Metalfoes Goldriver

Metalfoes are silly and came at a silly time. I can’t remember the last time a theme came out that was completely useless on its own, but once it was inserted into other themes, it thrived. I understand that many engines are inserted into other themes, and that it happens all the time, but the entire theme? Well, I am in complete support of it, almost as much as I am of reviving old themes.

Metalfoes came at the perfect time. The game is chalk full of cards that benefit from being destroyed. And because of that, effects that removed cards from the field without destroying rule the game. And the entire meta has changed because of it. But with Metalfoes, old cards are being revisited in dozens of ways, now that you can destroy your own cards without minusing yourself, and it’s fantastic. The obvious beneficiary is Yang Zing, which can add several cards to your hand and field in just a single turn.

Goldriver is the best of the Metalfoes. Superb level 4 stats and the best low pendulum scale, the theme is incomplete without him, and always will be. But as much as I say “theme” it still sounds odd, because they really aren’t a true theme yet without additional support. I almost want to equate them to an Emergency Aid Pack that many people could use. And I can’t speak enough about the future potential of Metalfoes. Because of what they do without being a minus and providing a huge pendulum scale, these cards will benefit many future decks down the road as long as they don’t get restricted. And Goldriver leads the pack. He is currently the best normal monster not named Blue Eyes White Dragon.

Advanced: 4.5/5

Future Potential: 4.5/5