Fade to Black

Hello players, Iceman Hotty here and unfortunately this will be the last post ever on The Frozen Inferno. There was a post earlier (now deleted) about having some friends of mine take over, but after seeing some of their proposed articles I turned that idea down. It might be pompous of me, but I don't want to put my support behind things that not up to a certain standard. But I digress. 

As for the reason I'm quitting, there's a number of reasons: school, time, money, conflict over some the recent rulings on cards, but mainly it's because I'm getting increasingly out of touch with the game. I don't know why but I've been having some memory issues lately, and anyway I feel that there's not much I can contribute to the Yu-Gi-Oh! community that others can't do better. To be honest, this blog became more successful than I'd ever imagined and I glad I was able to give advice to those around the world.

Remember players, the game begins with you.

They Hatin'

So once again it's that time of the year where all players around the world begin fantasizing about the upcoming banlist. Many suspect Reborn Tengu to be semi-limited, or even banned on the September 2011 list, a move that would hardly be surprisingly given the widespread use of the card. In the current format Tengu acts in a similar manner as Destiny Hero - Malicious did during the Tele-DAD format several years back. However, Tengu has couple differences that set it apart from it's predecessor.

1. Not being a Tribute Monster enables Tengu to be played the turn it's drawn, unlike Malicious which requires a Tribute.
2. Being Beast-Warrior, makes it compatible with the recently popular Horn of the Phantom Beast, making Tengu able to generate advantage without leaving the field.
3. Not being searchable outside it's own effect. Unlike Malicious, which can searched for and/or Special Summoned by a number of cards—Elemental HERO Stratos, Mystic Tomato, Foolish Burial, Armageddon Knight, Limit Reverse,etc.—Tengu needs to be drawn into to be played.
4. Tengu doesn't centralize the metagame the same way Malicious did. Granted the limitation status of other cards played a role in this, but in the current state of the game several decktypes are dominant, unlike the Tele-DAD format.

That aside, I don't think Reborn Tengu will be affected by the upcoming banlist, and this has nothing to do with it's current impact on the game. As previous banlists have shown, the OCG meta is the primary factor in the outcome of the list. Since Tengu is not out in Japanland, it is highly unlikely to be touched. Granted it could still be semi'd as a preemptive measure, but I doubt Konami will hit the card before OCG players get their chance at it. Then again, Rescue Cat was banned back in September 2010, BEFORE XX-Saber Darksoul became playable in the OCG. A deterrent to prevent the X-Saber abuse that plagued the TCG meta? That's the most likely reason.

It's Konami's decision in the end, but I suppose anything is possible. After all, who would've thought both Monster Reborn AND Dark Hole would ever be unbanned? 

Remember players, the game ends with you.

Strange Players

Dueling Network is full of all kinds of weirdos.

One guy A.S.S.'s me for explaining that Continuous Spells like Card Trader can't be played during the Standby Phase.

And another forfeits when I tell him that my Effect Veiler won't destroy his Black Rose Dragon after negating it's effect.

A third kept trying to destroy my Ally of Justice Catastor by attacking it first with his Blue-Eyes White Dragon and then his Exploder Dragon. I had to correct him twice. He offered a draw (he technically had more Life Points), but I politely declined. I turn the game around later and win.

Then there's the guy who offered a duel with the note: "Easy win." I needed to test out a new deck so I accepted his offer. However, during the game he kept making misplay, after misplay, until I realized he was blatantly cheating. After taking a deep breath I spent the next fifteen minutes explaining game mechanics to him. After seeing that his trolling attempts left me unfazed, he quit, leaving me with the win.

While I won most of my other games fair and square, that one A.S.S. still bothers me. Fortunately this is the first time it's happened to me so I shouldn't have to worry about any up and coming bans...hopefully.

Remember players, the game ends with you.

A Game of Dragons

Dragons hold a special place in this game with most of the more iconic Monsters being dragonic in nature: Blue-Eyes White Dragon, Red-Eyes B. Dragon, Cyber End Dragon, Rainbow Dragon, Stardust Dragon (and all it's upgrades)...the list goes on. It's no surprise then that the Zexal Era would introduce yet another mascot in the form of Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon.

Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon

(Dragon-Type/LIGHT/Level 8/ATK 3000/DEF 2500)

"You can Tribute 2 monsters with 2000 or more ATK to Special Summon this card from your hand. When this card battles an opponent's monster, during the Battle Step: You can banish that monster and this card. Return the banished monsters to the field when the Battle Phase ends. If the monster banished by this effect was an Xyz Monster: This card gains 500 ATK for each Xyz Material that monster had attached to it when it was banished."

Now I've never a huge fan of Dragons as an archetype. I respect good players that run Dragons, but I've yet to run them myself. This is because there are few non-Synchro Dragon-type Monsters I actually like. Perhaps the sole exception being White Night Dragon.

However, some of the support Dragon have received in recent years has shown a lot of promise, such as Totem Dragon and Dodger Dragon. Galaxy-Eyes is yet another addition to the growing list. Barring an effect like Skill Drain or Imperial Iron Wall, it's Quick Effect makes it nigh unstoppable during the Battle Phase.

Almost makes me tempted to run off to my locals and start collecting support for when Photon Shockwave arrives in the TCG. Of course Dragons were never my thing, but then again, maybe for Galaxy-Eyes I'll make an exception. ^_^

Remember players, the game ends with you.

It's Been Done Before

Recently I've been hearing players begin discussing what to side in against Dark Worlds once Structure Deck: Gates of the Underworld reaches the TCG. The most commonly suggested solution is:

Gemini Imps

(Fiend-Type/DARK/Level 4/ATK 1000/DEF 1000)

"When a card effect controlled by your opponent is activated which would cause you to discard from your hand, by sending this card from your hand to the Graveyard, negate the activation and the effect of the card and destroy it. Then draw 1 card."

Indeed running Gemini Imps has served merit before, as a means of disrupting much feared XX-Saber Gottoms and Royal Tribute plays. With the coming of Dark Worlds, Gravekeeper players will be need to be especially careful as running Royal Tribute will become more of a liability than an asset and will need to be sided out according. However, Gravekeepers already have their own means of suppressing the numerous discard-triggering effects inherent in Dark World decks:  

Gravekeeper's Watcher

(Spellcaster-Type/DARK/Level 4/ATK 1000/DEF 1000)

"When your opponent activates an effect whereby your opponent discards a card(s) from his/her hand, you can send this card from your hand to the Graveyard to negate the activation of the effect and destroy it."

While it may not be capable of turning your opponent's Card Destruction into a -1 like Gemini Imps can, in a Gravekeeper Deck, Watcher has added searchablility, and that can be all too crucial in gaining control of the game earlier. Whether as a Gravekeeper player you'd rather retain card advantage or be ready to counter your opponent's strategy faster, ultimate that's a matter of personal preference.

Just be wary, the Blackest Night is coming.

Remember players, the game ends with you.

P.S: Different Dimension Ground is another solution to the Dark World threat, and it works against Fableds too. ^_^ Just another option to consider if you find the DWs to be that much of a threat. Shutting down potential T.G. plays isn't a bad idea either especially when they've surged in popularity of late.

More Broken than Pot of Greed

So after browsing through the new releases in Photon Shockwave, I came across Fragment of Greed.

Fragment of Greed (Continuous Spell)

"During your Draw Phase, place 1 Greed Counter on this card when you perform your normal draw. When this card has 2 or more Greed Counters, you can send this card to the Graveyard to draw 2 cards."

I told my friends how this cards was more "broken" than the original Pot of Greed. Mind you, this was a joke as the art does depict a shattered Pot of Greed. However, I got such a strong reaction that this was a BAD card that, quite frankly, I'm disappointed at them.

Here we have a more balanced, splashable version of Pot of Greed. It may not be part of some game-ending combo, but it's far from being unplayable. From that logic, Six Samurai United is a bad card. Just the other I had a game against someone that was playing a Six Samurai deck. Everytime he attempted to summon a Six Samurai and start gaining Bushido Counters, I negated the summon with Solemn Warning. Because he couldn't net any card advantage from his Six Samurai United and Gateway of the Six he subsequently lost. I myself was trying out dubkdad1's most recent Volcanic variant.

Now does that mean that Six Samurai United is a bad card? Of course not. But you can't always use the "this card counters that" argument in this game. Things just don't always play out that way.

It's a solid card, and it's worth playing. I would play it, not in anything I'm running at the moment due to space issues, but it's something I might consider running in the future.

Wouldn't you rather have you opponent waste their Mystical Space Typhoon on the Fragment of Greed you just played than your set Solemn Warning? I'd like to think so.

Just watch out for that pesky Giant Trunade.

Remember players, the game ends with you.

Playing with the Underdogs

Alright so I spent the last several hours playtesting on Duel Network. The first few matches I used an old Elemental Hero Neos / Chaos deck updated for the recent banlist. Not a Chaos Neos deck, but a Neos Chaos deck, as in I'm using Chaos Sorcerer and not Elemental Hero Chaos Neos. People always get confused whenever I say the name, lol.

It was not actually my intention for the deck to win any of my games. I was just trying to some kill before I went to sleep, but the few successes I had with Neos Chaos encouraged me to try another formerly underdog deck: Ice Barriers. DN had recently added the Photon Shockwave expansion to the list of available cards, minus the Xyz Monsters, which have yet to be implemented. This meant I now had access to Preacher <3.

After some quick browsing for something to start with, I found Zeron's decklist on Pojo Forums worth consideration. To reduce the risk of any potential dead draws, however, as his original decklist ran 5 Tribute Monsters—3 of which were Level >6—I dropped the General Grunard of the Ice Barrier for a Samurai of the Ice Barrier. After 5-6 games I had a decent grasp of the strengths and limits of the deck.

My main concern is with the IBs that they require others to use their effects. When I played against Gravekeepers, there was little my poor Dance Prince could do if I couldn't get another IB out. And when I did, Necrovalley enabled her to be run over by everything and sealed any potential Preacher/Surfacing/Gantala/Salvage plays.

Speaking of Salvage, I can begin to see why some people don't like running it. It's absolutely painful to draw into sometimes, especially early game. Since Pot of Duality is going to be reprinted soon, it could possibly serve as a viable (and cheap) alternative.

Defender (not Blizzd) and Cryomancer did their jobs very well and Arcanite Magician is a must have in the extra deck. In fact, between Black Rose, Gungnir, Arcanite, and Scrap Archfiend, Level 7s form the bulk of my extra deck, if I even need to use it. Often times swarming the field can end games by itself.

The deck definitely has potential, it just needs little something more to make it flower better. Strategist + Medallion gets the engine going easy enough but if the graveyard isn't protected, you're in for a world of hurt.

Remember players the game ends with you.

Good Job Konami

In my previous post, I mentioned how Konami was remaking older banned into less broken counterparts. It appears that my initial opinion of Rescue Rabbit maybe be worth reconsideration, especially since builds have begun surfacing in an attempt to break the rabbit, as what happened with its feline predecessor.

Putting that aside it's the remaining content of Photon Shockwave that has interested me more. Apparently Konami hasn't given up on older archetypes such as the Ice Barriers, Naturias, and Watts. Ice Barriers specifically have gotten a fantastic support card in the former of Preacher of the Ice Barrier.

Preacher of the Ice Barrier

(Aqua-Type/WATER/Level 2/ATK 1000/DEF 400)

"If you control a face-up "Ice Barrier" monster: You can Special Summon this card from your hand. If you do, you cannot Special Summon Level 5 or higher monsters during this turn. You can Tribute this card to target 1 "Ice Barrier" monster in your Graveyard; Special Summon that target."

Preacher helps the Ice Barrier theme in three key ways:

1. It's ability to Special Summon itself helps fulfill the effect activation requirements of several Ice Barrier Monsters that requires another IB Monster to be on the field.
2. It's second effect effect helps players get out the Generals onto the field easily. 
3. It's level, type, and attribute make it great for Wetlands variants as another big beater, but one that can swarm the field. It's also compatible with Graceful Revival, Limit Reverse, AND Surfacing, essentially turning those cards into a Monster Reborn for any of your other IBs.

Good card is good, and I'm glad to see an archetype with so much potential finally given support that can tie the entire theme together.

Keep up the good work Konami. *Nice Guy Pose*

Remember players, the game ends with you.

P.S: You can still summon Monsters that don't have levels during the same turn you use Preacher. *Nudge, Nudge, wink, wink.*

Reincarnation

First there was Tradetoad.

Then there was Tribe-Shocking Virus.

Now we have Rescue Rabbit.

Rescue Rabbit
(Beast-Type/EARTH/Level 4/ATK 300/DEF 100)

"This card cannot be Special Summoned from the Deck. During your Main Phase: You can banish this face-up card; Special Summon 2 Level 4 or lower Normal Monsters with the same name from your Deck. Those monsters are destroyed during the End Phase. The effect of "Rescue Rabbit" can only be used once per turn."

I like how Konami's remaking banned cards into less broken counterparts. It seems like they've finally learned how to make balanced cards.

It's about time! lol.

Remember players, the game ends with you.

Seeing the Light

Photon Veil (Normal Spell)

"Return 3 LIGHT monsters from your hand to the Deck. Then, add up to 3 Level 4 or lower LIGHT monsters from your Deck to your hand. If you add 2 or more cards, they must have the same name."

Ways to use this card well:
1) Search for 3 Effect Veiler.
2) Wait for opponent to scoop.

OR

1) Return 2 random Fabled Monsters to your deck.
2) Search for 3 Fabled Grimros.
3) Proceed to search whatever you want and probably win that turn.

OR

1) Return your Wulf, Lightsworn Beasts.
2) Search for Rykos or Lylas.

OR

1) Return your Mystic Shine Balls.
2) Search for 3 The Agent of Mystery - Earth.
3) Laugh manically if you have Master Hyperion(s) in hand.

Remember players, the game ends with you.

The Circle of Life

Tribe-Shocking Virus

(Thunder-Type/WATER/Level 4/ATK 1700/DEF 1000)

"Once per turn, you can activate this effect by banishing 1 Monster in your hand. Destroy all face-up Monster on the field with the same Type as the Type of the monster banished for the activation of this effect."

So apparently Konami's finally made a decent counterpart for the since-banned Tribe-Infecting Virus. Previously we got Hunter of Black Feathers, but that card isn't even worth the mention. 

Tribe-Shocking Virus, however, is a major improvement in card design over the original. Not only does it have a restriction to its effect (once per turn), it removes the card used to pay for its cost, so no more Graveyard shenanigans which was in part why Tribe-Infecting Virus was so popular during the original Chaos Era. The fact that it has more ATK is also a plus, allowing it to run over more threats than its predecessor. Practically speaking it'd best used in a mirror match, seen as the banished card determines whats destroyed.

One can only hope that Konami doesn't screw us over with the rarity on this thing. Then again I'm sure the secondary market will value it high regardless of the rarity, as I've seen happen with other cards like Forbidden Lance and Legendary Six Samurai - Kizan. 

*sigh* Maybe if I'm lucky I'm pull some at the Photon Shockwave Sneak Preview, whenever that comes around.

Remember players, the game ends with you.

On the Origin of Species: Part I

Evolkaiser Ragia 

(Dragon-Type/FIRE/Rank 4/ATK 2400/DEF 2000)

2 Level 4 Dinosaur-Type monsters

You can detach 2 Xyz Materials from this card to negate the activation of a Spell/Trap Card OR the Normal or Special Summon of a monster, and destroy that card.

A good friend of mine is a huge fan of Dinosaurs and when I first heard of this card a few days ago I made sure he was the first person I informed of it. He looked kindly pointed out it was a Dragon, to which I had to go back and re-read the card. Despite not be a Dinosaur itself, Evolkaiser Ragia is excellent Dinosaur support, a fact both of us had come to acknowledge. In fact I've heard of several players dusting off their old copies of Hydrogeddon for this card's eventually release in Photon Shockwave. While Ragia is supposed to be part of the larger Evol archetype, I'm not seeing much merit in some of the other members. According to Wikia:

"The Evol monsters are a series of three sub-archetypes: Reptile-Type "Evoldo" monsters, Dinosaur-Type "Evoldar" monsters and Dragon-Type "Evolkaiser" monsters. "Evoldo" monsters Special Summon "Evoldar" monsters, who can Special Summon other "Evoldar" monsters when Special Summoned by the effect of "Evoldo" monsters, and "Evolkaiser" monsters who are Xyz Summoned by using Dinosaur-Type monsters as materials. 

The archetype name, Evol, is probably derived from evolution. They are based on evolution from Reptiles into Dinosaurs into Dragons. This is referenced in some cards, such as Ultra Evolution Pill."

Now while Darwin would be appalled at this blatant misuse of terminology, it's an interesting concept nonetheless. However, I'm more interested in a previously released archetype that could easily abuse Evolkaiser Ragia: Jurracs. Jurrac Guaiba and the aforementioned Hydrogeddon make summoning Ragia a cinch. I've heard of some player mentioned using Frost and Flame Dragon as additional tech, and while I'm not huge fan of the card (I never have been), it's another combo for a deck that could easily become the next Xyz-spamming engine.

Expect a Part II to this post sometime in the future. ^_^

Remember players, the game ends with you.

East Meets West

So Konami's continued the habit of releasing spoilers for their up and coming sets. Indeed the advertisement page for Generation Force shows a sizable amount of OCG imports and TCG exclusives for players to look forward to. Judging from the pictures shown, it seems that Konami managed to sneak one last Synchro Monster into set along with all the Xyzs (and imported Fusions). However, one card description in particular seemed to catch my interest.

"Synchro Monsters also have a traitor in their midst! Their biggest enemy might be a Synchro Monster itself: the treacherous Orient Dragon."

So out of curiosity I zoomed in on the image using Photoshop to get a closer look at the effect.

Orient Dragon
(Dragon-Type/WIND/Level 6/ATK 2300/DEF 1800)

1 Tuner + 1 or more non-Tuner Monsters

When this card is Synchro Summoned: Target 1 face-up Synchro Monster your opponent controls; banish that target.

Now I'll admit I wish the darn thing had more ATK, even 100 more would have sufficed, but it stills provides a lot of options the way it is now. 

A way to get rid of that Stardust, Shi En, or Catastor that's blocking your path without being forced to waste your only copy of Brionac. AND another Debris Dragon target to boot? What's not to love? ^_^

Oh wait, it's a Secret Rare!  -____-

Remember players, the game ends with you.

Silence Isn't Golden...

I cannot begin to emphasize that players who use this card need to be careful. If seen so many players lose games just because they forgot to recover the removed from play (or should I say "banished") card.

It happened to a guy I faced last night on Dueling Network, he lost because he forgot to reclaim his Gateway of the Six, although I reminded him after remembering the effect myself a few turns later. In a tournament setting this is a depressing way to lose, although I should note that players can get game warnings for forgetting Gold Sarc's effect, the opponent included if you can prove he/she "intentionally" forgot to remind you, which technically speaking they shouldn't have to seeing as it is your card effect, but I digress.

The best way to solve the problem? Put a die on top of your deck with the number two-side facing up. Reduce the number by one during each of your Standby Phases until two of them have passed. Problem solved! ^_^

Remember players, the game ends with you.

Lost in Translation

Fanslations have always been an iffy business for me. On one hand, people in the TCG want to know what future awaits in the Western meta, thus encouraging them to translate up and coming OCG cards. Unfortunately, unless the translation was done a professional, which in most cases it isn't, a lot of things can be lost in translation. 

Why do I bring this up?
 

Well, while browsing Pojo Forums, as I typically do on occasion, I came across a post by Kevin Tewart, whom most know as Konami's current U.S. head of development for the Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game. The post was a respond to a previous post about a player referring to the Exceed Monster known as No. 17 Revise Dragon:

Leviathan Dragon. It's Leviathan Dragon, not "revise dragon".

This is another example of how naming things in English, but using Japanese characters, doesn't really work that well. In many cases the English name is the correct name, since the real name is, well, English.

"Exceeds monster" is another such misnomer.

Exceed Monster is a misnomer? I don't know about everyone else, but every time I've watched an episode of Zexal, I distinctly hear エクシ一ズ  (Ekushīzu). So naturally I was confused upon hearing this and didn't understand what he meant until I saw the advertisment for Starter Deck 2011 on Toywiz:

 

Name: Yu-Gi-Oh 2011 Dawn of the XYZ

Manufacturer: Konami

Series: YuGiOh ZEXAL

Release Date: May 2011

For ages: 4 and up

Details (Description): Exciting times are upon us for the Yu-Gi-Oh! property. There’s a brand new Yu-Gi-Oh! animated series on the horizon, and with it comes an all new kind of monster! These revolutionary monsters will make their spectacular North American debut in the 2011 Starter Deck. The 2011 Starter Deck serves two roles. It’s designed to teach new players the ins & outs of the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG. It’s also to teach current players about this brand new category of monsters. And it’s the first place for Duelists to get their hands on these hot new monsters. The first booster set with the new monsters will be releasing in August 2011. But Duelists who want to be ahead of the game will get a leap forward by picking up their new monsters in this Starter Deck!

Each Starter Deck Contains: 40 Common Cards, 1 Ultra Rare Card, 2 Super Rare Cards, 1 Beginner’s Guide, 1 Game Mat – Plus the debut of the new Xyz monsters!

*Notes: Picture is a Konami placeholder, not final image!

Xyz Monsters? WTH! If this is accurate, which it may or may not be knowing Toywiz's track record, this would be one of the worst name changes ever. And to make matters worse they changed No. 39 Aspiring Emperor Hope to Number 39: Utopia? Much less dramatic than I'd have hoped. -__-

I'm at a loss for words.

Remember players, the game ends with you.

Spiral Nemesis

So Elemental Hero Escuridao, a.k.a. the DARK Attribute Hero Fusion, has been announced to be released along with Yu-Gi-Oh! GX Manga Vol. 9. For those of you that are unaware of it's effect it goes as follows:

Elemental Hero Escuridão

(Warrior-Type/DARK/Level 8/ATK 2500/DEF 2000)

1 "Elemental Hero" monster + 1 DARK monster

This card cannot be Special Summoned except by Fusion Summon. This card gains 100 ATK for each "Elemental Hero" monster in your Graveyard.

Yes, I realize the effect is lackluster compared to the effects of the other Attribute Fusions, but WHO CARES? Now no card, save an Egyptian God Card,  is safe from the threat that is Super Polymerization, a.k.a. the Spiral Nemesis.

Of course support like this comes at a cost, as your opponent can just premptively use their own Super Poly to steal your monsters and bring out their own Fusions. And since Super Poly can't be chained to, there's little anyone can do it.

Exceeds were already facing stiff competiion from Synchros, and now it looks like Fusions will make the situation worse for them. But of course, only time will tell how the meta shifts.

Remember players, the game ends with you.

Previously on Yu-Gi-Oh! (Online)...

Playing video games online can be a frustrating experience. Even when you're at the peak of confidence in your skills there are a multitude of things that can go wrong. You'll face that noob that'll ragequit on you when you KO his monster, or those "pro players" that always go for the OTK. With hindrances like this it's often difficult to rank yourself up.

Personally speaking I've never been a fan of dueling online, preferring the experience of getting to sit down and fight your opponent face-to-face. Call me oldschool, but that extends to not using webcams either. I can't explain, but for me it's just not the same.

Believe me, I've tried several times—Yu-Gi-Oh! Virtual Desktop (YVD), Yu-Gi-Oh! Online, GameKing, KaibaCorp—all only to quit.

But recently some friends of mine got me into Dueling Network. While the servers can sometimes be overloaded, it's quick and easy to get started. Just don't forget to make an Extra Deck like I did on my first run, lol.
 

And remember to include Pot of Duality and Solemn Warning in your builds. ^__^

Remember players, the game ends with you.

Oh, and I go by Iceman Hotty on the site. Hit me up if you see me online.

Warriors

Warriors are the most supported Type in this game. There are several archetypes that, while not Warrior-exclusive, possess numerous splashable monsters at their disposal. Destiny Hero - Malicious, Colossal Fighter, Don Zaloog, D.D. Warrior Lady—these are but a few examples. In fact one of the, if not the most supported monsters in the game is Elemental Hero Neos, a Normal Monster!

Why do I bring this up? Well, at the Extreme Victory Sneak Preview last weekend, while going through the commons and rares in the set I came across T.G. Striker and Elder of the Six Samurai. 

T.G. Striker (Warrior-Type/EARTH/Level 2/ATK 800/DEF 0)

If your opponent controls a monster and you control no monsters, you can Special Summon this card from your hand. During the End Phase of the turn this card on the field was destroyed and sent to the Graveyard, you can add 1 "T.G." monster from your Deck to your hand, except "T.G. Striker".

Elder of the Six Samurai (Warrior-Type/EARTH/Level 3/ATK 400/DEF 0)

If your opponent controls a monster and you control no monsters, you can Special Summon this card from your hand.

Now I'm sure I'm not the first to think up of this particular combo but Striker + Elder = Legendary Six Samurai  - Shi En. 

With this new trick, combined with the handful of splashable Warriors in Extreme Victory, Warrior Toolbox just got one heck of a lot better.

Remember players, the game ends with you.

To Infinity & Beyond

The metagame in Yu-Gi-Oh! is a volatile thing, for months, even years, a decktype can be competitive. All it takes is one bad banlist and it's playability can be totally shot. But the banlist isn't the only factor that comes into play. In the TCG, being a few sets behind the OCG, the differences in player mentality can be notable especially when compared to our Eastern compatriots. Generally speaking, the Japan and the other OCG countries will always have a larger card pool to work with. The only stabilizing factor is the existence of the TCG exclusives which cause the metas to diverge, on occasion. Grandmaster of the Six Samurai, Allure of Darkness, and recently Reborn Tengu—cards like these generate creative spikes in the TCG which otherwise draws most of its strategies from the OCG.

Gradually, however, these "exclusives" become available in both regions, which drastically impact either meta. For example, Trishula, Dragon of the Ice Barrier, previous limited to one in the OCG was recently released on Western shores. Due to previous not being available the card was not mentioned on the previous banlist for TCG players (March 2011). As such, players here can enjoy the privilege of using Triple Trishula for the next few months, at least until the September list is released. Trishula, being the devastating card that it is, has hindered some playable predominating decktypes in the meta. Users of Formula Monarchs, previously a top rated decktype, can be completely overwhelmed by an opponent playing one Trishula, let alone three.

In times like this, if a deck isn't able to evolve, it will die out completely. Now I've been a long time player of Monarchs. However, the emergence of Formula Monarchs, or Frog/Genex Monarchs as the deck's also been called, several months back put me off from competitive play for quite some time. The reason being most players of the deck refused to work on exploring the other variants of Monarchs. Recently, thanks to my good friend Chris Oyola, I've discovered the marvel that is Water Synchro. I won't give his exact build but basically the deck uses the Genex engine to set your Graveyard for future Synchro Spamming. I've constructed my own variant minus a few cards. I'm not running Effect Veilers (needed to counter Trishula) or teching any Monarchs in my variant, lacking the appropriate cards for such tactics, at the moment anyway.

HOHENHEIM & TRISHULA (MARCH 2011)

MONSTERS (25)
1 Gorz the Emissary of Darkness
1 Meklord Emperor Skiel
3 Reborn Tengu
3 Genex Controller
3 Genex Undine
1 Sangan
1 Spore
1 Plaguespreader Zombie
1 Dandylion
2 Fishborg Blaster
2 Treeborn Frog
1 Glow-Up Bulb
3 Battle Fader
1 Meklord Emperor Grannel
1 Tragoedia

SPELLS  (15)
1 Dark Hole
1 One for One
1 Mind Control
1 Foolish Burial
1 Giant Trunade
1 Monster Reborn
1 Allure of Darkness
2 Mystical Space Typhoon
3 Enemy Controller
3 Pot of Avarice

Honestly only real complaint I have with the deck is that I have trouble deciding what Synchros to run. The sky's the limit when it comes to level manipulation. With regard to the Meklords, Skiel and Grannel are just personal tech with Wisels being preferred over the two more often than not. Unfortunately we've yet to to hear any word of the last Machine Emperor's release, so until then I'm stilling experimenting with substitutes.

Remember players, the game ends with you.

You Can NEVER Catch 'Em All

So I bet most of you are wondering why I haven't been posting the last month and a half. Well long story short, I was consumed...by Pokémon that is. Having played the handheld series for years I just had to get my hands on the latest addition to the franchise. Unfortunately once I got my hands on the game I couldn't quite them off. Battling, catching, training, hacking...I did it all.

Had it not been for the Extreme Victory Sneak Preview yesterday I'd still be clinging onto Pokémon White Version. But as I've come to realize that as long as they keep making newer and newer Pokémon you'll NEVER be able to catch 'em all. -__-

So hopefully this will be the first of many more posts to come. And remember players, the game ends with you.

To Be, or Not to Be...

Thunder King Rai-Oh (Thunder-Type/LIGHT/Level 4/ATK 1900/DEF 800)

Neither player can add cards from their Deck to their hand except by drawing them. You can send this face-up card to the Graveyard to negate the Special Summon of 1 of your opponent monsters, and destroy it.

Thunder King Rai-Oh CAN negate Special Summons that DO NOT start a Chain. 

Thunder King Rai-Oh CANNOT negate Special Summons that DO start a Chain. 

Formula Synchron, given the right circumstances, can fall into either category.

Formula Synchron (Machine-Type/LIGHT/Level 2/ATK 200/DEF 1500)
1 Tuner + 1 non-Tuner Monster

When this card is Synchro Summoned, you can draw 1 card. During your opponent's Main Phase, you can Synchro Summon using this face-up card you control as a Synchro Material Monster.

For example, if you have a face-up Formula Synchron and Caius the Shadow Monarch on the Field, I CANNOT negate your Synchron Summon with Rai-Oh during my turn, but I CAN during yours.

Make sense?

Remember players, the game ends with you.

Order of Operations

The first time someone experiences the Debris Dragon into Dandylion into Black Rose Dragon combo they always question why the Fluff Tokens wouldn't get destroyed. It's happened to me and it's happened to nearly every player I know. Basically it happens like this:

Dandylion + Black Rose Dragon

Dandylion's Effect is mandatory, while Black Rose's is optional. When creating a chain with effects that stack, the mandatory effect(s) will always take place first (Dandylion) followed by any optional effects (Black Rose).

Chain Link 1 = Dandylion (Mandatory)

↓

Chain Link 2 = Black Rose Dragon (Optional)

The chain then resolves backwards—Black Rose Dragon's effect resolves destroying the Field, then Dandylion resolves summoning 2 Fluff Tokens.

Now recently a problem arose with the introduction of Doppelwarrior in Storm of Ragnarok. A handful of players assumed that since Doppelwarrior creates Tokens in a similar manner to Dandylion that any chain involving it would resolve the same way.

Now it is far from the way things actually work. Take the following example:

Junk Warrior + Doppelwarrior

Junk Warrior's effect is mandatory (like Dandylion), while Doppel's is optional (like Black Rose). So just like before, their effects stack and resolve the same:

Chain Link 1 = Junk Warrior (Mandatory)

↓

Chain Link 2 = Doppelwarrior (Optional)

Resolving backwards, the 2 Doppel Tokens are summoned, then the Junk Warrior will gain attack equal to all level 2 or lower Monsters on your side of the Field.

Now let's say someone decided to use both Doppelwarrior AND Dandylion as the Non-Tuners to summon Black Rose Dragon:

Dandylion + Doppelwarrior + Black Rose Dragon

Since Doppelwarrior and Black Rose Dragon are optional, Dandylion must be Chain Link 1.

You can choose the order of Doppel and Black Rose's effects on that chain, but if you are not stupid you'll place Doppel as Chain Link 2 and Black Rose as Chain Link 3.

Chain Link 1 = Dandylion (Mandatory)

↓

Chain Link 2 = Doppelwarrior (Optional)

↓

Chain Link 3 = Black Rose Dragon (Optional)

Simple enough, right?

Keep in mind that Doppelwarrior triggers its effect when it is sent to the graveyard and not upon the successful synchro summon, unlike with Beast of the Pharaoh, so even if the summon is negated you'll still get your Doppel Tokens.

Remember players, the game ends with you.

Zero Logic 2

It's rare for me to post twice in the same day, but due to the seriousness of the matter at hand I thought it would be best not to wait. Some of you might remember my previous post regarding what happens when two 0 ATK Monsters battle one another. Julia Hedberg of the KDE Judge Program recently released an update on the matter:

Hi everyone, 

There has been an important change made to the latest version of the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG Official Rulebook, which is included with the Structure Deck: Dragunity Legion.  

The current version is listed as Version 7.2, you can find the version number on the lower right corner of the Rulebook cover. 

On page 43 in the “Other Rules” section, the following clarification has been made:
• “0 ATK monsters
Monsters with 0 ATK cannot destroy anything by battle. If two Attack Position monsters with 0 ATK battle each other, neither monster is destroyed.”

So that's one less ruling that needs to be carried over from the OCG to the TCG. We're one step closer to having universal rulings. ^__^

Remember players, the game ends with you.

The Shining Zero

So I've been the last few days, what with schoolwork and a near-death experience and all. But of course, even with all this craziness I haven't failed to pre-order my copies of Elemental Hero The Shining. I've run the new deck through several simulations and let me you: the deck is AMAZING!

Elemental Hero The Shining
(Warrior-Type/LIGHT/Level 8/ATK 2600/DEF 2100)
1 "Elemental Hero" monster + 1 LIGHT monster

This card cannot be Special Summoned except by Fusion Summon. This card gains 300 ATK for each of your removed from play "Elemental Hero" monsters. When this card is sent from the field to the Graveyard, you can select up to 2 of your removed from play "Elemental Hero" monsters, and add them to your hand.

In the past I've always had to wait to set-up my graveyard unless I happened to open up with Prisma or E-Call in hand. But back then my main go-to hero was Absolute Zero and later Gaia. Now any combination of the Elemental Heroes that I run will fuse, making the deck play much smoother. I had to scrap the General Raihos from the previous build, however, after noticing a flaw in its effect. Apparently it can only negate effects that resolve on the Field, making it much less playable than I had initially believed. Thus I'm currently running a Hero Beat/Light Gemini Variant, shown below:

THE SHINING ZERO (MARCH 2011)

MONSTERS (18)

1 Gorz the Emissary of Darkness

3 Elemental Hero Neos Alius

2 Crusader of Endymion

1 Elemental Hero Stratos

2 Elemental Hero Prisma

2 D.D. Warrior Lady

1 Elemental Hero Wildheart

2 Elemental Hero Ocean

1 Honest

1 Glow-Up Bulb

2 Snowman Eater

SPELLS  (19)

3 Miracle Fusion

3 Gemini Spark

2 Pot of Duality [PROXIED]

2 Forbidden Lance [PROXIED]

2 Mystical Space Typhoon

1 Reinforcement of the Army

1 Super Polymerization

1 E – Emergency Call

1 Monster Reborn

1 Book of Moon

1 Future Fusion

1 Dark Hole

TRAPS (3)

1 Mirror Force

1 Torrential Tribute

1 Call of the Haunted

I've been using the deck for about two weeks now and I really like it. It's very consistent. I've run many Hero variants in the past and this one has got to be my favorite. The only real issue I've faced in my trials is running into Eradicator Epidemic Virus which obliterates my hand if I have mostly Spells, which tends to happen, a lot. I can still survive the three turns but it makes games much more challenging. Fortunately Malefics are not consistent enough as is, so for now I haven't had too much trouble winning the match-up.

I was thinking about replacing the Glow-Up Bulb with a Neo-Spacian Grand Mole but losing the ability to summon Black Rose Dragon might definitely hurt. I've won quite a few game thanks to Black Rose's second effect and a powered up Shining on the Field.

Remember players, the game ends with you.

A Wiseman Once Told Me...

Wiseman's Chalice (Normal Spell)

If you control no monsters, Select 1 monster in your opponent's Graveyard. Special Summon it. During the End Phase of this turn, give control of that Special Summoned monster to your opponent. The monster cannot be Tributed, or used as a Synchro Material Monster, while it is face-up on the field.

Like the case with Mind Control before it, stocks of Wiseman's Chalice have literally sold out over night. Why? Blame Exceeds.

Mind Control used to be a terrible card a few years back because there weren't many ways of capitalizing on the stolen monster. Synchro Monsters changed that, which is why the card is now limited. The same logic can be used on Wiseman's Chalice, except you'd use it to bring out an Exceed Monster instead of a Synchro.

Better start grabbing as many copies as you can now, before prices skyrocket.

Remember players, the game ends with you.