Article #77: When S&B Underdrove

In another hot summer in Texas, Baron, as usual, just sit around the house, cooling off with the A/C, doing nothing. Spikes again is Spikes, putting up no update when I did everything myself. So, as usual, I will be the one that will write the same old lame article that try hard to look at cards on paper without even playtesting them EVER...yet.

As usual, just talk about the themes of the set, deck types, a list of usable cards, and of course, my favorite worst of the worst.

In addition, I will write 1 paragraph, literally, on the latest metagame plus what I think Konami should do for the next ban/restriction list.

Card Trends and theme:
This set continues some of the theme introduced from last set and also Structure Deck. In addition, few character decks from the 5Ds anime were introduced in the set. First is the Spider from Rudger (Goodwin), also there are the Reptiless from Misty. For other Dark Signers, there are the Infernities from Kiryu, the Fortune Ladies from Carly. For "good guys", there are the Savior Dragon series from Yusei, some more Ruka cards, etc.

The other themes include more Core Chimails, Dual theme from the Structure Deck, and the theme that had not been touch since more than 2 years ago: Ritual monster.

[Lord British] becomes the latest Gladius series card to be include in a set.

Deck Types:
Here are some of the new deck types that I think people could create after this set, competitive or not.
- Reptiless abuse (??)
- Savior (there is a deck for it?)
- Earthbound Immortals theme (why used like 10 2-release monsters in a deck? I don't know)

For deck types that get boosts:
- Synchron Synchro/"Yusei Deck Wins!"
- Ruka Theme (I know, why built it?)
- Infernity/0 Hand (not that it would work...)
- Fortune Lady
- Insect (Spider itself is a deck? I don't see how)
- Reptile type deck (does not exist...a lot of Reptile themes, no connection between any)
- Core Chimail (still don't recommend)
- Spellcaster (again...at least this set ones are decent)
- Dual Theme (why bother?)
- Gaeru!! Water Attribte also
- Ritual Ritual Ritual (although there are still only TWO good Ritual monsters existed!)
- Plant (went from Figs to Gigaplant in no time)

Useful cards :
Well, as usual, I would write a list of cards that I think that can be considered to be play. Of course, sometimes this list gets a little long since a whole theme itself maybe good.

Here we go...anyway, as usual, in numerical order.

- Quick Synchron
- Fortune Ladies (Windy, Watery, Darky (especially), and Earthy)
- Sacrifice Spider (with No Entry = god)
- Spyder Spider
- Reptiless Gorgon (mean!)
- Reptiless Medusa (Cybernetic Magician...*sigh*you are bad)
- Reptiless Scyila (Goyou wanna-be)
- Earthbound Immortal (although all 3 does not have a super good effect as none gives you much advantage in terms of number of cards, they are still good finisher if you have the correct cards)
- Core Chimail Rooklord (Core Chimail new finisher)
- Crusader of Endymion
- Ogre Gaeru
- Lord British (just have to put it down...)
- Ritual Majins (Releaser/Gresider) (hey, it's Ritual Support....and pretty good ones)
- Savior Star Dragon
- Black Feather - Silver Wind of Isolated
- Black Bulldrago
- Explosive Magician
- Spider Web (sticky, indeed)
- Earthbound Cyclone (although rate of bad-drawing this card is HIGH)
- Savage Colosseum (another stall Field?)
- Fortune Future
- Greedy Ushibo
- Spiritual Forest
- Abundance of Berserk Plant (a.k.a. Plant Limiter)
- Twist of Fortune (free Counter?)
- Fortune Inherit (1+1 for 2 monsters)
- Dual Booster (Dual uses)
- Devilian Song
- Seal of Evil Destruction (another Uria toy)

Now, of course, my choice of worst card in the set...and it is?

Red Lotus Designator - It's just that I don't get what the effect ever does to make opponent cry. Consider the thing that you have to cough up 1/4 of your Life just to remove a card from opponent's hand for...ehh...a turn?

So this ends with my first impression of SOVR. Have fun playing with the cards, as usual.

Metagame Update
Although it's only 3 months since my last update...here are some 2 cents....

- It's now pretty much Scirocco v. Rescue Cat
- Black Feather is so versatile, becoming another anime theme that actually works in real life gaming.
- Vayu (The BF) is pretty much the only card that is used from ANPR. It comes in the "Graveyard" built of Black Feather, using none other than [Knight of the End] (and Dark Grepher...sort of)

What I think about September?
Well, this being what should be the last game article I write before my article on 9/1 ban/restriction list, here are just some thought.

- Unbannable: Since the last list did not even touch the list...for a reason. Really, the only thing I can see Konami ever do is exchanging the reborn card again. Outside of that, it is hard for me to argue any of the cards in the ban list to be unbanned...maybe [Metamorphosis]. The only reason is that there is now the 15 card Extra Deck limits which make every spot necessary.
- Bannable: The opposite of the above. With the game as balance (although dull with all the Synchros) as is, I cannot think of reason to ban anything. People can argue about DAD, Zombie Carrier (the best Tuner in the game), Goyou/Brionac (since they exist in Extra Deck). NONE, however, is broken to a level of uncontrollable.
- Unrestrict: There are not much...[Limiter Removal] is one that I can see going down (although with [Dark Dive Bomber/Dark Strike Fighter], I don't see Konami doing it), [Level B]/[Gravity Bind] are two cards that I don't see why it should be restricted anymore. [Cyclone] is another card I don't see why need to be restricted (it make Magic/Trap threat much less). [Power of Teamwork], again, I don't see why it's up there...
- Restrict: One card that comes to my head: Dark Dive Bomber. The card have 100% chance to be restrict. Is the card good? Well, a 2600 attack strength monster that can deal 4000 damages by itself (2600 + 1400) is of course good. Another card I think it is too broken to be true is [Black Whirlwind]...makes Black Feather unnecessary fast. I truly see [Allure of Darknes] up here sooner or later...I truly think that [Rescue Cat] will be upgraded for the fact that it is 1 monster for 1 Synchro with ease. Some people can also argue [BF - Gairu of Gale]...but that card is nowhere as good without [Black Whirlwind].
- The Semi List: [Goblin Zombie] is one that I think should go back down, so is [Destiny Draw]. [Raizer] can go back to 3 as the most popular Monarch right now is [Dark Monarch - Gaius] anyway. Cards to put to this list? I don't know...I truly can't think of any.

Coming next: Fortune Lady will be digested like Fortune Cookie.

- Baron, 7/17/2009

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