In the presented Decklist, we notice some noteworthy changes, such as the presence of 15 handtraps and the reduction of Diabellstar the Black Witch to 1 and WANTED: Seeker of Sinful Spoils to 2. This decrease in consistency when going first is balanced by an increase in the chance to draw disruptions when going second.

The inclusion of Fire King Sky Burn instead of Circle of the Fire Kings, while Circle’s applications are more versatile, Fire King Sky Burn ensures the baiting of certain interruptions when going second and serves as an excellent follow-up card once the board is established.

The consecutive presence of Garunix Eternity, Hyang of the Fire Kings for two weeks, despite a period of absence, showcases the proposed version’s focus on a more mid-range control playstyle, making this card useful as an interruption using the effect of Fire King Sanctuary.

The presence of 2 Promethean Princess, Bestower of Flames allows the deck to play through Nibiru, the Primal Being by establishing an anti-Nibiru line with Snake-Eyes Flamberge Dragon and Promethean Princess, Bestower of Flames on the field, along with Fire King Avatar Arvata in the graveyard, forcing the opponent’s Nibiru activation. In case the opponent uses it, Flamerge will summon 2 Level 1 monsters from the graveyard, and with the Nibiru token and a Level 1, I:P Masquerena can be summoned, followed by the second Promethean Princess, Bestower of Flames, which will use its effect to summon a fire monster and then link them into Amphibious Swarmship Amblowhale, resulting in an excellent end-board with Promethean Princess and Sacred Fire King Garunix in the graveyard.

Knightmare Phoenix is mainly utilized for OTK lines with Salamangreat Raging Phoenix/Worldsea Dragon Zealantis in case the opponent doesn’t control monsters, as Phoenix + Zealantis deal 4900 damage. Zealantis’s effect during the battle phase can destroy Phoenix, triggering the activation of Raging Phoenix, which is summoned as a 4700 beater due to its effect for a simple and effective OTK. Phoenix is also often used as an out for Anti-Spell Fragrance post-side or to destroy Fire King Island when going second if the opponent has removed Fire King Sanctuary from the field using a Snake-Eye effect.

Relinquished Anima has become popular due to various end boards ending with Apollousa, Bow of the Goddess, which is often summoned with 2 negations to prevent damage from a possible Triple Tactics Talent take.

In the side deck, we find Kaijus and Dinowrestler Pankratops, which, while decent trades, don’t seem particularly more effective than other board breakers like TTT.
Retaliating “C” is mainly for lists such as Branded and Chimera, which have become popular recently.

Cosmic Cyclone is more frequently used to banish Fire King Island to trigger its mandatory effect that destroys the opponent’s field and also to out cards like Anti-Spell or be chained to Flamerge’s effect to summon from the S/T zone, which in many cases prevents the presence of I:P Masquerena on the field.

Anti-Spell is particularly effective against board breaker approaches that tend to play cards like TTT or Change of Heart and Mind Control, etc. Solemn Scolding is included because the deck generally doesn’t set other cards in the S/T zone and is an excellent interruption when going second, even though it is the discounted version of Solemn Judgment.

Winner of 1st Matsuyama Botchan Cup piloted by 苔コッコ: