Episode 53 - The New Challengers

## The New Challengers

The New Challengers is the fifty-third episode of Yu-Gi-Oh! Progression Playoff, and the second episode of Season 5, the Arc-V arc. It debuted on MBT Yu-Gi-Oh's YouTube channel on March 5, 2022. Leah and Gavin cruise to 2-0 records, partially due to their opponents getting sick of the format and not wanting to play anymore. Brent and Danny finish 0-2, and become the heroes who attempt to fix the awful format with their bans.

## Background

The New Challengers was released in the TCG on November 6, 2014. This set introduced the "Fluffal/Frightfur", and "Qli" archetypes, as well as new support for the "Performapal", "Melodious", "Superheavy Samurai", "tellarknight", "Yang Zing", "Shaddoll", "Burning Abyss", and "U.A." archetypes. Other notable cards include Denko Sekka, Herald of Ultimateness, Herald of the Arc Light, Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon, and Oasis of Dragon Souls.

Leah has taken the very early lead, with MBT, Gavin, and Danny just behind and Brent looking to make a comeback.

## Matches

### Match 1: MBT vs. Brent

Brent and MBT pass back and forth Setting cards for dozens of turns. Brent finally attacks into Blue Brawler and Punch-in-the-box. MBT makes Delteros. Brent makes Castel and shuffles back Delteros. MBT makes Delteros again. Brent uses Superheavy Swordsman to out Delteros, then activates Wonder Balloons. MBT outs Brent’s board, Brent pitches Scarm and Graff for Balloons and Summons Cir and attacks. MBT makes Burner Visor, equips it to Dark Rebellion and attacks for game.

Winner: MBT

### Match 2: Danny vs. Gavin

Danny Summons Deneb and searches Altair. Gavin Tribute Sets U.A. Goalkeeper. Danny uses Turn Toad to switch Goalkeeper’s stats. Gavin activates U.A. Stadium, and goes Midfielder into Perfect Ace. Gavin then runs into Punch-in-the-Box. Danny walls up, but Gavin continues to accrue advantage with U.A.s. Danny Sets Blue Brawler and Gavin can’t out it. Danny makes Dark Rebellion, and Gavin outs it. Gavin outs the Blue Brawler with Squamata and Danny concedes.

Winner: Gavin

### Match 3: Leah vs. MBT

MBT Sets Blue Brawler and Leah attacks it. Leah makes Castel and shuffles back Blue Brawler. Leah tries to get in for damage, but MBT has Punch-in-the-box and Battleguard Rage to stop it. Leah makes many plays Summoning lots of monsters and outs MBT’s board. Leah beats MBT down and puts him low on LP. MBT makes Dark Rebellion and attacks. Leah outs Dark Rebellion with Squamata. MBT can’t come back and Leah wins.

Winner: Leah

### Match 4: Gavin vs. Brent

Both players Set lots of cards. Gavin outs Brent’s monsters, and attacks into a Punch-in-the-Box. Brent activates Wonder Balloons discarding Graff, Scarm, Alich. Gavin gets the U.A. Stadium/Midfielder train rolling. Gavin tries to attack, but Brent uses Punch-in-the-Box to survive. Gavin tries again but runs into Blue Brawler. Gavin cannot out Blue Brawler for a long time. Brent finally tries to make plays. Brent is tired of playing the game and concedes.

Winner: Gavin

### Match 5: Leah vs. Danny

Danny activates Wonder Balloons and discards 4 cards, then concedes.

Winner: Leah

## Banned Cards

* Brent bans U.A. Stadium
* Danny bans U.A. Midfielder

## Full Banlist

### Monsters

* U.A. Midfielder
* U.A. Mighty Slugger

### Spells

* The Monarchs Stormforth
* U.A. Stadium

## Stats to date

### Season 5

Character win rate
 Gavin
 MBT
 Danny
 Brent

### Overall

Character Win Rate
 Leah
 MBT
 Danny
 Brent

## Notable bits

* Reprise of marble in a bag
* Gavin claiming to be an oppressed underclass of Progression Playoff
* New Jersey food discourse
* Jules explaining take-backsies
* Gavin tries to convince everyone not to ban U.A.s before admitting that they’re broken
* MBT furiously trying to get everyone to read their cards
* Everyone becomes Joker-fied watching the Brent vs. Gavin game
* Jules puts in some Vine sound effects to keep the viewers awake

## Did Joseph mald?

Yes, during the Brent-Gavin game, but then again, so did everyone else including everyone that watched.

## Video Links

THE NEW CHALLENGERS - Progression Playoff

Progression Playoffs Bad End Episode 20 The New Bad End

## Other Pages

Episodes