Subject: The Glories of Magic Ruler - Stephen H.

Ok, everyone knows that Magic Ruler, the new expansion on the Yu-Gi-Oh CG is 
going to contain the ever-present Toon cards.  These cards are going to be 
extremely popular because of the TV show's current popularity, but i don't 
see a big future in those cards except for trading (Toon cards are not my 
focus, that's for another article).  Of course the toon cards weren't even IN 
the Japanese release of Magic Ruler, and it will be those cards that i will 
write about.  I say that you should avoid the toon hype and go with these 
less obvious, and if i may say so, better, cards:

First off we'll start out with the magic cards, since it IS named MAGIC 
RULER, not monster ruler.
1.  Demon Axe
Reads: Increases a select monster's ATK by 1000.  If the monster is sent to 
the graveyard, you may tribute one monster on the field to put this card on 
top of your deck.
    Wow is all i can say.  This equipment magic is by far the most powerful 
one as far as powering up a monster.  A whopping +1000 ATK is something to 
get worried about.  That'll even make Summoned Skull a snap to beat for even 
a Ryu-kishin powered, let alone the more deckworthy 7 Colored Fish or Lajinn. 
 It also has an interesting option that may interest the one or two 
sword-of-deep-seated fans out there.  You MAY put this card on the top of 
your deck, but at the very steep cost of tributing one monster on the field 
to do it.  (hmmm... exodia decks anyone?)  Yes, I must say this card could be 
very useful in the right decks, and of course it's up to you to find out if 
you like it in YOUR deck or not.

2.  Gravekeeper Familiar
Reads:  When one of your opponent's monsters attacks, your opponent must 
discard the top card of their deck.
        Ah, excellent, my kind of card!  This card is a permanent magic card, 
and when my box of Magic Ruler comes, i'm gonna get it and put it in my deck 
right along with my beloved Robbin' Goblins.  Of course this card does take 
up space, but it's a dream come true for the players of Discard decks.  
Seriously though, who wouldn't want their opponent PAYING A CARD each time 
they attack?!  Remember a player loses when they're out of cards, and a hand 
is limited to 6 cards at a time - just think about it and drool.  

    Now of course there are other fun magic cards in Magic Ruler, but a lot 
of them have drawbacks (affect both players, steep costs, etc.) but I know 
you'll find them all quite entertaining and helpful in your deck.
    Now there are only two trap cards in the Japanese Magic Ruler, but that 
doesn't mean it's all magic.  There are some pretty neat monsters that you 
might find using in place of your staple deck monsters. (yes, perhaps even 
worth taking out your Summoned Skulls!) Let's take a look at them:

1. Sacrifice (i've also heard it called Relinquished)
Ritual Effect Monster, DARK/Spellcaster, ATK 0, DEF 0.  Must be summoned with 
Ritual of Illusions.  This card can "absorb" the ATK and DEF stats of any one 
of your opponents monsters.  If a monster attacks this monster while it has 
absorbed another monster's stats, damage is also done to the attacking 
player.  This can only be used once per turn.  Can only absorb one monster 
per turn and the absorbed monster becomes an equipment card on Sacrifice.
        Good lord, with all that writing you'd think i already reviewed it, 
but no.  Look, this card is a very special card indeed.  I mean sure it has 
it's drawbacks, such as it's a ritual monster, which means you run the chance 
of being stopped by a magic jammer or even a de-spell(haven't seen that card 
in a while.)  Now, i haven't thoroughly checked this out, but i believe that 
when it absorbs a monster, that will fill up one of your M/T slots on your 
field.  I'm not sure if the part about the card that Sacrifice absorbs and it 
becoming an equipment card means that it is removed from your opponent's 
Monster zone as well (if that's the case you could quite possible be 
attacking an open field, making this card more than worth the extra space in 
your deck)  If anything it's just an interesting card to play, seeing as how 
rituals are new with the release of Magic Ruler.  And hey, it's a pretty rare 
card, so if you don't like it, it can make you some money for something you 
DO like:)  

2. Mahar Vairo
Effect Monster, LIGHT/Spellcaster, ****, ATK 1550, DEF 1400.  This monster's 
ATK is increased by 500 for each equipment card attached to it.
        Well now we have a decent monster that is quite fun in my opinion to 
tech into decks.  This is sort of a brother of the Harpies.  This isn't a 
good card to just randomly throw into a deck though, seeing as how most decks 
have almost NO EQUIPMENT CARDS. This monster must have a deck built around 
it, but just think: if you attach a Demon's Axe to this card, it's ATK is now 
3050.  WHAT?!!!  You ask me NOW if I like putting equipment cards in my deck, 
i just might say yes.  Of course, there is always that off chance you don't 
draw any, and then where are you? nowhere. that's right.  

    Well I suppose this will help some of you, and i hope no one in my area 
reads it (HA.) but now some of you know what to expect.  Waiting sucks, I 
know, so be patient.  I encourage every one of you to write an email to 
upperdeck, save it, and send it each day, again and again. forward it to all 
your friends if you want.  Tell them to get their acts together and that this 
is a card GAME, not some collecting fad.  Do it enough and in big enough 
numbers and they'll listen, i guarantee it.  Well that's all for now i guess, 
if any of you want me to write anything else that you're interested about, 
feel free to email me.  Or even just tell me that i suck and should shut up.  
Also if anyone wants to clarify on things such as on Sacrifice and the 
specifics, feel free.   I am by no means an expert.  Peace for now.
-Stephen H.
My email is Shskater3847@aol.com.