Bryan Rockenback is a Phoenix, AZ, player, and one of the best. He’s topped several YCS events, and also was the second place finisher at the United States National Championship in 2007! He’s using Mermails today, but he’s got a tough matchup in front of him. His opponent is Alejandro manuel Vasquez Guerena from Tijuana, Mexico, and he’s using Dino Rabbit. Mermail Decks have a tough time dealing with Evolzar Dolkka, as well as other common Dino Rabbit cards like Macro Cosmos.

Duel 1

Rockenback started with Abyss-squall, Pot of Avarice, Deep Sea Diva, and 3 Mermail Abysslinde. He Set Abysslinde.

Vasquez Guerena played out Jurrac Guaiba and destroyed it in battle. Abysslinde Special Summoned Mermail Abyssleed, while Guaiba Special Summoned another Guaiba. Vasquez Guerena Set two cards to his back row, then stacked his dinosaurs for Evolzar Dolkka.

Rockenback drew Monster Reborn. Abyssleed attacked Dolkka, and Vasquez Guerena used Forbidden Lance to win the battle. In Main Phase 2 Rockenback revived Abyssleed with Monster Reborn, then Set Abyss-squall.

Vasquez Guerena played Tour Guide From the Underworld, brought a second Tour Guide to the party, and Xyz Summoned Number 30: Acid Golem of Destruction! Acid Golem wiped out Abyssleed, then Dolkka struck directly.

Rockenback drew Mermail Abysspike. He Set Abysslinde.

Vasquez Guerena took 2000 damage from Acid Golem, then played Sabersaurus. Sabersaurus wiped out Abysslinde, and Dolkka negated it. Dolkka attacked directly, and Rockenback played Abyss-squall! He revived Abyssleed and both Abysslinde. Dolkka and Acid Golem destroyed both copies of Abysslinde, and Abyssleed was destroyed in the End Phase.

Rockenback drew Atlantean Marksman. He played out Abysspike and activated its effect, discarding Marksman, and Vasquez Guerena used Fiendish Chain on Abysspike. Marksman destroyed Vasquez Guerena’s Mystical Space Typhoon. Rockenback Set his own Mystical Space Typhoon, but with no monsters, Vasquez Guerena was able to finish the Duel next turn!

Vasquez Guerena threatens with Evolzar Dolkka for the whole game, keeping Rockenback’s most important cards shut down!

Duel 2

Rockenback began with Atlantean Dragoons,2  Mermail Abyssteus, Mermail Abyssmegalo, Deep Sea Diva, and Solemn Judgment. He discarded Dragoons to Special Summon Abyssteus in defense position, letting him use both effects to search out Mermail Abysspike and Atlantean Marksman. He Set Judgment.

Vasquez Guerena Set a monster, then three back row cards.

Rockenback drew another Dragoons. He discarded Marksman to Special Summon his second Abyssteus. Marksman targeted one of Vasquez Guerena’s back row cards, and it was Chained: Torrential Tribute! Vasquez Guerena lost Kabazauls while Rockenback lost his two Abyssteus. Abyssteus’s effect still added Mermail Abyssgunde to his hand. Rockenback played out Abysspike next, discarding Dragoons to add 2 Atlantean Marksmen to his hand. Vasquez Guerena tried to use Mind Crush on Atlantean Marksman, but Rockenback used Solemn Judgment. Next, Rockenback discarded Abyssgunde and a Marksman to Special Summon Abyssmegalo. Marksman destroyed Mirror Force, Abyssgunde revived Abyssteus, and Abyssmegalo added Abyss-sphere to Rockenback’s hand. Abysspike, Abyssteus, and Abyssmegalo attacked directly, dropping Vasquez Guerena to 2300 Life Points. Rockenback Set Abyss-sphere, then Xyz Summoned Mermail Abyssgaios!

Vasquez Guerena could only Set a monster.

Rockenback drew another Abysspike! He played it, discarding Marksman, and Vasquez Guerena conceded!

Rockenback evens the score with a flurry of WATER effects! Vasquez Guerena will be going first in the final Duel.

Duel 3

Vasquez Guerena started with Rescue Rabbit! He banished it for 2 Kabazauls, then Xyz Summoned Evolzar Laggia. He backed up Laggia with three face-down cards.

Rockenback’s final opening hand was Soul Taker, Bottomless Trap Hole, Abyssgunde, Abyssmegalo, Abyssteus, and Deep Sea Diva. In his Draw Phase, Vasquez Guerena activated Macro Cosmos! Rockenback sighed as he pondered his options. He activated Soul Taker, Laggia negated it, and he Set Bottomless Trap Hole.

Vasquez Guerena played Thunder King Rai-Oh, and it fell into the Bottomless Trap Hole. Laggia struck directly, and Vasquez Guerena Set a back row card.

Rockenback drew Atlantean Heavy Infantry! He played it, then used his extra Normal Summon for Deep Sea Diva. That brought along Atlantean Marksman, and he Synchro Summoned Black Rose Dragon… but Vasquez Guerena had Starlight Road! Rockenback knew there was no way he’d be coming back from Vasquez Guerena’s field while Macro Cosmos was in play, and conceded!

Vaquez Guerena sets up an unbreakable field, and is victorious with Dino Rabbit!