“To reach their full potential, all things must grow and learn. Every step forward leads them closer to their fiercest strengths and their most boundless wisdom. Such is true of the soul of the duelists. With each duel they must grow and learn. With each duel their resolve is tested, their strength challenged, and their mind opened to new possibilities. I believe in the soul of the duelists. They need only believe in themselves.” —The Pharaoh
Soul of the Duelist brings us forward into new challenges for the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG. This newest expansion introduces LV monsters: monsters that grow into a more powerful form by satisfying specific conditions. Element monsters, which grow and adapt based on the attributes of monsters in play, also make a first appearance in Soul of the Duelist. Even old monsters like Muka Muka, Hane-Hane, and Red-Eyes B. Dragon learn new tricks and get new allies in battle.
This week’s article serves as an introduction to the monsters of Soul of the Duelist. In the weeks to come, I’ll examine the many ways that cards in Soul of the Duelist can be combined and the forms they can take in various Yu-Gi-Oh! decks.
Monsters
Horus the Black Flame Dragon LV4
Horus the Black Flame Dragon LV6
Horus the Black Flame Dragon LV8
Let’s begin with the big, bad Dragon on the pack cover. Horus rewards its user with more powers the longer it remains in play, ultimately resulting in the LV 8 form that can put a stop to any spell card you desire. Factor in the strength of the LV 6 and LV 8 forms, and you end up with a monster that is certain to prove formidable.
Draft is not Horus’s friend, however, as every form of Horus the Black Flame Dragon is rare. But if you somehow find yourself with Horus the Black Flame Dragon LV 6 and LV 8 while drafting, victory is likely.
Armed Dragon LV3
Armed Dragon LV5
Armed Dragon LV7
Draft is somewhat kinder to the Armed Dragon—the LV 5 form is only a rare, but the LV 7 is a super rare. Uninterested in the negation of spell cards, Armed Dragon focuses instead on the destruction of opposing monsters. For the simple cost of one monster of equal or higher strength, Armed Dragon will take apart the competition.
Armed Dragon LV5 will be of great benefit in Draft, offering strength and monster removal in one package. Armed Dragon LV7 is less likely to appear, and would be unplayable without LV 5.
Enraged Muka Muka
Enraged Muka Muka is the evolved form of our old friend Muka Muka from Metal Raiders. Muka Muka has learned from its prior ordeals and returned in an initially more powerful form with a higher ATK gain from cards in hand. With just two cards in your hand, Enraged Muka Muka will have 2000 ATK. It only gets meaner from there.
In Draft, the commonality of this card can make it a real menace. The inherent nature of Draft minimizes card play, and this works in the Enraged Muka Muka’s favor by making it more likely to have a steady ATK increase.
Constructed decks using Enraged Muka Muka are just as likely to be a threat. Who knew Giant Rat could summon forth a monster of such power? Muka Muka knew . . .
Nobleman-Eater Bug and Hade-Hane
Two old school favorites from Legend of Blue Eyes White Dragon have learned much from their experiences. Nobleman-Eater Bug has adapted its skills to destroy two monsters on the field, and Hade-Hane has gained further mastery of its abilities—now it can return up to three monsters to their owner’s hand.
In achieving this power, each has grown to level 5 and now requires a tribute. That’s not a big issue for Draft and does not offset their benefits.
Element Dragon and Element Soldier
Element Dragon and Element Soldier have learned mastery over the elements. They’ve gained strength from earth, fire, wind, and water to overcome their adversaries. Element Dragon harnesses power from fire, and its ability to attack twice stems from the swift movement of the wind. Element Soldier can free its mind with the clarity of water, and it uses the gifts of the earth to negate the effects of those monsters it destroys in battle.
Assisting them in their struggles are representatives of each of the required attributes. Since Element Soldier has a tricky style, Element Dragon offers the best play value overall.
Howling Insect and Masked Dragon
Howling Insect and Masked Dragon unite their respective monster types in a manner similar to the attribute union of Mystic Tomato and Shining Angel. Each can function well in Draft if used in multiples, giving you a cycling shield of defense. Be mindful of the other Insects and Dragons you can get with their effects, too. Masked Dragon is the more functional of the two in Draft, as it can be used to special summon Armed Dragon LV3, Red-Eyes B. Chick, and Element Dragon.
Dark Mimic LV1 and LV3
The Dark Mimics are all about card drawing. The LV 1 form has a simple flip-effect that allows you to draw a card. Not a bad way to move through your deck. Follow this up with Dark Mimic LV3, which earns you a card draw when it’s destroyed in battle. You’ll find that Dark Mimic LV3 and Mystic Tomato can be good friends.
Mystic Swordsman LV2 and L4
Taking a lesson from Sasuke Samurai, Mystic Swordsman (in its various forms) can destroy a face-down monster without any damage calculation. Unfortunately, the effect works against their required method of “leveling up”, so ultimately the spell card Level Up! may be necessary. Mystic Swordsman LV4 is also limited by its method of play; it’s required to be placed in face-down defense position when normal summoned. This leaves Mystic Swordsman LV4 vulnerable, so do what you can to protect it with trap cards like Taunt.
Mystic Swordsman LV4 is an ultra rare, so don’t count on it appearing in Draft.
Red-Eyes B. Chick
The Red-Eyes B. Dragon has itself a buddy. Now you only need to tribute one monster to bring your Red-Eyes B. Dragon into play. Combine this with the Inferno Fire Blast spell card, and Red-Eyes B. Dragon is back in business.
Fusion Monsters
Sanwitch
Sangan and Witch of the Black Forest were just made for each other . . . what can I say? This one may not serve well in terms of actual fusioning and does nothing in Draft, but it is solid in Constructed. For example, Magical Scientist decks can use this card as a beatstick with 2100 ATK and then launch it with Catapult Turtle for damage. But it’s Sorcerer of Dark Magic, one of the four recent movie promos, that truly enjoys this monster. Using the effect of Magicial Scientist, you can special summon two Sanwitches from your Fusion deck to use as the tributes for Sorcerer of Dark Magic, making the monster much easier to bring into play. Mix in Apprentice Magician, and you have yourself a functioning deck type that traps will fear.
Master of Oz
Who knew Big Koala and Des Kangaroo would combine together into such a big Fusion monster? The menace from down under is the strongest of the Fusion monsters released in English to date. It’s just waiting for someone to will its power into play.
Ojama King
Combine Ojama King with Ground Collapse, and your opponent’s options will disappear in a hurry. Use this to support an offense with your other monsters and control the general flow of play.
Next week . . . the spell and trap cards of Soul of the Duelist.
Send all comments to Curtis@metagame.com.