Episode 26 - Phantom Darkness

## Phantom Darkness

Phantom Darkness is the twenty-sixth episode of Yu-Gi-Oh! Progression Playoff, and the twelfth episode of Season 2, the GX arc. It debuted on MBT Yu-Gi-Oh's YouTube channel on June 19, 2021. MBT emerges from the play-in to make only his third finals appearance of Season 2. Leah joins him after beating through Gavin. In a difficult back-and-forth match, Leah breaks through to win her fourth episode of the season. This episode was notable for many appearances from individuals outside the main cast. Siberian returned to explain how Gladiator Beasts work at the end of the Battle Phase when both players have triggers. Jillian, MBT's wife, is visible in the background at one point during a match. Finally, OhVelvetWorm, aka Lulu, invades the Discord call during a match.

## Background

Phantom Darkness was released in the TCG on January 26, 2008. This set introduced the "Yubel" series of monsters, and additionally brought new support for the "Destiny HERO", "Gladiator Beast", "Dark World", and "Volcanic" archetypes. It also contained DARK counterparts of various monsters from previous sets, including the most infamous card of the set, Dark Armed Dragon.

Brent is the defending champion. Gavin still leads Season 2 with four wins, while Leah is just behind him with three. Gavin hopes to pull further ahead, while Leah hopes to even up the score. MBT and Danny, with one win each in the season, hope to claw out of the play-in to put another notch in their win column.

## Matches

### Play-in: Danny vs. MBT

Danny is playing Plant Icarus Glad Beast, MBT is playing Glad Beast. Danny tries to use Test Tiger's effect, but MBT uses Karma Cut to stop it. MBT attacks with two of his Gladiator Beasts into Danny's, and finds out he gets to trigger his effects before Danny can, so he uses Murmillo to destroy Danny's before it can trigger. MBT Summons a Gaiodiaz, and he is just too far ahead for Danny to come back from.

Winner: MBT

### Semifinal 1: Leah vs. Gavin

Gavin is playing Glad Beast, while Leah is on Plant Icarus Glad Beast. Gavin Summons Lonefire to Summon Gigaplant, then uses Double Summon to get the effect and Summons another Gigaplant. Leah survives with No Entry, then uses Laquari and Andal to beat over the Gigaplants. Gavin gets a Gene-Warped Warwolf, but Leah uses Icarus Attack to destroy it. Gavin runs out of resources, and Leah attacks for game.

Winner: Leah

### Semifinal 2: MBT vs. Brent

Brent is playing Dark World. MBT gets off to the races with a Dimacari and a Shield Spear, getting his Gladiator Beast engine going. Brent Summons Armageddon Knight, sending Destiny HERO - Dasher. MBT gets to a Hoplomus and a Spartacus. Brent Tribute Summons Goldd to threaten the Glad Beasts, but MBT Summons Gaiodiaz. MBT's field is too much for Brent and MBT wins.

Winner: MBT

### Finals: Leah vs. MBT

They trade Gladiator Beast plays and removal for a few turns. MBT finally gets to trigger two Gladiator Beasts on one turn to take an advantage. Leah later turns it around with a Lonefire into Gigaplant. MBT tries to sit on a Hoplomus to get to removal, but Leah gets to Gladiator Beasts first and rebuilds her Glad Beast engine. Leah eventually uses a Karma Cut to allow for a push, and MBT can't recover.

Winner: Leah

## Banned Cards

* Danny bans Lonefire Blossom
* Gavin bans Pot of Avarice

## Full Banlist

### Monsters

* Brron, Mad King of Dark World
* Chainsaw Insect
* Cyber Dragon
* Drillroid
* Elemental HERO Neos
* Harpie Queen
* Lonefire Blossom
* Millennium Scorpion
* Monk Fighter
* Neo-Spacian Grand Mole
* Raiza the Storm Monarch
* Sillva, Warlord of Dark World
* Snipe Hunter
* Treeborn Frog

### Spells

* Brain Control
* Dimensional Fissure
* Future Fusion
* Pot of Avarice

### Traps

* Birthright
* Damage Condenser
* Forced Back
* Justi-Break
* Macro Cosmos
* Rising Energy

## Stats to date

### Season 2

Character win rate
 Leah
 Brent
 Danny
 MBT

### Overall

Character win rate
 Danny
 Leah
 Brent
 MBT

## Notable bits

* Danny saying "this is interesting" before destroying his opponent
* Gladiator Beast Jizz-arus
* Leah parodies Brent's Codebreaker
* MBT poses a "3 Gladiator Beasts in a boat" puzzler
* Referencing "Mystic Tomato's effect to change to Attack Position" with Lei Lei
* "Every monster with a counter has an Equip Spell on it"
* Murmillo has DSLs

## Did Joseph mald?

He seemed frustrated, but it was understated, not really malding.

## Video Links

PROGRESSION PLAYOFF #26 - Phantom Darkness

## Other Pages

Episodes