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.

Always Use Protection

It's always amusing to see players wish for support for underdog archetypes, because it can often be months (or even years) before it comes to fruition. Some of them, like Iron Chains, are probably destined never to receive support again. So when I saw the art on Safety Zone in the recently released Extreme Victory (OCG) I thought Gradius fans would finally find some solace. That was of course until I actually read its effect.

Safety Zone (Continuous Trap)

Select 1 face-up Attack Position monster on the field. It cannot be targeted or destroyed by your opponent's card effects, it cannot be destroyed by battle, and it cannot attack your opponent directly. When this card is removed from the field, destroy that monster. When that monster is removed from the field, destroy this card.

Had Safety Zone been restricted to work with just Gradius and the other spaceships, it would have been a decent card. However, the fact that it's generic support is what allows it to truly shine. Imagine having a Naturia Bamboo Shoot, Shooting Star Dragon, or Gravekeeper's Visionary under it's protection...a frightening prospect indeed.

Sure not being able to attack directly can be irritating, but as I've learned from experience, when your opponent has a nigh untouchable monster out winning a game becomes extremely difficult. You can even chain Safety Zone to it's own destruction to take out one of your opponent's monsters such as Lyla, Lightsworn Sorceress or Breaker the Magical Warrior, among others.

Recently I'd been trying to obtain a Forbidden Lance for it's similar versatility, but seeing that people are valuing it too high I think I'll wait for Safety Zone instead.

Remember players, the game ends with you.

UPDATE: Found this video while looking up the old Gradius games: