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PLAYER PROFILE: RYAN NEWBURN
UNITED STATES FINALIST
Where are you from? What’s the name of the local store where you play?
I’m from Omaha, Nebraska. I play at Krypton Comics.
What Deck did you bring to the U.S. National Championship? How did you design it? Who do you test your Decks with?
Lightsworn. I made it into more of a controlling Deck by using two copies of “Aurkus, Lightsworn Druid” and some extra protection cards. I also only use 2 “Wulf, Lightsworn Beast” and 2 “Celestia, Lightsworn Angel” to maximize my chance of drawing immediately playable cards. I test with my bro Tyler Lee and a lot of local players/friends.
How did you prepare for the U.S. National Championship?
By playing with the Lightsworn cards since they were released and testing different builds at locals.
What were your memorable moments or key plays during the tournament?
I had many memorable moments. I played a lot of great, respectable players and made some friends along the way. My main key plays during my matches were avoiding being hit by OTKs and making my opponents’ cards useless with Aurkus.
When you sat down to play your final match, what were you thinking about?
At that point I was still in shock that I was actually going to Tokyo. It didn't matter to me as much at that point.
6. How did you feel when you realized that you had just won the U.S. National Championship?
I didn't know what to think. I never thought I would be able to outlast 1200 of our country’s greatest players.
What do you feel is your biggest strength as a player?
I believe it's my smart but aggressive play style that gives me my greatest strength.
When and how did you first become interested in the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME?
My cousin Jordan and I started playing in the 7th grade together as a hobby. I didn't start getting competitive until 8th grade when I entered my first Regional in Phoenix, AZ.
Do you have a strategy in mind for the World Championship? How will you prepare?
Try to focus on using a Deck that utilizes my strengths as a player and channel it toward countering the two main decktypes I plan on seeing, Syncro-Cat and Gladiator Beasts.
Is there anything you’re looking forward to seeing in Tokyo?
Yeah, I want to ride the bullet train and climb Mt. Fuji for my buddy George!
Do you have any advice for aspiring players?
Yes, anything is possible if you set your mind to it. I never thought I would make it to where I am today, but I did. You just have to take it one round at a time.
