Kagerо̄ overtakes OTT in 193 Vanguard Championship

Last Sunday the 3rd 193 VGCS in Nagoya saw Oracle Think Tank's train of dominance broken by the format's previous number 2, Kagerо̄. Dragon Empire's sole representative in Standard made up nearly 40% of the 193 Championship, with the finals coming down to a Kagerо̄ versus Kagerо̄ match and third place becoming a struggle between Kagerо̄ and OTT. Decklists for the top 4 follow below.

3rd 193 VGCS deck breakdown (68 participants)
26 Kagerо̄
18 Oracle Think Tank
15 Royal Paladin
9 Nova Grappler

The top cut consisted of 5 Oracle Think Tank, 7 Kagerо̄, 2 Nova Grappler, and 2 Royal Paladin cardfighters. The tournament began with five 30 minute best-of-one Swiss rounds followed by a three-round best-of-three cut to top 16 with hour rounds. The 193 CS was over capacity, as it was originally scheduled for 64 participants. Entry cost 1000 yen per person, and first place received a voucher for 20,000 yen in store credit (approx. $180 at present exchange rates) second place received a voucher for 10,000 yen, 3rd and 4th received 5000 yen vouchers, and 5th-8th received 2000 yen vouchers.

The next major tournament for Standard is the Preyz Cup hosted by Card Shop Preyz, on June 17th: it will be Japan's last large unofficial tournament prior to the end of the V-BT01 format on the 29th.

1st place: Shirokko (Overall record 16-3)

Shirokko went 8-1 against Oracle Think Tank, Royal Paladin, Kagerо̄, Royals, and OTT (loss) in the Swiss rounds, followed by OTT (2-1) Nova Grappler, OTT (2-1) and Kagerо̄ in the finals.

Grade 0: 17
x1 Lizard Runner, Undeux (First Vanguard)
x4 Dragon Monk, Genjo (Heal Trigger)
x4 Wyvern Guard, Barri (Draw Trigger)
x4 Embodiment of Spear, Tahr (Critical Trigger)
x4 Demonic Dragon Berserker, Yakshasa (Critical Trigger)
Grade 1: 14
x4 Flame of Hope, Aermo
x4 Embodiment of Armor, Bahr
x3 Lizard Soldier, Raopia
x3 Dragon Monk, Gojo 
Grade 2: 10
x3 Berserk Dragon
x4 Dragon Knight, Nehalem
x2 Dragon Armored Knight
x1 Bellicosity Dragon
 Grade 3: 9
x4 Dragonic Waterfall
x4 Dragonic Overlord
x1 Cruel Dragon

2nd place: Momiji (Overall record 9-5)

Momiji went 7-2 in sets, facing Royal Paladin (loss) Oracle Think Tank, Nova Grappler, Kagerо̄, and Kagerо̄ in the Swiss rounds, then Kagerо̄ (2-1) Royals, Kagerо̄ (2-1) and Kagerо̄ (0-2) in the top cut.

Grade 0: 17
x1 Lizard Runner, Undeux (First Vanguard)
x4 Dragon Monk, Genjo (Heal Trigger)
x4 Wyvern Guard, Barri (Draw Trigger)
x4 Embodiment of Spear, Tahr (Critical Trigger)
x4 Demonic Dragon Berserker, Yakshasa (Critical Trigger)
Grade 1: 13
x4 Flame of Hope, Aermo
x4 Embodiment of Armor, Bahr
x4 Lizard Soldier, Raopia
x1 Dragonic Gaias
Grade 2: 12
x4 Berserk Dragon
x4 Dragon Knight, Nehalem
x4 Dragon Armored Knight
Grade 3: 8
x4 Dragonic Waterfall
x4 Dragonic Overlord

3rd place: Ramigyo (Overall record 11-4)

Ramigyo went 8-1 in sets, against Kagerо̄, Royal Paladin, Kagerо̄, Oracle Think Tank, and Kagerо̄ in the Swiss rounds, followed by OTT (2-1) Kagerо̄, Kagerо̄ (0-2) and Kagerо̄ (2-1) in the top cut.

Grade 0: 17
x1 Lozenge Magus (First Vanguard)
x4 Sphere Magus (Heal Trigger)
x4 Weather Forecaster, Miss Mist (Draw Trigger) (Sentinel)
x4 Oracle Guardian, Nike (Critical Trigger)
x4 Psychic Bird (Critical Trigger)
Grade 1: 12
x4 Circle Magus
x4 Farfalle Magus
x2 Goddess of Time's Passing, Mizunohame
x1 Oracle Guardian, Gemini
x1 Luck Bird
Grade 2: 11
x4 Promise Daughter
x4 Goddess of Insight, Sotoorihime
x3 Yellow Witch, MeMe
Grade 3: 10
x4 Imperial Daughter
x4 CEO Amaterasu
x2 Victorious Deer

4th place: Sakaki (Overall record 10-6)

Sakaki went 6-3 against Royal Paladin, RP, Oracle Think Tank, Kagerо̄, and OTT (loss) in Swiss, followed by OTT (2-1) Kagerо̄, Kagerо̄ (1-2) and OTT (1-2) in the top cut. 

Grade 0: 17
x1 Lizard Runner, Undeux (First Vanguard)
x4 Dragon Monk, Genjo (Heal Trigger)
x4 Wyvern Guard, Barri (Draw Trigger)
x4 Embodiment of Spear, Tahr (Critical Trigger)
x4 Demonic Dragon Berserker, Yakshasa (Critical Trigger)
Grade 1: 13
x4 Flame of Hope, Aermo
x4 Embodiment of Armor, Bahr
x4 Lizard Soldier, Raopia
x1 Dragon Knight, Burj
Grade 2: 12
x4 Berserk Dragon
x4 Dragon Knight, Nehalem
x4 Dragon Armored Knight
 Grade 3: 8
x4 Dragonic Waterfall
x4 Dragonic Overlord

The VGCS tournaments are a series of unofficial tournaments organized by fans and cardshops in Japan. Unlike Bushiroad's official tournaments, most VGCS events are done using a best-of-three, Swiss tournament model. Turnout is typically 70-80 persons, but some events see 100 or more participants, all of whom compete using pseudonyms and net handles rather than their real names as in official events.