It all comes down to this! Aaron Furman is a UDS Champion, having won the UDS Summer Invitational last year in Chicago. He is entitled to VIP privileges and a 2-round bye to any YCS he enters in North America, along with free entry to any Regional Qualifier or YCS that he enters. He’s looking to add a YCS victory to his list of accolades, and he’s one win away from it! However, Peter Xiang is looking for the championship as well! Both Duelists have variants of the Zoodiac strategy: Xiang is using Kaijus in his Deck, while Furman is using Master Peace, the True Dracoslaying King. Which Duelist will win it all? We’re about to find out. It’s time to Duel!

Duel 1

Furman opened up with Dragonic Diagram, Zoodiac Barrage, Ash Blossom & Joyous Spring, Ghost Ogre & Snow Rabbit and True King’s Return. He started with Zoodiac Barrage, using its effect to destroy it to Special Summon Zoodiac Ratpier from his Deck. Zoodiac Boarbow came out over Zoodiac Ratpier, and Zoodiac Ratpier’s effect Special Summoned the other Zoodiac Ratpier from the Deck. Zoodiac Broadbull went over the Zoodiac Boarbow and its effect added Lunalight Black Sheep to his hand, which was discarded to add Fusion Substitute to his hand. Zoodiac Chakanine was Summoned over the Zoodiac Broadbull, and its effect Special Summoned Zoodiac Boarbow. Then, Fusion Substitute was activated to Special Summon Elder Entity Norden, which Special Summoned Zoodiac Ratpier from the Graveyard. Elder Entity Norden and one of the Rats were used to Xyz Summon Zoodiac Broadbull the normal way, and its effect was used to add Zoodiac Ramram to the hand. Fusion Substitute’s effect was used to draw Fire Formation – Tenki which was immediately activated to add Zoodiac Thoroughblade to his hand. He then Normal Summoned Zoodiac Thoroughblade then used it and the other Zoodiac Ratpier to Xyz Summon Daigusto Emeral. Emeral’s effect sent back Zoodiac Chakanine, Zoodiac Broadbull and Zoodiac Boarbow to the Extra Deck to draw Speedroid Taketomborg. Zoodiac Drident went over the Zoodiac Broadbull, and then Dragonic Diagram was activated, and its effect was used to destroy the in-hand Speedroid Taketomborg and add Master Peace, the True Dracoslaying King to his hand. Furman Set True King’s Return before he passed.

Xiang Normal Summoned Zoodiac Ratpier and Furman used Zoodiac Drident to destroy it. Next, Instant Fusion came down, Special Summoning Elder Entity Norden, which Special Summoned Ratpier. Furman activated True King’s Return, and then Furman used its effect to Tribute Summon Master Peace, the True Dracoslaying King. Return’s effect destroyed Elder Entity Norden, which also banished the Zoodiac Ratpier. Without a way to deal with Master Peace, the True Dracoslaying King unaffected by monster and Trap effects, Xiang conceded. We’re quickly moving to Duel 2, with Aaron Furman one win away from his first YCS victory!

Duel 2

Xiang elected to go first in Duel 2. He started off with a Zoodiac Barrage, using the effect to destroy it; but Furman chained Maxx “C”! Xiang Special Summoned Zoodiac Ratpier in Defense Position, and Furman drew a card. Xiang activated Lunalight Black Sheep from his hand, getting him Fusion Substitute from Deck. Zoodiac Drident went on top of the Zoodiac Ratpier, allowing Furman to draw another card, and Xiang Set one card before passing.

Furman had a hand of Zoodiac Whiptail, Raigeki, Zoodiac Ratpier, Ash Blossom & Joyous Spring, Speedroid Terrortop, Master Peace, the True Dracoslaying King, and Fire Formation – Tenki. He activated Raigeki to clear the Zoodiac Drident, then Special Summoned Speedroid Terrortop, using the effect to add Speedroid Taketomborg to his hand. After it resolved, Xiang activated Droll & Lock Bird to prevent any additional searching this turn. Furman then Special Summoned Speedroid Taketomborg and used both Speedroids to Xyz Summon M-X-Saber Invoker! M-X-Saber Invoker’s effect Special Summoned Zoodiac Ramram from the Deck in Defense Position. He then Normal Summoned Zoodiac Ratpier and used its effect to send Zoodiac Thoroughblade from his Deck to the Graveyard. Zoodiac Boarbow was Summoned over the Zoodiac Ratpier, and Zoodiac Ratpier’s effect Special Summoned the other one from the Deck. He used the Zoodiac Ratpier and the Zoodiac Ramram to Xyz Summon Tornado Dragon! Its effect was used to destroy Xiang’s face-down Cosmic Cyclone! Zoodiac Tigermortar then went over Zoodiac Boarbow, Zoodiac Tigermortar’s effect put Zoodiac Thoroughblade under Zoodiac Tigermortar, and then Zoodiac Chakanine went over Zoodiac Tigermortar. Chakanine’s effect Special Summoned Zoodiac Ramram from the Graveyard. Zoodiac Ramram, M-X-Saber Invoker, Tornado Dragon, and Zoodiac Chakanine each attacked directly to bring Xiang down to 2100 LP. In Main Phase 2, Zoodiac Drident went over the Zoodiac Chakanine. Furman ended his turn there.

Xiang drew for turn and couldn’t find an answer to Furman’s field. He extended the handshake, making Aaron Furman your YCS Pittsburgh champion!