DeathJester's Dojo
Back in the Dojo: What ever happened to DJ? 
Bryan Camareno a.k.a. DeathJester
August 11, 2005 

Hello everyone! I’m back AGAIN to write another all new Featured Article for all of you at Pojo.com! So, what ever happened to DJ? It’s been awhile yes…but I’ve returned for good. I’m sure there won’t be any more unexpected absences from the writing staff. In my long hiatus I’ve met new people and have traveled a TON (As I frequently do…). I’ve recently stumbled upon the Obelisk Blue Forums Group and I must say that I have been impressed by their knowledge of the game and the great deal of respect they have for one another. I’m aware that this forum group isn’t quite so popular on the Pojo.com Forums, but I will vouch for Obelisk Blue and say that they’re all stand-up guys and I’m glad to have met them. I’ve learned quite a few things concerning deck-building (My weakest point) and deck theory from the OB Group.  

For those of you who didn’t know, I Head-Judged the Orlando Cybernetic Revolution Sneak Preview Event this past weekend. I hope that those of you who attended this event had a great time there and enjoyed my trash-talking banter with my fellow judges; the rest of us at Unity Entertainment hope to see you all again at the Elemental Energy Sneak Preview Event in November. Oh, before I forget…we will be doing the Duel the Masters side-event at the next Sneak Preview event we host. The Duel the Masters side-event is where any player attending the event can sit down and square-off against the judge staff (i.e. my team and I) in attempts to win some new packs. Sign-ups only cost a dollar and you play against any judge in one-game. If you win, you get a pack; if you lose, well…you lost a dollar (Big deal…).  

The 2005 YuGiOh World Championships

Worlds happened this past weekend at the same time as the Sneak Preview event.

Here are the results:

1^st Place: Miltiadis Markou (Greece)
2^nd Place: Jorge Fabian Pina Lizarraga (Mexico)
3^rd Place: David Kretschmer (Germany)
4^th Place: Guan Sian Li (Taiwan)

Most of us expected Japan and Hong Kong to dominate at this year’s Worlds. However, it seems that we were all proven wrong by the impressive performances of our Top 4 competitors. Let me give you a little info I know about what the Top 4 ran at this year’s World Championship:

1^st: Phoenix/Morph/Chaos
2^nd: Mill OTK
3^rd: Machine/Warrior
4^th: Chaos/Warrior

When I first found out about the results, it was as shocking to me as it is to you right now. I’m sure at least 90% of us expected Japan and Hong Kong to show up with Chaos/Morph and rock the house; it appears that we were seriously mistaken. By seeing these results it gives me new hope for the U.S. metagame where we see nothing but Chaos/Morph. Who would’ve known that Phoenix was still Tier 1 caliber? I certainly didn’t. Who would’ve known Mill OTK was the way to go at that event? I think that was a smart choice on Jorge’s part. I don’t think the competitors at Worlds saw that coming (It’s not an easy deck to match-up against anyway).

New Realizations

In my absence I’ve learned quite a few things about life, myself, and of course the game. I’ve learned that the release of Cybernetic Revolution has brought a “new beginning” for YuGiOh. We have new cards that support new deck types. We even have new cards that support established deck types like Machines, Beastdown, Chaos/Morph, and Burn/Stall. Cybernetic Revolution has even brought about new game mechanics like Trap/Monsters (Embodiment of Apophis) and real benefits for top-decking (The “0 cards in hand” effects).

Before CRV’s release, I learned that this game was pretty stable and balanced as it was. There are more playable deck types than just Chaos/Morph and Chaos/Warrior. There are deck types out there that are equally as good as the aforementioned deck types; the only problem is…the must be built correctly and must be well adjusted to adequately deal with the current popular deck types. It’s not that hard to hose Chaos/Morph anyway. Chain Disappearance, Book of Moon, Needle Ceiling, Tsukuyomi, Trample, and high DEF monsters are perfect weapons against the sometimes overwhelming Tsuku/TER combo. This game has evolved into a game about card advantage yes, but there are ways around the relative ease of a Chaos/Morph deck (or any other deck for that matter) to gain a +4 card advantage on you for free with Scapegoat.

Getting back on topic…the following are deck types that can really shine if more dedicated players decided to give them a try in a high-level tournament setting: Burn/Stall, Zombie/Earth, Zombie/Chaos, Zombie/Phoenix, Phoenix/Morph, Swiss Army Knife Warriors, Water, Bounce, Beatdown (utilizing Royal Oppression), Machines, Mill OTK, Exodia (yes…it works), and Beastdown. The cards are there people…use them!

There are a variety of underrated and under-used cards that should be played in today’s environment: Last Will (VERY under-played), Magic Drain (instant -1 on any of your opponents Spells), Solemn Judgment, Messenger of Peace, Wave-Motion Cannon, Legendary Jujitsu Master, Abyss Soldier, every Zombie-type Monster in existence, Apprentice Magician, Card Destruction, Exchange, Needle Ceiling, Widespread Ruin, Bottomless Trap Hole, Cyber Jar, Manticore of Darkness, and many, many others…

What happened to the interviews?

Good question. What DID happen to the interviews? Didn’t I say I was going to get interviews with the ever-so-wonderful teams Comic Odyssey and Savage? I did say that and as Jae Kim so eloquently put it “We’ll find our own way to get press.” I think that about sums up the teams’ joint opinions about me and my work. I guess they don’t like to be dissected in the public eye. In any case, I’m sure they’ll settle for the over-fluffed “you’re so awesome” interviews that Jason Grabher-Meyer has to offer on Metagame.com. The fans want the facts right? The fans don’t want to read about how great everyone thinks you are (Who cares about that?); I believe the fans want to read about what actually makes you so great. In my opinion, that’s “GOOD PRESS.” So any up and coming teams out there who are actually making a difference in your respective metagames are encouraged to speak up and drop me an email at deathjester86@gmail.com; I can interview your whole team if you get chosen to be interviewed. Don’t be like the other guys, who don’t appreciate intelligent and well thought-out discussions about the game of YuGiOh posted on one of the most popular YuGiOh websites on the planet. Speak up and let’s talk.

The Obelisk Blue Forum Group

As I’ve already mentioned, I stumbled upon the Obelisk Blue Forum website about a month ago. I’ve been making friends, discussing the game, and overall having a great time there. I also mentioned that they are extremely proficient in the game itself and have many things to teach to all of those who aren’t quite there yet with strategy and game-play. Two of Obelisk Blue’s members are now Featured Writers on this very website: Leon-D and Ben. As you may have already read, these guys do know what they’re talking about. The members of Obelisk Blue are truly talented individuals and I have a very high amount of respect for them, watch out for them at future events…I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

That’s it for me today…be sure to check back in the coming weeks for my weekly column “DeathJester’s Dojo” here at Pojo.com. Until next time remember to pay attention to the game, keep your cool, and most importantly…have fun!