Will this refine the metagame or will it start off as an....engine to something else? Buckle your seatbelts and let's dive in!
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I. Cards Review
II. Themes that could work
III. Anti-Nibiru Engine
IV. Summary
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I. Cards Overview
"Fiendsmith" is an all LIGHT Fiend-type archetype that will debut in April's Main Booster Pack in OCG called "INFINITE FORBIDDEN." At first glance, "Fiendsmith" is reminiscent of archetypes that revolves around 1 main monster card (for now) like "Sky Striker" and "Invoked." Surprisingly, this theme has both link monsters and fusion monsters in its arsenal.
Upon closer look, it has some of the elements of a competitive deck such as 1 card combos, consistency, and disruption. While "Fiendsmith" is only composed of 8 cards, the LIGHT Fiend category has a myriad of targets that could mesh with this theme.
Let's discuss each of the cards.
The Fiendsmith
This is the sole main deck effect monster of "Fiendsmith" and it acts as a an excellent starter and extender.
Its first effect lets you add 1 "Fiendsmith" Spell/Trap from your Deck to your hand by discarding itself. While he's on the field, he can also help remove monster threats with its (2)nd effect. Its third effect lets you shuffle 1 other LIGHT Fiend monster from your GY into the Deck/Extra Deck to special summon itself for free.
I see that it's an easy 3-of in this deck and can also act as an engine which I will explain later.
Fiendsmith Lacrimosa
This fusion can help bring back fallen LIGHT fiend monster from your GY or banishment.
With its effect to reduce the ATK of all monsters your opponent controls by 600 as a continuous effect, it'll be tough to remove it by battle unless you use effects or have a monster with 3000 above ATK. It also has an additional 1200 burn damage when it is sent to the GY which could be game ending at the right timing.
It's a decent fusion monster but not as broken as the fusion monsters release at this age. Time will tell if we will get the girl in the art.
Run 1-2.
Fiendsmith Dies Irae
This appears to be the go-to boss monster of this theme. All it needs is 1 "The Fiendsmith" and 2 LIGHT Fiend monsters. It's first effect lets you negate the effects of face-up cards on the field until the end of that turn up to the total link rating of the link monsters equipped to it.
The maximum link rating that you can equip is link 2 so it guarantees you with up to two non-targeting negate at the same time.
Its second effect also acts as a generic card removal when it is sent to the GY which makes it tricky to deal with as it would always drag something else on its departure. :))
Run 1-2
Fiendsmith Requiem
The link 1 of the theme and it only needs any generic LIGHT Fiend monster. Its first effect lets you tribute itself to special summon 1 "Fiendsmith" monster from your hand or deck. The material requirement of this link monster is quite scary as it bridges any LIGHT Fiend monster to "Fiendsmith". It can bring out "The Fiendsmith" which can help facilitate link climb.
Its GY effect lets you equip itself from field or GY to any LIGHT Fiend monster you control for a free 600 ATK Boost.
Run 2-3
Fiendsmith Sequentia
"Soulburner" doesn't feel so good at this monster. (If you know the reference in VRAINS). This is your go-to link 2 to help you link climb and fusion summon a Fiend fusion monster. Keep in mind that you can only use materials from your GY and shuffle it back to your deck so if you're thinking of going straight to their omni negate fusion by including this card, that's not gonna happen. (Sadge)
Fusion summoning "Fiendsmith Lacrimosa" should be the go-to move if you started with "The Fiendsmith" then you can equip this link monster to give it a targeting protection. Alternatively, you can just go straight to summoning "Unchained Soul of Yama" xD.
Run 1-2.
Fiendsmith Tractus
While the theme doesn't have a field spell that searches the phone book, it received a generic Normal Spell that searches ANY LIGHT Fiend monster from your Deck to your hand, then discard 1 card (Fabled and Magical Musket consistency boost anyone?)
Not to mention, this is searchable by "The Fiendsmith" boosting your deck's consistency with 6 new card 1.5 combo that searches your LIGHT Fiend starters.
It also has a GY effect to banish itself and fusion summon a "Fiendsmith" fusion monster using materials from hand or field. This could help you facilitate the summon of "Fiendsmith Dies Irae" easily too.
Run 3. No questions asked!
Fiendsmith Sanctus
This serves as your 2nd main deck "Fiendsmith" monster as it can summon a "Fiendsmith" token which is a level 1 LIGHT Fiend monster. If you recall how good their link 1 is, the token that you'll summon for free isn't just a random token anymore but a bridge to the entire "Fiendsmith" archetype or a free Link 2/Unchained Soul of Yama. :))
I read it several times and the only restriction that it gives is your inability to declare attacks except with a Fiend monster which isn't that hard compared to the likes of "Melodious" First Solo: Movement. It even has a way to recycle itself back to your field when a "Fiendsmith" monster(s) is destroyed.
I personally think 3 is a good number for consistency but it's a hard once per turn and is searchable by "The Fiendsmith" so 1-3 could be a safe ratio for now.
Fiendsmith in Paradisum
The last support revealed for its 1st wace is a normal trap that can instantly board wipe everything except its target level 7 or higher Fiend monster you control. This trap is insanely good, however, with only "The Fiendsmith" able to search it in the theme, you might find yourself deciding which to search since the theme lacks a secondary S/T or card searcher.
Its second effect acts as a secondary removal if your opponent special summons a monster while it's in the GY. You can banish it in the GY and if you do, you can send 1 "Fiendsmith" monster from your Deck or Extra Deck. You can send "Fiendsmith Lacrimosa" for a 1200 burn damage or "Fiendsmith Dies Irae" for a 1 for 1 removal. Keep in mind that you need to have valid LIGHT Fiend monster targets to shuffle back if these fusion monsters are sent though.
If you can find a way to have this trap together with "Fiendish Dies Irae" equipped with "Fiendish Sequentia" for targeting protection, you'll have up to 3 possible interruption ranging from an omni-negate for face-up cards and up to 2 field removal. Pretty decent.
II. Themes that could work with "Fiendsmith"
1. Magical Musket
2. Fabled
3. Evil Twin
4. Unchained (summon "Unchained Soul of Yama)
5. Yubel
6. Dark Lord
7. Infernoid (summon "Infernoid Evil")
I'm sure there's more but these are the themes on top of my head.
III. Anti-Nibiru Engine?
Yes! You heard that right. Combo goes like this:
Step 1: Search "Fiendsmith Sanctus" using "The Fiendsmith". Special summon a "Fiendsmith" Token.
Step 2: Link summon "Fiendsmith Requiem" using the LIGHT Fiend token. Tribute Requiem to special summon another "The Fiendsmith" from your Deck.
Step 3: Revive "The Fiendsmith" from your GY by shuffling "Fiendsmith Requiem" from GY back to your Extra Deck. (4th Summon)
Step 4: Use the two "The Fiendsmith" (Level 6 Fiend) to XYZ summon "D/D/D High Wave King Caesar" which has the ability to negate a card or effect that would special summon a monster so long as it can detach a material. If they use "Nibiru, the Primal Being" at this point, you can negate it with Caesar. If they used "Effect Veiler" or "Infinite Impermanence", it's fine as they have already wasted two hand traps :))
IV. Summary
There's no clue yet if this theme is part of any lore but it would be cool if it can cross-over any current lore.
"Fiendsmith" is definitely another theme that has great potential and I just imagine what else is in store for them in the future. Whatever that is, I hope it is something that can help them propel in the meta.
Are you ready to see the LIGHT in darkness? 😉
Thanks for reading 'til the end!
I'm thankful for the positive impact your blog has on my life.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear that! Feedback like yours motivates me to write more :)
DeleteCurrently hooked with Fiendsmiths
ReplyDeleteHoping this discussion continue with another part with the inclusion of Lacrima and Agnus Dei from ROTA set! Much hype!