YCS Chicago has broken all of its previous attendance records, with a whopping 1340 Duelists! We’re here with three-time YCS Champion Billy Brake, looking to break his own record and take a fourth championship with his Nekroz Deck. He’s up against a local Duelist, Mike Sayre, who’s looking for an upset with his Qliphort Deck.

Duel 1

Sayre started with Summoner’s Art, adding Qliphort Scout to his hand. He played Scout to the Pendulum Zone and paid 800 Life Points to search for Laser Qlip. Pot of Duality was next, revealing Qliphort Helix, Vanity’s Fiend, and Forbidden Chalice. He added Vanity’s Fiend to his hand. He played Laser Qlip, Normal Summoned Qliphort Helix, and Tribute Summoned Vanity’s Fiend. He Set one card to his back row.

Brake had a hand of Raigeki, Book of Eclipse, Maxx “C”, Manju of the Ten Thousand Hands, Senju of the Thousand Hands, and Djinn Releaser of Rituals. He played Senju and added Nekroz of Brionac to his hand, which he then discarded to add Nekroz of Valkyrus to his hand. He Set Book of Eclipse.

Sayre paid another 800 Life Points to use his Qliphort Scout, adding Qliphort Carrier to his hand. He Normal Summoned Helix and moved to the Battle Phase. Helix attacked Senju, and Brake flipped Book of Eclipse to turn everything face-down. Sayre Set another card to his back row. In the End Phase, his monsters flipped face-up and he got to draw two cards.

Brake drew Preparation of Rites. He Flip Summoned Senju, using its effect to add Nekroz of Brionac to his hand. Next, he Normal Summoned Manju and added Nekroz Kaleidoscope to his hand. Manju and Senju attacked, destroying both of Sayre’s Defense Position monsters! Now free of Vanity’s Fiend, Brake Xyz Summoned Castel, the Skyblaster Musketeer. He activated its effect, targeting Qliphort Scout, and Sayre used Effect Veiler to negate Castel. Brake discarded Brionac to add Shurit, Strategist of the Nekroz to his hand. Brake used Nekroz Kaleidoscope to Tribute Shurit, and Ritual Summoned Nekroz of Valkyrus. Shurit’s effect added Nekroz of Trishula to his hand. Brake played Preparation of Rites, getting back Nekroz Kaleidoscope and adding Nekroz of Clausolas to his hand. He used Nekroz of Clausolas to add Nekroz Mirror to his hand. He used Valkyrus’s effect, Tributing Castel from the field and Djinn from his hand to draw two more Nekroz of Valkyrus! He played Nekroz Mirror, banishing Brionac and Djinn to Ritual Summon Nekroz of Trishula! He banished Vanity’s Fiend from the Graveyard, Qliphort Scout from the field, and Pot of Duality from Sayre’s hand!

Sayre Normal Summoned Qliphort Carrier and equipped it with Saqlifice. He then used Laser Qlip to Tribute Summon Qliphort Stealth! Carrier bounced Trishula, Saqlifice searched for Scout, and Stealth bounced Laser Qlip (He didn’t want to add Nekroz of Valkyrus back to Brake’s hand). He played Scout and used it to search for Qliphort Carrier, playing it to the Pendulum Zone. Brake responded with Maxx “C”. Sayre Pendulum Summoned Carrier and two Helix from his Extra Deck, and Brake drew Mystical Space Typhoon with Maxx “C”. Sayre attacked with Stealth, and Brake used a Valkyrus from his hand, banishing Clausolas from the Graveyard.

Brake drew another Maxx “C”. He played Mystical Space Typhoon to destroy Sayre’s Set Royal Decree. He activated Valkyrus’s to Tribute itself and Maxx “C” to draw Nekroz Mirror and Book of Eclipse, then banished the Nekroz Mirror in his Graveyard, adding Nekroz Cycle to his hand. He played Nekroz Mirror from his hand, banishing Shurit, to Summon Trishula again! Since Sayre had no cards in his hand, Trishula couldn’t activate its effect. Still, it attacked over the Carrier. Brake Set Book of Eclipse to finish.

Sayre Pendulum Summoned the Carrier back to the field. He used Scout to search out Qliphort Shell. Next, he used Tenacity of the Monarchs to add The Monarchs Stormforth to his hand! He used it to Tribute Trishula, along with his own Helix, for Qliphort Shell! Helix’s effect destroyed Book of Eclipse, but Brake saved himself with his last Nekroz of Valkyrus! When Brake drew his next card, he knew he had no monsters and no way to defend against Sayre’s Qliphort army!

Mike Sayre takes the first Duel against Billy Brake with Qliphorts! The Duelist moved straight for their Side Decks, each with a plan for the other.

Duel 2

Sayre played Qliphort Stealth and Emergency Teleport, bringing Re-Cover to the field! He Synchro Summoned Naturia Beast, and Set two back row cards.

Brake began with Nekroz of Clausolas, Nekroz of Unicore, Nekroz of Valkyrus, Nekroz Kaleidoscope, Reinforcement of the Army, and Nekroz Cycle. He activated Nekroz of Clausolas, adding Nekroz Mirror to his hand. Sayre flipped Mind Drain after that. Brake Set Nekroz Mirror.

Sayre attacked with Naturia Beast, and Brake immediately conceded on his turn! Sayre put together an unbeatable field with Naturia Beast and Mind Drain on his first turn! With a hand full of Spell Cards and unplayable Ritual Monsters, Brake knew he had no chance!

Mike Sayre starts off the tournament with a great win, thanks to Qliphorts!