We’re halfway there! Round 5 is about to start here at YCS Sacramento, and there are many Duelists here hopeful to make it to Day 2. Both Jarred Charles Randolph and Eddie Meza Jr. have three wins and one draw each, so every single round for the rest of the day is going to be crucial to help them make it there.

Both players are using the new Fiendsmith cards from The Infinite Forbidden: Meza’s combining them with the Yubel cards from Phantom Nightmare, while Randolph’s added them to his Snake-Eye deck. Who will come out on top and move one step closer to Day 2? Let’s find out! It’s time to Duel!

Duel 1

Meza won the die roll and chose to go first! He opened with Samsara D Lotus, Unchained Soul of Sharvara, Ghost Ogre & Snow Rabbit, Yubel, and Fiendsmith Engraver. Meza started by activating the effect of Fiendsmith Engraver in his hand, discarding it to add Fiendsmith’s Tract to his hand. He played Tract, searching and discarding Fabled Lurrie, then activated Lurrie’s effect, Special Summoning it to his side of the field. He used Lurrie as material to Link Summon Fiendsmith’s Requiem, then activated Requiem’s effect, Tributing it to Special Summon another Engraver out of the Deck. Meza then Normal Summoned Samsara D Lotus…

…And Randolph chose to respond to the summon by activating Infinite Impermanence, negating Lotus’ effect! Meza used Lotus and Engraver to Link Summon Fiendsmith’s Sequence, then activated Sequence’s effect, using Requiem and Lurrie to Fusion Summon Aerial Eater. He use Eater’s effect next, sending Gruesome Grave Squirmer from his Deck to the Graveyard, then activated the Grave Squirmer’s effect to Special Summon back Samsara D Lotus, and Tributed Samsara D Lotus to Special Summon Spirit of Yubel from his Deck. 

Meza activated Spirit of Yubel’s effect to Set Nightmare Pain from his Deck. He used Sequence and Aerial Eater to Link Summon Unchained Soul Lord of Yama, then activated the effect of the Engraver in his Graveyard, Special Summoning by returning another Engraver to his Deck. He used Yubel and Samsara D Lotus to Special Summon Phantom of Yubel, then used Yama and Engraver to Link Summon Unchained Soul of Rage. He activated Nightmare Pain’s effect, destroying Spirit of Yubel to get Gruesome Grave Squirmer to his hand, then used Spirit of Yubel’s effect to Special Summon Yubel, and Yama’s Graveyard effect to Special Summon Spirit of Yubel. Finally, he used Yubel and Spirit of Yubel to Xyz Summon Varudras, the Final Bringer of the End Times, and then ended his turn. 

Randolph started his turn with Fiendsmith Engraver, discarding it to get Fiendsmith’s Tract from his Deck to his hand. He activated Tract, adding Fabled Lurrie to his hand and then discarding it, and activated Lurrie’s effect to Special Summon it to the field. He used Lurrie to Link Summon Fiendsmith’s Requiem, then activated Requiem’s effect to Special Summon another Engraver out of the Deck.

That let Randolph use the effect of Requiem in his Graveyard, equipping it to Engraver, and he used Engraver’s effect to try and send Varudras to the Graveyard. Meza responded by activating Ghost Ogre & Snow Rabbit, destroying the Engraver. Randolph then Normal Summoned Snake-Eyes Poplar and attempted to activate its effect, but Meza activated Varudras’ effect to negate it.

Randolph used Poplar as Link Material to Link Summon Relinquished Anima, then activated Poplar’s effect to place it in the Spell/Trap Zone. When Randolph tried to activate Anima’s effect, however, Meza responded with Phantom of Yubel, modifying Anima’s effect to destroy Spirit of Yubel instead, allowing him to Special Summon Yubel from the Graveyard. 

Next, Randolph activated Original Sinful Spoils – Snake-Eye, sending Poplar to the Graveyard to Special Summon Snake-Eye Ash from his Deck. He activated Ash’s effect, adding another Poplar from his Deck to his hand, and activated Poplar’s effect to Special Summon it. Here, Meza activated the effect of his Unchained Soul of Rage, targeting Snake-Eye Ash, but Randolph responded by activating Ghost Ogre & Snow Rabbit! Meza was unable to perform the Link Summon, but used Soul of Rage’s other effect to add Engraver back from his Graveyard to his hand. Randolph then activated the other effect of his Snake-Eye Ash, sending it and Anima to the Graveyard to Special Summon Snake-Eye Oak from his Deck. He used Oak’s effect to Special Summon back the Ash.

Randolph used the Engraver in his Graveyard, returning Lurrie to his Deck to Special Summon the Engraver. He then used Poplar and Engraver to Link Summon Fiendsmith’s Sequence. He activated Sequence’s effect, returning Engraver and Requiem to the Deck to Fusion Summon Fiendsmith’s Lacrima, and activated Lacrima’s effect to Special Summon Engraver back out of the Graveyard. He used Oak’s effect, sending it and Ash to the Graveyard to Special Summon Snake-Eyes Flamberge Dragon from his Deck. He activated Flamberge Dragon’s effect, attempting to place Yubel in the Spell/Trap Zone, but Meza responded with Sharvara, destroying the Yubel to summon Sharvara. Meza then activated the destroyed Yubel’s effect to Special Summon Yubel – Terror Incarnate from the Deck. 

Randolph used Sequence, Lacrima, and Engraver to Link Summon Accesscode Talker, targeting the Sequence to gain 2000 ATK. He activated Accesscode’s effect, banishing Anima to destroy Meza’s Terror Incarnate. He then activated WANTED: Seeker of Sinful Spoils, getting Diabellstar the Black Witch from his Deck to his hand. He banished WANTED and returned Original to the bottom of his Deck to draw a card, then sent Snake-Eyes Flamberge Dragon to the Graveyard to Special Summon Diabellstar.

Flamberge Dragon’s effect let Randolph Special Summon Poplar and Ash back to the field. He used Poplar and Diabellstar to Link Summon I:P Masquerena, then used I:P and Ash to Link Summon Promethean Princess, Bestower of Flames! He activated Princess’ effect, Special Summoning Flamberge Dragon back out of the Graveyard, and entered the Battle Phase.

Randolph attacked Meza’s Varudras with Accesscode Talker, and Meza activated Varudras’ effect to destroy Randolph’s Flamberge Dragon. He sent the Princess to attack Sharvara, and Meza activated Sharvara’s effect to Set Abominable Chamber of the Unchained from his Deck. In Main Phase 2, Randolph used Accesscode and Princess to Link Summon Hiita the FIre Charmer, Ablaze and then ended his turn. 

Meza drew another Engraver for turn. He started by returning Spirit of Yubel and Terror Incarnate to his Deck to Special Summon Phantom of Yubel. He banished Phantom and Yubel to Special Summon Aerial Eater from his Graveyard. Meza then activated the effect of his Engraver, discarding it to add Fiendsmith’s Sanct from his Deck to his hand. He activated Chamber, Special Summoning the Soul of Rage from his Graveyard, and then used Gruesome Grave Squirmer, Special Summoning it from his hand to the field.

Soul of Rage and Squirmer were Linked to Summon Unchained Soul of Anguish. Randolph tried to activate the effect of the Princess in his Graveyard in response to the summon, but Meza used Phantom of Yubel to change the effect to destroy a Spirit of Yubel from his Deck, and used the ability of the destroyed Spirit of Yubel to Special Summon Yubel. Meza then activated the effect of the Engraver in his Graveyard, and with no further ways to defend himself, Randolph conceded the first Duel!

Duel 2

Meza’s opening hand consisted of Dark Beckoning Beast, Triple Tactics Talent, Fiendsmith Engraver, Nightmare Pain, and Ghost Sister & Spooky Dogwood. 

Randolph started by Normal Summoning Snake-Eye Ash, adding Snake-Eyes Poplar to his hand. He activated Poplar’s effect, Special Summoning it, then activated its effect to add Divine Temple of the Snake-Eye to his hand. He activated Temple, placing Snake-Eyes Diabellstar to his Spell/Trap Zone, then activated WANTED: Seeker of Sinful Spoils, adding Diabellstar the Black Witch from his Deck to his hand. He Special Summoned Diabellstar by sending Snake-Eyes Diabellstar to the Graveyard, and Set Original Sinful Spoils – Snake-Eye from his Deck.

Randolph used Poplar and Diabellstar as Link Material to Link Summon Moon of the Closed Heaven, and activated Poplar’s effect to place it in the Spell/Trap Zone. He used Moon to Link Summon Fiendsmith’s Requiem, and here, Meza chose to activate Ghost Sister & Spooky Dogwood from his hand. Randolph activated Requiem’s effect, Special Summoning Fiendsmith Engraver from his Deck. He then activated Ash’s effect, sending it and Temple to the Graveyard to Special Summon Snake-Eyes Flamberge Dragon from his Deck. Randolph activated Snake-Eyes Diabellstar’s effect, Special Summoning it and placing Poplar to his Spell/Trap Zone.

Original Sinful Spoils – Snake-Eye let Randolph send Poplar to the Graveyard and Special Summon Legendary Fire King Ponix. He activated Ponix’s effect, got Fire King Sanctuary from his Deck to his hand, and activated Sanctuary to place Fire King Island on the field. Randolph used the Island’s effect to destroy his Ponix and searched Sacred Fire King Garunix to his hand. He activated Garunix’s effect, Special Summoning it and destroying Fire King Avatar Arvata from his Deck, then activated Arvata’s effect to Special Summon Ponix out of the Graveyard.

Randolph used Garunix and Engraver to Link Summon Fiendsmith’s Sequence, then activated Sequence’s effect, using Moon, Requiem, and Engraver to Fusion Summon Fiendsmith Desirae. He Linked Ponix and Snake-Eyes Diabellstar to Summon I:P Masquerena, then used I:P and Sequence to make Apollousa, Bow of the Goddess. He activated Flamberge’s effect to place I:P to the Spell/Trap Zone, then banished WANTED from his Graveyard to return Original to the bottom of his Deck and draw a card. Randolph Set one card to his backrow to finish his turn. 

Play was to Meza. He drew another Triple Tactics Talent, but it wouldn’t help him: Randolph activated Flamberge Dragon’s effect in the Draw Phase to Special Summon I:P Masquerena from his Spell/Trap Zone. Then he activated his face-down Anti-Spell Fragrance! Meza looked down at a hand of three Spell Cards and no way to get rid of Anti-Spell Fragrance, and he chose to concede. 

Duel 3

Meza’s opening hand was Ghost Ogre & Snow Rabbit, Infinite Impermanence, Triple Tactics Talent, Spirit of Yubel, and Dark Beckoning Beast. He started the Duel by Normal Summoning Dark Beckoning Beast, using it to add Opening of the Spirit Gates to his hand. He activated that next and got Chaos Summoning Beast to his hand, used Beckoning Beast’s effect to Normal Summon the Chaos Beast, and then used the two monsters to Link Summon Unchained Soul Lord of Yama. He activated Yama’s effect to get Unchained Soul of Sharvara from his Deck to his hand, then activated Opening’s other effect, discarding Spirit of Yubel.

But Randolph responded! He activated the Bystial Magnamhut from his hand to banish Meza’s Spirit of Yubel. Meza still resolved Opening’s effect, Special Summoning Dark Beckoning Beast out of the Graveyard, while Randolph Special Summoned Magnamhut and activated its effect to search for a Dragon-type monster during the End Phase. Meza then activated Triple Tactics Talent, returning Fiendsmith Engraver from Randolph’s hand back to the deck. He used Beckoning Beast and Yama to Link Summon Unchained Soul of Anguish, then activated Anguish’s effect to use his Anguish and Randolph’s Magnamhut to Link Summon Unchained Soul of Rage. In the End Phase, Randolph resolved Magnamhut’s effect and added Bystial Druiswurm to his hand. 

Randolph started his turn by Normal Summoning Fabled Lurrie! He used it as material to Link Summon Fiendsmith’s Requiem, then activated Requiem’s effect, Tributing it to Special Summon Fiendsmith Engraver from his Deck. Upon resolution Meza activated Soul of Rage’s effect, targeting the Engraver, but Randolph responded with Ghost Ogre & Snow Rabbit, destroying the Soul of Rage, as well as Bystial Druiswurm, banishing the Yama from Meza’s Graveyard! Meza activated Soul of Rage’s effect, adding Dark Beckoning Beast to his hand.

Randolph entered the Battle Phase, attacking Meza with Druiswurm and Engraver. In Main Phase 2, Randolph used those two monsters to Link Summon Fiendsmith’s Sequence, then activated Sequence’s effect, returning Requiem and Lurrie to the Deck to Fusion Summon Fiendsmith’s Lacrima. He used Lacrima’s ability targeting Engraver, but Meza responded with Ghost Ogre & Snow Rabbit. Lacrima was destroyed and Randolph added Engraver back to his hand. 

Next, Randolph activated Fiendsmith Engraver, discarding it to add Fiendsmith’s Tract to his hand, then activated Tract, adding Fabled Lurrie to his hand and then discarding it. He activated Lurrie’s effect to Special Summon it to his side of the field, then activated the effect of the Engraver in his Graveyard, Special Summoning it by returning Requiem to the Extra Deck. Randolph activated Harpie’s Feather Duster to destroy Opening of the Spirit Gates, and then used Sequence, Lurrie, and Engraver to Link Summon Apollousa, Bow of the Goddess. But during the End Phase, Meza activated Infinite Impermanence, negating Apollousa’s effect and keeping its ATK at zero!

Meza fired back next turn by activating Nightmare Throne, getting Samsara D Lotus to his hand. He activated Lotus’ effect, Tributing it to Special Summon Spirit of Yubel from his Deck. He activated its effect to Set Nightmare Pain, then activated the Nightmare Pain to destroy Spirit of Yubel and get Gruesome Grave Squirmer from his Deck. He activated Nightmare Throne’s effect to Special Summon Yubel, as well as Spirit of Yubel’s effect to Special Summon Yubel – Terror Incarnate.

The two monsters were combined to Link Summon Moon of the Closed Heaven, and Meza used it to Link Summon Fiendsmith’s Requiem. He used that to Special Summon Fiendsmith Engraver. He Special Summoned Gruesome Grave Squirmer, then used Grave Squirmer and Engraver to Link Summon Fiendsmith’s Sequence. Sequence’s effect let him return Moon, Engraver, and Requiem to his Deck to Fusion Summon Fiendsmith Desirae.

Meza played on, activating the effect of the Grave Squirmer in his Graveyard to bring back the Spirit of Yubel. He used Yubel and Terror Incarnate to Special Summon Phantom of Yubel next. Then Meza combined Spirit of Yubel, Phantom of Yubel, and Sequence to Link Summon Accesscode Talker! He banished Soul of Anguish from his Graveyard to destroy Apollousa, then attacked with Accesscode and Desirae to drop Randolph’s Life Points to just 900. During Main Phase 2, Meza returned Samsara D Lotus and Spirit of Yubel to Special Summon another Phantom of Yubel, then ended his turn. 

At this point, time in the round was called. Meza had more Life Points than Randolph and was declared the winner of the match!

Meza wins Round 5, now one step closer to making Day 2 here at YCS Sacramento!