Goat Format Championship 14 Top 4 Player Profiles

Over 100 players competed, and four stood above the rest. Read on to learn more about the players that made top four in yesterday's Goat Format Championship 14 tournament! 

 dlopez89

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Name:
David L

Location:
Phoenix, AZ

Occupation:
Nurse Case Manager

Age:
32

What other Goat Format events have you placed in? 
N/A 

How did you prepare for today's event? Did you practice with a specific person or team?
I spent a lot of time grinding on Duelingbook and locals who host Goat Tournaments. I decided to play every meta deck imaginable to learn what they're weak and know when to push the pace of the game. I also have to give a shout out to my friend Joey, Jesse, and Landan from AZ who continuously make me grind these matches. Iron strengthens Iron. I couldn't do it without them.

​What deck did you play today and why?
I decided to play Chaos Warrior because I have always been comfortable running a trap-heavy deck. I didn't want to run a deck that continuously sets and sets monsters. I wanted to play a deck that drew into live cards at all times. In my opinion, Chaos Warrior is also the best deck to have when you're top decking.
​

What decks or players were you looking forward to playing against?
I was ready for them all. I was specifically ready to play against the increasingly popular Panda Burn decks. I always enjoy any match with a well-rounded Goat Players and just talking about Goat Format itself.
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What decks or players were you NOT looking forward to playing against?
I didn't want to play against any stall burn decks or any sort of FTK library-type deck. I don't find that to be challenging, and I like to be challenged and to feel challenged; it makes me feel like I'm getting better.

What card had been overperforming for you today?
Trap Dustshoot was absolutely bananas. Being able to look at your opponents hand is very unfair and you essentially dictate the rest of the game. I also don't blind use my Graceful Charity or Reinforcement of the Army's (ROTA). I use them as answers. I found holding onto them to be very effective; Often times I see other players use Graceful Charity or ROTA just because they drew it first turn. Having either of them first hand with Trap Dustshoot should win you the game.

What has been your favorite moment of the event so far?
Winning. This is my first ever event, and I was very nervous. I kept telling myself that I would lose to the next guy, but I stayed focused and kept winning. My favorite part had to be the end where all my Arizona family congratulated me on the win. They're the people I want to make the most proud of me in this game.

If you could go back, what (if any) changes would you would make to your deck today?​
I feel like my side deck could've been better. I used some cards I didn't test with too much, but felt like they were good on paper/in theory.

James Arc

What other Goat Format events have you placed in? 
None, I just came back to playing tournaments about a year ago. I mostly play Edison (March 2010) format, and host tournaments for that as well. Check out my Youtube: Ed Edd & Edison.

​How did you prepare for today's event? Did you practice with a specific person or team?
Actually not much prep this one. I kinda took it easy since I already had my invite. Played on ladder a good amount. Also, shout out to Puy for helping me test versus Panda Burn!

​What deck did you play today and why?
Chaos Control with main-deck Decree - versus a meta of Warrior and Panda Burn (super scary matchup for most CC variants, and most decks in general), I think it's a great pick. Also, I think my ​

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Name:
James Arc

Location:
Digital Realm

Occupation:
IDK

Age:
29

side deck was really well-tuned to allow me to have a good spread. Definitely took some ​ inspiration from GeistD's list as well.

What decks or players were you looking forward to playing against?
​I guess panda, because I practiced for it. But I hate that deck. Other than that I don’t really care. "All you need is Magician of Faith, Pot of Greed, and Delinquent Duo.
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What decks or players were you NOT looking forward to playing against?
Ron Control.

What card had been overperforming for you today?
Black Luster Soldier. 

What has been your favorite moment of the event so far?
Getting revenge for Smoker and having a crazy near-deckout game.

If you could go back, what (if any) changes would you would make to your deck today?​
If I win: None. If I lose: I'm scrapping it.

Artsone

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Name:
Giovanni D.

Location:
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria / Italian

Occupation:
Digital Nomad

Age:
36

What other Goat Format events have you placed in? 
I usually don't participate in tournaments for reasons of time. Since I have had more time, I attended four or five tournaments in total in a year of play. The last was the GFC13, and I won it. 

How did you prepare for today's event? Did you practice with a specific person or team?
I used the same deck that I won GFC 13 with, plus a few changes. I mainly tested with Angelo Panico (2palle) a very nice guy, actually in Top four. We worked a lot on both decks. Thanks Angelo for your patience =)

​What deck did you play today and why?
Thunder Dragon Chaos Control; they call it that. :D 

What decks or players were you looking forward to playing against?
In this tournament I thought I would find many OTK decks and Burn. I also thought I couldn't have any problems 

with Warrior decks since I play goat. So, I took out some cards from the side thinking of being able to hold the latter. I was wrong. This is the reason I was defeated in the grand finals. I underestimated it and it is right that I lost.
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​What decks or players were you NOT looking forward to playing against?
When I saw Ghostrider15 in the fifth match I say, "Ok I lost". He is very good player and his deck isn't a good matchup for me. Let's say he is one of the few who gives me some worries.

What card had been overperforming for you today?
In reality, I believe that something has not worked properly today. I made some wrong evaluations in deck construction. I must to change something.

What has been your favorite moment of the event so far?
I think playing against Ghostrider15.
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If you could go back, what (if any) changes would you would make to your deck today?​
​Actually, I don't know. I made a wrong meta evaluation. I need to better understand what I can change.

BIF-IlsigPanico

What other Goat Format events have you placed in? 
I played Goat Format in 2005 and 2006, and I made top 16 at the Italian nationals. A long time ago, national qualifying was difficult. This was because there are few tournaments to go through to do that.

Moreover, I have been, for so many years, the first and the second player in Italy when Konami adopted a scoring system similar to ranked system on dueling book.

How did you prepare for today's event? Did you practice with a specific person or team?
I've been testing for two weeks with my teammates (Bombe in Faccia, Sebastian e Salvatore) who recommended double Smashing Ground in the main. Special thanks to Giovanni Esposito (arts-

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Name:
Angelo

Location:
Naples

Occupation:
Teacher

Age:
33

-one) ​who supported me, and Michele Cimmino for not having believed in the deck.
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​What deck did you play today and why?
Chaos Recruiter with three Royal Decree

What decks or players were you looking forward to playing against?
Warrior and Turbo, because my main deck voids them.

What decks or players were you NOT looking forward to playing against?
Chaos Control, because Scapegoat invalidates my Creature Swap.
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What card had been overperforming for you today?
Spirit Reaper.

What has been your favorite moment of the event so far?
When I flipped Royal Decree in the end phase on five set traps of my opponent, and when my Breaker popped a Mirror Force in the finals of losers bracket.

If you could go back, what (if any) changes would you would make to your deck today?​
Ring of Destruction, maybe for the third Book of Moon.