Home > 2013/08 - Toronto, Canada, Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series > Top 32 Feature Match: Sorosh Saberian Versus Bo Tang

Top 32 Feature Match: Sorosh Saberian Versus Bo Tang

September 1st, 2013

Bo Tang and Sorosh Saberian are two of the most renowned Duelists in Toronto – Saberian has seven YCS Top 32 appearances, while Bo Tang has five YCS Tops, a World Championship Qualifier Top, and a Top 16 at Worlds.  Neither competitor has ever won a YCS tournament, but both could be well on their way to a title win here today.  Both Duelists knew a fair bit about the other’s Deck: while Bo Tang’s running Dragon Rulers with Skill Drain, Saberian’s playing Tidal Mermails with that Mechquipped Angineer combo.  But Saberian hadn’t seen Tang’s complete Deck list.  Tang had seen Saberian’s full list, but had missed a key detail: he was unaware Saberian plays Crimson Blader; his only Synchro in a deck that plays multiple copies of Bahamut Shark and Mermail Abysstrite.

Tang opened up the Match with Gold Sarcophagus, banishing Blaster, Dragon Ruler of Infernos to search another copy of Blaster.  He banished Redox, Dragon Ruler of Boulders and Tempest, Dragon Ruler of Storms from his hand to Special Summon Tidal, Dragon Ruler of Waterfalls, searching another Redox and Tempest.  That was a mistake.

Saberian had Abyss-sphere; Effect Veiler; Mermail Abyssleed; Mermail Abysslinde; Mystical Space Typhoon; and Mermail Abyssteus.  He discarded Abyssleed to Special Summon Abyssteus in Defense Position, using its effect to search out Mermail Abyssgunde.  He Summoned Effect Veiler, Tuning it to Abyssteus to Synchro Summon Crimson Blader!  Tang was blown away – “I didn’t know you run Synchros!”

“I only play one Synchro, and it’s this guy!”  Saberian attacked to destroy Tidal, triggering Blader’s effect, and Saberian Set Abyss-sphere and Typhoon.

Tang activated Dragon Ravine, discarding Tempest: Saberian chained Mystical Space Typhoon.  He flipped Abyss-sphere in the End Phase for Mermail Abysslinde, Special Summoning Mermail Abysspike to discard Abyssgunde and get Atlantean Marksman.  That let him Special Summon back Abyssleed.

Saberian drew another Abyss-sphere, Summoned the Marksman, and swung with everything for game!

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A key misconception leads Bo Tang to open with Tidal, Dragon Ruler of Waterfalls instead of the safer Redox, Dragon Ruler of Boulders, leading to a quick win with Crimson Blader for Saberian!  Play moved to Duel 2.

Tang opened with Gold Sarcophagus for Blaster, Dragon Ruler of Infernos into Blaster yet again.  He had to banish it for Sacred Sword of Seven Stars, drawing two cards.  He Set three cards, telegraphing Return from the Different Dimension.

This time Saberian had Effect Veiler; Atlantean Dragoons; Gozen Match; two Atlantean Heavy Infantry; and Aqua Spirit.  He Set Gozen Match.

Tang passed.

Saberian drew Mermail Abyssmegalo.  He discarded Infantry and Dragoons for Abyssmegalo, and Bo Tang flipped Skill Drain.  “You can’t play Yu-Gi-Oh! now,” laughed Tang.  “I can still play Yu-Gi-Oh!” insisted Saberian, also laughing.  “Let’s see… what to get…” Saberian debated his choice with Dragoons for a while, before taking Atlantean Marksman.  He Normal Summoned his second Infantry, and Tang turned Abyssmegalo down with Book of Moon.

Tang got his Blaster that he’d banished with Sarcophagus, then banished it with Sacred Sword of Seven Stars, again telegraphing Return: “That’s so Return,” noted Saberian.  That Blaster got him Flamvell Guard from his Deck, and he activated Dragon Ravine, pitching Tempest, Dragon Ruler of Storms to send Redox, Dragon Ruler of Boulders to the Graveyard.  He activated D.D.R. – Different Dimension Reincarnation, discarding Morphing Jar #2 to Special Summon Blaster.  He Normal Summoned Flamvell Guard, Tuned it to Blaster, and Synchro Summoned Stardust Dragon.  “This is looking worse and worse,” remarked Saberian.  Tang banished Tempest and Blaster to Special Summon back Redox from his Graveyard, searching another Tempest with the first Tempest’s effect.  Tang attacked to destroy Abyssmegalo with Stardust Dragon, then flipped Return from the Different Dimension! Saberian chained Gozen Match!  All Tang could bring back was Tempest, as he chose the Wind Attribute to keep his Stardust on the field.  Tempest ran over the Heavy Infantry, Tang Set a Spell or Trap, and his Tempest was banished in the End Phase.

Saberian drew Atlantean Marksman and Set it.

Tang was down to 3500 Life Points.  He banished Redox and Flamvell Guard to Special Summon Tempest, searching another Redox from his Deck.  Tempest attacked to destroy Marksman, and Stardust made a direct attack to drop Saberian to 3100 Life Points.  Tang Set another Spell or Trap.

Saberian Set another monster.

Tang attacked with Tempest, destroying Saberian’s Set Effect Veiler, and made another direct shot with Stardust Dragon.  Tang Set a third face-down backrow.

Saberian Sumoned Mermail Abysspike, sending Atlantean Heavy Infantry to the Graveyard for its effect: Saberian targeted Stardust, and Tang Tributed it to negate Heavy Infantry’s effect.  Saberian banished the Infantry for Aqua Spirit, then Xyz Summoned Bahamut Shark… into Torrential Tribute.  “Okay, next game.”  Saberian conceded, and Tang revealed a second Set Skill Drain!

Bo Tang’s Return from the Different Dimension is minimized by Saberian’s Gozen Match, but Skill Drain makes victory academic.  Bo Tang pushes this Match to a third and final Duel!  Saberian would open Game 3.

Saberian opened with two Mermail Abysslinde; two Imperial Iron Wall; Maxx “C”; and Atlantean Heavy Infantry.  He Set both Iron Walls and an Abysslinde.

Tang drew for his turn and Saberian flipped Imperial Iron Wall immediately.  “I hope you opened three Swords.”  Tang Set a monster and Set a Spell or Trap.  “Damn.  Now I cannot play Yu-Gi-Oh!”  Tang laughed.

Saberian Flip Summoned Abysslinde and attacked… into Debris Dragon!  Abysslinde bounced off harmlessly, and Saberian Set Mystical Space Typhoon.

Tang passed.

Saberian drew Mermail Abysspike and Summoned it, sending Heavy Infantry to the Graveyard to search out Mermail Abyssgunde.  Heavy Infantry destroyed the Debris Dragon, and Abysspike and Abysslinde pushed for 3100 Battle Damage.

Tang passed again!

Saberian drew Effect Veiler and attacked for another 3100.  “Go ahead.  Iron Wall doing work!”

Tang drew and shuffled his hand, taking stock of his options before discarding Maxx “C” for Redox’s effect, Special Summoning Debris Dragon in Defense Position.  Saberian pitched Maxx “C” to draw a card, and Tang ended.

Saberian drew Tidal, Dragon Ruler of Waterfalls off the Maxx “C”, and another Abssgunde off his Draw Phase.  He Set Abyssgunde.

Tang passed.

Saberian drew Aqua Spirit.  He Tributed his Set Abyssgunde and his Abysspike for Tidal, then attacked over Debris Dragon with it.  Abysslinde attacked for 1500 damage, dropping Tang to 300 Life Points.

Tang Set a monster.

Saberian drew Abyss-sphere, pushed with Tidal, and hit Morphing Jar #2!  He shuffled away his Tidal and Abysslinde, Summoning Marksman and Abysspike face-down.  Saberian Set another Spell or Trap.

Tang tried to activate Sacred Sword of Seven Stars, forgetting about Imperial Iron Wall.  He activated Dark Hole to clear the field, then Set a monster.

Saberian drew another Aqua Spirit – dead under his own Iron Wall.  He Summoned Abysslinde, attacked to destroy Tang’s Set Maxx “C”, then flipped Abyss-sphere to Special Summon Mermail Abyssturge.  He activated its effect, pitching Abyssgunde to Special Summon back Abysspike, then pitched Aqua Spirit for Abysspike to search out another Abyssgunde.  Saberian attacked… And Tang had Swift Scarecrow to survive the onslaught!  In Main Phase 2 Saberian Xyz Summoned Bahamut Shark, then detached to Special Summon Mermail Abysstrite.  Tang offered the handshake moments later!  He had Return from the Different Dimension and Skill Drain Set, with a hand of Blaster, Dragon Ruler of Infernos, Tempest, Dragon Ruler of Storms, Sacred Sword of Seven Stars, and Dragon Ravine.

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Sorosh Saberian is headed to the Top 16 with Mermails!

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