Name: XX-Saber Garsem

Level: 4

Attribute: Earth

Type: Beast/Effect

ATK: 1400

DEF: 400

 

Stats: Another example of what’s in a name, Garsem is part of the X-Saber family and sub-family XX-Saber and its effects are built around this affiliation.  It is Level 4 and that is the perfect Level for it: anything lower would break it (thanks to Rescue Cat) and anything higher would make it junk given the rest of the card.  All other X-Saber monsters are Earth, and while the support isn’t as great as it is for Light or Dark, there are a few solid tricks, like Spiritual Earth Art – Kurogane.  Beast cards have a few more solid tricks, but given their nature, the multiple Types running around in X-Saber decks, and the fact that several X-Saber support cards highlight Warriors… maybe being a Warrior would have been better (though nonsensical given the card art).

 

The 1400 ATK is small, and while it won’t hold its own against most Monsters, at least it means it can be searched out via Sangan and Giant Rat.  The tiny DEF is unfortunate: you don’t want this card defending, especially if you peek ahead to the effects.

 

Effect(s): If this card is destroyed and sent to the Graveyard from the field by a card effect, you can snag any X-Saber monster from your deck and add it to your hand.  Why do I underline that?  I almost missed it and it drops the card from a “must play” to “has potential”.  That makes three common ways for XX-Saber Garsem to miss its effect: die by battle, be removed from play, be sent from the field but not via an effect (Tribute, Synchro Summon, etc.).  The last is mostly in your hands, but we all remember Brain Control and its ilk.  It’s still good, just not great: even if you have to invest a little to ensure it (or take your chances with them bypassing it), the pay off is big: any X-Saber monster.

 

Uses and

Combinations:

Looks like a scout to me: just big enough to harass the opponent early on and draw out early defenses.  If the opponent ignores it, XX-Saber Garsem will just grow larger as its fellows join it in play.  Even if it stays at 1600 ATK, that’s big enough to take out non-beatsticks or rack up some serious damage against an open field if it lasts more than a turn.  Unless X-Saber decks don’t run any monster protection themselves, you’re going to get the effect reliably enough to be worth it the occasional failed attempt.  Indeed, this can be a good card to toy with your opponent, making them worry about blowing it away with an effect when you already have what you need in hand or don’t have anything to protect it from being run over.

 

There may be more to this card.  Anyone remember Elemental Hero Wildheart and all the annoying tricks you can do with him, like using him to safely trigger your own Torrential Tribute or Needle Ceiling.  What about Elemental Hero Stratos?  He was huge when he first came out not because he pumped up Elemental Hero or Destiny Hero decks, but because he replaced himself.  XX-Saber Garsem is definitely no where near as versatile, but has some real potential.  Odds are pretty good you’re opponent will have to take a risk to run him down or you’ll force a nice trade.  If you build a deck to trigger the effect while blowing up the rest of the field, or have the added synergy of an Earth and/or Beast deck, you can force a lot of trades in your advantage.

 

Ratings

 

Traditional: 1/5 – Do people play X-Saber decks here?

 

Advanced: 2.5/5 – This is a composite score.  It’s tempting to just think of it as X-Saber, but in the above “destruction” deck or even just backing up a Beast deck, it’s a solid choice.

 

Summary

XX-Saber Garsem isn’t strong enough to be the next Elemental Hero Stratos, but take that approach when looking for uses.  If you are running something its already got synergy with you might be pleasantly surprised at something your opponent has to run down or watch be replaced.