Episode 44 - Return of the Duelist

## Return of the Duelist

Return of the Duelist is the forty-fourth episode of Yu-Gi-Oh! Progression Playoff, and the fifth episode of Season 4, the ZEXAL arc. It debuted on MBT Yu-Gi-Oh's YouTube channel on November 27, 2021. This is the first episode after a week off, as MBT was unable to record during his subathon. Siberian makes an appearance to be blatantly ignored by MBT, as well as inquire about the placement of Photon Papilloperative on the Dupe Frog/Genex Undine spectrum. Leah climbs out of the play-in to get to finals thanks exclusively to Shard of Greed and nothing else, while Danny's unexpected Ninja strategy lands him the other spot. Danny triumphs to get his first episode win of Season 4.

## Background

Return of the Duelist was released in the TCG on August 24, 2012. It introduced the "Chronomaly", "Heroic Challenger", "Madolche", and "Prophecy" archetypes and the "hunder" series of monsters, as well as new support for the "Geargia" and "Spellbook" archetypes.

Brent has won 2 consecutive episodes, and is looking to become the first player to ever win 3 in a row. Gavin has lost in finals twice in a row and hopes to break through for a win. Danny gathered some momentum in the previous week and looks to continue that, while MBT and Leah look to get back on the winning side.

## Matches

### Play-in: MBT vs. Leah

MBT is playing Hieratic, while Leah is on Chronomaly Hieratic. MBT uses Nuit and Ego Boost to get into a rank 6, making Photon Strike Bounzer as a joke before Summoning Sword Breaker. Leah makes a Chronomaly play for Tiras, but runs into Butterflyoke. MBT uses Wattaildragon to clear Leah’s board. Leah uses Shard of Greed to draw 2. Leah uses Nebthet to pop Sword Breaker. MBT attacks into a Lumenize, and Leah uses Nebthet to clear his board. MBT makes Photon Papilloperative to get over Leah’s Set monster. Leah uses Hieratic Seal of Banishment and Dimension Slice to clear MBT’s board, then topdecks Lightray Daedalus. MBT saves himself with another Butterflyoke. Leah activates Catapult Zone and uses Daedalus’ effect to pop MBT’s monster and Butterflyoke. MBT doesn’t get to a monster, and Leah wins.

Winner: Leah

### Semifinal 1: Gavin vs. Danny

Gavin is playing Madolche Rock stall, Danny is playing Ninja Wind-Up. Danny is playing Wind-Up Ninja. Gavin Summons various Gogogo Golems. Danny has Interplanetarypurplythorny Dragon. Danny makes Excalibur and attacks for damage. Gavin attempts to use Full Force Strike to beat Excalibur, but Danny has Butterflyoke. Gavin plays Catapult Zone. Gavin goes into Leviathan Dragon, Danny uses Shadow Sealing to banish it. Gavin walls up behind a Revival Golem. Both players pass a lot. Danny uses Upstart Golden Ninja and Ebisu to bounce Gavin’s entire backrow, then makes a second Excalibur and Photon Papilloperative to OTK.

Winner: Danny

### Semifinal 2: Brent vs. Leah

Brent is playing Hieratic. Leah attacks Nuit with Wind-Up Knight. Brent uses Dicephoon on Leah’s Set Dimension Slice. Brent then uses Nebthet to clear the Wind-Up Knight. Leah answers with her own Nebthet. Brent is out of cards, and can’t come back.

Winner: Leah

### Loser's Finals: Gavin vs. MBT

MBT goes Photon Thrasher then Nuit, and uses Full-Force Strike to trigger the Nuit. MBT Summons Bright Star Dragon, makes Photon Thrasher a Level 6 and goes into Sword Breaker. Gavin tries to use Baaple and Full-Force Strike, but MBT’s Butterflyoke essentially ends the game and Gavin concedes.

Winner: MBT

### Finals: Danny vs. Leah

Leah Summons Wind-Up Knight and Sets 2 and passes. Leah uses Nebthet to clear Danny’s Wind-Up Soldier. Danny uses Photon Papilloperative to beat Revival Golem. Leah uses Full-Force Strike to kill Papilloperative, but Danny has Interplanetarypurplythorny Dragon, and uses it to out Nebthet. Leah Summons Lightray Daedalus and uses Dimension Slice to banish Purply. Danny uses Upstart Golden Ninja to Summon Hanzo, then makes Excalibur. Leah uses Full-Force Strike to try to survive, but Danny uses another Upstart Golden Ninja to go into Excalibur again.

Winner: Danny

## Banned Cards

### Mind Meld Ban

* MBT says "Shard of Greed"
* Gavin says "Shard of Greed"

Shard of Greed is banned

### Regular Ban

* Gavin bans Hieratic Dragon of Nebthet
* MBT bans Wind-Up Knight

## Full Banlist

### Extra Deck

* Evolzar Dolkka
* Photon Strike Bounzer

### Monsters

* Goblindbergh
* Hieratic Dragon of Nebthet
* Hieratic Dragon of Tefnuit
* Inzektor Dragonfly
* Inzektor Hornet
* Wind-Up Knight
* Wind-Up Magician

### Spells

* Attraffic Control
* Murmur of the Forest
* Shard of Greed

## Stats to date

### Season 4

Character Points

Character win rate
 Leah
 MBT
 Danny
 Gavin

### Overall

Character win rate
 Leah
 MBT
 Brent
 Danny

### Xyz Summons

Summons this Episode
 Gavin
 Leah
 MBT

Total Xyz Summons
 Brent
 Danny
 Gavin
 Leah

## Notable bits

* MBT makes Photon Strike Bounzer despite the fact that it’s banned
* “Cis women are Crimson Shadow Armor Ninja and trans women are Photon Papilloperative”
* Gavin, are ya playin’ bullshit?
* Gavin answers “the question” by playing amogus on some stringed instrument
* Madolche Malewife
* Everyone shitting on Leah’s Deck because it has a Shard of Greed in it
* Hieratic Seal of the Sun Dragon Overlord is a Bakugan

## Video Links

RETURN OF THE DUELIST - Progression Playoff

## Other Pages

Episodes