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.