Episode 3 - Spell Ruler

## Spell Ruler (Magic Ruler)

Spell Ruler (Magic Ruler) is the third episode of Yu-Gi-Oh! Progression Playoff. It debuted on MBT Yu-Gi-Oh's YouTube channel on December 11, 2020. For the third consecutive week, MBT loses in the first round, and Gavin makes it to the finals. However, Brent gets his first episode win, swiftly defeating Gavin.

## Background

Spell Ruler was released in the TCG on September 16, 2002. It introduces Ritual Monsters to the game, with an underwhelming first wave. The set contains many very powerful Spell Cards, including the hand control trinity. It also introduces the recruiters, 1400 ATK monsters that Special Summon a monster with 1500 ATK or less from the Deck of the same Attribute when destroyed by battle. Unfortunately, it also introduces many floodgates that will make stun decks extremely strong for quite a while in limited.

Gavin comes in on a 2-win streak, hoping to win a 3rd, while all other characters are hoping for their first episode win. MBT is still looking to win his first game of the series.

## Matches

### Play-in: Leah vs. MBT

MBT gains the advantage early with large monsters, but Leah equalizes with Cyber Jar. Leah uses both The Forceful Sentry and Delinquent Duo to rip cards out of MBT's hand. For the second week in a row, MBT summons Twin-Headed Thunder Dragon, however Leah beats it using Tailor of the Fickle and Jirai Gumo. Over the course of the game, Leah correctly calls the coin on Jirai Gumo 4 times in a row. After using Tailor of the Fickle again to fade an attack, Leah is able to kill MBT on the crackback and advance.

Winner: Leah

### Semifinal 1: Danny vs. Brent

Brent gains control of the board with an equipped Maha Vailo. Danny uses Dark Hole to beat the Maha Vailo, and follows up with Jirai Gumo. However, Brent's Cyber Jar turns the tables and he's able to win the game on the following turn.

Winner: Brent

### Semifinal 2: Gavin vs. Leah

Gavin opens with Toll and Chain Energy, and a UFO Turtle equipped with Malevolent Nuzzler. Leah uses Cyber Jar to beat the monster, but can't get through Gavin's defensive wall and floodgates. Each player then passes and discards for hand size several turns in a row. It looks as though Gavin will lose due to having fewer cards in Deck, but then resolves a Cyber Jar when Leah has 5 cards in Deck, causing him to win by deck out.

Winner: Gavin

### Finals: Gavin vs. Brent

Gavin doesn't open any floodgates this time, and Brent immediately summons Maha Vailo equipped with Malevolent Nuzzler. Gavin has no answer, and Brent quickly overwhelms the board with beaters, and wins after 3 turns in the shortest game to date.

Winner: Brent

## Banned Cards

* Danny bans Cyber Jar
* MBT bans Chain Energy

## Full Banlist

### Monsters

* Cyber Jar
* Witch of the Black Forest

### Spells

* Chain Energy
* Fissure
* Raigeki

## Stats to date

Character win rate
 Brent
 Leah
 Danny
 MBT

## Notable bits

* Danny begins the episode talking about the origin of the slur "cracker"
* Characters reference the Dzeeff 7 Colored Fish video
* Maha Vailo gender reveal party

## Video Links

PROGRESSION PLAYOFF #3 - Spell Ruler (Magic Ruler)

## Other Pages

Episodes