For veterans and duelists in the know, Shrink has long been a popular pipe dream. Its playability placed it at the top of the want list for those who follow Japanese releases, and its starring role in many of Japan’s championship-level decks cemented it as a staple of Eastern metagames. However, rumors of licensing issues led many duelists to believe that the card’s release would be years off, adding another level of pleasant surprise to the reactions of those present here today.

Not familiar with it? Shrink’s beauty lies in its simplicity.

Quickplay Spell

Select 1 face-up monster on the field. The original ATK of that monster is halved until the end of this turn.

One word describes this awesome powerhouse: versatile. Used defensively when you control a monster, Shrink can reduce an attacker’s ATK and cause it to be destroyed in a battle against a weaker monster you control. It turns the tables, acting almost like a Sakuretsu Armor that deals out life point damage to boot. Combining with a weaker monster like Mystic Tomato or a spent Breaker the Magical Warrior, it can take out the likes of Chaos Sorcerer and Mobius the Frost Monarch.

Even when you don’t control a monster, Shrink can save some of your life points from a single big attack. It targets, so it blows away Spirit Reaper, and because it’s a quickplay spell and not a trap, it’s the perfect answer to Jinzo. On offense, it can allow one of your smaller monsters to take down virtually anything, or it can push through extra damage in game winning situations. You can even use it on your own monster to sneak an attack under Messenger of Peace, or to evade Hammer Shot.

It’s a great equalizer for any deck that runs plenty of low-ATK monsters: in Japan, it was the lynchpin of many strategies that prioritized strong effects over raw numbers. Here in North America, it’s difficult to think of a battle-oriented deck that wouldn’t want to run Shrink: its ability to be used from hand to off a Spirit Reaper in the battle phase is precious, and its high utility ensures that it will never be a poor draw.

A duelist wielding Shrink will be able to support their strategies in ways that were never possible before, and will gain a ton of extra mileage from cards that already see play. Shrink can give Vampire Lord an edge in combat, or ensure that Marauding Captain repels attacks and controls the field. It’s brutal when used in conjunction with Don Zaloog, and it’s chainable to anything on the field that would destroy it on the field.

Shrink is by far the most playable Shonen Jump Championship prize card we’ve ever seen. By the end of the weekend, two duelists will command its power, and the advantage that it awards to any individual lucky enough to own one is bound to fuel furious competition all summer long.

Strap yourself in, because this weekend is going to be one heck of a ride.