How effective is "Ghost Belle & Haunted Mansion" in this format? | Strategy Discussion

One of the reliable ways to deal with the opponent's plays is by using hand traps. Unlike regular traps set on the field or field negations, hand traps are quite unpredictable as they dwell in the player's hand cards...hidden..until the perfect timing arrives. In today's metagame, a lot of effects involve moving cards from the graveyard to a different place, and there is a perfect "haunted mansion" that is ready to cater guests. (*Door screeches*)

Does that ring a "Belle"? Well, well...allow me to introduce you to "Ghost Belle & Haunted Mansion."  Enter the mansion and let's begin discussing. (*Thunder*)

Overview:

"Ghost Belle & Haunted Mansion" is a hand trap initially released in FLAMES OF DESTRUCTION (FLOD), the set which brought the "Elementsaber." While her usefulness has always been seasonal and is outclassed by "Ash Blossom & Joyous Spring" from MAXIMUM CRISIS, there is no doubt that her utility this format shouldn't be overlooked.

She has one effect with three different triggers and all involves moving a card from the GY to a different place. Clearly, the moment you enter her mansion, you cannot escape! (Ahm I think that's the idea)

Let's discuss some of the decks that this hand trap could be useful!

What decks/strategies are within "Ghost Belle's" scope?

Like other "Ghost Girls", "Ghost Belle & Haunted Mansion" has her own specialty and below are some decks and their strategies that is prone to belle. This should also give you an idea on how to counter these decks with the help of "Ghost Belle & Haunted Mansion."

1. Fire King

Ah yes, after 10 years, "Fire Kings" are reincarnated once again and is now one of the dominating decks of OCG October 2023 format. "Fire Kings" theme has a lot of cards that require GY and using "Ghost Belle" against certain cards can cripple their play, big time!

a. Fire King High Avatar Kirin - Fire King High Avatar Kirin has an effect that when it is destroyed, you can special summon a "Fire King" monster from hand or GY and allow you to destroy a card on the field on resolution. These things happen simultaneously and do not target. Because Kirin mentions GY as a place where the monster to be revived may come, "Ghost Belle" can negate this effect preventing them from also destroying your card. 

b. Fire King Avatar Arvata / Fire King Circle - Like High Kirin, they special summon a monster from the GY which also rings a "Belle."

c. Sacred Fire King Garunix - If the opponent activates its effect while it is in the GY, you can negate it with "Ghost Belle". In this scenario, you can also wait for them to destroy High Kirin and negate the High Kirin instead so they waste a High Kirin. (But case to case basis)

d. WANTED: The Sinful Spoils Hunter - This spell card can search a "Diabellestarr" monster from Deck or recycle it from the GY back to hand. "Ghost Belle & Haunted Mansion" suddenly becomes your additional "Ash Blossom" to counter a possible 1.5 card combo as it leads to the "Snake-Eye" engine eventually.

2. Branded

Yes, "Branded" is still alive and while "Ghost Belle" cannot counter "Branded Fusion", she can deal with the follow-up combos rightafter:

a. Albion, the Branded Dragon - This is usually the go-to fusion for "Branded Fusion" which can bring out "Mirrorjade." This requires to banish the materials and graveyard material possibility is mentioned so "Belle" can stop it from turning into an icy dragon.

b. Branded Expulsion - I know how annoying it is to deal with "Branded" especially if the set-up is to revive "Gimmick Puppet Nightmare" and lock you for special summoning the rest of that turn. "Ghost Belle" can negate a card that would special summon a monster(s) from the GY.

c. Branded in Red - "Ghost Belle" prevents recycling cards from the GY back to hand.

and many more...

3. Labrynth

Another popular stun deck that can overwhelm you with traps. Their usual play involves "Big Welcome Labrynth" which can special summon a "Labrynth" monster from their Deck or GY. "Ghost Belle" acts as your additional "Ash Blossom" to negate that effect. 

"Labrynth" normally special summons "Lovely Labrynth of the Silver Castle" which when prevented, would not allow "Labrynth" to use her effect to destroy a card on your field or hand which results to the furniture "Labrynth" to not be able to recycle themselves too. 

4. Snake-Eye

Aside from the "Diabellestarr" engine being prone to "Ghost Belle", "Snake-Eye Flamberge" has an effect that revives 2 LV1 Fire monsters which "Ghost Belle" handles switfly. "Promethean Princess , Bestower of Flames" won't also stand a chance against "Belle."

5. Voiceless Voice 

Voiceless Voice has several cards that involves GY recycling that you can negate with "Ghost Belle & Haunted Mansion":

a. Saffira, Dragon Queen of the Voiceless Voice - This card can fetch a Ritual monster from your Deck or GY to hand.

b. Pre-Preparation of Rites - This searcher can also recycle the Ritual monster listed on the ritual spell that you search from GY back to hand.

c. Lo, the Prayers of the Voiceless Voice - When a ritual monster is special summoned, you can revive Lo as she is usually used as the entire material cost. If the Voiceless Voice player isn't careful enough, Lo can be negated by "Ghost Belle" if the revive effect is placed on Chain Link 2 (assuming the first chain is the summoned "Skull Guardian, the  Protector of the Voiceless Voice"). Without a face-up Lo, "Skull Guardian, Protector of the Voiceless Voice" loses its negation ability.

d. Voiceless Voice Authority - If the player chooses the first option to special summon or add a "Voiceless Voice" monster from their Deck to the field or hand, you can negate it with "Ghost Belle" as they need to shuffle a Ritual monster/Spell before adding/special summoning and shuffling a card from GY is adding a card from GY back to deck which is covered by "Ghost Belle's" powers.

Tips:

There are absolutely more cards prone to "Ghost Belle & Haunted Mansion" out there and I will let you discover where else you can use this "Ghost Girl". 

1. When using her, make sure to use it wisely on the opponent effects that could potentially halt their combos. The things that I mentioned above could also be used as bait to belle and belle can only be used once per turn.

2. Remember, Ghost Belle is a tuner and a body. It can be used to summon a powerful synchro monsters or be used to summon an S:P Little Night. (It happens)

3. A dead normal summoned "Ghost Belle" can be converted to a "Salamangreat Almiraj" (FIRE) and make your "Fire King Island" more useful for "Sacred Fire King Garunix". (For FK players)

4. Ghost Belle & Haunted Mansion can be used to negate "Called by the Grave" potentially allowing your other hand traps to resolve successfully.

Summary:

I hope that this article gives you more insights on "Ghost Belle & Haunted Mansion's" effectiveness in today's meta and also provides you with tips on how to counter certain decks.

As you leave this "Haunted Mansion", I want you to leave no traces behind and invite more people to accept "Ghost Belle's" invitation by sharing this article. 

Take care and thanks for reading 'til the end! (*Door closes*)