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.