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Mofox’s journey from Newbie to the UK National Tournament.
Where did Mofox go?
January 12, 2007

My last article had just gone up, I was buzzing with excitement at the prospect of going to my first sneak peak event.  My article had drummed up some interest and many people were offering to meet up with me at the event and also giving me lots of advice.  However lady luck was not on my side and under UDE instruction due to a clash with a tournament date elsewhere, Fanboy 3 had to move the sneak peak to the Sunday, the day of my son’s christening.  I was distraught!  It seemed destined that the first step into the real life world of Yu-Gi-Oh! would forever evade me.  Disappointed but not deterred I emailed the venue to find out about more events coming up to Christmas.  The person who responded was extremely helpful and it gave me a small glimmer of hope that I would eventually be able to go to a real tournament.

Unfortunately life decided to intervene.  My job exploded into a fury of overtime, just to keep myself on top of my work I spent the rest of 2006 busting my balls in the office.  Spending whatever small amount of spare time I had reading the Pojo and Metagame websites I was barely managing to keep up with the goings on in the game.  It was difficult to read sometimes.  There I was watching from afar as one of the best periods to be involved in Yu-Gi-Oh! was gradually passing me by.  I had so much I wanted to talk about, duel with, write articles about, build decks with… but couldn’t do any of it.  My journey had taken one massive step backwards.

Christmas was approaching and family was asking the usual questions about present ideas.  Not having any time to think about it I picked the usual, “just get me some Yu-Gi-Oh! cards”.  If anything having a week off work due to the Christmas period would be made better by having a new influx of cards.

Christmas day, and what a day.  It began with me opening my presents from my wife and kids.  Low and behold 2 Cyber Dragon tins (my wife had remembered how I had said the Cyber Dragon cards were the best out of all the tin promos).  Excited at having 2 lovely shiny Cyber Dragons I proceeded to open my packs in the first tin.  When I got to opening the last pack in the first tin I shuffled through looking for the rare card and what did I find?

My first ever ULTIMATE RARE card.  I jumped from seat, “look, look,” I called over to my wife.  A little bit shocked by my over excitement she humoured me as I explained about getting my first ever ultimate rare card.  The card was Elemental Hero Rampart Blaster.  It was a sight of beauty, so much bling, it glistened in the morning light and brightened the whole room (well it seemed that way to me).  My wife pushed me to open the next tin.  I didn’t want to put down the card, but my wife said, “you never know you may get another one in that tin too”.  Not likely I thought but I went ahead and opened it anyway.  I opened the first pack and shuffled through although I wasn’t paying too much attention as I was still looking at my wonderful Elemental Hero.  Then I noticed a glint of light come from the cards (not really but hey it adds to the drama) I looked down and then I saw it….

ANOTHER ULTIMATE RARE CARD!!!!!

This time it was Victory Viper XX03.  I couldn’t believe it.  2 tins and 2 ultimate rare cards.  I’d been collecting cards for almost 2 years and never ever got a single one (heck in 2 years I’d only ever got 2 secret rare cards) and now in 1 day I was looking at a pair of ultimate rare cards.  I was delirious and my delirium continued until I visited my parents later that evening.  Awaiting me was some more tins.  1 Cyber Dragon (to complete the collection of 3), a Uria tin and a Shining Flare Wingman tin.

I opened the first tin and proceeded to explain the story of earlier to my brother.  Explaining the importance to me of getting these cards, I noticed another card glinting in the 2^nd or 3^rd pack I opened… my jaw hit the floor.  There in front of me was yet another Ultimate Rare card, BES Crystal Core.  I was now speechless.  I seriously couldn’t speak, this was turning out to be the best Christmas ever!!!

I took a moment before I opened the next tin… surely I couldn’t get another.  The answer was no.  I opened all the packets slowly, checking each one with care, but another Ultimate Rare was not to emerge.  I was a little disappointed but still I had gotten 3 Ultimate Rare cards in 4 tins.  Back down out of the clouds, I opened the next tin, what I found topped off the best Christmas ever.  Was it another Ultimate Rare card?

Damn right it was!  Demise King of Armageddon, in all his ultimate shiny glory, presented himself before me.  I couldn’t help but exclaim using language that I normally wouldn’t use in front of my parents, but so what I had just gotten my 4^th ultimate rare of the day and my life.

I couldn’t have predicted what happened but it proved to be the best end to 2006 I could’ve asked for…

bring on 2007 and the UK Nationals!

The experience has increased my passion for this game, to the point where after my family and my job this game is next on the list, even before football (soccer to you US residents).  Trust me on this, to put this game above football is a big thing for me, a huge thing but that is what I want to do.  I’m more determined than ever to get to that National Tournament.  I’ve got a long way to go in a short space of time, but if you want something enough you will get it.

At the moment the ultimate rare cards I pulled are sitting in pride of place on the first page of my card binder.  I already have plans for them.  The first one, Elemental Hero Rampart Blaster, will be kept and never sold or traded (I may even get a small frame for it).  The others will be traded except for BES Crystal Core, which I have a special mission for.  Some time ago Ilya sent me some cards in the post, included were 2 Ojama Trio cards (my favourite card of all).  It meant a lot and was a nice gesture so in return I have placed my BES Crystal Core in the post for Ilya (a water monster for the Ocean King!).

My journey has taken a huge step backwards, losing out on almost 3 months of a season is a huge blow and I’m going to have to bust a gut to qualify for that National Tournament.  I’ve got about 4-5 months to create a deck, collect the cards, get to a tournament, top 4 a qualificationable tournament to duel at Nats.  It’s a tall order but I will push for it and if any of you newbies like me have the same target then we will push for it together.  Even if I fail to qualify, if through documenting my journey I help other people qualify for their respective National Tournaments then I will be happy.

The journey begins again in earnest.

Until next time fellow duellists!