Both of these Duelists are veterans of the Dragon Duel tournament series, and Oliver Tomajko has quite a bit of experience traveling to YCS tournaments as well!  While Tomajko is playing Dragon Rulers, DeAndre Mason is running Evilswarms, a classic matchup for this format.  The winner of this match would advance to the Finals, but since both Finalists win invitations to the Dragon Duel World Championship, the winner here would also clinch their place at Worlds, and score travel and accommodations to Las Vegas, Nevada!

Tomajko started with a hand of two Tempest, Dragon Ruler of Storms; Maxx “C”; Vanity’s Emptiness; Reactan, Dragon Ruler of Pebbles; and Blaster, Dragon Ruler of Infernos.  He took a moment to consider his options, then discarded Blaster for Reactan to Special Summon Redox, Dragon Ruler of Boulders from his Deck.  He banished Reactan from his Graveyard and Tempest from his hand to Special Summon back Blaster, searching out Dragunity Corsesca.  He Summoned it, Tuned it to Blaster, then Synchro Summoned Thought Ruler Archfiend.  He Set Emptiness.

Mason Set two cards to his Spell and Trap Card Zone.  Tomajko took back his Blaster.

Tomajko drew Gold Sarcophagus and attacked with Thought Ruler.  He banished Tidal, Dragon Ruler of Waterfalls in Main Phase 2 with Gold Sarcophagus, searching Stream, Dragon Ruler of Droplets.  “Your go.”

Mason Summoned Evilswarm Thunderbird.

Tomajko drew Swift Scarecrow, and when he tried to move into his Battle Phase, Mason played Effect Veiler on Thought Ruler, banishing his Thunderbird.  Tomajko attacked anyways, dropping Mason to 2600 Life Points.

Mason brought back his Thunderbird, then Normal Summoned Evilswarm Castor: Tomajko flipped Vanity’s Emptiness!  Mason used Castor’s effect to Normal Summon Evilswarm Kerykeion, then activated Heavy Storm, giving up his Bottomless Trap Hole and Solemn Warning to clear the Emptiness!  Tomajko Chained Maxx “C”.

Mason Xyz Summoned Evilswarm Ouroboros!  He used its effect to bounce away Thought Ruler, the made a direct attack.

Tomajko drew for his turn and got his Tidal from Gold Sarcophagus.  He discarded Stream and Tempest to Special Summon another Tidal, then revealed to Mason that he could make Number 11: Big Eye this turn – that was enough for Mason to concede the first Duel.

Oliver Tomajko locks down DeAndre Mason in Game 1, making a strong early game set-up with Thought Ruler Archfiend and Vanity’s Emptiness!  That forces Mason to make a huge sacrificial play with Heavy Storm, and Tomajko’s Maxx “C” combined with Number 11: Big Eye make short work of Evilswarm Ouroboros.

Mason opened Duel 2 with Reinforcement of the Army, searching his Deck for Evilswarm Castor.  He Summoned it, then Normal Summoned Evilswarm Heliotrope for Evilswarm Ophion!  He detached Heliotrope to get Infestation Pandemic from his Deck, then Set two cards to his Spell and Trap Card Zone.

Tomajko had two Reactan, Dragon Ruler of Pebbles; Gold Sarcophagus; Dragunity Corsesca; Mystical Space Typhoon; and Blaster, Dragon Ruler of Infernos.  He activated Sarcophagus to banish another Blaster, searching out Burner, Dragon Ruler of Sparks.  He Set Typhoon.

Mason Summoned Rescue Rabbit!  He banished it to Special Summon two copies of Evilswarm Heliotrope, then attacked with all three “Evilswarm” monsters – Tomajko was down to 1350 Life Points.  Mason made another Ophion in Main Phase 2, getting another Infestation Pandemic!  He shuffled it into his hand and then Set a third Spell or Trap.

Tomajko drew Tsukuyomi and flipped Mystical Space Typhoon, destroying his opponent’s Gozen Match.  He pitched Burner and Blaster to try and destroy one of the Ophions, but when Mason Chained Safe Zone it was Tomajko’s turn to concede!

A big opening with Evilswarm Castor gives Mason his first Evilswarm Ophion, forcing Tomajko onto the defensive and leaving him powerless to stop the second Evilswarm Ophion!  DeAndre Mason takes the second Duel in mere moments!

Tomajko opened with two Blaster, Dragon Ruler of Infernos; Heavy Storm; Mystical Space Typhoon; Book of Moon; and Burner, Dragon Ruler of Sparks.  He Set Book.

Mason blasted it with Heavy Storm next turn, then Summoned Evilswarm Castor and Evilswarm Kerykeion.  He made two direct attacks, then Xyz Summoned Evilswarm Ophion to grab Infestation Pandemic.  He Set two cards to back it up.

Tomajko drew Monster Reborn and activated Heavy Storm, destroying Mason’s Safe Zone – he Chained his Set Pandemic.  Tomajko discarded both Blasters to destroy Ophion, then brought one back with Monster Reborn, making a direct attack for 2800 Battle Damage.  He Set Mystical Space Typhoon.

Mason Summoned Rescue Rabbit, Special Summoning two Evilswarm Heliotropes for another Ophion, and he Set two more cards to his backrow while purposefully not using Ophion’s effect.

Tomajko drew Stream, Dragon Ruler of Droplets, destroyed Torrential Tribute with Mystical Space Typhoon, then discarded Burner and Blaster to destroy Ophion again.

Mason Summoned Evilswarm Thunderbird for a direct attack.

Tomajko drew Gold Sarcophagus, using it to banish Redox, Dragon Ruler of Boulders to get another – Mason dodged Thunderbird out of the way.  A moment later he’d Special Summoned Tidal and Blaster, attacking with both before stacking them for Mecha Phantom Beast Dracossack.  He Special Summoned its two Tokens and Tributed one to destroy Infestation Pandemic.

Mason brought back his Thunderbird, then Summoned his freshly-topdecked Rescue Rabbit.  He didn’t have any Heliotropes left for the Rabbit’s effect, but he was able to make Maestroke the Symphony Djinn.  He played it in Defense Position, trying to survive.

Tomajko drew Tempest, Dragon Ruler of Storms.  He banished Redox and Tidal to Special Summon Blaster, searching out Redox and Stream.  He Special Summoned Tidal with Stream, made Number 11: Big Eye, and took control of Maestroke the Symphony Djinn for game!

A commendable effort form DeAndre Mason, but Oliver Tomajko moves on to the Finals of today’s Dragon Duel WCQ!  Tomajko is going to Las Vegas!