Only 8 Dragon Duelists remain! This Match pits Oklahoma’s George Sacco against Illinois’s Dominic Couch. Sacco is using the returned-to-glory Deck, Lightsworn. He’s opted to use triple Minerva, Lightsworn Maiden, a card most Duelists use only one copy of. Minerva gives extra Graveyard filling, while also searching out Sacco’s LIGHT Dragons. Couch is packing Mermails today, featuring Genex Undine in his Deck. With Undine and Genex Controller, his Deck has access to a lot of Synchros and Xyz for different situations.

Duel 1

Couch went first, and discarded Mermail Abysspike to Special Summon Mermail Abyssteus. He added Mermail Abyssgunde to his hand. He Normal Summoned Genex Controller, and Synchro Summoned Leo, the Keeper of the Sacred Tree! He Set two cards to his back row.

Sacco had Breakthrough Skill, 2 Solar Recharge, Tidal, Dragon Ruler of Waterfalls, and 2 Eclipse Wyvern. He Set a Wyvern and Breakthrough Skill.

Couch played Atlantean Marksman. He attacked with Leo, destroying Eclipse Wyvern, and Sacco banished Judgment Dragon from his Deck. Couch attacked with Marksman, Sacco used Breakthrough Skill, and Couch flipped Forbidden Lance! Marksman’s attack went through, and Couch Special Summoned Atlantean Dragoons. He attacked with Dragoons, leaving Sacco with 5600 Life Points.

Sacco drew Minerva, Lightsworn Maiden, and used her with Solar Recharge to draw Judgment Dragon and another Minerva, then sent Recharge and Lightning Vortex to the Graveyard. Minerva’s effect also sent Ehren, Lightsworn Monk to the Graveyard. He played another Recharge with the new Minerva, drawing Raiden, Hand of the Lightsworn and Garoth, Lightsworn Warrior, sending Necro Gardna and Wulf, Lightsworn Beast to the Graveyard! He Special Summoned Wulf, and Minerva sent Lightray Diabolos to the Graveyard. Sacco Normal Summoned Raiden, and Couch banished it with Bottomless Trap Hole. Sacco Special Summoned Tidal from his hand, banishing Diabolos and Eclipse Wyvern, so Wyvern could add Judgment Dragon to his hand. Sacco sent Tidal to destroy Dragoons, and Wulf took out Marksman.

Couch Set a monster and a card to his back row. He sent Leo to destroy Wulf, and Tidal returned to the hand at the end of the turn.

Sacco drew Necro Gardna. He Set it Garoth.

Couch played Mermail Abyssturge! He discarded Abyssgunde to get Marksman back. Abyssgunde Special Summoned Abysspike, and that discarded Marksman! Marksman destroyed Garoth, and Couch added Genex Undine to his hand. He Flip Summoned Mermail Abyssocea. Abyssocea attacked directly. Leo attacked, and was blocked by Necro Gardna. Abysspike and Abyssturge hit directly however, and Couch Xyz Summoned Gagaga Cowboy to finish the Duel!

Dominic Couch has taken the first Duel, despite a ton of big Solar Recharge plays from George Sacco! It’s not over yet, though, and now the Duelists have a chance to use their Side Decks.

Duel 2

Sacco started with Solar Recharge; Lyla, Lightsworn Sorceress; Wulf, Lightsworn Beast; Garoth, Lightsworn Warrior; Ehren, Lightsworn Monk; and Eclipse Wyvern. He played Recharge, discarding Wulf. He drew Breakthrough Skill and Tempest, Dragon Ruler of Storms, then sent Wulf and Minerva to the Graveyard. Minerva sent Lightray Diabolos, and Wulf was Special Summoned. He Normal Summoned Eclipse Wyvern and Xyz Summoned Lavalval Chain, then used it to send Lumina, Lightsworn Summoner  to his Graveyard. Eclipse banished Judgment Dragon. Sacco Set Breakthrough Skill to finish.

Couch played Mind Control! He used Lavalval Chain’s effect to put Tidal, Dragon Ruler of Waterfalls into his Graveyard. He Set three cards to his back row and gave Sacco his monster back.

Sacco drew Judgment Dragon. He Normal Summoned Lyla, then activated Tempest in his hand, banishing Lightray Diabolos and Eclipse Wyvern. Couch negated Tempest with Debunk, but Wyvern still added Judgment Dragon to Sacco’s hand. Lyla attacked, and Couch used Abyss-sphere to bring Mermail Abysslinde out in Defense Position. Lyla destroyed it, and Couch got Mermail Abyssleed. Sacco turned Lavalval Chain to Defense Position, and Sacco passed, sending Mystical Space Typhoon, Breakthrough Skill, and Debunk to the Graveyard with Lyla.

Couch activated Soul Charge! He brought Abysslinde and Tidal to the field. He stacked Tidal and Abyssleed for Number 11: Big Eye! He used the effect, Sacco tried to use Breakthrough Skill, and Couch flipped Forbidden Lance! Lyla was stolen, then Couch Special Summoned Aqua Spirit by banishing Tidal. He stacked it with Lyla for Abyss Dweller, and Set a back row card.

Sacco drew Debunk. He played Ehren, but her attack was blocked by Book of Moon. Sacco Set Debunk.

Couch stole Ehren next turn with Big Eye! Ehren kicked Lavalval Chain back to the Extra Deck, then Abyss Dweller and Abysslinde attacked directly. Sacco had 3800 Life Points remaining. In the End Phase, Ehren sent Forbidden Lance and 2 Mermail Abyssteus.

Sacco drew Forbidden Graveyard. He played Garoth and crashed it into Abysslinde, which was strengthened by Abyss Dweller. That gave him four Lightsworn in the Graveyard, so he Special Summoned Judgment Dragon! He paid 1000 Life Points to wipe the field, and Couch Chained the effect of Abyss Dweller to keep Sacco’s Breakthrough Skill in check this turn. Abysslinde brought out Abysspike, and it discarded Atlantean Heavy Infantry! Couch destroyed Judgment Dragon and added Marksman to his hand. Sacco Special Summoned another Judgment Dragon and Set Forbidden Graveyard. Judgment Dragon sent 2 Lumina, Necro Gardna, and Eclipse Wyvern to the Graveyard.

Couch played Genex Undine, sending Atlantean Heavy Infantry to the Graveyard to destroy Judgment Dragon! Couch added Genex Controller to his hand. Genex Undine attacked directly, and Abysspike was blocked by Necro Gardna.

Sacco drew and Set Necro Gardna.

Couch played Marksman and Xyz Summoned Number 17: Leviathan Dragon. He powered it up by detaching Marksman, and Marksman’s effect destroyed the face-down Necro Gardna! Abysspike and Leviathan Dragon attacked, and the lone Necro Gardna wasn’t able to stop them!

Dominic Couch is moving to the Top 4 with Mermails!