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PLAYER PROFILE: CHARLES EASTON
CANADIAN NATIONAL CHAMPION
Where are you from? What’s the name of the local store where you play?
I’m from Toronto, Ontario, and the locals I go to is called Dolly’s.
What Deck did you bring to the Canadian National Championship? How did you design it? Who do you test your Decks with?
The Deck I played was Synchro Cat. I made it to be as consistent as possible so I wouldn’t have to be worried about bad draws during the Swiss Rounds. Other than that, it is a typical Synchro Cat Deck with a few tech cards. When making the Deck, I took a big consideration about if I should run “Solemn Judgment” or not, and I chose not to play it because this is a format where Duels can end in a flash. I didn’t think paying half of my Life Points would be worth it. Choosing not to play “Solemn Judgment” was a big decision which paid off in the end. The people I play test with are the people at my locals at Dolly’s.
How did you prepare for the Canadian National Championship?
I took a long thought about which Deck I would play for Nationals, and surprisingly, I changed my mind at the very last minute. I was initially going to play Blackwings. From testing, however, I knew that the Deck did not suit me, so I quickly changed to Synchro Cat. I stayed up until 3 in the morning deciding which Deck to use and when I chose Synchro Cat, I had no time for play testing. It was a big risk I was taking but I knew the results would be promising.
What were your memorable moments or key plays during the tournament?
The most memorable moment was coming late to Nationals. I wrote my Decklist at the very last minute, almost getting a game loss. Being in such a rush, I forgot to write “Monster Reborn” on my Decklist, which was a crucial card for my Deck. I didn’t realize it until after losing the first round. I quickly asked the judge, and they ruled I could not use it for the rest of the tournament. Although it was a handicap for my Deck, I knew that I could still win without it.
When you sat down to play your final match, what were you thinking about?
I’ve been only playing for less than 2 years and I would have never thought that I would be sitting on the final table. I thought about the final match and how it was the deciding factor of who would represent Canada in the World Championship. I was thinking about everyone who helped me and supported me to be where I am today and would like to thank them.
How did you feel when you realized that you had just won the Canadian National Championship?
I was speechless. I never had thought that in less than 2 year I would be winning the Championship.
What do you feel is your biggest strength as a player?
My biggest strength as a player is being able to read other peoples’ moves. I also like to take my time when playing so that I have less chance of misplaying and also to realize all the possible outcomes to my plays.
When and how did you first become interested in the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME?
I played this game when I was very young, but had never played competitively. When I went to a local store, I had seen many people still playing this game which made me want to play competitively. It was a part of the game which I had not seen and I wanted to be a part of it.
Do you have a strategy in mind for the World Championship? How will you prepare?
I plan to play test and tryout many decks which will suit me best. I plan to play something that my competitors won’t expect. I believe the surprise factor is a big part of the game and I want to build a deck where my competitors will not be ready to counter it.
Is there anything you’re looking forward to seeing in Tokyo?
I will look forward in looking at all the places Tokyo has to offer. I’ve never been there, but I’ve always wanted to go. This is what I am most excited for.
Do you have any advice for aspiring players?
My advice for aspiring players is to take your time when playing, and think to yourself about the moves your going to make. Learn from your mistakes and be prepared before a tournament so you can be ready to win!
