Top 4 Feature Match: Matt Kolenda versus Ed Elton Acepcion
Matt Kolenda has had quite the year, qualifying for the 2015 Yu-Gi-Oh! World Championship by placing 5th in the North American World Championship Qualifier. Even with such a big accomplishment, becoming a Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series Winner is what the goal is for today. He has chosen to use a Burning Abyss Deck that focuses on disrupting the opponent and continual pressure thanks to Malebranches. His opponent, Ed Elton Acepcion, may not have the same credentials, but has still proven his worth today with the same strategy. This is a Burning Abyss mirror match where choosing the correct line is very important, but of course getting a bit lucky with Dante, Traveler of the Burning Abyss does not hurt either.
Who will make it to the final stage of YCS Dallas?
Kolenda won the roll and chose to go first.
Duel One:
Kolenda opened with Cir, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss, Raigeki Break, Fiend Griefing, and two copies of Mind Crush. He Set all of his Traps before ending.
Acepcion Normal Summoned Mathematician and used its effect to send Libic, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss to the Graveyard, which then triggered to Special Summon Scarm, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss from his hand. He overlayed the Mathematician along with Scarm, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss for Dante, Traveler of the Burning Abyss and sent three cards from the top of his Deck to the Graveyard but no Malebranches. To make things worse, one of the three was Tour Guide from the Underworld! When Acepcion went to attack Kolenda Flipped his Set Fiend Griefing to send Graff, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss to his Graveyard and shuffle back Acepcion’s Scarm, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss. The Graff, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss then triggered to Special Summon Scarm, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss. Acepcion went to Special Summon Cir, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss but Kolenda Flipped Mind Crush to rip it away, which he then Flipped a second copy of to get rid of Solemn Warning. Acepcion Set a Monster and a back row trying to end his turn, but lost his Monster to Raigeki Break ditching Cir, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss. The Cir, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss triggered to Special Summon Graff, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss.
Kolenda drew Vanity’s Emptiness. He overlayed his Graff, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss with Scarm, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss for Dante, Traveler of the Burning Abyss, then used its effect detaching Graff, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss to pump itself milling a bunch of Traps. He triggered Graff, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss to Special Summon Scarm, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss, and after attacking over Acepcion’s Dante, Traveler of the Burning Abyss, which allowed Acepcion to add back Cir, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss, he overlayed Downerd Magician over Dante, Traveler of the Burning Abyss to cause Scarm, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss to destroy itself. He Set Vanity’s Emptiness and during the End Phase searched for Tour Guide from the Underworld.
Acepcion drew and simply Set another back row before ending.
Kolenda drew Solemn Warning and Normal Summoned Tour Guide from the Underworld to Special Summon Cir, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss. He moved to Battle Phase and tried to declare an attack with Cir, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss, but Acepcion used Karma Cut ditching Cir, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss to banish it. When Acepcion tried to trigger his Cir, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss, Kolenda Flipped his Vanity’s Emptiness! Direct attacks were declared by both his Downerd Magician and Tour Guide from the Underworld before he Set his Solemn Warning and added Barbar, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss to his hand thanks to Scarm, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss being detached by Downerd Magician.
Acepcion drew and condeded seeing the writing on the wall!
Kolenda manages to take the first game thanks to a key early Fiend Griefing and Vanity’s Emptiness backed up by Solemn Warning to seal the deal. Can Acepcion fight and win the back two? Or will Kolenda get his shot at the title?
Acepcion chose to go first in the second Duel.
Duel Two:
Acepcion drew and Special Summoned Scarm, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss. He Set a back row and ended.
Kolenda had a hand of Fire Lake of the Burning Abyss , The Traveler and the Burning Abyss, Scarm, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss, Rubic, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss, and Flying “C” before he drew Graff, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss. He Special Summoned Graff, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss and then Normal Summoned Scarm, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss, but right there Acepcion activated his Flying “C” putting a huge wrench in Kolenda’s plans. He Set his two Traps and moved to End Phase, adding Tour Guide from the Underworld to his hand thanks to Scarm, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss.
Acepcion drew and Normal Summoned Libic, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss but Kolenda used a Flying “C” of his own! Acepcion Set a back row and triggerd Scarm, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss during the End Phase to add Graff, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss.
Kolenda drew Mathematician for turn and sent Libic, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss to the Graveyard, then used its effect to Special Summon Rubic, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss from his hand. Acepcion took a minute to consider responding, ultimately choosing to use his Phoenix Wing Wind Blast to spin Rubic, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss back to the top of Kolenda’s Deck at the cost of his Graff, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss. The Graff, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss triggered and Special Summoned Scarm, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss, which then destroyed itself because of Flying “C”. During the End Phase Acepcion added Tour Guide from the Underworld to his hand.
Acepcion drew and Normal Summoned that freshly searched Tour Guide from the Underworld. He activated its effect to Special Summon Scarm, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss, and then switched his Flying “C” to Attack Position and crashed it into Kolenda’s Mathematician. In Main Phase 2, Acepcion overlayed his Tour Guide from the Underworld along with Scarm, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss for Dante, Traveler of the Burning Abyss,sending a bunch of Traps to his Graveyard. He Set an additional card to his back row and searched Graff, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss during the End Phase with Scarm, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss.
Kolenda drew Rubic, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss and ended.
Acepcion drew and used Dante, Traveler of the Burning Abyss to send three more cards to his Graveyard. He Normal Summoned Graff, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss, Set another back row, and passed back.
Kolenda drew Karma Cut for turn. He declared an attack with Flying “C” into Graff, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss, but Acepcion Flipped his Set Fire Lake of the Burning Abyss , tributing his Dante, Traveler of the Burning Abyss and Graff, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss, to destroy Kolenda’s Mathematician and both of his back row. He triggered Graff, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss to Special Summon Cir, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss and added back Graff, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss with Dante, Traveler of the Burning Abyss. Kolenda Set Karma Cut and tried to end, but during the End Phase Acepcion had The Traveler and the Burning Abyss to bring back Dante, Traveler of the Burning Abyss and Graff, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss.
Acepcion drew for turn and overlayed his two Malebranches for Dante, Traveler of the Burning Abyss. He detached Graff, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss and sent Farfa, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss and two other cards to the Graveyard, triggering the Farfa, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss to banish Kolenda’s Flying “C” and Special Summoning Barbar, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss. He Normal Summoned Cir, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss and went to Battle Phase, prompting Kolenda to concede.
Flying “C” plays a key role for both Duelists but Acepcion manages to pull through! Things are getting tense as the difference between winning this next Duel to guarantee 2nd Place with a shot at 1st being much better than losing and possibly getting 4th.
Kolenda chose to go first.
Duel Three:
Kolenda opened with Graff, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss, Rubic, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss, Mathematician, Karma Cut and Maxx “C”. He Normal Summoned Mathematician and used its effect to send Libic, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss, which he then triggered to Special Summon Rubic, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss. He overlayed the Malebranche along with Mathematician, sending three cards from his Deck to the Graveyard including Cir, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss. He triggered the Cir, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss to Special Summon Rubic, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss and Set Karma Cut before he endede.
Acepcion drew for turn and tried to Special Summon Farfa, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss, which Kolenda responded to with Maxx “C” drawing a Karma Cut. Acepcion Normal Summoned Cir, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss and then overlayed for Dante, Traveler of the Burning Abyss which allowed Kolenda to draw another Graff, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss, but he ditched it immediately to his Karma Cut to banish the opposing Dante, Traveler of the Burning Abyss. He triggered the Graff, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss to Special Summon Cir, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss and ended.
Kolenda drew Scarm, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss for turn and went straight to his Main Phase. He Synchro Summoned Virgil, Rock Star of the Burning Abyss with Rubic, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss and Cir, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss, triggering Cir, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss trying to target Graff, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss, but Acepcion had Fiend Griefing! Acepcion sent Farfa, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss to his Graveyard and shuffled back the targeted Graff, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss, then in a new Chain the Farfa, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss banished Kolenda’s Virgil, Rock Star of the Burning Abyss. Kolenda detached Mathematician and sent three cards to his Graveyard for Dante, Traveler of the Burning Abyss and then swung directly. In Main Phase 2, he overlayed Downerd Magician on top of the Dante, Traveler of the Burning Abyss before he Set Karma Cut. During the End Phase Acepcion used Fiend Griefing to shuffle back Kolenda’s Rubic, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss, and then sent Scarm, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss to the Graveyard. He triggered the Scarm, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss to add Graff, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss which he immediately discarded for Karma Cut to get rid of the Virgil, Rock Star of the Burning Abyss. Graff, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss triggered to Special Summon Cir, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss, and then still during the End Phase Acepcion used The Traveler and the Burning Abyss to Special Summon Scarm, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss, Graff, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss, and Cir, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss from his Graveyard!
Acepcion drew for turn and Kolenda considered doing something before he entered Main Phase, but ultimately chose not to. Acepcion overlayed his Farfa, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss and Scarm, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss for Dante, Traveler of the Burning Abyss, detaching Farfa, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss to send three cards to his Graveyard including Barbar, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss. Acepcion chose to banish Cir, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss, Farfa, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss, and The Traveler and the Burning Abyss to burn Kolenda for 900. Acepcion then used Farfa, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss to banish Kolenda’s Downerd Magician, which sent Dante, Traveler of the Burning Abyss to the Graveyard because it was a material and triggered its effect, letting Kolenda add back Cir, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss. Kolenda chose to use his Karma Cut now, ditching Graff, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss from his hand to banish the opposing Cir, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss, then triggering Graff, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss to Special Summon Scarm, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss. Acepcion attacked over the opposing Scarm, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss with Dante, Traveler of the Burning Abyss and Set a back row before ending. During the End Phase, Kolenda added Tour Guide from the Underworld to his hand thanks to the fallen Scarm, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss.
Kolenda drew The Traveler and the Burning Abyss for turn. He Normal Summoned the Tour Guide from the Underworld he added last turn and used its effect to Special Summon Graff, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss. He overlayed the two Fiends for Dante, Traveler of the Burning Abyss, then used its effect detaching Tour Guide from the Underworld to send three cards including Rubic, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss to his Graveyard. He moved to Battle Phase and declared an attack over Graff, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss with Downerd Magician. The Graff, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss triggered to Special Summon Cir, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss, and then Kolenda moved to attack the Cir, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss with his Dante, Traveler of the Burning Abyss. The Cir, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss triggered and Acepcion chose to bring back Farfa, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss. Kolenda overlayed Downerd Magician over Dante, Traveler of the Burning Abyss and Set The Traveler and the Burning Abyss before he moved to End Phase. During the End Phase, Acepcion Flipped his Set Fire Lake of the Burning Abyss tributing his Farfa, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss and Dante, Traveler of the Burning Abyss to destroy Kolenda’s entire Field. A bunch of triggers ensued, allowing Kolenda to add back Cir, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss with Dante, Traveler of the Burning Abyss and Acepcion to add back his Fire Lake of the Burning Abyss. Then a Graff, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss trigger on Kolenda’s side and a Scarm, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss activation during the End Phase let Acepcion add Tour Guide from the Underworld.
Acepcion drew for turn and Normal Summoned his Tour Guide from the Underworld and used its effect to Special Summon Libic, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss. He overlayed the two Fiends for Dante, Traveler of the Burning Abyss, sending Scarm, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss to the Graveyard along with two other cards. He then triggered Libic, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss form the Graveyard to Special Summon Graff, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss. Acepcion moved to Battle Phase and attacked over Kolenda’s Farfa, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss with Dante, Traveler of the Burning Abyss, prompting Kolenda to banish the Dante, Traveler of the Burning Abyss. Acepcion made a direct attack with Graff, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss and ended.
Kolenda drew Karma Cut for turn. He Normal Summoned Cir, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss and declared an attack over Dante, Traveler of the Burning Abyss, letting Acepcion grab Cir, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss once it hit the Graveyard. Kolenda then moved to Main Phase 2 where he Special Summoned Scarm, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss and overlayed it along with Cir, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss to Xyz Summon Ghostrick Alucard. He used its effect to destroy Acepcion’s Set Fire Lake of the Burning Abyss , then triggered the Cir, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss he detached to Special Summon a Dante, Traveler of the Burning Abyss from his Graveyard. Kolenda ended his turn.
Acepcion drew and revealed Rubic, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss to Special Summon it. Kolenda took a moment trying to figure out if he should Flip his Karma Cut now but decided not to. Acepcion Synchro Summoned Virgil, Rock Star of the Burning Abyss, triggered the Graff, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss to get Scarm, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss, but lost the Virgil, Rock Star of the Burning Abyss to Kolenda’s Karma Cut! The Cir, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss that Kolenda discarded got him back a second Dante, Traveler of the Burning Abyss. Acepcion pressed on and Normal Summoned Cir, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss and overlayed it with Scarm, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss for Dante, Traveler of the Burning Abyss, he detached Cir, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss and sent three Traps to his Graveyard and triggered Cir, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss to Special Summon Dante, Traveler of the Burning Abyss. Acepcion attacked over Kolenda’s Ghostrick Alucard and then moved to Main Phase 2 where he overlayed Downerd Magician on top of each Dante, Traveler of the Burning Abyss. During the End Phase, Kolenda added Barbar, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss to his hand off of Scarm, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss.
Kolenda drew Fiend Griefing. He Set it and ended his turn.
Acepcion drew and moved to Battle Phase, declaring an attack with one of the Downerd Magician in order to detach a Cir, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss and Special Summon Dante, Traveler of the Burning Abyss, but Kolenda had Fiend Griefing to shuffle it back into the Extra Deck. The Fiend Griefing sent Graff, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss to the Graveyard, which triggered to Special Summon Scarm, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss. Acepcion was forced to end.
Kolenda drew Flying “C” and Normal Summoned Barbar, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss. He overlayed both of his Malebranches for Number 47: Nightmare Shark, then used its effect detaching Barbar, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss. He used the effect of Barbar, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss to deal 900 points of damage and then attacked directly with his Number 47: Nightmare Shark.
Acepcion drew and declared an attack with Downerd Magician and detached Cir, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss, using its effect to Special Summon Dante, Traveler of the Burning Abyss. He Set another back row and ended.
Kolenda drew Vanity’s Emptiness and Set it before he ended.
Acepcion drew and overlayed a third Downerd Magician on top of his last Dante, Traveler of the Burning Abyss before ending.
Kolenda drew Chaos Trap Hole and time was called. He entered Battle Phase and then went into Main Phase 2 so he could overlay a Downerd Magician on top of each Dante, Traveler of the Burning Abyss. He then overlayed both Downerd Magician for Number F0: Utopic Future, causing both Dante, Traveler of the Burning Abyss to hit the Graveyard and each triggered adding back a copy of Cir, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss. He then Normal Summoned one, it destroyed itself because of Number F0: Utopic Future, and Kolenda brought back Barbar, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss which destroyed itself. Kolenda triggered it banishing three Burning Abyss cards from his Graveyard to deal 900 before he ended.
Acepcion drew and switched all of his mosnters to Defense Position before he ended.
Kolenda drew Absolute King Back Jack for turn before he Set Cir, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss and ended. He had 5100 Life Points to Acepcion’s 500 in the second to last turn of time.
Acepcion drew for turn, needing to make up the huge deficit in Life Points this turn. He overlayed two Downerd Magician on top of eachother for Number F0: Utopic Future. A couple Dante, Traveler of the Burning Abyss hit the Graveyard which Acepcion took some time to figure out what he wanted add back, but because he could not find a way to win that turn he conceded!
Matt Kolenda shows his mastery of Burning Abyss and moves on to the finals!