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]]> http://www.thegameacademyonline.com/2010/08/28/scars-of-mirrodin-now-available-for-pre-order/feed/ 0 http://www.thegameacademyonline.com/2010/08/16/%e2%80%9cnext-level-frogs%e2%80%9d-%e2%80%93-a-yu-gi-oh-article-by-allen-pennington/ http://www.thegameacademyonline.com/2010/08/16/%e2%80%9cnext-level-frogs%e2%80%9d-%e2%80%93-a-yu-gi-oh-article-by-allen-pennington/#comments Tue, 17 Aug 2010 02:10:53 +0000 admin http://www.thegameacademyonline.com/?p=1320 Monday, August 16th – Allen Pennington discusses his first place finish at The Game Academy’s Yu-Gi-Oh! 2K Championship.

Leveling Up With Frogs

Ever since US Nationals I had dedicated myself to mastering the deck that is Frog OTK. Although when the deck was young, I had considered it a luck-based “all or nothing” deck that required you to win die rolls and get lucky throughout the day (see my “die roll jokes” in previous articles). After the deck placed second at Canadian Nationals, I gave the deck a second look and discovered that it was a very hard deck to play. You often had to work for your wins and were sometimes forced to win in unconventional ways.

I Day2′d US Nationals with a 7-2 record and lost out to Herald of Perfection (aka “the worst matchup”) in round 10. I honestly wish I had practiced more with the deck before the event. I came very close to topping, and I feel that with more experience and better sidedeck I could’ve got there. After nationals, I started tearing up local tournaments at The Game Academy. I was pretty confident that I would be able to top8 the 2K tournament, but I also recognized that it was Yu-Gi-Oh! and anything could happen.

My sidedeck had evolved a lot since I had started playing the deck. After Sam Tse took Canadian Nationals by storm, the maindeck had become standardized. No two Frog OTK maindecks differ by more than a card or two. I’ve been using Tse’s exact list from the beginning. Here it is for reference…

Monsters: 26
3 Substitoad
2 Ronintoadin
1 Fishborg Blaster
3 Swap Frog
3 Dupe Frog
3 Poison Draw Frog
3 Unifrog
2 Des Frog
2 Beelze Frog
2 Flip Flop Frog
2 Treeborn Frog

Spells: 14
3 Salvage
3 Hand Destruction
3 Moray of Greed
2 Mass Driver
1 Card Destruction
1 Giant Trunade
1 One for One

I’ll explain some of the choices for those who are unfamilar with the deck (which I find is still a lot of people, despite this being one of the top3 decks of the format). Twenty Frogs is the most logical number, as 20 * 400 = 8000.

The 1-of Fishborg Blaster is definitely needed. If you need extra damage with the Mass Driver OTK (say they gained lifepoints with Magical Android), Fishborg Blaster allows every card in your hand to be an additional 400 damage. Sometimes Frogs get removed with Gladiator Beast Retiari, Banisher of Radiance, or D.D. Warrior Lady and you find that you need to do extra damage. Also, being tuner is extremely relevant as it gives you an alternate win condition. If I see a synchro OTK I’ll usually take it over the option of hoping to draw into a Mass Driver. My synchros of choice are usually a powered-up Dewloren, Tiger King of the Ice Barrier, a Mist Wurm, and 2 Swap Frogs for exactly 8000 (3500 + 2500 + 1000 + 1000). Yet another win condition is to synchro for Colossal Fighter and Armory Arm, attach Armory Arm to your opponent’s big monster, and keep ramming your Colossal Fighter, reviving itself each time, and dealing your opponent 2800 damage for each battle. This OTK allows you dodge Gorz-like effects, but not Hanewata.

Sam Tse’s greatest innovation to the deck was only playing two copies of Mass Driver, the deck’s most common win condition. The key thing you need to realize is that once you resolve a Substitoad loop the game is usually over. You’ll thin the deck of everything minus Mass Drivers and cards that will draw you cards (Moray of Greed, Hand Destruction). After bringing Poison Draw Frogs to the field, you use Swap Frog to send them to the graveyard and draw three cards. In those three cards there has to be a Mass Driver or a draw spell. Getting the Mass Driver early on might seem like a “lucky draw”, but you can usually draw the entire deck if needed.

I really didn’t know what I was doing when it came to the sidedeck. I figured that I should just trust Sam Tse’s judgment on the sidedeck as well, and decided to play this side in the national tournament…

Sidedeck: 15
1 Gorz the Emissary of Darkness
2 Light and Darkness Dragon
1 Caius the Shadow Monarch
2 Deep Sea Diva
1 Spined Gillman
2 Pot of Avarice
1 Brain Control
1 Enemy Controller
1 Heavy Storm
1 Mystical Space Typhoon
1 Torrential Tribute
1 Raigeki Break

Although I liked some of the cards, I found most of them to be useless. Light and Darkness Dragon was amazing, and I liked my Raigeki Break tech pretty well, but most of the time the side just wasn’t good enough. I modified the monsters in the side after I saw the lists that topped our nationals.

Sidedeck: 15
1 Gorz the Emissary of Darkness
2 Light and Darkness Dragon
2 Quickdraw Synchron
2 Cyber Dragon
2 Pot of Avarice
1 Brain Control
1 Enemy Controller
1 Heavy Storm
1 Mystical Space Typhoon
1 Torrential Tribute
1 Raigeki Break

Quickdraw Synchron seemed great in theory, but I found that it usually sat in my hand the entire game. Interestingly enough, I found that most of my friends were having the same experience with it. Cyber Dragon was decent, but it wasn’t as stellar as people were making it out to be. Again, the only card that I liked in the side was Light and Darkness Dragon. These less-than-optimal sidedecks were good enough to win local tournaments, but I wanted my sidedeck to be something reliable rather than a pile of fifteen cards that I might throw in the deck just for fun.

I don’t remember where the idea came from, but I figured that an Absolute Zero sidedeck was worth trying. I figured that a Raigeki on legs was pretty good against most of the format. Absolute Zero leads to some pretty sick blowouts and allows you steal games that you shouldn’t have won. Here was my first draft of the new sidedeck:

Sidedeck: 15
1 Gorz the Emissary of Darkness
1 Elemental Hero Stratos
3 Elemental Hero Alius
3 Miracle Fusion
1 Future Fusion
1 Heavy Storm
2 Gemini Spark
1 Reinforcement of the Army
1 E – Emergency Call
1 Treacherous Trap Hole

I honestly thought this sidedeck would solve a lot of my problem matchups. Absolute Zero wrecks X-Sabers, and 1900 beatsticks are really good against Gladiator Beasts and Anti-Meta (especially after they side out their Bottomless Trap Holes). Treacherous Trap Hole is an amazing card that has saved me on multiple occasions. Destroying two monsters with one cards is amazing against… um… everything? After testing this sidedeck for only a short amount of time I realized that changes needed to be made.

There were a lot of situations where I was sitting on a Moray of Greed with one water monster and a Stratos/Reinforcement/E-Call. Now the play here would be to search the deck for Elemental Hero Ocean and activate Moray of Greed. Only I wasn’t playing Elemental Hero Ocean! I decided to cut Alius for Ocean, just because being a water monster is that good (it also allows me to synchro Ocean with Fishborg). Since I no longer had 3 Alius, I had to cut Gemini Spark down to one, which gave me room to add Mystical Space Typhoon to the sidedeck. Here was the final sidedeck and extra deck…

Extra deck: 15
1 Chimeratech Fortress Dragon
3 Elemental Hero Absolute Zero
2 Armory Arm
1 Ally of Justice Catastor
1 Goyo Guardian
1 Brionac, Dragon of the Ice Barrier
1 Dewloren, Tiger King of the Ice Barrier
1 Black Rose Dragon
1 Stardust Dragon
1 Colossal Fighter
1 Red Dragon Archfiend
1 Mist Wurm

Sidedeck: 15
1 Gorz the Emissary of Darkness
1 Elemental Hero Stratos
2 Elemental Hero Alius
1 Elemental Hero Ocean
3 Miracle Fusion
1 Future Fusion
1 Heavy Storm
1 Gemini Spark
1 Mystical Space Typhoon
1 Reinforcement of the Army
1 E – Emergency Call
1 Treacherous Trap Hole

Here’s what I usually side out, although it varies depending on the matchup:
- 2 Des Frog
- 2 Beelze frog
- 2 Flip Flop Frog
- 2 Unifrog
- 1 Poison Draw Frog
- 3 Hand Destruction
- 1 Card Destruction
- 2 Mass Driver

Now on to the tournament itself, the most exciting part. At this point, I had made a name for myself as the best Frog OTK player in the Tampa Bay area, and many people were expecting me to top. I had decided to call my deck “Next Level Blue” or simply “Next Level Frogs”. I named my deck Next Level Frogs for two reasons. I felt that my sidedeck took the deck to the next level. I’m still convinced that a sidedeck with Elemental Heroes and Miracle Fusions is the best. Secondly, I feel that I’m a next level player. I don’t think I’m up there with Sam Tse, CJ Lack, or Alex Bunts, but I know how to play the deck far better than the average player. I think hard about each play, and my knowledge of math and probability really shines when I play this deck. Also, I am very patient. Winning turn 10 is just as good as winning turn 1 for me. The deck’s style really reminds of Elf Combo, which was one of favorite Magic decks.

Ironically enough, I actually think Frog OTK was a bad meta call for this tournament. Anti-Meta was very popular. The vendors were sold out of Fossil Dyna Pachycephalos the entire day. Also, Gladiator Beasts were popular as well, which is always an uphill battle. I’d say Gladiator Beasts were probably the second most popular deck overall, with X-Sabers being first of course. My best matchup, Frog Monarch was practicing nonexistent. I decided to play Frog OTK only because I knew how to play the deck better than any other deck.

Round 1: Anti-Meta
For game 1, I had opened an FTK hand, but he won the die roll. He summons King Tiger Wangnu and activates Macro Cosmos in my draw phase. I try to stall on 2000 defenders until I can draw answers, but he tributes for Raiza and we’re on to the next game. Game 2 I open the Substitoad combo, but I end up not drawing what I need and I have to go for game on turn 3. He Hanewatas the last 400 damage when I had exact game, but there are only two cards left in my deck and one of them is a Fishborg Blaster. I draw it, set it, and send it at him for game. Game 3 was way too close. He starts out by summoning Doomcaliber Knight, activating Dimensional Fissure, and setting three backrows. I start out by setting Dupe Frog and Mystical Space Typhoon. It gets hit in the end phase by his own MST. He attacks into my Dupe Frog, sets another spell/trap and passed. I decide to special summon Swap Frog to trigger Doomcaliber Knight, normal summon Stratos, and hit for 1800 after searching out Alius. He special summons Cyber Dragon and I thought it was game over. How does my deck beat that, especially with Dimensional Fissure on the field? He runs over the Dupe Frog and passes. I switch Stratos to defense and pass. He adds King Tiger to his board and attacks. My draw for the turn is my one-outer: Treacherous Trap Hole! I summon Alius, and set the Treacherous Trap Hole along with two bluffs, just in case of the off chance that he has Dust Tornado. He thinks for awhile and attacks, and I blow up his monsters. I start beating with Alius while he’s forced to set D.D. Crows and Hanewatas to defend himself. Eventually I put a second Alius on the field and draw into Gemini Spark, just in case. I win.
1-0 (0-1 in die rolls)

Round 2: X-Sabers
I lose the die roll. Game 1 he synchros up for Magical Android early and starts to gain life and also hits me with X-Saber Airbellum a couple of times. I stall by reviving Treeborn Frogs and Ronintoadins until I draw something helpful. He plays Gold Sarcophagus, whose text reads “I win in two turns” because he searches Rescue Cat. I’m able to combo out with Synchros, attack for 9000, leaving him at 600. I reveal the last card in my hand which is Mass Driver, and we’re off to game 2. Game 1 took 26 minutes, so we know that time will be called at some point. He hits for early damage but I’m able to take control of the game with Absolute Zero. Unfortunately time gets called in game 2, and I can’t push for damage so I lose. We’re not allowed to side for game 3, which sucks because both of my Mass Drivers are now in the side deck. I decide to play first, setting Dupe Frog and passing. He Mind Controls, summons Thunder King Rai-Oh, and attacks for 1900. I drop Gorz. He sets three backrows and passes. This is my last turn to win. I have Gorz and token attack. He reveals that his backrows were bluffs, and I take the match.
2-0 (0-2 in die rolls)

Round 3: Demise OTK
This guy didn’t know what any of my cards did, but his deck was surprisingly good. The fact that a deck like this was 2-0 further supports my theory that “Raigeki on legs” is really good right now. I have a turn 2 kill hand so I set Treeborn Frog and pass. He goes Sonic Bird, Advanced Ritual Art, Demise, Doom Dozer and attacks for 5200. He sets a backrow and ends. Next turn I Trunade, Substitoad loop, and OTK with synchros. Game 2 was similar to game 1, only I OTKed with Mass Driver instead.
3-0 (1-2 in die rolls)

Round 4: Gladiator Beasts (Elijah Gersten)
I lose the die roll. Game 1 I get a less than optimal hand, and he quickly Herk + Chariot locks me out of the game. Game 2 I open FTK. Game 3 my five card hand is Future Fusion, Dupe Frog, Substitoad, Giant Trunade, Mystical Space Typhoon. Great hand! I’ll simply Future Fusion to put Fishborg into the grave and turn one Substitoad loop. Unfortunately my sixth card is the Fishborg Blaster, which was very disappointing. I set Dupe Frog and pass. He attacks into it, tags into Murmillo, and Chariots. Then he Dustshoots, and sets me back even more. When I can finally do something relevant, I Trunade and he has Solemn. I lose.
3-1 (1-3 in die rolls)

Round 5: Frog OTK
I lose the die roll, which is usually a death sentence in the mirror match. He opens One For One and turn 1 Substitoad loops. He screws up horribly and punts the game. He’s able to do 7600 damage with Mass Driver. He tries to use Swap Frog’s extra normal summon on a non-Frog multiple times that game, and can’t do enough damage as a result. His hand was actually horrible, but he plays Hand Destructions during the course of his turn and fixes my hand, so I was able to FTK. He starts game 2, and we both open “second turn kill” hands, so he wins. I start game 3 and FTK. I’m glad that’s over with.
4-1 (1-4 in die rolls)

Round 6: X-Sabers
Not much to say about this game. I win the die roll and FTK game 1. Game 2 he has the nuts and kills me on his second turn. Then I FTK game 3.
5-1 (2-4 in die rolls)

Round 7: X-Sabers (Travis Washburn)
I win the die roll and FTK game 1. Game 2 I take control with Absolute Zeroes. I make a bad play by leaving Swap Frog in attack mode with only 1100 lifepoints. I had already used the bounce effect, but I simply could’ve special summoned in defense (although I didn’t want to because he searched Fulhelmknight with Darksoul). I also didn’t realize that my opponent’s water monsters powered-up Absolute Zero, which would have allowed me to make a much better play (his Goyo had stolen Treeborn Frog). Two of his Boggart Knights were gone, but I guess he had a third. He synchros up and attacks over Swap Frog for game. Game 3 I sided back into the FTK, but I couldn’t draw it. I Card Destruction my opponent into a perfect hand and lose.
5-2 (3-4 in die rolls)

Post-match thoughts: I was really disappointed. Had I not misplayed, I would’ve taken the match 2-0. For some reason, it seems like people had expected me to lose in the last round. I suppose I would rather lose to my own misplays than pure luck. My tiebreakers were very strong, and two people with a 5-2 record would make top8. Fortunately enough for me, I slid in at 8th place. In addition, my opponent was starting with a game 1 loss due to registering an illegal extra deck. Sometimes, things just go your way. Joshua Martinez recommended that I spin my totem to make sure that I wasn’t in a dream.

The following matches were all featured on The Game Academy’s youtube channel. Be sure to check it out and when the uploads are finished. Jeremy did amazing commentary as usual.

Top8: Chris Rivera with Zombies
He elects to play first for the second game, and Jake reminds us that neither player can side. He starts with a set monster and 3 backrows. I play Hand Destruction and he comments that he probably should’ve set the other card in his hand (misplay #1). I then special summon Swap Frog and he plays Divine Wrath (misplay #2, you always wait for Substitoad). I play Salvage and he Solemns it (misplay #3). I have another Salvage so I decide to just get back Swap Frog and Poison Draw Frog, put the Draw Drog on the field and end. He attacks over it and passes. I play Swap Frog to thin my deck, bounce and pass. He Emergency Teleports for Psychic Commander and synchs for Urbellum for the Time Seal. For the next couple of turns, I’m walling up with Treeborn and Ronintoadin until I can draw into something. The big play comes when he Brain Controls Treeborn, tributes for Caius, removes Ronintoadin, attacks for 4600, which Time Seals me and leaves me at 100. I realize I had to chance it and see if I can get game. I play Giant Trunade. I normal summon Swap Frog, putting a Ronintoadin back in the grave. I set Mass Driver and Card Destruction for 1 card. With 3 Frogs in the grave and 2 on field, any monster will give me enough damage for game. I draw Flip Flop Frog, which allows me to put 2 additional Frogs in the grave. I reveal my face-down Mass Driver and it’s over.
6-2

After the top4 is determined, we decide to split the prize money at $400 and simply play for the trophy and video coverage. I think splitting was the correct decision, as I knew that I had to play Glads in the top4. In addition, the two people that beat me in the swiss rounds were in the top4 as well. The matchups in the top4 were certain winnable, but not necessarily favorable.

Top4: Maurice Brantley with Glads
I lose the die roll. He starts with Cold Wave, sets a Glad, and passes. I set Dupe Frog and pass. Next turn he plays Prisma, makes Gyzarus, and then makes Heraklinos afterwards. I try to draw outs for a few turns, but I don’t get there and I lose. Game 2 I open One For One and Mass Driver and FTK. Game 3 he starts with a Gladiator Beast, Dimensional Fissure and 3 other backrows. I play Heavy Storm and goes through. What a blowout! The next turn I Substitoad loop and make a 5000 attack Absolute Zero (my four monsters plus his Retiari). Next turn he’s able to Gyzarus but I’ve already taken control of the game at this point.
7-2 (3-5 in die rolls)

Top2: Elijah Gersten with Glads
I lose the die roll. I don’t quite remember how he won game 1, but I believe the game ended very quickly. I probably involved the usual contact fusions and War Chariot. Game 2 I open FTK. For game 3 he knows I’m bringing in the Zero side so he sides out Hanewatas like a master. He opens up with a Bestiari and two backrows. I have a few options, but I decide to go the Substitoad loop and see what he has. He chains Mask Restrict to the first activation and I bring out Unifrog. I bring back Ronintoadin, hoping to blow up the Mask and continue the combo. He plays Conpulsory Evacuation Device on Ronintoadin, so I pass. He contacts, attacks, lags for 2 Laquari, sets a couple of backrows and says go. I summon Stratos, search an Alius and activate Miracle Fusion. Rather than simply chaining Compulsory on Stratos, causing Miracle Fusion to fizzle and winning the game, he decided to wait for Absolute Zero to come out and Compulse him, allowing me to get the 3-for-1. He attacks with a Glad next turn and I drop Gorz; he tags for Murmillo. I summon Alius next turn and start beating. He tops Thunder King and attacks the Gorz token. I trade my Alius with his Thunder King, then Emergency Call another Alius, summon it and say go. He sets a monster as a last resort. I peal another Miracle Fusion, which allows me to attack for game.
8-2 (3-6 in die rolls)

The Game Academy 2K Champion is Allen C. Pennington! Winning this event felt great, and it was a nice way to rap up the format. Hopefully I’ll write a couple more articles in the near future.

Allen Pennington – Next Level Frogs (1st Place)

Monsters: 26
3 Substitoad
2 Ronintoadin
1 Fishborg Blaster
3 Swap Frog
3 Dupe Frog
3 Poison Draw Frog
3 Unifrog
2 Des Frog
2 Beelze Frog
2 Flip Flop Frog
2 Treeborn Frog

Spells: 14
3 Hand Destruction
3 Salvage
3 Moray of Greed
2 Mass Driver
1 Card Destruction
1 Giant Trunade
1 One For One

Traps: 0

Extra deck: 15
1 Chimeratech Fortress Dragon
3 Elemental Hero Absolute Zero
2 Armory Arm
1 Ally of Justice Catastor
1 Goyo Guardian
1 Brionac, Dragon of the Ice Barrier
1 Dewloren, Tiger King of the Ice Barrier
1 Black Rose Dragon
1 Stardust Dragon
1 Colossal Fighter
1 Red Dragon Archfiend
1 Mist Wurm

Sidedeck: 15
1 Gorz the Emissary of Darkness
1 Elemental Hero Stratos
2 Elemental Hero Alius
1 Elemental Hero Ocean
1 Reinforcement of the Army
1 E – Emergency Call
1 Heavy Storm
1 Mystical Space Typhoon
1 Gemini Spark
1 Future Fusion
3 Miracle Fusion
1 Treacherous Trap Hole

Elijah Gersten – Mattern-ator Beasts

Monsters: 18
3 Thunder King Rai-Oh
3 Test Tiger
2 Gladiator Beast Laquari
2 Gladiator Beast Samnite
1 Rescue Cat
1 Gladiator Beast Secutor
1 Gladiator Beast Bestiari
1 Gladiator Beast Murmillo
1 Gladiator Beast Equeste
1 Gladiator Beast Darius
1 Gladiator Beast Retiari
1 Gorz the Emissary of Darkness

Spells: 4
3 Book of Moon
1 Mystical Space Typhoon

Traps: 18
3 Dust Tornado
3 Compulsory Evacuation Device
2 Bottomless Trap Hole
2 Gladiator Beast War Chariot
2 Dimensional Prison
1 Solemn Judgment
1 Trap Dustshoot
1 Mind Crush
1 Magic Drain
1 Torrential Tribute
1 Starlight Road

Extra deck: 11
3 Gladiator Beast Heraklinos
3 Gladiator Beast Gyzarus
2 Chimeratech Fortress Dragon
1 Stardust Dragon
2 Rainbow Neos

Sidedeck: 15
3 Mask of Restrict
3 Trap Hole
2 Cyber Dragon
2 Magic Drain
1 Gladiator Beast Hoplomus
1 Pulling the Rug
1 Doomcaliber Knight
1 Gladiator Beast War Chariot
1 Brain Control

Travis Washburn – Standard Sabers (Top 4)

Monsters: 21
1 XX-Saber Ragigura
2 X-Saber Parshuul
1 XX-Saber Emmersblade
2 XX-Saber Fulhelmknight
3 XX-Saber Darksoul
3 X-Saber Airbellum
1 Sangan
3 XX-Saber Boggart Knight
1 Rescue Cat
1 Summoner Monk
3 XX-Saber Faultroll

Spells: 11
1 Heavy Storm
1 Mystical Space Typhoon
1 Giant Trunade
1 Cold Wave
1 Mind Control
1 Brain Control
2 Gold Sarcophagus
3 Book of Moon

Traps: 9
1 Solemn Judgment
1 Torrential Tribute
1 Royal Oppression
2 Bottomless Trap Hole
2 Dust Tornado
2 Gottoms’ Emergency Call

Extra deck: 15
1 Armory Arm
1 X-Saber Wayne
1 Naturia Beast
1 Ally of Justice Catastor
1 Brionac, Dragon of the Ice Barrier
1 Goyo Guardian
2 XX-Saber Hyunlei
1 Arcanite Magician
1 X-Saber Urbellum
1 Black Rose Dragon
1 Colossal Fighter
1 Stardust Dragon
1 XX-Saber Gottoms
1 Chimeratech Fortress Dragon

Sidedeck: 15
2 D.D. Crow
2 Consecrated Light
2 Cyber Dragon
2 Thunder King Rai-Oh
2 Saber Slash
2 Crevice into the Different Dimension
2 Mask of Restrict
1 Royal Oppression

Maurice Brantley – Indomitable Gladiator Beasts (Top 4)

Monsters: 18
1 Thunder King Rai-Oh
1 Elemental Hero Prisma
1 Rescue Cat
3 Test Tiger
2 Gladiator Beast Laquari
1 Gladiator Beast Darius
2 Gladiator Beast Equeste
2 Gladiator Beast Samnite
1 Gladiator Beast Bestiari
1 Gladiator Beast Retiari
1 Gladiator Beast Murmillo
1 Gladiator Beast Hoplomus
1 Gladiator Beast Secutor

Spells: 8
3 Gladiator Beast’s Respite
2 Indomitable Gladiator Beast
1 Cold Wave
1 Heavy Storm
1 Mystical Space Typhoon

Traps: 14
3 Gladiator Beast War Chariot
3 Waboku
2 Bottomless Trap Hole
1 Torrential Tribute
1 Mirror Force
2 Trap Stun
1 Starlight Road
1 Solemn Judgment

Extra deck: 15
2 Gladiator Beast Heraklinos
3 Gladiator Beast Gyzarus
1 Chimeratech Fortress
1 Mist Wurm
1 Colossal Fighter
1 Stardust Dragon
1 Black Rose Dragon
1 Goyo Guardian
1 Brionac, Dragon of the Ice Barrier
1 Magical Android
1 Ally of Justice Catastor
1 Armory Arm

Sidedeck: 15
2 Cyber Dragon
1 Rafflesia Seduction
1 Jowls of Dark Demise
3 Consecrated Light
3 Dimensional Fissure
3 Mask of Restrict
2 Dust Tornado

Thomas Lippamn – Mattern-ator Beasts (Top

Monsters: 18
2 Thunder King Rai-Oh
2 Gladiator Beast Laquari
2 Gladiator Beast Darius
2 Gladiator Beast Samnite
3 Test Tiger
1 Gladiator Beast Bestiari
1 Gladiator Beast Murmillo
1 Gladiator Beast Bestiari
1 Gladiator Beast Hoplomus
1 Gladiator Beast Equeste
1 Elemental Hero Prisma
1 Rescue Cat

Spells: 6
3 Book of Moon
1 Heavy Storm
1 Cold Wave
1 Mystical Space Typhoon

Traps: 17
2 Dust Tornado
2 Starlight Road
2 Compulsory Evacuation Device
2 Gladiator Beast War Chariot
2 Bottomless Trap Hole
2 Dimensional Prison
1 Trap Dustshoot
1 Mind Crush
1 Torrential Tribute
1 Call of the Haunted
1 Solemn Judgment

Extra deck: 15
3 Gladiator Beast Gyzarus
2 Gladiator Beast Heraklinos
2 Chimeratech Fortress Dragon
1 Ally of Justice Catastor
1 Goyo Guardian
1 Brionac, Dragon of the Ice Barrier
1 Tempest Magician
1 Black Rose Dragon
1 Colossal Fighter
2 Stardust Dragon

Juan Morales – Upstart Sabers (Top

Monsters: 18
3 XX-Saber Faultroll
3 XX-Saber Darksoul
2 XX-Saber Boggart Knight
2 XX-Saber Fulhelmknight
1 XX-Saber Emmersblade
1 Thunder King Rai-Oh
1 X-Saber Pashuul
2 X-Saber Airbellum
1 Rescue Cat
1 Summoner Monk
1 Sangan

Spells: 13
3 Upstart Goblin
1 Gold Sarcophagus
2 Book of Moon
1 Reinforcement of the Army
1 Cold Wave
1 Mind Control
1 Brain Control
1 Heavy Storm
1 Giant Trunade
1 Mystical Space Typhoon

Traps: 9
1 Solemn Judgment
2 Compulsory Evacuation Device
2 Bottomless Trap Hole
1 Trap Stun
1 Mind Crush
1 Royal Oppression
1 Torrential Tribute

Extra deck: 15
1 Naturia Beast
1 Stardust Dragon
2 XX-Saber Hyunlei
1 Brionac, Dragon of the Ice Barrier
1 X-Saber Urbellum
1 Black Rose Dragon
1 Armory Arm
1 Red Dragon Archfiend
1 Mist Wurm
1 Ally of Justice Catastor
2 XX-Saber Gottoms
1 Arcanite Magician
1 Goyo Guardian

Sidedeck: 15
2 Thunder King Rai-Oh
2 Crevice into the Different Dimension
3 Mask of Restrict
2 Fossil Dyna Pachycephalo
2 D.D. Crow
2 Hanewata
2 Cyber Dragon

Samuel Jones – Quickdraw (Top
Monsters: 22
1 Gorz the Emmisary of Darkness
3 Ryko, Lightsworn Hunter
2 Thunder King Rai-Oh
2 Quickdraw Synchron
2 Caius the Shadow Monarch
2 Lonefire Blossom
1 Spirit Reaper
2 Dandylion
2 Doomcaliber Knight
2 Debris Dragon
1 Sangan
1 Plaguespreader Zombie
1 Tytannial, Princess of Camellias

Spells: 8
3 Book of Moon
1 Heavy Storm
2 Pot of Avarice
1 Foolish Burial
1 Mystical Space Typhoon

Traps: 15
1 Magic Drain
2 Royal Oppression
1 Magic Jammer
3 Compulsory Evacuation Device
2 Bottomless Trap Hole
1 Starlight Road
1 Mirror Force
1 Torrential Tribute
1 Solemn Judgment
1 Trap Dustshoot
1 Mind Crush

Side Deck: 15
3 D.D. Crow
3 Goldd, Wu Lord of Darkness
2 Hanewata
3 Fossil Dyna Pachycephalo
3 Mask of Restrict
1 Ceasefire

Extra Deck: 15
1 Junk Archer
1 Junk Destroyer
1 Turbo Warrior
1 Drill Warrior
1 Red Dragon Archfiend
1 Iron Chain Dragon
1 Black Rose Dragon
1 Ancient Fairy Dragon
2 Stardust Dragon
1 Nitro Warrior
1 Brionac, Dragon of the Ice Barrier
1 Ally of Justice Catastor
1 Goyo Guardian
1 Colossal Fighter

Christopher Rivera – Zombies (Top

Monsters: 20
2 Thunder King Rai-Oh
2 Caius the Shadow Monarch
2 Goblin Zombie
3 Pyramid Turtle
2 Krebons
1 Dark Armed Dragon
1 Gorz the Emissary of Darkness
1 Spirit Reaper
1 Psychic Commander
1 Shutendoji
1 Zombie Master
1 Mezuki
1 Sangan
1 Plaguespreader Zombie

Spells: 7
2 Gold Sarcophagus
1 Emergency Teleport
1 Heavy Storm
1 Mystical Space Typhoon
1 Brain Control
1 Nobleman of Crossout

Traps: 13
2 Dust Tornado
2 Dimensional Prison
2 Bottomless Trap Hole
1 Mirror Force
1 Torrential Tribute
2 Divine Wrath
1 Mind Crush
1 Trap Dustshoot
1 Solemn Judgment

Side Deck: 15
2 Mask of Restrict
2 Banisher of the Radiance
3 Mirror of Oaths
3 Hanewata
1 Divine Wrath
1 Thunder King Rai-Oh
1 Dust Tornado
2 D.D. Crow

Extra Deck: 15
1 X-Saber Urbellum
1 Gaia Knight, the Force of Earth
1 Goyo Guardian
1 Magical Android
1 Brionac, Dragon of the Ice Barrier
1 Revived King Ha Des
1 Black Rose Dragon
2 Stardust Dragon
1 Ally of Justice Catastor
1 Doom Kaiser Dragon
1 Colossal Fighter
1 Thought Ruler Archfiend
1 Red Dragon Archfiend
1 Psychic Lifetrancer

You will want to be among the first to check out the new monsters of the latest Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D’s TRADING CARD GAME booster set – Duelist Revolution!  This 100-card booster set has Unicorns, Scrap monsters, new Amazoness cards, and Fusion Monsters, including Yusei’s 3200 ATK Dragon Knight Draco-Equiste.

Duelist Revolution also includes many cards that can team up with cards from Hidden Arsenal 2, and Gold Series 3! Every Duelist will receive a limited edition Ultra Rare participation card and have the chance to win an exclusive Duelist Revolutiongame mat.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Customers are limited to 1 entry in the Sneak Peek PER DAY.  Due to this restriction, the quantity of Duelist Revolution Sneak Peek kits are limited so be sure to get to the store early and get yours before we run out!

Event Info:

Where:

The Game Academy

5671 E. Fowler Ave

Tampa, FL 33617

813.914.7000 (please call with any questions)

When:

August 7th & 8th; Doors open at 9 AM

Tournament Info:

Price: $20 per person

Event is open to all players, no prequalification is necessary.

Each player will receive 5 booster packs of The Duelist Revolution + 1 Ultra Rare Promo Card while supplies last

Open Dueling (use your 5 packs to construct a 20 card deck and use that to play in an open play environment; the cards you open are yours to keep)

4 Promo T-Shirts and 4 Promo play mats will be raffled off on each day of the pre-release to participants

WE WILL STILL BE HOLDING OUR REGULAR WEEKEND YU-GI-OH! TOURNAMENTS

Saturday:

1:00 PM Swiss Tournament (Advanced Format Deck Required)

$5 Entry

Each participant will receive 1 Turbo Pack

$100 store credit GUARANTEED to the top players!

Sunday:

12:00 PM Swiss Tournament (Advanced Format Deck Required)

$8 Entry

Participants will receive free pizza and 1 booster pack. Top finishers will be awarded store credit based on attendance.

If you enter this tournament, you will receive FREE ENTRY into our box tournament at 4PM.

4:00 PM Sunday Guaranteed Booster Box Tournament! (Advanced Format Deck Required)

$5 Entry (FREE if you participated in our 12PM tournament!)

Top finishers will split a booster box of the most current set.

The Game Academy will be hosting a 2K tournament on Saturday, August 14th, 2010

Where:

Embassy Suites Tampa Downtown Convention Center

513 S. Florida Avenue

Tampa, Fl 33602

For Map+Directions CLICK HERE

Entry Fee:

$25

Prize Structure:

Top 8 players will advance to play for additional prizes.

1st-$800

2nd-$400

3rd-4th-$200

5th-8th-$100

Tournament Details:

Advanced Format Deck Required

Begin registration @ 8 AM

Late registration @ 9:45 AM (if you register after this time, you will be charged a $30 entry fee)

Tournament begins @ 10:00 AM

Parking and Dining:

On-site valet parking is available for our players for the low price of $6 (normally $12)

There is a Starbucks as well as Trolleys American Café; available for lunch,

Our film crew will be recording duels for our YouTube channel and conducting deck interviews all day long!

This event is UNSANCTIONED

Side Events will run throughout the day!

For video coverage on our  last 2K event, CLICK HERE

Photos of the tournament site:

]]> http://www.thegameacademyonline.com/2010/07/10/preorder-2011-core-set-now/feed/ 0 http://www.thegameacademyonline.com/2010/07/04/pokemon-heart-gold-undaunted-prerelease-info/ http://www.thegameacademyonline.com/2010/07/04/pokemon-heart-gold-undaunted-prerelease-info/#comments Sun, 04 Jul 2010 20:19:05 +0000 admin http://www.thegameacademyonline.com/?p=1241

The Game Academy will be holding a Pokemon HS Undaunted Prerelease on Saturday, August7th.

Come to The Game Academy for the Pokemon HS Undaunted Prerelease and let loose with an amazing set of new and exciting cards!

No Challenge Too Great, No Battle Too Fierce: HS – Undaunted

The greatest Trainers are those who are fearless in the face of battle. And that’s you! In the Pokémon TCG: HS – Undaunted expansion, you’ll discover battle-ready Pokémon just waiting to be summoned by the fearless Trainer in you! The powerful Rayquaza and Deoxys become a Pokémon LEGEND to be reckoned with… six Pokémon – from Raichu to Umbreon to Slowking – join the ranks of Pokémon Prime… and Stadium cards like the Ruins of Alph and Trainer cards like Legend Box change every player’s strategy. Are you ready to be Undaunted? HS – Undaunted features 90 new cards and remains compatible with previous releases.

*Exciting new Pokémon LEGENDs – Kyogre and Groudon LEGEND and Rayquaza and Deoxys LEGEND!
*Six Pokémon Prime, including Raichu, Slowking, and Umbreon.
*Brand-new Trainer, Supporter, and Stadium cards with new gameplay strategies!
*Features two theme decks built around the Sun Pokémon Espeon (Daybreak) and the Moonlight Pokémon Umbreon (Nightfall).
*Each theme deck now contains a BONUS booster pack and a deck box for storing the deck!
*Holographic parallel set for players and collectors alike.
90 cards in all!

Event Info:

Where:
The Game Academy
5671 E. Fowler Ave
Tampa, FL 33617
813.914.7000 (please call with any questions)

When:
Saturday, August 7th; Registration begins at 10:00 AM; Release begins at 10:30 AM
Price:
$27 per person

Event is open to all players, no prequalification is necessary.

Each player will receive 6 booster packs of HS Undaunted

Tournament will be run using the limited format and age modified swiss. (use your 6 packs to construct a 40 card deck and use that to play in an open play environment; the cards you open are yours to keep; energy will be provided by The Game Academy)

At the end of the event, each participant will receive an additional 2 booster packs, sleeves, and 1 Promo card while supplies last.

For more information about Pokemon Prerelease Tournaments click HERE

July 17th & 18th @ The Game Academy

$24 Entry

First sealed event tournament starts at 1PM

Second sealed event tournament starts at 6PM

Each participant will receive 1 promo Ancient Hellkite (while supplies last) and 6 booster packs to build a deck with.

Payout will be based on amount of match wins:

4 Wins – 6 Packs

3 Wins – 3 Packs

2 Wins – 1 Pack

Drafts will start after the main event is over and while supplies last