Top 32 Feature Match: Kevin Ward vs. Camden Keener
Kevin Ward and Camden Keener both went 9-2 in the Swiss rounds with different variants of the classic Hyperion Deck. Keener is running his with Tour Guides, and Ward is running T.G. Monsters instead of Tour Guides. In a field dominated by Tengu Synchro Duelists, one of these Agent Duelists will secure a spot in the Top 16.
Keener opened up Duel 1 with Dimensional Prison, Solemn Warning, Maxx “C”, Master Hyperion, Archlord Kristya, and Effect Veiler. He Set Dimensional Prison and ended his turn.
Ward activated Pot of Duality, revealing Junk Synchron and 2 copies of Mystical Shine Ball from the top of his Deck. He added the Junk Synchron to his hand and shuffled the 2 Shine Balls back into his Deck. Next, he Summoned Sangan and attacked; but Keener flipped Dimensional Prison and banished Sangan. Ward Set a card to his back row and ended his turn.
Keener drew another Archlord Kristya next turn. He Set Solemn Warning and passed.
Ward Set a monster.
Keener drew Mystical Shine Ball. He Set it and passed.
Ward Normal Summoned The Agent of Creation – Venus and paid 500 Life Points to activate its effect, so Keener discarded Maxx “C” from his hand. Ward Special Summoned a Shine Ball and Keener drew Trap Dustshoot thanks to Maxx “C”. Next, Ward attacked Mystical Shine Ball with Venus to destroy it.
Keener drew Mind Control next turn. He activated it to try to take control of Venus, and Ward Chained Trap Dustshoot! Keener revealed Trap Dustshoot, Effect Veiler, Master Hyperion, and 2 copies of Archlord Kristya from his hand. Ward sent Master Hyperion back to Keener’s Deck. Ward gained control of Venus and then paid 1000 Life Points to Special Summon 2 copies of Mystical Shine Ball from his Deck. Next, he Tributed both Shine Balls to Normal Summon Archlord Kristya. Kristya attacked and destroyed Keener’s face-down Mystical Shine Ball. Keener Set Trap Dustshoot before ending his turn.
Ward drew a card and Keener flipped Trap Dustshoot, revealing Ward’s hand of Junk Synchron, The Agent of Mystery – Earth, Smashing Ground, and 2 copies of Hyperion. He sent a Hyperion back to Ward’s Deck with the effect of Trap Dustshoot. Ward activated Smashing Ground to destroy Archlord Kristya, returning Kristya to the top of Keener’s Deck. Next, Ward paid 500 Life Points to Special Summon another Shine Ball from his Deck with Venus’s effect. Keener conceded, seeing no hope of victory.
Camden Keener can’t keep a monster on the field in Duel 1, allowing Kevin Ward to take a quick first victory! Camden Keener will be going first in Duel 2!
Keener opened up Duel 2 with Torrential Tribute, Bottomless Trap Hole, Dimensional Prison, The Agent of Mystery – Earth, Vanity’s Fiend, and Mind Control. He Normal Summoned Earth and used its effect to add The Agent of Creation – Venus from his Deck to his hand. Keener Set Dimensional Prison before ending his turn.
[After the Match, I asked Keener whether or not he thinks he should’ve Set more than 1 Trap Card on his first turn. Because of what happened on the following turn (see below), he replied, “I regret not setting Bottomless now. The reason I didn’t is, I didn’t want to lose to Heavy. Dimensional Prison could take down Rai-Oh, or a T.G., or whatever. I didn’t expect him to have everything.”]
Ward activated Mystical Space Typhoon to destroy Keener’s face-down Dimensional Prison, then Normal Summoned his own Venus. He paid 1500 Life Points to Special Summon 3 Shine Balls from his Deck in Attack Position, then returned a Shine Ball from his field to his hand in order to Special Summon Genex Ally Birdman. Next, he paid another 500 Life Points to Special Summon a Shine Ball from his hand in Attack Position. He activated Leeching the Light next, giving his 3 Shine Balls, his Venus, and his Birdman each 1000 extra ATK. Next, he activated Smashing Ground to destroy Earth. Finally, direct attacks from 3 1500 ATK Shine Balls, a 2400 ATK Birdman, and a 2600 ATK Venus finished Keener off!
Kevin Ward defeats Camden Keener on his first turn in Duel 2 and advances to the Top 16 with his T.G. Hyperion Deck!
