The Finals: Michael Steinman Versus Angel Ascencio
It all came down to this! Fire versus Water. Fire Fists Versus Mermails. Angel Ascencio has made three YCS Top 32’s in the past, while Michael Steinman has three YCS tops, and three WCQ tops. Mere minutes from now we’ll have a new Champion, and potentially a new Deck-to-beat.
Ascencio opened the Match with Moulinglacia the Elemental Lord; Mind Control; Atlantean Heavy Infantry; Mermail Abysslinde; and two Mermail Abyssmegalo. He Set Abysslinde.
“I am so tired,” groaned Steinman. “How many Rounds have we played? Nineteen? Eighteen, nineteen?” He Summoned Brotherhood of the Fire Fist – Gorilla and attacked Abysslinde: Ascencio Special Summoned Mermail Abysspike from his Deck, and Steinman searched out Fire Formation – Tensu. Ascencio didn’t seem to realize that his Abysspike would miss the timing for its effect. Steinman moved to Main Phase 2 and flipped Tensu, using it to Normal Summon Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Bear. It destroyed Abysspike, and Steinman overlaid for Abyss Dweller. He Set two cards to his back row.
Ascencio drew Mermail Abyssgunde and considered his hand.
Ascencio discarded Abyssgunde and Heavy Infantry for Mermail Abyssmegalo, and Steinman responded with Abyss Dweller’s effect, shutting down Infantry and Abyssgunde. Ascencio got Abyss-sphere from his Deck with Abyssmegalo. Ascencio attacked, losing his Abyssmegalo to Dimensional Prison. He Set ‘sphere.
Steinman Summoned Tour Guide from the Underworld, Special Summoning another from his hand. “Makes up for the ‘pike thing, I guess…” He Xyz Summoned Number 20: Giga-Brilliant and detached for its effect, then attacked with his 2000 ATK Abyss Dweller. Ascencio brought out Mermail Abyssteus in Defense Position off of Abyss-sphere, and Steinman flipped Bottomless Trap Hole!
He attacked with both monsters to drop Ascencio to 3900 Life Points.
Ascencio drew Mermail Abysslinde, holding Mind Control, Abyssmegalo, and Moulinglacia. He discarded Moulinglacia and Abysslinde to Special Summon Abyssmegalo, getting another Abyss-sphere. Abyssmegalo attacked to destroy Giga-Brilliant, and Ascencio Set Abyss-sphere.
Steinman activated Pot of Duality, revealing Fiendish Chain, Bottomless Trap Hole, and Solemn Warning: he took the Bottomless. Steinman had two cards in hand: he Set the Bottomless and Set a monster.
Ascencio drew Deep Sea Diva and Summoned it, Special Summoning Atlantean Marksman. He took Steinman’s Set Gene-Warped Warwolf with Mind Control, then Tuned it to Diva to Synchro Summon… Nothing! He didn’t have a Level 6 Synchro Monster in his Extra Deck save Dewloren, Tiger King of the Ice Barrier, which requires WATER Synchro Materials. He Tuned Diva to Marksman instead, bringing out T.G. Hyper Librarian, and attacked with it to destroy Abyss Dweller: Steinman used its effect right before it went down. Abyssmegalo attacked, and Ascencio handed back the Warwolf. “Terrible misplay,” remarked Ascencio, noting his own mistake.
“I don’t think it’ll matter,” replied Steinman, unhappy with his position in the game. He drew and Set a Spell or Trap.
Ascencio drew Monster Reborn and attacked over Gene-Warped Warwolf, then made a direct attack.
Steinman drew Fire Formation – Tenki and activated it, getting Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Bear from his Deck. He Summoned it, then sent Tenki to the Graveyard to destroy Abyssmegalo.
Ascencio drew Mermail Abysslinde and Normal Summoned it: Steinman banished it with Bottomless. T.G. Hyper Librarian attacked to destroy Bear, but when Ascencio went for game with Abyss-sphere Steinman Chained his last card: Solemn Judgment! Steinman drew and Set a single card to his back row, and a turn later Ascencio drew Deep Sea Diva and attacked for game!
Angel Ascencio is one win away from his first-ever YCS win! Could Michael Steinman fight back and claim the Championship instead? Both Duelists made rote motions as they conducted their Side Decking.
Steinman shuffled his hand a bit before making his opening plays for Duel 2: he Summoned Banisher of the Radiance, then Set two cards to his Spell and Trap Card Zone to back it up. “Go ahead.”
Ascencio had Monster Reborn; Dark Hole; Mermail Abyssteus; Dust Tornado; Mermail Abysslinde; and Heavy Storm. He activated Heavy to blow away Steinman’s Fiendish Chain and Bottomless Trap Hole, then destroyed Banisher with Dark Hole. He Summoned Abysslinde and made a direct attack, then Set Dust Tornado, ready for a Fire Formation – Tenki.
Steinman activated Tenki, and Ascencio Chained Dust Tornado. He activated Dimensional Fissure and Set his last two cards to his back row.
Ascencio drew Mermail Abyssmegalo and attacked again with Abysslinde.
Steinman played Monster Reborn to bring back Banisher, running over Abysslinde.
Ascencio drew another Mermail Abyssteus. He passed.
Steinman Summoned Brotherhood of the Fire Fist – Gorilla, and attacked for a combined total of 3200 Battle Damage.
Ascencio drew Mermail Abyssgunde and Set her.
Steinman Summoned Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Bear and attacked with everything to take the second Duel!
Michael Steinman battles back, playing Banisher of the Radiance twice in conjunction with Dimensional Fissure to keep Angel Ascencio pinned down! A nice Dust Tornado play on Fire Formation – Tenki just isn’t enough to save Ascencio, and Steinman presses the tournament to one last Duel.
Ascencio had Atlantean Dragoons; Deep Sea Diva; Heavy Storm; Mermail Abysspike; Mermail Abyssleed; and Torrential Tribute. Ascencio Summoned Abysspike to pitch Dragoons, searching out Mermail Abyssmegalo and Mermail Abyssgunde. He Set Torrential.
Steinman activated Fire Formation – Tenki, getting Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Bear. He Summoned it, and Ascencio cleared the field with Torrential Tribute. “Yes! That’s fine,” remarked Steinman, unfazed. He Set three cards to his back row.
Ascencio drew Moulinglacia the Elemental Lord and activated Heavy Storm! He destroyed two Tenkis, Fiendish Chain, and Bottomless Trap Hole!
He followed up by discarding Abyssgunde and Abyssleed for Mermail Abyssmegalo, bringing back Abyssleed. When he Summoned Deep Sea Diva for Atlantean Marksman Steinman extended the hand!
A huge Heavy Storm ends the last Duel of the tournament! Angel Ascencio wins YCS San Diego with Atlantean Mermails!