Natural Disaster. Phillip. C&J’s Collectibles, Fremont CA Magics: 10 3 Mystical Space Typhoon 1 Heavy Storm 1 Swords of Revealing Light 1 Monster Reborn 1 Raigeki 1 Pot Of Greed 1 Change of Heart 1 Dark Hole Traps: 13 3 Dust Tornado 3 Magic Drain 2 Seven Tools of the Bandit 2 Magic Jammer 1 Mirror Force 1 Call Of the Haunted 1 Imperial Order Monsters: 23 1 Cyber Jar 3 Wall of Illusion 1 Witch of the Black Forest 2 Gearfried the Iron Knight 2 Mask of Darkness 2 Morphing Jar #2 1 Barrel Dragon 2 4-Star Lady Bug of Doom 2 Man-Eater Bug 1 Jinzo 2 Goblin Attack Force 2 Cannon Soldier 2 Magician of Faith Total: 44 Tourney on Jan. 18 $5 Entry Fee 40 participants winner take all 5 rounds This is my second week at C&J’s accompanied by my fellow Hunters Mike Dy and brother Melvin. Thomas, my other Hunter was not present do to sickness but he was with us in spirit. As expected there was a large turn out, at least 35 duelist wanting to show what they’re made of... but there can be only one. Let the hunting begin!!! . Round 1: Me (Da Phenom) vs. Mike (Beat Down Barrel Dragons) There was no doubt that he had heard about my performace last week because he came into the deul with fear in his eyes. It didn’t help his confidence at all when everyone, including his close friend Brad, proclaimed him dead before a single card was even drawn. I finished him off quickly winning 2-0 with the help of my Cannon Soldier. If you’re reading this Mike, adjust your deck a little and you’ll do fine. Round 2: Me vs. Scott (Dragon) I’ve been looking forward to facing this guy ever since last week. Before every tournament he would feast on inexperiece duelists, his confidence growing with every victory. I’d stand and watch his every move, wanting to pounce. But a true Hunter doesn’t rush his kill. A Hunter waits for the right time to take someone down. Thats exactly what I did. My Cannon Soldiers chopped away at him piece by piece while my Disaster Cards (Typhoon, Tornado and Storm) destroyed his Magic/Traps as fast as he put them on the field. My Barrel Dragon was the key to my 2-0 victory as its effect kept blowing away his Lord of D’s making it impossible to put down a single Dragon. Round 3: Me vs. Brad (Beat Down) Brad is a good duelist whom I faced last week in the finals. He was able to get past Thomas, a fellow hunter, as well as steal a match from me the week before so I knew what he is capable of. But like Mike, his fear of losing prevented him from dueling at his full potential. He shared the same fate as Mike too as I used Cannon Soldier to rip him apart piece by piece. I walked away unscathed 2 matches to 0. Round 4: Me vs. Do (Light Theme) Do was probably my toughest opponent up to that point in time. He was present last week but did not enter. Instead he hung around to give me support at every duel. It didn’t occur to me right away that he has seen every card in my deck and knows how I play them. I, on the other hand, was clueless about his deck. Advantage Do...for now. He took match #1 easily relying on his Magicians of Faith’s to bring back his Raigeki numerous times to clear my field. To make matters worse he would attack with beat-down monsters then launch them at me with his Catapult Turtle. Needless to say. this match didn’t last every long. I shook his hand and told me what a great job he did but the duel was far from over. My fellow hunters know that in order to beat me, you have to get me down and keep me down. Matches 2 was a text book victory. I did my best at keeping his side of the field clear with my Disaster cards while I slowly tore him up with Cannon Soldier Match 3 was a close battle. He had gotten me down to about 3000LP with the same tactics he used in Match 1 while I brought him down to 1000LP. Do had some Magic/Trap cards face-down, first turn Swords of Revealing Light, and 4 monsters on the field at the time: 2 were face-down, 1 Magician of Faith and 1 Goblin Attack Force both in face-up attack position. All I had was an Imperial Order that I played the turn before to prevent him from using Monster Reborn. On my turn I drew a Cannon Soldier but it would not be enough to win if I just set him down and launch itself. I would have to attack one of his monsters first. I had no choice but to pay 700LP, bringing me down to 2300LP, so I can negate his Swords. I then attacked his Magician of Faith hoping that none of the face-down Magic/Traps was a Mirror Force. When Do assured me that didn’t have a Mirror Force on the field, I knew victory was mine. All of the local duelist knew he was good and he proved it. He was the first duelist I faced at C&J’s who didn’t have a death certificate ready for me to sign before the match started. Instead, Do faced me with calm nerves and a cool head. Very admirable, Do...very admirable. . Round 5: Me vs. Danny(Exodia) Danny was the head kahuna at C&J’s before my hunters and I took over. Needless to say his face went sour the minute I stepped into the store. He had spent most of the morning trying to attain an Exodia piece for a new deck he constructed. A friend of his, Eric, was kind enough to let him borrow the piece temporarily. But is Exodia enough to take down a hunter??? Nope. I beat him rather quickly which was disappointing to all the spectators wanting to see a close battle. His strategy was good but flawed. He would play the Exodia Limbs in defense position thinking all he had to do is use Back-Up Soldiers when he draws the Head of Exodia. I caught on quickly and countered by putting Jinzo on the field. My Cannon Soldiers and Barrel Dragon did the rest as I cruised on to a 2-0 win. Finals: Me vs. Melvin “The Kid” I was rather pleased to know I’d be facing my brother in the Finals. The path he took to this Championship game was no cake-walk. Actually, it was more difficult than mine cuz he had to face Hunter Mike Dy in round 2. Whats with the Hunter on Hunter violence??? Can’t we all just get along??? Anyway, now comes the hard part. Should I a be a good big brother and take the fall for my lil bro. Or should I be a good big brother, force him to his limits making him earn his victory? Guess which route I decided to go. Match 1 was swift yet painful...for me. My adorable lil brother turned into a raging, bloodthristy beast. He set Jinzo out early to prevent me for using half of my Disaster cards. I don’t know how he did it but after about 4 turns he had his Jinzo and 2 Barrel Dragons out on the field all poised to blow me away. That was probably my quickest defeat ever!!! Man, that match was over faster than the 49ers stay in the playoffs (sorry Thomas but this Hunter is part of the Raiduh Nation). Was I worried tho??? Maybe... Match 2 had my name written all over it as I used Barrel Dragon and Cannon Soldier to even things 1 game to 1. Match 3 was just like my duel with Do, close and intense. I was at about 3500LP while Melvin was at 1000LP. He had about 3 or 4 monsters on the field but I don’t recall what they were. I on the other hand had an empty field. On my turn I drew a Magician of Faith which I set face-down along with a Call of the Haunted. Melvin, assuming that the face down Magic/Trap was a Mirror Force, did not attack on his turn giving me a chance to win it all. I then flip summoned Magician of Faith, took back Cannon Soldier and launched them both for the win. Good duel lil bro. Tourney Overall: I didn’t think I’d win it all again this week simply because duelist there know what to expect from me the second time around. Anyway, another win this week shows that my Natural Disaster Deck is no One-Hit-Wonder despite what people think. You can bet I’ll back next week taking all who dare hunt a Hunter. Props to: -Trang, my girlfriend, for loving me despite my childish ways. I Love You!!! -Melvin, my replacement if I ever decide to stop hunting. -Mike, for turning a box of commons into a contending deck. -Thomas, get better soon. -Eric, for being unselfish enough to share his cards which those in need. I would have charged more than 2 Vanilla Cokes to let someone use an Exodia piece. -Do. You’ll beat beat me someday...maybe -Every duelist that showed up to play on Saturday -Parents who take the time to drive there kids to the tourney. Irked at: -Parents who think that yu-gi-oh is a waste of time and money if their kid don’t win. -Whoever took 1 of my 4 lucky pennies!!! -Jeremy Giambi for not sliding during Game 3 of the 2001 Divisional Series against the Yank’s. I’m still not over that ish!!! If you have any questions, concerns or comments, please email me Phillip DaPhenomPR01@aol.com “Don’t Hunt What You Can’t Kill”