Round 7: Chao Tang versus Thomas Balaban
Chao Tang is a New York Duelist, and is undefeated today in his very first tournament! He’s using a Malefic Deck, using potent choices like Skill Drain and Future Visions. He’s up against Thomas Balaban from Waynesburg, PA, who is also undefeated with Mermails.
Duel 1
Balaban began with two back row cards.
Tang started off with Torrential Tribute, Macro Cosmos, Geartown, 2 Beast King Barbaros, and Allure of Darkness. He Summoned Barbaros and attacked, but Balaban blocked with Abyss-sphere. He Special Summoned Mermail Abysslinde, and Barbaros destroyed it. Balaban Special Summoned Mermail Abysspike, discarding Atlantean Dragoons. He added Deep Sea Diva and Atlantean Marksman to his hand. Tang Set Macro Cosmos and Torrential Tribute.
Tang flipped Macro in Balaban’s Draw Phase, but he had two copies of Mystical Space Typhoon to destroy Macro and Torrential. He played Diva to Special Summon Atlantean Heavy Infantry. That let him Normal Summon another Diva, which Special Summoned Marksman. Balaban tuned Diva to Heavy Infantry for Armory Arm and equipped it to Marksman. Marksman destroyed Barbaros in battle. Marksman’s effect got Dragoons to the field. Because Barbaros’s ATK in the Graveyard was 3000, Armory Arm dealt 3000 damage! Diva, Abysspike, and Dragoons all attacked, leaving Tang with 900 Life Points. In Main Phase 2, he stacked Dragoons and Abysspike for Bahamut Shark, which detached Dragoons to Special Summon Mermail Abysstrite in defense position. Dragoons searched out Mermail Abyssmegalo.
Tang drew Trade-In, and discarded Barbaros to draw another Barbaros and Malefic Cyber End Dragon. He played Geartown, then Special Summoned Malefic Cyber End. It blasted Bahamut Shark, and Tang passed.
Balaban discarded Marksman and Heavy Infantry for Abyssmegalo. He destroyed Malefic Cyber End with Heavy Infantry, letting him attack to take the first Duel!
Chao Tang’s defenses get wiped out by a double Mystical Space Typhoon, allowing Thomas Balaban to go all out! Tang will have to win two in a row to stay undefeated now.
Duel 2
Tang opened with Ancient Gear Gadjiltron Dragon, Malefic Stardust Dragon, Fusilier Dragon, the Dual-Mode Beast, Pot of Duality, Macro Cosmos, and Trade-In. He discarded Gadjiltron Dragon for Trade-In, drawing Geartown and another Trade-In. He played that, discarding Malefic Stardust Dragon to draw another Macro Cosmos and Beast King Barbaros. Pot of Duality revealed Solemn Warning, Future Visions, and Malefic Cyber End Dragon; he took Malefic Cyber End. He Set Macro, Summoned Barbaros, and passed.
Tang flipped Macro Cosmos in the Draw Phase. Balaban Set a monster and two back row cards.
Tang drew Deck Devastation Virus! He attacked with Barbaros, and lost it to Snowman Eater. Tang Set Fusilier and Deck Devastation Virus.
In the Draw Phase, he played Deck Devastation Virus, and Balaban Chained Mystical Space Typhoon on Macro Cosmos. He revealed Diva, Abysspike, Dust Tornado, and Mirror Force, losing the Diva. Balaban Normal Summoned Abysspike and attacked, then Set his two traps.
Tang drew Gadjiltron Dragon. He played Geartown and Malefic Cyber End, and attacked Abysspike. Balaban played Mirror Force, and Chained Dust Tornado on Geartown! Since Geartown’s destruction was not the last thing to resolve, it missed its timing to activate. Tang Set Macro Cosmos.
Balaban revealed Mystical Space Typhoon due to Deck Devastation Virus. Abysspike attacked.
Tang drew and Set Skill Drain.
Balaban drew and lost Mermail Abysslinde to the Virus. Abysspike attacked.
Tang drew his third Macro Cosmos. He Set it.
In the Draw Phase he played Macro. Balaban attacked with Abysspike, dropping Tang to 1600. When Tang drew Imperial Custom, he knew he couldn’t survive next turn, and conceded!
Thomas Balaban overcomes Malefics with Mermails!