YCS Toronto Analysis Pt. 1 - Deck Profiles & General thoughts

What's up, youtube; this is your boy MaJu V... woops, err...

Sorry for that intro, but the deck profile intro's start to stick. In order to do a proper analysis of YCS Toronto 2013, I've been watching ALL available decklists around (thanks to Underworld6667, ProWinston and a few others for doing a great job on that).

But while doing the analysis, I've started to breach the 3-word-pages limit for my blog posts, which means I have to start splitting things up to keep it readable. It resulted in a three-parter. This three-parter will have:

1. All the available decklists on youtube (got 30 of the 32 decks).
2. A general analysis of the event (below).
3. A look at what cards of the latest sets (Number Hunters & Judgment of the Light) that made a change in this event (and in what decks) (part 2).
4. A more in-depth look at certain tech cards that were used (part 3)
5. A more in-depth look to cards that return to the main stage (part 3)

Decklists

Duelist	End result	Deck used	Decklist
Edward Kuang	1st	Dragon Ruler	Available
Sorosh Saberian	2nd	Mermail	Available
Patrick Hoban	3rd	Dragunity Rulers	Available
Sehabi Kheiredine	4th	Blackwing	Available
Bobby Barrone	Top 8	Mermail	(same vid as 2nd place)
James Frazier	Top 8	Plant Ruler (LS variant)	Available
Jordan Winters	Top 8	Plant Ruler (LS variant)	Available
Umar Haq	Top 8	Dragunity	Available
Frazier Smith	Top 16	Prophecy	Available
Galo Orbea	Top 16	Plant Ruler	Available
Harrison Perinpanayagam	Top 16	Fire Fist	Available
James Guerrero	Top 16	Mermail	Available
John Valade	Top 16	Dragon Ruler	N.A.
Loukas Peterson	Top 16	Prophecy	Available
Roger Simpson	Top 16	Infernity	Available
Thomas Mak	Top 16	Plant Ruler	Available
Bo Tang	Top 32	Dragon Ruler	Available
Christopher LeBlanc	Top 32	Karakuri Geargia	Available
Dale Bellido	Top 32	Dragunity	Available
David Wu	Top 32	Madolche	Available
Evan Waxman	Top 32	Herald of Perfection	Available
Igor Bijelic	Top 32	Fire Fist	Available
Jack Ran	Top 32	Mermail	Available
James Kim	Top 32	Dragon Rulers	Available
Jeffrey Cho	Top 32	Dragon Ruler	Available
Kareem O'Brian	Top 32	Prophecy	Available
Leo Chan	Top 32	Constellar	Available
Michael Chung-Salamone	Top 32	Evilswarm	Available
Peter Martino	Top 32	Prophecy	Available
Sean Coovert	Top 32	Evilswarm	Available
Sean McCabe	Top 32	Constellar	N.A.
Yuhang (Victor) Li	Top 32	Evilswarm	Available

Note: From top-8 and onward, the players are listed alphabetically (first name) per rank group, not by their individual position in that top.

Note 2: If I made any typo in names, or if you have the two missing deck profiles, please let me know.

General thoughts on the event

As predicted, YCS Toronto ended up being a very diverse event; with the better players participating and many players testing out "new" techs/decks in real life. This of course resulted in a very diverse top 32.

A thing I noticed is that even though 10 toppers played Dragon Rulers, they used different variations on the deck, making even those deck profiles very interesting to see. The different variants were:

• Dragon Ravine variant (focus on searching Dragunity tuners & dumping lots of Rulers from the hand/deck).
• Skill Drain variant (focus on spamming high attack/defense monsters and beating the opponent by force).
• Plant variant (with the Debris-Dandy "plant" engine).
• Mill variant (the "plant" engine + Lyla/Ryko's & card troopers).

Decks like Fire Fist, Mermails and Prophecies did lose a few key cards in the last F&L list, but did not fail to represent themselves again. Fire Fists gained Rooster & Wolfberk; Prophecies are now using World of Prophecy (using Temperance/Book of Life); and Mermails are now using Aqua Spirit (lol, wut?) and the combo of Bahamut Shark/Abysstrite/Mechquipped Angineer (more on that combo this Friday).

Certain older decks made a come-back, like Blackwings, Infernities and Dragunity. But the main decks of last format remain the main decks of this format. Those are Dragon Rulers, Mermails, Prophecy, Evilswarm, Fire Fist and Constellar.

Certain decks were expected to make a come-back (Chain Burn, Final Countdown, D-Hero control decks, etc.) were nowhere to be seen in the top tables. That means that even though the decks regained power, they're no match for the current top decks.

This top 32 will be the template on what other YCS's will become. They will be less diverse and will focus more on the "winning" decks.

The first YCS now will be YCS San Mateo (California, US), the first weekend of October. The only change then will be the availability of the Blue-Eyes Structure Deck. So I expect to see more Hieratic decks and Prophecy/Maiden decks. Other than that, it will be about the same end result as this YCS.

Afterword

Tomorrow (or Thursday), I'll take a look at the cards from Number Hunters and Judgment of the Light that were actually used (read as: useful).

Until then, V out.

Hold the thief!

I first wanted to put this on my previous post, but I find this a very important topic, so I made a separate post for it. Why? Because too much stuff gets stolen, that's why!

Pay attention when going to events

Similar to what I noticed at YCS Bochum & Lille, once again lots of cards and money got stolen at YCS Brussels.

One friend got his Prophecy deck stolen (ouch, costly). I overheard of an Antwerp player (a friend of Lithium) who got his wallet stolen; and a Big Eye & Dragosack was taken from the binder from another friend of mine. And that's just from the players I personally know.

Luckily for the last friend, we were able to identify and catch the thieves, and my friend got his two cards back (kudos to Konami and the Security for the intervention here). But at this moment, I didn't hear anything on the wallet or the Prophecy deck (:-/ ).

Some tips

If you go to a big event (genre qualifier, YCS, nationals or similar)...

• Pay attention to everything you own: your deck, playmats and binders, but also your wallet.
• Don't leave your backpack open on the floor and don't leave playmats or decks unattended. Frequently check if you still have everything in your possession. Don't be paranoid about it, just do a regular check.
• Don't trade with multiple people at the same time, so you can keep an eye on the person you're trading with.
• If you can put all your cards-for-trade in 1 binder, do so. It's easier to keep track of 1 big binder, rather than multiple smaller ones.
• Memorize the face of the people you trade with (I'm guilty of not doing this). If certain cards just "disappeared", you should know who the perp is.
• If you sell cards, keep track of the money they give you so that it doesn't "disappear" (more than just stealing, people often misplace money/cards or accidentally throw it/them away with empty booster wrappers or trash).
• Don't keep too much money in your wallet. I know this is not always possible if you just sold a bunch of cards for big bucks.
• Play with unique deck boxes or mark them to make them visibly stand out. If a box "disappears", this makes it easier to identify it afterwards.
• Don't get distracted during trades. It's easy for thieves to swipe cards away if you're not paying attention to what's going on.
• Recognize suspicious behavior. If people are changing seats during trades, talk silently with friends over the content of the binder, act nervous, etc; you should pay attention to what's going on.

Doing things like these should not make you paranoid or enjoy an event less. But if you pay attention, it will help prevent you from running into these situations.

But if your stuff does get stolen...

• Keep yourself and/or your friends calm, call security instead. The worst thing that can happen is that a friend (or you) becomes aggressive after his stuff gets stolen and starts attacking possible thieves. If you're violent, you will be banned from the event, nothing will be resolved and the perps may walk away freely as victims instead.
• Don't be afraid to tell security/staff at the event if you have stuff stolen and if you suspect certain people. If you don't say anything, you will not retrieve anything and the perps will go unpunished.
• Give accurate descriptions of what disappeared. Having cards/boxes/etc that visibly stand out or are unique helps to retrieve the stolen goods. Tell your friends to look for the unique items.

And if you (for some reason) overhear people boasting about stuff they stole; don't turn a blind eye. Try to hear what cards/items they're boasting about and tell the staff/security what you overheard. If the description matches stuff that got stolen earlier, it may return to its rightful owner this way.

Until next time, V out.

YCS Brussels - Day 2

Yesterday was day 2 of YCS Brussels. I went by car and due to malfunctioning GPS I almost arrived too late (just in time, or I would've gotten a penalty).

When seated, we all got new deckboxes again and had to re-assemble a new deck. And while the Saturday deck was quite good, this one was more mediocre. Too many high level monsters, no real game changers, but a good amount of traps to survive (but hardly any spells) and no draw/search power. I lost the first two rounds (Mirage Dragon + Malevolent Nuzzler is annoying) and decided to drop, since there was no more chance of topping.

But because I like Battle Pack tournaments, I wanted to do some more sealed. I participated in a Sealed Regional... and ended up winning (hurrah). They even wanted to cover the final (but decided not to in the last seconds, which was kind of awkward). But in the end I did get interviewed and a picture taken.

So, I'm proud to announce: Me (*yeah, I know I'm bragging, but let me enjoy my little victory here, okay?*). The victory resulted in the Dragosack playmat (cool), a regional deckbox (also nice) and a qualification for next year's European Championship (awesome).

On a side-note, the reporter made a small error. It's Evil HERO Malicious Edge instead of D-HERO Malicious. There are no D-Heroes in this set, so that didn't make any sense.

Favorite combo's

I've enjoyed these two days of sealed play. So let me give you a few of my favorite combo's of the past weekend.

• Equipping the opponent's boss monster with Big Bang Shot and using Blackwing Zephyros' effect to bounce BBS back to the hand, resulting in the banishing of the equipped monster (lol).
• Combinging Truckroid with Shield & Sword (got an opponent's Barbaros this way, which was very funny).
• Setting a Mecha Phantom Beast Hamstrat, protecting it (with No Entry, Windstorm of Etaqua or anything else) and tributing him and the two tokens for Beast King Barbaros' ultimate destruction effect. Was able to pull this of three times during the Qualifier.

End result

We all know that in the end of a BP tournament, the better players win (and had a good deckbox for two days in a row, lol).

The end an exciting final between regular toppers Michel Grüner (Germany) vs. Peter Groß (Austria). The final can be read via this link. Gruner won!

Afterword

This week, I'll be doing an analysis of YCS Toronto (yeah, due to Brussels being sealed, you can't really do an analysis on that one) when all information is available.

See you guys later. V out.

YCS Brussels - Day 1

Short post. Went to YCS Brussels.

Got our deck boxes (picture on konami site is actual size btw). Got a Cardcar D and Abyssmegalo... and that was about it. Got a few good beaters and a few nice tech cards, but nothing to OP (only forbidden card was Monster Reborn).

First round, matched up against Joschua Schmidt of all people (oh come on!). After that obvious loss (the guy had so many traps, I hardly had any), I got five more wins and one loss, resulting in 71st place. Means I'm qualified for day 2 (w00t). Never expected that; Best result at a YCS to date.

Was able to trade a Master Key Beetle, Angel of Zera, ZW Lion Arms & Holo Machine Duplication (Only Star Eater missing now). Got a tin, with another Master Key Beetle (which was immediately sold to a friend of mine).

And best of all. The playmat of the gods. Pic will follow, but I can say... it looks more awesome than the pics that were posted online by Konami. Way more awesome :-P.

YCS Brussels - Details & Off we go!

This weekend is YCS Brussels. This is the first Belgian YCS, the first BP2 YCS and the first of 3 European YCS's left this year.

One more time, all YCS Brussels Details

The event will be held at:

• Brussels Expo - Hall 10
• Place de Belgique 1
• 1020 Brussels,
• Belgium
• Event website: http://www.brusselsexpo.be
• All the info you need will be (should be hopefully) on THIS LINK
• From Saturday morning, coverage will be posted on the European event coverage page.

Pre-registration will start at Friday (between 16 and 21 o' clock). Otherwise it's Saturday between 8 and 10 in the morning. Pre-registring means you can sleep a little longer on Saturday and get a free token card.

About Battle Pack 2 Sealed Play

When you're seated for the first time, you will receive:

• 1 Battle Pack 2: War of the Giants Deckbox.
• 10 OPENED Battle Pack 2 packs (if I'm not mistaken with a card list of all cards that were in the packs).
• A sheet to fill in your deck list from all provided cards.
• The YCS Brussels event mat.

Take note that you will receive cards that have been pre-registered to prevent cheating (otherwise you could bring in your own bunch of broken BP2 cards).

You get 20 minutes to construct a deck of minimum 30 cards (of the 50).

Day 2 you'll receive a new deckbox (if you're qualified, obviously). Top-32 will get an extra mat (the first Giant Hand mats).

And me?

I'll be attending this time as well. (obviously, it's a YCS in my country). So I hope to see you as well!

Same message as last time.
If you spot me, don't be shy, come say hi!

Of birds and mines: A little bird from Number Hunters

When number hunters came out, the main attention went to Master of Blades, since it’s another Rank 7 xyz that could be splashed in Dragon Ruler decks. So it comes as no surprise that other good cards from the same set were neglected or simply ignored.

I plead guilty, because I did not know of this gem, until it was used against me.

Number 49: Fortune Tune

At the moment my opponent overlayed 2 Lv. 3 monsters, I expected to see a Wind-up Zenmaines. But instead a card appeared from Number Hunters named Fortune Tune. I was surprised to see it. I was even more surprised when I read the full effect:

I'm the bird of Paradise and I bring you... heaven!

“2 Level 3 monsters. During each of your Standby Phases: Gain 500 Life Points. This card cannot be targeted by card effects. If this face-up card would be destroyed, you can detach 1 Xyz Material from this card instead. When this card is sent from the field to the Graveyard: Target 2 Level 3 monsters in your Graveyard; shuffle them both into the Deck, and if you do, return this card from your Graveyard to the Extra Deck. You can only use this effect of "Number 49: Fortune Tune" once per turn.”

So basically:

• You can’t target it. So no fiendish chain, Breakthrough Skill or Veiler; not even Blackship of Corn or Book of Moon. Your opponent will have to waste a lot of resources to get rid of this card.
• You have the ability to gain life points (always a nice extra)
• You have the ability to recycle all XYZ materials (or 2 other Lv. 3 monsters) AND the XYZ monster (an effect that does NOT miss timing, btw).
• Oh, and I just checked: You can use it for Icarus attack AND still gain its recycle effect (LOL). That just makes it amazing in Winged Beast decks (like Blackwings, for example).

Lol, what? The low stats make it an easy target to beat, but after it’s done it goes back to the extra deck? I think Tour Guide just found itself a new pet bird.

Tour Guide >> an extra Tour Guide >> Fortune Tune. Tune = a wall + extra lifepoints + recycling 2 Tour Guides & Fortune Tune to use them again later. Profit much?

Fortune Tune Vs Wind-up Zenmaines

The question obviously remains; will you use Fortune Tune over Zenmaines? Zenmaines’ effect can be negated more easily and he can become a target of Blackship of Corn, while Bird cannot be a target of card effects. The only way to get around this card is using card effects that don’t target (Tiger King, Spellbook of Fate, or D.D. Warrior Lady or HTS Psyhemuth).

But on the other hand, Zenmaines has a higher defense to get over (900 defense isn't much) and has the ability to destroy cards. Heck, you can smash Zenmaines into an opponent’s monster to get rid of it during the end phase (Ophion, for example).

So in the end, both cards have advantages, while both cards act as walls. Bird is more resilient, allows you to live (a little) longer and recycle (more interesting in stun decks); Zenmaines is a higher wall and allows you to smash and destroy (more interesting in offensive/OTK decks).

Which card do you prefer? Or do you like to use both?

V out.

Analysis of the TCG F&L List September 2013

Now that my initial surprise of the list is over, it’s time to analyze each hit on this list:

Burner, Lightning, Reactan and Stream, the Baby Dragons forbidden

It was on the OCG list and it shouldn't come as a surprise to see it on the TCG list as well. The Dragon Rulers were supposed to boost each attribute of its respective element, but the baby’s made it possible to create a deck of the dragons itself. The baby’s created a problem deck, so getting rid of the babies solved the problem.

Spellbook of Judgment forbidden:

Glad that this was hit and not any other Prophecy/Spellbook card. THIS was the problem card, as stated months ago.

Card Destruction and Super Rejuvenation forbidden + Gold Sarcophagus Limited

The older support cards that were abused in Dragon Rulers are hit as well and hit hard. Card Destruction already deserved a place on the forbidden list for years, Super Rejuvenation promotes overextending and Gold Sarc… well… maybe we can now see the return of Necroface? (pretty please?)

Elemental HERO Stratos forbidden + E-Emergency Call, A HERO Lives and Destiny HERO Malicious unlimited

Most people complaining about this list are actually complaining about the fact that Stratos is gone and that HERO decks “just died”. But honestly, does the existence of 1 card really have to cause a limit on three other cards? NO! I’d rather see three E-Calls, 3 A HERO Lives and 3 Malicious than 1 Stratos. So to all you whiners: GET OVER IT!

Number 16: Shock Master forbidden

This card has become the face of “You-can’t-play-Yugioh” cards. It’s the source of many frustrations and it’s rightfully forbidden. It locked down opponents completely after they suffered a virus attack; it blocked an opponent completely if the solely relied on either monster effects or spell cards. It caused more frustration than any other card. Should it be limited instead of forbidden? Maybe, but I don’t think it’s bad that this card is gone completely.

Gateway of the Six forbidden

THANK YOU, Konami. Worst TCG Exclusive EVER made! Six Sams don’t need this card to win, but it makes them overpowered if they do draw it. It’s like Dark Worlds opening with Card Destruction; Chaos Dragons opening with Future Fusion, or Machine Decks opening with Limiter Removal (hint, Konami, hint).Those decks can win without the named cards, but as an opponent you don’t want to face these cards: because you’ll have an incredibly high chance of losing.

Ultimate Offering forbidden

Ever since XYZ came out, this card proved to be just broken in Gadget decks. Glad it’s gone, it didn't do any good.

Heavy Storm, Monster Reborn and Pot of Avarice

They’re game-changers and top decking these cards may give you the win, even if you don’t deserve it. Many people were asking for these cards to be gone, so let it be.

And Pot of Avarice has two replacements in Daigusto Emeral and Pot of Duplicity.

Solemn Judgment Forbidden; Bottomless Trap Hole, Compulsory Evacuation Device and Torrential Tribute Limited and Dimensional Prison Semi-Limited

This is a huge bite that Konami just took out of the staple Trap cards. Considering Heavy Storm is gone, I guess this is a justified cut-back of these traps. It’s already going to be a backrow-heavy format as it is, so limiting the traps isn't bad at all.

Atlantean Dragoons & Deep Sea Diva Limited

Thank god. The main search engines of the Mermail deck is cut. The Mermail players already confirmed weeks before this list came out that the deck is still playable and good with only 1 Diva and 1 Dragoons. And in return, Konami also limited the following cards.

Rescue Rabbit, Dimensional Fissure and Macro Cosmos limited

Yeah, Konami obviously hates Macro Rabbit. I personally didn't have any problem with it, but it was no surprise that the deck was everywhere in the past year. Ever since the tins of last year, Macro Rabbit was the cheapest (anti-)meta deck to build. Since the deck had a good match-up versus Mermails, it was just as popular in the March Format (until the Dragons attacked). So bye-bye Rabbit.

Indirectly, Evilswarm Decks are hit by this as well. I guess they won’t be using Rabbit and Heliotrope anymore. Enough other choices, though.

Soul Drain, Thunder King Rai-Oh, Eradicator Epidemic Virus and Royal Tribute limited.

Like Shock Master, these cards only classify as “You-can’t-play Yugioh” cards. No activating of card effects in the grave; no searching of cards; no use of spells or traps; or not having monsters at all. None of these cards are fair in multiples, so I don’t regret their limit.

Brotherhood of the Fire Fist – Spirit limited and Fire Formation – Tenki Semi-Limited

Fire Fists required a hit, otherwise they would become the overpowering archetype this format. Tenki was an obvious choice. And while OCG hit Rooster, that card is kind of new in TCG, so our Konami hit Spirit instead. Guess we’ll only have the 4-axis then, huh?

Genex Ally Birdman, Evigishki Mind Augus, Dewloren Tiger King of the Ice Barrier and Constellar Ptoley M7 limited

These cards are classified as OTK/FTK enablers. That’s their only use when multiples are available.

I liked Birdman and M7 a lot, but it’s a justified hit to stop OTK decks. Still… Doesn’t Konami see that Aquamirror is the problem, not the Gishki's themselves? They now have 2 Ritual monsters of the same archetype limited!

Mezuki & Plaguespreader Zombie Semi-Limited

Zombies were dead, it’s true. This gives zombie-decks a boost. And it should come as no surprise that Konami wants to boost the popularity of Shadow Specters a little (the set isn't that great), so these two might help that.

T.G. Striker Semi-Limited & The Agent of Mystery Earth unlimited

FINALLY! T.G. Agents was never a popular deck in the TCG, so we found the initial limit on Earth and Striker way too harsh (it killed the T.G. engine). More than Earth, I’m more glad that Striker is back at 2 (which is the number that is generally used).

Tsukuyomi & Scapegoat unlimited

These cards are two reminders that Goat Control was once a feared deck. Tsukuyomi is only used once in certain decks (spelllcasters and control decks), and scapegoat… let’s just say that this choice is intriguing. I’m kind of looking forward what 12 annoying scapegoats can do… My guess: Plasma Control, Piper Control, etc.

Hieratic Seal of Convocation & Black Whirlwind unlimited

Two search cards for previously popular archetypes (mostly in the OCG). It’s interesting to see if they will be picked up massively again. I think Blackwings will become more interesting, with Fortune Tune and Transmodify now available for them.

Note: Transmodify has now leaped over all other cards and became the money card of JOTL. Guess the hype of Infernities, Agents and Wings made it a popular card all of a sudden.

Pot of Duality unlimited

Not that much of a fan of this choice, but probably due to the limit of Gold Sarc. Duality is what OCG players describe as a brain-drain card. It increases consistency of your deck without thinking too much about your deck choices. I found it to be perfect at 2, but I can’t blame people for using three copies of it either.

Afterword

So, that’s it. That’s my analysis. Unlike the OCG list, there aren't many choices that I dislike on this list. The OCG list is more like a typical lolkonami list, with bad cards like Trishula, Gorz or Chaos Sorcerer returning; while the TCG variant actually cares about the players (for once, at least).

I've heard many old players being very positive about this list and making them think to actually return to the game. So I have to say: this list is a good thing for the game in general. I hope that our Konami would keep it up this way, because I like it.

A somewhat pleased V out.