Welcome to the Finals of Day 1’s Dragon Duel competition! We’ve got two twelve-year-old Duelists here, but only one can take first place. Benjamin Leverett is a common sight at the top tables, and he’s here once again from Atlanta, GA, with his Mermail Deck. His opponent is Joshua Bridges, a Knoxville, TN, player who has also done quite well in Dragon Duels before. Blackwings are Bridges’s Deck of choice today.

Duel 1

Bridges started with 2 copies of Blackwing – Blizzard the Far North, Blackwing – Bora the Spear, Blackwing – Sirocco the Dawn, Delta Crow – Anti Reverse, and Dark Hole. He Normal Summoned Bora the Spear and passed.

Leverett activated Mermail Abyssmegalo from his hand, discarding Mermail Abyssleed and Atlantean Marksman. He added Abyss-squall to his hand. He Set three cards to his back row.

Bridges drew another Bora. He Set Delta Crow and passed.

Leverett Normal Summoned Marksman and used Abyssmegalo to Tribute it. Marksman targeted Delta Crow, Bridges Chained it, and Leverett Chained 2 copies of Abyss-sphere! He brought out Abyssmegalo and Mermail Abyssteus from his Deck, then stacked them for Number 11: Big Eye! Big Eye stole Bora. “I’m not getting Kalut’d!” he said. When Leverett entered his Battle Phase, Bridges quickly conceded! He only realized after he’d picked up his cards that Big Eye was unable to attack  the turn it uses its effect! Leverett said he had a Dark Hole, so he might have been able to win either way, but there was no way to know for sure.

Always make sure you pay attention to ALL of the effects of cards, or you might end up losing games you shouldn’t!

Duel 2

Bridges started off with Blackwing – Sirocco the Dawn, Blackwing – Shura the Blue Flame, Blackwing – Bora the Spear, Blackwing – Vayu the Emblem of Honor, Forbidden Lance, and Solemn Judgment. He Set Vayu.

Leverett played Mermail Abysspike, discarding Marksman for its effect. He added another Marksman to his hand, and destroyed Vayu with the first Marksman’s effect. He Set a back row card and attacked.

Bridges drew Dark Hole. He played Shura but lost it to Solemn Warning. Bridges Set Solemn Judgment and Lance.

Leveret discarded Marksman to Special Summon Mermail Abyssteus. Marksman targeted Lance, and Bridges Chained it to weaken Abysspike. Abyssteus added Abysspike to Leverett’s hand. Abysspike attacked directly, and Leverett Set a monster.

Bridges drew Thunder King Rai-Oh. He wipe the field with Dark Hole, and Leverett got to use the effect of his face-down Mermail Abysslinde. He Special Summoned Mermail Abyssmegalo from his Deck. Bridges continued with Sirocco and Bora, and used Sirocco’s effect to power through Abyssmegalo!

Leverett activated Dark Hole, and Bridges opted not to use his Solemn Judgment. He played Abysspike next, and Bridges decided to negate the Summon with Judgment. Leverett Set a back row card.

Bridges drew Blackwing – Gale the Whirlwind. He banished Vayu and Sirocco to Special Summon Blackwing – Armed Wing. It attacked directly, but Leverett played Abyss-sphere to Special Summon Abysslinde in defense position. Armed Wing attacked it, letting Leverett bring out Abyssmegalo. In Main Phase 2, Bridges Special Summoned Gale and halved Abyssmegalo’s ATK, then Normal Summoned Thunder King Rai-Oh.

Leverett destroyed Rai-Oh with Soul Taker, then turned Abyssmegalo to defense position.

Bridges drew Dimensional Prison. Gale destroyed Abyssmegalo and Armed Wing attacked directly.

Leverett took out Prison with Heavy Storm, then destroyed Gale with Mermail Abyssgunde.

Bridges drew Blackwing – Blizzard the Far North! He played it and brought back Bora, then tuned Blizzard to Armed Wing for Scrap Dragon! He destroyed Bora and Abyssgunde with Scrap Dragon’s effect, then attacked directly end the Duel!

Josh Bridges makes a comeback, redeeming himself after that first Duel! There’s only one Duel left to determine first place!

Duel 3

Leverett started the final Duel with two back row cards.

Bridges had 2 Sirocco, Gale, Dark Hole, Mystical Space Typhoon, and Delta Crow – Anti Reverse. He only Set Typhoon, and lost it to Leverett’s Typhoon in the End Phase.

Leverett played Deep Sea Diva to bring Atlantean Marksman to the field. He attacked directly with Marksman to bring out Atlantean Dragoons, then attacked with Dragoons and Diva.

Bridges drew Icarus Attack. He Normal Summoned Sirocco and destroyed Diva in battle, then Set Icarus and Delta Crow.

Leverett played Heavy Storm. Bridges Chained Delta Crow, then Icarus Attack! In the end, the whole field was wiped cleared! Leverett Set two cards to his back row.

Bridges drew Dimensional Prison and Set it.

Leverett Set a third back row card.

Bridges drew and Set Mirror Force.

Leverett passed.

Bridges drew and Set Bottomless Trap Hole.

On his own turn, Leverett activated Abyss-sphere to Special Summon Abyssmegalo, then played another Abyss-sphere for Abysslinde. Bridges tried to play Bottomless Trap Hole, but Leverett played Trap Stun! Leverett continued with Diva, and Special Summoned Marksman. Safe while under the effect of Trap Stun, he could attack with all his monsters and win the Match!

Benjamin Leverett is your Day 1 Dragon Duel Champion!