Vanity Gadgets 1.5

Well, the new list comes into effect tomorrow. So I thought I should at least showcase how my decks have adapted to the new list and such. First off, Vanity Gadgets. My signature deck has taken some slight changes since the last format, but this isn't the definitive version yet, as this version is a transitional version while the meta takes shape.

Monsters: 17

Green Gadget x2
Red Gadget x2
Yellow Gadget x2
Vanity's Fiend x2
Blackwing, Gale the Whirlwind
D.D. Assailant x2
Breaker, the Magical Warrior x2
Kycoo the Ghost Destroyer x2
Tragoedia
Gorz, Emissary of Darkness

Spells: 13

Fissure x2
Smashing Ground x2
Shrink x2
Book of Moon x2
Heavy Storm
Lightning Vortex
My Body as a Shield
Brain Control
Mystical Space Typhoon

Traps: 10

Trap Hole x2
Bottomless Trap Hole x2
Royal Oppression x2
Widespread Dud x2
Torrential Tribute
Solemn Judgment

Side Deck: 15

Consecrated Light x2
Mirror of Oaths
Light Imprisoning Mirror
Banisher of the Radiance x2
Dark Imprisoning Mirror
Big Burn
Cloak and Dagger
Soul Release
Grand Mole
Trap Dustshoot
Dust Tornado
Twister
Mind Crush


That's the deck for now. However, note that some options for the deck may be questionable for now. For example, I have decided to test Widespread Dud while I get my hands on Dimensional Prison. Also, D.D. Warrior Lady has been swapped with D.D. Assailant mostly due to experimental reasons. Upon testing, I will decide which one stays.

Interesting Tech...Charm of Shabti

Upon looking for D.D. Assailant to use in Vanity Gadgets 1.5, I happen to have stumbled upon a very interesting card while searching in the tins.

Charm of Shabti


It's effect reads:

Discard this card from your hand. Until the End Phase, make the Battle Damage to monsters that include "Gravekeeper's" in their card name 0.

With the recent return of Gravekeeper's in ABPF, this card has peaked my interest. It's effect saves your keepers from being destroyed by battle at the simple cost of discarding itself. It can save you from those Honest/Kalut plays, rushes from a swarm of monsters, and can even help when you simply wish to destroy a monster of equal ATK, but don't want to get rid of yours.

I am going to be testing this card out for my deck, and hopefully it should show some interesting results.

That's all for today...

Regional Tournament News for Puerto Rico!

For all the readers from my local area, I have found some good news thanks to my friend Siulzen (gracias tipo!).

This year, Puerto Rico will have 3 regional tournaments this year.

Tendremos 3 torneos regionales en Puerto Rico durante este año.

Here's the info / Aqui tienen la información:

March/Marzo 14, 2010
San Juan Hotel Holiday Intercontinental, Isla Verde

April/Abril 25, 2010
Caguas Angora Convention Center

June/Junio 13, 2020
San Juan Hotel Holiday Intercontinental, Isla Verde


For more information / Para mas información:

http://www.icsanjuanresort.com
http://angoraconventioncenter.com/
http://www.pojo.biz/board/showthread.php?t=812239

Just for fun...

A few weeks ago, I pulled a Judgment Dragon from one of the last Turbo Packs when I returned to the tournament scene. However, before I got rid of it, a few friends and I decided it would be funny to have an "optical illusion trick" with Judgment Dragon in my trade binder.


The "illusion" was to focus on the Dark Rabbits on each edge of the folder...and if you focus hard enough, you would see a dragon.

Anyways, at that same tournament, I returned with Vanity Gadgets.

I went 2-2 at the tournament, winning against a friend's Plant deck, as well as an Exodia deck. However, I lost to my best friend's Moja deck as well as another player's Blackwing deck (first time he beats me, since Vanity Gadgets previously destroyed his Glads and Lightsworns).

However, with the new banlist, Vanity Gadgets will be taking some slight updates.

One of those new updates...Scrap Recycler!

More soon...

Cards of Consonance

If the March 2010 list taught us anything, it's a way to slow down the game. Allure of Darkness, Destiny Draw, and Charge all got limited, slowing down a considerable amount of decks down.

Si la lista me marzo 2010 nos enseñó algo, fue una forma de hacer que el juego vaya a un paso mas lento. Allure of Darkness, Destiny Draw y Charge of the Light Brigade todas fueron limitadas, bajando la velocidad de muchos decks considerablemente.

However, Absolute Powerforce has brought us a new card worth looking into. Cards of Consonance can be quite the effective draw engine if you run Dragon type monsters in your deck that fit the criteria (Dragon type tuner with 1000ATK or less).

Pero Absolute Powerforce nos ha traído una carta nueva que merece nuestra atención. "Cards of Consonance" puede ser un "engine" bien efectivo si corres dragones en tu deck que caen bajo el criterio (dragon cantante de 1000ATK o menor)

Decks like Junk & Debris can suddenly get a slight boost from this. However, this card can really shine with White Stone of Legend. Discard it with Cards of Consonance, draw 2 cards and get Blue Eyes White Dragon as well, then activate Trade-In to get 2 more cards. (Credit to my friend Diego for telling me about this combo.)

Decks como "Junk & Debris" pueden coger una ayuda de esta carta. Pero esta carta en verdad puede brillar con la carta "White Stone of Legend." Descartala para el costo de "Cards of Consonance" y roba 2 cartas, al igual que adquieres un "Blue Eyes White Dragon" a tu mano. Despues usa "Trade-In" para robar 2 cartas mas. (Credito va a mi amigo Diego por contarme de esta estrategia.)

March 2010 list...and deck statuses

Well, the new March list is here...

Restricted
Chaos Sorcerer
Tragoedia
Necro Guardna
Necroface
Mezuki
Lightlord Summoner - Lumina
Burial from a Different Dimension
Foolish Burial
Destiny Draw
Charge of the Light Brigade
Allure of Darkness
Mind Crush
Magical Explosion

Semi Restricted
Honest
Cyber Dragon
Demise - King of Armageddon
Dandelion
Treeborn Frog
Black Whirlwind
United We Stand
Royal Decree
Royal Oppression
Skill Drain

Unrestricted
Mask of Darkness
Smashing Ground

...and with the new list, comes a new meta. However, I was assuming Lightsworn would be slowed down. But it seems it got the Tele-DAD treatment...it got taken out back and shot dead.

With the metagame altered, what will happen in the months to come? I predict Blackwings will be the common deck until someone brave enough wins with something else. Honestly, decks like Hopeless Dragon, X-Sabers, and others have a very good chance to top right now. But will people use them? Sadly, no. People will run with the safe choice and continue with Blackwings. I hope I'm wrong, as I wish to see a completely new set of decks coming out on top.

As for the banlist, some of my decks have to be updated due to it.

Gravekeeper's lost an Allure, but a third Stele should be enough.

Vanity Gadgets lost a Tragoedia, but a new set of monsters is being worked at the moment.

Level Monarchs will finally see the light of day!

Codalos Control will also see it's fair share of action, as it wasn't affected at all since it uses E-Heroes.

Gemini deck remains the same.

Starships lost an Honest, but will gain some new toys in TSHD.

Well, that's all I have for today...

Coming soon, Vanity Gadgets 1.5

Genex Fish

Finally, after lots of work. Here it is...Genex Fish!

Monsters: 23

Coelacanth x3
7-Colored Fish x3
Royal Swamp Eel x2
Metabo-Shark x2
Fishborg Blaster x2
Oyster Meister x3
Genex Undine x3
Genex Controller x3
Skreech
Treeborn Frog

Spells: 13

Heavy Storm
Giant Trunade
Pot of Avarice x2
Moray of Greed x3
Symbols of Duty x3
Mystical Space Typhoon
Book of Moon x2

Traps: 4

Bottomless Trap Hole x2
Call of the Haunted
Mirror Force

Junk Destroyer

Junk Destroyer has been revealed as the cover card for Starter Deck 2010. This is quite the interesting card worth looking for, and one I will certainly look forward to using.

"Junk Synchron" + 1 or more non-Tuner monsters When this card is successfully Synchro Summoned, you can select and destroy a number of cards on the field up to the number of non-Tuner monsters used as Synchro Material for the Synchro Summon of this card.

ALO's Revenge II (Codarus Control)

Still a work in progress, but here's what I got so far.

Es todavía un deck en progreso, pero esto es lo que tengo por el momento.

Monsters: 16

Warrior of Atlantis x3
Codarus x3
Mother Grizzly x2
Treeborn Frog
E-Hero Ocean
E-Hero Neos Alius x3
E-Hero Stratos
Kycoo, the Ghost Destroyer x2

Spells: 17

A Legendary Ocean x3
Book of Moon x2
Heavy Storm
Salvage x2
Moray of Greed x2
Reinforcement of the Army
Mystical Space Typhoon
Gemini Spark x2
Miracle Fusion x2
Giant Trunade

Traps: 7

Bottomless Trap Hole x2
Forgotten Temple of the Deep x3
Call of the Haunted
Torrential Tribute

Extra Deck:

E-Hero Absolute Zero x2

Main purpose of the deck is to abuse Codarus' effect and clear the field. However, the addition of Kycoo can add an extra degree of control to the mix, since those sent cards can be removed from play, should they still be a threat in the graveyard.

El punto principal de este deck es abusar el efecto de Codarus y dejar el campo vacío. Pero, con la adición de Kycoo en el deck, puedo añadir un nuevo nivel del control al juego, ya que puedo remover del cemeterio las mismas cartas enviadas por Codarus. Asi, si hay alguna carta que pueda ser amanaza en el cemeterio, la puedo remover.

Codarus idea...

Going to begin testing my Codarus control deck. However, I'm thinking of adding Kycoo for additional removal. Could be worth a shot.

Deck list coming soon...

Absolute Powerforce Sneak Preview...afterthoughts

Well, another sneak preview event is behind us. And with the pre-release of ABPF, many of us got to obtain cards we were looking for quite early.

Here are some of the things that happened today:

-Sad to find out we had no open tournament.
-Didn't obtain the mat, but got the event shirt (thanks, Siulzen!)
-Got Gravekeeper's stuff at last!
-"Codalos Zero" is now under creation
-Epic duels today
-Got to experience the Duel Terminal for the first time (gained Genex Undine)
-Almost finished the "Starship" deck

However, some cards caught my attention and I'm going to see if I can make a deck around these little guys because they look so fun. Tricular, Bicular, and Unicycular all look like fun cards that would compose a really fun deck full of shenanigans. However, what if it were something like "Vehicle Monarchs" or "Synchro Vehicles" to take advantage of these machines to empty the deck while you increase your chances of a good draw? It's something too fun to pass up.

Archetype Analysis: Gravekeeper's

Today's "Archetype Analysis" takes a look at the very first archetype, Gravekeeper's. First released in Pharaonic Guardian, Gravekeeper's (going to use GK's from now on for short) have been hiding in the forgotten archetypes for quite some time. They were considered the first Anti-Meta deck upon release, and are still a force to be reckoned with today. However, with the new support coming out in Absolute Powerforce, GK's have found a new source of strength to bring them up to date.

Strategy: Locked in the Graves

GK's have one main focus, to lock your opponent's graveyard and make it as inaccessible as possible. Their main strategy revolves around Necrovalley, their field spell which prevents any effects which target the graveyard to go through. This is a great way to prevent Vayu's synchro summoning methods, Zombie Decks in general, Necro Gardna, Lumina, and even Stardust Dragon's revival. However, just because you lock the gates to the tomb, doesn't mean that your graveyard has to suffer as well.


GK's have a main advantage to manipulate the access to their own graveyard by using cards like Rite of Spirits and Gravekeeper's Chief.

Rite of Spirits allows you to revive any of your GK monsters, ignoring the conditions set by Necrovalley. And Chief allows your graveyard to be completely unaffected by Necrovalley, allowing access to cards like Pot of Avarice (crazy tech in my build), Call of the Haunted, and others.

While Chief is not a personal favorite to many, I happen to think it's quite the good card, even if it is run just one per deck. It allows you to revive a GK monster via tribute summon, so it allows you to change your Spy into an Assailant if you wish.

Masters of the Tomb: Keeping Advantage

Another great strategy that the GK's have is field advantage. By keeping the graveyard locked with Necrovalley, they maintain their focus on making sure they bury the field as well. The field gives them a boost, as well as access to their effects. GK's Assailant is one of the main cards, since it's effect changes your opponent's monster's battle positions every time she attacks (that's right, Assailant is a SHE). Assailant is quite useful for preventing Honest and Kalut, since it can't affect the outcome of the battle if the monster is in defense.


Another way they keep advantage is by the use of Spy, their main recruiter which searches for any GK monster with 1500 ATK or less from your deck and brings it to the field. It's high defense guarantees it will survive most attacks and it will stay long enough to help you search for the monster you need.

Gravekeeper's Commandant generates advantage in a different way, allowing it to be discarded in order to search for a Necrovalley from the deck. This also allows for a great play in combination with Royal Tribute. By having Necrovalley active on the field, both players discard all monsters in their hands to the graveyard. It's a great card for an early lead and quite effective against decks that need the graveyard.

Tech Support:

Caius, the Shadow Monarch - Allows for removal and a big monster. Quite good in anti-meta variants.

Thunder King Rai-Oh - Since GK's don't search the from the deck to the hand, Rai-Oh offers another degree of control. Locking your opponent's deck can prove quite useful since most top decks today run search cards (Black Whirlwind, Charge of the Light Brigade, Reinforcement of the Army, Gladiator Proving Ground, Sangan, Goblin Zombie, among others). It also allows for the negation of a special summon, so that can also be an added bonus.

Royal Oppression - GK's are great as anti-meta, so it's only right that they use this to keep advantage. The only special summoner is Spy (if flipped during battle it can't be negated by Oppression due to it happening in the damage step), so recruiting your monsters won't be an issue in this case.

Allure of Darkness - A great draw engine. Removing a GK as a minor cost, it allows for some deck speed and access to all the other help faster.



End of Anubis - Basically a "Necrovalley with legs," this card prevents all effects that target the graveyard, as well as negating all effects that activate in the graveyard. This is useful for getting rid of the things that Necrovalley can't eliminate, sort of like what Vanity's Fiend is to Royal Oppression in that respect.


Brand New Light: New Support

Absolute Powerforce has given some new toys for these keepers to play with.

First off: Gravekeeper's Stele. Returns 2 GK's from the graveyard to your hand, ignoring Necrovalley's conditions. If you run a synchro/control variant, it allows for some good Brionac bait. Or it's just great recovery for when you are in a tight spot.

Gravekeeper's Priestess:

The field is treated as "Necrovalley". If there is a face-up Field Spell Card, this effect is not applied. All face-up "Gravekeeper's" Monsters gain 200 ATK and DEF.

Good to have when you can't draw into Necrovalley. Gives your other monsters their effects in the meantime. Pretty good card, but shouldn't be brought into the field unless you need to.

Gravekeeper's Visionary:

You can Normal Summon this card by Tributing 1 "Gravekeeper's" monster. This card gains 200 ATK for each "Gravekeeper's" monster in your Graveyard. If this face-up card would be destroyed, you can discard 1 "Gravekeeper's" monster instead.

Considered the boss of the GK's, Visionary allows for survival and field presence. However, most control variants would run at most. Aggro versions however, would appreciate it a bit more.


Gravekeeper's Descendant:

You can Tribute 1 other face-up "Gravekeeper's" monster to destroy 1 card your opponent controls.

My favorite amongst the bunch. Bring it to the field with Spy and then tribute Spy in order to get rid of that pesky card that's holding you back. It gains advantage on many levels, allowing you to even the playing field during tight spots.

Gizer's Gravekeepers:

Last, but not least...my own deck focused on these guys!

Ascendants from the Tomb

Monsters: 18

GK Spy x3
GK Guard
GK Priestess x2
GK Assailant x3
GK Commandant x3
GK Descendant x2
Thunder King Rai-Oh x2
Caius, the Shadow Monarch x2

Spells: 13

Necrovalley x3
Heavy Storm
Royal Tribute x2
Mystical Space Typhoon
GK Lithograph x2
Book of Moon x2
Allure of Darkness x2

Traps: 8

Rite of Spirit x2
Torrential Tribute
Divine Wrath x2
Bottomless Trap Hole x2
Deck Devastation Virus