 |
 |
 |
Top 8 Feature Match:
William Gonzalez versus Chris Bowling
Gladiator Beasts took everyone by surprise when they made a comeback in a big way at the World Championship. Six out of the eight top Decks included Gladiator Beasts. Many top players decided to try their luck with Gladiator Beasts here at Indy hoping to replicate the success of those players at the World Championship. Chris Bowling is one such player and he's taken his Gladiator Beast built comfortably to Top 8. William Gonzalez is looking to make a name for himself here today and is playing Blackwings. He won the roll and opted to go first.
William began the Duel the way every Blackwing Duelist wants to start, with two copies of "Black Whirlwind" and "Blackwing - Shura the Blue Flame." He searched for "Blackwing - Gale the Whirlwind" and "Blackwing - Kalut the Moon Shadow" before Setting a Spell or Trap Card and passing. Bowling certainly had his work cut out for him this Duel, and without "Heavy Storm" it was going to be much harder. He Summoned "Gladiator Beast Darius" and played "Book of Moon" to turn Shura face-down. He attacked with Darius and brought out "Gladiator Beast Bestiari." This was a good choice because the face-down probably wasn't "Bottomless Trap Hole" or it would have been used on Darius. Sure enough it was a "Solemn Judgment" and William lost it. Bowling Set two Spell or Trap Cards and passed.
One of them was "Trap Dustshoot" and Chris flipped it when William started his turn. William's hand was entirely monsters. One copy each of Gale, Kalut, Shura, "Blackwing - Bora the Spear" and "Blackwing - Sirocco the Dawn." Chris chose Gale out of the bunch and passed. William Summoned Sirocco and Chris played "Torrential Tribute." Things were looking a little better. He could probably make a "Gladiator Beast Gyzarus" now, but he'd lose it to Shura and Kalut on the following turn if he had no more defense. He Summoned "Elemental Hero Prisma" and used his effect to send "Gladiator Beast Laquari" to his Graveyard. One "Test Tiger" later and "Gladiator Beast Secutor" was getting in for 400 damage. With Secutor, Chris brought out two copies of "Gladiator Beast Equeste" and brought Bestiari and Laquari back to his hand. He then used "Gladiator Beast Respite" to shuffle those two back into his Deck and draw three before Setting a Spell or Trap.
William drew another Kalut and Summoned the second Shura and got to search for Gale and another copy of Bora. He Special Summoned Bora, then Special Summoned Gale. After a moment of thought he brought out the other copy of Bora as well and began his attacks. Shura took down Equeste and William brought out another copy of Gale. A pair of Boras beat up on Equeste and Secutor and the Gale's attacked directly. William discarded both copies of Kalut and Chris picked up his cards. Some bold plays and a good read allow William to take Duel 1. 
Chris' decision to not take out the Whirlwinds was a wise one at the time, but one that didn't work out. Had he chosen to make Gyzarus plays, he would've destroyed the Whirlwinds but lost out to Shura with Kalut and would be stuck with nothing but a dead “Gladiator Beast Respite.” With his play, he left himself the chance to draw into "Bottomless Trap Hole" or "Phoenix Wing Wind Blast" to prevent the Whirlwinds from working for a turn. That would allow him to take care of the Whirlwinds on the following turn and end in a much stronger position.
Chris opened the second game with "Gladiator Beast Bestiari" in attack mode and three Spell or Trap Cards. William Summoned "Blackwing - Shura the Blue Flame" and lost it to "Bottomless Trap Hole." He Set two Spell or Trap Cards and passed. His "Bottomless Trap Hole" was destroyed by a "Dust Tornado" in his End Phase. Chris attacked with Bestiari on his turn and tagged it out for "Gladiator Beast Laquari." He passed his turn and William was up.
William Summoned "Blackwing - Bora the Spear" and Chris considered for a bit before allowing it to happen. William Special Summoned "Blackwing - Gale the Whirlwind" and used it to half the attack of Laquari. The two monsters made their attacks and William adding "Threatening Roar" to his back row before passing. Chris played "Heavy Storm" on his turn and William chained "Threatening Roar." Chris considered for a little while longer and eventually decided to Chain his "Solemn Judgment." William didn't have the Counter Trap himself and the Heavy Storm went through, destroying "Bottomless Trap Hole." Chris Summoned "Gladiator Beast Samnite" and attacked the Gale. William was down to one card in hand and lost his monster to “Gladiator Beast Murmillo.” Chris then played "Test Tiger" to trade Murmillo for "Gladiator Beast Laquari." Chris had one card left in his hand now as well and passed.
William played "Monster Reborn" on his turn to revive Gale and used it to half Laquari's stats. After destroying Laquari, he passed and Chris was up. Chris did nothing with his turn, passing with an empty board. William drew and played "Blackwing - Bora the Spear" and Synchro Summoned for "Dark Strike Fighter." Chris had "Gorz the Emissary of Darkness" but it didn't matter. The attack damage and subsequent Dark Strike damage was enough to finish the game.
William Gonzalez' Blackwing Deck overpowers Chris Bowling's Gladiator Beasts to move him into the top 4!
reported by
Matt Peddle
