Taking Stock December 1st - 7th, 2025

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Vivid BAD SQUAD (Budget Remix Hatsune Miku: Colorful Stage Series: 3)

Hatsune Miku: Colorful Stage Set 1 (or Project Sekai as it's often referred to for short), is the foundation of a very powerful and growing set. In Japan, as the series has evolved (and will continue to evolve with Set 3 releasing soon) it has proven to be a powerful contender. Set 1 in English comes to us a bit late and out of time by 3 years in the current meta environment. (The original set release was on February 11th, 2022 and we got it in English on June 27th, 2025.) However, with powerful sequels to look forward to that will hopefully be released in a timely manner the set is still very playable for now. So let's build some budget decks while we await the announcement of Set 2!

Vivid BAD SQUAD builds much more naturally into some fun budget standby decks without having to dig into the other units for as much support due to two really strong TD non-climax combo locked 3/2 options. But how could I NOT break my own deck building rules I set out at the onset for the “bad squad” group? As a bonus I’ve included a third deck option that runs 8 Comeback (Gate) triggers with a Leo Needs unit combo.

Check out the Philosophy of the Budget Deck Remix Series here if interested!

Deck 1 Code: 6LQAA

https://decklog-en.bushiroad.com/view/6LQAA

Quick Pilot Guide Deck 1:

This 8 standby build focuses on the Akito Level 2 and the Toya/Akito Bond Level 1 combos to build and maintain hand. The Len 1/0 is an important piece in this deck to help trigger standby during the attack phase, so you have more standby targets that you can stand at your next draw phase. This is critical, because at the moment Project Sekai doesn’t have any standby combos that stand what you put in. Late game you can standby in your TD finishers as their finish abilities don’t need to come from on play effects, and hopefully start finishing the game in late Level 2 or early 3 for reduced stock costs. I went ahead and included the Bond theme Assist due to needing the extra power for on reverse effects late game, but I can see replacing her with the 2/1 Meiko below if you don’t care for her other abilities.

Deck 2 Code: 2LGZ4

https://decklog-en.bushiroad.com/view/2LGZ4

Quick Pilot Guide Deck 2:

This 8 standby build focuses on keeping a plus combo and messing with your opponent by using An’s combo to move your standby target walls up early and force your opponent to crash into them.  I’ve chosen the 2/2 Akito for this build variant due to making sure there were enough soul triggers in the deck and because I intend to wall up and leave fewer reversal targets, but you could easily swap him out for the 1/0 Akito/Toya pair if you prefer. So early game you want to set up An as quickly as possible, and then move targets that have hand encore up into the front row after you stand by them in. It’s even better if you trigger a standby during the attack phase and can put a 1/0 Kohane counter into your back row or an empty slot, because even if your opponent gets over who you swapped you can still bring it back. Later in the game, a counter can force your opponent to risk taking damage on their turn from the 3/2 An from the TD due to her 0’s swap ability if you choose to use it. Lastly, I couldn’t resist adding in a very interesting 2/1 Len card. He can early play if your opponent has 5 or more climaxes in waiting room, and while his “Great Performance” (Bodyguard) ability only activates on play from hand to the stage, he can protect two other 1/0 Len’s that can trigger check twice or other standby targets in your front row by forcing attacks or forcing your opponent to sacrifice their board.

Deck 3 Code: 6CAR4

https://decklog-en.bushiroad.com/view/6CAR4

Quick Pilot Guide Deck 3:

Yes, I’m aware that Honami is a part of Leo Need, but it seemed like a fun combo to use with the TD Level 1 Miku to build an 8 Comeback (Gate) deck. It’s one of my favorite climax triggers and Honami’s combo is fun. If you’re not in a spot to keep repeating the Miku Level 1 combo, she can help you generate the stock for other character abilities throughout the game. Be mindful of sets that have stock swaps and make sure you time spending your resources when you can so you don’t get caught in awkward deck positions. Getting out the Len “Great Performance” (Bodyguard) 2/1 is less important in this deck if you’d like to relight the Miku on reverse combo, but if he does come out early and force your opponent to sacrifice their board, you can use that turn for Honami’s combo to build stock resources or to save hand by attacking with other characters who survived when they normally would have been reversed.

Budget Swap-Ins For All Decks:

Honami belongs in the Leo Need Unit deck a bit more strongly since she can activate with either her own climax (Unchanging Flavor) or another. However, since this deck isn’t quite as locked as some of the other units, if you decide to forgo standby, lean into the TD 3/2’s, and use the TD Miku combo this will allow you to run 8 Comeback (Gate). She can help build up stock to light the climax combo TD finishers, and running 8 Comeback will usually  help with keeping hand up if on reverse combos don’t work out.

This Len is a decent assist with a hand filter ability if you feel this is lacking from your matchups. Because the backrow definitely would prefer open slots for Standby targets though, this may be a better call for other decks in the future as the series expands.

 If your local meta has a lot of character memory compression, a tech 1 or 2 of this Meiko may not go amiss. She gets decent power on play if you have a full board, and her memory reduction ability can help in the face of super compressed decks. Due note that the timing of playing her is very critical. Ideally they’re going to refresh during your turn or in the draw/clock phase before their next main phase so that it truly punishes them/decompresses their deck. Some sets who don’t have limitations on how their characters go to memory may also not care and generate the resources to send the cards right back, so use with care.

This has always been a solid hand filter/stock clear event to fix your hand for late game before a 2nd refresh. However, it seemed like deck consistency would be better placed on focusing on character numbers over teching in this event. However, if you find yourself consistently being stuck with climaxes in hand or needing to fix your hand before Level 3 this may be a 2 or 3 of that can help out.

Ichika is another budget way to power up cards for on reverse effects. If you find yourself short just a bit more power, this may be a welcome tech.

Shiho is a decent on play pay a stock, ditch a card search. If you’re having trouble setting up a tech of this is worth considering if you’d like some search filter in the deck, as well as a solid Level 0 attacker. She also is a very solid consideration in place of some other Level 0’s in Deck 3.

Luka is technically off trait, but this is her TD brainstormer that’s included in the Vivid Bad Squad deck. If you’re having trouble drawing into climaxes, this may be an effective tech 1 to help out with that issue using either of her two abilities.

Honami is a Level Assist that when you trigger a soul trigger you can give a Music character +1000 power until end of turn. She’s helpful in decks to help give extra attack phase power for on reverse abilities. Even though her true home is in the Leo/need Unit deck, Vivid BAD SQUAD isn’t heavily trait locked, so she’s definitely a swap in assist option if you’d prefer.

Meiko is on trait, has a global +1000 power assist, and has an interesting mill effect to salvage back characters. If you’d like to swap out the 3/2 Bond assist this would be an excellent option that can standby out and help defensively a Level earlier.

Kaito isn’t on trait for our Unit Theme, but he’s still an okay standby target at Level 1 that can hit decent power levels, as well as only costing 1 stock if you need to play him to the stage.

Sometimes, when all else fails, it’s just nice to have a +2 Soul climax. It’s a tried and true beginner strategy, and if you’re deciding to drop the Level 3 combo, don’t care for the Level 2 combo, and want just another climax to tech in, this may be a good fit.

Upgrades for when there’s some extra change in the wallet after payday:

This Nene will probably be a pricey, but worth it up grade and I’d splurge on this possibly for Deck 3 only since she’s off trait. She will help you in setting up your Level 1 combo. Nene will also prevent you from getting stuck at levels.

Airi has multiple strong tech abilities that help you set up your Level 1 and forward game, hand filter in two ways, and also has the chance to compress to memory and search out more set up.

Akito’s power level and his ability to move away from a battle can help with maintaining early game board presence, especially in a standby deck that typically sees less Level 0 cards in general.

This Miku might be pricey, but she’s on trait and in contention for the best brainstormer the set has. She has a useful revenge trigger power ability, and her brainstorm ability is a salvage and isn’t unit locked.

A very powerful Level 3 combo, Kohane synergizes very well with her standby trigger and on attack can burn and heal. I recommend making this your first upgrade to a theme deck, and adjusting the Deck 1 build for this combo.

This Miku was the shop participation PR for the month of July, so getting a hold of a copy or two may not be that difficult or expensive. She gets a little bit of extra power, but also has an interesting on play effect that can inform your attack order depending on what you see there. She may be worth teching in as a two of if you like having extra knowledge before attacks.

Be sure to check out this and other Budget Remix Series possibilities at: https://level4weissschwarz.wixsite.com/lvl4ws 

Tournament Report: Top 16 Sensha_Zenshin JP NA WGP 25/26

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Sensha_Zenshin has been playing Weiss Schwarz for nine years. He started with English Sword Art Online while playing with the Illiana Weiss Schwarz Gang Group. Sensha_Zenshin mainly plays sets from IPs (Intellectual Properties) he likes such as SAO, ONK, GGO, LRC, and HOL. He started playing more competitively in 2017 and would win a few locals here and there. His first competitive top was winning a Shop Challenge in 2023 followed then by his first regional top at the 2025 Chicago Trio Teams event.

Now onto the interview!

Melanie Lynette (ML): How did the event go for you? Was there anything specific that you'd like to share from the start?

Sensha_Zenshin (SZ): Overall, I did well for my first time at Nationals and had fun. Hopefully I am able to make it again next year!

Winning Decklist:

BushiNavi Code: 6K8SH

https://decklog-en.bushiroad.com/ja/view/6K8SH

ML: While this isn't a pure waifu deck, I know Akane is your best girl and you clearly represent her well in this refined list! What was your match up and how did Round 1 go for you?

SZ: I won against Summer Pockets: 4 Return (Wind) / 4 Choice. Overall it was an average game with nothing of note. I tried to play more conservatively, focusing on deck compression rather than getting to my finisher as quickly as possible. I almost lived through triple Shiki Level 3, but my opponent triggered on the last attack. It was disheartening to lose the first round cause that meant that every round after had to be win.

ML: What was your match up and how did Round 2 go for you?

SZ: I won against HoloLive: 8 Gate (Pants): During this game I only opened one Level 0 after mulligan and proceed to get shot to Level 1 relatively quickly . Luckily, my hand was already set up for my Level 1 Akane which allowed me to stabilize. The major turning point in the game was when I used the Akane JC to prevent two of his Ame's from getting reverses after accelerating himself to 2/6. I then tripled Level 3 Akanes the following turn to close out the game.

ML: What was your match up and how did Round 3 go for you?

SZ: I won against Kinmoza- Kiniro Mosaic 15th Anniversary: 8 Choice. This game was a curveball for me, since the whole goal of my opponent was to gain memory for compression and to prevent my Level 3 from burning. It didn't help I didn't see my Level 1 combo for most of the game, so I was struggling for hand. However, I made sure to hold onto the 2/1 Akane that bounces a card to ensure I can get one lane of burns. My opponent went to Level 3 first, managed to summon triple Level 3 Alice, and had enough memory for burn 2. I lived at 3/5. I bounced one of the anti-burn Level 3s, and played a one of 3/2 Aqua and two attackers, because i couldn't find an Akane lvl 3 climax. I slammed the Level 1 climax and hoped for the best. The two vanilla attackers managed to get my opponent to 3/5. I had the Level 3 Aqua swinging into an open lane and was hoping the burn can end it. I paid Aqua's on attack burn 2 cost which canceled, and triggered for a swing of 5, which stuck, winning me the game.

ML: What was your match up and how did Round 4 go for you?

SZ: I won against Lycoris Recoil: 4 Gate (Pants) / 4 Comeback (Door). I knew the match up well since I play this deck often and knew how to counter play. The only card that would mess up my game plan was the Takina JC. Luckily, he didn't play the card, so I managed to get reverses with my Akane Level 1s multiple times. This allowed me to ensure there were fewer Level 0s for the Chisato/Takina combo. My opponent went to Level 3 first with two Takina and one Chisato combo and sent me to 3/6, with only 2 cards left in deck.

Due to being more focused on making sure my deck didn't have too many Level 0s, I wasn't properly set up for three Level 3 Akanes. I wasn't able to get more since those actions would cause me to refresh, killing me. So I played one Akane Level 3 combo, a top check 2 Akane Level 0, and another Akane Level 0. I attacked with the Level 3 Akane first and managed to hit two Level 0s in order to heal and putting me out refresh damage range. At the end of turn my opponent was at 3/5, where he played an additional Takina to heal to 3/4, but I managed to triple cancel the three vanilla swings living at 3/5 . I defeated them on the back swing with vanilla swings.

ML: What was your match up and how did Round 5 go for you?

SZ: I won against Uma Musume: Stock Soul / 4 Comeback (Door). Everything that could of gone right did for me in this game. I got multiple instances of my Level 1 combo to sculpt my hand and fix my deck state when I need to. My opponent went to Level 3 first and played 2 Tachyons, but failed to summon a third. The first one leveled me from 2/4 to 3/0. I then proceeded to cancel pretty much all of the rest of the damage, and defeated my opponent with 3 Akane Level 3s.

ML: And after deck checks, top cut! How did Top 16 go?

SZ: I lost against Gakuen Idolm@ster: 4 Comeback (Door) / 4 Gate (Pants). This was a close game and it came down to the last three turns. I hit Level 3 first and played 3 Level 3 Akanes which sent my opponent to 3/4. I only had 3 climaxes left in 15 cards and they played 2 Temari which could icy tail 5. The first Temari left me at 3/4 with 1 climax in a 6 card deck. The second Temari attacked with the burn 1 sniping the last climax leaving 5 clean cards, but my opponent preformed the icy tail which milled out my deck which refreshed me to 3/5. The Temari and the last attack canceled leaving me alive at 3/5 with a Akane Level 3 and Ruby brainstormer on board. I only had one stock and a Level 0 Akane Riko in hand. I drew a Level 3 Akane which I clocked to 3/6 and drew the Level 3 climax and a Level 1 event. I moved the Ruby up and played the Riko. For some reason I decided to activate the riko effect which failed to grab back a card, which meant I didn't have the hand to pay for the Akane Level 3 effect. I played the Level 3 climax, swung with the it canceled. I swung with the Akane Riko which triggered a Pants, which allowed me to salvage a climax, and the damage stuck leaving my opponent at 3/5. I attacked with the Level 3 Akane and paid the cost with the recently acquired climax, but I only hit 1 Level 0 on the Akane. Even though It forced a refresh my opponent canceled the burn 1 and the attack. I lost on the backswing ending my run at Nationals.

ML: Congratulations still on your Top 16 accomplishment! Are there any final reflections or shout outs you would like to share?

SZ: Shout out to my coworkers at Purdue who wrote me a good luck note and wishing me the best at the tournament. It gave the extra push to not let them down. 

ML: And that concludes our interview with JP NA WGP 25/26 Top 16 Sensha_Zenshin! A special thanks to Sensha_Zenshin for sharing with us! Congratulations again on your achievements and good luck as you continue to compete moving forward!

Interested in more Tournament Reports or you would like to submit your own Top 16 interview from the JP NA WGP 2025? Check out more reports or submit a form at https://level4weissschwarz.wixsite.com/lvl4ws/tournament-reports !