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.

Plague of Frogs

It is come to my attention that there are a large number of players that—while they may be able to grasp enough of the gameplay—lack sufficient understanding of simple game mechanics. One of these mechanics is the concept of "missing the timing." 

Now I'll admit, the fact that cards can miss their timing closes off a world of combos. I was disappointed when I learned that using Ceasefire would not allow me to trigger Flip Flop Frog's effect and bounce my opponent's monsters after inflicting damage to them. But I digress, it's just one of those things players have to come to acknowledge.

About a week ago, a friend of mine was telling me how he lost to some kids at his locals. From his description it was evident that the players didn't realized that certain combos wouldn't not work due to missing the time. Although I was able to convince him, the players would not accept my word since I'm technically not a judge (yet).

I subsequently e-mailed Konami to prove my point, and yesterday they finally responded:

From: ****** ******* [mailto:icemanhotty@yahoo.com]
Sent: Monday, August 16, 2010 7:44 AM
To: us-ygorules@konami.com
Subject: Frog Rulings

I'd like to clarify some rulings since the previously released rulings which don't expressly state what I presume to be true.

1) A Poison Draw Frog that is tributed for the cost of another card effect (ex. Substitoad, Mass Driver, Enemy Controller, Spiritual Water Art - Aoi) will miss the timing for its effect, correct? This is because it is an Optional Trigger Effect. But would I also miss the timing if it were used for a Synchro Summon or Tribute Summon?
2) Same question, but for Dupe Frog, which also has the word "can" in its effect.

Thank you for your time.

From: US YGO Rules
To: ****** *******
Sent: Mon, August 23, 2010 1:15:25 PM
Subject: RE: Frog Rulings

Correct on all counts. The timing will be missed for both of those cards in the scenarios you described, including being used for a Synchro Summon or Tribute Summon.

Now I'll say it here: I'm not perfect, I don't know every single ruling out there and occasionally I'll make mistakes.

I was once asked what would happen if an Ally of Justice Catastor battled a Neo-Spacian Grand Mole. At the time, not knowing that there was already a ruling for it, I told my friends that the attacking monster would be Chain Link 1 and the other Chain Link 2 in terms of activation. As I would later find out, this is completely wrong. Grand Mole's effect is optional, whereas Catastor's is mandatory. As such, Catastor would always be Chain Link 1 in this instance:

If “Ally of Justice Catastor” battles “Neo-Spacian Grand Mole,” the mandatory effect of Catastor will activate first and become Chain Link 1 and the effect of “Neo-Spacian Grand Mole” will be Chained to it.

If I do make a mistake I will correct myself, and I usually try to contact everyone I've mislead to inform them. It can be troublesome at times, but its definitely worth it when I can help others improve their game. 

On that note, it seems that Frog Monarchs are still putting up a fight in the OCG. Will they continue to dominate? Only time will tell.

Remember players, the game ends with you.

The Return of the King

In recent formats, the only Monarchs that were very considered in deck construction were Caius, Raiza, and occasionally Thestalos. Kuraz saw limited play in Geartown varients, while Mobius was often relegated to the side deck. Zaborg and Granmarg saw very little, if any, play at all.

I find it quite amusing really, especially since Zaborg and Mobius were once considered the crème de la crème in terms of Single Tribute Monsters. It was Raiza that changed things and dethroned Zaborg. Once Caius was released, Mobius too lost his pride.

But in this new age where the mass removal power of Heavy Storm is lacking, the Frost Monarch may yet see some play again. Being one of only three Monarchs with Optional-Trigger Effects (the other being Kuraz and the soon-to-be-released Delg)  means that he can even dodge a suspected Starlight Road by choosing to destroy only 1 Spell or Trap. If you're able to predict well, and avoid the Trap, then you've just +1'd in card advantage, provided those cards weren't chainable.

Even with Starlight Road as a potential threat, let's not forget there are ways around it. Remember, if Starlight Road fails to destroy the intended card its controller cannot Special Summon Stardust Dragon. A well timed Spiritual Water Art - Aoi should take card of those nasty retaliatory plays.

And Mobius can even serve as Fusion Material for Elemental Hero Absolute Zero, which I often use him for.

Overall Mobius the Frost Monarch should prove to be a solid main deck choice for the coming format. But don't take my word for it, see for yourself.

Remember players, the game ends with you.