2011 is just about over, and it's been quite an interesting year. Card games have been winding down a bit for me, since college was ending and it was a change in priority. Not just that, but it was an excellent year, personally speaking.
However, 2011 did bring me back into MTG and got me to take a little break from YGO so it doesn't go sour on me. As for next year, I hope to still be playing both in some capacity. But only time will tell.
But first, time to get acquainted with my new home here in Washington, Pennsylvania.
Happy New Year, everyone!
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Top 10 TCG Releases of 2011: Part 2
Well, I figured I do this tonight. Can't let this keep piling up, since the moving will not let me blog until I reach Pennsylvania. So before that, it's time to finish my Top 10 list for this year.
#5: T.G. Hyper Librarian
Librarian was an insane card during the past format, especially with Formula Synchron going crazy all over the place. It's because of this card that Formula and Fishborg got a spot on the ban/restrict list, along with this one. Why? Making Shooting Quasar Dragon was just too easy. And not only that, it generated too much advantage when combined with Formula's draw power. Being a generic level 5 made this card splashable anywhere, so it easily became a chase card and a real powerhouse all in one.
#4: Number 39 Utopia
The dawn of the Xyz era showed us that summoning these new monsters was going to be easier than we thought. However, Utopia earns it's spot here for being the most easily accessible Xyz monster in every deck, given that level 4 monsters are seen almost everywhere. Not just that, but Utopia is the most common generic Rank 4 right now, and perhaps even the best choice we got now. Gachi Gachi Gantetsu and Leviair follow in their generic statuses, but Utopia for me is the one getting the spot.
#3: Legendary Six Samurai Shi En
Now, this guy was insane. This was the reason you feared Samurai decks during the previous format. Why such fear? They could bring out 3 of these if they wanted to! It brought such control to a game, that it gave you the lead simply by having it. Your opponents had to spend resources just to try and get rid of it, but it somehow managed to haunt everyone in every duel it was seen.
#2: Reborn Tengu
Not much to say about this that we already don't know. The best floater in the game, a synchro machine, and an overall annoying little bastard. Tengu made an amazing impact this year, bringing forth a nightmarish wave of Plant decks to abuse this sucker like nobody's business. Regardless, Tengu helps out any deck that can use it, since it not only keeps field presence but also thins the deck. And all that goodness in one small package is something you simply can't ignore.
#1: Tour Guide of the Underworld
An instant Xyz-summoning machine, Tour Guide took the cake for powerhouse card. Due to the crazy ruling fiasco of earlier this year, Tour Guide was turned into the most broken card out there. And even after the ruling was fixed, it still showed up everywhere. It thinned the deck and brought out a monster to reward you as well, so it's understandable why it's the best card of the year. It's searchable, finds other searchers, goes for Rank 3 on a normal summon, and so many other things. Words cannot contain the insanity this card has unleashed.
Well, that's all for the Top 10 list. I know we all have our own different versions of it, but I hope you have enjoyed this one.
Don't know if there will be any more posts this week since I'm still working on the whole moving issue. But once I'm settled in, I hope to be able to continue updating.
#5: T.G. Hyper Librarian
Librarian was an insane card during the past format, especially with Formula Synchron going crazy all over the place. It's because of this card that Formula and Fishborg got a spot on the ban/restrict list, along with this one. Why? Making Shooting Quasar Dragon was just too easy. And not only that, it generated too much advantage when combined with Formula's draw power. Being a generic level 5 made this card splashable anywhere, so it easily became a chase card and a real powerhouse all in one.
#4: Number 39 Utopia
The dawn of the Xyz era showed us that summoning these new monsters was going to be easier than we thought. However, Utopia earns it's spot here for being the most easily accessible Xyz monster in every deck, given that level 4 monsters are seen almost everywhere. Not just that, but Utopia is the most common generic Rank 4 right now, and perhaps even the best choice we got now. Gachi Gachi Gantetsu and Leviair follow in their generic statuses, but Utopia for me is the one getting the spot.
#3: Legendary Six Samurai Shi En
Now, this guy was insane. This was the reason you feared Samurai decks during the previous format. Why such fear? They could bring out 3 of these if they wanted to! It brought such control to a game, that it gave you the lead simply by having it. Your opponents had to spend resources just to try and get rid of it, but it somehow managed to haunt everyone in every duel it was seen.
#2: Reborn Tengu
Not much to say about this that we already don't know. The best floater in the game, a synchro machine, and an overall annoying little bastard. Tengu made an amazing impact this year, bringing forth a nightmarish wave of Plant decks to abuse this sucker like nobody's business. Regardless, Tengu helps out any deck that can use it, since it not only keeps field presence but also thins the deck. And all that goodness in one small package is something you simply can't ignore.
#1: Tour Guide of the Underworld
An instant Xyz-summoning machine, Tour Guide took the cake for powerhouse card. Due to the crazy ruling fiasco of earlier this year, Tour Guide was turned into the most broken card out there. And even after the ruling was fixed, it still showed up everywhere. It thinned the deck and brought out a monster to reward you as well, so it's understandable why it's the best card of the year. It's searchable, finds other searchers, goes for Rank 3 on a normal summon, and so many other things. Words cannot contain the insanity this card has unleashed.
Well, that's all for the Top 10 list. I know we all have our own different versions of it, but I hope you have enjoyed this one.
Don't know if there will be any more posts this week since I'm still working on the whole moving issue. But once I'm settled in, I hope to be able to continue updating.
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Tour Bus From The Underworld
First off, happy christmas to everyone out there. Now then, on to business. Tour Bus' effect has just been revealed, so here's a quick review...
Bring back to the deck any Dandylion, Tengu, perhaps a Gadget, or any useful monster you want back in the deck. Not only that, use that to bring back a used Tour Guide or Sangan for even more shenanigans.
But it also has it's offensive uses, which is what makes it really interesting. It returns a card in either player's grave, so you can take advantage of this to manipulate their graveyard to your advantage as well. Remove a Treeborn Frog, Necro Gardna, lower the Lightsworn count, perhaps remove that one key monster needed to summon BLS. Whatever you need gone, it solves quickly.
That's what makes this card so interesting, it's so versatile. You can either use it to reinforce your deck with a recycled monster, or turn the tables on your opponent by putting back in their deck a monster they need in the graveyard.
I fear what kind of mayhem this card will bring. Only time will tell...
When this card is sent to the Graveyard: Target 1 monster in either player’s Graveyard, except "Tour Bus From the Underworld"; shuffle that target into the Deck.Right off the bat, it shows that it's meant to be used with Tour Guide. Not only that, but from what it's effect reads, it's assumed that one can get it's effect even when detached (similar to Dandylion needing to only reach the graveyard from anywhere). So since it's a searchable recycling tool, Tour Guide gets an even bigger buff. Not just because it can search for the Bus, but Bus then brings back any used card once it's sent to the graveyard.
Bring back to the deck any Dandylion, Tengu, perhaps a Gadget, or any useful monster you want back in the deck. Not only that, use that to bring back a used Tour Guide or Sangan for even more shenanigans.
But it also has it's offensive uses, which is what makes it really interesting. It returns a card in either player's grave, so you can take advantage of this to manipulate their graveyard to your advantage as well. Remove a Treeborn Frog, Necro Gardna, lower the Lightsworn count, perhaps remove that one key monster needed to summon BLS. Whatever you need gone, it solves quickly.
That's what makes this card so interesting, it's so versatile. You can either use it to reinforce your deck with a recycled monster, or turn the tables on your opponent by putting back in their deck a monster they need in the graveyard.
I fear what kind of mayhem this card will bring. Only time will tell...
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Top 10 TCG Releases of 2011: Part 1
I figured I get this list out of the way before I end up being completely unavailable (moving to the states) for a bit. Anyways, let's get the second anual Top 10 list rolling, shall we? In this list I pick what I found to be the Top 10 cards of this year. Keep in mind some may be on this list due to earlier this year, as I take into consideration the entire year and not just the current time.
#10: Genex Ally Birdman
This little tuner offered so many shenanigans that it wasn't even funny. Still sees a lot of play nowadays, participating with such cards as Agents, Tour Guide, Tengu, or even other cards. Whether you like it or not, this was probably the tuner you went to for crazy synchro plays. And with the release of Xyz monsters, Birdman got even more new tricks.
#9: Maxxx C
At first it started as a side card, but nowadays it's starting to become as common as a Veiler for the main deck. It gives advantage when your opponent begins to swarm, so it forces your opponent to either make you draw a lot or stop the swarm completely. Quite a fun card to use indeed, but needs to be used at the right time or else it can backfire.
#8: Trishula, Dragon of the Ice Barrier
When Trishula finally arrived in the TCG, it became a force to be reckoned with. This card became the go-to Level 9 synchro for removal, leaving Mist Wurm behind in the dust. It became a very explosive synchro back when Fishborg was legal, as well as a pseudo-boss for Agents when they played around with Birdman.
#7: Master Hyperion
And speaking of Agents, this card here threw these to the next level. It became an incredible boss monster for the archetype, being easily summonable and searchable. Hyperion was able to remove cards on the field as well as control the graveyard's numbers so you could summon Krystia and keep even more control of the game.
#6: Rescue Rabbit / Evolzaur Laggia / Evolzaur Dolkka
Why are these three in the same spot? Well, basically because these three essentially go hand in hand. When you see these massive Xyz dino powerhouses, there's always a Rabbit following. With the explosive power of Rabbit, you can basically summon any of these following monsters virtually from the deck. Not too shabby, right?
This concludes part 1 of the countdown. Part 2 will be out in just a few days, I suppose. Perhaps even sooner. Until next time!
#10: Genex Ally Birdman
This little tuner offered so many shenanigans that it wasn't even funny. Still sees a lot of play nowadays, participating with such cards as Agents, Tour Guide, Tengu, or even other cards. Whether you like it or not, this was probably the tuner you went to for crazy synchro plays. And with the release of Xyz monsters, Birdman got even more new tricks.
#9: Maxxx C
At first it started as a side card, but nowadays it's starting to become as common as a Veiler for the main deck. It gives advantage when your opponent begins to swarm, so it forces your opponent to either make you draw a lot or stop the swarm completely. Quite a fun card to use indeed, but needs to be used at the right time or else it can backfire.
#8: Trishula, Dragon of the Ice Barrier
When Trishula finally arrived in the TCG, it became a force to be reckoned with. This card became the go-to Level 9 synchro for removal, leaving Mist Wurm behind in the dust. It became a very explosive synchro back when Fishborg was legal, as well as a pseudo-boss for Agents when they played around with Birdman.
#7: Master Hyperion
And speaking of Agents, this card here threw these to the next level. It became an incredible boss monster for the archetype, being easily summonable and searchable. Hyperion was able to remove cards on the field as well as control the graveyard's numbers so you could summon Krystia and keep even more control of the game.
#6: Rescue Rabbit / Evolzaur Laggia / Evolzaur Dolkka
Why are these three in the same spot? Well, basically because these three essentially go hand in hand. When you see these massive Xyz dino powerhouses, there's always a Rabbit following. With the explosive power of Rabbit, you can basically summon any of these following monsters virtually from the deck. Not too shabby, right?
This concludes part 1 of the countdown. Part 2 will be out in just a few days, I suppose. Perhaps even sooner. Until next time!
Friday, December 16, 2011
Gokai Change! Mask HERO!
With some of the new promo cards announced over in Japan, it was curious to see some new HERO support, but even better seeing as how they were Masked HERO monsters. Now, I'm a very big fan of Masked HERO monsters, especially since they remind me a lot of the Super Sentai (great stuff).
But all Sentai stuff aside, these two new heroes pack quite a punch and will take the deck to an even bigger level.
First up, we have Masked HERO Acid:
All in all, Acid is a great card to have in any HERO deck. And it also combines well with the next card...Masked Hero Daian.
So whether it's Acid or Daian, these new Masked HERO cards are definitely worth running. Time will only tell if we get Wind, Light and Dark attributes as well. But for now, these will do more than well. I can't wait to use these guys and test them out!
But all Sentai stuff aside, these two new heroes pack quite a punch and will take the deck to an even bigger level.
First up, we have Masked HERO Acid:
Must be Special Summoned with "Mask Change", and cannot be Special Summoned by other ways. When this card is Special Summoned: Destroy all Spell/Trap Cards your opponent controls, and all face-up monsters your opponent currently controls lose 300ATK.Acid packs quite a punch! Combine this with Absolute Zero and you have a complete field clearing combo. Zero takes care of the monsters and then Mask Change into Acid and turn it into a Harpie's Feather Duster with legs! And if you don't do it with Zero, then there's still the ATK reducing effect that can come quite in handy. Back row clearing is definitely it's best attribute, as is it's Water attribute.
All in all, Acid is a great card to have in any HERO deck. And it also combines well with the next card...Masked Hero Daian.
Must be Special Summoned with "Mask Change", and cannot be Special Summoned by other ways. When this card destroys an opponent's monster by battle and sends it to the Graveyard: You can Special Summon 1 Level 4 or lower "HERO" monster from yourDeck.Daian is the recruiter of the deck. Imagine using this to search for Voltic, who in turn can search for any banished HERO for extra damage. Perhaps you want to bring Stratos for an even bigger plus. Bring another HERO from the deck and then use Mask Change on that one for yet another beater. This card opens so many plays that it's not even funny. Indeed yet another great addition to the Extra Deck for HERO decks.
So whether it's Acid or Daian, these new Masked HERO cards are definitely worth running. Time will only tell if we get Wind, Light and Dark attributes as well. But for now, these will do more than well. I can't wait to use these guys and test them out!
About my lack of posts...
Sorry about the delay guys, but I was finishing up with college. And when I mean finishing up, I mean last semester EVER before graduation. So it's understandable why I was somehow out of action. Now that college is behind me, I'm going to be catching up on things with both YGO and MTG to see what posts I can do.
It's also the end of the year, so expect another Top 10 like last year.
And even though I still haven't been motivated with both games as of late, some much needed free time might be what I need to bring back that spark of interest.
Be back soon with another article.
It's also the end of the year, so expect another Top 10 like last year.
And even though I still haven't been motivated with both games as of late, some much needed free time might be what I need to bring back that spark of interest.
Be back soon with another article.
Friday, December 9, 2011
TG Testing
I was getting kinda bored with YGO as of late, and been needing that special kick in the ass to get fired up again. Heck, I wasn't even playing MTG as well, so perhaps it was some down time from all card games in general. Anyways, I got hold of some TG monsters (2 Warwolf, 2 Striker, 2 Rhino, and the swap trap card) and I quickly tried it out.
Gotta say, it was like a breath of fresh air to try something I haven't played yet.
Tried it with Gadgets and it seemed really fun, but kept having the usual problem with Gadgets when they clogged the hand.
Put them into the Alien deck but only Warwolf showed up to do some shenanigans with Birdman. Other than that, no TG presence.
But then I got thinking...What if I mix them with my Blackwings? Sounds a bit strange, but I think it can work...at least in theory.
And speaking of theory, my Karakuri Machina deck is working pretty well. Looks like I might make a few other tweaks before I take it to a tourney, if I ever go back to one...kinda got away from both games for a bit.
That's all for now. Be back later with updates on the TG Blackwing project.
Gotta say, it was like a breath of fresh air to try something I haven't played yet.
Tried it with Gadgets and it seemed really fun, but kept having the usual problem with Gadgets when they clogged the hand.
Put them into the Alien deck but only Warwolf showed up to do some shenanigans with Birdman. Other than that, no TG presence.
But then I got thinking...What if I mix them with my Blackwings? Sounds a bit strange, but I think it can work...at least in theory.
And speaking of theory, my Karakuri Machina deck is working pretty well. Looks like I might make a few other tweaks before I take it to a tourney, if I ever go back to one...kinda got away from both games for a bit.
That's all for now. Be back later with updates on the TG Blackwing project.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Slifer the Sky Dragon
At long last! My favorite amongst the God Cards has been announced for it's release! And it doesn't disappoint, because it's one heck of a card! I will be getting this one for sure, and playing it too!
You must Tribute 3 monsters to Normal Summon this card (you cannot Set this card). The Normal Summon of this card cannot be negated. When this card is Normal Summoned, cards and effects cannot be activated. If this card is Special Summoned: Send it to the Graveyard during the End Phase. This card gains 1000 ATK and DEF for each card in your hand. When your opponent Normal or Special Summons a monster(s) in face-up Attack Position: That monster loses 2000 ATK, and if its ATK becomes 0 by this card's effect, destroy that monster.Yes! It kept the attack reducing effect and made it even more awesome! This card gets rid of so many things, it's not even funny. It's the ultimate boss for any deck that can summon it. And speaking of decks that can summon it, Gadgets are the most ideal.
Gadgets help Slifer keep it's attack at a decent amount, while also helping you keep hand advantage. So it's a win-win scenario. This is a must-get for sure. I can't wait to finally use it. I'm making a "Slifer's Gadgets" deck now. Time to make a build.
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Tinplate Archduke
Earth/Machine/Xyz/Rank 4
3 Level 4 monsters
During either player's turn: You can detach 1 Xyz Material from this card; change the battle positions of all monsters your opponent controls. (Flip Effects are not activated at this time.)
It's effect seems mostly defensive, since changing positions can save you from an all out attack, but it can also be quite offensive. Just like Karakuri's own Burei, this can turn any opponent's defensive play and turn it into an offensive strike. I can see this card being a bit fun to play in Karakuri for that reason, since they already take advantage of the whole switch position deal.
Costly summon but fun effect, Tinplate Archduke is a fun card to keep an eye out on.
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