NATS 2015 - Day Report

The morning of 16 May 2015 started off early in the morning. With the registration and re-registration opened at 08.00 am, all tournament staffs who had been preparing till late night (or early morning ^^) the night before had been setting up the venue since 06.00 am.  Duelists had been filling up the hall, too.

Even our judge had been in serious discussions during deck checks.

More duelists were queuing up for registration. Courtesy breakfast table was put up; making sure that previous year's incident did not happen again (duelist fainting because of over excitement and skipping breakfast :D)

The Qualifier Rounds were divided into 4 groups. Group 1-4 with 44 duelists and Group 5 with 40 duelists. The remaining duelists, 20 Wild Card Holders, would join the TOP 64 Rounds later on. Here is the cheeky pictures of each group.

 Group 1 (part)

 Group 1

 Group 2

 Group 3

 Group 4

 Group 5

Group yang tertinggal (?) :D

After 6 long, exhausting and super fun rounds :), finally we got the final standings from each group. Top 9 from Group 1-4 and Top 8 from Group 5 (because group 5 members were less than the other groups) went through to the TOP 64! Congratulations to those going forward.

During Qualifier Rounds, we had a feature match of 2 Wild Card Holders, i.e. Melvin Sundoro vs Gagah Alif. Sponsored by our Head Judge Wira Kirros, the match was hyped on social media a few days prior, hence the big crowds. Both duelists agreed to take the challenge for the sake of fun duel (hopefully!).

Unfortunately, there was no group photos of TOP 64 this time. Alas! Will make sure that next year we'll get the group pics.

After another 6 teeth-grinding rounds (ha >.<), we finally got the final standings for TOP 16 duelists who will continue on the next day.

Decks used were, respectively, Nekroz, Nekroz, Nekroz, Chaos Dragon, Nekroz, Qliporth, Shaddoll, Shaddoll, Shaddoll, Nekroz, Nekroz, Shaddoll, Shaddoll, Shaddoll, Shaddoll, Satellar, Nekroz.  Since Rank 6 Arman Haqqi could not join the second day, the extra spot was passed down to rank 17. Hence, the end of the first day (at 09.00 pm!).

PS: During the Top 64 Rounds, a side-event Team Challenge was held simultaneously with free registration. Will post separately.
Also, make sure you check out personal reports from lots of duelists for NATS 2015.