Goblin Elite Attack Force improves upon the role that its predecessor, , began back in the days of Pharaoh’s Servant. Goblin Elite Attack Force has the same effect as its predecessor, but improves upon it by including a DEF of 1500. This may not seem like much, but it does make a difference, and any player who used Goblin Attack Force can attest to this.

But the effect of Goblin Attack Force has confused players for quite some time. The effect of the newly-released Goblin Elite Attack Force is likely to do the same. No doubt many judges had to explain the elite goblins’ effect to inexperienced players over the course of this past weekend’s Sneak Preview events. This week, we’ll examine the effect of Goblin Elite Attack Force and use examples to explain its meaning.

For reference, this is the text of Goblin Elite Attack Force.

“If this card attacks, it is changed to Defense Position at the end of the Battle Phase. This card’s battle position cannot be changed until the end of your next turn, except with a card effect.”

Let’s start with what happens when the Attack Force changes battle position. Because its battle position does not change until the end of the battle phase, it’s possible for Goblin Elite Attack Force to attack multiple times by using other card effects. For example, you could use Double Attack from The Lost Millennium to give Goblin Elite Attack Force another go at the opponent and his or her monsters.

You can also use the trap card Interdimensional Matter Transporter to remove Goblin Elite Attack Force from the field during the battle phase. This will help to keep it from being shifted to defense position when the battle phase ends.

Now we move on to the real issue of this card, which is its battle position lockdown effect. After Goblin Elite Attack Force attacks and you end your battle phase, those elite goblins will be shifted to defense position. The effect of the card puts a restriction on it that keeps it from having its battle position changed until the end of your next turn. The inclusion of the clause “except with a card effect” is intended to clarify that you can still use card effects like Final Attack Orders to turn those elite goblins back into attack position.

This limitation is applied to the monster itself, and it will not disappear if control of the monster is shifted to another player. If your opponent takes control of your Goblin Elite Attack Force after it’s attacked and has been locked into defense position, and then he or she thinks that it can be changed into attack position, they will be mistaken.

Erik, the turn player, attacks his opponent, Donny, with Goblin Elite Attack Force. When he ends his battle phase, Goblin Elite Attack Force is shifted into defense position. Donny begins his turn and uses Brain Control to take control of Goblin Elite Attack Force. Donny cannot manually change the battle position of Goblin Elite Attack Force because it’s still being locked in position by its effect. At the end of the turn, Goblin Elite Attack Force is returned to Erik, but Erik will still not be able to change its battle position in his next turn, because it’s still being locked down by its own effect.

The turn sequence would normally look like this.

Turn 1: Dita attacks with Goblin Elite Attack Force. Goblin Elite Attack Force shifts to defense position and its battle position cannot be changed manually.

Turn 2: Heather can take control of Goblin Elite Attack Force, but she cannot manually change its battle position.

Turn 3: Dita still cannot manually change the battle position of Goblin Elite Attack Force. When she ends her turn, the effect that locks Goblin Elite Attack Force in place will end.

Turn 4: At this point, the battle position of Goblin Elite Attack Force can be changed manually. If Heather takes control of Goblin Elite Attack Force by using Brain Control, she will be able to manually change its battle position.

It’s possible for Heather to use Brain Control during turn 4 to take control of Goblin Elite Attack Force and change its battle position manually, because the effect preventing it from that manual battle position change had expired when Dita ended her turn—the third turn of the game. The third turn of the game was Dita’s next turn after having attacked with Goblin Elite Attack Force.

But what if Heather does take control of Goblin Elite Attack Force by using Brain Control during turn 4 and then attacks with those elite goblins? The card’s effect will be applied when Heather ends her battle phase, as it normally would. The end of Heather’s next turn will mark the end of the effect, so when Dita gets her Goblin Elite Attack Force back, she will not be able to manually change its position. She will have to wait until after Heather’s next turn.

Another new monster in Cybernetic Revolution, Indomitable Fighter Lei Lei, shares Goblin Elite Attack Force’s effect, but it has an ally that can help it overcome its shared weakness.

Protective Soul Ailin, also found in Cybernetic Revolution, is a Union monster that can equip itself to Indomitable Fighter Lei Lei and only to Indomitable Fighter Lei Lei. With Protective Soul Ailin equipped to Lei Lei, you are given the ability to change Lei Lei’s battle position once during your turn by using Protective Soul Ailin’s effect. This allows Lei Lei to overcome its defense position lockdown effect and remain in attack position. This works well for Indomitable Fighter Lei Lei, but it offers nothing for Goblin Elite Attack Force.

What can we use with Goblin Elite Attack Force? Cybernetic Revolution offers us one option with the card Prepare to Strike Back. Prepare to Strike Back offers you the chance to turn a face-up defense position monster into attack position when your opponent declares that he or she will attack it. If you use this card, you can shift your Goblin Elite Attack Force into attack position and save it from destruction.

When the effect fails, the opponent’s attack will gain the piercing effect, allowing him or her to deal damage to you if the attacking monster has a higher ATK than your monster’s DEF. With Goblin Elite Attack Force having a DEF of 1500, you probably won’t take too much damage when the effect fails, so it’s probably worth the risk. Consider that your monster was going to be destroyed anyway—you might as well do something to try and prevent it.

You can also try another tactic by using the trap card Spiritual Earth Art – Kurogane to tribute Goblin Elite Attack Force and replace it with another low-level Earth monster from your graveyard. If you have another copy of Goblin Elite Attack Force in your graveyard, you’ll be able to replace the defense-position copy on your field with the copy from your graveyard. This will keep you protected with a strong line of Goblin defense.

Send all comments to: Curtis@metagame.com