Welcome to Day 2 of YCS Origins coverage! We’re kicking things off with a very interesting matchup today! Michael Keller came here from North Carolina, and is using a Pendulum Deck featuring a synergistic series of Performapals, Majespecters, Odd-Eyes, and Magician cards, packing the awesome Mist Valley Apex Avian! His opponent is Darren Stephenson, who came all the way from the United Kingdom. He’s using a hybrid Burning Abyss Monarch Deck! He’s able to use the effects of Dante, Traveler of the Burning Abyss and Beatrice, Lady of the Eternal to load the Graveyard with his important Monarch cards, like Pantheism of the Monarchs and The Prime Monarch.

Duel 1

Keller played first, with a hand of Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon, Mist Valley Apex Avian, Magical Abductor, Performapal Odd-Eyes Light Phoenix, and Majespecter Raccoon – Bunbuku. He played Bunbuku, and added Majespecter Unicorn – Kirin to his hand. He played Magical Abductor and Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon to his Pendulum Zones. In the End Phase, he used his Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon’s effect to destroy itself, which let him put Performapal Odd-Eyes Unicorn in his hand.

Stephenson Special Summoned Barbar, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss from his hand, then Special Summoned Libic, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss alongside it. He Xyz Summoned Dante, Traveler of the Burning Abyss, then Normal Summoned Tour Guide From the Underworld! It brought Scarm, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss to the field, and he Xyz Summoned a second Dante. He detached Scarm to send Kuraz the Light Monarch, Pantheism of the Monarchs, and The Prime Monarch to the Graveyard. He detached Libic next, sending another Scarm, Domain of the True Monarchs, and Farfa, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss to the Graveyard. Stephenson banished Pantheism from his Graveyard, and selected Pantheism and 2 The Monarchs Stormforth for its effect. Keller let him take Stormforth to his hand. He moved to the Battle Phase, and had Dante destroy Bunbuku in battle. The second Dante attacked as well, leaving Keller with 4200 Life Points. In Main Phase 2, he discarded a Graff, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss and Cir, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss to upgrade each of his Dantes into Beatrice, Lady of the Eternal! In the End Phase, he used Scarm to search out Cir to his hand.

Keller drew Dragonpit Magician. He played Performapal Odd-Eyes Unicorn to his Pendulum Zone, and Pendulum Summoned five monsters! He brought back Bunbuku and Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon, and played Kirin, Apex Avian, and Dragonpit to the field! Dragonpit was in Defense Position, with the rest in Attack Position. Stephenson responded, using Beatrice. He detached Dante from Beatrice, sending Farfa to the Graveyard. Keller negated Farfa with Apex Avian. Finally, Keller’s Bunbuku resolved, and added another Kirin to his hand. He moved to the Battle Phase, and used Kirin to return his Bunbuku and a Beatrice to the hand. In Main Phase 2, he Tributed Dragonpit and Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon for Apex Avian! Stephenson detached Dante from Beatrice, sending Erebus the Underworld Monarch to the Graveyard. Dante returned Farfa to Stephenson’s hand.

Stephenson used Beatrice again on his turn, detaching Barbar to send Farfa to the Graveyard. Farfa activated, targeting Apex Avian, and Barbar activated as well. Since it would be leaving due to Farfa anyway, Keller chose to negate Barbar and return Apex Avian to his hand. Stephenson discarded Stormforth to put Erebus back in his hand. Next, he banished Stormforth to Special Summon The Prime Monarch. Keller now used Kirin, returning itself and Beatrice to the hand. Stephenson Normal Summoned Cir, which destroyed itself and revived Dante. Then, Stephenson discarded Graff to upgrade Dante into Beatrice. Beatrice attacked directly, dropping Keller to just 1700 Life Points, while Stephenson hadn’t taken any damage yet!

Keller drew Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon. He Pendulum Summoned five monsters again, bringing out Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon and Dragonpit Magician from his Extra Deck, and 2 Kirin and Apex Avian from his hand!

Keller moved to the Battle Phase, and had a Kirin target itself and Beatrice. Stephenson responded, using Beatrice’s effect. He detached Dante, and sent Barbar, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss to the Graveyard. Beatrice and Kirin were bounced away. Barbar banished three cards, and Dante returned Barbar to the hand. With only 800 Life Points, another Barbar effect would end the Duel! Apex Avian attacked and destroyed The Prime Monarch. Dragonpit, Odd-Eyes, and Kirin attacked directly, leaving Stephenson at 2600 Life Points. In the End Phase, Stephenson Special Summoned The Prime Monarch.

Stephenson played Pantheism, discarding Return of the Monarchs. He activated The Monarchs Stormforth, Tributing The Prime Monarch and Kirin for Erebus! He didn’t use its effect, so it couldn’t be stopped by Apex Avian! Erebus attacked Dragonpit Magician, taking the first Duel!

Duel 2

Keller played first again, with a hand of Majespecter Raccoon – Bunbuku, Performapal Odd-Eyes Unicorn, Wisdom-Eye Magician, Oafdragon Magician, and Pendulum Call. He played Bunbuku, adding Majespecter Unicorn – Kirin to his hand. He played Oafdragon and Wisdom-Eye to his Pendulum Zones, and used Wisdom-Eye to put Dragonpit Magician to his Pendulum Zone. He then Pendulum Summoned back the Wisdom-Eye Magician, as well as Kirin from his hand, each in Defense Position.

Stephenson passed his first turn.

Keller drew Magical Abductor and Normal Summoned it. He played Pendulum Call, discarding Performapal Odd-Eyes Unicorn to add Oafdragon Magician and Dragonpit Magician to his hand. He stacked Abductor and Wisdom-Eye Magician for Performage Trapeze Magician, and Stephenson already conceded! He had a completely unplayable hand, and knew he wouldn’t be making a comeback.

Duel 3

Stephenson started the final Duel. He Special Summoned Barbar and Farfa, and Xyz Summoned Dante, Traveler of the Burning Abyss in Defense Position. He detached Farfa to send another Farfa and 2 Ehther the Heavenly Monarch to the Graveyard. He discarded Scarm to Xyz Summon Beatrice, and used Scarm to search for Tour Guide From the Underworld.

Keller’s hand consisted of 3 Pendulum Call, Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon, Performapal Odd-Eyes Unicorn, and Sky Iris. He played a Pendulum Call, discarding another Pendulum Call, to add Dragonpulse Magician and Oafdragon Magician to his hand. He played Dragonpulse and Unicorn to his Pendulum Zones, and Pendulum Summoned Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon and Oafdragon. Then played Sky Iris. He used its effect to destroy his Unicorn, and added Odd-Eyes Fusion to his hand. He passed his turn, and Stephenson used Beatrice’s effect in the End Phase. He detached Dante to send Pantheism of the Monarchs to the Graveyard, and Dante’s effect put Scarm in Stephenson’s hand.

Stephenson banished Pantheism from his Graveyard, revealing three copies of Tenacity of the Monarchs to get one to his hand. He played it, revealing Kuraz the Light Monarch from his hand, and searched for Return of the Monarchs, as the round timer ended. Stephenson continued, playing Tour Guide From the Underworld to Special Summon Cir, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss. He Xyz Summoned Dante, and detached Cir to send Erebus, Graff, and The Monarchs Stormforth to the Graveyard. Cir revived Dante, and Graff Special Summoned Barbar. Barbar self-destructed due to Beatrice’s presence, and its effect dealt out 900 damage – the first damage in this Duel. Stephenson discarded Scarm to bring forth another Beatrice. He used his older Beatrice’s effect, detaching Farfa to send The Prime Monarch to the Graveyard. Farfa banished Oafdragon with its effect. Finally, Stephenson moved to the Battle Phase. He sent Beatrice to battle Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon, and both monsters were destroyed! Beatrice’s effect brought out Dante, Pilgrim of the Burning Abyss, and Keller conceded!

Darren Stephenson is the victor, with Burning Abyss Monarchs!