"The Embodiment of Light, Now Descend!" | First look at the new "Galaxy" and "Photon" cards in Photon Hypernova (PHHY)

"Galaxy, shining in the darkness! Become a ray of hope and live within my servant! Descend to me! Incarnation of Light!! Come forth, Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon!!" -Kite

Hey everyone! We're back once again to talk about new cards revealed in the upcoming main booster pack: Photon Hypernova with a set code of PHHY. 

The October's main box just confirmed 8 new cards related to the Galaxy and Photon archetypes which were introduced in Photon Shockwave (PHSW) way back 2011! Let's discuss the new cards in detail shall we? 

Appear, the avatar of light!

New Galaxy and Photon Cards in Photon Hypernova!

A new level 8 Photon has arrived and it has a Monarch stats! (2800 ATK, 1000 DEF).

Its first effect lets you special summon itself when it is sent to your GY except from the field while having a Photon or Galaxy monster on your field or in your GY. Based on how it is worded, it can revive itself when detached as a material or sent as a cost (Aka Galaxy Soldier) and it hit the graveyard for another 2800 ATK body. Sadly, it can only be special summoned in defense position if you use its first effect.

Its second effect allows you to normal summon 1 additional LIGHT monster after it is normal or special summoned. It comes very handy so you can swarm the field or make a link or xyz summon. I'd say 1 is a solid choice in main since it doesn't do anything on its own and can brick but let's get back to this ratio once testing begins.

We've got a new Galaxy monster that is level 4. Its first effect allows you to revive 1 Photon or Galaxy monster in your GY except itself and it also works on Photon or Galaxy Extra Deck monsters in GY so long as they were properly summoned prior. This allows you to instantly do your XYZ summon any generic or theme rank 4 monster as its second effect can also change another LIGHT monster you control to level 4. 

I'd say a solid 1-2 ratio works as it doesn't do anything to start your plays unless you have established your GY.

A new Kuriboh! It allows you to special summon the ace card Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon from your hand or Deck and make it the attack target right away. If you also control an XYZ monster on the timing of activation, you can also attach this card from your GY as material. It's two in one! 

Sadly, this is a battle reliant card and might not be prioritized when you want to focus on consistency. It's second effect though acts as a protection from the GY as you can banish it when a Photon or Galaxy monster would be destroyed. I'd say 0-1 ratio wise. Cool art still!

We now have an upgraded Number 62 and this is Photon Hypernova's cover card. This card can be Xyz summoned right away on top of Number 62: Galaxy-Eyes Prime Photon Dragon which means you definitely want to start searching for that XYZ monster now before it's too late! :))

At the start of your battle phase, you can make up to 3 attacks on monsters! Insane...til you see it can only battle three times on monsters and not directly. Still, it can be a good OTK machine if your opponent controls a weaker ATK position monsters and 4000 ATK is nothing to scoff at.

Having Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon as one of its XYZ materials provides Monster effect immunity and since you'll be using Number 62 as a material most likely, it guarantees an instant 800 ATK Boost!

This XYZ monster also do not restrict you to only summoning Photon or Galaxy monster using any of its effect so after you battled, you can also maximize Divine Arsenal AA-ZEUS - Sky Thunder for 2 board wipes if you didn't use any of the detach! 

A generic rank 4 XYZ monster that can finally propel your strategy as it lets you search or send to GY 1 Photon or Galaxy card. 

In ABC, you can instantly take advantage of this card by searching Galaxy Soldier and be able to fill your GY for the summoning of ABC Buster Dragon and have level 5 monster for Cyber Dragon Nova which can eventually turn into Cyber Dragon Infinity. 

Like Galaxy Summoner, it also has a level manipulation effect ensuring that your monsters would have matching levels for an XYZ summon. It's a good XYZ for theme and I'd say a solid 1-2 copies in Extra Deck is a must.

This spell card allows you to instantly send 1 Photon or Galaxy card from your Deck to the GY. It combos really well with most Galaxy cards who relies on Photon or Galaxy cards to revive from your GY.

Summoning Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon rewards you with the ability to banish 1 monster from your opponent's Extra Deck which could be pretty game breaking in the OCG meta that consists of Tearlaments and Spright. You can also summon a Number monster if there is one available for free.

It is a good starter so I'd say 3 copies although 1-3 could also work.

This new spell card allows you to special summon any 1 Dragon Number XYZ monster from your Extra Deck so long as you have 3 or more Light Dragon monsters on the field with 3000 or more ATK. 

While that lets you use your Extra Deck as a toolbox, the condition is kinda stiff considering how hard it is to swarm monsters with those high stats without facing any interruption from your opponent.

I'd say it's a win-moar card so 0-1.

A trap that searches or places Photon or Galaxy continuous Spell/Trap straight from your Deck. The only real targets currently are Galaxy Wave and Photon Change. 

Between the two, Photon Change will have a better impact considering it allows you to Special Summon a Photon monster with a different name by sending 1 Photon or Galaxy monster you control. Sending Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon will also allow you to search a Photon Card from your Deck to your hand. 

I personally feel that while Photon Change is a good card, it's still a trap and would require set-up to maximize an effect that could have been good if it was a spell card.

The second effect of Photon Deceleration though can instantly end your opponents turn if this set card is destroyed by your opponent on their turn and you control either Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon or an XYZ monster that has its material. Setting this card together with important backrows allows you to control the entire turn after a massive Harpie's Feather Duster or Lightning Storm. 

The search is good but I feel it's kinda slow so I'd say 0-3. 

Summary:

Eight cards is a bit lesser than Blackwing's 10 new cards in Darkwing Blast but I'd say that the cards revealed today do not disappoint. These cards support the deck's strategy and will definitely have a spot on the updated build. What do you think of the new Galaxy and Photon cards?

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