Round 11 Feature Match: Pascal Manigat versus Deylan Pitkin in a BIRD BATTLE ROYALE!
Lyrilusc Tri-Brigade? At this time of year, at this time of day, localized entirely within the top tables of the 2022 North America Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG Championship!?
Yup. It’s happening. Deylan Pitkin’s X-1 with Lyrilusc, and while both he and his opponent, veteran Duelist and familiar face Pascal Manigat, are probably guaranteed a spot in the Top 64, this was a Deck we hadn’t seen so far this weekend. Lyrilusc Tri-Brigade was once the dominant Deck-to-beat in the front half of 2021, but it hasn’t been much of a factor this season. Now it was back in action, on a migratory pattern headed straight for the Top Cut. I just wanted to see it, you know?
Manigat’s playing Floowandereeze, so there’s some sort of poetry here with the bird deck of the past going up against the bird deck of today. Which band of feathered friends will reign supreme? We’re about to find out!
Pitkin opened with a hand of Pot of Prosperity, Tri-Brigade Revolt, Lyrilusc – Cobalt Sparrow, Ash Blossom & Joyous Spring, and Tri-Brigade Nervall. He opened up with the Prosperity, banishing three cards from his Extra Deck to reveal another Prosperity and two copies of Lyrilusc – Turquoise Warbler. He took a Warbler, Special Summoned it and used it to Special Summon Cobalt Sparrow.
He activated Cobalt Sparrow ‘seffect and searched his Deck for Lyrilusc – Sapphire Swallow: Manigat activated the effect of Dimension Shifter, then Chained Droll & Lock Bird! Pitkin bluffed a possible response for a moment, before saying “that’s fine.” He used Swallow’s effect to Special Summon Tri-Brigade Nervall, then Linked for Tri-Brigade Ferrijit the Barren Blossom, then Linked everything for Apollousa, Bow of the Goddess with 2400 ATK! All of his Link Materials were banished by Dimension Shifter. He set Tri-Brigade Revolt and passed.
Manigat activated a Pot of Prosperity of his own, banishing six cards to reveal six off the top of his deck: two copies of Floowandereeze & Eglen, a Prosperity, Barrier Statue of the Stormwinds, another Dimension Shifter, and Raiza the Mega Monarch. He took an Eglen and activated Floowandereeze and the Magnificent Map; Pitkin flipped Tri-Brigade Revolt in response, Special Summoning Nervall, Ferrijit, and Sparrow to make Tri-Brigade Shuraig the Ominous Omen. He used its effect to banish, removing the Map! Manigat Set one card to his backrow, stymied at least for now.
Pitkin drew Tri-Brigade Kerass and summoned it, then Linked Kerass to Shuraig for another Ferrijit. He used Ferrjit’s effect to summon Tri-Brigade Fraktall, then brought out Ancient Warriors Oath – Double Dragon Lords. He moved to his Battle Phase, attacked with Ferrjit for 1600 damage, Double Dragon Lords for another 1600, Fraktall for 1900, and Apollousa for 2400. Manigat was suddenly on his last legs.
Manigat drew to three in hand with one card set, still under that Apollousa. He Summoned Floowandereeze & Robina, and when he activated the effect Pitkin hit him with the Bow of the Goddess to negate it. He tried to flip Floowandereeze and the Dreaming Town next, hoping to get Eglen into the game, and got shot down again. Manigat politely conceded at that point, swiftly moving to his Side Deck.
Dimension Shifter and Droll & Lock Bird do almost nothing to slow Deylan Pitkin down, as he bets the farm on Apollousa and wins big! Manigat would need a little more luck than that if he wanted to win two straight and take back this Match.
“I’ll go first.” Manigat opened up Game 2 with another Dimension Shifter! He followed up with Pot of Duality, revealing Floowandereeze & Empen, Eglen and Robina, and took Robina. He summoned it and used its effect, Pitkin blasted him with Ash Blossom & Joyous Spring, and Manigat activated Floowandereeze and the Unexplored Winds. He Set one card to his backrow and ended with just one card in hand.
Pitkin had Lyrilusc – Sapphire Swallow, Lyrilusc – Turquoise Warbler, Infinite Impermanence, another Ash Blossom, and Pot of Prosperity. He activated Prosperity to banish three cards, revealing Tri-Brigade Nervall, and two Lyrilusc – Bird Call He took a Bird Call, activated it, and searched his Deck for Cobalt Sparrow, then Special Summoned Warbler. He activated its effect to Special Summon Sparrow, then activated that effect to search Tri-Brigade Nervall. He stacked his two birbs for Lyrilusc – Assembled Nightingale, moved to the Battle Phase and attacked for 400 damage once, then twice, dropping Manigat to 7200 Life Points.
“Main Phase 2…” Pitkin overlaid Nightingale with Divine Arsenal AA-ZEUS – Sky Thunder. He used its effect then and there, forcing Manigat to chain Floowandereeze and the Advent of Adventure! Manigat sent Robina as cost, and Pitkin Chained Ash Blossom! He Set the Infinite Impermanence to end. Manigat reeled for a moment, remarked, “That hand!” anddrew for his turn.
He did nothing and passed back.
“Two cards in hand?” asked Pitkin. Manigat confirmed he was down to two cards, with a bare field. Pitkin Summoned Nervall, holding Prosperity and Sapphire Swallow. He moved to his Battle Phase, attacked for 3000 with Zeus, and activated Prosperity in Main Phase 2. He banished three, revealing Red Reboot and two Cosmic Cyclone. He took a Cyclone, Set it, and ended.
Manigat drew to three cards. “That’s game.” He passed again, clearly just drawing nothing. Pitkin Summoned Sapphire Swallow next turn, Link Summoned Ferrijit, and Manigat scooped, revealing his hand: Empen, Shifter, and a not-so-Magnificent-at-the-moment Map. Ouch.
Deylan Pitkin takes a swift 2-0 victory, taking his Lyrilusc Tri-Brigade Deck to the Top 64 with a 10-1 record!
