Deck Concept

A few weeks ago at locals, one of my opponents was using quite the interesting deck.

Zombies and Skill Drain

Think about it for a second and let it sink in...

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Let me explain then...

The deck uses an array of monsters such as Pyramid Turtle, Mezuki, Plaguespreader Zombie, Mystic Tomato, and Goblin Zombie that all have one thing in common. Their effects activate in the graveyard, thus going around Skill Drain (since Drain only affects face-up monsters on the field) and allowing their effects to go uninterrupted.

However, the deck still uses monsters like Zombie Master and such. But as you can see, it's mostly the graveyard that moves the deck.

Didn't see much else of the deck, but it did have a synchro engine, as well as a whole lot of speed.

It's just an idea I made after an observation...and I want a rematch.

On a slight holiday break...

Yeah, I have been taking it easy these last few days. So I have been a little behind on the posts and all. I was meaning to post an article about how attitudes in areas we duel can often change us into a different person (better or worse) depending on the environment we compete in and the people that surround us in those locals/regionals/other. Hopefully I should get around to it soon.

But before I go, I would like to leave you with one card that has caught my attention (thanks to my friend Siulzen) and your next "Unlocked Potential" article, Perfect Herald.

(Credits go to Shriek for the image)


Perfect Herald

Light/6/Fairy/Ritual

"This card can only be Ritual Summoned with the Ritual Spell Card, "Herald's Promise". You can send 1 Fairy-Type monster from your hand to the Graveyard to negate the activation of a Spell Card, Trap Card, or Effect Monster's effect and destroy it."

Here's a clue as to where this card can shine...but you just have to look high up into the clouds for that one. I know there's one deck that comes to mind when I think about it!

Level Monarchs

Well, while this may not be the reason I stated in my previous entry, this was one of the reasons I was going to say that Level Eater was worth running. Behold...I present to you my latest creation since "Vanity Gadgets," say hello to "Level Monarchs!"

This is a deck I made today in Tag Force 4 while fending off some boredom, and I think it seriously has some potential. Basic premise is to dump Level Eater and Treeborn as fast as possible to use for monarchs. Once a monarch is on the field, Level Eater can swarm from the grave, depleting the levels for either the tribute of another monarch or allowing a synchro summon.

Monsters: 18

Level Eater x3
Armageddon Knight x2
Caius x2
Raiza x2
Mobius x2
Gale
Pleaguespreader Zombie
Treeborn Frog
The Tricky x2
Gravekeeper's Spy x2

Spells: 12

Book of Moon x2
MST
Brain Control
Foolish Burial x2
Giant Trunade
Heavy Storm
Pot of Avarice
Soul Exchange x2
Lightning Vortex

Traps: 10

PWWB x2
BTH x2
Torrential Tribute
Solemn Judgment
Mirror Force
Call of the Haunted
Threatening Roar x2

Extra Deck:

Stardust x2
Brionac
Iron Chain Dragon
Black Rose Dragon
Goyo Guardian
Ally of Justice Catastor
Red Dragon Archfiend
Mist Wurm
Colossal Fighter
X-Saber Urbellum

Level Eater

How is this card not seeing use?

The potential with this card is amazing!

I have a suspicion as to why...more on that soon!

Unlocked Potential: Hardened Armed Dragon

Welcome to Unlocked Potential, a section where I take a look at under-used card that could make it big if given the chance to shine.

For this first article, I will take a look at the TCG Exclusive from Raging Battle, Hardened Armed Dragon.


First off, its a 1500 ATK Earth monster. It can be searched via Sangan, Giant Rat, and Masked Dragon. So it's known that it can become quite accessible.

Secondly, it's effect is what makes it shine. You can use this card for the tribute summon of a level 7 or higher monster. If you do, then it cannot be destroyed by card effects. Now that's an effect that makes big monsters worth running again. So then, which monsters can be good options for Hardened Armed Dragon? Let's see:

1. Earthbound Immortals
2. Obelisk The Tormentor
3. Ancient Gear Golem
4. Super Ancient Deepsea King Coelacanth
5. Yubel
6. Classic Vanilla Monsters (Neos, Dark Magician, Red-Eyes, Blue-Eyes, among others)
7. Levia Dragon Daedalus (old favorite)

So you see, Hardened Armed Dragon adds playability to level 7 or higher monsters that didn't see much play, or simply adds support to those that are currently being currently used but can benefit from the boost. So if you use monsters that meet this criteria and wish to give them some extra protection, then give this card a try...it will be worth it.

Fallen Heroes: Mirror Force

Welcome to Fallen Heroes, a column where I take cards in the current metagame and compare their use from now and then. Today we pick a fan favorite: Mirror Force.



Now, we all love Mirror Force. It's a good old reliable card that can turn the tide for many of us. So you may be wondering, "why the heck is this card a fallen hero?" Well, the answer is simple. It all comes down to differences between purpose and actual usage. Let's look at them, shall we?

Purpose:
-Turns game around
-Clears opponent's field after attack
-Fits in any deck

Actual Usage:
-Too vulnerable to spells and traps your opponent may have to destroy it.
-Easily countered
-Be honest, when was the last time you eliminated 5 monsters with this thing? Most of the time we just eliminate 2-3 monsters at most!
-If your opponent suspects you have it set, they will simply adjust (summoning less, attacking less) to whatever condition necessary and obligate you to waste it, only to surprise you with a surprise rush afterward.

So there you have it. Mirror Force is quite the excellent card indeed, but I feel it is somehow over hyped. Most of the time it just gets blown up by an MST, countered by Dark Bribe and lose for game, or simply get rid of just one monster.

Regionals Update

For all those players in the local area (San Juan), I have been informed that we do indeed hold regional tournaments. While I am unable to go (because it's tomorrow and I found out a few hours ago), I want everyone in the area to know that we do have them. So get those decks ready for next year, because I plan on taking "Vanity Gadgets" for the next Regional.

Vanity Gadgets: Origin

For a long time I have been playing this game, but never seemed to do so well at tournaments. However, one day at locals I got an idea...I could run Anti-Meta. And so, I created a deck called "Spare Parts" which consisted of Gadgets and a bunch of other anti-meta cards I had lying around. I put the deck together and started working on it and in due time, it started taking some form. But somehow, I felt there was something missing. I was going to turn it into Tradgets, but that was too common (and Trags are hard to find). And when I was searching through some spares, I came across an interesting card. And I knew I had found it.

And so, I added Vanity's Fiend to my Gadget Deck and took it to locals (at Game Wizard located in Cupey, Puerto Rico for all who wish to go). Surprisingly enough, it won.




















And thus, "Vanity Gadgets" was born.

Monsters: 18

Red Gadget x2
Green Gadget x2
Yellow Gadget x2
D.D. Warrior Lady x2
Kycoo the Ghost Destroyer x2
Banisher of the Radiance x2
Neo-Spacian Grand Mole
Breaker, the Magical Warrior x2
Gorz, Emissary of Darkness
Vanity's Fiend x2

Spells: 13

Heavy Storm
MST
Fissure x2
Smashing Ground
Shrink x2
Soul Taker x2
Book of Moon x2
Lightning Vortex
Brain Control

Traps: 9

BTH x2
Trap Hole x2
Royal Oppression x2
Magic Drain x2
Torrential Tribute


So far it's record has been pretty good for 2 solid weeks.

Week 1:
2-0 VS Macro
2-1 VS Plants
1-2 Lightsworn
2-1 "DaD-Recruiter"

Week 2:
2-0 VS Cyberdark
2-0 VS Forest Glads
2-0 VS Lightsworn
2-1 VS Oppression Blackwings
2-0 VS Glads
0-2 VS Skill Drain Zombie (Top 4)

Welcome to Gizer's Deckbox

Welcome to the first post in "Gizer's Deckbox" where I will discuss my thoughts on aspects of the "Yu-Gi-Oh!" card game. There will be deck profiles, card discussions, local tournament coverage (from San Juan, Puerto Rico), among other things. This blog will hopefully show how the game is played in my area, for those who aren't familiar with it. For those who are from my area, bienvenidos!