Welcome back to DeathJester’s Dojo. This week’s article features the Top 4 Decklists of the “Best YuGiOh Player in Jacksonville” Tournament that was held at Roger’s Collectibles in Jacksonville, FL on February 11^th. Also, after this article, I have a few updates on my interview series, website, and my team. 

The Tournament 

I was hired to Head Judge this tournament by a good friend of mine and the host of this tournament; Elmo Gonzalez. He had emailed me a couple of weeks ago and asked me if I was interested in judging this tournament. My schedule was terrible (as usual) and I didn’t get to answer his email until a week later.  

I was glad I accepted his offer and I was really excited about the opportunity to Judge an event like this. It was kept very hush-hush since Elmo only wanted Jacksonville players to attend this event. The last thing he wanted was players showing up from all over the state to claim a title from a city they’re not from. It wouldn’t have made any sense to advertise it to the entire state of Florida.  

We had a good number of players and they all knew what they were doing so that made my job much easier. The rulings questions were always very simple, the players were very professional, and the matches always ended promptly without the need for the End-of-Match procedures we all hate. The players in Jacksonville don’t really waste any time in their matches. They make quick decisions and seem like they don’t know the meaning of stalling. *laughs* To be honest, this is what Judges like to see. No Judge likes to wait 15 minutes after the round is over to watch one single match moving at a turtle’s pace and I’m sure no one else does either.

The Metagame 

 There was a variety of deck archetypes represented at the event: 

• Horus
• Tomato-Control
• Dark World
• Standard Aggro
• Earth-Aggro
• Avarice-Control

 

The majority of the competition was Aggro decks. This is justified since this format rewards overextension and punishes players who don’t take risks. The lack of mass removal makes Aggro-styled decks into even deadlier contenders than in previous formats. The OCG players call this format: The Age of Aggro. Are they right or what?  

The Prizes

Since this was basically a tournament for bragging rights, the prizes were simple and sweet. Check these out.

Entry Fee: $10

Prizes:

1^st Place:

• Vampire Genesis/Red-Eyes Darkness Dragon Judge Playmat
• Parallel Foil Cyber-Jar
• Parallel Foil Mystical Space Typhoon
• Plaque stating that you are the Best YuGiOh player in the city.

2^nd Place:

• Choice of either Parallel Foil Cyber-Jar or Mystical Space Typhoon
• Booster Packs (Which are dependent on the number of players)

3^rd Place:

• Booster Packs (Which are dependent on the number of players)

The prizes are conservative yet appropriate for a tournament like this. A tournament held to declare the #1 player in the city should really only benefit the winner, runner-up and 3^rd Place. There were plenty of other prizes given out at the event through raffles, random giveaways, etc. I feel that bragging rights are more important than prizes in this particular case. I’m sure most players would agree with me on this.

Top 4 Decklists

James Tsilimos – 1st

Deck Total: 40 cards

Monsters: 18

3 D.D. Assailant
2 Don Zaloog
2 Cyber Dragon
2 Steamroid
1 D.D. Survivor
1 Legendary Jujitsu Master
1 Exiled Force
1 Drillroid
1 Magician of Faith
1 Mobius the Frost Monarch
1 D.D. Warrior Lady
1 Goblin Elite Attack Force
1 Breaker the Magical Warrior

Spells: 13

3 Smashing Ground
1 Heavy Storm
1 Mystical Space Typhoon
1 Dark Hole
1 Nobleman of Crossout
1 Snatch Steal
1 Book of Moon
1 Enemy Controller
1 Scapegoat
1 Premature Burial
1 Reinforcement of the Army

Traps: 9

3 Sakuretsu Armor
2 Widespread Ruin
2 Dust Tornado
1 Call of the Haunted
1 Torrential Tribute

Side-Deck: 15 cards

2 Kinetic Soldier
2 Mystic Swordsman LV2
2 Royal Decree
1 Morphing Jar
1 Jinzo
1 D.D. Survivor
1 Kycoo the Ghost Destroyer
1 Asura Priest
1 Swarm of Locusts
1 D.D. Designator
1 Wave-Motion Cannon
1 Widespread Ruin

Steven Tsilimos – 2nd

Deck Total: 40 cards

Monsters: 19

3 Cyber Dragon
3 D.D. Assailant
2 Dekoichi the Battle-chanted Locomotive
2 Don Zaloog
1 D.D. Warrior Lady
1 Magician of Faith
1 Spirit Reaper
1 D.D. Survivor
1 Mobius the Frost Monarch
1 Breaker the Magical Warrior
1 Exiled Force
1 Mystic Swordsman LV2
1 Greenkappa

Spells: 14

2 Reinforcement of the Army
2 Smashing Ground
2 Enemy Controller
1 Dark Hole
1 Snatch Steal
1 Premature Burial
1 Mystical Space Typhoon
1 Heavy Storm
1 Scapegoat
1 Nobleman of Crossout
1 Pot of Avarice

Traps: 7

3 Sakuretsu Armor
2 Widespread Ruin
1 Call of the Haunted
1 Torrential Tribute

Side-Deck: 15 cards

2 Bazoo the Soul-Eater
2 Return from the Different Dimension
2 Royal Decree
2 Dust Tornado
1 D.D. Survivor
1 Mystic LV2
1 Mobius the Frost Monarch
1 Goblin Elite Attack Force
1 Asura Priest
1 Pot of Avarice
1 Swords of Revealing Light


Rickey Barber – 3rd

Deck Total: 41 cards

Monsters: 19

3 D.D. Assailant
3 Drillroid
2 Goblin Elite Attack Force
2 Bazoo the Soul-Eater
2 Gigantes
2 Cyber Dragon
1 Magician of Faith
1 Breaker the Magical Warrior
1 Jinzo
1 D.D. Warrior Lady
1 Exiled Force

Spells: 13

2 Smashing Ground
2 Enemy Controller
1 Nobleman of Crossout
1 Snatch Steal
1 Dark Hole
1 Swords of Revealing Light
1 Heavy Storm
1 Lightning Vortex
1 Premature Burial
1 Scapegoat
1 Mystical Space Typhoon

Traps: 9

2 Sakuretsu Armor
2 Bottomless Trap Hole
2 Return from the Different Dimension
1 Dust Tornado
1 Torrential Tribute
1 Call of the Haunted

Side-Deck: 15 cards

3 Different Dimension Capsule
3 Giant Trunade
2 D.D. Designator
2 Mobius the Frost Monarch
1 Brain Control
1 Kinetic Soldier
1 Mystic Swordsman LV2
1 Dust Tornado
1 Silva
1 Dark World Lightning


Jonathan Barber – 4th

Deck Total: 41 cards

Monsters: 19

3 Mobius the Frost Monarch
3 Nimble Momonga
2 Dekoichi the Battle-chanted Locomotive
2 Mystic Tomato
2 Don Zaloog
1 Magician of Faith
1 Tsukuyomi
1 Sangan
1 Breaker the Magical Warrior
1 Newdoria
1 D.D. Warrior Lady
1 D.D. Assailant

Spells: 14

3 Pot of Avarice
1 Heavy Storm
1 Mystical Space Typhoon
1 Swords of Revealing Light
1 Brain Control
1 Book of Moon
1 Premature Burial
1 Snatch Steal
1 Dark Hole
1 Scapegoat
1 Smashing Ground
1 Nobleman of Extermination

Traps: 8

3 Dark Coffin
1 Needle Ceiling
1 Torrential Tribute
1 Call of the Haunted
1 Solemn Judgment
1 Magic Drain

Side-Deck: 15 cards

3 Bottomless Trap Hole
2 Royal Decree
2 Goldd, Wu Lord of Dark World
1 Widespread Ruin
1 Solemn Judgment
1 Mystic Swordsman LV2
1 Jinzo
1 Kycoo the Ghost Destroyer
1 Dust Tornado
1 Exiled Force
1 Lightning Vortex

Top 4 Analysis 

My earlier comment about the majority of the competition being Aggro held true for this event. I found it pretty comical how these four individuals are all on the same team (Total Anarchy) and all made Top 4. Keep in mind that Total Anarchy only has 4 members; these are the guys. They have always been rumored to be the best players in Jacksonville and they sure proved it.  

            James’ deck is a Standard Aggro with a bit of tech. Triple D.D. Assailant is an obvious choice for a Standard Aggro deck. He also went with two Cyber Dragon, two Don Zaloog and two Steamroid. While most players would find Steamroid to be risky in the presence of Don Zaloog, Mystic Tomato, and Dekoichi, I find Steamroid to be an underappreciated monster. It boasts 2300 ATK when attacking a monster, it has 1800 DEF (which will protect your Cyber Dragon or Mobius the Frost Monarch from Smashing and makes for a good face-down play), and it has 4-stars. This makes it just as easy to summon as Goblin Elite Attack Force, but without the drawback.  

            James also decided to go with 3 Smashing Ground in his Spell base along with a questionable copy of Scapegoat. I really don’t see the need for it in this deck, but he told me that he uses it to draw-out M/T removal and to stall. I think Swords would have been better for his deck or at least another Reinforcement of the Army to support his eight Warriors. His Trap set is very typical for an Aggro deck like his. It includes a hefty amount of monster removal and a pair of Dust Tornadoes to guarantee the success of his overextensions.  

            Steven’s deck was a modified Warrior Toolbox build. He chose to use three Cyber Dragon and three D.D. Assailant as the Aggro portion of his deck. The pair of Dekoichis and Don Zaloogs outlined the Control portion of his deck. To further round-out his Control base he included Mystic Swordsman LV2, Magician of Faith, Spirit Reaper, and the forgotten Greenkappa. Greenkappa being a Warrior makes it excellent for Toolbox. The set-ups Steven pulled off with Greenkappa can only be described by seeing them in action. He uses Greenkappa as a way to punish conservative players and as a pseudo-Mobius without the drawback of having to Tribute. 

            His Spell and Trap sets are pretty solid. Two copies of Reinforcement, two copies of Smashing Ground, and two copies of Enemy Controller make for an excellent set of answers to his opponents’ threats. His use of Scapegoat in this deck is justified with a pair of Enemy Controller unlike his brother, James. 

            Rickey’s deck is one I was particularly impressed with. It’s been a LONG time since I have seen an Earth Aggro deck and he showed me a strong build. His primary Aggro line-up consists of three D.D. Assailant, three Drillroid, two Goblin Elite, two Bazoo the Soul-Eater, two Gigantes, and two Cyber Dragon. This is the way I like to see decks built; with consistency and statistics in mind. Using 2s and 3s of cards you want to in a deck will lead to more desirable draws and better opening hands.  

            His use of Bazoo and Gigantes make his deck extremely painful for any opponent. While this deck can empty its hand like no other, it can deal obscene amounts of damage in a short amount of time. He takes advantage of an opponent’s monster removal with Gigantes and Bazoo. Then he takes advantage of his monsters’ RFG effects by using Return from the Different Dimension. At the same time, he has three Drillroid to eliminate any Spirit Reapers, Spies, or battle searchers in his way. Simple concept, effective, and deadly; what Aggro should be.   

            Jonathan’s Avarice-Control was a pretty unique one. At first, I didn’t really understand why he played the cards that he did…but after seeing him play I realized it immediately. He plays three Mobius the Frost Monarch, three Nimble Momonga, two Dekoichi, two Mystic Tomato, and two Don Zaloog as primary food for Pot of Avarice. The point of Avarice-Control is to generate card advantage through various search effects and Pot of Avarice/Magician of Faith. This deck does just that.  

            His Spell set is pretty standard, but he plays a lone copy of Nobleman of Extermination. This makes sense since the Traps he plays are hardly what anyone else would play in the Main Deck. His Trap set is strange, but there is a bit of genius behind it all. Three Dark Coffin is perfect against Dust Tornadoes (which are popular), but he uses it in a more innovative way. While most players would typically wait to drop Mobius when the opponent sets two M/Ts, Jonathan uses Mobius to trigger his own Dark Coffins against the opponent…generating quite a bit of advantage. This way, he gets to hit your M/T, hit his Coffin (using either effect), and possibly destroy a monster in battle or do 2400 damage.  

            His lone copy of Needle Ceiling is a way to punish Scapegoat users, overextensions, a field full of defenders (like Spies, Reapers, etc.), and it works well with Nimble Momonga. Also, he played a tiny bit of negation in the form of one Solemn Judgment and one Magic Drain. I would prefer if he played two Solemn Judgment to counter more threats, but that’s just my opinion.  

The “Best YuGiOh Player in…” Tour 

            While bouncing around ideas with Elmo, we concluded that he may try to make a Tour out of this tournament. It’s something like what the Pharaoh Tour does, but just for the State instead of the whole country. Most of us know that bragging rights are pretty important in a competitive game. There are always those out there who are going to run their mouths about how they are the best and what not. However, I think that a tournament series like this will help in putting an end to all the disputes over who is the best player in their respective areas. If you have read the Pojo.com Message Boards, you would know that Florida players are notorious for arguing over who is the best player in whatever area.  

            Elmo will make this tournament series a yearly thing. There will be one “Best YuGiOh Player in…” tournament for each of the major YuGiOh areas in Florida like Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville, etc. Possibly, at the end of this Tour there will be a finale tournament that will include the Top 4 of each tournament to determine who will be declared the best YuGiOh player in the State of Florida. These are just ideas, but the possibly of an operation like this high. If you are a Florida player interested in attending one of these events or a store interested in hosting one of these events email me at deathjester86@gmail.com for the time being. If there is enough interest in this idea we can definitely get something big started.  

            On another note, Elmo is also considering a “Best YuGiOh Team in…” Tour to determine the best teams in each of the major areas in Florida. It’s the same concept as the “Best YuGiOh Player in…” Tour, but for YuGiOh teams. I will update you on the details of these events in future articles. I figure that this Tour will put the issue of “which is the best team in Florida” to rest.  

My Website, Team, and Interviews Series 

            I’m almost finished with the forums for my website and I am currently working on the main page. Web Design and Graphic Design are foreign concepts to me, but I’m getting the hang of it with the help of my friend Kane Provis from Australia. I will reveal the URL of my website in next week’s article. Also, I’ve gotten quite a few emails for my “A View from the Top” interview series. The candidates that have emailed me are very well qualified and I will begin to contact the candidates this week and next week to schedule interviews.  

            As for my team, we’ve recruited a couple of members from Tampa and Orlando, but we are still looking for a name. My goal for this team is to break free from the ordinary standard of teams that has been set and instead…turn it into a network of players from all over. With members from Orlando and Tampa, we are growing pretty quickly and are well on our way to establishing a wide network of players that all play for the same organization. There’ll be more details on this in future articles and on my future website.  

            If anyone in Florida will be attending the Sneak Preview Event for Shadow of Infinity in Orlando of February 18^th-19^th, I will be there. I won’t be Head Judging it this time, but I will be around playing in drafts throughout the day. Don’t hesitate to stop by and introduce yourself to me.  

Final Thoughts 

            The Best YuGiOh Player in Jacksonville tournament was a lot of fun. I’m certainly looking forward to a tour and I will be happy to Judge for each one of them. The metagame was impressive, the decks were solid, and the players were professional and very easy going. Until next time everyone, remember to play hard, think about your moves, and most importantly…have fun! 

            If you have any comments, suggestions, interest in the Florida tournaments I mentioned, please email me at deathjester86@gmail.com.