At 39, Cray Yit is one of the more seasoned faces in the Grand Archive Sabah scene but don’t let the number fool you. Fresh off a Top 10 finish at the Brunei Regionals on May 17, 2025, Yit proves that experience, focus, and a love for the game still go a long way. 

(To Yit) What was the Brunei Regionals like for you? Any standout moments?

Yit: The player who got 11th place actually missed rounds 1 and 2 because of work and still ended up placing 11th. We joked that we were submarines in this Brunei Regional. We lost our first two rounds, then won all the rest.

(To Yit) How did it feel placing in the Top 10 — were you expecting it?

Yit: It feels so fantastic, actually seven rounds swiss, I lose the first two round. Seriously, I felt hopeless at that point but I keep fighting, hopefully come back and fight for my omnidex’s Elo. When I won the last game, it felt like dream.

(To Yit) What deck did you run, and why did you choose it?

Yit: I use wind guojia 神龍 (Dragon Goddess) that deck requires you to level up your champion to level 3 fast and transform your dragon, generate the arcane and blast kill your opponent. Not a perfect deck but I like how the combo work compares with the other decks.

(To Yit) Any spicy tech or surprise plays you’re proud of

Yit: I always play Wind decks, so I put one Diablerie in all of them. Whenever it successfully “rob” opponent’s Divine Relic, my opponent’s face is priceless, they’re like, ‘Bro, what even is this?!’  I also sided two Ravaging Tempest this time — super helpful against Wind Ally and in mirrors matchup.

(To Yit) Was there a particular matchup that gave you trouble — or one you enjoyed the most?

Yit: Round one was the toughest, I lost that one. My opponent was playing Fire Lorraine Aggro, and the damage output was huge. He was able to kill my dragon early, and on top of that, I had a bad starting hand. The fourth round was super fun. Based on my calculations, my opponent could’ve ended me in Game 2 with his Seiryuu’s Command, but I think he miscalculated. He picked to generate 3 Arcane Blast instead. If it were a normal game back in KK, I’d have pointed it out and explained how it works — but at Regionals? Sorry bro, I just had to close my mouth and let it happen. No shame.

(To Yit) How was the trip to Brunei? Did you go with a crew from Sabah?

Yit: Total ten of us who went for this Regional. I was one of the drivers, by the time we arrived, I was half-dead already. The others could still stay up and practice until midnight. I guess it’s time I accept my old man fate.

(To Yit) What’s the difference between playing in Sabah vs. a regional like this?

Yit: Playing in Sabah, we all just like play and practice. GA (Grand Archive) is a game you need to very carefully in decide your choice, in regional or ascent we all need to be really careful cause if you make mistakes, high chance opponent won’t allow you reverse and cause you to lose the game.

(To Yit) What’s it like being one of the “older” players in the community? Do the younger ones keep you on your toes?

Yit: Well... being older in community actually doesn't matter. If I long live enough, I will keep playing till I’m 80.  The one inside me still 15. Actually 'young' players won't hunt me down only the smartest brain or luck will.

(To Yit) How did you first get into trading card games — and later, Grand Archive?

Yit: I actually wanted to get into TCGs like Yu-Gi-Oh! when I was younger, but honestly, I was broke. After a breakup in 2019 when Digimon TCG first started, I was lucky to meet my ‘sifu’, Lex, at Karamunsing. He taught me a lot of TCG Skills.

When GA (Grand Archive) started in Sabah 2 years ago, I was playing many TCG, so I didn’t have money to invest in GA (Grand Archive) right away. I still joined events almost every day losing every time.

Luckily, Grand Archive has good card value, I managed to pull some decent cards and sell them to slowly build my deck. After losing straight for a whole year, things changed when Mercurial Heart Automatan released, that’s when I started winning in competitions. It’s been a long journey.

(To Yit) What keeps you coming back to the game?

Yit: GA has a good card value and very good Japanese-style artwork. That’s what keeps me playing this game. Unlike other card game after a new booster launch, the old card value collapse like my wallet, sometimes the new meta will make the old “trash” card be valuable again. The most important? ‘Amoi’ a lot.

(To Yit) Do you have any advice for newer or younger players starting out in Grand Archive?

Yit: If new player feels sad when they lose in GA (Grand Archive), don’t 放棄(Give up) and keep going, remember what your opponent done to you how they move. That is the key you fight back and get your first win. Don’t just copy Caban deck, you need to modify it for your local meta. The most important thing is: keep practice and fully understand how your deck work.

P.S Caban is a high level Grand Archive player playing for True Champion Gaming.

(To Yit) If you had to describe the Sabah GA community in one word, what would it be — and why?

Yit: Amoiless. Sabah girl player sooooo less. All is boys! Every day play and see Jerome Sipijol sooo toxic. GA SABAH NEED MOOOOOORE GIRL POWER.