Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 116
 Soulburner draws with the effect of his "Burning Draw". | |||||||||
| Names | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| English | Stuck in the Past | ||||||||
| |||||||||
| Series | |||||||||
| Series | Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS | ||||||||
| Number | 116 | ||||||||
| Season | 3 | ||||||||
| Music | |||||||||
| Japanese OP | "calling" | ||||||||
| Japanese ED | "Are you ready?" | ||||||||
| English OP & ED | "Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS Main Theme" | ||||||||
| Staff | |||||||||
| Screenplay | |||||||||
| Director | |||||||||
| Air dates | |||||||||
| Japanese | August 28, 2019 | ||||||||
| English | September 7, 2021 | ||||||||
| Chronology | |||||||||
| Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS episodes (season 3) | |||||||||
| Previous | "Unfinished Business" | ||||||||
| Next | "Forced Hand" | ||||||||
"Stuck in the Past", known as "Complete Combustion" in the Japanese version, is the one hundred and sixteenth episode of the Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS anime. It first aired in Japan on August 28, 2019 and aired in Australia on September 7, 2021.
As their battle rages on, Varis is disappointed to see that Soulburner still has doubts in his heart. Enraged by this, Soulburner decides to cast aside the trauma caused by the Lost Incident, and the sadness he felt after losing Flame... With all his doubts gone, Soulburner summons a mighty conflagration to his right hand.
Summary[edit]
Standing on 800 LP, Varis chuckles that attack was the best Soulburner could do and he claims he knew he would be defeated, and Soulburner on 3000 LP himself and controlling the 2300 ATK "Salamangreat Violet Chimera" is incensed at the thought he'll be defeated (in the dub Varis also claims Soulburner's best is what he calls mediocre. Soulburner retorts he should go tell someone who cares, prompting Ai to sarcastically comment he's sure Varis is quaking in his boots). Ai sits down in his satellite and comments it's Varis's turn now, while Kolter urges Theodore to stay calm from Café Nom and Playmaker thinks that Varis never shows false confidence and Soulburner should know that. Varis comments it's fitting Soulburner will be stuck here forever as he looks at the recreation of the Hanoi Project Facility and notes the Fire Ignis was Soulburner's compass and now that he's lost him, he's a ship wandering in the same area, a lesson Varis will make him realize (in the dub, he instead tells Soulburner Flame was the brains behind them and he can't win without him).
He declares his turn and draws, then activates the Spell Card "Final Offguard" as he has less LP than Soulburner and only Soulburner controls a monster Special Summoned from the Extra Deck, drawing two cards. Then he activates the effect of his Field Spell "Boot Sector Launch" to Special Summon "Anesthrokket Dragon", which rises to 2500 DEF due to "Boot Sector Launch". Next Varis activates the Equip Spell "Borrel Regenerator", Special Summoning "Silverrokket Dragon" from his Graveyard and equipping it with "Borrel Regenerator". "Silverrokket Dragon" rises to 2200 ATK and Varis activates the Quick-Play Spell "Squib Draw", destroying "Silverrokket Dragon" to draw two cards, which also activates the effect of "Borrel Regenerator" to allow him to draw another card. Ai chuckles that Varis is drawing a lot of cards and Varis then Special Summons "Absorouter Dragon" from his hand since he controls a "Rokket" monster, before setting "Absorouter Dragon" and "Anesthrokket" to Link Summon the Link-2 "Quadborrel Dragon". This then activates the effect of "Absorouter Dragon", allowing Varis to add a "Rokket" monster from his Deck to his hand. Varis then activates the Spell Card "Borrel Half Replace", Special Summoning a "Borrel" Link Monster from his Extra Deck with the same Link Rating as the "Borreload Dragon" in his Graveyard. He Special Summons "Borrelsword Dragon", but notes it has its effects negated and its ATK is halved to 1500. He also activates the other effect of "Borrel Half Replace" from his Graveyard, banishing it and two "Rokket" monsters from his Graveyard ("Silverokket" and "Anesthrokket") to Special Summon a DARK Link-2 monster from his Extra Deck to a zone "Borrelsword" is pointing to, while treating that Summon as a Link Summon. Special Summoning the Link-2 "Booster Dragon", Varis then activates the effect of "Quadborrel Dragon", discarding a card to destroy a monster, and Soulburner retorts that "Violet Chimera" can't be destroyed by card effects while it's equipped with "Salamangreat Kernel".
But instead Varis destroys "Borrelsword Dragon" and reminds Soulburner that he can Special Summon "Rokket" monsters from his hand or Graveyard up to the destroyed monster's Link Rating, reviving "Rokket Recharger" and "Magnarokket Dragon", whose DEF increase due to "Boot Sector Launch". He activates the effect of "Booster Dragon" to increase the ATK and DEF of a monster by 500 and targets "Magnarokket Dragon", which activates the effect of "Magnarokket Dragon", destroying it and sending another monster on the field to the Graveyard - and he selects "Violet Chimera". Ai comments on the power of the effect of "Magnarokket" and notes Soulburner will be in trouble if he loses "Violet Chimera", and as "Magnarokket" explodes as it fires at Soulburner he bitterly remarks that Varis always planned to use the effect of "Quadborrel" to lead to "Magnarokket's" destruction. He reveals another effect of "Salamangreat Kernel", preventing non-Link Monster effects from affecting "Violet Chimera" and "Salamangreat Kernel" generates an energy shield to harmlessly dissipate the blast from "Magnarokket". Varis promptly activates the Spell "Link Burst", destroying a Link Monster he controls and a monster Soulburner controls, then drawing a card. He chooses to destroy "Booster Dragon" and "Violet Chimera" and "Booster Dragon" transforms into a massive bullet and fires at "Violet Chimera". Soulburner activates another effect of "Salamangreat Kernel", returning a Link-2 or higher "Salamangreat" Link Monster from his Graveyard to the Extra Deck to prevent "Violet Chimera's" destruction, and as he returns "Salamangreat Sunlight Wolf" another blue energy shield surrounds "Violet Chimera" and dissipates the bullet. Varis draws his card, noting that Soulburner stopped that effect too and Soulburner adds that "Violet Chimera" can't be destroyed by battle or card effects for the rest of the turn. Kolter notes in satisfaction that "Violet Chimera" can't be affected by non-Link Monsters' effects or destroyed for the rest of the turn now and Soulburner comments that Varis's strategy has just made the defense of his "Violet Chimera" stronger (in the dub he comments that he destroyed "Booster Dragon" for nothing).
Varis agrees that would true had his goal been to destroy it with "Link Burst", much to Soulburner's shock, and Varis activates the effect of "Booster Dragon", Special Summoning "Borreload Dragon" from his Graveyard. Soulburner grits his teeth and Ai is impressed Varis was able to resurrect "Borreload" (in the dub he teasingly comments that's not good for Soulburner). Varis also activates the effect of "Rokket Recharger", sending it to the Graveyard to Special Summon a DARK monster from his Graveyard except the destroyed "Booster Dragon", and he resurrects his other "Quadborrel Dragon". Then he Summons "Rokket Synchron" and activates its effect, Special Summoning "Absorouter Dragon" from his Graveyard with its effects negated. Soulburner grits his teeth as Varis tunes the Level 1 "Rokket Synchron" with the Level 7 "Absorouter Dragon", chanting "Heroic dragon! Fire by transforming your ferocious fangs into bullets! Synchro Summon! Appear, Level 8! Borreload Savage Dragon!" "Borreload Savage Dragon" appears with 3000 ATK and Varis activates its effect as it was Synchro Summoned, equipping it with a Link Monster from his Graveyard and placing Borrel Counters on it equal to the equipped monster's Link Rating. He equips "Borrelsword Dragon", so "Savage Dragon" loads up four Borrel Counters, and also gains half the ATK of the equipped monster. "Borreload Savage Dragon" roars as it increases to 4500 ATK and then Varis chants "Appear! The future circuit that lights up my path!" He declares the Summoning conditions are at least two Effect Monsters and sets both his "Quadborrel Dragons", chanting "Link Summon! From the eternal creation of the world, zero resurrects endlessly! Come before us, Link-4! Topologic Zeroboros!" ("The evolution of the universe transforms nothing into the infinite! I Link Summon! Link-4! Topologic Zeroboros!" in the dub).
"Zeroboros" appears with 3000 ATK, and Playmaker notes that it's a new "Topologic" while Ai admits that Varis bringing out a new monster wasn't bad. Varis explains the effect of "Zeroboros" increases its ATK by 200 for each banished card and Playmaker notes there are four banished cards ("Noctovision Dragon", "Borrel Half Replace", "Silverrokket", and "Anesthrokket") and Varis confirms "Zeroboros" will gain 800 ATK (in the dub Playmaker notes this), rising to 3800 ATK. Playmaker grimly notes Varis has three of his ace monsters out while Ai muses on them (in the dub he comments it's game over) as Varis declares his Battle Phase and orders "Borreload Dragon" to attack "Violet Chimera". As "Borreload" charges its attack, Varis activates its "Enemy Negation" effect and reduces "Violet Chimera" to 1800 ATK. Soulburner grits his teeth and activates his Trap Card, "Salamangreat Geyser" to return a "Salamangreat" monster from his Graveyard to his Extra Deck (in the dub he begins explaining its ATK reduction effect), but Varis refuses to let him and activates the effect of "Borreload Savage Dragon", removing a counter to negate "Salamangreat Geyser". Soulburner grits his teeth as "Savage Dragon" drops to three counters and Varis continues his attack, ordering "Borreload" to attack with "Thunder Borrel Cannon". "Borreload" blasts its surge of energy from its maw as Soulburner reminds Varis that the effect of "Salamangreat Kernel" will prevent "Violet Chimera" from being destroyed, though Varis notes he will still take the damage as the attack hits and reduces Soulburner to 1800 LP. Next "Savage Dragon" attacks "Violet Chimera" with "Thunderclap Borrel Cannon", and as "Savage Dragon" unleashes its own blue blast Soulburner activates the effect of "Violet Chimera" to double its ATK. "Violet Chimera" rises to 3600 ATK as the attack hits, violently flinging Soulburner off his feet and sending him rolling through the dirt, his LP reduced to 900. He gets to his feet and insists this isn't over, and Varis notes Soulburner's survival, then declares the next battle. "Zeroboros" attacks with "Malicious Destruction", blasting orange energy from the gaps in its wing loops, and once again Soulburner activates the effect of "Violet Chimera" to double its ATK back to 3600. The attack hits and a massive explosion erupts through the trees, then the smoke clears to reveal "Violet Chimera" and Soulburner, Soulburner panting heavily with his hair askew and grime covering his body as his LP falls to 700. Kolter notes that Varis has finished attacking and praises Theodore's survival.
Varis ends his turn and Ai admits Soulburner's survival wasn't bad. Soulburner boasts that he survived and will burn Varis up next turn, but Varis tells him not to be impatient as this isn't over yet. Soulburner protests that Varis's turn is over, so what can he do? Varis explains that at the end of his turn the effect of "Magnarokket" allows him to Summon "Autorokket Dragon" and then the effect of "Zeroboros" activates as a monster was Special Summoned to a zone that it points to, banishing every card on the field. A massive sigil traces across the ground and begins to glow as Soulburner gasps "What?!" and Playmaker expresses his shock that every card on the field will be banished. Varis declares "Field Eradication" and every card on the field dissolves into blue particles, leaving the field bare. Ai admits that Varis is no ordinary Duelist (in the dub he comments that Soulburner will have to start from scratch) and Varis tells Soulburner it's too bad that he blew out Soulburner's flame when he hoped to defeat him next turn. Soulburner admits to himself that Varis is unpredictable and that it's annoying, but he's the greatest Duelist he's ever faced. He reflects that he only has 700 LP and wonders if this is the end for him (in the dub he admits that he hates in when Varis is right, but thinks there has to be a way for him to win).
Varis tells Soulburner that his soul is still trapped here and he doesn't know how to find the path to escape. Soulburner blinks in surprise and Varis states that he won't find that path (in the dub, he tells Soulburner that all his fire and passion means nothing without the right cards). Soulburner asks Varis to tell him, stating that he knows his parents (Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton) went searching for him when he went missing, then died in a car crash. The morning he went missing he had an argument with his parents and said something horrible. Varis gently asks what it was and Soulburner admits he doesn't even remember but notes it was probably because he didn't want to eat what was on his plate or because they wouldn't stop telling him to study. But Soulburner was so caught in fear that he can't remember no matter how many times he tries; he said something horrible and he's been living with that. He begs Varis to tell him what he said and how he's supposed to apologize to those who are gone, who he'll never see again. Playmaker and Ai watch silently as Varis reassures Soulburner that it isn't pathetic and there's no need to apologize, and Soulburner gasps in shock as Varis tells him those who have left them are never truly gone but just went ahead earlier, at least that's what he believes. Ai mockingly chuckles at how spiritual Varis is and wonders if that also applies to A.I. Varis declares that he lives his life in a way that won't shame them when he finally sees them again and Soulburner bitterly asks if Varis is saying he's living a shameful life. Varis replies that he is at the moment and Soulburner furiously asks what that's supposed to mean, but Varis tells him that if he has time to complain, he has time to defeat him with his Duel that burns his soul. Playmaker reflects that one has to become stronger to overcome the hardships in one's heart and reflects on Varis's words, wondering if he's trying to become Soulburner's greatest test. Soulburner notes that he has no cards in his hand or on his field, so this draw may end his chances to win.
(In the dub, this conversation is significantly different. Soulburner asks Varis how he can wake up knowing he's the bad guy with all he's done given how the Lost Incident took everything from Soulburner. The day he was kidnapped was the last day he saw his parents, and he still remembers the last thing he said to them was that he wanted lasagne for dinner. He protests that had he known he'd never seen them again he would have said more, he would have said how much he would always love them but Varis took that away from him. He thinks about his parents every day and his heart breaks every time, and he tries to forget them to block out the pain but he can't. His mind is stuck in the past and it can't get unstuck. He asks Varis again how he can forget the past, move on and live with himself, begging that he has to know. Varis replies that he doesn't try to forget the past if it's important, good memories or bad, because those memories make him who he is and forgetting them would mean forgetting himself. If one forgets themself they have no clue what to do or what to live for. He uses his past to move forward and do what is right. Soulburner snaps that it's wrong, but Varis replies his right by be Soulburner's wrong, but it doesn't make his right wrong. Soulburner tells him to stop with the mind games so Varis puts it simply; he knows what he's fighting for, but does Soulburner? Soulburner asks himself what he is fighting for, since getting revenge against Varis won't make his life better as his past will continue to haunt him.)
But as he prepares to draw, Flame's voice tells him not to be confused as it isn't like him (in the dub he comments that deep complex thinking was never Soulburner's strong suit). He emerges from Soulburner's Duel Disk and tells him he knows Varis is right; Flame and Soulburner's parents are gone, but they'll always be with him. He tells Soulburner to face forwards and Soulburner gasps in surprise, but then steels himself, and a pleased Flame tells him that's good before vanishing into the sky (in the dub he adds that he finds it offensive Soulburner would want to forget him, as he is his past and he should let it support him, not haunt him, and Flame will support him forever. Soulburner being happy is what his parents and Flame would want, and Flame can never be gone if he lives on in Soulburner's heart). The rain stops as Soulburner smiles, agreeing that everything that's happened so far is part of him as Playmaker watches and Varis smiles. Soulburner declares this is what he's lived through and slaps his cheeks, then he declares his turn and draws with a flaming fist.
As he stares at his card, Varis activates the effect of the banished "Zeroboros", Special Summoning it. Soulburner gasps "What?!" as Varis reminds him that "Zeroboros" gains 200 ATK for each banished card and there are eleven, so it will have 5200 ATK. "Zeroboros" tears through dimensions to return to the field and as Soulburner grits his teeth Playmaker notes both the ATK and location of "Zeroboros"; Varis has Summoned it so both its diagonal top Link Arrows are pointing at the Extra Monster Zones so its banishing effect will activate if Soulburner Summons a monster to those zones. Ai laughs that Varis isn't showing Soulburner any mercy and Varis asks what Soulburner will do (in the dub Ai comments this was fun while it lasted and Varis comments that after all this Soulburner will be defeated).
But Soulburner laughs that after everything Varis's "Zeroboros" has given him a chance, and as Varis gasps "What?!" Soulburner activates the Spell Card "Burning Draw". Varis repeats the card's name and Soulburner explains that since he controls no cards he can draw cards equal to the Link Rating of "Zeroboros". Varis gasps as Soulburner draws four cards in a flash of blue flames and Soulburner tells Varis that he's coming as he activates the Spell Card "Link Fire's Return" to Special Summon a "Salamangreat" monster from his Graveyard and inflict damage to Varis equal to its Link Rating times 200. He resurrects "Salamangreat Heatleo" and Varis curses that it's in the Main Monster Zone (his reaction is cut from the dub). "Heatleo" slashes through the air, knocking Varis back and shattering his visor over his right eye, reducing him to 200 LP, and Kolter celebrates Theodore reducing Varis to 200 LP. Soulburner next activates the effect of the "Salamangreat Salamandra" in his hand, Special Summoning a "Salamangreat" monster from his hand whose Level is equal or lower then the total Link Rating of all monsters on the field, and since "Zeroboros" and "Heatleo" have a combined Link Rating of 7, he Special Summons the Level 6 "Salamangreat Salamandra" itself. Chanting "Appear! The circuit that changes the future!" he declares the Summoning conditions are at least two FIRE Effect Monsters and sets "Heatleo" and "Salamandra" to Link Summon the Link-4 "Salamangreat Pyro Phoenix". Playmaker notes the current situation (in the dub he is silent) and Varis comments that Soulburner Link Summoned "Pyro Phoenix" knowing it would be banished (in the dub he comments it was a big mistake), so he activates the effect of "Karmacept Dragon" from his hand as Soulburner Link Summoned, equipping it to the Summoned monster. Soulburner is shocked that Varis would equip it to his monster, but Varis reveals that Soulburner will take damage equal to the equipped monster's if the monster equipped with "Karmacept Dragon" is destroyed or banished. Soulburner gasps "What?!" and Varis declares that the effect of "Zeroboros" will end him even with his counterstrategy.
Soulburner activates the Quick-Play Spell "Salamangreat Transcendence", allowing him to use a "Salamangreat" for a Reincarnation Link Summon. He chants "Phoenix! Throw yourself in the surging flames to awaken your immortal power! Super Reincarnation Link Summon! Be reborn, Link-4! Salamangreat Pyro Phoenix!" As "Pyro Phoenix" appears with blue flames Varis snaps that it's pointless since the effect of "Zeroboros" will banish "Pyro Phoenix" even if it was reincarnated (in the dub he immediately notes what Soulburner did) and both "Zeroboros" and "Pyro Phoenix" dissolve into blue particles. Varis admits that it was impressive for Soulburner to use a Reincarnation Link Summon to avoid the effect of "Karmacept" but then reveals that "Karmacept" has another effect; when it's sent to the Graveyard, Varis can choose a Link Monster in Soulburner's Graveyard and Special Summon a banished Dragon Link Monster with an equal or lower Link Rating. He chooses the Link-4 "Pyro Phoenix", allowing him to resurrect "Borreload Dragon". Ai comments on the notion of "Borreload" resurrecting now (in the dub he comments that Varis is countering everything Soulburner does) and Soulburner grits his teeth and refuses to give up, vowing that he'll face forward.
He activates the effect of "Salamangreat Salamandra" from his Graveyard as a "Salamangreat" Link Monster left the field, banishing it to Special Summon a monster with a lower Link Rating. He tells "Heatleo" to resurrect and as it appears beside him Soulburner adds that the effect of "Salamangreat Salamandra" also negates the effects of all monsters on the field. Then he activates the Field Spell "Salamangreat Sanctuary", chanting "Surging flame, awaken Heatleo's true strength with the power of purification! Reincarnation Link Summon! Be reborn! Link-3! Salamangreat Heatleo!" He activates the "Flame Possession" effect of the Reincarnation Link Summoned "Heatleo", making its ATK the same as the "Salamangreat Balelynx" in his Graveyard - 500, and "Heatleo" blasts its fiery specter at "Borreload", reducing it to 500 ATK. Varis gasps and clenches his teeth as Soulburner declares his Battle Phase, ordering "Heatleo" to attack "Borreload" with "Blazing Blast". Varis smiles and congratulates Soulburner (in the dub he also comments that maybe he'll be able to move on from his past now), much to Soulburner's shock, and he recalls Flame theorizing that Varis wanted to apologize to Soulburner when they first Dueled. "Borreload Dragon" and "Salamangreat Heatleo" clash fists and cracking Varis's damaged visor, and then "Heatleo" uppercuts "Borreload", destroying it as it falls to the ground. Varis's mask shatters, and he continues to smile as his LP fall to zero.
Featured Duel: Soulburner vs Varis[edit]
Duel continues from the previous episode.
Varis has 800 LP and controls "Boot Sector Launch" in his Field Zone. Soulburner has 3000 LP and controls "Salamangreat Violet Chimera (2300/1500) in Attack Position in the Extra Monster Zone, as well as "Salamangreat Sanctuary" in his Field Zone, and "Salamangreat Kernel" (equipped to "Violet Chimera") and 1 Set card in his Spell & Trap Zones.
Turn 4: Varis
As Varis's LP are lower than his opponent's and only his opponent controls a monster Special Summoned from the Extra Deck, he activates the Spell "Final Offguard", drawing two cards. As his opponent controls more monsters than he does, Varis activates the third effect of the Field Spell "Boot Sector Launch", Special Summoning "Rokket" monsters with different names from his GY in Defense Position up to the difference. Varis controls no monsters and Soulburner controls "Salamangreat Violet Chimera", so Varis Special Summons "Anesthrokket Dragon" (0/2200) in Defense Position. Due to the first effect of "Boot Sector Launch", all "Rokket" monsters on the field gain 300 ATK/DEF ("Anesthrokket": 0/2200 → 300/2500 ATK/DEF). Varis activates the Equip Spell "Borrel Regenerator", targeting one "Rokket" monster in his GY, Special Summoning it and equipping it with "Borrel Regenerator", but it is banished when "Borrel Regenerator" leaves the field. He Special Summons "Silverrokket Dragon" (1900/100 → 2200/400 ATK/DEF) in Attack Position and equips it with "Borrel Regenerator". Varis activates the Quick-Play Spell "Squib Draw", targeting one "Rokket" monster he controls and destroying it, and if he does he draws two cards. He targets and destroys "Silverrokket", and draws two cards. As "Borrel Regenerator" was sent to the GY because the equipped monster was destroyed, Varis activates its second effect, drawing a card. As he controls a "Rokket" monster, Varis Special Summons "Absorouter Dragon" (1200/2800) from his hand in Defense Position via its own effect. Varis sets "Anesthrokket" and "Absorouter" (2 Dragon monsters, including a "Rokket" monster) in the Link Arrows to Link Summon the Link-2 "Quadborrel Dragon" (1000/←↓) to the Extra Monster Zone on his right-hand side. As "Absorouter Dragon" was sent to his GY, Varis activates its second effect, adding a "Rokket" monster from his Deck to his hand. He adds one unknown monster.
Varis activates the Spell "Borrel Half Replace", targeting one "Borrel" Link Monster in his GY and Special Summoning one "Borrel" Link Monster from his Extra Deck with the same Link Rating as that target, but a different name, and if he does its ATK becomes halved, its effects are negated, also it is destroyed during the End Phase. He targets the Link-4 "Borreload Dragon in his GY and Special Summons the Link-4 "Borrelsword Dragon" (3000 → 1500 ATK/↑←↙↓) from his Extra Deck to the Main Monster Zone the bottom-center Link Arrow of "Quadborrel" points to. Varis activates the second effect of "Borrel Half Replace" in his GY, banishing it and two "Rokket" monsters from his GY to Special Summon one Link-2 DARK Link Monster from his Extra Deck to his zone a "Borrel" Link Monster points to, and this is treated as a Link Summon. He banishes "Borrel Half Replace", "Silverrokket", and "Anesthrokket" from his GY, and Special Summons the Link-2 DARK "Booster Dragon" (1900/↙↘) from his Extra Deck to the Main Monster Zone the middle-left Link Arrow of "Borrelsword" points to. Varis activates the effect of "Quadborrel", discarding a card, then targeting 1 face-up monster on the field and destroying it, but he cannot Special Summon Link-2 or lower monsters from his Extra Deck for the rest of the turn. He discards a card, then targets and destroys "Borrelsword".[Notes 1] Due to the effect of "Quadborrel", if the destroyed monster was a Link Monster, Varis can Special Summon any number of "Rokket" monsters with different names, from his hand or GY, up to its Link Rating. "Borrelsword" was Link-4, therefore Varis can Special Summon up to four "Rokkets". He Special Summons "Magnarokket Dragon" (1800/1200 → 2100/1500 ATK/DEF) and "Rokket Recharger" (0/2100 → 300/2400 ATK/DEF) from his GY, both in Defense Position.
Varis activates the first effect of "Booster Dragon", targeting one other face-up monster on the field and increasing its ATK/DEF by 500, also his opponent cannot activate cards or effects in response to this effect's activation. He targets "Magnarokket", and then chains the first effect of "Magnarokket" as a Link Monster's effect was activated that targeted it, destroying "Magnarokket", then sending one monster on the field to the GY. He destroys "Magnarokket" and chooses to send "Violet Chimera" to the GY, but due to the first effect of the "Salamangreat Kernel" that is equipped to "Violet Chimera", it is unaffected by Soulburner's opponent's activated monster effects, except Link Monsters'. Varis activates the Spell "Link Burst", targeting one Link Monster he controls and one monster his opponent controls, destroying them, then drawing a card. He targets "Booster Dragon" and "Violet Chimera". As the monster equipped with "Salamangreat Kernel" would be destroyed by battle or card effect, Soulburner can return one Link-2 or higher "Salamangreat" Link Monster from his GY to the Extra Deck instead, and if he does the equipped monster cannot be destroyed by battle or card effects this turn. He returns the Link-2 "Salamangreat Sunlight Wolf" from his GY to his Extra Deck. "Booster Dragon" is destroyed, then Varis draws a card. As a DARK monster(s) he controls that was Special Summoned from the Extra Deck was destroyed by battle or card effect, Varis activates the first effect of "Rokket Recharger", then he chains the second effect of "Booster Dragon" in his GY as it was Link Summoned and was destroyed by battle or card effect and sent to the GY. The chain resolves: due to the second effect of "Booster Dragon", Varis can target one other Dragon monster in his GY, and Special Summon it. He targets and Special Summons "Borreload Dragon" (3000/←↙↘→). The first effect of "Rokket Recharger" then resolves: Varis can send "Rokket Recharger" from his hand or field to the GY, then target one of the destroyed monsters, and if he does, Special Summon one DARK monster from his GY with a different original name from that targeted monster. He targets "Booster Dragon" in his GY and Special Summons his first copy of "Quadborrel" from his GY.
Varis Normal Summons "Rokket Synchron" (0/0 → 300/300 ATK/DEF). As "Rokket Synchron" was Normal Summoned, Varis activates its effect, targeting one Level 5 or higher DARK Dragon monster in his GY and Special Summoning it in Defense Position, but its effects are negated, also it is destroyed during the End Phase. He targets and Special Summons the Level 7 "Absorouter". Varis tunes his Level 1 Tuner "Rokket Synchron" with his Level 7 "Absorouter Dragon" to Synchro Summon the Level 8 "Borreload Savage Dragon" (3000/2500) in Attack Position. As "Borreload Savage Dragon" was Synchro Summoned, Varis activates its first effect, equipping one Link Monster from his GY to it and placing Borrel Counters on "Savage Dragon" equal to that Link Monster's Link Rating, then "Borreload Savage Dragon" gains ATK equal to half the original ATK of the monster equipped to it by its effect. He equips the 3000 ATK Link-4 "Borrelsword" from his GY to "Borreload Savage Dragon" ("Savage Dragon": 3000 → 4500 ATK, 0 → 4 Borrel Counters). Varis sets his two copies of the Link-2 "Quadborrel" (2+ Effect Monsters) in the Link Arrows to Link Summon the Link-4 "Topologic Zeroboros" (3000/↙↖↗↘). Due to its first effect, "Zeroboros" gains 200 ATK for each banished card. There are currently four: "Noctovision Dragon", "Half Replace", "Silverrokket", and "Anesthrokket" ("Zeroboros": 3000 → 3800 ATK).
"Borreload Dragon" attacks "Violet Chimera". Varis activates the second effect of "Borreload", targetingone face-up monster on the field and reducing its ATK/DEF by 500, also his opponent cannot activate cards or effects in response to this effect's activation. He targets "Violet Chimera" ("Violet Chimera": 2300/1500 → 1800/1000 ATK/DEF). Soulburner activates his Set Trap "Salamangreat Geyser", targeting one face-up monster his opponent controls andone "Salamangreat" Link Monster in his GY, returning that monster in the GY to the Extra Deck, and if he does, reducing that opponent's monster's ATK equal to the returned monster's Link Rating x1000 until the end of the turn, then drawing cards equal to the number of Link Monsters his opponent controls. As his opponent activated a card or effect, Varis chains the third effect of "Savage Dragon", removing one Borrel Counter from "Savage Dragon" to negate the activation. He removes one Borrel Counter ("Borreload Savage": 4 → 3 Borrel Counters) and negates "Geyser", which resolves without effect. The attack continues (Soulburner: 3000 → 1800 LP) but "Violet Chimera" isn't destroyed due to the fourth effect of "Salamangreat Kernel". "Borreload Savage Dragon" attacks "Violet Chimera". As "Violet Chimera" is battling a monster whose ATK is different from its original ATK, Soulburner activates its second effect, doubling the ATK of "Violet Chimera" during damage calculation only ("Violet Chimera": 1800 → 3600 ATK). The attack continues (Soulburner: 1800 → 900 LP, "Violet Chimera": 3600 → 1800 ATK), but "Violet Chimera" isn't destroyed due to the fourth effect of "Salamangreat Kernel". "Zeroboros" attacks "Violet Chimera". Soulburner activates the second effect of "Violet Chimera", doubling its ATK during damage calculation only ("Violet Chimera": 1800 → 3600 ATK). The attack continues (Soulburner: 900 → 700 LP, "Violet Chimera": 3600 → 1800 ATK), but "Violet Chimera" isn't destroyed due to the fourth effect of "Salamangreat Kernel".
During the End Phase, Varis activates the second effect of "Magnarokket" in his GY as it is in the GY because it was destroyed on the field by battle or card effect and sent there this turn, Special Summoning one "Rokket" monster from his Deck, except "Magnarokket Dragon". He Special Summons "Autorokket Dragon" (1600/1000 → 1900/1300 ATK/DEF) from his Deck in Defense Position to a Main Monster Zone that a Link Monster(s) he controls points to. As another monster was Special Summoned to a zone a Link Monster points to, the second effect of "Zeroboros" activates, banishing all cards on the field. "Borreload Dragon", "Savage Dragon", "Borrelsword", "Zeroboros", "Autorokket", "Boot Sector Launch", "Salamangreat Sanctuary" and "Violet Chimera" are banished, however "Salamangreat Kernel" is not banished, as its second effect prevents it from being destroyed or banished by card effects while equipped. However, as the monster it was equipped to left the field, "Salamangreat Kernel" is destroyed.
Turn 5: Soulburner
During the Standby Phase, Varis activates the third effect of his banished "Zeroboros", Special Summoning it as it was banished during the previous turn. He Special Summons it to his middle Main Monster Zone, so that its top-left and top-right Link Arrows point to the two Extra Monster Zones. Due to its first effect, "Zeroboros" gains 200 ATK for each banished card. There are currently eleven: "Borreload", "Savage Dragon", "Autorokket", "Borrelsword", "Boot Sector Launch", "Noctovision", "Half Replace", "Anesthrokket", "Silverrokket", "Violet Chimera", and "Sanctuary" ("Zeroboros": 3000 → 5200 ATK).
As he controls no cards, Soulburner activates the Spell "Burning Draw", targeting one Link Monster his opponent controls and drawing cards equal to its Link Rating. He targets the Link-4 "Zeroboros" and draws four cards. Soulburner activates the Spell "Link Fire's Return", targeting one "Salamangreat" Link Monster in his GY and Special Summoning it, but it cannot attack or activate its effects for the rest of this turn, then he inflicts damage to his opponent equal to its Link Rating x200. He targets and Special Summons the Link-3 "Salamangreat Heatleo" (2300/↙↑↘) (Varis: 800 → 200 LP). Soulburner activates the first effect of "Salamangreat Salamandra" in his hand, revealing it in his hand, then Special Summoning one "Salamangreat" monster from his hand whose Level is equal to or less than the total Link Rating of the Link Monsters on the field. The total Link Rating of all Link Monsters on the field is 7, so Soulburner Special Summons the Level 6 "Salamandra" (2200/800) from his hand in Defense Position. Soulburner sets "Salamandra" and the Link-3 "Heatleo" (2+ FIRE Effect Monsters) in the Link Arrows to Link Summon "Salamangreat Pyro Phoenix" (2800/↑→↓←) to one of the Extra Monster Zones that "Zeroboros" points to. As another monster was Special Summoned to a zone a Link Monster points to, the second effect of "Zeroboros" activates, which would banish all cards on the field, then as a Link Monster(s) was Special Summoned to Varis's opponent's field, he chains the first effect of "Karmacept Dragon" in his hand, targeting one of those monsters and equipping "Karmacept" from his hand or field to that target. Due to the second effect of "Karmacept", if the monster equipped with "Karmacept" by its own effect is banished, Varis can inflict damage to his opponent equal to the ATK of the monster "Karmacept" was equipped to. He targets "Pyro Phoenix", but Soulburner chains the Quick-Play Spell "Salamangreat Transcendence", targeting one "Salamangreat" Link Monster he control and Link Summoning a "Salamangreat" Link Monster with the same name from his Extra Deck using that target as the entire material. The chain resolves: Soulburner targets "Pyro Phoenix" and Super Reincarnation Link Summons a second copy of "Pyro Phoenix". The first effect of "Karmacept" resolves, but as its target is no longer on the field, it resolves without effect and is sent to Varis' GY. The second effect of "Zeroboros" resolves, banishing all cards on the field. "Zeroboros", "Pyro Phoenix", and "Transcendence" are all banished.
As "Karmacept" was sent to the GY, Varis activates its third effect, targeting one Link Monster in his opponent's GY, then Special Summoning one of his banished Dragon Link Monsters with an equal or lower Link Rating than the targeted monster. He targets the Link-4 "Pyro Phoenix" in Soulburner's GY, and Special Summons his banished Link-4 "Borreload Dragon". As "Salamandra" is in his GY and a Link Summoned "Salamangreat" Link Monster left the field because of an opponent's card effect this turn, Soulburner activates its second effect, banishing it from his GY to Special Summon one "Salamangreat" Link Monster from his GY with a lower Link Rating than the Link Monster that left the field, then negating the effects of all face-up monsters currently on the field until the end of this turn, but the monster Special Summoned by this effect is destroyed during the End Phase. The Link-4 "Pyro Phoenix" left the field, so Soulburner banishes "Salamandra" from his GY and Special Summons the Link-3 "Heatleo" from his GY, then the effects of "Borreload" and "Heatleo" are negated. Soulburner activates the Field Spell "Salamangreat Sanctuary". Due to the first effect of "Salamangreat Sanctuary", if Soulburner Link Summons a "Salamangreat" Link Monster he can use one "Salamangreat" Link Monster he controls with the same name as the entire material. Therefore, Soulburner sets "Heatleo" in the Link Arrows to Reincarnation Link Summon another copy of "Heatleo" to the Extra Monster Zone. As "Heatleo" has been Reincarnation Link Summoned, Soulburner activates its second effect, targeting one face-up monster on the field and one monster in his GY, and making the ATK of the first target become equal to the second target's until the end of the turn. He targets "Borreload" on the field and "Salamangreat Balelynx in his GY ("Borreload": 3000 → 500 ATK). "Salamangreat Heatleo" attacks and destroys "Borreload Dragon" (Varis: 200 → 0 LP).
Featured cards[edit]
The following cards appeared in this episode. Cards in italics debuted here.
Theodore Hamilton/Soulburner
| ||
|---|---|---|
Notes[edit]
- ↑ Although not shown, the discarded card was "Magnarokket Dragon", based on the cards he previously sent to the GY and subsequently Summons.
