Top 16 Feature Match: Desmond Johnson vs. Tahmid Zaman
Only 16 Duelists remain, but soon it will be just 8! Desmond Johnson and Tahmid Zaman both looking to take the win. Johnson beat Mermails in his earlier Feature Match, but can he make a repeat performance? Let’s find out!
Duel 1
Johsnon began by Special Summoning Solar Wind Jammer! He followed up with Karakuri Komachi mdl 224 “Ninishi” and Synchro Summoned Karakuri Steel Shogun mdl 00X “Bureido”! Bureido Special Summoned Karakuri Komachi mdl 224 “Ninishi” from his Deck. He used his extra Normal Summon from Ninishi to play Karakuri Merchant mdl 177 “Inashichi”. Inashichi put Karakuri Cash Cache in his hand, and he played it to put Ninishi in his hand. Inashichi went to defense position from Cash Cache, and Bureido let him draw a card. He Synchro Summoned Naturia Beast and Set a back row.
Zaman’s hand for the Top 16 was Allure of Darkness, Moulinglacia the Elemental Lord, Monster Reborn, Dark Hole, Abyss-sphere, and Atlantean Dragoons. He only Set Abyss-sphere.
Johnson turned Bureido to defense position and drew a card, then used Mystical Space Typhoon. Zaman Chained Abyss-sphere and got Mermail Abysslinde, and its effect brought Mermail Abysspike to the field. Abysspike discarded Dragoons, and Zaman put Deep Sea Diva and Genex Undine into his hand. Johnson played Ninishi and Karakuri Soldier mdl 236 “Nisamu”, then Synchro Summoned Karakuri Shogun mdl 00 “Burei”. Burei’s effect brought Nishipachi to the field, and it turned Bureido back to attack position. Nishipachi and Beast were used to Synchro Summon Scrap Dragon. Scrap targeted Abysspike and Johnson’s own face-down card, which he Chained: Emergency Teleport! When he revealed it, Zaman conceded!
Desmond Johnson rushes the field with Synchro Monsters to take a short first Duel! Zaman is one loss away from being out of the tournament, but he still has a shot to make a comeback.
Duel 2
Zaman’s hand was Heavy Storm, Genex Controller, Effect Veiler, Maxx “C”, Torrential Tribute, and Mermail Abysslinde. He Set Torrential and Abysslinde.
Johnson used Night Beam to destroy Torrential Tribute. He played Dimensional Fissure, and Zaman Chained Maxx “C”. “They always have the Maxx “C”!” Desmond cried, as he Set a card to his back row.
Zaman drew Dragoons. He played Heavy Storm to destroy Johnson’s Solemn Warning. He flipped his Abysslinde and played Controller. They attacked directly for a total of 2900 Life Points.
Johnson Special Summoned Solar Wind Jammer, then used Emergency Teleport to Special Summon Psychic Commander. He Synchro Summoned Bureido and it was negated by Zaman’s Veiler. Bureido destroyed Genex Controller.
Zaman drew his second Torrential Tribute. He sent Abysslinde to attack Bureido and brought out Mermail Abysspike with its effect. Abysspike discarded Dragoons, and Zaman got Undine and Moulinglacia the Elemental Lord for his troubles. He Normal Summoned Undine to put Atlantean Heavy Infantry in the Graveyard, destroying Bureido and adding Genex Controller to his hand. He Set Torrential Tribute.
Johnson destroyed it with Heavy Storm. He Special Summoned Cyber Dragon and Normal Summoned Pyschic Commander to make another Bureido! Bureido brought along Ninishi, which turned itself to defense position so Johnson could draw with Bureido. Bureido destroyed Abysspike in battle.
Zaman drew Salvage. He Normal Summoned Genex Controller and stacked it with Undine for Wind-Up Zenmaines. Zenmaines attacked Bureido and detached a material, and in Main Phase 2 Zaman played Moulinglacia the Elemental Lord! Johnson lost Ninishi from his hand, and Zenmaines blew up Bureido. He now had nothing but Ninishi on the field.
Johnson Set one Spell or Trap.
Zaman played Pot of Avarice, Johnson negated it with Solemn Judgment, and Zaman simply played Salvage. Johnson conceded and we’re moving on to a third Duel!
Duel 3
Johnson Special Summoned Solar Wind Jammer and Normal Summoned Psychic Commander, prompting Maxx “C” from Zaman. Johnson continued by Special Summoning Bureido, which brought Nishipachi and let him draw, and he Set 2 back row.
Zaman had Genex Controller , Snowman Eater, Deep Sea Diva, Torrential Tribute, Book of Moon, Mystical Space Typhoon, and Atlantean Marksman. Typhoon hit Solemn Warning, then he Normal Summoned Diva. That Special Summoned Infantry, and he Normal Summoned Marksman so he could wipe the board with Black Rose Dragon! Johnson lost his monsters and his face-down Soul Drain, and Zaman Set Torrential Tribute.
Johnson passed.
Zaman drew Effect Veiler and Set Snowman Eater.
Johnson Set a back row card.
Zaman drew Mermail Abyssmegalo and passed.
Johnson passed.
Zaman drew Infantry and passed.
Johnson passed.
Zaman drew Monster Reborn and passed.
Johnson entered his Battle Phase, then Main Phase 2. He Normal Summoned Inashichi and Zaman negated it with Veiler. Johnson played Karakuri Anatomy and passed.
Zaman drew Mirror Force. He Flip Summoned Snowman Eater to destroy Inashichi, then Normal Summoned Genex Controller. He stacked his monsters for Wind-Up Zenmaines and attacked directly for the first damage of the Duel. He Set Book of Moon.
Johnson Set a monster
Zaman drew Undine and played it. He sent Dragoons from his Deck to the Graveyard, and Johnson Chained Soul Drain! Undine added Genex Controller to Zaman’s hand. Zenmaines attacked into Inishi and Zaman lost 400 Life Points.
Johnson turned Inishi to attack position and put a counter on Anatomy, then drew a card with it. He played Heavy Storm, and Zaman used Book of Moon on Inishi. Johnson Normal Summoned Psychic Commander and played Instant Fusion to Special Summon Cyber Saurus. He Synchro Summoned Bureido and Special Summoned Nishipachi in defense position, with its effect turning it to attack position so Bureido would let him draw a card. He played De-Synchro next, bringing back Psychic Commander and Cyber Saurus for another Bureido! Bureido brought another Karakuri from his Deck, and from there began a flurry of cards including another De-Synchro to replace Bureido again, Karakuri Anatomy, Karakuri Shogun mdl 00 “Burei”, and Pot of Avarice. Eventually, he finished with a field of Bureido, 2 copies of Burei, Naturia Beast, and Karakuri Strategist mdl 248 “Nishipachi” in defense position. Bureido hit Zenmaines, Burei did again, then the second Burei took it down. Beast destroyed Undine, and Johnson Set a card to his back row.
Zaman drew Salvage. He could only Set his Infantry, Mirror Force, and a few bluff Spells. Johnson was unphased, as he tuned Nishipachi to Naturia Beast for Stardust Dragon. He attacked fearlessly, with Stardust Dragon negating Mirror Force to guarantee Johnson’s victory!
Desmond Johnson’s Karakuri Deck is moving on to the Top 8!