I haven’t done this in forever, but now that summer’s been on for me for quite a while, I think I might return to writing up these reviews every once in a while (No promises though). Anyway, today’s card is Splinterclaw Wasp, a Very Rare from the new set known as Stomp-A-Trons of Invincible Wrath. The Question is, is it an amazing new kind of card, or just a cheap knockoff. Well, let’s find out!

• First of all, Splinterclaw Wasp, on its own, is a 7 for 4000 creature. That already is gonna need some serious effect boost to make it warrant play. The only good thing about a power level like that is that it won’t die to searing wave, but it still holds the chance of getting flamed, and a 7 cost fattie getting flamed is just a disgrace.
• The first effect of Splinterclaw Wasp is +3000 power attacker. This means that it’s a 7 for 7000 creature when attacking. Not bad, but the era of fatties is long gone. It’s gonna need more than that to be welcomed into any good player’s deck.
• The second effect is Double Breaker. A regular fattie effect. Let’s not forget the loveable, yet now outdated Gatling Skyterror. Up to now, Gatling beats this card in ever category possible, and is also a very rare. We’re gonna have to hope this last effect saves the card.
• It breaks a shield when blocked. Wow, that’s great! It’s a 7 for 7000 db that breaks a shield when blocked. However, when you look around you, you find that that is nothing in our wonderful game of Duel Masters.

The first card to compare this too is Avalanche Giant. While he may be harder to get, he’s worth it. 1 mana less, 1k more power (and that’s when Splinter’s attacking!), and much more solid. Yet, even he is passed up by many duelists because of summoning sickness. In a land of creatures like crystal lancer and Barkwhip, who outpower Wasp for 5 less mana, this card just doesn’t belong. Leave it in your collection for trade bait. There’s always hope that you can use it in some kind of unblockable deck w/Avalanche Giant, but just guess the curve of that deck. All in all, just avoid decking this card.

Limited: 3.5/5 (Fatties are always good, but the power is pathetic, and there are few blockers in limited for you to make good use of the blocking effect.)

Constructed: 2/5 (Tons of Better Cards out there.)