{"id":26154,"date":"2017-07-04T16:31:23","date_gmt":"2017-07-04T16:31:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ygorganization.com\/?p=26154"},"modified":"2017-07-07T00:58:05","modified_gmt":"2017-07-07T00:58:05","slug":"beautyandilbestio","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ygorganization.com\/staging\/?p=26154","title":{"rendered":"Marcello Barberi WCQ Utrecht Winner Tournament Report"},"content":{"rendered":"

Complexity Card Gaming and Marcello Barberi here with another Tournament Report for YGOrganization!<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Dear Yu-Gi-Oh community,<\/p>\n

My name is Marcello Barberi and as most of you might already know I won the WCQ : European Championship 2017 in Utrecht going 17-0 and making history by being the first player in the world to do that.\u00a0\"\"<\/p>\n

This accomplishment still feels unreal, especially because i didn\u2019t even need to attend the event in the first place! I\u00a0had already accumulated enough points to qualify for the World Championship as Rank 1 Italian\u00a0player.<\/p>\n

This means that I\u2019ve\u00a0qualified\u00a0for Worlds\u00a02 times this\u00a0year, breaking yet another record!\u00a0I\u00a0guess that might be my destiny in this game after winning YCS London years ago!<\/p>\n

First of all,\u00a0I\u00a0want to thanks my team Complexity Card Gaming! I think we\u2019re doing a great job and the fact that in 2017 we\u2019ve\u00a0already won 2 premier events as well as placing 2 team members at Worlds proves\u00a0it.<\/p>\n

A special shout-out\u00a0must go to Stefano Memoli and Federico Mecozzi, who lost in Top 8 with the same card by card list, since they are the people I\u00a0play-test\u00a0the most with, and finally to everyone who lent me cards especially Alberto Marazzi.<\/p>\n

2017 is\u00a0by far the year I\u2019ve\u00a0played the most Yu-Gi-Oh. In fact, due to the new ranking system,\u00a0I\u00a0travelled\u00a0all around Italy\u00a0for Regionals every weekend, and it proved to be quite helpful\u00a0overall – not only did I get to test at multiple events, I also got to see how others in Italy were playing as the format developed.<\/p>\n

In particular, the weekend prior to the WCQ I\u00a0went to Chicago for a regional to get the last points needed to be safe. The tournament went well and it helped a lot in the preparation for the WCQ.<\/p>\n

In fact, I\u00a0played Pure Zoo there too,\u00a0and realized I\u00a0was right to think it was the best deck. The deck gained a lot of space for tech cards\u00a0due to the loss of Instant Fusion and Fusion Substitute from the Main Deck – I replaced these with cards\u00a0like Cosmic Cyclone and multiple different hard-hitting traps, as well as Extra Deck space for Abyss Dweller, meaning Pure Draco wouldn\u2019t be an issue.<\/p>\n

Sure, the Draco Zoo variant was by far the best deck going first, since it could have unfair openings in particular through Zephyros, but it turned out to be too fragile going second, especially now that every Pure Zoo was maining at least 3 copies of Solemn Strike.<\/p>\n

Using this mindset, I\u00a0tried to build my deck to have some kind of advantage in the many mirror matches I\u00a0expected, as well as keeping it as generic as possible for Game 1, since in such a big tournament it is likely to play against some Pure Dracos and rogue decks.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

This is the list I\u00a0came up with :<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Zoo line-up is quite standard, outside of the third copy of Thoroughblade. I thought a 10th monster was quite important in the grind games and I\u00a0liked it more than the third\u00a0copy of\u00a0Ramram because of the fact that ATK\u00a0points are quite relevant in the mirror, and that drawing cards is important\u00a0after the loss of the Substitute combo.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The biggest innovation was deciding not to main any copy of Ash Blossom, and\u00a0I\u00a0feel like that was one of the key reasons for my success. After the limitation of Terrortop, the card lost a lot of utility in the mirror match, and the only reason I\u00a0even sided it\u00a0in\u00a0was for Card of Demise. The minus 1 in the grind game against other Zoo is way too relevant and I\u00a0probably wouldn\u2019t have won as many matches if my opponents weren’t also playing them.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Continuing on to the Spells, I\u00a0guess it is mandatory to talk about Shuffle Reborn, the so called \u2018tech of the weekend.\u2019\u00a0The card is an amazing tool for Zoo due to its versatility. Going first it essentially allows you to use the effect of Ratpier or Blade without fearing Ghost Ogre, while going second it is a great extender against Drident and Solemn Strike. In fact, while drawing 2 copies of any other outs to Drident doesn\u2019t do much, if you open Shuffle Reborn alongside another out, you are able to play around Counter Traps too,\u00a0which is a big deal!\u00a0The second effect isn\u2019t as relevant, but it still\u00a0provides marginal utility, allowing you to shuffle back a copy of Tenki or a clutch Flying C my opponent might give me.<\/p>\n

The rest of the line-up is quite standard, I\u00a0decided to replace Dark Holes with Enemy Controllers because they provide more utility going first and they also play around the very popular My Body\u00a0as a Shield. Maining 2 Cosmic Cyclones was mainly an assurance against True Draco and allowed me to save some space in the side deck – going forward you might swap them with Twin Twisters but i didn\u2019t want to\u00a0risk it because Twin Twisters (in my opinion) is worse going second. (This choice paid off due to the large amount of die rolls I actually lost.)<\/p>\n

Finally, I\u00a0played the \u2018random\u2019\u00a0Forbidden Chalice.\u00a0Essentially as a worse second copy of Book of Moon, I\u00a0was afraid of Flying C\u00a0and wanted at least 1 more out\u00a0to it,\u00a0but i didn\u2019t want\u00a0play other copies because\u00a0I didn\u2019t want to play a card which would lose to Hammerkong in the Mirror Matches.<\/p>\n

Talking about Traps, as I’ve\u00a0said, I\u00a0wanted a Main Deck of as\u00a0many\u00a0generic Traps as possible and that\u2019s why I\u00a0mained Counter Traps. The decision to use just a single copy of Barrier was only due to the fact that I\u00a0had a 16 card Side Deck and had to fit something in.<\/p>\n

The Extra Deck is super standard. You need as many Zoo Xyzs\u00a0as possible, but I\u00a0still think Dweller is a valuable resource, and it came up a lot for me during the weekend! I honestly think this card should be an Extra Deck staple for those competing in the NA WCQ.<\/p>\n

The side deck is also quite understandable, being composed mostly of 3 of\u2019s. I sided heavily for Draco and rogue decks, while against the mirror match I\u00a0usually just swapped Cyclones for Twisters if going second and added Barriers.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

And that\u2019s it for the deck discussion. If you want, you can also check out my deck\u00a0profile on YouTube recorded by Lithium2300 at the event. HERE<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n

DAY ONE :<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

ROUND 1 VS PURE DRACO (Anwar R.) \u2013 LOST DICE \u2013 2-0 <\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"He doesn\u2019t have an extra deck so I\u2019m pretty sure what I\u2019m up against. Pretty straight-forward match, he opens 2 Strikes and Warning which makes it difficult for me to get things going but I\u2019m eventually able to grind him out. Game 2 he let me go first and I\u00a0open with Dweller, Ash and Imperial Order which pretty much closes the game.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

ROUND 2 VS PURE ZOO (Marcel Burri) \u2013 WON DICE \u2013 2-0 <\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n

I unfortunately have to play against a team mate so soon. Game 1 I\u00a0open quite strong with traps and there is not much he can do. Game 2 I\u00a0draw Flying C\u00a0but I don\u2019t see any Zoo\u00a0cards\u00a0for awhile so he is able to put me at just 200 Lifepoints\u00a0left but I\u00a0eventually come back. Super tense game!!\u00a0Marcel Burri went onto later Top 32 the event, you can check out his tournament report over on CCGs FaceBook page!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

ROUND 3 VS PURE ZOO (Lorenz G.) LOST DICE – \u00a02-0<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n

This match was over quite quickly, I don\u2019t remember much about it. I\u2019m pretty sure he bricked both games!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

ROUND 4 VS PURE DRACO (Niclas L.) \u2013 LOST DICE \u2013 2-0<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n

My second and last Pure Draco for the Swiss rounds. He makes me go first and the Dweller puts in a lot work, and it is pretty much the same thing for Game 2.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

ROUND 5 VS DRACO ZOO (Ronin V.) \u2013 LOST DICE \u2013 2-1 <\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n

Losing the die roll against this deck is the scariest feeling! He pumps out an unbreakable board\u00a0and in fact I\u00a0lose Game 1!\u00a0We quickly go to Game 3 but Raigeki and\u00a0Twin Twisters was enough to break his board this time.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

ROUND 6 VS PURE ZOO (RALPH S.) \u2013 WON DICE \u2013 2-0<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n

He was playing a similar list and he also Topped. Game 1 I\u00a0open no monsters for the last time in the event, but I\u00a0somehow manage to stall with Traps until I\u00a0am able to draw one. Game 2 Flying C\u00a0stops him completely, no outs!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

ROUND 7 VS PURE ZOO (Dominik W.) \u2013 LOST DICE – 2-0<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n

I don\u2019t remember much about this one\u00a0either, pretty sure it ended quickly though!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

ROUND 8 VS PURE ZOO (Noah R.) \u2013 LOST DICE – 2-1<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

This was quite a long match and my first Game 1 dropped in a mirror. We eventually go to game 3 and I\u2019m pretty sure it was Flying C\u00a0that gave me the win once again, the card is too good!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Either way, I\u2019ve made it to Day 2!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

DAY TWO :<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

I am 8-0 at this point and pretty confident,\u00a0I\u00a0can top even if losing all 3 matches, so I\u00a0try to gather as much information as possible\u00a0about \u00a0my opponents decks to use for Topcut.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

ROUND 9 VS PURE ZOO (Colin Thomas Clement A.) 2-1 – LOST DICE <\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n

Not much I\u00a0can do Game 1, he has all the answers, but I\u00a0gave him his medicine back Game 2. He doesn\u2019t open a Zoo game 3 and that\u2019s such a relief!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

9-0 and 100% in the Topcut at this point.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

ROUND 10 VS PURE ZOO (Abderazak G.) 2-0 WON DICE <\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n

I know him because he is from Nice (France) and I\u00a0have a house there, so we have quite a friendly match since we are both guaranteed to Top. Game 1 lasts about 25 minutes and I\u00a0eventually prevail, Game 2 he doesn\u2019t like his hand that much, decides it\u2019s not worth playing this round\u00a0and he scoops right away to get something to eat.\u00a0Fair enough I guess..<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

ROUND 11 VS PURE ZOO (Nikola M.) 2-0 LOST DICE <\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n

He wins the die roll and tell me he really wants to win the Swiss, (So do I..)\u00a0Turns out i am able to break his board both games so I\u00a0win the match quickly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

CONCLUSION:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Swiss is over!\u00a0I\u2019m undefeated for the third time this season! (YCS\u00a0Liverpool, French National\u00a0and now this). 4 of us from CCG top and unfortunately my friend Stefano Memoli fall quite short (67th).<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

TOPCUT:<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n

TOP 64 VS PURE DRACO (Dario S.) 2-0 (GAMELOSS) <\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n

We get a Deckcheck and he receives a game-loss cause he didn\u2019t side out Maxx c. Game 2 he opens Masterpeace but I\u00a0am able to grind through his backrow and get rid of it with a huge\u00a0attack\u00a0Zoo thanks to Shuffle Reborn. He saw\u00a02 Card of Demise\u00a0that game as well,\u00a0but they don\u2019t get him far.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

TOP 32 VS PURE ZOO (Federico Pastore) 2-0 (FEATURE MATCH) WON DICE <\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n

I have to play a friend of mine from Rome and we get a feature match you can watch here<\/a>. <\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n

From here on I\u00a0only play against Pure Zoo, so turns out my prediction was correct. In total I\u00a0played against 1 Draco Zoo, 3 Pure Draco and 13 Mirror Matches.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

TOP 16 VS PURE ZOO (Christos M.) 2-0 LOST DICE <\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n

We get another\u00a0Deckcheck but nothings\u00a0wrong. Both games are pretty similar, he opens Zoodiac Combo twice and I\u00a0am able to grind through\u00a0his board leaving him unable to come back.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

TOP 8 VS PURE ZOO (Kristoffer N.) 2-0 WON DICE <\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n

Quite a friendly guy, Game 1 he is almost able to out-resource me but he eventually makes a small mistake with his monsters, which is enough for me to capitalize on and come back. Game 2 I\u00a0draw the weirdest hand with 3 Ghost Ogre and a Flying C, but after a while it somehow gets me there, I tried to stop the power plays with the little resources I had\u00a0and I\u00a0am able to win.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

TOP 4 VS PURE ZOO (Tom Paine) 2-1 WON DICE<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

It is at this point that I realise I am about to do the impossible and qualify twice in a year, giving Daniele Stella the qualification to Worlds by doing so. I knew Tom, he\u00a0is a good player and member of United Gosus, and I\u00a0felt kinda bad for him while playing cause I\u00a0could relate\u00a0on how he must have felt when losing to someone already qualified\u00a0for Worlds. I lost a Top 8 for\u00a0a chance to\u00a0go to Worlds in the past and it is one of my worst memories in this game, but it also gave me a lot of motivation\u00a0to get where I am now\u00a0and I\u00a0really hope it will do the same to him.<\/p>\n

Anyway, talking about the match, Game 1 I\u00a0open a good hand with Barrage and\u00a0Tenki but he has the Maxx \u201cC\u201d and my only defence\u00a0is a copy of My Body so he wins right away and that\u2019s my first loss in the Topcut. Game 2 i open the Maxx \u201cC\u201d myself which turned out to be clutch against his Soul Charge so we go to Game 3. He has an average hand but his Imperial Order really screws me and I\u2019m left with only a Torrential Tribute set and a Whiptail in hand. Unfortunately for him he doesn\u2019t play around it and overextends, giving me the win.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

FINALS VS PURE ZOO (Michael Forner) 2-1 LOST DICE<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

I did it!!<\/b><\/strong>\u00a0I\u2019ve\u00a0qualified twice!!\u00a0and I\u00a0am currently 16-0 tying the number of most wins in a premier event. Now it is time to make History and I\u00a0feel nervous for the first time in the weekend while shuffling my deck\u2026\u00a0Let\u2019s do this.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

This was of course a feature match and you can watch it here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Game 3 when I\u00a0summoned Blade I\u00a0had to make a choice,\u00a0to play around Ghost Ogre or Flying C.<\/p>\n

\"\"Time was called already so I\u00a0spent as much time as possible thinking about it hoping he would give me a tell in the meantime\u00a0and gladly he did!! In fact, as soon as I\u00a0picked up my extra deck, he stopped me saying \u201cwait i asked for the effect of blade<\/i><\/em>\u201d. That made it clear that he had at least a Flying C\u00a0and I\u00a0took the chance\u00a0to use the effect of Blade which drew me Barrier and gave me a chance to win the match. Shoutouts do go to Imperial Order though..<\/p>\n

That was the real deal\u00a0in my opinion, not the Raigeki i saw a lot of people talking about, because to be fair I\u00a0had a lot of outs at that point, you could see by my Decklist, I could\u2019ve drawn any one of them.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Anyway, I\u00a0did win the match and became the first person to EVER\u00a0go 17-0!<\/p>\n

I can\u2019t explain how unreal it still feels and the only thing i can say is that I\u2019ll try to make history one more time in Japan this August. I\u2019ll be joined by fellow Complexity Card Gaming player Joshua Schmidt for the event.<\/p>\n

I hope you enjoyed reading about my experience and I\u2019ll see you guys at the next events!!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

– Marcello Barberi, Complexity Card Gaming.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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