Dominique Roberts traveled twelve hours here this weekend from Birmingham, Alabama, while Richard Kraus took three hours to get here from Detroit, Michigan.  Roberts is 4-1 with Dragon Rulers, while Kraus is 4-1 with Six Samurai, having been undefeated until last Round.  Could Kraus recapture his winning streak, or would Dragon Rulers claim another victim?  We were about to find out!

Roberts started things off with Reactan, Dragon Ruler of Pebbles, discarding Blaster, Dragon Ruler of Infernos to Summon Redox, Dragon Ruler of Boulders.  He banished Tempest, Dragon Ruler of Storms from his Deck with Gold Sarcophagus, then added another Tempest to his hand.  He pitched Stream, Dragon Ruler of Droplets and Tempest to Special Summoned Tidal, Dragon Ruler of Waterfalls from his Deck, then overlaid them for Mecha Phantom Beast Dracossack in Defense Position.  Roberts activated its effect and Special Summoned two Mecha Phantom Beast Tokens.  He activated Tidal’s effect, banishing Blaster and Reactan to Special Summon it.  That let him add Blaster to his hand from his Deck.  He then Tributed his two Tokens for Blaster, and Xyz Summoned a second Mecha Phantom Beast Dracossack in defense!  Roberts Specal Summoned two more Mecha Phantom Beast Tokens.  He played Super Rejuvenation in his End Phase to draw four cards, then activated another one to draw four more!  That put him at eight cards in hand, and he activated a third Rejuvenation to go to thirteen.  He discarded Tidal, Redox, Lightning, Exploder Dragon, and Monster Reborn.

Kraus opened with Elder of the Six Samurai; Solemn Judgment; Double-Edged Sword Technique; Gateway of the Six; and two Forbidden Lance.  With virtually no monsters Kraus immediately conceded, not wanting to reveal to Roberts what he was playing.

Dominique Roberts makes such a huge Turn 1 play that his opponent concedes without playing a single card!  Double Mecha Phantom Beast Dracossack and triple Super Rejuvenation get the job done, and we were headed to Duel 2!

Kraus started the second Duel with a hand of Forbidden Lance; Mind Drain; Asceticism of the Six Samurai; Elder of the Six Samurai; and two Kagemusha of the Six Samurai.  He Summoned Elder, then played Asceticism to Special Summon Kagemusha from his Deck to Sychro Summon Naturia Beast.  He Set Lance and Mind Drain, activating Mind Drain in his opponent’s Draw Phase next turn.  What could go wrong?!

That. That could go wrong, right up there.  Roberts Normal Summoned Exploder Dragon!  Roberts slammed it into Naturia Beast to destroy both, then cleared the field in Main Phase 2 with Heavy Storm!  He activated the effect of Stream, Dragon Ruler of Droplets by discarding Redox, Dragon Ruler of Boulders, Special Summoning Tidal, Dragon Ruler of Waterfalls.  He banished Stream and Exploder Dragon to Special Summon a Redox, then overlaid for Mecha Phantom Beast Dracossack.  He activated its effect to detach Tidal and Special Summon two Mecha Phantom Beast Tokens.

Kraus drew Legendary Six Samurai – Kizan.  He Normal Summoned Kagemusha, Special Summoned Kizan, and Roberts played Maxx “C”.  Both Samurai attacked Tokens, and Kraus ended without making a Synchro Summon.

Roberts Special Summoned two more Tokens, then banished from his Graveyard to Special Summon Redox.  He searched Tidal with the Tidal he banished, then took a moment to read Kraus’ cards… which were in German.  And apparently not a problem for Roberts.  He Tributed his two Tokens for Tidal, then swung over both Samurai to destroy them.  Kraus had 4000 Life Points left, and Roberts overlaid for another Dracossacak in Main Phase 2, making two more Tokens.  He Set a Spell or Trap.

Kraus drew Asceticism of the Six Samurai next turn and it was all over – he played Kagemusha and Asceticism, his last two cards, to bring out Elder of the Six Samurai and make Ally of Justice Catastor.  It attacked a Token, but next turn the Dracossacks destroyed it.  Roberts Summoned two more Tokens, then Summoned Effect Veiler to make Ancient Sacred Wyvern and swing for game!

After going 4-0, Richard Kraus’ luck falls apart in Round 5 and now Round 6, while Dominique Roberts takes a swift 2-0 victory and moves on 5-1!