YCS Austin 2013 Analysis

In the end, Mono Mermails won the event. Is anyone really surprised by this... Here are the standings:

Top 16:

8 Mono Mermail
1 Karakuri otk
1 Geargia
1 Wind up
1 Dino rabbit
1 Heroes
1 Electrum OTK
1 Frog Monarchs
1 Fire Fist Rabbit

Top 8:

4 Mono Mermail
1 Fire Fist Rabbit
1 Wind up
1 Frog Monarchs
1 Dino Rabbit

Top 4:

2 Mono Mermail
1 Fire Fist Rabbit
1 Frog Monarchs

Top 2

1 Mono Mermail
1 Fire Fist Rabbit

There's no surprise that Mermails are the strongest deck right now. Currently, the Mono version appears to be superior (currently...). Once again, Fire Fists had a lackluster performance, though it did come simple. I'm not susrprised, though: It's a simple deck to play that requires little thought, and people know how to take advantage of that. Dino-Rabbit, the other powerful deck heading into the YCS, also didn't perform as well. People know how to combat it now, and certain decks are now properly prepared.

Frog Monarchs in top 4 was definitely a surprise. Then again, LADD is a pretty good card, though Mermails can play around it pretty easily. I'm sure Jinzo and Dark Dusk Spirit put in good work, and Caius is Caius, and will always be Caius...

Wind-Ups proved that their potential still exists, and people do have to watch out. It would be curious to see if this deck utilized Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Bear, over Summoner Monk.

Geargia Machina also surprised me, to an extent. There is probably a healthy number of traps to stop almost anything. The deck also has easy access to Shock Master and Number 11: Big Eye, which makes any deck good...

Karakuri OTK is just an explosive, lockdown deck. Enough said.

Standard Hero decks aren't a bad option. The deck has access to Gemini Spark, Miracle Fusion, Super Polymerization, and Shock Master...

Finally, Electrum OTK! In this particular version, the Blaze Fenix engine wasn't utilized. With Chain Material and Fusion Gate, you special summon one Electrum, return the materials to deck, then make another one. Return the materials to the deck, overlay the two Electrum for Gustaph Max and burn the opponent. Use the Gustaph Max and Electrum in the graveyard to Fusion Summon Elemental Hero the Shining, or Gaia. Use the proper materials to Fusion Summon the third Electrum. Then rinse and repeat. Worse case scenario, if the OTK can't be pulled off, it still packs a punch. Nothing wrong with an alternate win condition deck... I just have to determine if I like the Blaze Fenix version (which I currently have in sleeves) or this version.

That wraps up my summary for YCS Austin. Utilizing this information for the future, prepare always for Mermails, and expect to see some Heroes performing justice.