Pook's Place

Returning to My Roots
By Pook

            11.08.04  Ah, it feels so good to be back, ladies and gentlemen!  As you may or may not have noticed, I have not written a new column in several weeks.  There are many factors that have effected this, but there was one factor that hindered my writing more than anything else – I was out of the loop.  For too long, I had been sitting on the sidelines of the dueling community, only chiming in from time to time with thoughts based almost entirely on things I had read or heard, not experienced myself.  Truth be told, I hadn’t dueled in July (at the World Championships).  Well, I’m happy to report that I’m back, and with a newfound appreciation for the game. 

            Two weeks ago, I finally pulled myself together and ventured back into the world of Yu-Gi-Oh!  Rather than taking baby steps, I realized that it was time to jump right into the deep end, without looking back.  I went to a local card shop that I had played in a tournament at almost two years ago.  That’s right, two YEARS.  So I showed up, paid my entry fee, and right then and there, I knew what I had been missing.  So I sat down at a table, started to chat with other players, and before I knew it , I was dueling again.  Man, it felt great to be back. 

            The tournament was an unofficial one, but it still followed the new ban-list, so my and my trusty Fire/Burn deck were ready for action.  After a few warm up duels (some won, some lost), it was time for the tournament to begin.  Just like my deck, I was on fire!  First round, 2-0 victory.  Second round, 2-1 victory.  Before I knew it, I was already up to round three of the winner’s bracket, making this the 2^nd time I’ve ever done that well in a tournament.  Then, I faced my next challenge. 

            Since I had been out of the game for a little while, I hadn’t seen too many of the post-ban decks.  I was shocked when I found out that my opponent was using a Horus deck.  I was thoroughly impressed.  The first match went to him (by a landslide), so for the 2^nd match, I knew I’d have to bring my A-game.  It was a very back and forth match – he’d lose LP, I’d lose LP, etc.  We dueled and dueled, and then the LP count was me at 1500, he had 2600.  Luckily, I pulled a Goblin Thief, giving me 500 LP and taking away 500 of his.  So now the playing field was almost level – 2000 vs. 2100.  Somehow, I managed to get him down to 100 LP (I believe I had a Solar Flare Dragon safely on the field and he kept taking 500 direct during each of my End Phases), when all of a sudden, I saw the key to my victory.  I had Backfire activated on the field (he takes 500 direct each time one of my Fire monsters is sent from the field to the Graveyard, and I had a face-down Cyber Jar ready to be flipped.  He had a Lv. 6 Horus out, so I knew he was bound to attack me.  And sure enough, he did, flipping my Cyber Jar.  However, he also had an ace up his sleeve – he had a set Ring of Destruction, which he chained to destroy his Horus.  We both took 2300 LP, ending that match in a draw.  Unfortunately, I went on to lose the 3^rd match, but I didn’t mind at all.  Why is that?  Because that previous match was watch dueling is all about.  There is no such thing as a sure-fire win, and the tables can turn just as quickly in your favor as it can against.  Man, I love this game. 

            Even though I lost, I still had one more round to compete in – a winner take all one round duel, to determine 3^rd and 4^th place.  I got slaughtered, but still ended up being 4^th in the tourney; best I’ve ever done.  Perhaps the reason I was able to do so well was that my hiatus was actually a much needed break.  I needed time away from the game to realize just how much it means to me.  It’s like when you go on vacation for a few weeks.  Sure, it is nice to go somewhere, but when you come back home, you really appreciate being there.  Well, I’m home again, and I promise that now that I’m refreshed, you’ll be hearing a lot more from me.  May all your duels be as happy as mine!