“With each great master, there is a student . . . and the dream that the student will one day surpass him.”

 

The connection between master and student is timeless, and the connection between Monk Fighter and Master Monk reflects that. The student begins the fight and grows into the master who finishes it. Each card has its own talents to rely upon, and their abilities can be expanded with the proper support cards.

 

We begin this week's lesson with the student.

 

 

Battle damage to this card's controller that he or she takes from a battle involving this card becomes 0.

 

Battle damage is usually applied either to a monster or a player. Monk Fighter's effect refers to battle damage that the card's controller would receive from a battle involving Monk Fighter and an opponent's monster. This is the damage that would normally be applied to the controller's life points. Essentially, the card has a Kuriboh effect that protects your life points when the Fighter engages in battle.

 

For example, if my attack-position Monk Fighter were attacked by my opponent's Thunder Nyan Nyan, Monk Fighter's effect would prevent me from taking the 600 points of battle damage that would normally result. But Monk Fighter can't protect itself from battle damage. While I may not lose any life points from the battle, my Monk Fighter would be destroyed.

 

This effect can work well to your advantage. You can attack your opponent with Monk Fighter and know full well that you won't lose any life points when your opponent attacks the monster in retaliation. Plus, you can place the Fighter in defense position without having to worry about damage from monsters like Spear Dragon.

 

That being said, it's important to know that Monk Fighter won't protect you from damage that results from another card's effect—even if that damage is related to battle. If an opponent equips my Monk Fighter with Nitro Unit and then destroys the monster in battle, I'll receive 1300 points of damage from Nitro Unit's effect.

 

 

 

Master Monk can only be brought onto the field when you tribute a copy of Monk Fighter that you control. The Master can't be special summoned in any other way, so you can't use Premature Burial, Call of the Haunted, or any other revival card to bring the monster out. To make matters worse, you can only special summon this card from your hand—it isn't possible to special summon it from your graveyard.

 

Like Gate Guardian and Valkyrion the Magna Warrior, Master Monk can only be special summoned from your hand during one of your main phases. That means you can't pull a surprise summon during your opponent's turn.

 

The Master certainly demands a lot of its pupils, but it rewards them as well. When you summon Master Monk, you get a 1900 ATK monster that can attack twice during your battle phase. And because you have to special summon Master Monk, it's possible to summon Monk Fighter and then tribute it to bring out the Master in the same turn. That way, you can have access to that nice double-attack ability right from the get-go.

 

When seeing a monster that can attack twice, some players wonder what happens if they equip that monster with Twin Swords of Flashing Light - Tryce. The spell allows the equipped monster to attack twice during the same battle phase. Does that mean an equipped copy of Master Monk can attack twice on its own and then attack twice more with the Twin Swords? Not a chance. Both effects allow the monster to do the same thing, so you only get two attacks total.

 

 

Master Monk and Monk Fighter can work together as a basic combo, but they also have access to support cards that can enhance their abilities.

 

Kaminote Blow is a great card to use with Monk Fighter or Master Monk. During the turn that the spell is activated, it will destroy any monster that battles with the Fighter or the Master. When you combine Kaminote Blow with Monk Fighter's ability to protect you from battle damage, you'll be able to take down just about any monster that your opponent can throw at you. If your opponent has the dreaded Black Luster Soldier - Envoy of the Beginning in play, he or she will think that the game is under control. But one quick hit with Kaminote Blow and Monk Fighter will set your opponent straight in a hurry.

 

Gift of the Martyr is also a good spell to combine with Master Monk. The Gift will beef up the power of the Master so it can smash your opponent. The cost of sending a monster you control to the graveyard is likely to scare off some players, but there are always ways to make the price more affordable.

 

Anyone using Mind Control? Isn't it irritating that you can't tribute the monster that you take from your opponent? But wait—you don't have to tribute anything for Gift of the Martyr's effect. You can use Mind Control to take your opponent's strongest monster and then activate Gift of the Martyr to send that monster away, giving its ATK strength to your Master Monk in the process.

 

Legendary Black Belt is best given to Master Monk, but the equip spell can also be used with Monk Fighter if you give it a power boost. When Master Monk is equipped with the Belt, your odds of inflicting a greater amount of damage are increased. All it takes is a good field spell like Gaia Power to seal the opposing monster's fate.

 

 

The power of the Lone Wolf can give either Monk Fighter or Master Monk immunity to an opponent's monster effects. Plus, the continuous trap prevents the lone Monk from being destroyed in battle. That's a nasty combination that your opponent won't enjoy. Your advantage can disappear with one copy of Mystical Space Typhoon, however, so don't let your guard down!

 

Until next week, send all comments to Curtis@metagame.com.