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Round 2 Feature Match:
Sorosh Saberian versus Matt Peddle
Just two rounds into this tournament we already had a huge matchup between two of Canada’s greatest Duelists! Matt Peddle has made Top 8 here at the National Championship twice before, and has scored Day 2 finishes at several SHONEN JUMP Championships in the past. His opponent Sorosh Saberian was a Top 4 finisher at last year’s SHONEN JUMP Championship Toronto and continues to define himself as one of Toronto’s strongest competitors.
Both Duelists were playing Blackwings, the most popular Deck in today’s tournament, but each approached the Deck from a different perspective. While neither was playing “Gravekeeper's Spy,” Saberian’s build was Trap-heavy with a lot of defense as well as “Reckless Greed.” Peddle’s build was faster with fewer Trap Cards, but he took a bit of a risk. Both Decks played “Allure of Darkness” – a great choice for Saberian’s build because he had so many extra cards thanks to Reckless and his defensive lineup. In his Deck, Allure let him turn all those cards into the precise ones he needed to win. But in Peddle’s Deck that same Spell could cause some awkward draws.
At the same time though, the speed of Peddle’s Deck was his main advantage, and the high-risk nature of this tournament meant slower, more cautious play from many of his opponents. A Duelist would have to win seven of their eight rounds to be guaranteed a seat in the Top 8, and the conservative tone of the tournament meant a slightly more forgiving pace. Though their Decks were very different, neither Duelist made bad decisions coming into this match – let’s see how it played out.
Peddle opened the first Duel with “Mirror Force,” “Solemn Judgment,” “Black Whirlwind,” “Monster Reborn,” “Blackwing – Kalut the Moon Shadow,” and “Blackwing - Bora the Spear.” He activated Whirlwind, Normal Summoned Bora, and searched his Deck for another copy of Kalut with Whirlwind’s effect. He Set “Mirror Force” and then Set Solemn, a really strong opening. Kalut’s effect can make or break a win in the Blackwing mirror match, and having a second copy available might allow Peddle to Summon it next turn, meaning another search with “Black Whirlwind” even if he didn’t draw another Blackwing next turn. Knowing that one Kalut is there put Sorosh on the defensive, but if Peddle were to Summon it next turn, he could lure Sorosh into a doomed attack thanks to the Kalut he doesn’t know about.
Sorosh opened with “Heavy Storm,” forcing out Peddle’s “Solemn Judgment.” Peddle dropped to 4000 Life Points, but with “Mirror Force” and two Kalut in hand he was still very well off. Knowing about one of the two copies of Kalut in Peddle’s hand, Sorosh halved Bora’s ATK with Gale’s effect, then took it with “Mind Control.” He attacked with Gale, but Peddle activated “Mirror Force.” Sorosh Set one Spell or Trap Card and had two cards left in hand.
Peddle drew “Allure of Darkness” and played it to nab “Solemn Judgment” and “Blackwing - Sirocco the Dawn.” He removed Sirocco since it wasn’t immediately useful. “Black Whirlwind” was really paying off, as Peddle had now seen four more cards from his Deck than Saberian. He got another when he Normal Summoned “Blackwing – Kalut the Moon Shadow” and searched his Deck for Gale with “Black Whirlwind.” The trap was set – Sorosh still didn’t know about the second Kalut. He attacked with Kalut, Set his second “Solemn Judgment,” and ended. The Duel stood at 6600 Life Points to 4000, with Saberian leading in life but with no control over the Duel. Peddle had three cards in hand, with Kalut, Whirlwind, and “Solemn Judgment” on the field.
Saberian tried to fight back next turn by activating “Brain Control,” unwittingly threatening to dodge Peddle’s Kalut tricks once again! Peddle had no choice – with 4000 Life Points left he needed to activate the second “Solemn Judgment” and negate Saberian’s spell. The lost Life Points were of little concern to Peddle, who ruled this Duel with an iron fist. Sorosh Set one more Spell or Trap Card and ended his turn.
Peddle plucked “Icarus Attack” off the top of his Deck. His position in this Duel was now secure. He possessed twice as many cards as Sorosh and could eliminate any two of Sorosh’s remaining options with “Icarus Attack,” locking Sorosh out of his Blackwing combos and virtually eliminating any chance he had of a comeback.
Peddle started flinging cards – he Special Summoned “Blackwing - Gale the Whirlwind,” and Saberian activated “Torrential Tribute.” Peddle then Summoned that second copy of Kalut, and used Whirlwind to search for “Blackwing - Blizzard the Far North.” With his Graveyard loaded, he was promising a powerful followup next turn. He sent Kalut to attack for another 1400 damage, then Set “Icarus Attack” to finish his turn. This one was over and Saberian knew it.
“If that’s an “Icarus Attack,” it’s going to suck” stated Saberian, drearily making the correct read on Peddle’s face-down card. Saberian Summoned “Blackwing - Bora the Spear,” and when he tried to attack he lost out to “Icarus Attack”! Peddle Tributed Kalut to pay for “Icarus Attack,” destroyed Saberian’s Bora and his face-down “Bottomless Trap Hole,” and Saberian had to end his turn with just one card in hand. Peddle had way more cards than his opponent, and removing two cards off each side of the field with “Icarus Attack” really made that fact count.
Peddle Normal Summoned Blizzard next turn, used its effect to Special Summon Bora, and tuned it to Blizzard to Synchro Summon “Goyo Guardian,” and without that “Bottomless Trap Hole” Sorosh didn’t have a say in the proceedings. “Monster Reborn” finished it – Peddle Special Summoned Bora from the Graveyard, then attacked with both of his monsters for game! A textbook demonstration of the devastating power of “Black Whirlwind.”
Saberian opened the second Duel by Setting a monster, then Set three cards to his Spell and Trap Zone. Not bad at all – this is the kind of start Saberian really wanted to see, where he could throw down at least one copy of “Reckless Greed” and create a deceptive, daunting field that would be tough for his opponent to approach.
Peddle had “Solemn Judgment,” “Mirror Force,” two “Blackwing - Bora the Spear,” “Allure of Darkness,” and “Blackwing - Shura the Blue Flame.” He activated “Allure of Darkness,” drew “Blackwing – Kalut the Moon Shadow” and a second Shura, and removed the extra Shura for Allure’s effect. For lack of much else to do he Summoned his other Shura and Saberian activated “Bottomless Trap Hole” to remove it. Confronted with a monster that could easily be “Morphing Jar,” Peddle was left to Set “Solemn Judgment” and “Mirror Force”: the same two cards that he’d punished Saberian with in Game 1.
Saberian didn’t seem confident – he shuffled his hand back and forth before Normal Summoning “Blackwing - Gale the Whirlwind,” then flip Summoned “Morphing Jar.” Peddle lost his hand and drew two copies of “Icarus Attack,” two “Blackwing – Blizzard the Far North,” and “Reckless Greed.” He must have sided in Reckless knowing Saberian played to a slower pace. Peddle had five cards in hand and two more Set in his Spell and Trap Card Zone. Saberian also had five cards in hand with two more Set, but controlled “Morphing Jar” and Gale as well. He counted out three DARK monsters in Peddle’s Graveyard: “Eww, you have “Dark Armed Dragon”?”
“Yeah, but it doesn’t work with Whirlwind” joked Peddle. Saberian Set two more cards, attacked into “Mirror Force,” and ended.
Peddle drew “Blackwing - Gale the Whirlwind,” and Normal Summoned Blizzard. He Special Summoned Bora from his Graveyard with Blizzard’s effect, Set two cards to his Spell and Trap Card Zone, then attacked with Blizzard for 1300 damage. He Set a fourth Spell or Trap Card to match Sorosh’s four Set cards and ended. Playing from behind, it was important for Peddle to commit to the field here. The more time he could buy the easier it would be.
“Black Whirlwind” hit the field next turn for Saberian, and he Normal Summoned “Blackwing - Sirocco the Dawn.” Peddle Chained “Mystical Space Typhoon,” destroying Whirlwind on the Chain and keeping Saberian from searching his Deck for another Blackwing. Saberian sent Sirocco after Blizzard, Peddle took 700 damage, and Blizzard hit the Graveyard.
Saberian followed up with “Monster Reborn” in Main Phase 2, Special Summoning his Gale in a bid to Synchro Summon “Stardust Dragon” – Peddle had no response, and “Stardust Dragon” was Summoned by Saberian. Peddle Special Summoned his own Gale next turn – if Saberian couldn’t stop the Summon Gale’s effect would halve “Stardust Dragon’s” ATK. He either couldn’t stop it or chose not to, and “Stardust Dragon’s” stats were halved. Had Sorosh really left himself so vulnerable, or did he have a plan? Peddle moved in for the kill, sending Gale to attack “Stardust Dragon” – Saberian flipped “Mirror Force”! A good bluff from Saberian, but Peddle had seen it coming and hadn’t turned his Bora to Attack Position. Peddle shifted Bora to Attack Position in Main Phase 2 and ended.
Saberian Normal Summoned Blizzard, used it to Special Summon a Bora of his own, and with his Graveyard now occupied by only three DARK monsters he was free to Special Summon “Dark Armed Dragon”! Peddle heaved a sigh: “Umm… Yes, he’s fine.”
Saberian removed his Sirocco from the Graveyard to try and destroy Bora with “Dark Armed Dragon’s” effect, Peddle Chained “Icarus Attack” Tributing Bora, and Saberian Chained “Stardust Dragon’s” effect to negate it! “Dark Armed Dragon” then wiped out Peddle’s Set “Solemn Judgment,” and when Saberian activated its effect again Peddle Chained “Reckless Greed” to draw two cards. Saberian tuned Blizzard to Bora, Synchro Summoned “Goyo Guardian,” and attacked for 5600 damage. Peddle was down to just 1700 Life Points, while Saberian had 6700. Saberian Special Summoned his “Stardust Dragon” from the Graveyard, now free from Gale’s effect, and ended his turn with three cards Set in his back row.
Peddle couldn’t draw due to “Reckless Greed,” but had four cards left in hand: he Normal Summoned Blizzard, and Saberian negated the Summon with “Solemn Judgment”! “Yeah, you got it” announced Peddle, scooping his cards.
Careful planning from Saberian allowed him to Synchro Summon and then successfully defend “Stardust Dragon,” giving him exactly what he needed to capitalize on his “Dark Armed Dragon” a turn later! But Peddle would head into Game 3 with the advantage of going first, and that leading turn could make all the difference.
“I should’ve stopped Stardust. I didn’t think you had “Dark Armed Dragon,”” remarked Peddle as the two Duelists shuffled for their final game.
Saberian nodded his agreement, and understanding. “Yeah, I Summoned that because I had four Traps. I had “Mind Crush” though – I should’ve used it on Gale, since you hadn’t played any yet.”
It was Peddle’s turn to nod agreement. “I’ll go first!”
He opened with “Blackwing – Kalut the Moon Shadow,” “Dark Armed Dragon,” “Heavy Storm,” “Blackwing - Gale the Whirlwind,” “Blackwing - Bora the Spear,” and “Blackwing - Sirocco the Dawn.” Peddle’s hand would have been great if he was going second, but was awkward for an opening turn. With no defense, Peddle was faced with the decision of throwing out a sacrificial monster early or simply turning his hand into a Turn 2 hand by doing nothing. He’d be effectively gambling that Saberian couldn’t assemble a one-turn KO. He hesitated only briefly before he made his decision. “Go.”
“Really?” replied Saberian, dumbfounded. He drew for his turn, then Set two cards to his Spell and Trap Card Zone. Exactly what Peddle wanted to see!
He drew “Brain Control” – not hugely helpful yet, but he activated “Heavy Storm” and forced Saberian to activate “Solemn Judgment”! That “Brain Control” was instantly far better now that Saberian had just 4000 Life Points.
Peddle Summoned Bora and Saberian had no response. The list of cards he had Set would’ve narrowed in Peddle’s mind at this point: if Saberian had “Reckless Greed” Set he would’ve just Chained it and let his Solemn get destroyed, as paying 4000 Life Points just to see one more card in his next Draw Phase would’ve been a questionable decision. If he had “Bottomless Trap Hole” Set he would have used it right now to eliminate Peddle’s Bora and the chance that Peddle might win the Duel this very turn. That meant Saberian had Set “Mirror Force,” “Torrential Tribute,” or something unlikely and unhelpful like a second Solemn or a bluff. Knowing the risk Peddle Summoned Gale anyways, and sure enough Saberian had “Torrential Tribute” to clear the field. Peddle ended, secure with Sirocco the Dawn and “Brain Control” ready for next turn. Combined with Kalut, he knew he had a strong chance at a win.
Saberian activated “Black Whirlwind,” Normal Summoned “Blackwing – Kalut the Moon Shadow,” and searched his Deck for Gale with Whirlwind’s effect. He attacked for 1400 damage with Kalut and Set a Spell or Trap Card to finish out. Peddle drew “Icarus Attack,” adding it to his hand of “Brain Control,” Kalut, Sirocco, and “Dark Armed Dragon.” He had two DARK monsters in his Graveyard – not enough for “Dark Armed Dragon” quite yet. He Normal Summoned Sirocco and Saberian had no response. Would Peddle try to attack for game despite Saberian’s one remaining face-down card? With the boost from his own Kalut Peddle could end the match right here. But if Saberian had “Mirror Force” Set it would be a ruinous attempt for Peddle.
Peddle went for it. He activated “Brain Control” and Saberian forked over his Kalut. Peddle attacked with it and Saberian took the damage! He had just 2600 Life Points left and Peddle sent Sirocco to attack: “You got Kalut?” asked Saberian, seeing the finish before Peddle even revealed his last effect. Peddle nodded, dropped Kalut to the Graveyard, and offered Saberian the handshake. Saberian accepted it with a smile, revealed his face-down “Reckless Greed” and it was all over!
Matt Peddle moves on with a 2-0 record, defeating Sorosh Saberian in a stunning display of Blackwing prowess.
reported by
Jason Grabher-Meyer
