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.