Hello, I’m back with another COTD and this one seems to inspire a new style of play.  Diamondia appears to be fast and with all the cheap evo bait available, it looks to promote a daring form of recklessness.  In addition, graveyard recursion has been slowly increasing in popularity; however this card somewhat redefines the concept. 

 

Diamondia, the Blizzard Rider

 

Cost: 3
 

Race: Snow Faerie
 

Civilization: Nature
 

Type: Evolution
 

Rules Text:

·         Evolution - Put on one of your Snow Faeries.

·         When you put this creature into the battle zone, return all Snow Faeries from your graveyard and your mana zone to your hand.

Power: 5000
 

Having to pay only 3 mana for a 5000 power creature is pretty good in today’s meta, although it is pretty standard for low-level evolutions.  As a matter of fact, most of the other similar low mana evolutions only cost 2 mana.  It might make this creature seem slow at first but it has a unique ability that’s begging to be exploited.

 

First, before building a deck and attempting to delve into this creature’s potential, as a guy you have to ask the ultimate question…  Are you secure enough in your manhood to play with “Snow Faeries”?  Fortunately I have two unique qualities which allow me to play this deck type; #1 I have no shame and #2 I’m always compelled to try new strategies.  Despite these promising qualities, I feel that a better name could have been selected for these cute little guys (Snow Elites, Snow Troopers, Snow Stalkers, etc.).  Faeries are just a little questionable.  (Not that there’s anything wrong with it if that’s their tendency.)

 

As we’ve all noticed by now, this creature is unique in that when it comes into play you get to scoop all of your Snow Faeries from your mana zone and your graveyard.  It appears that once again we are being encouraged to play a tribal deck.  Tribal decks are fun but normally tend to lack different forms for maintaining balance in a duel.  The other thing is that if we’re playing a tribal deck then it can seem pretty scary when we have to scoop all cards of this type from the mana zone and the graveyard.  The reason why I say this is because in Duel Masters mana is precious (especially for nature duelists).

 

So then what’s the big deal with this guy?  Fortunately we have a tremendous assortment of evo bait.  For starters, Hearty Cap’n Polligon only costs 1 mana and Garabon, the Glider only costs 2.  With 4 copies of each we have 8 creatures in a deck that can evolve into Diamondia.  The other thing with these creatures is that with such a low mana cost, you might be surprising your opponent with a strong rush deck.  Sure Snow Faeries tend to die easily but the greatest thing is that you get to dig them back out of our graveyard with Diamondia’s effect.  Not only that but after retrieving the cards from the graveyard they are cheap enough in cost so that you can line them right up.  You basically have an endless supply of weenies (in case you haven’t figured it out, Diamondia can create an infinite recursion loop) and this can easily overwhelm your opponent. 

 

Yes, Diamondia has some bizarre disadvantages but on the other hand I need to reiterate that it’s ability can definitely be exploited.  The only things that will stand in your way are blockers but there are already enough ways to get rid of them.  Give this card a shot and at the very least you’ll have an enjoyable time.  The last thing to consider is that yes, it might be embarrassing to play with Snow Faeries, but it’s more embarrassing losing to them.  Be sure to get out there and humiliate everyone.

 

 

The Good:  Infinite creature supply and beautiful artwork!

 

The Bad:  Blockers will need to be eliminated when possible (just like with any other rush decks).

 

The Ugly:  Losing to Faeries can be devastating.

 

Constructed Rating: 3.5/5 – This card is awesome but it still feels as if Snow Faeries could use more support.  I still prefer Barkwhip, although Diamondia has a very promising advantage.

 

Limited Rating: 3/5 – You might be able to find yourself some really cheap evo bait in limited.  If you get to summon Diamondia early on the field will pretty much be yours.

 

 

Please feel free to post your comments, questions, and/or objections on the Message Board and I’ll be more than happy to respond.  Happy dueling!

- DRY 1337