Is it TIME for new "Harpie" support? - Future Support Discussion

Lately, I have been checking some of the reprints in QUARTER CENTURY CHRONICLE Side: Pride and I noticed that "Harpie" got some important reprints. Then, I realized that "Harpie" never had any follow-up in OCG or TCG from LINK VRAINS PACK 2 aside from "Cyber Slash Harpie Lady","Toon Harpie Lady", and "Harpie's Pet Dragon Fearsome Fire Blast."

I have seen reprints here and there and I wonder, is this them giving us a hint supporting one of the popular archtypes of the DM era? What kind of support will they get to be on par with the current meta? Let's discuss that in this featured article!

Notice me, "Tenpai"! - My 1st Place "Tenpai" Deck Profile

Hey ya'll! It's me again, ArcKnight. I am finally back with another deck profile/tournament report featuring one of coolest OTK decks I have tried which is "Tenpai Dragons" where I won 1st place in the recent OCG ranking. What's interesting is I didn't have one of their key OTK cards in my extra deck.

Without further ado, let's talk about this new theme "Tenpai", and why it deserves our attention.

Here's how the new "Goblin Biker" cards in LEDE can boost the theme's strategy!

Hey everyone! ArcKnight here and I'm back in writing articles finally in 2024! Today, I'm going to share my insights on these two new "Goblin Biker" cards revealed today in LEGACY OF DESTRUCTION (LEDE). 

Is "Goblin Biker" finally good? Let's discuss!

"Breaking my SILENCE" - Top 2 "Silenforc" Deck Profile by ArcKnight - BLS Event 2023 | Tech choices and Strategies Explained!

Hey everyone! ArcKnight here~ Today, I'm going to share my full deck profile and tournament report from the recently held Black Luster Soldier (Normal Monster) Tournament 2023 Philippines where I used the newest "Silenforc" / "Voiceless Voice" deck from PHANTOM NIGHTMARE (PHNI) and placed 2nd over 95 players!

Below, I will share why I decided to use this deck in this huge event, my considerations on my tech choices and side deck, and also strategies that I did to "Silence" my opponents (Evil smirk). Kidding aside, continue reading 'til the end and let my 'Voice' be heard~

What does "Valmonica" need to become Meta? | Future Support Discussion

Heya~ Arcknight here! I was reviewing some of the new themes that came out recently and I came across one of the most interesting themes I still couldn't figure: that is "Valmonica". I figure that I need to tackle this archetype and I always wonder, what kind of support will it get that can maximize its potential?

Join me in this journey while we cope all together on what "Valmonica" could get potentially in the future sets!

"Let's Talk About Purrely!" - Post June TCG 2023 Banlist Analysis

Hey RespectYGOers! I'm back from writing and this time, I'll talk about one of the top contenders of this format - Purrely. For those who don't know, I also played Purrely competitively in OCG post CYBERSTORM ACCESS and its playstyle interests me at some point so I figured to share my insights. :)

As we know, Purrely received a huge consistency boost in CYBERSTORM ACCESS in the form of Purrelyly and Purrely Sleepy Memory. These cards gave them an easy access to one of their key searchers called My Friend Purrely which leads to a guaranteed Purrely Delicious Memory by revealing three copies from your deck. This Spell Card is important in bringing out Epurrely Plump which eventually can allow easy access to their ace card Expurrely Noir. 

Did "Dark World" get what they deserve or we are missing something?

Dark World has been my go to deck when it was released many years back. Sadly, I never had a chance to own an entire core in real life that's why it excites me when I found that the Structured Deck will finally get a revamp. This really brought back memories way back when I was still an avid fan of Dueling Network (Now Dueling Book). 

Yesterday, we finally got the wave 2 reveals of the upcoming Structured Deck R: Devil's Gate. Like the previous Structured Deck R, we are anticipating 8 new cards for Dark World. Majority of the Dark World fans like me are hyped about this since the beginning but did this second wave of support meet the expectations? That's something that I will share in my article for today. 

"The Final Arc?" - This is why "Byssted" is a THREAT to the META

 "If you can't beat them, powercreep them"

Welcome to our newest blog! For today's article, we'll feature the newly announced Byssted or Beasted archetype, the new archetype debuting in July 2022's main OCG booster pack Darkwing Blast. 

Byssted Archetype in DABL

Byssted is an all Dragon archetype that focuses on swarming the field by banishing a LIGHT or DARK monster and also aims to manipulate the graveyard with their D.D Crow like quick effects for as long as the opponent controls a monster. Like the usual, we'll do an archetype review and tech card review. For a change, I'll be also including a sample decklist to show how I envision Byssted to be built so far. Let's get started!

READ: Will Shark be in the Next Meta? - Post DP26 Deck Profile + 2 Card Combo!

Hey, RespectYGOers! Arcknight here and this is the first archetype review that we'll do this year. Tomorrow (in OCG region), Duelist Pack 26: Duelist of the Abyss will be released where we'll get new support cards for "Shark", "Umi" & "Marincess". 

It's been a while since we got WATER Archetype related support and the boost that Shark got really caught my attention. Because of that, I decided to create a deck profile and I'll also share a 2 card combo tutorial in this article to help aspiring Shark players in a way and unleash their inner Nash 😄 

First, let's have a look at this deck profile!

"Bird Invasion!" - Week 1 Nov 2021 Metagame Report + Floowandereeze Combo

Hi Everyone! Arcknight here. We are now on week 1 of Nov 2021 and today, I'm going to share our weekly Metagame report + a combo at the end. Without further ado, here it is:

Dates Covered: Nov 6-7

Tournaments: Toy Shogun Weekly Ranking, FT Duel Grounds

Deck Breakdown: 24

Tournament Report 2.21.2021 | 2-Time 1st Place Gizmek Artifact Control OCG

 Hey RespectYGOers! It's me Arcknight once again and I'm so glad I can finally share a tournament report after some time. I know that it's been a tough time for everyone especially when choosing a deck and you don't know how the meta works because of a very long hiatus because of the pandemic. Luckily I was able to cope with several testing and I have decided what deck to use in this tournament. Here's what happened below:

How to choose the right "Side Deck" cards?

Hey RespectYGOers! Happy new year to ya'll! It's me, Arcknight , and I'm back with a new article. This time, we will talk about a strategy that some may overlook: Side Deck. A lot of meta decks right now either focus on 1-card combos, spam a lot of negation or have floodgate to control the game. Your side deck does a lot of job in countering these strategies especially if it will affect your gameplay. Now, what are the things that you need to consider in choosing the right side deck? 

(ETCO) Unchained Twins - Salama : Too OP?

Hi there RespectYGOers! It's me Arcknight once again reviewing one of the newest cards in Eternity Code! As expected, looks like we'll get a new "Hakai/Unchained" monster in next years' main Booster pack! Will this make the deck top tier? 

Want to know more about the card, here's the effect:

破械童子サラマ 

(ETCO) New WIND Ghost Girl Revealed: Upgraded Veiler?

Wazzup RespectYGOers! It's me Arcknight of RespectYGO blog and we're here to review the newest hand trap soon to be released in January's Main booster pack "Eternity Code"! Will this card impact the meta? Without further ado, here's the revealed effect:

ETCO-JP036

Evening Crescent & Autumn Shower

Level 3 WIND Zombie Effect Monster

0 ATK / 1800 DEF

-You can only use this card name's effect once per turn

(1) If your opponent Special Summons a monster(s) face-up: You can discard this card, then target 1 of those face-up monsters; negate its effects until the end of this turn, also if that face-up monster leaves the field this turn, its controller takes damage equal to its original ATK.

Source:

https://twitter.com/YuGiOh_OCG_INFO/status/1210168382735163392?s=19

Initial Thoughts:

⚫ Cute Artwork indeed. High value card on first day guaranteed.

⚫ It's like an effect veiler but can only work on special summoned monsters. The good news is that it can work either player's turn which makes it versatile. 

⚫ It also plays a good mind-game tactic like the recent Null Nun especially on turns where life point is tight or players are on last three turns. If the monster negated by Evening Crescent & Autumn Shower leaves the field (used as link material, synchro material, tribute material, fusion material etc.). You can have your opponent decide whether to continue with the combo or just end with the negated monster.

⚫ It doesn't need to land in the Graveyard unlike Effect Veiler.

❎ Only works on special summoned monsters and will only trigger if the opponent special summon monsters.

❎ Technically a minus one and doesn't provide much threat and control like Maxx "C" , Ash Blossom & Joyous Spring, Ghost Ogre & Snow Rabbit etc.

❎ Monsters used as XYZ material is not considered leaving the field so it will bypass the burn effect.

Summary:

Some players may feel disappointed because a lot of players though that it will include an effect that will negate something activated from hand although little is yet to be known on how useful this card will be once Eternity Code releases its full content. I'm still eyeing to get a copy of this for collection once Rarity Collection: Premium Gold Edition releases the Alternate artwork. 

If you like this card or you guys have content suggestions, feel free to comment down below. 

See ya!

Dragun of Red-Eyes: Top 10 cards to Counter it

Hey RespectYGOers! Merry Christmas to all of you. It's been a huge while since I made my post and this blog is now 5 years old! Out of the blue, I decided to come-up with a comeback article featuring one of the most sought after cards in OCG: Dragun of Red-Eyes! 

For those of you who are not yet familiar with the card, here's how it works (ctto):

Chou Madou Ryukishi Dragoon of Red-Eyes (OCG: Supreme Magical Dragon Knight – Dragoon of Red-Eyes / TCG: Dragun of Red-Eyes)
DARK Spellcaster Fusion Effect Monster
LV8 3000/2500
Materials: “Dark Magician” + “Red-Eyes Black Dragon” or 1 Dragon Effect Monster
(1) Cannot be destroyed by card effects, also neither player can target this card with card effects.
(2) During your Main Phase, up to a number of times equal to the number of Normal Monsters that used as Fusion Material for this card: You can destroy 1 monster your opponent controls, and if you do, inflict damage to your opponent equal to its original ATK.
(3) Once per turn, when a card or effect is activated (Quick Effect): You can discard 1 card; negate the activation, and if you do, destroy that card, and if you do that, this card gains 1000 ATK.

Basically it's:

◼️ Masterpiece of True Draco esque boss that can negate and buff itself by just discarding a card. 

◼️ a monster that can't be mind controlled, lightning stormed (using it as verb lol) , Dark Holed (still doing it) etc.

◼️ A monster with cool artwork

While the card looks strong on paper, there are minor things that need to be considered like it requires specific Materials that doesn't do anything major on their own other than feeling like Yugi and Joey when you draw them. (Believe in the heart of cards). The good news is with the release of Link Vrains Pack: 3, we got an awesome link monster that can summon this card with ease! Check this out! 

LVP3-JP071
Predator Plants’ Verte Anaconda / Predaplant Verte Anaconda
Link 2 DARK Plant Link Effect Monster
ATK 500
Link Arrows: Bottom-Left, Bottom-Right
Link Materials: 2 Effect Monsters
You can use each effect among the (1)st and (2)nd effects with this card’s name only once per turn.
(1) You can target 1 face-up monster on the field; it becomes DARK for the rest of this turn.
(2) You can pay 2000 LP, then send 1 “Polymerization” Normal or Quick-Play Spell, OR 1 “Fusion” Normal or Quick-Play Spell, from your Deck to the GY; this effect becomes the same effect as when that Spell is activated, also you cannot Special Summon monsters for the rest of the turn.

This card is: 

◼️ Too generic (only two effect monster amd it doesn't have to be different names!)

◼️ It can turn any monster into DARK attribute (super polymerization anyone?)

◼️ It can copy and dump any "Fusion" or Polymerization" Normal or Quick Play Spell Card straight from Deck which also helps in evading lots of Fusion spells' draw back. 

So what does it do for your almighty Dragun? 

Yes! You can copy "Red-Eyes Fusion" from the deck and then send both "Red-Eyes B. Dragon" and "Dark Magician" from Hand, Field or Deck! (Imagine thinning your Deck with Three cards!). 

Now, how can I counter this deck? Here we've came up with the top 10 cards that you may consider to counter "Dragun of Red-Eyes"!

1. Super Polymerization

✔️ Non-targeting removal that brings out your "Starving Venom Fusion Dragon" , "Predaplant Dragostapelia" etc. It prevents your opponent from responding their "Dragun of Red-Eyes" and usually, once you remove it from the field, it would be harder for them to utilize another "Predaplant Verte Anaconda" unless they have the "Magicalized Fusion" banishing materials from the Grave. 

2. Al-Lumi'raj

✔️ This card is receiving lots of noise lately for being a 1 card no-sweat solution to beat "Dragun of Red-Eyes"! This card brings down the ATK and DEF of any monster by 300 multiplied by their level/rank! Since "Dragun of Red-Eyes" is level 8, it can bring it down to 600 ATK!!!! 

❎ The downside of this card is it is not easily splashable to most of the decks and you have to draw it. 

3. Night Dragolich

✔️ Yes! Another Wyrm-type monster that changes all non-Wyrm summoned from Main or Extra Deck to defense position! Not only that, it changes their defense to 0 making it a good stun card post Master Rule April 2020 Adjustment for both OCG and TCG. It is a continous effect like "Al-Lumi'raj" which makes it good vs. negation cards.

❎ Downside is the same as the card in no.2

4. Dark Ruler no More

✔️ The card speaks for itself. Once you activate this card,  their boss monsters will be dethroned. They cannot respond their negation(monsters only though). 

❎ It doesn't directly remove the threat but only removes their threatening effects and protections. If you don't have a combo piece in hand that could remove the threats, they can easily make a comeback next turn. 

❎ This card, aside from being hard to search, is also prone to Spell/Trap Negations. 

5. Kaiju monsters

✔️ Who doesn't forget the sudden heat in your heart when your opponent tributes your best monsters? That annoying feeling cannot be escaped by "Dragun of Red-Eyes" as well. Boss monster you say? Just tribute it away! Too much negation? Tribute it away! Electric Bills? Tribute it away! Annoying friends? Tribute them away! Lol

This card is also a good tech in "Salamangreat" since they can always bounce this card with "Salamangreat Mirage Stallio" which gives another threat to the next boss monster of the opponent.

❎ You have to draw it like the other cards. You also have to be ready to remove the Kaiju as it could backfire as a beatdown monster. I would want to include "Volcanic Queen" and "Santa Claws" but "Kaiju" is much better.

6. Dimensional Barrier

✔️ A go-first card that prevents summon especially Fusion Summon! It also negates existing effects of the type you declared! Huge out to "Thunder Dragon" , "Zefra",  " Shadoll", "Dragun of Red-Eyes" and the like. In this meta, a turn lost is like a game lost so better to take advantage while the cat is away. 

❎ You have to draw it and go-first. It is hard to use if opponent went first already with a field full of negations. 

7. Chimeratech Megafleet Dragon

✔️If they leave it in Extra Monster Zone for some reason and it's not yet the new Master Rule, you can use "Cyber Dragon" and just use the "Dragun of Red-Eyes" as material. 

❎ Downside is it has to capture monster from Extra Monster Zone and will take a slot in your precious Extra or Side Deck.

8.Lava Golem

✔️ Perfect answer to both "Predaplant Verte Anaconda" and "Dragun of Red-Eyes" since if you use Kaiju on the Dragun, they can just use Anaconda next turn and dump "Magicalized Fusion". 

❎ Downside is you have to draw it and it prevent's you from normal summoning.

9. Artifact Engine

✔️ A go-first engine that prevents Extra Deck summoning. See Dimensional Barrier.

❎ Downside is it may lead to bad draw when you draw it works best if you go-first.

10. Kamion, the Timelord

✔️I just came across with this card and looks like it's a good candidate! It doesn't say that it targets and it shuffles any card! Plus, it prevents player's from responding which means "Dragun of Red-Eyes" cannot respond! 

❎ Not searchable aside from a dedicated "Timelord" deck and you have to hard draw it.

Hope you guys like the article and I look forward on making this blog more active. If you have more content suggestions , feel free to comment down below. This has been Arcknight of RespectYGO, signing out!