Having just read a few books about Warren Buffett and Google, I am now inspired to incorporate some discussion about stocks into this Yu-Gi-Oh! blog. With that in mind, this post will contain a monster spell, and trap card that seems to be strongly trending upwards in this format and a monster, spell, and trap card that should take a hit in value and playability.
If this feature proves popular, it may be revisited every second week or so.
Trending Upward:
Morphing Jar: Morphing Jar sort of follows the trend of COTLB. With games getting far slower and players retaining fuller hands, sneaky Morphing Jar plays that can set up +3′s and such may become a factor in the game again. Currently every deck mentioned above can splash the deck with little to no loss in efficiency.
Many decks would actually stand to gain tremendous fire power by splashing Morphing Jar. Decks like X-Sabers, Vayu Turbo, Gardna control, and even Blackwings have a lot to gain from using the versatile card advantage threat.
Charge of the Light Brigade: I think Charge of the Light Brigade has the potential to become one of the defining cards of the format. There are literally a half dozen top tier decks that can incorporate some version of a 3 COTLB/4 Lightsworn monsters/1 Solar Recharge engine.
Graveyard manipulation has become very important. Decks that revolve around some combination of Necro Gardna, Mezuki, and Burial from a Different Dimension could possibly incorporate the COTLB engine to then use Chaos Sorcerer as well. XX-Saber decks that need multiple X-Saber monsters in the graveyard to start their special summon and Raga cycles for advantage should consider splashing the engine. Gladiator Beasts, as well, can experiment with different versions of the engine to dump Bestiari to the graveyard and set up advantage recursions with Equeste (as opposed to leaving a normal 2100 attack monster on the field). Vayu Turbo can set up easy special summon scenarios by simplifying early and milling with COTLB. And Lightsworn, of course, will continue to rely on this key card of the deck-type.
It is conceivable that every single top deck in the format (other than Blackwings) could splash some version of the COTLB engine and still find day two success at a Shonen Jump Championship. This type of versatility is practically unheard of.
Skill Drain: While Skill Drain and Royal Oppression were two of the more effective counters to the metagame in this past format, Royal Oppression is left vulnerable to Breaker the Magical Warrior and a growing number of decks that refuse to special summon.
Skill Drain, on the other hand, benefits by the fact that most deck strategies players are using are extremely susceptible to Skill Drain’s effect. With Blackwings expected to grow less and less popular, smart duelists should play anti-meta Skill Drain strategies such as Drain Wings and Jeff Jones control to find premier tournament success.
Trending Downward:
Gorz, Emissary of Darkness: This card is still amazing. It creates a 2700 attack special summon that also floats due to the presence of the clone token it creates. So trending downwards in this case doesn’t mean the card will suddenly leave every main deck.
However, the card has clearly gone from a near staple in every deck to a more specialized pick. Decks like Gladiator Beasts and Blackwings will be hard pressed to fit a copy of such a low synergy card. Lightsworn decks that previously main-decked it (a bad choice in my opinion) should definitely forgo it now.
Chaos, Twilight, and Dark control builds that need access to powerful DARK monsters should and will continue using Gorz, however.
Giant Trunade: This card is rather obvious. I would urge every player who questionably main-decked this card in Blackwings and Lightsworn to reconsider.
Royal Oppression/Light-Imprisoning Mirror: This part goes hand in hand with the Skill Drain description. The viability of Royal Oppression-based control decks have fallen incredibly far. This is due to the presence of Breaker the Magical Warrior in 3′s, along with the restriction of Solemn Judgment. You can expect to see very few decks main-decking Oppression.
Smart Lightsworn players, after seeing the main-deck of their opponent, should definitely bring in multiple copies of Breaker for game 2 to counter potential Light-Imprisoning Mirrors. Since games will often be much slower, Breaker provides a huge tactical edge versus decks like Dark Necro Gardna control that suffer versus 1600 floaters.
Related posts:
I disagree with what you said about trunade,lightsworn should main it,why?what if u mill heavy,especially against GB,they may set 3-5 cards which is now extremly hard to deal with w/o the perfect hand,with trunade,you then have a back up plan if this occurs,not to mention BTH can break early plays upart,lumina garoth play will steady out card advantage,it allows for big pushs etc.
I like it in BW simply because it could regualy OTK,and the added removal of back row supports this,not to mention cards like BTH break it up.
Now cards like Mbaas do the same thing if not better in some situations(i love mbaas personally) however lack the mass backrow removal which is somtimes needed.
Also even if gorz isnt mained,i still think it should be sided,due to the fact its an out to things like stardust,and against LS,it could save you against JD,then even set you up to stall a deck out.
i don’t like the idea of splashing COTLB in GB at all
everything else i agree with though
I agree on everything except Giant Trunade. Lightsworn can still use it, after they have milled/used Heavy Storm, the opponent is more than likely to set a couple of spell/traps, in fear of Lyla/Breaker(after game 1), so it will be more risky to make a big play after that. It can also bluff a big play, making them to waste their lone solemn, or a chainable like Threatening Roar. I personally main Giant Trunade over Mystical Space Typhoon in Ls, and im rather satisfied with it..
If You Main Call of the Haunted, you Main Giant Trunade.
Not a difficult concept.
Could you explain why 3 COTLB/4 Lightsworn monsters/1 Solar Recharge is the ideal ratio for non-Lightsworn decks? Why not, say, 3/5/1 or 3/5/2?
As opposed to the other posters here, I agree with what you said on Trunade…as far as BW is concerned. I think it should still be used for LS for reasons stated, but that it should be dropped in BW; since OTK’ing is going to be much harder to do this format, I don’t think BW could afford the -1 from Trunade, besides that, BW have plenty of forms s/t destruction, from Heavy, MST, Solemn, MBaaS (if using it), DAD to a play set of Icarus.
Also, Trunade only works with Call only if Call is a dead card on the field. Read Call if you don’t belive me.
And I’d put Vortex as a card that’s rising in play right now, since pretty much all the top decks swarm in one way or another, more decks are main decking it now to combat the opponent’s swarm.
I disagree about Trunade shouldn’t be main decked. I was going to make a comment about using it with Call but then I read the comments and how it’s already been mentioned. But I’ll reply to this comment right above this one… Really? You don’t think Call can be there pointlessly? Ever since Duelist Genesis came out it’s been a format all about synchro summoning, And with a Synchro Summon, Call will just be there on the field doing nothing. So that can be a pretty amazing combo, I’ve already updated my deck to september 1st format and that combo works amazingly.
Although back to the normal commenting. I disagree about that a Charge + Recharge engine should be run in a deck that isn’t Lightsworns. Most decks would be hurt like that, I mean yes, there are cards running Malicious, Plaugespreader and Gardna and also decks like Vayu Turbo but it’s really not worth it to add all those other cards (especially when it makes Vayu Turbo MORE inconsistant). If you want to mill just tech in a/some Ryko in there.
Could you explain why 3 COTLB/4 Lightsworn monsters/1 Solar Recharge is the ideal ratio for non-Lightsworn decks? Why not, say, 3:5:1 or 3:5:2?
Obv trunade can only be used when call is dead on the field. Which it should be most of the time anyways. Most of the time, you’re either gonna synchro/contact fuse/ or tribute the monster that you have used for call of the haunted.
Sorry that I keep posting on your articles, Jae. But I have a no-homo man crush. Anyway, what people aren’t paying attention to is the most important thing you noted; CotLB is a disgusting card.
Everyone knows Morphing Jar is great – but CotLB is something I have been trying to shove into decks since its release (6S more than most). X-Sabers (w/ Airbellum and Ryko) provides a near seamless opportunity for hybridization. I’m not sure how it will play out over the next 6 months, but I think you are wise to point out how strong this engine could be.
Great article, as usual^^. I think skill drain becomes more viable the more special summons become more the norm; especially with the newer options available (Imperial custom/trap stun/ forbidden chalice). That sort of deck has way more consistency in a lot of it’s tech lineup. I’d expect to see this more, and i’d also love to see the return of fearing set (morphing jar, DDWL, Deko) monsters. I like the creative potential in this format, i really do^^
I’m using Vayu with lightsworn engine (COTLB) 1x ehren , 2x lyla , 2x ryko
3x charge 1x solar
it works pretty well
I disagree with posters above on the point of giant trunade being mained in lightsworn and other aggro decks. With one solemn, people are going to be very hesistent in setting multiple backrows making cards like dust tornado and mystical space that much better. I personally never liked trunade since it was always an OTK card ie stein, rml ftk, chimeratech, and if your not otking its essentially a minus one. Trunade is only as good as how big of a followup play you have in your hand. Next turn my opponent is gonna re-set all his spells and traps, and now we are back to square one, was that push for damage or attack worth it, trunade’s effectiveness is a hit ormiss. I prefer cards in my deck(I am a lightsworn player) that aren’t dead or provide some sort of guaranteed advantage. I prefer slow-paced games with my lightsworn deck and force my opponent to be the first one to make the power move ie blackrose the field, torrential, solemn etc, then I go aggro; trunade is an otk card and that just isn’t my playstyle with lightsworn, the deck is fast enough.
Jae kim on your point of a brigade/recharge engine, it is great. I used to run it in skull servant deck(yes I said skull servant I have a 1/e LoB I just had to make the deck) it was not half bad and even OTK’d due to all the milling. The deck may have been aided by card of safe return and dark armed, but the engine was so helpful to speed up my deck. Sometimes the engine is a hit or miss and not as consistent as the d-hero engine, nevertheless it should be tried out in some zombie decks.
RiderLeangle
August 25th, 2009 at 1:09 PM
But I’ll reply to this comment right above this one… Really? You don’t think Call can be there pointlessly? Ever since Duelist Genesis came out it’s been a format all about synchro summoning, And with a Synchro Summon, Call will just be there on the field doing nothing.
Considering what I said, this response makes no sense. I know it can be on the field pointlessly, I was just saying in order for it to work it has to be there pointlessly.
So that can be a pretty amazing combo
Sure it’s an awesome combo. I agree. But, it just seems too inconsistent and not enough to warrant Trunade to be a staple in the main in my opinion.
Well, obviously, if it just doesn’t fit in the deck, don’t play the card… I agree with it being in Lightsworns as back-up, but only a few can actually be hindered by it…
Thanks for this great website Jae. Considering your mentioning the prevalence of graveyard manipulation in most decks, and GK’s being used in several decks, could Necrovalley gain some traction? Also, could cards like call and limit reverse(that sit after a synchro summon) become food for magic planter? Thanks again.
I really love Magic Planter and the idea of it. I think it’s an immaculately designed card and COTH can only help its use.
Magic Planter is great in little city if u happen to draw more copies of skill drain or royal oppression. Also it works well with Limit Reverse and Exiled Force in same deck.
Cold Wave seems to be a much better choice in LS/BW than Trunade. Trunade basically says “win this turn or gain a +X (X making you miles ahead of your opponent)”. The points people have made regarding main decking it aren’t really valid arguments, I’d rather not sacrifice consistency game one for the off chance that my opponent is a total idiot and the trunade will be beneficial to me.
In Lightsworn/BW, Cold Wave can secure a swing and basically ensure that your investment will be available the following turn (if there is another turn after you make your swing). In GB the card is basically staple at one. In other decks I don’t see any real issue with it; Monarch can go Cold Wave, tribute floater, drop Raiza, they’re now losing a draw, limited by their plays (the only real viable play would be gale halve swing (and close to every deck should be using gale)) and they have to deal with a 2400 guy and the possibility of a followup during their opponents turn that will control tempo further.
tl;dr cold wave rules trunade sucks
Jae, you mention stocks but fail to mention whether you are discussing the upwards/downwards monetay value of cards. I think it is safe to assume you mean the playability value, but I think it would be an interesting post of oh discussed which cards will inflate in price and which will deflate. Think of yourself as the Mad Money of yugio monsterz.
First, thanks Jae to give us a new excellent post as always. Second, I am agree with you that the charge-engine in decks like Light-sabers will be a tier1 and nearly broken deck; but how this impact the game in economic terms? let’s make an example.. D-Hero engine: 2xmalicious ($70)+3xD-draws($100)+ 1xstratos($5).. total $175 or less .. now, charge-engine: 3xcharge($70)+1xEnrhen($35)+2xLyla ($20)+2xrikko($10)+1solar($5) total $280 and raising.. Now we are going to see again a expensive engine that make an little expensive deck.. so we got a problem for most duelist that can afford it (I have a friend that it’s trying to make crazy things like to sell a kidney to buy cards)… most of the old players have grown and now have jobs and they are helping to other players to continue in the game giving them borrowed cards .. And this had a pyramid effect that when the people can’t continue supporting other players for the expensive cost of each format and quits… the truth is that only the real love of the game is what make us stay here because literally there is no other reward (there is no great incentive to become a pro-player).. anyway thanks for giving the life to the game ?..
I will agree with all of you. But Trudnade rocks period! I mean it seals up games really quickly and makes sure they have no follow ups. But I will disagree against the Cold wave is better than Trunade. Ahh heck I use both Giant Trunade and Cold Wave!
Sorry about the last post, the last character was a smiley face.. the point is that in fact there is a conspiration in the ban list of september to make us play always with expensive cards.. The COTLB was not touched not because it didn’t exist in the OCG in that time, it was an developed plan to make us spend money… who says that MTG is far expensive that YGO?.. the answer doesn’t matter really, because we love this game.. and for the post about trunade vs. cold wave..Only the self player of the deck knows what Works better… Sometimes is a cold wave, and sometimes is a trunade… personally I prefer H. storm but that is because it works better in my deck…
Well you probably are right about the conspriacy to make people play expensive cards indeeed. For me psuedo lies Im playing the four nasties in my salvodad deck (Heavy,MST,GIANT TRUNADE,COLD WAVE) But hey at least the vetrans are giving back to the dueling community by helping others.
>I will agree with all of you. But Trudnade rocks period! I mean it seals up >games really quickly and makes sure they have no follow ups. But I will >disagree against the Cold wave is better than Trunade. Ahh heck I use both >Giant Trunade and Cold Wave!
the thing is, unless your deck is dedicated otk, theres no real reason to main so many cards that can lead to potential bad draws.
another key point i should have made is that Cold Wave has the potential to shutdown lightsworns entire turn (basically guarenteed if you open it when going first). tad nasty imo.
Just wanted to posted in support of this post . Really want to see such posts being uploaded every 2 weeks or so .
Great article as usual. I am happy you pointed out the power of CotLB. It is an amazing card that can be used in many decks as a side engine.
I enjoyed this article this will help me greatly on my new tech thech this format
I have to say I have a different take on the viability of Royal Oppression under the new list, frankly I think it will actually fare slightly better. Why? The Loss of 2 Solemns has neutral implications for the card, because all things being equal as likely as your own Solemns would save it from destruction at a critical moment, your opponents Solemns would negate it at a critical moment. Simply put Solemn was as much of a bane to the card as it was a boon.
As for the presence of 2 additional Breakers remember this is happening in the wake of the loss of 2 Cold Waves, which quite frankly were far more of an effective counter to the card. Breaker is far more susceptible to disruption and isn’t nearly as effective at getting around Oppression. With all the chainable that are being played these days Breaker doesn’t pack the punch it used to
I really love Magic Planter and the idea of it. I think it’s an immaculately designed card and COTH can only help its use.
I agree. Magic Planter is potent in Blackwing Decks, due to the synergy with both Skill Drain and Rivalry of Warlords. It should allow the Deck to run a decent amount of Monsters, while having lots of annoying Continuous. Even if you do suffer a Heavy Storm, the advantage generated through those Icarus Attacks and Black Whirlwind should allow you to recover, easily setting up more of those Continuous.
Jae, can you give us more support behind Giant trunade? I still see it being a valuable asset in the next format.
Well imo, trunade is a tad ovverated, i mean, if you arent otking (or x sabers arent sendingt the s/t to the grave anyway) you set yourself up for a -1, plain and simple, though not as much so, since i play Trunade, C. wave, H. storm,and MST in my x sabers :/
Great article Jae, as always. But about Royal Oppression, there are some decks that can effectively run Oppression, and not fall prey to Breaker. Lyla, etc. What are your thoughts on Skill Drain and Oppression in the same deck?