News: Fighter's Road 2013 & Vanguard Fight High School 2013 Summer Regional Tournament Results

This morning the results for Japan's ongoing national championship went public, following up Doctor O's reports from earlier in the week. These were the first official tournaments to take place following the introduction of the May 11th restricted list, and as a result Dragonic Overlord The End was projected to be a major contender in the tournament environment. However, with exception made for the recently-released Blockade Inferno, Japanese cardfighters seem to have eradicated crossrides as a useful mechanic in their singles format, as in spite of the restricted list Descendant has once again taken both first and second place in the Open division. The previously-mentioned exception comes from Blockade Inferno's introduction to professional play, as Haryuu Jin'ichi's Inferno deck took the Juniors by storm, surpassing Sato Yuushin's Liberator build to become a standout among the decks featured today.

In VFHS news, the Sendai regional team is getting attention for its forward cardfighter using a Spike Brothers variant relying on Jelly Beans. The deck runs an excessive number of grade 3s, but because of the search skill of its key card, it can pick out any unit with "Dudley" in its name and add it directly to the hand, bypassing gradelock entirely. Although not currently possible in the English format, on the Japanese side of the Pacific the Spike Brothers' access to the grade 2 Dudley Mason for his field setup gives it powerful consistency. With regard to VFHS decklists, note that there are two teams from each event but neither of them are the runner-up; VFHS is divided into Open and Student-only divisions this year.

For the duration of FR2013, the Senior Class division of tournaments has been retired in favor of a new division, Open Class. Under the new model, only elementary students and younger may participate in the Juniors' division, while anyone can participate in the Open division. Previously, Junior cardfighters could not take part in adult competitions, but with many past prodigies now able to tackle the higher brackets, existing professionals and rising stars alike have reason to be nervous from the heavier competition.

As with the Asia Circuit Memorial Tournament, Doctor O is selecting decks from the finalists that did not make it to first or second place to be featured.

Open Class Regional Tournament
Regional Champion: Nanakado Yuusuke/七角悠介
Grade 0
x1 Ambush Dragon Eradicator, Linchu (FVG)
x4 Eradicator, Dragon Mage DT
x4 Eradicator, Yellow Gem Carbuncle CT
x4 Demonic Dragon Eradicator, Seiobo HT
x4 Eradicator of the Divine Spear, Castor CT
Grade 1
x2 Rising Phoenix
x2 Eradicator of the Ceremonial Bonfire, Castor
x4 Eradicator, Wyvern Guard Guld
x4 Eradicator, Demolition Dragon
x3 Iron Blood Eradicator, Shuki
Grade 2
x3 Storm Bring Dragon
x4 Eradicator, Spark Rain Dragon
x1 Dragonic Deathscythe
x3 Fiendish Sword Eradicator, Chou-Ou
Grade 3
x2 Eradicator, Dragonic Descendant
x4 Eradicator, Gauntlet Buster Dragon
x1 Eradicator, Vowing Sword Dragon

Runner-up: Ishida Akihiro/石田晃浩
Grade 0
x1 Spark Kid Dragoon (FVG)
x2 Yellow Gem Carbuncle CT
x2 Eradicator, Dragon Mage DT
x4 Eradicator, Yellow Gem Carbuncle CT
x4 Demonic Dragon Eradicator, Seiobo HT
x4 Eradicator of the Divine Spear, Castor CT
Grade 1
x3 Rising Phoenix
x4 Eradicator, Wyvern Guard Guld
x4 Eradicator, Demolition Dragon
x4 Iron Blood Eradicator, Shuki
Grade 2
x4 Eradicator, Spark Rain Dragon
x2 Dragonic Deathscythe
x4 Fiendish Sword Eradicator, Chou-Ou
Grade 3
x2 Eradicator, Dragonic Descendant
x3 Eradicator, Gauntlet Buster Dragon
x3 Eradicator, Sweep Command Dragon

Doctor O's Pick: Haryuu Shino/針生凌
Grade 0
x1 Black Dragon Whelp, Vortimer (FVG)
x4 Elixir Liberator HT
x4 Flame of Victory CT
x1 Strike Liberator CT
x3 Liberator of Hope, Epona CT
x4 Falcon Knight of the Azure DT
Grade 1
x3 Knight of Elegant Skills, Gareth
x3 Blessing Owl
x4 Halo Shield, Mark
x4 Scout of Darkness, Vortimer
Grade 2
x2 Blaster Dark Spirit
x1 Knight of Superior Skills, Beaumains
x1 Liberator of Silence, Gallatin
x4 Player of the Holy Bow, Viviane
x4 Black Dragon Knight, Vortimer
Grade 3
x4 Spectral Duke Dragon
x3 Solitary Liberator, Gancelot

Junior Class Regional Tournament
Regional Champion: Haryuu Jin'ichi/針生仁壱
Grade 0
x1 Red Pulse Dracokid (FVG)
x4 Seal Dragon, Biera CT
x4 Seal Dragon, Dobi ST
x4 Seal Dragon, Shading HT
x4 Seal Dragon, Artpitch DT
Grade 1
x3 Seal Dragon, Chambray
x3 Seal Dragon, Rinocross
x4 Seal Dragon, Kersey
x4 Seal Dragon, Flannel
Grade 2
x3 Seal Dragon, Corduroy
x4 Seal Dragon, Jakado
x4 Seal Dragon, Hungerhell Dragon
Grade 3
x1 Dauntless Drive Dragon
x4 Seal Dragon, Blockade
x3 Hellfire Seal Dragon, Blockade Inferno

Runner-up: Sato Yuushin/佐藤湧真
Grade 0
x1 Wingal Liberator (FVG)
x4 Liberator of Hope, Epona CT
x4 Strike Liberator CT
x4 Weapons Liberator, Gwydion DT
x4 Elixir Liberator HT
Grade 1
x1 Curved Blade Liberator, Josephus
x1 Liberator, Flare Mane Stallion
x2 Liberator of the Future, Llew
x4 Little Liberator, Marron
x4 Halo Liberator, Mark
x4 Bomergal the Liberator
Grade 2
x3 Blaster Blade Liberator
x3 Liberator of Silence, Gallatin
x3 Liberator of Royalty, Phallon
x2 Liberator of the Flute, Escrad
Grade 3
x4 Liberator of the Round Table, Alfred
x2 Solitary Liberator, Gancelot
x2 Wild Dancing Liberator, Mailshion
x1 Goshawk Liberator, Cadeau

Doctor O's Pick: Motoki Takashi/元木崇
Grade 0
x1 Aiming for the Stars, Artemis (FVG)
x4 Bandit Danny DT
x4 Battle Maiden, Kukurihime CT
x4 Cyber Tiger CT
x4 Large Pot Witch, Laurie
Grade 1
x4 Bowstring of Heaven and Earth, Artemis
x3 Battle Maiden, Tatsutahime
x2 Mice Guard, Sirius
x2 Goddess of Self-sacrifice, Kushinada
x1 Snipe Snake
x1 Witch of Cats, Cumin
Grade 2
x4 Twilight Hunter, Artemis
x4 Battle Maiden, Saohime
x2 Mice Guard, Orion
x2 Witch of Owls, Paprika
x1 Clever Jake
Grade 3
x2 Eternal Goddess, Iwanagahime
x2 Battle Deity of the Night, Artemis
x1 Oracle Queen, Himiko
x2 Witch of Wolves, Saffron

Vanguard Fight High School 2013 Summer, Open Class Sendai Regional Tournament Championship Team
Katou Hirohisa/加藤寛久
Grade 0
x1 Mecha Trainer (FVG)
x4 Sonic Breaker CT
x4 Silence Joker CT
x4 Cheerful Lynx DT
x4 Cheer Girl, Tiara HT
Grade 1
x4 Wonder Boy
x3 Cheer Girl, Marylin
x3 Dudley Daisy
x2 Reckless Express
x1 UFO
Grade 2
x4 Highspeed Brakki
x4 Dudley Mason
x1 Devil Summoner
Grade 3
x3 Demonic Lord, Dudley Emperor
x4 Bad End Dragger
x2 Juggernaut Maximum
x2 Jelly Beans

Masaki Takashi/正木隆志
Grade 0
x1 Spring Breeze Messenger (FVG)
x4 Liberator of Hope, Epona CT
x4 Strike Liberator CT
x4 Weapons Liberator, Gwydion DT
x4 Elixir Liberator HT
Grade 1
x4 Curved Blade Liberator, Josephus
x1 Liberator, Flare Mane Stallion
x1 Liberator of the Future, Llew
x4 Little Liberator, Marron
x4 Halo Liberator, Mark
Grade 2
x4 Blaster Blade Liberator
x4 Liberator of Royalty, Phallon
x4 Liberator of the Flute, Escrad
Grade 3
x4 Liberator of the Round Table, Alfred
x3 Solitary Liberator, Gancelot

Kikuji Toshiyuki/菊地俊志
Grade 0
x1 Spark Kid Dragoon (FVG)
x4 Eradicator, Dragon Mage DT
x4 Eradicator, Yellow Gem Carbuncle CT
x4 Demonic Dragon Eradicator, Seiobo HT
x4 Eradicator of the Divine Spear, Castor CT
Grade 1
x4 Eradicator, Wyvern Guard Guld
x4 Eradicator, Demolition Dragon
x2 Iron Blood Eradicator, Shuki
x4 Eradicator of the Ceremonial Bonfire, Castor
Grade 2
x4 Eradicator, Spark Rain Dragon
x2 Dragonic Deathscythe
x4 Fiendish Sword Eradicator, Chou-Ou
x2 Eradicator, Thunder Boom Dragon
Grade 3
x2 Eradicator, Dragonic Descendant
x2 Eradicator, Gauntlet Buster Dragon
x3 Eradicator, Sweep Command Dragon

Vanguard Fight High School 2013 Summer, Student-only Class Sendai Regional Tournament Championship Team
Hajime Shun'ya/原駿矢
Grade 0
x1 Little Witch, LuLu (FVG)
x4 Oracle Guardian, Nike CT
x4 Psychic Bird CT
x4 Battle Sister, Ginger CT
x4 Lozenge Magus HT
Grade 1
x4 Oracle Guardian, Gemini
x4 Battle Sister, Chocolat
x3 Dark Cat
x2 Battle Sister, Omelet
x1 Circle Magus
Grade 2
x4 Battle Sister, Mocha
x2 Oracle Guardian, Wiseman
x1 Battle Sister, Tart
x3 Silent Tom
x1 Battle Sister, Macaron
Grade 3
x4 Battle Sister, Cookie
x4 Scarlet Witch, CoCo

Ishiyama Masaki/石山正起
Grade 0
x1 Lizard Soldier, Conroe (FVG)
x2 Gatling Claw Dragon DT
x2 Embodiment of Spear, Tahr CT
x3 Seal Dragon, Artpitch DT
x4 Dragon Monk, Genjo HT
x1 Seal Dragon, Biera CT
x4 Demonic Dragon Mage, Raksha
Grade 1
x4 Embodiment of Armor, Bahr
x3 Seal Dragon, Kersey
x4 Wyvern Guard, Barri
x3 Dragon Monk, Gojo
Grade 2
x2 Dragon Knight, Nehalem
x3 Cross Shot, Garp
x4 Burning Horn Dragon
x2 Berserk Dragon
Grade 3
x4 Dragonic Overlord The End
x4 Dragonic Overlord

Ishiyama Shunto/石山舜登
Grade 0
x1 Crimson Lion Cub, Kyrph
x4 Silent Punisher CT
x4 Flame of Victory CT
x4 Dantengal CT
x4 Elixir Liberator HT
Grade 1
x4 Halo Shield, Mark
x4 Knight of Elegant Skills, Gareth
x2 Warhorse, Raging Storm
x2 Disciple of Pain
x2 Silver Fang Witch
Grade 2
x4 Knight of Superior Skills, Beaumains
x4 Knight of Passion, Bagdemagus
x3 Player of the Holy Bow, Viviane
Grade 3
x4 Blazing Lion, Platina Ezel
x4 Incandescent Lion, Blond Ezel

News: May Vanguard Championship Results, Eradicators Stay Strong in Face of Restricted List, Celestials Reach Top 16

The results of the most recent Vanguard Championship have come in, opening the month of May with a look at how the new restricted list will affect the format. As a preemptive measure, this VGCS event adopted the May 11 restrictions before they will actually take effect later this week. This time being held in the Hachiouji Civic Center in Hachiouji, Tokyo, the event drew 114 participants. Pairings were put together using the Swiss system, with the opening rounds conducted over the course of 20 minutes; 50 minutes were allotted for a best of 3 format among the top 16 fighters. Unlike in the previous tournament, matches were not recorded on camera.

The VGCS tournaments are a line of unofficial, amateur tournaments organized by fans and card shops and coordinated through the internet. The tournament environment is fiercely competitive, and unlike in Bushiroad's official tournaments, it's customary for participants to compete under pseudonyms and internet handles rather than using their real names.

First place was taken by Tonkatsu ("Pork Cutlet") and his restricted Dragonic Descendant deck, displaying greater break ride synergy and the integration of cards from BT11 to overcome the deck's more limited capabilities. Second went to Gaga's Liberator build, with third and fourth places going to other, almost-identical Descendant decks. Surprisingly, Dragonic Overlord The End did not do as well as predicted within the tournament, only placing within the top 16 and being ousted from the best 8 by CoCo-Cookie Oracle Think Tank decks, and Blockade Inferno was likewise low on the list. Majesty Lord Blaster has continued to maintain a competitive presence, penetrating into the top 16 with decks that use five and three grade 3s respectively. The most interesting development is the presence of a Celestial deck within the top 16, as Angel Feather has never been one of the top competitive clans, so its steady emergence into the height of amateur play may prove promising for how the world of professional cardfighters approaches it in the new format.

Of the clans participating in the tournament, there were 31 Narukami, 19 Kagerou, 15 Royal Paladin, 14 Oracle Think Tank, 7 Gold Paladin, 7 Angel Feather, 6 Genesis, 5 Tachikaze, 5 Aqua Force, 1 Bermuda Triangle, 1 Pale Moon, 1 Spike Brothers, 1 Neo Nectar, and 1 Shadow Paladin decks. First place received a Nintendo 3DS LL along with a copy of Cardfight!! Vanguard Ride to Victory. Second place won a regular 3DS, third two boxes of VG-BT11: Seal Dragons Unleashed and fourth one box of BT11. Fifth through eighth places received a box of VG-EB06: Dazzling Divas.

First Place
Grade 0
x1 Spark Kid Dragoon (FV)
x4 Eradicator Yellow Gem Carbuncle CT
x4 Divine Spear Eradicator, Pollux CT
x3 Eradicator Dragon Mage DT
x4 Demonic Dragon Eradicator, Seiobo HT
x1 Spark Edge Dracokid CT
Grade 1
x4 Eradicator, Demolition Dragon
x3 Iron Blood Eradicator, Shuki
x4 Eradicator Wyvern Guard, Guld
x3 Rising Phoenix
Grade 2
x4 Eradicator, Spark Rain Dragon
x4 Dragonic Deathscythe
x3 Fiendish Sword Eradicator, Cho-Ou
Grade 3
x4 Eradicator, Gauntlet Buster Dragon
x2 Eradicator, Vowing Sword Dragon
x2 Eradicator, Dragonic Descendant

Second Place
Grade 0
x1 Spring Breeze Messenger (FV)
x4 Strike Liberator CT
x4 Liberator of Hope, Epona CT
x4 Weapons Liberator, Gwydion DT
x4 Elixir Liberator HT
Grade 1
x4 Little Liberator, Marron
x4 Curved Blade Liberator, Yoseph
x4 Halo Liberator, Mark
x2 Silver Fang Witch
Grade 2
x4 Liberator of Royalty, Phallon
x4 Liberator of the Flute, Escrad
x4 Blaster Blade Liberator
Grade 3
x4 Liberator of the Round Table, Alfred
x3 Solitary Liberator, Gancelot

Top 16 Celestial Deck
Grade 0
x1 First Aid Celestial, Penuel (FV)
x4 Celestial, Landing Pegasus DT
x4 Punishment Celestial, Shemhazai CT
x4 Healing Celestial, Ramiel CT
x2 Rampage Cart Angel CT
x1 Critical Hit Angel CT
x1 Rocket Dash Unicorn CT
Grade 1
x4 Adamantine Celestial, Aniel
x3 Marking Celestial, Arabaki
x3 Underlay Celestial, Hesediel
x3 Order Celestial, Yeqon
x2 Battle Cupid, Nociel
Grade 2
x4 Wildshot Celestial, Raquel
x4 Candle Celestial, Sariel
x3 Essence Celestial, Becca
Grade 3
x4 Solidify Celestial, Zerachiel
x3 Prophecy Celestial, Remiel

News: Fighter's Cup & Fight Royale Tournament Results

Today the results of the Fighter's Cup and Fight Royale tournaments were made public through the official Japanese website. Both of these tournaments were held as part of the Great Vanguard Festival on April 27-29, each divided into two blocks. Notably, these results are showing much heavier influence from the new break ride mechanics than prior tournaments of 2013, as fighters are becoming more experimental with their deckbuilds.

Gold Paladin seems to be leaving its first real impact on the Japanese pro scene, as the Spectral Duke Dragon deck that was so impractical within the crossride format has been reworked with the Liberator subgroup supporting it, while the Ezel deck that only popped up briefly before is now likewise taking advantage of the Gancelot break ride.

Narukami is remaining a steady presence; in addition to "THE BLOOD" returning to tournament prominence, Uemura Shouhei's Dragonic Descendant decklist has once again shown its influence, as Fight Royale champion Itagaki Shinya has been clearly influenced by the deck's success. Although not a perfect replica, his build is clearly patterned off of Uemura's style. Due to yesterday's announcement of the May 11th restricted list, this could be the last time that Descendant shows its face in the pro scene.

Fighter's Cup A Block
Champion: Atenbou Yousuke/阿天坊洋祐
Grade 0
x1 Spring Breeze Messenger (FVG)
x4 Liberator of Hope, Epona CT
x4 Weapons Liberator, Gwydion DT
x4 Strike Liberator CT
x4 Elixir Liberator HT
Grade 1
x4 Halo Liberator, Mark
x2 Liberator, Flare Mane Stallion
x2 Sleygal Dagger
x3 Curved Blade Liberator, Josephus
x4 Little Liberator, Marron
Grade 2
x2 Blaster Blade Liberator
x3 Liberator of the Flute, Escrad
x3 Liberator of Royalty, Phallon
x3 Liberator of Silence, Gallatin
Grade 3
x4 Liberator of the Round Table, Alfred
x4 Solitary Liberator, Gancelot

Runner-up: Nomiya Youtei/野宮陽平
Grade 0
x1 Spark Kid Dragoon (FVG)
x4 Eradicator Dragon Mage DT
x4 Eradicator, Yellow Gem Carbuncle CT
x4 Demonic Dragon Eradicator, Seiobo HT
x4 Divine Spear Eradicator, Pollux CT
x1 Spark Edge Dracokid CT
Grade 1
x2 Rising Phoenix
x4 Eradicator of the Ceremonial Bonfire, Castor
x4 Eradicator Wyvern Guard, Guld
x4 Eradicator, Demolition Dragon
Grade 2
x3 Eradicator, Thunder Boom Dragon
x4 Eradicator, Spark Rain Dragon
x4 Dragonic Deathscythe
Grade 3
x2 Eradicator, Vowing Sword Dragon
x2 Eradicator, Dragonic Descendant
x4 Eradicator, Gauntlet Buster Dragon

Fighter's Cup B Block
Champion: Nukui Yuu/貫井悠
Grade 0
x1 Spark Kid Dragoon (FVG)
x2 Yellow Gem Carbuncle CT
x2 Mischievous Girl, Kyon-She DT
x2 Old Dragon Mage DT
x2 Spark Edge Dracokid DT
x4 Demonic Dragon Nymph, Seiobo HT
x4 Malevolent Djinn CT
Grade 1
x4 Red River Dragoon
x2 Photon Bomber Wyvenr
x2 Dragon Monk, Ginkaku
x4 Wyvern Guard, Barri
x2 Rising Phoenix
Grade 2
x2 Thunder Storm Dragoon
x1 Storm Bringer Dragon
x4 Dusty Plasma Dragon
x3 Demonic Dragon Berserk, Garuda
Grade 3
x4 Dragonic Kaiser Vermillion "THE BLOOD"
x4 Dragonic Kaiser Vermillion

Runner-up: Ajisaka Masato/鰺坂真人
Grade 0
x1 Crimson Lion Cub, Kyrph (FVG)
x4 Elixir Sommelier HT
x4 Weapons Dealer, Gwydion DT
x4 Flame of Victory CT
x2 Dantegal CT
x2 Silent Punisher CT
Grade 1
x2 Disciple of Pain
x1 Silver Fang Witch
x4 Halo Shield, Mark
x4 Sleygal Dagger
x4 Knight of Elegant Skills, Gareth
Grade 2
x3 Liberator of Royalty, Phallon
x3 Knight of Passion, Bagdemagus
x4 Knight of Superior Skills, Beaumains
Grade 3
x4 Solitary Liberator, Gancelot
x3 Blazing Lion, Platina Ezel
x1 Burning Lion, Blond Ezel

Fighter's Royale, A Block
Champion: Matsuoka Reishi/松岡怜史
Grade 0
x1 Black Dragon Whelp, Vortimer (FVG)
x4 Liberator of Hope, Epona CT
x4 Elixir Liberator HT
x4 Flame of Victory CT
x4 Falcon Knight of the Azure DT
Grade 1
x4 Knight of Elegant Skills, Gareth
x4 Scout of Darkness, Vortimer
x2 Halo Liberator, Mark
x2 Halo Shield, Mark
x1 Listener of Truth, Dindrane
x1 Silver Fang Witch
Grade 2
x4 Black Dragon Knight, Vortimer
x2 Liberator of Silence, Gallatin
x1 Blaster Blade Liberator
x2 Mage of Calamity, Tripp
x2 Player of the Holy Bow, Viviane
Grade 3
x4 Spectral Duke Dragon
x4 Solitary Liberator, Gancelot

Runner-up: Kawai Tomoki/川井智己
Grade 0
x1 Wingal Liberator (FVG)
x4 Liberator of Hope, Epona CT
x4 Flame of Victory CT
x4 Strike Liberator CT
x4 Elixir Liberator HT
Grade 1
x4 Halo Liberator, Mark
x2 Liberator, Flare Mane Stallion
x4 Curved Blade Liberator, Josephus
x4 Little Liberator, Marron
Grade 2
x4 Blaster Blade Liberator
x3 Liberator of the Flute, Escrad
x4 Liberator of Royalty, Phallon
Grade 3
x4 Liberator of the Round Table, Alfred
x4 Solitary Liberator, Gancelot

Fighter's Royale, B Block
Champion: Itagaki Shinya/板垣信也
Grade 0
x1 Ambush Dragon Eradicator, Linchu (FVG)
x4 Eradicator Dragon Mage DT
x4 Eradicator, Yellow Gem Carbuncle CT
x4 Demonic Dragon Eradicator, Seiobo HT
x4 Divine Spear Eradicator, Pollux CT
Grade 1
x2 Rising Phoenix
x4 Eradicator of the Ceremonial Bonfire, Castor
x4 Eradicator Wyvern Guard, Guld
x2 Eradicator, Demolition Dragon
x2 Eradicator of True Flames, Kougaiji
Grade 2
x4 Eradicator, Thunder Boom Dragon
x4 Eradicator, Spark Rain Dragon
x3 Dragonic Deathscythe
Grade 3
x4 Eradicator, Dragonic Descendant
x4 Eradicator, Gauntlet Buster Dragon

Runner-up: 谷帝希 (Pronunciation currently unknown, possibly a pseudonym; "Kokutei Nozomi" is one suggested reading.)
Grade 0
x1 Spark Kid Dragoon (FVG)
x4 Yellow Gem Carbuncle CT
x2 Old Dragon Mage DT
x2 Spark Edge Dragokid CT
x4 Demonic Dragon Nymph, Seiobo HT
x4 Malevolent Djinn CT
Grade 1
x4 Red River Dragoon
x4 Photon Bomber Wyvern
x4 Wyvern Guard, Guld
x3 Rising Phoenix
Grade 2
x4 Thunder Storm Dragon
x4 Hex Cannon Wyvern
x3 Demonic Dragon Berserker, Garuda
Grade 3
x3 Dragonic Kaiser Vermillion "THE BLOOD"
x4 Dragonic Kaiser Vermillion

News: May 11th Restricted List Brings Back the End, Dragonic Descendant Restricted

Updated May 4th, 2013: Bushiroad has issued a statement through their official blog that the below restrictions were made due to more than 50% of the top decks in the Asia Circuit Memorial Tournament, Fighter's Cup and Fight Royale 2013 having used Dragonic Descendant, while the cards that were unrestricted did not appear in great numbers within the top 16 of the Royale. The Royale operated under special rules in which the Fighter's Rule restricted list did not apply; it can be inferred from these statements that Majesty Lord Blaster and Tsukuyomi did have such a presence justifying their continued restriction. It has been stated that Descendant was added to "prevent the deck builds from heading towards only one direction".

Heads turned this morning as Bushiroad put out its new restricted list, effective May 11th 2013. Stated by Doctor O to "provide a more interesting fight environment," the list will bring sweeping changes to professional play just five months after its predecessor. According to the new list, Eradicator Dragonic Descendant, Majesty Lord Blaster and Goddess of the Full Moon Tsukuyomi have all been restricted to a maximum of two copies per deck in any combination. As with all previous lists, Barcgal cannot be set as the first vanguard. The previous list that took effect four months prior will be annulled by the new one, meaning that Tsukuyomi may now be run at 2 copies instead of just 1, the original Alfred and Wingal Brave may be used freely among other cards on the list, and most alarmingly of all, Dragonic Overlord The End has been completely opened up for free use once again.

The news is shocking to many because The End is generally regarded as the most controversial card in the history of the game, surpassing even Barcgal in notoriety for his enduring versatility as a self-standing vanguard and for still having a deck of his own with the previous restricted list, due to Dauntless Drive Dragon being such an effective support card in his restricted incarnation. Dauntless' break ride skill lets any Kagerou ridden over him stand again by discarding three cards after an attack, if it has not stood already in that turn. While crossriding The End was impractical in Dauntless because of the hard setup of the break ride, it is now once again possible for fighters to have a consistent 13000 power base on their self-standing vanguard. Bushiroad may have decided to free up The End precisely because of the break ride's valuable support, as many fighters now feel compelled to run Dauntless instead of the original Overlord.

Most telling of all is Descendant's presence on the list. This is very clearly a reaction to the results of the Asia Circuit Memorial Tournaments, where Descendant dominated as the new pro deck of choice. Like The End--and in the English format, Spectral Duke Dragon--Descendant's great strength is his self-standing skill, which in this incarnation can only be activated when his attack did not hit, and gives him an extra critical to ensure that if the first attack is guarded, so must the second.

Previously the list had only been modified once per year, with the September 5th restriction (announced August 3rd) of 2011 putting Barcgal behind bars, and the January 1st list (announced December 10, 2012) of 2013 putting an end to The End, as well as the Tsukuyomi and Majesty Lord Blaster decks that had dominated for the entire year up to that point. This is the most rapidfire response Bushiroad has ever made. While some appreciate the swift reaction to the change in format, others consider the sudden change a sign of instability and more cynically, an artificial incentive to compel fighters to buy BT11: Seal Dragons Unleashed, a booster set that was just released in Japan five days ago and contains the aforementioned Dauntless Drive Dragon as well as new Narukami units. Along with the Electric Shaper Dragon break ride from the upcoming Fighter's Collection 2013 extra booster, Sweep Command Dragon from BT11 is predicted to succeed Descendant as the new Narukami deck of choice, this time focusing on completely wiping out the opponent's field rather than on standing the vanguard.

Spotlight: Uemura Shouhei/上村昌平

Fighter's Spotlight is an ongoing project concerned with tracking real-world professional cardfighters across the globe.

Uemura Shouhei/上村昌平
Age: Unknown
Titles Won: Asia Circuit Memorial Tournament Event Champion (Osaka), Fighter's Road 2013 National Runner-up
Current Status: Fighter's Road 2013 National Runner-up
Deck Type: Narukami (Eradicator)
Uemura Shouhei was one of the leading fighters of 2013, first appearing as the victor in the Osaka Memorial Tournament held in March of that year. Uemura proved to be a trendsetter for his time, with his deck prompting many cardfighters to follow suit in adapting a Dragonic Descendant-based Narukami deck as a replacement for Dragonic Overlord The End, who had been restricted in January. Regarded as one of the most influential cardfighters of his period, Uemura used his qualification to contend for the Japanese national title, coming in second behind one of his former imitators Kokubo Hikaru. While other fighters, Kokubo included, would drop away from the Eradicator deck after the new restricted list was set in place to limit its key card to 2, Uemura remained with the build throughout the tournament season.

Decks and Play Style
Uemura's deck as a whole evolved from the standard Narukami build of the time, based out of Dragonic Kaiser Vermillion "THE BLOOD." Spark Kid Dragoon as Narukami's first vanguard and the eight-critical four-draw trigger setup were already endemic to Uemura's format as a normal part of playing his clan. Rising Phoenix was likewise a holdover from the Vermillion build that had emerged during the previous Trio Fest tournament, used to take advantage of the clan's multiple 11000 base grade 3s and build on the lead in advantage from their limit breaks. Uemura's innovation came from adapting the framework for the Eradicator subgroup and applying his keen understanding of what needed to change versus what needed to be left alone.

Uemura chose to avoid the break rides that were projected to be dominant in his format, opting for a faster paced game by combining Dragonic Descendant and Gauntlet Buster Dragon. As a result, there is no bad grade 3 ride for his deck, and their 11000 bases allow them to still act as useful rearguards. Both units have skills that can be activated outside of their limit break, which gives them greater use throughout the entire match rather than just in the endgame, and discourages the opponent from baiting them by leaving the fighter at three damage. Gauntlet Buster's especial counterblast 2 forces the opponent to retire a unit, while his limit break gives him +3000 power and +1 critical whenever an opponent's unit is retired. Meanwhile, Descendant's counterblast gives him +5000 power, and his limit break acts as Narukami's The End, discarding 3 Eradicators in a battle in which his attack did not hit to stand and gain +1 critical. Uemura, knowing that both of these units had skills which gave them power and critical, recognized the Photon Bomber Wyvern that had long been a staple of Narukami decks as superfluous and chose not to run the unit at all, bringing out greater consistency and especial counterblast synergy with additional Eradicator units like Castor.

Dragonic Deathscythe on the other hand, was a unit that firmly supported Gauntlet Buster and gave Narukami better control of the field. Uemura's Eradicator deck retained it for this reason, showing some powerful foresight and mastery over the clan. In general, Uemura's build was not wholly Eradicator or standard Narukami, but represented a skilled fusion of the two to better play to the deck's strengths.

Grade 0
x1 Spark Kid Dragoon (FV)
x4 Eradicator, Dragon Mage DT
x4 Eradicator, Yellow Gem Carbuncle CT
x4 Demonic Dragon Eradicator, Seioubo HT
x4 Divine Spear Eradicator, Pollux CT
Grade 1
x2 Rising Phoenix
x1 Dust Storm Eradicator Tokou
x4 Eradicator of the Ceremonial Bonfire, Castor
x4 Eradicator Wyvern Guard, Guld
x4 Eradicator, Demolition Dragon
Grade 2
x4 Eradicator, Thunderboom Dragon
x4 Eradicator, Spark Rain Dragon
x3 Dragonic Deathscythe
Grade 3
x3 Eradicator, Dragonic Descendant
x4 Eradicator, Gauntlet Buster Dragon

Uemura eventually came in second place for the national championship, continuing to use his original Eradicator deck after having modified it to account for the restricted list. This new build adapted many of the strategies that other Eradicator cardfighters had developed in the interim period, using cards from BT11: Seal Dragons Unleashed and BT12: Binding Force of the Black Rings. Uemura made the transition to a much more Eradicator-like deck in this period, using the new Cho-ou to retire the opponent's rearguards and build up soul for Rising Phoenix and maintain better overall synergy, as well as Zuitan to unflip his damage and again build that soul. Castor and Phoenix together allowed Uemura to see many cards from his deck in a game and dig through for one of those Dragonic Descendant copies, with Vowing Sword Dragon sometimes employed as a buildup ride prior to reaching limit break.

Grade 0
x1 Spark Kid Dragoon (FV)
x1 Eradicator, Blue Gem Carbuncle DT
x3 Eradicator, Dragon Mage DT
x4 Eradicator, Yellow Gem Carbuncle CT
x4 Demonic Dragon Eradicator, Seioubo HT
x4 Divine Spear Eradicator, Pollux CT
Grade 1
x4 Eradicator Wyvern Guard, Guld
x4 Eradicator, Demolition Dragon
x3 Rising Phoenix
x4 Eradicator of the Ceremonial Bonfire, Castor
Grade 2
x3 Fiendish Sword Eradicator, Cho-ou
x2 Supreme Army Eradicator, Zuitan
x4 Dragonic Deathscythe
x2 Eradicator, Spark Rain Dragon
Grade 3
x4 Eradicator, Gauntlet Buster Dragon
x2 Eradicator, Dragonic Descendant
x1 Eradicator, Vowing Sword Dragon

News: Asia Circuit Memorial Tournament Hakata Results, Doctor O's Picks

Closing the Memorial Tournament that previously visited Osaka, Nagoya and Tokyo, the Hakata stage of the Asia Circuit Memorial Tournament is ending on a slight overturn, as the Eradicators that seemed to be set to maintain steady dominance throughout the tournament were relegated to "just" second place in Hakata. Beaten out by an Ezel-based deck that incorporates Gancelot as its break ride, the upset is further emphasized because the runner-up may be the reigning national champion Nakamura Seishirou, who took the title in the previous year's Fighter's Climax 2012 tournament. Photographs of the tournament have not yet surfaced, but this name and particular combination of kanji are both rare and somewhat old fashioned; although not as unique as Rikino Sakura, there is a high probability that it's the same fighter. Nakamura previously played a Majesty Lord Blaster-based Royal Paladin deck, but his build was crippled by the January-on restricted list that Bushiroad instituted following his victory.

To finish the tournament, Doctor O also picked his favorite decks remaining from the top 8 of each tournament, amending the decklists previously uploaded to CF-Vanguard in the process. These decks did not make it to first or second place, but are simply decks that he liked.

Prizewinner: Fukuoka Koushirou/福岡幸四郎
Grade 0
x1 Crimson Lion Cub, Kyrph (FVG)
x4 Elixir Liberator HT
x4 Speeder Hound DT
x1 Flame of Victory CT
x2 Dantengal CT
x2 Silent Punisher CT
x3 Liberator of Hope, Epona CT
Grade 1
x4 Sleygal Dagger
x4 Knight of Elegant Skills, Gareth
x4 Halo Liberator, Mark
x3 Disciple of Pain
Grade 2
x4 Knight of Superior Skills, Beaumains
x4 Knight of Passion, Bagdemagus
x2 Player of the Holy Bow, Viviane
Grade 3
x3 Blazing Lion, Platina Ezel
x3 Incandescent Lion, Blond Ezel
x2 Solitary Liberator, Gancelot

Runner-up: Nakamura Seishirou/中村誠志朗
Grade 0
x1 Ambush Dragon Eradicator, Linchu (FVG)
x1 Malevolent Djinn CT
x4 Divine Spear Eradicator, Pollux CT
x4 Demonic Draogn Eradicator, Seiobo HT
x4 Eradicator, Yellow Gem Carbuncle CT
x3 Eradicator, Dragon Mage DT
Grade 1
x2 Raging Phoenix
x4 Eradicator of the Ceremonial Bonfire, Castor
x4 Eradicator Wyvern Guard, Guld
x4 Eradicator, Demolition Dragon
Grade 2
x4 Eradicator, Thunder Boom Dragon
x4 Eradicator, Spark Rain Dragon
x3 Dragonic Deathscythe
Grade 3
x4 Eradicator, Dragonic Descendant
x4 Eradicator, Gauntlet Buster Dragon

Doctor O's Pick: Itou Kazuma/伊藤和真
Grade 0
x1 PR♥SM-Smile, Koro (FVG)
x4 PR♥SM-Miracle, Timor HT
x1 Gunslinger Star, Florida CT
x1 Drive Quarter, Shuplu CT
x1 Comical Rainie CT
x4 PR♥SM-Miracle Canaria CT
x2 Heartful Yale, Fundy DT
x3 PR♥SM-Miracle, Adria DT
Grade 1
x4 Mermaid Idol, Erie
x2 Mermaid Idol, Felucca
x3 PR♥SM-Romance, Mercure
x2 PR♥SM-Promise, Leyte
x3 PR♥SM-Image, Clear
Grade 2
x2 PR♥SM-Smile Liguria
x4 PR♥SM-Romance, Lumiere
x2 PR♥SM-Promise Celt
x1 PR♥SM-Image, Rose
x2 Pearl Sisters, Perla
x1 Girls' Rock, Rio
Grade 3
x4 PR♥SM-Promise Labrador
x3 PR♥SM-Image Vert

News: Kyoto & Kanto Vanguard Championship Tournament Results

Vanguard Announce has come out with the latest results of the amateur Vanguard Championships, this time including the first Kyoto and the fourth Kanto VGCS. These large-scale amateur tournaments are organized by Kohaku ("Amber") and a network of card shops; they are unaffiliated with Bushiroad, but as a result of their independent status, both the entry fees and prizes are much higher than would be acceptable in official events. Cardfighters participating in the VGCS tend to operate under pseudonyms and net handles, rather than providing their real names as in Bushiroad's organized play. And unlike the official best of one, double elimination format, these amateur events are done in a best of three, Swiss tournament model. This makes the tournaments very drawn out, so attending can mean a full day's commitment, but it also creates a more intensely competitive environment where only fighters with the ability to control absolutely every game can reach the top brackets. The underground, anonymous nature of the amateur Vanguard Championships is intimidating to some, but the rewards are high as the top fighters can win up to five boxes from the latest booster sets.

Photo source, from 2008. The Kyoto Education and Cultural Center is a culture center established by the city of Kyoto. Spaces within the building are frequently rented to provide environments for an event.

The Kyoto tournament held on March 24th saw 74 participants and was held at the Kyoto Education and Cultural Center. The top three places were won using Eradicator-based Narukami decks, while fourth place went to a PRISM-based Bermuda Triangle build. Of the decks used, the Eradicators were the most populous with 23 participants using them, followed by the Liberators and PRISM Bermuda Triangle at just 12, then 5 Spike Brothers and 4 Oracle Think Tank decks. The remaining cardfighters included 2 standard Royal Paladin decks, 1 Jewel Knight deck, 1 old model Gold Paladin deck, and 1 deck of every remaining clan except for Aqua Force, Etranger, Kagerou, Nubatama, Granblue and Murakumo.


Meanwhile, the fourth Kanto VGCS on March 31st saw a turnout of 85 participants, with the top two places being taken by Eradicator decks, the third by a Spike Brothers build, and the fourth by another Eradicator deck. This particular tournament was held in a Round Robin format, initially divided into sixteen blocks, with the top two from each block then proceeding to the top 32. Rounds were best of five, allowing each fighter up to two losses. The top 8 included two more Eradicators, another Liberator and a PRISM build. Unlike at Kyoto, the Kanto tournament included videos of the matches including the final Narukami v. Liberator fight (above), providing a rare look at how the highest levels of Japan's competition play out.

The deck distribution this time included 29 Eradicator decks, 17 of them being Dragonic Descendant-Gauntlet Buster Dragon builds, with 11 others including Vowing Sword Dragon in the mix alongside Gauntlet and Descendant. Other decks included 22 Liberators, 7 PRISM, 3 Pacifica, and 4 Majesty Lord Blaster builds

News: Asia Circuit Memorial Tournament Nagoya Results

Today the results of the Asia Circuit Memorial Tournament, Nagoya Stage, were made public through cf-vanguard JP. Continuing the trend of Narukami dominance and the current format's adamant avoidance of the break ride mechanic, the Eradicators now have a stranglehold on the Japanese professional scene. Gauntlet Buster Dragon and Dragonic Descendant have come out as the most prolific units of the 2013 tournament season, and because of a certain controversy surrounding today's tournament results, their deck is being pointed to as the new "The End" of the format.

Event champion Kokubo Hikaru's Eradicator deck is notably a card-for-card copy of Uemura Shouhei's first place deck from the Osaka championship. As the results of the Osaka event were publicized on March 19th and the Nagoya stage took place on the 30th, there was ample time for Kokubo to have read Uemura's decklist. Meanwhile, runner-up Samura Naoya is getting attention as the first Narukami cardfighter to use Vowing Sword Dragon in an official tournament, and the first to make use of Dragonic Descendant's superior ride.

The Memorial Tournament operates under special rules which require cardfighters to use more than four grade 3s in their deck, shutting down one of the major strategies of the late 2012 format. Widely believed to be an attempt at closing off the kind of play that had been steadily gaining ground among pro fighters since the end of the winter championship, this modification seems to have become a kingmaker scenario for the Eradicators, as the Kagawa-style Magatsu Storm and revived Blaster deck that had been so prominent during this year's opening Trio Festival have been crippled by the new rule. This has left Dragonic Descendant to take center stage as the major self-standing vanguard of Japan's current tournament season, much like Dragonic Overlord The End and--in the EN format--Spectral Duke Dragon before him.

Prizewinner: Kokubo Hikaru/小久保光
Grade 0
x1 Spark Kid Dragoon (FVG)
x4 Eradicator, Dragon Mage DT
x4 Eradicator, Yellow Gem Carbuncle CT
x4 Demonic Dragon Eradicator, Seioubo HT
x4 Divine Spear Eradicator, Pollux CT
Grade 1
x2 Rising Phoenix
x1 Dust Storm Eradicator Tokou
x4 Eradicator of the Ceremonial Bonfire, Castor
x4 Eradicator Wyvern Guard, Guld
x4 Eradicator, Demolition Dragon
Grade 2
x4 Eradicator, Thunderboom Dragon
x4 Eradicator, Spark Rain Dragon
x3 Dragonic Deathscythe
Grade 3
x3 Eradicator, Dragonic Descendant
x4 Eradicator, Gauntlet Buster Dragon

Runner-up: Samura Naoya/佐村直也
Grade 0
x1 Eradicator, Strike Dagger Dragon (FVG)
x4 Eradicator, Dragon Mage DT
x4 Eradicator, Yellow Gem Carbuncle CT
x4 Demonic Dragon Eradicator, Seioubo HT
x4 Divine Spear Eradicator, Pollux CT
Grade 1
x4 Sword Dancer Eradicator, Hisen
x4 Eradicator of the Ceremonial Bonfire, Castor
x4 Eradicator Wyvern Guard, Guld
x2 Eradicator, Demolition Dragon
Grade 2
x4 Eradicator, Thunderboom Dragon
x4 Eradicator, Spark Rain Dragon
x4 Conquering Eradicator, Zuitan
Grade 3
x4 Eradicator, Dragonic Descendant
x1 Eradicator, Gauntlet Buster Dragon
x2 Eradicator, Vowing Sword Dragon

News: Asia Circuit Memorial Tournament Tokyo Results

Yesterday evening the Japanese Cardfight portal released the top two decklists for the Tokyo branch of the Asia Circuit Memorial Tournament, held in commemoration of the end of the controversial second season of the Cardfight Vanguard!! anime. Following up what the Osaka tournament began, the event operates under special rules which require all participating cardfighters to have more than four grade 3s in their deck, in response to pro cardfighters Tachibana Souten and Nakamura Mitsuaki emulating contenders from the previous year's national title in creating decks with less than that number. These pros made use of specific search skills to dominate their respective tournaments, on a smaller scale than the Tsukuyomi-based cardfighters of previous years had done before them. Speculation abounds that the Memorial Tournament rules, if successful, could become standardized rules for professional Cardfight as a whole, permanently bringing a close to this trend in deckbuilding.

With two more stages yet remaining--in Nagoya and Hakata--the Memorial Tournament has so far been dominated by the new Eradicator subgroup, in contrast to the underground success of the Shadow Paladins in the current format. The Eradicators are a subgroup of the retire-based Narukami clan, and focus on maintaining a static critical for the vanguard line each turn, as well as on standing their vanguard like Kagerou did before them. Tokyo has seen an upset in the pattern, as second place was taken by a Battle Sister-based variation on the soulless CoCo deck, retooling it for the modern format built around base 11000 vanguards. Note that while the Tokyo winners share a surname, they are currently believed to be unrelated. On the Narukami side of things, all of the Eradicator decks seen thus far are extremely similar in build, but Uemura Shouhei from the Osaka tournament seems to be coming up as the more influential cardfighter, having worked out the "blueprint" for the Eradicators.

The Nagoya and Hakata stages of the Memorial Tournament are to take place on March 30th and April 6th, respectively. The winners of the Memorial Tournament will have an invitation to the Fighter's Road 2013 national championship.

Prizewinner: Itou Hiroaki/伊藤寛明
Grade 0
x1 Spark Kid Dragoon (FVG)
x4 Eradicator Dragon Mage DT
x4 Eradicator Yellow Gem Carbuncle CT
x4 Demonic Dragon Eradicator, Seiobo HT
x4 Divine Spear Eradicator, Pollux CT
Grade 1
x2 Rising Phoenix
x2 Eradicator of True Flames, Kougaiji
x3 Eradicator of the Ceremonial Bonfire, Castor
x4 Eradicator Wyvern Guard, Guld
x4 Eradicator, Demolition Dragon
Grade 2
x3 Eradicator, Thunder Boom Dragon
x4 Eradicator, Sparkrain Dragon
x4 Dragonic Deathscythe
Grade 3
x4 Eradicator, Dragonic Descendant
x3 Eradicator, Gauntlet Buster Dragon

Runner-Up: Itou Yuki/伊藤翔
Grade 0
x1 Little Witch, LuLu (FVG)
x4 Oracle Guardian, Nike CT
x4 Psychic Bird CT
x4 Battle Sister, Ginger CT
x4 Lozenge Magus HT
Grade 1
x4 Oracle Guardian, Gemini
x4 Battle Sister, Chocolat
x3 Dark Cat
x2 Battle Sister, Omelette
x1 Red River Dragoon
Grade 2
x4 Battle Sister, Mocha
x3 Promise Daughter
x2 Silent Tom
x2 Battle Sister, Macaron
Grade 3
x4 Battle Sister, Cookie
x4 Scarlet Witch, CoCo

News: Asia Circuit Memorial Tournament Osaka Results

Today the Osaka regional tournament results for the Asia Circuit Memorial Tournament were made public, giving the first look at how the BT11-on format plays out in an official tournament setting. Both first and second places were taken by Narukami cardfighters, and as these Dragonic Descendant-Gauntlet Buster Dragon decks are very close in design, predictions are already coming out that the self-standing Descendant deck may replace The End as the dominant pro deck of the season. Critics of this view point to the recent Hobby Station unofficial tournament for contrast, where the new Eradicator subgroup flopped in face of a Shadow Paladin deck reworked around The Dark Dictator.

The Memorial Tournament is being held to commemorate the conclusion of the second season of Cardfight!! Vanguard, and will extend to three other locations, with the Tokyo tournament taking place on March 23rd, Nagoya's on the 30th, and Hakata's on April 6th. These tournaments operate on special rules which require fighters to have more than four grade 3s in their deck, most likely in response to the Osaka Trio Festival results in which C Block Champion Tachibana Souten's Majesty Lord Blaster deck emulated the tactics of national third place runner-up Tanaka Shouta's Tsukuyomi deck in running four grade 3s, effectively defeating the restricted list that had been placed on the Blaster deck. This had been followed up by the Tokyo Trio Festival, where Tachibana's idea had been similarly used in Nakamura Mitsuaki's Blaster deck, and in Murakumo cardfighter Kagawa Hitori's Magatsu Storm build. The winners of the Memorial Tournament will have an invitation to the Fighter's Road 2013 national championship.

Prizewinner: Uemura Shouhei/上村昌平
Grade 0
x1 Spark Kid Dragoon (FVG)
x4 Eradicator, Dragon Mage DT
x4 Eradicator, Yellow Gem Carbuncle CT
x4 Demonic Dragon Eradicator, Seioubo HT
x4 Divine Spear Eradicator, Pollux CT
Grade 1
x2 Rising Phoenix
x1 Dust Storm Eradicator Tokou
x4 Eradicator of the Ceremonial Bonfire, Castor
x4 Eradicator Wyvern Guard, Guld
x4 Eradicator, Demolition Dragon
Grade 2
x4 Eradicator, Thunderboom Dragon
x4 Eradicator, Spark Rain Dragon
x3 Dragonic Deathscythe
Grade 3
x3 Eradicator, Dragonic Descendant
x4 Eradicator, Gauntlet Buster Dragon

Runner-Up: Nishiyama Daiki/西山大希
Grade 0
x1 Ambush Dragon Eradicator, Linchu (FVG)
x3 Eradicator, Dragon Mage DT
x4 Eradicator, Yellow Gem Carbuncle CT
x4 Demonic Dragon Eradicator, Seioubo HT
x4 Divine Spear Eradicator, Pollux CT
x1 Malevolent Djinn CT
Grade 1
x2 Rising Phoenix
x4 Eradicator of the Ceremonial Bonfire, Castor
x4 Eradicator Wyvern Guard, Guld
x4 Eradicator, Demolition Dragon
Grade 2
x4 Eradicator, Thunderboom Dragon
x4 Eradicator, Spark Rain Dragon
x3 Dragonic Deathscythe
Grade 3
x4 Eradicator, Dragonic Descendant
x4 Eradicator, Gauntlet Buster Dragon

News: Hobby Station Vanguard Championship Tournament Results, Shadow Paladin Victory, Eradicators Defeated

The Japanese pro scene is currently exploding from the Hobby Station Vanguard Championship tournament results, where in a surprise final match, a Dark Dictator-based Shadow Paladin cardfighter defeated his Eradicator opponent. Hot off the presses from BT10: Triumphant Return of the King of Knights, the Eradicators have been hailed as one of the definitive competitive decks of Japan's January-on format. Their defeat by Dictator, an underground deck that has never been mainstream in the nine months since its June 2012 release, has shaken the world of pros to its core.

Notably, photos of the event show the Shadow Paladin cardfighter with somewhere between five and eight base 8000 grade 1s, accomplished by running the TD09 reprint of Red River Dragon in addition to Black Sage Charon. Because crossride mechanics are currently irrelevant in Japan's break ride format, the current scene is dominated largely by base 11000 vanguards, which means that anticrossride base 10000 units like CoCo and Garmore have gone out of style. As a result, Dictator's full 20000 power is no longer a goal for Shadow Paladin cardfighters--with this in mind, tournament champion "Jaguar" likely realized that he could afford to miss out on that maximized power in exchange for a more consistent rearguard boost. While some blogs have speculated that this Dictator deck uses Phantom Blaster Overlord as a finisher, Overlord's continuous -2000 for having a non-Shadow Paladin rearguard in play versus the inclusion of Red River suggests otherwise. A proper deck recipe is forthcoming, expected to go up on the 20th.


Update 3/20/3012: The deck recipe has been posted.

Deck Name: ShadoPala
Handle: Jaguar
Grade 3
x4 The Dark Dictator
x3 Origin Mage, Ildona
Grade 2
x4 Knight of Darkness, Rugos
x2 Cursed Lancer
x3 Darkness Maiden, Macha
x4 Skull Witch, Nemain
Grade 1
x4 Black Sage, Charon
x4 Witch of Nostrum, Arianrhod
x4 Dark Shield, Mac Lir
x1 Red River Dragoon
Grade 0
x1 Creeping Dark Goat (FVG)
x4 Grim Reaper CT
x4 Death Feather Eagle CT
x4 Abyss Freezer DT
x4 Abyss Healer HT

VGCS tournaments are unofficial, large-scale amateur tournaments unaffiliated with Bushiroad Inc. that are often organized by Japan's network of fans and card shops. Despite their unofficial nature, these tournaments are being carefully observed in Japan because of their high turnout and utility as a way to observe the state of the game between official events. Hobby Station's VGCS is just the latest of these amateur events, boasting a massive bracket of 92 participating cardfighters. The large scale of the tournaments is self-supporting, as the entry fees go toward supporting prizes for the top eight cardfighters, which start at fifteen booster packs and can climb as high as five boxes from the latest booster set. Entry costs 1,000円 per person (a little under $11.)

VGCS is primarily organized by Kohaku ("Amber") of 立川VGCS, a blog that serves as the announcement page for the tournaments. Due to the high success of this VGCS, a followup tournament is in the works.

(via hstachikawa, 立川VGCS, Vanguard Announce and 2critical)