Maiden of Macabre’s effect activates at the end of the damage step, when monsters destroyed in battle are sent to the graveyard. In the Maiden’s case, it is not important to actually send the destroyed monster to the graveyard. If the destroyed monster is removed from play, you will still activate the Maiden’s effect. We say that the effect activates "when the destroyed monster is sent to the graveyard" so you know what time the effect is activated during the damage step.

When Maiden of Macabre’s effect resolves, she places a spell counter on herself that helps to boost her ATK a bit higher. Since her ATK increase is based on the number of spell counters, you can use spell counter generating effects to give the Maiden a continuous boost. You can place any number of spell counters onto the Maiden, so you don’t have to worry about a cap on the amount of ATK she can potentially gain. (Your real concern will be keeping her on the field.)

Herald of Orange Light’s effect is a multi-trigger you chain to the effect of your opponent’s monster card, assuming you can pay its cost. Herald of Orange Light has the same cost restriction its brethren had before it, so you can’t just toss it into any deck. Decks using a reliable number of Fairies can count on this Herald for some unexpected surprise counter-moves.

You can use Herald of Orange Light’s effect during either player’s turn, as stated in its text, and you can also use it during the damage step like the previous Heralds. Herald of Orange Light’s effect must be chained to the monster effect it wants to negate, which means the effect of your opponent’s monster must start a chain and you can’t try to activate a different effect before chaining with Herald of Orange Light.

When your opponent says that he or she will "contact Fuse" for Gladiator Beast Gyzarus, you cannot activate Herald of Orange Light’s effect. This special summon is not an effect, after all. You can, however, chain Herald of Orange Light if your opponent decides to activate Gyzarus’ effect when it hits play.

The new Psychic-type monsters don’t come cheap. Most of them demand life point compensation for their effects or even just to remain on the field, and this adds up real quick. Their TCG exclusive equip card doesn’t help with maintenance costs, but for most of the Psychic monsters found in The Duelist Genesis it offers a way of using their effects at an affordable price. This cost reduction only holds true for the equipped monster, so it won’t help you with your other Psychics.

An equipped Destructotron can destroy your opponent’s set spell or trap card for free. An equipped Psychic Snail can help one of your other Psychic monsters attack twice for free. Setting aside the life point payments allows these effects to become a more practical choice. You can find niches for Telekinetic Charging Cell in your dedicated Psychic deck.

Mind Master isn’t completely without drawbacks when equipped with Telekinetic Charging Cell. While you don’t have to pay life points when you activate its effect, you must still tribute another Psychic monster. Telekinetic Charging Cell only applies to life point payments, so any other type of cost will still need to be paid. Remember too that Telekinetic Charging Cell won’t combo with Doctor Cranium, because its effect activates while it is in the graveyard and is no longer equipped.

Counselor Lily’s optional trigger effect is activated when the Synchro monster is successfully Synchro summoned. If the Synchro monster has a trigger effect that activates at the time it is successfully Synchro summoned, like Junk Warrior, the effects will form a chain.

It is important to remember our discussion of trigger effects from last week, because you are going to see some problems when optional trigger effects meet Charge of the Light Brigade. If a card with an optional trigger effect is sent to the graveyard with this card’s effect, it will not be possible to activate the optional trigger. Charge of the Light Brigade does one more thing after it sends your cards to the graveyard, and this further action causes the optional trigger effect card to "miss the timing."

This doesn’t cause trouble for Wulf, Lightsworn Beast because its effect is mandatory, but it is a problem for the new equip spell Lightsworn Saber because it has an optional trigger effect. When Wulf, Lightsworn Beast is sent to the graveyard by Charge of the Light Brigade, its effect triggers but doesn’t start a new chain until Charge of the Light Brigade finishes resolving.

Until next time, send all comments and questions to Curtis@Metagame.com!

—Curtis Schultz