Only the Top 8 remain in the North America Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG Dragon Duel Championship! From Colorado, we’ve got Gabriel P., playing Maliss! His opponent is Myson S., from Texas, using Mitsurugi Ryzeal! This matchup is one that has defined the game lately, so having that matchup knowledge will go a long way toward advancing to the Top 4.

Duel 1

Myson won the dice roll and played first. Gabriel had a hand of Mulcharmy Purulia, Maliss <P> Dormouse, Maliss <P> White Rabbit, and two copies of Maliss <P> Chessy Cat.

In Myson’s Standby Phase, Gabriel activated Mulcharmy Purulia – Myson responded with Ash Blossom & Joyous Spring. He then used Ame no Habakiri no Mitsurugi to Special Summon Mitsurugi no Mikoto, Saji from the Deck and Tribute it. Saji put Mitsurugi Ritual in his hand. He activated Mitsurugi Ritual to Ritual Summon Habakiri, Tributing Mitsurugi no Mikoto, Kusanagi and Mitsurugi no Mikoto, Aramasa from his Deck. Kusanagi returned Mitsurugi Ritual to his hand, and Aramasa added a new Habakiri to his hand. He played Mitsurugi Ritual again, this time Tributing his on-field Habakiri to Ritual Summon Ame no Murakumo no Mitsurugi from his Deck. The Tributed Habakiri’s effect put Mitsurugi Prayers in his hand.

He activated Prayers, Tributing Murakumo. He used both effects of Prayers, adding his third Habakiri to his hand and taking 800 damage to Special Summon Saji from the Graveyard. The Tributed Murakumo returned to the field, adding Mitsurugi Mirror to his hand. He Normal Summoned Mulcharmy Fuwalos, then stacked it with Saji to Xyz Summon Ryzeal Duo Drive. Duo Drive put Ext Ryzeal and Node Ryzeal in his hand. He Special Summoned Ext by sending Eclipse Twins to the Graveyard, then Special Summoned Node. He stacked Node and Ext for Ryzeal Detonator, and it attached Eclipse Twins as a material. He activated Mirror, Tributing a Habakiri from the hand to Ritual Summon the other Habakiri in his hand.

Gabriel drew Droll & Lock Bird, a turn too late. He Normal Summoned White Rabbit, and its effect Set Maliss <C> MTP-07 on the field. He flipped it up by banishing White Rabbit, adding Maliss <P> March Hare to his hand. In a new Chain, he paid 300 Life Points to Special Summon White Rabbit, and Myson also activated Droll & Lock Bird. Gabriel activated March Hare’s effect, banishing Chessy Cat from the hand to Special Summon March Hare. He paid 300 Life Points to Special Summon Chessy Cat. He used all three monsters to Link Summon Maliss <Q> Red Ransom, but couldn’t add a Spell Card due to Droll & Lock Bird. He considered the rest of his hand and conceded, knowing he couldn’t play through Murakumo, Habakiri, and Detonator with Droll active.

Duel 2

Gabriel began this time with a hand of Mistaken Arrest, MTP-07, Dominus Impulse, Droll & Lock Bird, and Chessy Cat.

He Normal Summoned Chessy Cat and Set MTP-07, then banished Chessy to activate the trap. He added March Hare to his hand and paid 300 Life Points to Special Summon Chessy Cat. He activated March Hare’s effect, banishing MTP-07 from the Graveyard to Special Summon it. He Link Summoned Splash Mage, and it revived March Hare. Myson now activated Mulcharmy Fuwalos, having waited until Gabriel was committed. Gabriel Link Summoned Maliss <Q> Red Ransom, and it was negated by Myson’s Ash Blossom. Gabriel activated Mistaken Arrest and passed the turn.

Myson Normal Summoned Ice Ryzeal, and Gabriel negated it with Dominus Impulse. Myson sent Eclipse Twins to the Graveyard to Special Summon Ext Ryzeal, then Xyz Summoned Ryzeal Detonator. It attached Eclipse Twins as a material and attacked over Red Ransom, dropping Gabriel to 7000 Life Points.

Gabriel drew a new Chessy Cat, with just that and Droll & Lock Bird in his hand. He passed.

Myson activated the effect of Habakiri to Special Summon and Tribute Saji. Saji’s effect put Mitsurugi Ritual in Myson’s hand. Since Gabriel had used Dominus Impulse, he couldn’t activate his Droll & Lock Bird. He knew where things would go from this point and conceded the Duel!

Myson S. moves on to the Top 4 with Mitsurugi Ryzeal!