Dragon Special

The Dragon Special is a T-Spin build designed for early S/Z starts. It is an Air T-Spin Double much like the Albatross Special or Pelican. While those builds were created by Japanese players, the Dragon Special was instantiated as an Opener by the western player ZHL.

The Dragon is designed as an efficient T-Spin build for certain piece orders incapable of creating many other T-spin builds, such as TSZIO. No soft dropping is required for the first bag, unlike the Dodo, making it a viable Anti-Perfect Clear setup.

Placing the first bag

Standard STSD continuation

The STSD continuation is the most viable option for following up the Dragon Special. Given the following setups, it has a 100% chance of success, and in most cases, a clean board left afterward.

Most bags can be placed into the following arrangement. In this case, it opens up the gap obscured in the first bag, making it easy to complete the STSD. Only one requirement is necessary: S after Z.

S first

If S comes before Z and it is not possible to hold the piece (due to already holding the T piece, for example), then use the following setup. A Z-Spin may be required, but it can be placed like so:

To execute the required spins, rotate the Z piece clockwise to place it in the first position, then rotate clockwise two more times.

The next bag is best filled partially before making the T-Spin rather than placing all 7 pieces. Here are some possible layouts:

STSD + Perfect Clear continuation

In this setup, a Perfect Clear can be achieved after the STSD in ten cleared lines. It is a good continuation when possible, although the standard followup has a much better chance of completion. Knowing how to complete the second bag in this manner can be useful for an early J and S.

To complete the S-Spin, rotate counter-clockwise once, then counter-clockwise again.

T-Spin Double

For this setup, Z needs to come before I and J. This one has a higher chance than the TST T-Spin Double continuation.

TST T-Spin Double

This T-Spin Double continuation is less powerful at first and more piece dependent for the third bag, but if executed, it will lead to a higher chance of a Perfect Clear.

T-Spin Triple

A trade-off between Perfect Clear chance and immediate attack. With a more level field, the board also lends itself for more T-Spin opportunities.

It can also be arranged like this, which will have a higher chance than above.

Standard STSD Perfect Clear

T-Spin Triple

For this setup, the probability is quite low, but if you get an early L, you will get a good chance to do a PC with three solutions.

You can also stack like this. Perfect Clear chances are higher.

Imperial Cross

An early L and O is required here and sometimes a T-Spin Double may be done here.