Overlay Owl opens the week, as we continue to look at new cards. This Monster is actually rather unremarkable. We have a Wind attributed, Level 4, Winged-Beast type Monster, with 800 attack and 1600 defenses. Neither of those are going to win you many contests. Once a turn, Overlay Owl allows you to detach an XYZ Material from an XYZ Monster on the Field, at the cost of 600 Lifepoints. To be honest, that's not the worst effect in the world, but there are better ways and effects to go about that. To have to pay for the effect is awful, and while 600 Lifepoints isn't a huge cost, and you're likely to use this once, maybe a second time if you're lucky, it just isn't worth a spot in your Deck unfortunately. I mean, maybe if you're that desperate for being able to use this effect, you could side an Owl but I still say there are way better and less costly ways to go about this.

Ratings:

1.5/5 all
Art: 3/5

This week, The mighty Pojo has granted me the power to decide what card we are reviewing this week. First off is an interesting little bird, Overlay Owl. An anti-Xyz monster. This bird's effect allows you to pay 600 LPs to detach 1 Xyz material from an Xyz monster on the field. Owl can rally put a damper on any Xyz tomfoolery. While his ATK and DEF aren't so great, but being a Winged-Beast can also set up for Icarus Attack. But what I think makes Overlay Owl good is it's ability to have Xyz materials fly the coop one per turn. If your opponent has a Utopia with one Xyz material left, you can have owl take it away and attack Utopia and he'll get destroyed as soon as you pick him as your target. You can leave Evolzar Laggia left with only one Xyz material, so he can't negate your moves. Overlay Owl may not win any one on one battles, but he can pluck away at your opponent's Xyz materials one by one. Not a bad card, 600LP isin't that much, and leaving your opponent material-less can put them in a corner.

Traditional: 1
Advanced: 3
Tomorrow: How can a Jar Absorb?

No applicable use whatsoever.

Space Cyclone has the exact same effect, but being a Quickplay Spell, it can be used during the opponent's turn and won't relinquish your Normal Summon. You really should not use Space Cyclone either. Unlike Temtempo, Owl won't target the monster, which I guess is good...

This card is a cool concept. I like the "Overlay" in its name and how it's a reference to the anime (Yuma only ever used this card once against Number 25 and then used it to summon Utopia). Overlay Eater is much better as it activates in the Graveyard and gives the Xyz Material to you instead, although I wouldn't splash Overlay Eater into many decks either.

The fact that the effect is not a Quick Effect, is once-per-turn, and has a cost (like I needed greater incentive not to use such a meaningless card), above its forgettable ATK and DEF, give it no justice to be used ever.

If I could change this card:
600 ATK, 1800 DEF
"You can pay 500 Life Points; detach all Xyz Materials from all monsters on the field."

"Up to twice per turn, during either player's turn: detach 1 Xyz Material from a monster on the field."

Traditional: 1/5
Advanced: 1/5
Aesthetics: 3.88/5 A very quaint-looking white barn owl, with that sophisticated vest, a long, flowing scarf, and a prime walking stick The only thing missing from this avian is a monocle. This card might not have any good use, but at least I get style points when I summon it in my Yuma Deck and Xyz Summon Utopia.

Philosophy Corner: Since my three months here, I've received two emails (or maybe three, I can't remember) from readers. I want to say that I appreciate these letters very much because it means my reviews are actually meaningful to people. I've been corrected over my Effect Veiler not being able to negate certain effects (I forgot EV's effect can't be used on your own turn), Force Focus being unable to negate Marshmallon, and my flaw that Armory Arm and Dark Diviner are NOT the only Level 4 Synchros. If you see any ruling error I make, do not hesitate in informing me.

P.S. I've done some more research on Trial and Tribulation and it occurred to me: If you're tributing this many cards, you're probably ready to win anyways. The effect also comes during the End Phase; I didn't realize this at first but it means a lot if it doesn't happen right away. Also, I overlooked how significant it is it can't destroy facedown cards. The problem isn't activating it; it's that the seemingly powerful effects have little application.
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