Both Garon Williams and Denny Yu finished 7-3 in Swiss, just good enough to make it into the Top Cut 8. Both are on Performapal Pendulum variants, albeit each with their own flare. Williams is utilizing Performapal Secondonkey along with Brilliant Fusion and Instant Fusion to have explosive turns similar to that of older incarnations of Performapal Pendulum. Yu’s list is trying to take full advantage of the Draco engine, using multiple copies of Unexpected Dai and Painful Decision to boost his combo ability and consistency.

Which Performapal pilot will make his way to the Finals?

Williams won the roll and chose to go first.

Duel One:

Williams started with a hand of Luster Pendulum, the Dracoslayer, Performapal Pendulum Sorcerer, Performapal Skullcrobat Joker, Solemn Strike, and Brilliant Fusion. He activated Brilliant Fusion and sent Performage Trick Clown and Gem-Knight Lazuli to Fusion Summon Gem-Knight Seraphinite. He Normal Summoned Performapal Skullcrobat Joker and activated its effect to add Performapal Monkeyboard. He placed Performapal Pendulum Sorcerer and Luster Pendulum, the Dracoslayer in his Pendulum Zones, then used the effect of Luster Pendulum, the Dracoslayer to destroy his Performapal Pendulum Sorcerer so he could add another copy. He overlayed both Performage Trick Clown and Performapal Skullcrobat Joker for King of the Feral Imps and used its effect to add X-Saber Palomaru to his hand. He then put Performapal Pendulum Sorcerer in his Pendulum Zone and announced a Pendulum Summon for just Performapal Pendulum Sorcerer. He activated its effect, destroyed both his Gem-Knight Seraphinite and Brilliant Fusion to add Performapal Guitartle and Performapal Secondonkey. He then used his regular Normal Summon for X-Saber Palomuro and Synchro Summoned Naturia Beast using it and Performapal Pendulum Sorcerer! He Set Solemn Strike and ended his turn.

Yu drew a card and immediately conceded!

A turn one Naturia Beast spells defeat for Yu, as Williams first turn was enough for him to concede. Can Yu fight his way through two Duels?

Yu chose to go first.

Duel Two:

Yu activated Performapal Silver Claw and Guiding Ariadne in his Pendulum Zones, and then Pendulum Summoned Performapal Pendulum Sorcerer and Vector Pendulum, the Dracoverlord. He activated the effect of Performapal Pendulum Sorcerer and used it to destroy both of his Pendulum Scales. The Guiding Ariadne triggered and Yu added a Solemn Strike to his hand along with a Performapal Monkeyboard and Performapal Skullcrobat Joker off of Performapal Pendulum Sorcerer. He overlayed both his Monsters for Majester Paladin, the Ascending Dracoslayer and Set two to his back row. During the End Phase he added Archfiend Eccentrick to his hand via the effect of Majester Paladin, the Ascending Dracoslayer.

Williams started with a hand of Instant Fusion, Soul Charge, Guiding Ariadne, and two copies of Performapal Pendulum Sorcerer before he drew Performapal Guitartle. He activated Performapal Guitartle and Performapal Pendulum Sorcerer in his Pendulum Zones, and drew a Master Pendulum, the Dracoslayer off of the Performapal Guitartle effect. Williams Pendulum Summoned Performapal Pendulum Sorcerer, Master Pendulum, the Dracoslayer, and Guiding Ariadne, but lost out to Yu’s Solemn Strike! He tried for Soul Charge next, but Yu had Solemn Warning as well! Williams took a moment to consider if he could keep fighting, but he ultimately conceded!

Cracking back hard, Yu finishes Williams off in impressive fashion. Which Performapal Pendulum Duelist will make it to the finals?

Williams chose to go first.

Duel Three:

Williams opened with Performapal Pendulum Sorcerer, Performapal Skullcrobat Joker, Wavering Eyes, Solemn Strike, and Performage Trick Clown. He Normal Summoned the Performapal Skullcrobat Joker and activated its effect to add Performapal Monkeyboard to his hand which he then placed in his Pendulum Zone. He triggered its effect and added Performapal Guitartle to his hand, which he placed alongside the Performapal Monkeyboard. He Pendulum Summoned Performapal Pendulum Sorcerer and Performage Trick Clown, then used the effect of Performapal Pendulum Sorcerer to destroy his Performapal Monkeyboard and add Performapal Lizardraw to his hand. He activated the Performapal Lizardraw on his Pendulum Scale and triggered Performapal Guitartle which let him draw Soul Charge. He then activated the effect of Performapal Lizardraw which let him draw Archfiend Eccentrick. Now with four cards in hand, Williams chose to overlay his Performapal Skullcrobat Joker and Performage Trick Clown for King of the Feral Imps. He used its effect to add X-Saber Palomuro to his hand and triggered the Performage Trick Clown he detached to Special Summon itself at the cost of 1000 Life Points. He overlayed the ‘pptc and Performapal Pendulum Sorcerer next for Number 106: Giant Hand, then Set three to his back row before he ended his turn.

Yu drew and started with Draco Face-Off. Vector Pendulum, the Dracoverlord won the Face-Off over Luster Pendulum, the Dracoslayer, which put Vector Pendulum, the Dracoverlord onto the Field as a Monster and Luster Pendulum, the Dracoslayer in his Extra Deck. Yu had Raigeki! He slammed it down and Williams’ Field hit the Graveyard, which them prompted him to trigger Performage Trick Clown to Special Summon itself back. Yu Normal Summoned Performapal Silver Claw and declared an attack with Vector Pendulum, the Dracoverlord over Performage Trick Clown and directly with Performapal Silver Claw. Yu moved to Main Phase 2 and put Archfiend Eccentrick in his Pendulum Zone, and then tried to use its effect to destroy Performapal Guitartle but Williams responded with Wavering Eyes! Both Pendulums were destroyed and Williams added Guiding Ardiadne to his hand. Yu placed Performapal Silver Claw and Master Pendulum, the Dracoslayer in his Pendulum Zone, then Pendulum Summoned Luster Pendulum, the Dracoslayer. He tried to Synchro Summon Ignister Prominence, the Blasting Dracoslayer but Williams had Solemn Strike to stop it. Yu passed.

Williams drew Gem-Knight Lazuli and took a moment to contemplate what to do. He placed Archfiend Eccentrick and Guiding Ardiadne in his Pendulum Zone, then activated Soul Charge to Special Summon Performapal Pendulum Sorcerer and Performapal Skullcrobat Joker from his Graveyard. He activated the effect of Performapal Pendulum Sorcerer, and destroyed his Guiding Ardiadne. Performapal Pendulum Sorcerer added Performapal Secondonkey and Guiding Ardiadne showed Yu two copies of Solemn Strike and Solemn Warning. Yu chose to give Williams Solemn Warning, and Williams pressed forward with the Normal Summon of X-Saber Palomuro and Synchro Summoned Naturia Beast using Performapal Pendulum Sorcerer and the Tuner. He activated the effect of Archfiend Eccentrick to destroy itself and Yu’s Master Pendulum, the Dracoslayer, then Set his Solemn Warning and ended.

Yu drew and declared an attack over Performapal Skullcrobat Joker with Vector Pendulum, the Dracoverlord before he Set a back row.

Williams drew Brilliant Fusion and declared an attack over Vector Pendulum, the Dracoverlord with Naturia Beast. He Set Brilliant Fusion to his back row and Performapal Secondonkey in Defense Position before he ended.

Yu drew and Set a back row before he ended.

Williams drew Instant Fusion and declared an attack with Naturia Beast. He Set Gem-Knight Lazuli along with Instant Fusion and ended his turn.

Yu drew another card and was forced to simply Set a back row.

Williams drew Master Pendulum, the Dracoslayer and Normal Summoned it. He Flip Summoned Performapal Secondonkey and moved to Battle Phase. Yu sheepishly Flipped his Set Mystical Space Typhoon to destroy Williams’ Set Brilliant Fusion, but enough damage was on the table!

After a bit of back and forth, a key Soul Charge puts Garon Williams in a position to defeat Denny Yu and move onto to the finals of the Ultimate Duelist Series – Winter Invitational!