The Champions: Norman Wilde "D-Flamvell-Synchro"

There were two events in Germany this weekend: Santas Christmas in Duisburg and Card Wars Vol. 5 in Zeitz. I attended in Duisburg with Zombies, but dropped at 1:3 . I Also got my first Featured Match there, but lost it because I'm dump xD.
Today, I will show you the deck that won the event in Zeitz:
It's Norman Wilde's D-Flamvell-Synchro:




3x Destiny Hero - Defender
2x Destiny Hero - Malicious
2x Cyber Valley
2x Flamvell Magician
2x Mystic Tomato
1x Elemental Hero Stratos
1x Summoner Monk
1x Plaguespreader Zombie
1x Flamvell Firedog
1x Dark Armed Dragon
1x Sangan


3x Destiny Draw
2x Allure of Darkness
1x Heavy Storm
1x Mind Control
1x Brain Control
1x Gold Sarcophagus
1x Lightning Vortex
1x Rekindling
1x Reinforcement of the Army


3x Skill Drain
2x Bottomless Trap Hole
1x Mirror Force
1x Torrential Tribute
1x Trap Dustshoot
1x Phoenix Wing Wind Blast
1x Solemn Judgment
1x Trap Stun


When you look at this decklist,you will first think that this is an ordinary Skill Drain Synchro,but when you look closer, you will see that Norman replaced the far outdatet Rose with Flamvell Magician and added one copy of Flamvell Firedog and one copy of Rekindling.
Those changes made a major diffenrence I how the deck works. First, It has more OTK potential. Rekindling can bring up 2 level 8 Synchros all by itself if you already control a levle 4 monster (a fact that some Lightsworn players also tried to use). This deck can bring all 3 Flamvells to the graveyard very easy, as you can search the Magicians with the Firedog, Sangan and Summoner Monk (last also works on Firedog if you're realy desperate). You can see what explosive power lies in this deck in Norman's Top 16 Featured Match (for the less of you who don't understand German, he ended the first game with 3 Colossals and a Stardust Dragon on his field). He can also get to his one copy of Rekindling with Gold Sarcrophargus. A single Trap Stun in his deck let's him bring his own effects even if he's under the effect of Skill Drain, while it can also shut down most Meta-Beats for one whole turn (in which you should usualy be able to OTK or at least gain major control over the game).
Norman also chose to play the full three copys of Skill Drain. That first seemes wierd in a format where Zombies are getting stronger and stronger, but if you think about it, what are the best cards in a Zombie-Deck right now?

• Deep Sea Diva
• Tragoedia
• Caius
• Brionac

Now, combine these cards with Skill Drain. Diva becomes a single tuner. Tragoedia turns into a 0 ATK monster. Caius can't remove anything. Brionac is still able to discard, but won't be able to break your defense with his effect. This is why I think Skill Drain realy hurts Zombies more than most people expect.
As I don't think the rest of the deck realy needs to be explained, I will now shortly focus on his Sidedeck:




3x D.D. Survivor
2x Legendary Jujitsu Master


3x Dimensional Fissure
1x Lightning Vortex
1x Mystical Space Typhoon


2x Royal Oppression
2x Trap Hole
1x Trap Stun


His side gives him the possibility to change his strategy completely. He can change to (Skill-Drain-)Dimensional-Synchro or Oppression-Synchro if he likes. This gives him an even better matchup against Lightsworns, Gladiators and Zombies.
I think the weakest point in this deck realy is the Blackwing matchup, especialy if you meet a deck with triple Icarus. You only have one lonely Solemn and your Stardust Dragon (which will mostly be killed by Kalut) to protect you backrow, while you will also have to deal with their maindecked Oppressions. He could add more negation to his dekc by adding Flamvell Counter, but he realy needs all his Flamvells in his graveyard, so this would be a bad choice. He instead added a second copy of Trap Stun to his side, so he would be able to deal with the black birdie's tricks.


To end this article, I would like to greet Piyal Peiris, who again failed in the finals in Duisburg. I also want to say something to who-ever stole my teammate's deck before his Top 8 Match: I hope you someday see yourself how pathetic you are.


In my next article, I will show you some attempts to play Earthbound Immortals!