Julien Kehon Captures YCS Guatemala City Title with Branded Dracotail

YCS Guatemala City wrapped up this weekend, with 334 duelists competing through 12 rounds of Swiss to claim the championship. As the Burst Protocol format continues to stabilize, the top tables were once again defined by the Justice Hunters strategies, but it was Branded Dracotail that firmly established itself as the definitive deck to beat.

Julien Kehon captured the trophy, piloting Branded Dracotail through a grueling tournament run. In the Grand Final, Kehon faced off against Alex Mosquera in an intense mirror match, ultimately proving his mastery of the archetype. The top cut was overwhelmingly represented by the strategy, with Branded Dracotail claiming five of the Top 8 spots.

Beyond the winning deck, the rest of the top tier featured familiar contenders. Fiendsmith Yummy, Vanquish Soul K9, and Maliss each secured a single slot in the Top 8, with Maliss continuing to lean on its excellent non-engine capabilities. While Mitsurugi and Radiant Typhoon missed the final cut, both archetypes maintained a solid presence throughout the Top 16 and Top 32. With the metagame crystallizing around these powerful engines, competitive duelists will need a dedicated game plan for the Branded Dracotail matchup heading into the upcoming season.