WS WGP is one of the largest official tournaments for Weiss Schwarz, supported by Bushiroad directly. Players from each region flock to attend and show off their skills. Initially an in-person exclusive event with several regional tournaments followed by a national invite competition.
How did you feel about the tourney?
I am truly honoured to both participate and win in this year’s WGP tournament. Considering that it is Weiss Schwarz 15th Anniversary, it’s a great reminder of all the long years I’ve been with this game, both the highs and the lows. Additionally, as the first year after the COVID-19 restrictions have ended, it’s great to finally be able to play in-person with the return of physical WGP.
I had missed many tournaments as I’ve had a bit of a personal hiatus, but it was nice to come and see new people and old friends alike during the weekend.
Why did you choose to play your series/deck?
Overlord was my set of choice for this WGP. Ever since the release of its second set, I’ve been dabbling with the bar/door deck, and I’ve had quite a bit of practice with it and becoming quite adept at piloting it with great confidence.
What do you think the greatest strengths in your deck were?
OVL/S99-032R 豊穣の母神からの返礼 アインズ (center)
OVL/S99-049R-RRR 黒き豊穣への貢 (right)
The strongest part of the deck is its mid-to-end game. Ainz’s finisher gain markers and heals as early as level two. The markers he places underneath himself can be sent to memory the next turn to send your opponent’s characters to waiting room while carrying a combo with his backrow to give himself hexproof and the inability to be reversed.
Additionally, Ainz’s level three will also burn one when his climax is played, helping to ping out climaxes on the top of your opponent’s. His abilities don’t end there as the markers that goes to memory can have their costs paid to burn a single point of damage for each one which can push for game or alternatively push your opponent to 3/6 where they can no longer clock for additional resources.
Overall, the combo is insanely strong and resilient. Ainz is very efficient at what he does. Additionally, the hexproof from the backrow and granted inability to reverse for both him and his opponent turns off many points of removal. The goats event also being costless only helps with increasing the efficiency of his combo.
What do you think are weaknesses that the deck does not cover very well?
HOL/W91-T028SP-SP サマーバケーション 赤井はあと (right)
There are some core weaknesses for the deck. The deck runs only five level threes and is pretty reliant on them, making things extremely awkward depending on the deck state. Even though Ainz has hexproof from his backrow ability, field wipe effects that don’t target like Wooser’s level three or Haachama’s level three from Hololive can get rid of Ainz (at WGP someone actually used Haachama against me). Ainz’s markers come from the waiting room, and if the waiting room is refreshed early, Ainz will be unable to grab his markers and perform the other half of his combo.
What did you think about your deck’s performance overall?
During WGP, the deck overperformed, beating my expectations. There were only two games where I missed the markers, but I end up winning WGP anyways. There were several close calls, but the deck carried out its game plan consistently regardless, leading to my victories.
What was your favourite card in the deck?
My favorite card has to be the level three Ainz. He can remain on board while looping healing and chip burn damage every turn. During top cut, I fielded triple Ainz level three on the board to close out the game every time.
What are some potential changes you would consider making to your deck?
I had a few considerations before WGP. One card was the 3/1 red event. It can send one level three or lower character on your opponent’s stage to the waiting room. Another option was that of the level zero yellow Shalltear. This level zero Shalltear can bounce a cost zero character on your opponent’s stage to hand so I can open a lane for the Shalltear level one combo (she gains you hand at the start of your encore phase with her combo on a reversed target or empty stage).
What were some memorable/interesting moments during the tournament?
The Alice Gear Aegis set was completely new to me. It was my first time facing the series at both top eight and top four. Initially, it was a bit of a struggle, but I quickly figured out a way to play around them and made to first place.
How do you feel about the current Japanese sets?
I like the release of premium sets for older decks to get new support to compete with current sets. One of my friends played Shana and reached top 16 with it. This new support gives a breath of life to many of these old sets while retaining some of the more beloved interactions. Often, some of the old art are retrains, allowing you to play with the older art style but with updated effects. Hopefully, we can see more supports for older decks to bring them up to speed or closer to modern decks. I’m really excited for the new Cardcaptor Sakura premium set. Hopefully, CCS (Cardcaptor Sakura) will return to play again.
As of right now, there are a variety of sets in the top cuts of tournaments such as Uma Musume, Chainsaw Man, Puzzle & Dragons, Overlord, and Hololive. Newly added sets such as Alice Gear Aegis, Oshi no Ko, and Bocchi the Rock! have the potential to challenge the meta. With the upcoming ban list, the meta could take a dramatic shift.
Final words?
Firstly, I’d like to thank Shoyu for giving me the opportunity to do this interview. I was in wait list from LCQ, and I wasn’t sure if I was even going to make it to the Nationals. However, I got in last minute and ended up winning WGP entirely. I think this is lesson for myself and others to never give up even if you don’t do well at first. I didn’t expect to win WGP at all but here I am after all these years. I’d like to give a shoutout to the Toronto WS group. Thanks for the cheering me on, and special thanks to London WS group for always having my back and pushing me forward. Thank you!
Feel free to reach out to Homin on their Twitter: https://twitter.com/Ed_Gundra27
Decklist:
Level 0 (19):
OVL/S99-030R – 方針会議 デミウルゴス x3
OVL/S99-034U – 予想外の効果 アインズ x4
OVL/S99-040C – 懸命なごまかし アインズ x2
OVL/S62-051SP-SP – 鮮血の戦乙女 シャルティア x1
OVL/S99-061U – 支配者へ向ける賛美 シャルティア x4
OVL/S99-076RR – 四腕の武人 コキュートス x4
OVL/S99-077R – 魔導国建国 コキュートス x1
Level 1 (13):
OVL/S99-053RR – 可憐な吸血鬼 シャルティア x4
OVL/S99-032R – 豊穣の母神からの返礼 アインズ x4
OVL/S99-047R – 黒い仔山羊 x5
Level 2 (5):
OVL/S99-039U – プレアデスの副リーダー ユリ x4
OVL/S62-P02PR – 歓喜の嬌声 アルベド x1
Level 3 (5):
OVL/S99-027RR – 気弱な階層守護者 マーレ x1
OVL/S99-028RR – 魔導王 アインズ x4
Climaxes (8):
OVL/S99-049CR – 黒き豊穣への貢 x4
OVL/S99-074CC – 屈辱の罰 x4