Paulie Aronson, having just recently won the 250th YCS in Los Angeles, has the World Championship in his sights now. He’s facing off against Justin Singh, another seasoned competitor with multiple Top Cut finishes to his name, who is just as eager to etch his name in Dueling history. Aronson is using Kashtira, his tried-and-true Deck, while Singh is putting his faith in Floowandereeze. Both of these Duelists are at the top of their game and are ready to go.

It’s time to Duel!

Duel 1

Singh started the first Duel by activating Floowandereeze and the Magnificent Map, revealing Floowandereeze & Robina and banishing Floowandereeze & Eglen only to be met by Aronson’s Infinite Impermanence when Robina was Summoned! Singh added Eglen to hand, then activated Pot of Prosperity, grabbing Pot of Duality. Eglen was Normal Summoned next and was met by Ash Blossom & Joyous Spring. Singh pressed on, using his Pot of Duality to grab another Robina from the top of his Deck before Setting 1 card and play was to Aronson.

Aronson drew a hand of Kashtira Riseheart, Pressure Planet Wraitsoth, Kashtira Fenrir, and Book of Moon. He began by activating Pressured Planet Wraitsoth, adding Kashtira Unicorn to hand. Kashtira Unicorn was Summoned next, and in response to Aronson’s effect, Singh had Harpie’s Feather Storm to negate it! That also meant that Aronson was unable to use monster effects for the rest of the turn. After a moment of consideration, Aronson attacked Floowandereeze & Robina with Kashtira Unicorn for 2100 damage and passed turn.

Singh fired off with the effect of his Floowandereeze and the Magnificent Map revealing another Floowandereeze & Robina, banishing Floowandereeze & Empen, then activated the effect of both copies of Robina with one adding itself back to hand and the other added Floowandereeze & Toccan from Deck. Toccan was Summoned and added Floowandereeze & Empen to hand before Singh Summoned Empen, adding Floowandereeze & Eglen to hand from banished with its effect and Empen fetched Floowandereeze and the Unexplored Winds from his Deck. Eglen hit the field next, and Toccan went to hand while Singh added Raiza the Mega Monarch for his troubles and immediately Summoned it, sending Aronson’s Kashtira Unicorn to the top of the Deck, Harpie’s Feather Storm to the top of Singh’s Deck, and Raiza the Mega Monarch back to his hand!

Floowandereeze and the Unexplored Winds was activated, and Singh used its effect revealing Floowandereeze & Toccan to draw 1 card, the Harpie’s Feather Storm. He passed play after that.

Aronson drew the Kashtira Unicorn that was on his Deck, considering his options carefully. Kashtira Fenrir was Summoned before Aronson activated Book of Moon, forcing Singh to activate his Harpie’s Feather Storm, Aronson attacked over Floowandereeze & Empen and passed.

Singh answered Aronson’s turn by activating the effect of Floowandereeze and the Magnificent Map, and Aronson conceded.

Singh showcases the power and consistency of the Floowandeeze strategy, winning Duel 1 in quick fashion.

Duel 2

Aronson opened Duel 2 with a hand of Kashtira Riseheart, Kashtira Unicorn, Kashtira Birth, Pot of Desires, and Droll & Lock Bird. He started off by Summoning Kashtira Unicorn, adding Kashtiratheosis to hand, before activating it and Summoning Kashtira Fenrir. Fenrir got Aronson Scareclaw Kashtira before he activated Pot of Desires. After banishing 10, Aronson drew Ash Blossom & Joyous Spring and Anti-Spell Fragrance, all things seeming to go his way after that first Duel. He Set his Anti-Spell Fragrance as well as Kashtira Birth, passing play.

During Singh’s Draw Phase Aronson flipped Anti-Spell Fragrance, looking to prevent Singh from getting to his Spell Cards, and Singh had 2 copies of Cosmic Cyclone to banish both of Aronson’s cards. Singh activated Pot of Duality, adding Pot of Prosperity, and when Aronson activated Droll & Lock Bird, Singh conceded!

After an incredible opener and a clutch Droll & Lock Bird to secure the turn, Aronson was bringing us to Match Point! Everything was on the line here, as a win would be one step closer to the World Championship.

Duel 3

It was down to this, each Duelist was eager to get started, and Singh was leading off the final Duel. With a handshake and some nervous laughter, it’s time to Duel!

Singh Normal Summoned Floowandereeze & Eglen, prompting Aronson to activate his Infinite Impermanence, preventing any flurry of Summons. Singh shot back with a Pot of Prosperity, and Aronson used his Ash Blossom & Joyous Spring to end Singh’s turn.

Aronson drew, looking at his hand of Kashtira Birth, Kashtira Riseheart, Kashtiratheosis, and Solemn Judgment. He Normal Summoned Kashtira Riseheart, then activated Kashtiratheosis to Special Summon Scareclaw Kashtira from the Deck, then activated Kashtira Riseheart banishing his Kashtira Fenrir and 3 cards from Singh’s Deck. He immediately activated Kashtira Birth to Summon Kashtira Fenrir, adding Tearlaments Kashtira and quickly Summoned it to the field, banishing the in-Graveyard Kashtiratheosis. After a moment of consideration, he attacked with Fenrir to banish Floowandereeze & Eglen and that was the game!  

Paulie Aronson moves on to the Top 8, one step closer to the World Championship!