Changes

During the second season after rescuing [[Baira|Kyoko TakiClarissa Turner]], Varis changes his Avatar. While the overall form is largely identical to how it was previously, it does not mask his identity as much as it did previously; his visor peaks over his nose and his face beneath is unaltered, and his skin becomes sallow and his eyes become identical to his real ones. His hair turns silver, as in real life, and his highlights extend out from his mask and become orange, clustering at his temples. He retains the diamond pattern on his mask, but on a silver base diamond and becoming larger. His collar ornament becomes lime and fastened with red lines, and his coat and jumpsuit become white and black with lime accents. His gloves remain unchanged.

Ryoken was a friend of [[Kyoko TakiBaira|BairaClarissa]] and [[Faust|Aso]], and the latter considered Ryoken as his younger brother.<ref name="ep25">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|25|ref}}</ref>

As the [[Deleted]] victims were being infected, Varis was worried if the Hanoi program was activated, the Lost Incident records would be deleted, and he'd never uncover [[Yusaku Fujiki|Playmaker]]'s identity. He was contacted by his [[Kiyoshi Kogami|father]], who reported the Hanoi program would soon be finished. Varis was still sad, as he wished to settle things with Playmaker. He told he wouldn't move on until he defeats Playmaker, and his father permitted him the rematch, as long as it didn't take too much time. Later, Varis watched as the [[Knights of Hanoi]] forced people to Duel, preventing them from logging out. Varis was unamused, considering a thousand people that joined the Knights of Hanoi were mere grunts, who wanted self-promotion by opposing [[LINK VRAINS]]. He was visited by [[Faust]] and [[Kyoko Taki|Baira]], who informed him [[Dr. Genome]] was making his move, and gave him the [[Data Gale]].<ref name="ep22">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|22|ref}}</ref> After Baira released the virus-removal program and logged out, she appeared next to Varis, who punished her.<ref name="ep26">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|26|ref}}</ref> With all three of his subordinates - Genome, Baira, and Faust - defeated and resting inside pods, Varis left his headquarters in LINK VRAINS. In the real world, at [[Kyoko TakiClarissa Turner's apartment]], Ryoken removed a flashdrive from its hiding place and looked at the video recording on it - [[Yusaku Fujiki|Yusaku]] and [[Kal Kolter]] in Baira's room witnessing [[Skye Zaizen|Blue Angel]] defeating Baira. [[Ai]] appeared in the video and Ryoken smiled, as he learned that Playmaker was Yusaku.<ref name="ep28">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|28|ref}}</ref> Varis was at the pit, and proclaimed the time has come that he would risk the fate of the humanity on the Tower of Hanoi.<ref name="ep29">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|29|ref}}</ref>

Ryoken was at visited [[Stardust Road]], ordering food from the [[Café Nom]] food truck, his face still hidden. He told Kolter, who was still unaware of his true identity, that this would be the last time he would order from him. Kolter asked him if he was moving away; Ryoken replied that his reason was something like that before leaving. Varis returned to LINK VRAINS where he met up with [[Spectre]], lamenting the loss of Dr. Genome, Baira, and Faust. He explained he was too focused on Playmaker. Despite this, Varis told the three were the core for his plan. Spectre asked if Varis was fine with the fact that they still didn't know Playmaker's identity. Varis proclaimed the plan had to resolve, even if it cost him his life, promising to defeat anyone that stood in his path. Later, he met [[Emma Bessho|Ghost Gal]] at the reprocessing plant, and was surprised to find her there. Varis noted Ghost Gal was snooping again, who promised to leave. However, Varis raised the barrier, stating he can't let her leave this place. Ghost Gal used the rope to reach a different exit, but Varis barred her. Ghost Gal asked Varis what would he do with her after she would be captured, suspecting she would be in trouble. Varis offered her a Duel to shape his Deck out, allowing her to leave if she would win. Ghost Gal attempted to leave, but Varis pointed out logging out was disabled. Thus, being forced to fight, Ghost Gal initiated her first turn in the Speed Duel.<ref name="ep30">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|30|ref}}</ref>

Varis uses a '''"[[Rokket]]" Deck''', which also features other [[DARK]] [[Dragon]]s. His overall strategy centers on [[swarm]]ing the [[field]] with the [[card effect|effects]] of his Dragon monsters in order to assembles the necessary [[Tribute]]s or [[material]]s to Summon his ace monsters and overwhelm his opponents through sheer force with their high [[ATK]]; many of his most powerful monsters commonly have 3000 ATK. Varis is a flexible [[Duelist]] who can shift strategies between Duels, making him an unpredictable opponent; his most common strategies are to focus more on his DARK Dragon monsters during Speed Duels, and on his "Rokkets" during Master Duels. His Skill, "Storm Access", plays into this; when he has 1000 or less LP, Varis can acquire a [[Cyberse]] [[Link Monster]] from a [[Data Storm]] and add it to his Extra Deck; all of these monsters have been the "[[Topologic]]" series.

Initially, Varis uses the [[Knights of Hanoi]]'s signature monster, "[[Cracking Dragon (anime)|Cracking Dragon]]", to debilitate the opponent through its ability to repeatedly inflict [[effect damage]]. Even if this monster is defeated, Varis can use "[[Twin Triangle Dragon (anime)|Twin Triangle Dragon]]" to re-utilize it as material for his stronger Link Monsters like "[[Topologic Bomber Dragon (anime)|Topologic Bomber Dragon]]", whose destructive effects can allow him to defeat his opponents after having their [[LP]] depleted by "Cracking Dragon". When utilizing his ace monster "[[Borreload Dragon (anime)|Borreload Dragon]]", he switches his strategy to utilizing his "[[Rokket]]" monsters as literal cannon fodder for "Borreload", using their self-destruction effects in tandem with the effect of "Borreload" to permanently weaken a monster by 500 ATK and DEF in order to disrupt whatever strategy his opponent may have. He is capable of performing an [[Extra Link]]; his "[[Topologic Gumblar Dragon (anime)|Topologic Gumblar Dragon]]" focuses on locking down the opponent while in this state. During the second season, Varis includes [[Tuner monster|Tuner]], [[Synchro Monster|Synchro]], and [[Xyz Monster]]s in his Deck, and his strategies slightly change; while in the previous season he used several different powerful Link Monsters, he now largely focuses on his "Borreload Dragon" and its evolutions.

When utilizing his ace monster "[[Borreload Dragon (anime)|Borreload Dragon]]", he switches his strategy to utilizing his "[[Rokket]]" monsters as literal cannon fodder for "Borreload", using their self-destruction effect in tandem with the effect of "Borreload" to permanently weaken a monster by 500 ATK and DEF in order to disrupt whatever strategy his opponent may have. He also uses a number of cards to counter [[Link Monster]]sMonsters, such as "[[Mirror Force (later anime)|Mirror Force]]", as well as using "[[Fire Prison (anime)|Fire Prison]]" to counter [[Yusaku Fujiki|Playmaker]]'s [[Cyberse]] monsters. During In the second season, Varis he includes cards like "[[Tuner monsterMind Crush (anime)|TunerMind Crush]] " and "[[Synchro MonsterImperial Order (anime)|Imperial Order]]" to counter the [[Ignis]]'s [[Link Spell Card]]s in . A number of his Deck[[Trap Card]]s are old staple cards released during the ''[[Yu-Gi-Oh! (anime)|Yu-Gi-Oh!]]'' anime's run.

* [[Checksum Dragon (anime)|Checksum Dragon]]

* [[DMZ Dragon (anime)|DMZ Dragon]]

* [[Boot Sector Launch (anime)|Boot Sector Launch]](later played with [[Boot Sector Launch (later anime)|different effect]])

| [[Takeru Homura|Takeru Homura/Soulburner]] || [[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 084|84]] || No Resultresult|-| [[Bit]][[Boot]] || [[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 086|86]] || Win|-| [[Lightning]] || [[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 096|96]]-[[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 098|98]] || Lose|-| [[Ai]] || [[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 106|106]]-?? || TBD