Stardust Dragon 

I can’t think of a more accurate representation of a bygone era than Stardust Dragon, a monster that accurately showcases just how far the game of Yu-Gi-Oh has moved away from destruction effects as the main form of removal. 

At the time of release, Stardust was the quintessential boss monster to define an era. Easy to summon and the ultimate synchro monster (save for maybe Goyo Guardian), this monster was in every competitive deck for a relatively long time. And it could even be argued that his presence caused his own eventual demise. Because in the search and desire for removal that was not considered destruction, players’ appetites were eventually satisfied with a glut of cards that could get around Stardust Dragon. 

It’s hard to now see the presence of Stardust in any serious deck, outside of maybe the return of Starlight Road, which makes comebacks now and then. While it’s a solid card on the surface, there are so many level 8 synchro options that are superior, it’s laughable. And it’s never good to be conservative these days. Stardust Dragon just doesn’t have a place in the game. However, I should add a note to this review. This card is a mascot of the game and the main card of one of the anime protagonists. As such, it has received periodic new support and we should expect some in the future as well. His future isn’t all dark. 

Advanced: 2/5
Future Potential: 3/5  

Hello Pojo Fans,
 
Stardust Dragon is our throwback and is still in use.
 
Takes at least 2 monsters to make this OG Dragon Synchro, 1 Tuner, 1 non-Tuner, no specific needs other than that. Either turn you can negate a destruction effect, then Special Summon Stardust back in the End Phase. If Stardust would get destroyed in the End Phase (like with Torrential) you can reuse the effect and Special Summon it again. Now, you can't use it on effects that are not guaranteed (Magical Dimension, Barrel Dragon, etc), and, this last clause is a major one, can't Special Summon Stardust if you don't properly Synchro Summon it. Starlight Road Stardust will give you a Stardust, and one negation, but after that you won't get Stardust back.
 
Stardust Dragon is still a Synchro that can find use if you're using a few Tuner monsters.
 
Advanced-3.5/5
Art-4/5
 
Until Next Time
KingofLullaby

The card for this weeks throwback thursday is Stardust Dragon, a level 8 Wind Dragon with 2500 attack and 2000 defence. Stardust is also one of the first synchro monsters released and became a staple in decks for many years after.
 
Requiring a tuner monster and atleast one other monster to synchro summon this monster normally, it soon gained support through Starlight Road which could easily summon it from the extra deck, albeit incorrectly. Stardust Dragon also boasts being the "ACE" monster for Fudo Yusei in the 5D's anime,
 
And now onto its effect. During either player's turn, if any effect is activated that would destroy atleast one card on the field, you can tribute Stardust Dragon, then negate and destroy that card. And during the end phase, if Stardust's effect resolved without being negated, you can special summon him back from the grave.
 
Stardust's effect is what made it see so much play, being able to negate destruction effects on the spot and still come back without losing any card advantage, whilst still being on a fairly reasonable body. His attack score is a little low for what should be a level 8 monster, but it's balanced and afterall, it IS a main character's monster afterall. Although Stardust can't negate effects that have an element of chance to the destruction effect, such as Blind Destruction or Snipe Hunter.
 
While not used as much these days, Stardust is still somewhat relevant to the game, with various evolutions to play around with, but extra deck space is getting tighter and tighter. Especially with Link monsters right around the corner.
 
Advanced 3/5 Another 200 attack would have made him marginally better, whilst his score is dropped for the sheer number of cards and effects that just prevent him from resolving or bypass his effect.