preparation for their final Duel before the Top 32 is announced. “Are you as nervous as I am right now?” Johnson laughed.  “I sure am,” Swartz solemnly said.

Duel 3

Johnson began the last Duel of Swiss play with a hand of 2 Psychic Commanders, Instant Fusion, Solemn Warning, Inashichi, and Nisamu. He played Instant Fusion for Cyber Saurus, then Normal Summoned Commander. He Synchro Summoned Karakuri Steel Shogun mdl 00X “Bureido”, and it brought Ninishi to the field. He Normal Summoned Inashichi to put Karakuri Cash Cache to his hand. He played it to put Inashichi in defense position and get Ninishi in his hand. With Bureido’s effect, he drew Monster Reborn! He played it on Cyber Saurus and tuned Ninishi to it for another Bureido, which Special Summoned Nishipachi to the field. It turned Inashichi to attack position and Bureido let him draw Instant Fusion. He tuned Nishipachi to Inashichi for Naturia Beast and Set Solemn Warning. Can Swartz possibly play out of this?

He tried by playing Dark Hole, and conceded when it was negated by Naturia Beast! He revealed his hand of all spells and no useful monsters.

Desmond Johnson is moving to the Top 32 with Karakuri!