If there is one thing that Dark World monsters are known for, it’s their role as tech against hand disruption. Since the release of monsters like Goldd, Wu-Lord of Dark World, some players have included one or two copies of it in their deck to counter hand disruption effects like Thestalos the Firestorm Monarch. Typically, these options would be found in a player’s side deck as a way of dramatically improving any matchup against Monarchs.

Well, Goldd, Wu-Lord of Dark World has officially been retired from players’ side decks. He’s going to have to step aside for the almighty leader of the Dark World monsters themselves.

Reign-Beaux, Overlord of Dark World

Level 7

DARK

Fiend-type

ATK: 2500

DEF: 1800

If this card is discarded from the hand to the Graveyard by an opponent's effect, Special Summon it. If this card is Special Summoned this way, destroy all monsters OR all Spell and Trap Cards your opponent controls.

Reign-Beaux is the powerful leader of the Dark World monsters, much the way Gravekeeper’s Chief is the leader of his specific theme. As such, Reign-Beaux’s stats are greater than any other Dark World monster. Goldd, Wu-Lord of Dark World and Sillva, Warlord of Dark World are both 200 ATK shy from being able to compete with their overlord.

What is the big reason for running Reign-Beaux over Goldd, Wu-Lord of Dark World as your anti-hand disruption tech? Just check out this monster’s effect. While Reign-Beaux can only be special summoned if he’s discarded by an opponent’s card effect, he makes up for it by being a total blow-out when he kicks in. If your opponent attempts to use Thestalos the Firestorm Monarch on you and he hits Reign-Beaux instead, his or her field position is suddenly going to get really weak.

As the master of the Dark World monsters, Reign-Beaux is also a master of mass destruction. His second effect lets you essentially Raigeki the opponent, or gain a free Harpie’s Feather Duster effect. Both of those spell cards were Forbidden from tournament play because of their sheer power, and Reign-Beaux gives you a choice between them if your opponent is unfortunate enough to discard it from your hand. This can really put a scare on your opponent. What if he or she wants to summon Thestalos the Firestorm Monarch? If he or she does, there’s a good chance that his or her spell and trap zone will go up in smoke. Then, if the opponent doesn’t have a Smashing Ground to deal with Reign-Beaux on the spot, there’s a good chance that your newly summoned Overlord of Dark World will crush his or her Monarch during your turn.

I also could mention how Reign-Beaux is awesome against various other forms of hand disruption, like Don Zaloog, but what truly makes it stand out is its 2500 ATK. I cannot emphasize this advantage enough. One of the key weaknesses to Dark World monsters like Goldd is that his 2300 ATK always comes up short against a summoned Monarch, since they all have 2400 ATK. Reign-Beaux is sitting pretty at 2500 ATK, making him much harder for Monarch decks to successfully punch through without the aid of a Smashing Ground.

Another upside to running Reign-Beaux is his awesome synergy with the trap card Dark Deal. This has always been a powerful card against decks with a lot of normal spells, acting as a lesser Magic Jammer at worst. However, when the trap card is run in a Dark World deck, it has the ability to completely devastate your opponent. My favorite combo with the trap is to force the opponent to randomly discard my Sillva, Warlord of Dark World, because in the middle of the duel, this sort of play can pretty much wipe out the rest of the opponent’s hand and force him or her to end the turn. I’d have a 2300 ATK monster, and the opponent just wouldn’t have any options that could stop it. Reign-Beaux is equally awesome with Dark Deal: when he’s discarded off of Deal’s effect, you get the choice between two very powerful field-killing options. Think of Dark Deal and Reign-Beaux as a Magic Jammer that also allows you to Raigeki or Harpie’s Feather Duster the opponent as a punishment for playing his or her cards.

I’ve already shown you three of the four Dark World cards that you will find in the Strike of Neos booster set. This includes one of the most powerful support cards for the Dark World theme, Dark World Dealings, along with two new Dark World Monsters. Reign Beaux is truly a behemoth, but Kahkki, Guerilla of Dark World has a counterpart that I’ve yet to reveal . . .

. . . Oh, what’s the harm in showing you the last Dark World card?

Gren, Tactician of Dark World

Level 2

DARK

Fiend-Type

ATK: 300

DEF: 500

If this card is discarded from the hand to the Graveyard by an effect, destroy 1 Spell or Trap on the field.

As you can see, Gren is the spell and trap counterpart to Kahkki. While Kahkki is a master of eliminating monsters, Gren is the master of eliminating spells or traps. One of the most annoying things a Dark World deck may have to deal with are those nasty trap cards like Sakuretsu Armor. Perhaps you’re making a new control deck that utilizes Kahkki and Gren with Forces of Darkness, and your opponent has a face-up Royal Decree. Gren acts as an answer to these sorts of cards, making it a powerful weapon against threats that could hinder your strategy.

I also forgot to mention last week how much better Scarr, Scout of Dark World has become with the release of Kahkki and Gren in the Strike of Neos booster set. Typically, the only thing Scarr, Scout of Dark World could search out for you was another copy of himself, Brron, Mad King of Dark World, Broww, Huntsman of Dark World, or Beiige, Vanguard of Dark World. While some of these monsters could be good (such as Brron acting as another discard enabler), the fact that Scarr couldn’t search out the beefy monsters of this theme (such as Goldd, Wu-Lord of Dark World) was a major hindrance. However, both Kahkki and Gren give Scarr a whole new level of playability, since Scarr can now give you instant access to a Dark World monster that will combo immediately with one of your discard-enabling cards in hand. Making effects like Dark World Lightning powerful has never been this consistent!

The release of powerful new cards to the Dark World theme has me psyched about the release of Strike of Neos, and this isn’t the only theme getting some massive, amazing support. Grandmaster of the Six Samurai is easily one of the best theme cards I have ever seen, and you get one just for participating in the Strike of Neos Sneak Preview this weekend. Do you really need more incentive to attend an event near you?

All right, fine. You can get other cool things too, such as new Strike of Neos T-shirts. However, you can only get these things if you actually attend one of these events, so check out the Strike of Neos Sneak Preview web site to find a location near you!