Follow my reconstruction of this match with
analysis-
Game One-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4rW7jtsJHeE
Games Two and Three-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZSQQ32n9xk
Billy Brake-
Brake was using a further
refined
version of the Team Kamikaze X-Saber build that took
him to the cusp of an elusive premier event victory.
Unfortunately, Omar Beldon ruined his run in the
finals in devastating fashion.
A relative newcomer to the top player scene, Billy
has been putting up consistent finishes recently,
with a top four finish at SJC Edison to go along
with his runner up finish at Rosemont. The man has
won multiple prize cards and is eager to test
himself against the established veterans.
Through informal pre-match talk with his teammates
Augustin Herrera and Ryan Spicer, I found that the
two players consider Billy on their level and
possibly even better at the dueling table.
Team-inspired modesty or actual fact? Let's find
out!
Billy Brake's Youtube can be found at this link:
http://www.youtube.com/havok41
He plans to put up recorded footage of a few of his
matches for you to enjoy.
Paul Levitin-
Levitin left the spotlight to focus
on
college and other priorities. However, the former
two-time SJC champion's name popped up in a few
regionals deck lists and he then showed up at YCS
Chicago. Paul has plans to play for the rest of his
break, possibly turning this long hot summer into
the summer of Levitin once again.
Paul was using a variant of Infernity that Team
Canada had ridden to multiple day two finishes at
Canadian Nationals and the YCS in Rosemont. His
teammate, Dale Bellido, had sent us a build he
considered perfect for the event.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
I realize it's kind of difficult for you guys to
visualize what's going on in the written text. For
the matches, I have recorded YVD footage of each
match on my Youtube Channel. Find the links here and
click them if you want to watch!
Also Austin Kulman was recording some of the matches
on his Youtube channel as well:
http://www.youtube.com/user/Natsboy06#p/a/u/0/YGi3mY6b1JI
He has game one up currently in HD and will add more
in the future I believe.
Brake versus Levitin- Game One.
FOLLOW GAME ONE:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4rW7jtsJHeE
Levitin Turn One:
Levitin wins the dice roll and opens, seeing a hand
of:
Trap Dustshoot
Dust Tornado
Infernity Beetle
Infernity Archfiend
Infernity Necromancer
Infernity Inferno.
An amazing hand. He sets Dustshoot, Dust Tornado,
and Necromancer. I'm unclear how sharp Levitin is
with Infernity at this time. The deck is incredibly
difficult to play and almost impossible to play
perfectly after a long layoff from the game.
The Infernity Necromancer play is somewhat risky. I
certainly wouldn't set it without the support of
Dustshoot. However, Sabers don't have many answers
to destroying Necromancer period. Throw in Dustshoot
and the Necromancer play is optimal.
Brake Turn Two:
Brake draws and reveals his hand to Dustshoot:
Book of Moon
Bottomless Trap Hole
Royal Oppression
Book of Moon
Emmersblade
Summoner Monk
This is a very defensive hand and pretty much
perfect for Brake's situation (though he doesn't
know it). Emmersblade is not the right card for this
matchup so Paul sends back the easy Monk. Billy sets
two backrow and Emmersblade. Levitin realizes an end
phase Dust is not optimal here because he needs to
reveal the Oppression. I am guessing Billy set
Bottomless here.
P3:
Paul draws Launcher. He can't go aggressive because
he doesn't know which card Oppression is. Instead,
he opts to set Inferno and pass.
B4:
Billy draws to 3 cards in hand and sets a third
backrow. This is likely the Book of Moon. It's a
standard and good play.
P5:
Paul draws another Infernity Inferno. He activates
his set Inferno and pitches Archfiend and Beetle for
Archfiend and Avenger. This is the right time to
push. Paul sets his Launcher (to avoid Mind Crush)
and then sets the Inferno he drew. He flips
Necromancer and uses priority to target Archfiend.
Billy does not use Royal Oppression.
When Launcher is added to hand through Archfiend,
Billy flips Oppression. This is a great play to
avoid Barrier. Paul chains Dust. He uses Launcher to
get Archfiend/Avenger versus what he knows is
Bottomless and Book of Moon.
Archfiend gets third Launcher. Billy Books the
Archfiend. Paul has a Necromancer and Aventer out
along with a set Archfiend. He has a Launcher,
Inferno, and Launcher playable. Paul makes Armory
Arm with Necromancer and Avenger. He can make a Doom
Dragon or Mist Wurm here with his other Launcher.
Instead, he sets his second Launcher and passes!
This is a very bad miscalculation on Paul's part.
B6:
Billy plays Cold Wave with a Book of Moon in hand.
He flips Emmersblade and attacks Armory Arm.
7500/8000 Paul. He then gets Fulhelm to destroy
the f/d Archfiend, getting back Emmersblade.
Emmersblade swings into Armory Arm again,
7000/8000 Paul, getting Darksoul. Billy then
gets out Hyunlei, popping both Launchers and
Inferno. He sets a monster and searches Faultroll at
the end phase.
P7:
Paul is now topdecking. He draws Dark Grepher and
equips it with Armory Arm. It destroys Hyunlei and
Billy takes 2700 total. 4300/8000 Paul.
B8:
Billy draws to 3 cih. He sets an m/t and passes.
P9:
Paul draws a dead Barrier. Grepher attacks into
Pashuul.
B10:
Billy draws and summons Airbellum. He then drops
Faultroll, brings Darksoul, synchs Hyunlei on
Barrier and Armory Arm. He then drops another
Faultroll and brings Fulhelm. Everything attacks,
Paul scoops.
************************************************************
FOLLOW GAMES TWO AND THREE:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZSQQ32n9xk
Levitin Opens Game Two:
Paul opens another very strong hand:
Solemn Judgment
Trap Dustshoot
Heavy Storm
Infernity Avenger
Ryko
Necromancer
He sets Dustshoot, Storm, and Avenger. I believe
setting Ryko is the play here but he may be saving
it as an answer to something like Consecrated Light.
With Trap Dustshoot, the hand lends itself well to
an incredibly aggressive set up with the proper Ryko
mill.
B2:
Billy reveals his hand:
Thunder King
Airbellum
DD Crow
Bottomless Trap Hole
Gottoms' Emergency Call
Dust Tornado
Paul sends back D.D Crow. Billy summons TKR and
attacks into Avenger. He then sets three backrow.
This is a really bad play because Gottoms is not
live.
P3:
Paul flips Storm and hits three cards. He would have
certainly hit two legitimate cards but GEC should
not have been set. Paul sets Necromancer and Solemn
Judgment. Again, I think he should bee setting Ryko
here after seeing Billy's hand. I don't like this
play at all.
B4:
Billy sets a monster and passes.
P5:
Paul sets Ryko after drawing Trunade.
B6:
Billy has 2 cih. He summons Rescue Cat which is
promptly Solemned. 4000/8000 Billy. Rai-Oh
attacks the Ryko which destroys it. Archfiend,
Inferno, and Necromancer are milled.
P7:
Levitin has game with Trunade, Necromancer, and his
draw phase. He summons Necromancer and Billy scoops.
*****************************************************************
Brake Opens Game Three:
Billy opens with a t-set.
L2:
Levitin sees a hand of:
Dust Tornado
Necromancer
Ryko
Beetle
Infernity Mirage
Fissure
Fissure deals with Consecrated Lights. Paul sets
Necromancer and Dust Tornado.
Again, I think Ryko is the play here. Necromancer is
simply far too vulnerable to a Saber rushdown. Paul
seems to be playing his Ryko's
hesitantly/incorrectly. Perhaps he is not as
familiar with the Ryko side.
B3:
Billy Mind Controls Necromancer (which would have
owned my Ryko play). He MST's Dust, summons
Airbellum. He flips Necro, flips Pashuul, and syncs
a level 5 Android. He swings for 4000 and pitches
Mirage from Paul. Things do not look good here.
4000 8600 Billy.
P4:
Paul draws Call. He plays Fissure destroying
Airbellum and sets Ryko along with Call.
B5:
Billy summons Boggart and goes aggressive properly.
He GEC's and uses Airbellum + Pashuul to make
Hyunlei, destroying COTH. Hyunlei then swings at the
f/d, Ryko kills Android, milling MST, Hero's Rule 2,
and Inferno. Airbellum discards Beetle (Paul allows
this). 2400 8600.
P6:
Paul is drawing very thin to an Archfiend or
Necromancer. He draws and concedes.
****************************************************************************
Billy Brake defeats Paul Levitin 2-1 to advance!
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