Notes & Combos
Tried 7 different builds and struggled a lot, playing about 200 total matches with Fire Fist.
Eventually settled on this one and finally found a build that felt consistent. This specific build went 33W-13L from Legend 2 to KoG, and was the only build that reliably gave me good hands going 1st or 2nd.
Every other build felt inconsistent and extremely fragile as without Tensu or specific card combinations (such as Yoko + Rooster/Tenki + Panda/Spirit), you can't really play through disruptions going 2nd. Going 1st, you're ideally looking for a hand that lets you put out Elephant, Dragon, and Rooster with 2 spells as it will enable full combo (unless hit by Veiler or Crow) which is usually game. The larger lists don't let you get this turn very often.
Replays
2nd vs. 2x Veiler BEWD, from KoG streak
https://duellinks.konami.net/att/03f0e5090c0aaa076d73fa60f2c798c25ef6571a40
Ideal go 1st vs. Speedroid, from KoG streak
https://duellinks.konami.net/att/00bd63da193590fd0e70e2f16a86daa2dd4a3af77f
2nd vs. Speedroid
https://duellinks.konami.net/att/02e88764d1022c3a0d2e2e5e6e6ff4e80fd592c84a
1st vs. Ancient Warriors, different build but can do the same lines
https://duellinks.konami.net/att/005a786e7d293b3d1c4b5c1b5090df275b48e1f949