Editing Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 044

{{Infobox episode
| image              = Vrains 044.png
| caption            = Having taken control of "[[Transcode Talker (anime)|Transcode Talker]]" with the effect of "[[Borreload Dragon (anime)|Borreload Dragon]]", [[Roken Kogami|Varis]] lays waste to [[Yusaku Fujiki|Playmaker's]] field.
| en_name            = Illusion of Hope
| ja_name            = {{Ruby|運|うん}}{{Ruby|命|めい}}の{{Ruby|囚|しゅう}}{{Ruby|人|じん}}
| romaji_name        = Unmei no Shūjin
| ja_trans_name      = Prisoner of Destiny
| series             = Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS
| number             = 44
| season             = 1
| ja_opening         = With The Wind
| ja_ending          = Writing Life
| en_theme           = Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS Main Theme
| screenwriter       = 
* [[Shin Yoshida]]
* [[Masaki Tachihara]]
| director           = [[Masahiro Takada]]
| storyboard_artist  = [[Masahiro Takada]]
| animation_director = 
* [[Yuko Ebara]]
* [[Akemi Yokota]]
| ja_air_date        = March 21, 2018
| en_air_date        = January 27, 2019
}}

"'''Illusion of Hope'''", known as "'''Prisoner of Destiny'''" in the Japanese version, is the forty-fourth episode of the ''[[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS]]'' anime. It first aired in Japan on March 21, 2018, and aired in Canada on January 27, 2019.

{{Episode summary|Having learned the truth hidden by the [[Ignis]] and the truth behind the [[Hanoi Project|Lost Incident]], [[Yusaku Fujiki|Playmaker]] tries to persuade [[Roken Kogami|Varis]] to stop the [[Tower of Hanoi]]. Unfortunately, his words fail to convince Varis. Having been driven into a corner, Playmaker entrusts all his hopes to his [[Transcode Talker (anime)|new ace monster]]!}}

==Summary==
[[File:Frog_through_the_rubble.png|thumb|left|250px|[[Frog (character)|Frog]] doesn't quite make it through the rubble unscathed.]]
[[Cal Kolter|Kolter]] rushes into [[Café Nom]], hitting a button to bring up [[Frog (character)|Frog]] and [[Pigeon]]'s feed, displaying the Duel between [[Yusaku Fujiki|Playmaker]] and [[Roken Kogami|Varis]], each controlling a [[Set]] card and Playmaker with "[[Restoration Point Guard (anime)|Restoration Point Guard]]" on his field. He notes that they've already started, and he wishes Yusaku luck. Outside the [[Tower of Hanoi]], Frog tells Pigeon to go, and Pigeon enthusiastically agrees, weaving in and out of the rubble in the still-forming sixth ring of the Tower. He yelps that it's taking all he has to avoid the rubble (in the dub, he claims that the ballet lessons his mother got him to take were worth it) and he manages to fly near the shaft to pass through it. He cries that they made it through safely, but Frog comments that he didn't. Pigeon looks down and squawks in horror; Frog is pierced with several shards of debris, and he grumpily comments that Pigeon avoided all of them, but they hit him. Pigeon tearfully apologizes.

<div style="float:right">[[File:Varis_summons_Topologic_Bomber_Dragon.png|thumb|250px|[[Roken Kogami|Varis]] Link Summons "[[Topologic Bomber Dragon (anime)|Topologic Bomber Dragon]]".]]</div>
At the Duel, Playmaker is still on 4000 [[LP]] and Varis is at 3000 LP. [[Ai]] reminds Playmaker that they have less than an hour before the Tower of Hanoi is completed. He tells Playmaker that they have to stop it, and Playmaker agrees. Varis grins as he declares his turn and draws, and the effect of "[[Link Coin]]" [[Special Summon]]s the monster that he sent to the [[Graveyard]] during his last turn. He orders "[[Vorticular Drumgon (anime)|Vorticular Drumgon]]" to resurrect, and activates its effect since it was Special Summoned, drawing one card. Then he Summons "[[Sniffer Dragon (anime)|Sniffer Dragon]]" and activates its effect since it was Summoned, adding another copy from his Deck to his hand. Playmaker notes that "Vorticular Drumgon" is [[Link 3 Monster Cards|Link-3]], and Ai notes that since Varis Summoned another monster... Playmaker finishes that a [[Link 4 Monster Cards|Link-4]] monster is coming, and Varis [[Summon chants in Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|chants]] "Appear! The future circuit that lights up my path!" as he draws back his hand, glowing with a pink light that disperses into squares-shaped particles and thrusts it forwards to conjure his Circuit from a blast of pink lightning. Authorizing the [[Link Arrows]], he declares that the Summoning conditions are at least two [[Effect Monster]]s, and he [[Link Material|sets]] "Sniffer Dragon" and the Link-3 "Vorticular Drumgon" in the Link Arrows, [[Link Summon]]ing the Link-4 "[[Topologic Bomber Dragon (anime)|Topologic Bomber Dragon]]". Ai cries there it is (in the dub, he calls it Varis's best monster), and Varis then activates the [[Equip Spell Card]] "[[Borrel Regenerator (anime)|Borrel Regenerator]]", Special Summoning a "[[Rokket]]" monster from his Graveyard and equipping it with "Borrel Regenerator". He Special Summons "[[Metalrokket Dragon (anime)|Metalrokket Dragon]]", and adds that the effect of his [[Field Spell Card]] "[[Boot Sector Launch (anime)|Boot Sector Launch]]" will increase the [[ATK]] and [[DEF]] of "Rokket" monsters by 300. "Metalrokket Dragon" rises to 1700 DEF, and Ai curses that he knew Varis would Summon "Metalrokket" in a zone that "Topologic Bomber Dragon" pointed to, warning Playmaker that it's coming (in the dub, he misses this, instead focusing on the ATK gain of "Metalrokket"). Sure enough, the effect of "Topologic Bomber Dragon" activates since a monster was Special Summoned to a zone that a [[Link Monster]] points to, destroying all monsters in the [[Main Monster Zone]]s. "Topologic Bomber Dragon" ignites its energy wings as Varis declares "[[Attack and effect names in Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|Decimation Destruction]]", blasting out energy rays that strike both "Metalrokket Dragon" and "Restoration Point Guard", causing them to vanish behind clouds of smoke.

[[File:Varis_retrieves_Mirror_Force.png|thumb|left|250px|Varis retrieves "[[Mirror Force (later anime)|Mirror Force]]".]]
Varis declares that now Playmaker has no monsters to protect him, but Playmaker asks him if he's sure about that, much to Varis's surprise. The smoke clears to reveal "Restoration Point Guard" unharmed, and Playmaker explains that it can't be destroyed during a turn when another Link Monster is Link Summoned. Varis muses that he sees, but he decides that it's fine, and he declares the effect of "Borrel Regenerator", allowing him to draw a card since it was sent to the Graveyard because the equipped monster was destroyed. Then he declares, battle, ordering "Topologic Bomber" to attack "Restoration Point Guard" with "Malicious Mayhem", and "Topologic Bomber Dragon" blasts the magenta beam from its eye. Ai asks Playmaker what he'll do; "Restoration Point Guard" won't be destroyed, but it only has 1000 ATK, so they'll take 2000 damage from the attack. Playmaker replies that he knows, and he activates the effect of "[[Rescue Interlacer (anime)|Rescue Interlacer]]" from his hand, [[discard]]ing it since an [[Attack Position]] [[Cyberse]] monster is being attacked to reduce the battle damage to zero. An image of the card appears in front of "Restoration Point Guard" that blocks the magenta beam, and Varis comments in amusement that Playmaker also stopped this attack, but he'll still take the effect of "Topologic Bomber Dragon"; he'll take damage equal to the ATK of the monster that "Topologic Bomber Dragon" battled. "Topologic Bomber" glows red and then unleashes its "Aiming Blast", the cross-shaped blast of red lightning slamming into Playmaker and reducing him to 3000 LP. Ai groans that Varis keeps shaving away their LP, but at least Playmaker managed to keep the damage down. Playmaker reminds Ai that Varis still has a Set card, and Varis agrees in amusement (in the dub, Ai admits that even though Playmaker lost 1000 LP, it's less than 2000, and it could have been a whole lot worse, though he doesn't want to jinx it. Playmaker sarcastically praises him, pointing out that he just jinxed it, and Varis comments in amusement that he didn't think Playmaker was superstitious), then he activates the [[Continuous Trap Card]], "[[Mirror Force Launcher (anime)|Mirror Force Launcher]]", discarding a card to add "[[Mirror Force (later anime)|Mirror Force]]" from his Graveyard to his hand. As Varis holds up the [[Trap Card]] with a smirk, Ai freaks out over "Mirror Force" coming back, yelping that this is really bad (in the dub, he tries to reverse the curses and "jinx" them by saying that he hopes "Mirror Force" ''does'' beat them, then tells Playmaker that he's done his part, now Playmaker has to do his). Varis Sets two cards, then he activates the effect of "Metalrokket Dragon" since it was destroyed, Special Summoning a different "Rokket" monster from his Deck. He Special Summons "[[Magnarokket Dragon (anime)|Magnarokket Dragon]]", whose DEF increases from 1200 to 1500 due to "Boot Sector Launch", and then he ends his turn. Playmaker cuts in with the effect of "Rescue Interlacer", Special Summoning it from the Graveyard at the end of the turn since it used its effect, and he orders it to resurrect.

In Café Nom, Kolter tells Yusaku that he made comebacks in Duels that everyone thought he'd lose, and he urges him to defeat Varis (in the dub, he comments that it's a good start, but it's only a start, and he's not sure if it's good enough with "Mirror Force" back in play). Up above the Duel, Pigeon observes that Varis is doubly ready with "Topologic Bomber Dragon" and "Mirror Force", and as Frog plucks the last shard of debris from the rings out of his chest in a fizz of magenta data, he comments that the next turn will be tough, but encourages Playmaker to do his best. Ai asks Playmaker what he's even going to do, since one of Varis's Set cards is definitely "Mirror Force". Playmaker agrees; Varis's field is truly powerful, but there is a way to break it. (In the dub, Ai states that he doesn't believe Playmaker can beat "Mirror Force", and Playmaker sarcastically thanks him, then points out that he's more wrong than right. Ai accuses him of Link Summoning to spite him).

[[File:Transcode_resurrects_Excode.png|thumb|250px|The effect of "[[Transcode Talker (anime)|Transcode Talker]]" resurrects "[[Excode Talker (anime)|Excode Talker]]".]]
He declares his turn and draws, then he immediately chants "Appear! The circuit that leads to the future!" As the Circuit appears above them, Ai protests that Link Summoning is a bad matchup against "Mirror Force". Playmaker ignores him, authorizing the Link Arrows and setting "Rescue Interlacer" and the Link-2 "Restoration Point Guard" in the Link Arrows to link the Circuit, Link Summoning the Link-3 "[[Transcode Talker (anime)|Transcode Talker]]". He activates its effect, Special Summoning a "[[Code Talker (archetype)|Code Talker]]" monster from his Graveyard to a zone that it points to, resurrecting "Excode Talker". Ai protests that Playmaker is reviving a monster to a zone "Transcode Talker" points to while Varis has "Topologic Bomber Dragon" out, but then he realizes what monster Playmaker revived. Playmaker explains to Varis that monsters that "Excode Talker" points to gain 500 ATK and can't be destroyed by Varis' card effects. "Transcode Talker" increases to 2800 ATK, but Ai protests that "Excode Talker" will be destroyed. Varis agrees, activating the "Decimation Destruction" effect of "Topologic Bomber", and "Topologic Bomber Dragon" blasts out its energy wings.

[[File:Playmaker_negates_Topologic_Bomber.png|thumb|left|250px|[[Playmaker]] negates the special abilities of "Topologic Bomber Dragon".]]
Playmaker activates a Trap Card, "[[Shield Handler (anime)|Shield Handler]]", since an effect that would destroy a monster was activated, negating the effects of a Link Monster on the field. "Topologic Bomber's" energy wings fade as it becomes cloaked in a ghostly light, and Varis is surprised, but then smiles, musing on the fact that a card has sealed the effects of "Topologic Bomber" (in the dub, he comments that Playmaker is full of surprises). Playmaker replies that it's not all; after "Shield Handler" activates it becomes an Equip Card that prevents the equipped monster from being destroyed by card effects, and he equips it to "Excode Talker". Then he adds that the effect of "Transcode Talker" also increases the ATK of "Transcode" and "Excode", who increase to 3300 and 2800 ATK respectively. Ai celebrates that "Transcode" and "Excode" can't be destroyed, and that "Transcode" now has more ATK than "Topologic Bomber Dragon". Varis admits that Playmaker's move was impressive, and that he greatly sealed his offense. Ai punches the air, claiming that Varis won't be talking so big anymore (in the dub, Ai comments that Varis is doing the crying emoji, and Varis asks in amusement if he even looks worried, suggesting that Ai update his facial recognition software. Ai states that he's happy to upgrade Varis's face as he punches the air), and he begins to order the attack of "Transcode Talker", but Playmaker tells him that he's not attacking yet. Ai is caught off guard, but he asks if Playmaker will be doing something else. 

[[File:Playmaker_Summons_three_Code_Talkers.png|thumb|250px|Playmaker Summons three "[[Code Talker]]s".]]
Playmaker states that he'll end this now, and he returns "[[ROM Cloudia (anime)|ROM Cloudia]]" from his Graveyard to his hand to Special Summon "[[SIMM Tablir (anime)|SIMM Tablir]]", explaining that he can Special Summon it to a zone a Link Monster points to. Then he Normal Summons "ROM Cloudia", reminding Varis that when it's Summoned, he can add a Cyberse monster from his Graveyard to his hand. He chooses "[[Latency (anime)|Latency]]", and "ROM Cloudia" glows purple and bleats as it activates its effect. Playmaker adds that he can Special Summon "Latency" once per turn when it's added to his hand from his Graveyard, and "Latency" appears on the field. Playmaker chants "Appear! The circuit that leads to the future!" again, declaring that the Summoning conditions are three monsters, and he sets "SIMM Tablir", "ROM Cloudia" and "Latency" in the Link Arrows to link the Circuit, Link Summoning the Link-3 "[[Powercode Talker (anime)|Powercode Talker]]". Then he activates the effect of "Latency" since it was Special Summoned via its own effect and used to Link Summon, drawing a card. "Excode Talker's" effect then increases the ATK of "Powercode Talker" to 2800 and prevents it from being destroyed by card effects. Ai celebrates that they have three Link Monsters out, all of whom cannot be destroyed by effects, so they have nothing to fear. Varis has only two monsters and 3000 LP, so if all their attacks get through they win. Playmaker declares battle, and Pigeon gasps that Playmaker completely turned the Duel around. Frog cheers that he knew that Playmaker would, and he begs Playmaker to protect their network world as Kolter watches (in the dub, Kolter thinks that this is Yusaku's chance). First, "Powercode Talker" attacks "Magnarokket Dragon", launching its massive wrist grapple and dragging "Magnarokket" towards it, destroying it with "Power Smash". Ai cheers that their first attack went through, and he tells Playmaker to keep pressing, Playmaker then orders "Transcode Talker" to attack "Topologic Bomber Dragon", and "Transcode Talker" ejects one of the hand cannons mounted on the back of its thighs and takes aim at "Topologic Bomber".

[[File:Varis_activates_Link_Turret.png|thumb|left|250px|Varis activates "[[Link Turret (anime)|Link Turret]]".]]
Varis wonders if his attack will succeed. He activates the Continuous Trap, "[[Link Turret (anime)|Link Turret]]", causing a massive purple crystal dome to descend from the clouds above them. Ai asks what it is (in the dub he gasps that it's almost as big as Varis's ego), and Varis declares that he expected Playmaker to come up with a strategy against "Topologic". He sends two "Rokket" monsters from his Deck to the Graveyard, then he places a [[Rokket Counter]] on "Link Turret" for every Link-3 or higher monster on the field. In addition, his Link Monsters can't be destroyed by battle this turn, and Ai curses that it's a card that prevents destruction. Playmaker states that Varis still takes battle damage, and he declares the "Trans Fault" attack of "Transcode Talker", who blasts a bolt of orange light at "Topologic Bomber Dragon". A shield of green light appears around "Topologic Bomber Dragon" and blocks the energy bolt, and Varis falls to 2700 LP. He states that there are currently four Link-3 or higher monsters on the field, so "Link Turret" gains four Rokket Counters. Four elongated pyramids materialize on the ring at the base of "Link Turret", and Ai comments that something weird is going on. Varis adds that in addition, since he took battle damage, he can place another Rokket Counter on "Link Turret". Another pyramid appears, and Playmaker glares at the Trap before Setting a card and ending his turn. Varis then activates the effect of the destroyed "Magnarokket", Special Summoning a different "Rokket" monster from his Deck. He Special Summons "Autorokket Dragon", which increases to 1900 ATK due to the effect of "Boot Sector Launch". Ai turns to Playmaker, commenting that five [[Counter]]s seem really dangerous, and he wonders if Playmaker got carried away and attacked too much. Playmaker admits that he may have, and Ai worries about Varis Summoning "that" next (in the dub, Ai doesn't think they're doing too badly, but is worried about "Link Turret" literally hanging over their heads and wonders what it does. Playmaker admits her has no idea).

[[File:Varis_Link_Summons_Borreload_Dragon.png|thumb|250px|Varis Link Summons "[[Borreload Dragon (anime)|Borreload Dragon]]".]]
Varis smiles, commenting that they seem to know what's coming next, and he tells Playmaker that he's the one who fell for his strategy. He declares his turn and draws, then immediately activates the Quick-Play Spell Card "[[Squib Draw (anime)|Squib Draw]]" from his hand, destroying a "Rokket" monster he controls to draw two cards. Destroying "Autorokket Dragon", he draws and then activates the effect of the Field Spell Card "Boot Sector Launch", since Playmaker controls more monsters than him, Varis can Special Summon "Rokket" monsters from his Graveyard in Defense Position equal to the difference. Playmaker controls two more monsters, so Varis revives "Shelrokket" and "Metalrokket Dragon", whose DEF increase to 2300 and 1700 respectively due to the effect of "Boot Sector Launch". Varis chants "Appear! The future circuit that lights up my path!" and authorizes the Link Arrows, declaring that the Summoning conditions are two "Rokket" monsters, and he sets "Shelrokket" and "Metalrokket" in the Link Arows, Link Summoning the Link-2 "[[Miniborrel Dragon (anime)|Miniborrel Dragon]]". Then he Summons "[[Gateway Dragon (anime)|Gateway Dragon]]" and activates its effect, Special Summoning a Level 4 or lower [[DARK]] [[Dragon]] monster from his hand. He Special Summons "[[Sniffer Dragon (anime)|Sniffer Dragon]]", which emerges from "Gateway Dragon's" portal. Ai notes that this means that it's coming (in the dub, he hopes that Varis won't use it to Link Summon, and then he yelps that he's jinxed it again, and Varis confirms that he did), and Varis chants "Appear! The future circuit that lights up my path!" He declares that the Summoning conditions are at least three [[Effect Monster]]s, and he sets "Gateway", "Sniffer" and the Link-2 "Miniborrel" in the Link Arrows to link the circuit. He declares that this is the bullet that will decide their destiny (in the dub, he comments that this dragon's been thirsting to sink its fangs into Playmaker again for a long time), as he Link Summons the Link-4 "[[Borreload Dragon (anime)|Borreload Dragon]]".

[[File:Transcode_Talker_glitches.png|thumb|left|250px|"Transcode Talker" glitches as Varis takes control of it.]]
Ai gasps that Varis's incredible dragon appeared, but he crows that they have the higher ATK. Playmaker notes that for an A.I. he can't remember anything; he's forgotten the effect of "Borreload Dragon". Ai asks what it was again, and Varis crows that he'll tell them. He tells them to learn overwhelming despair and activates the effect of "Borreload Dragon", reducing the ATK and DEF of a monster by 500, an effect that cannot be responded to. "Borreload" blasts a red beam from its mouth, reducing "Powercode Talker" back to 2300 ATK, then Varis orders it to attack "Transcode Talker". "Borreload" opens its mouth and fires a blue bullet from its cannon, much to Ai's shock, as the 3000 ATK "Borreload" is attacking the 3300 ATK "Transcode". Varis activates the effect of "Borreload" since it attacked a monster, taking control of it in a zone that "Borreload" points to. He declares "Strange Trigger" and the bullet glows magenta and then slams into "Transcode Talker", melting into slag over it and causing it to begin to glitch as the effect takes hold before vanishing. Ai cries in horror that he remembers the effect now.

[[File:Transcode_and_Topologic_power_up.png|thumb|250px|"Transcode Talker" and "Topologic Bomber Dragon" power up.]]
"Transcode Talker" reappears on Varis's field in a burst of lightning, and Varis states that since it is on his field now, "Excode Talker" loses the 500 ATK that it gained, falling back to 2300 ATK. Then the effect of "Transcode Talker" re-activates since it is now co-linked with "Topologic Bomber Dragon", increasing their ATK by 500, to 2800 and 3500 respectively. Varis orders "Topologic Bomber Dragon" to attack "Excode Talker" with "Malicious Mayhem", and "Topologic Bomber" blasts its magenta beam at "Excode Talker", destroying it and reducing Playmaker to 1800 LP. Varis notes that since "Excode Talker" left the field, its effect ends and "Powercode Talker" loses another 500 ATK, falling to 1800. Next, "Transcode Talker" attacks "Powercode Talker", destroying it with one swift blast from its cannon, sending Playmaker skidding backwards with a cry as his LP falls to 800. He falls to one knee, and Kolter cries Yusaku's name. Pigeon cries Playmaker's name, and Frog admits that Varis is strong. As Playmaker gets to his feet, Ai can't believe that all of their monsters were destroyed. Varis calls Playmaker's name, telling him that there's no new path left for them; they are prisoners of destiny, chained by the past of a decade ago. Therefore, he will server everything now. (In the dub, he tells Playmaker that he's not just out of monsters, he's out of hope. Hope for saving LINK VRAINS, hope for revenge. But it should come as no surprise - his hope for victory was always an illusion).
{{-}}

==Featured Duel: Playmaker vs. Varis==
{{Duelprev|Featured Duel: Playmaker vs. Varis}}

Varis has 3000 [[LP]] and has "[[Boot Sector Launch (later anime)|Boot Sector Launch]]" in his [[Field Zone]] and 1 [[Set]] card ("[[Mirror Force Launcher (anime)|Mirror Force Launcher]]") in his [[Spell & Trap Zone]]. Playmaker has 4000 LP and controls "[[Restoration Point Guard (anime)|Restoration Point Guard]]" (1000/←↙) in his [[Main Monster Zone]], as well as 1 Set card in his Spell & Trap Zone.

'''<u>Turn 3: Varis</u>'''<br />
During the [[Standby Phase]], the [[Monster Card|monster]] [[send|sent]] to the [[GY]] to [[activate]] the [[effect]] of "[[Link Coin]]" is [[Special Summon]]ed. "[[Vorticular Drumgon (anime)|Vorticular Drumgon]]" is Special Summoned (1000/←↓→). As "Vorticular Drumgon" was Special Summoned, Varis activates its effect to [[draw a card]]. Varis [[Normal Summon]]s "[[Sniffer Dragon (anime)|Sniffer Dragon]]" (800/400). As "Sniffer Dragon" was Normal Summoned, Varis activates its effect to add another copy of "Sniffer Dragon" from his [[Main Deck|Deck]] to his [[hand]]. Varis sets "Sniffer Dragon" and the Link-3 "Vorticular Dragon" in the Link Arrows to [[Link Summon]] "[[Topologic Bomber Dragon (anime)|Topologic Bomber Dragon]]" (3000/↑↙↓↘) to the [[Extra Monster Zone]]. Varis activates the [[Equip Spell Card]] "[[Borrel Regenerator (anime)|Borrel Regenerator]]" to Special Summon a "[[rokket]]" monster from his GY in [[Defense Position]] and [[equip]] it with "Borrel Regenerator". He Special Summons "[[Metalrokket Dragon (anime)|Metalrokket Dragon]]" (1700/1400) to the zone the bottom-left [[Link Arrow]] of "Topologic Bomber Dragon" [[points to]]. The effect of "Boot Sector Launch" increases the [[ATK]] and [[DEF]] of "rokket" monsters by 300 (Metalrokket: 1700 → 2000/1400 → 1700). As a monster was Special Summoned to a zone a Link Monster points to, the effect of "Topologic Bomber Dragon" activates, [[destroy]]ing all monsters in the Main Monster Zones. "Metalrokket" is destroyed, but as another monster was Link Summoned this turn, "Restoration Point Guard" cannot be destroyed by battle or card effects this turn. As the monster equipped with "Borrel Regenerator" is destroyed, Varis activates its effect to draw a card.

"Topologic Bomber Dragon" attacks "Restoration Point Guard". As a [[Cyberse]] monster Playmaker controls is being attacked, Playmaker activates the effect of "[[Rescue Interlacer (anime)|Rescue Interlacer]]" in his hand, [[discard]]ing it to  reduce the [[battle damage]] he would take to 0. The attack continues, but "Restoration Point Guard" is not destroyed. As "Topologic Bomber Dragon" attacked Playmaker's monster, its effect activates, inflicting [[effect damage|damage]] to Playmaker equal to the ATK of the monster it attacked (Playmaker: 4000 → 3000 [[LP]]). Varis activates his [[face-down]] [[Continuous Trap Card]] "Mirror Force Launcher", and activates its effect, discarding a card from his hand to add a "[[Mirror Force (later anime)|Mirror Force]]" from his Deck or GY to his hand. He discards an unknown card and adds "Mirror Force" from his GY to his hand. Varis [[Set]]s two cards. During the [[End Phase]], as "Metalrokket" was destroyed and sent to the GY this turn, Varis activates its effect to Special Summon a "rokket" monster with a different name from his Deck. He Special Summons "[[Magnarokket Dragon (anime)|Magnarokket Dragon]]" (1800 → 2100/1200 → 1500). As the effect of "Rescue Interlacer" was activated this turn, Playmaker activates its effect to Special Summon it from the GY (1000/1200).

'''<u>Turn 4: Playmaker</u>'''<br />
Playmaker sets "Rescue Interlacer" and the Link-2 "Restoration Point Guard" in the Link Arrows to Link Summon "[[Transcode Talker (anime)|Transcode Talker]]" (2300/↑→↓) to the Extra Monster Zone. Playmaker activates the effect of "Transcode Talker" to Special Summon a "[[code Talker]]" monster from his GY to a zone "Transcode Talker" points to. He Special Summons "[[Excode Talker (anime)|Excode Talker]]" (2300/←↑→) to the zone the bottom-center Link Arrow of "Transcode Talker" points to. Monsters "Excode Talker" point to gain 500 ATK and cannot be destroyed by card effects ("Transcode Talker": 2300 → 2800 ATK). As a monster was Special Summoned to a zone a Link Monster points to, the effect of "Topologic Bomber Dragon" activates, destroying all monsters in the Main Monster Zones, but as Varis activated an effect that would destroy monsters on the field, Playmaker activates his face-down [[Trap Card]] "[[Shield Handler (anime)|Shield Handler]]" negating the effects of a Link Monster Varis controls, then equips itself to a monster Playmaker controls, preventing the equipped monster from being destroyed by card effects. He negates the effects of "Topologic Bomber Dragon" and equips "Shield Handler" to "Excode Talker". As "Transcode Talker" is co-linked, it and the monster co-linked to it gain 500 ATK ("Transcode Talker": 2800 → 3300 ATK; "Excode Talker": 2300 → 2800 ATK). Playmaker activates the effect of "[[SIMM Tablir (anime)|SIMM Tablir]]" in his hand, returning a Level 4 or lower Cyberse monster from his GY to his hand to Special Summon "SIMM Tablir" to a zone his [[linked]] Link Monster points to. He returns "[[ROM Cloudia (anime)|ROM Cloudia]]" to his hand and Special Summons "SIMM Tablir" (0/1000) in Attack Position to the zone the middle-right Link Arrow of "Excode Talker" points to. Playmaker Normal Summons "ROM Cloudia" (1800/0). As "ROM Cloudia" was Normal Summoned, Playmaker activates its effect to add a Cyberse monster from his GY to his hand. He adds "[[Latency (anime)|Latency]]" to his hand. As "Latency" was added from the GY to Playmaker's hand, he activates its effect to Special Summon it (0/0) to the zone the middle-left Link Arrow of "Excode Talker" points to. Playmaker sets "SIMM Tablir", "ROM Cloudia" and "Latency" in the Link Arrows to Link Summon "[[Powercode Talker (anime)|Powercode Talker]]" (2300 → 2800/←↙→) to the zone the middle-left Link Arrow of "Excode Talker" points to. As "Latency" was Special Summoned by its effect and subsequently sent to the GY as a Link Material for a Link Summon, Playmaker activates its effect to draw a card.

"Powercode Talker" attacks and destroys "Magnarokket". "Transcode Talker" attacks "Topologic Bomber Dragon", but Varis sends two "Rokket" monsters from his Deck to his GY<ref group=Notes name="discard">These cards were not shown, but based on the cards in Varis' GY prior and that were played afterwards they were "Shelrokket" and "[[Anesthrokket Dragon (anime)|Anesthrokket Dragon]]"</ref> to activate his face-down Continuous Trap Card "[[Link Turret (anime)|Link Turret]]", placing a "[[Rokket Counter]]" on "Link Turret" for every Link-3 or higher monster on the field, in this case four, and preventing Varis' monsters from being destroyed by battle this turn ("Link Turret": 0 → 4 Rokket Counters). The attack continues (Varis: 3000 → 2700 ATK). As Varis took battle damage, he activates the effect of "Link Turret" to place a Rokket Counter on it ("Link Turret": 4 → 5 Rokket Counters). Playmaker Sets a card. During the End Phase, as "Magnarokket" was destroyed and sent to the GY this turn, Varis activates its effect to Special Summon a "Rokket" monster with a different name from his Deck. He Special Summons "[[Autorokket Dragon (anime)|Autorokket Dragon]]" (1600 → 1900/1000 → 1300).

'''<u>Turn 5: Varis</u>'''<br />
Varis draws and subsequently activates the [[Quick-Play Spell Card]] "[[Squib Draw (anime)|Squib Draw]]", destroying a "Rokket" monster he controls to draw two cards. He destroys "Autorokket". As Playmaker controls more monsters than Varis, he activates the effect of "Boot Sector Launch" to Special Summon "rokket" monsters from his GY in Defense Position equal to the difference in monsters, in this case two. Varis Special Summons "[[Shelrokket Dragon (anime)|Shelrokket Dragon]]" (1100 → 1400/2000 → 2300) and "Metalrokket" (1700/1400 → 2000/1700). Varis sets "Shelrokket" and "Metalrokket" in the Link Arrows to Link Summon "[[Miniborrel Dragon (anime)|Miniborrel Dragon]]" (800/←→) to a zone a Link Arrow of "Topologic Bomber Dragon" points to. Varis Normal Summons "[[Gateway Dragon (anime)|Gateway Dragon]]" (1600/1400). Varis activates the effect of "Gateway Dragon" to Special Summon a Level 4 or lower [[DARK]] [[Dragon]] monster from his hand. He Special Summons "Sniffer Dragon" (800/400). Varis sets "Gateway Dragon", "Sniffer Dragon" and the Link-2 "Miniborrel Dragon" in the Link Arrows to Link Summon "[[Borreload Dragon (anime)|Borreload Dragon]]" (3000/←↙↘→) to the zone the bottom-left Link Arrow of "Topologic Bomber Dragon" points to. Varis activates the effect of "Borreload Dragon" to decrease the ATK and DEF of a monster on the field by 500. He targets "Powercode Talker" ("Powercode Talker": 2800 → 2300 ATK).

"Borreload Dragon" attacks "Transcode Talker". As "Borreload Dragon" is attacking Playmaker's monster, Varis activates its effect to place that monster in a zone "Borreload Dragon" points to and take control of it, but it is sent to the GY during the End Phase. He places "Transcode Talker" in the zone the middle-right Link Arrow of "Borreload Dragon" points to ("Excode Talker": 2800 → 2300 ATK). As "Transcode Talker" is co-linked, it and the monster co-linked to it gain 500 ATK ("Transcode Talker": 2300 → 2800 ATK; "Topologic Bomber Dragon": 3000 → 3500 ATK). "Topologic Bomber Dragon" attacks and destroys "Excode Talker" (Playmaker: 3000 → 1800 LP; "Powercode Talker": 2300 → 1800 ATK). "Transcode Talker" attacks and destroys "Powercode Talker" (Playmaker: 1800 → 800 LP).

{{Duelnext|Featured Duel: Playmaker vs. Varis}}

==Featured cards==
The following cards appeared in this episode. Cards in italics debuted here.

{{Decklist|Yusaku Fujiki/Playmaker
|effect monsters =
* [[Latency (anime)|Latency]]
* ''[[Rescue Interlacer (anime)|Rescue Interlacer]]''
* [[ROM Cloudia (anime)|ROM Cloudia]]
* ''[[SIMM Tablir (anime)|SIMM Tablir]]''
|link monsters =
* [[Excode Talker (anime)|Excode Talker]]
* [[Powercode Talker (anime)|Powercode Talker]]
* [[Restoration Point Guard (anime)|Restoration Point Guard]]
* [[Transcode Talker (anime)|Transcode Talker]]
|traps  =
* ''[[Shield Handler (anime)|Shield Handler]]''
}}

{{Decklist|Roken Kogami/Varis
|effect monsters =
* [[Autorokket Dragon (anime)|Autorokket Dragon]]
* [[Gateway Dragon (anime)|Gateway Dragon]]
* [[Magnarokket Dragon (anime)|Magnarokket Dragon]]
* [[Metalrokket Dragon (anime)|Metalrokket Dragon]]
* [[Shelrokket Dragon (anime)|Shelrokket Dragon]]
* [[Sniffer Dragon (anime)|Sniffer Dragon]] x2
|link monsters =
* [[Borreload Dragon (anime)|Borreload Dragon]]
* ''[[Miniborrel Dragon (anime)|Miniborrel Dragon]]''
* [[Topologic Bomber Dragon (anime)|Topologic Bomber Dragon]]
* [[Vorticular Drumgon (anime)|Vorticular Drumgon]]
|spells =
* [[Boot Sector Launch (later anime)|Boot Sector Launch]]
* ''[[Borrel Regenerator (anime)|Borrel Regenerator]]''
* [[Squib Draw (anime)|Squib Draw]]
|traps =
* ''[[Link Turret (anime)|Link Turret]]''
* [[Mirror Force (later anime)|Mirror Force]]
* [[Mirror Force Launcher (anime)|Mirror Force Launcher]]
}}

==Trivia==
* In both versions, the episode title is taken from Varis's speech at the end of the episode.

==In other languages==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! scope="col" | Language
! scope="col" | Title
|-
| {{flag|Germany}} German || Gefangene des Schicksals
|-
| {{flag|Italy}} Italian || Una Flebile Speranza
|-
| {{flag|Brazil}} Portuguese || Prisioneiro do Destino
|-
| {{flag|Mexico}} Spanish || Prisionero del destino
|}

==Notes==
<references group="Notes" />

{{Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS episodes/season 1}}