Spikes & Baron D.M.Comet

Card Article 7: Flame of Horus

Long time I didn't write an Card Article...

In celebration of [LV] theme week, I would write 3 reviews on LV monsters in total (already done 2...not saying which card I'm doing for my 3rd one), and also two articles concerning two series of [LV] monster.

So, first of all, for those still do not get what is [LV] monsters. Basically, the series is this card game's "Evolution" type of theme. This theme start in the manga in Egypt Arc when Yugi use his Silent Swordsman and Silent Magician. Now, in Soul of the Duelist (release in 5/25/04), the [LV] mechanic is officially introduce to the game. Basically, the series is usually 2-4 monsters (most likely 3) where they have the same name, but just different LV and effect. Their effect are always related, just see Horus, the series I'm going to get into:

Horus LV4: Cannot change Control - usually, control can only change by effect of Magic cards
Horus LV6: Does not affect by effect of Magic cards
Horus LV8: Can choose to negate Magic cards play

All of them have something to do with Magic cards (except LV4, which is only indirectly related).

Now, just in case you had not read my review on LV6 and LV8 (no plan to do LV4), here it is:

LV6: http://dmcomet.vzz.net/cotw/125.htm
LV8: http://dmcomet.vzz.net/cotw/73.htm

So, when I type the link, it means that I would NOT review the cards in this article.

Now, let analyze the Horus. WHAT so special about them?? They're all Fire/Dragon, each have a decent attack/defense power. Now, there're two approachs of building a Horus deck: Dragon approach, or [LV] theme approach.

In Dragon approach, you would use [Horus] as the main card in your Dragon deck. There're many approachs to a Dragon deck, but they all do the same thing: beat opponent down with fierce power. Here's the list of cards that are a MUST this type of build:
- Horus LV4 x2 - x3
- Horus LV6 x2
- Horus LV8 x1 - x2
- Breaker
- Staples Magic: Jar of Greed, Cyclone, Lightning Vortex, Change of Heart, Theft, Tempest, and Early Burial
- Staple Trap: Cry of Living Dead, Ring of Destruction

So now, that's not enough cards for a deck, right??
To go with the theme, we have to add more Dragons, here's the list that most people use:
- Spear Dragon
- Sapphire Dragon
- Element Dragon
- Dol Dora

Here's some M/T cards that are need to support the Dragon theme:
- Stomping Crush
- Dragon's Rage

Of course, as always, you need some standard monster removal (or additional), like [Apostle of Obliteration], [Earth Crush], etc. Also, M/T removal is needed (Thunder Break/Dust Tornado/etc.)

To tech this deck to finish, you add cards that are great in your meta (for example, if Rush is a lot, add more monster removal. Same goes with Staller, only that more M/T removal is needed. If Burner is big, side deck some anti-burn cards.)

To faster up the deck, [Hand Obliteration], [Cyber Pod], or [Metamol Pod] could be nice addition to the deck. Sometimes if you like countering, add in 1-2 Counter Trap.

At last, if you want to create a "lock" with [Horus LV8]'s effect, [Royal Decree] is also a nice addition. At last, you can ALWAYS use the old [Lord of Dragon] + [Flute] combo, but this type of build doesn't need them.

Now is time for the [LV] build of Horus. What's the difference between this and the other one?? Well, basically, in this build, ALL you cares is getting out the Horus as fast as possible, and win with Horus.

To build this, at first, of course, you need the Horus. Here's the ratio I recommand:
- Horus LV4 x3
- Horus LV6 x3
- Horus LV8 x2

Then, of course, you add the staples monster, Magic, and Trap.

Now, it's time for the reason this is called "LV" build, basically, you would use the two [LV] supporting cards in SOD:
- About 2-3x [Level Up!]
- 1x [Fourth Dimensional Grave]

At last, to toon up the deck, this type of build would sometimes use [Dark Mimic] series to help drawing the right card. The following cards are recommand for heavy hand refreshing that this build needs:
- Hand Obliteration, Reload, etc.
- Cyber Pod, Metamol Pod, Fiber Pod

At last, most likely this type of build would use [Lord of Dragon] + [Flute] combo as a back up support. The best low level Dragon, Spear Dragon, is then add:
- 2-3x Spear Dragon
- 2-3x Lord of Dragon
- 1-2x Flute

At last, since this type of deck is base to [Horus], you would want to protect it as much as possible. Here're some examples
- Royal Decree
- Book of Moon
- Emissary of Harmony/Explosive Armor/Magic Cylinder type of cards.

The final card I want to introduce to both type of build is, [Jammer Trio] (304). Since [Horus] constantly have problem finding food to kill, this tokens would help the effect of this cards run faster.

Have fun with Horus. REMEMBER, you can ALWAYS create your own type of Horus deck (for example Horus could be use with Fire Main-type, but it's not really cooperating well in there), and NO...no decklist, I do NOT want you to cookie cut my deck, I want you readers to BUILD it yourself using what you know, and tool the ratio of cards to what works the best for you guys.

- Baron, 12/6/04