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FanatikMonk on Yu-Gi-Oh!
FanatikMonk’s TOP 10:
Underplayed Cards
May 1, 2006

            So, Pojo used to do these really cool “Top 10” lists of random things (best cards, worst decks, coolest art, n00b cards, etc.) and recently I’ve decided I should do a few articles on those.  No need to worry I won’t just shell out “Top 10s” randomly instead of articles, but I think I should now and again to get a point across.

(Pojo Note ... Used to?  When did we stop?)   :-P

So,

Top 10 Underplayed Cards!

10.  Double Spell       

Spell

Discard 1 Spell Card from your hand. Select 1 Spell Card from your opponent's Graveyard and activate it from the Graveyard as your Spell Card.

            I was tempted not to start out with this one simply because of how controversial it may seem.  I know, potentially a -2 and a poor draw early game and an even worse top deck, but this card is versatile beyond anything.  The coolest moment in the show was when Jaden (Judai) could create whatever card he wanted (Rise of the Sacred Beasts, pt. 2) and that is exactly what this card is.  This card is a game ender in a box, I mean let’s face it, most big turns circle around some spell combo to devastate your opponent.   So, say your opponent is against the wall and you need a Nobleman of Crossout, Heavy Storm or Smashing Ground to end the game, that cost is nothing if it give you your win.  Or, say you’re against the wall and all you have is a Nobleman and Double Spell, grab your opponent’s Avarice or Graceful Charity and make a big bid to turn the tables.  It doesn’t belong in every deck, but it can help out in many, try it and I bet you’ll like it.

9.  Nimble Momonga

Monster

When this card is sent to the graveyard as a result of battle, increase your Life Points by 1000 points. You can also take cards of the same name from your Deck and Special Summon them to the field in face-down Defense Position. The Deck is then shuffled.

ATK/1000    DEF/100

            Nimble is delicious!  2 monsters for one with a gorgeous LP gain effect (incredibly underrated), and all your opponent has to do is attack.  Some vets have caught on to the versatility of this awesome card and it’s made a few SJC Top 8’s and multiple regional 8’s, but it has yet to be abused by many deck types outside of earth-themed decks.  The greatest part of Nimble isn’t necessarily the extra monster you get, but the deterrent to attacking your opponent has when they know one of them is on the field.  Many opponent’s may horde resources waiting for you to tribute one, or for a NoC to lessen the damage.  Messing with your opponent’s head?  Yea, I like that.

8.  Big Shield Gardna

Monster

Negate the activation of a Spell Card that designates this 1 face-down monster. At that time, flip this card into face-up Defense Position. If this card is attacked, change the Battle Position of this card to Attack Position at the end of the Damage Step.

ATK/100   DEF/2600

            Gardna should be in any Warrior deck that has more than two flip effect monsters.  No one wants to NoC a Gardna or try to attack one unless they know they’ll have a way to dispose of it that same turn, so, similar to Nimble, it provides a deterrent to attacking.  So, how should you abuse this?  Easy, use Reinforcement of the Army, pull a Gardna and set a morphing jar, magician of faith, Dekoichi, merchant, stealth bird.  Your opponent will be surprised and, if you played well, put into a poor position in terms of both advantage and strategy.

7.  Kuriboh

Monster

Discard this card from your hand to the Graveyard to make the damage inflicted to your Life Points by 1 opponent's monster 0. This effect must be activated during your opponent's Battle Phase.

ATK/300   DEF/200

            I have a soft spot for Kuriboh, not going to lie.  I love having my opponent hit a Sangan and I pull a Kuriboh, foiling any second attack he may have.  I love being able to just drop a monster in the grave for Chaos sorcerer or Strike Ninja.  I love the fact that more Kuriboh support will soon be debuting in the form of quick play spells that can tutor for the little guy. 

6.  Legendary Jujitsu Master

Monster

A monster that battles with this Defense Position card is returned to the top of the owner's Deck at the end of the Damage Step.

ATK/1300   DEF/1800

            How dare you say there’s nothing in AST!  Sure Zerato wasn’t exactly the knockout it was expected to be, but come on Legendary Jujitsu Master!  An easy -2.  Check your next duel for how many times a breaker, Sangan or Dekoichi (anything with less than 1800 atk) will poke one of your f/d monsters, then think how cool it would be if that was Jujitsu instead of reaper, spy etc.  Your opponent can potentially lose a monster, their next draw and a piece of monster removal getting rid of your defensive tactician.  Those are huge losses that go beyond simple plus minuses.

5.  Staunch Defender

Trap

You can only activate this card when your opponent declares an attack. Select 1 face-up monster on your side of the field. During the turn this card is activated, your opponent can only attack the monster you selected. Your opponent must attack the selected monster with all face-up monsters on his/her side of the field.

            Now here’s a card screaming to be played.  It needs its own deck, I won’t lie, but it is so ridiculously cool!  Your opponent must attack one of your face-up monsters (of your choice) with all of their monsters.  Combo this with Legendary Jujitsu, Nimble Momonga (if it’s face-up) or just a goat token, after all if the monster is destroyed, their battle phase ends.  Oh the coolness!  Get a mop, because it’s oozing out of this one.

4.  Mefist the Infernal General

Monster

ATK/1800  DEF/1700

When this card attacks with an ATK that is higher than the DEF of your opponent's Defense Position monster, inflict the difference as Battle Damage to your opponent's Life Points. When this card inflicts Battle Damage to your opponent's Life Points, select 1 card from your opponent's hand randomly and discard it.

            Lots of people are looking to airknight for advantage but this little guy has always been there, thrown right in your face by UDE as a legit option over airknight.  While, a lot of this will come to preference (combo based decks will look to airknight, while straight agro and control decks may prefer Mefist.  It’s attack values are low especially for a five star monster, but it’s incredibly useful in the current meta where frogs, reapers and flip-effect monsters are running rampant. 

3.  My Body as a Shield

Quick-play Spell

When your opponent activates a card that has the effect that destroys 1 or more monsters on the field, pay 1500 Life Points to negate the activation of the card and destroy it.

            I often use this as a substitute for Dust Tornado and in many ways it can be better than Dust Tornado.  While the ban of Dark Hole hurts the playability of this card, it can still interrupt entire offensive plays.  Torrential Tribute, Dark Dust Spirit, Nobleman, etc. are all stopped by this card and while 1500 may seem like a lot, it’s easily justified by the survival of key monsters.  A lot of this card is in its timing but, if played correctly, the benefits still outweigh the cost.

2.  Blowback Dragon

Monster

Toss a coin 3 times. If at least 2 of the results are Heads, select 1 card on your opponent's side of the field and destroy it. This effect can only be used once per turn during your Main Phase

ATK/2300   DEF/1200

            This card saw a lot of play in Europe, and for good reason.  While our competitive Meta is full of monarchs who love to run over this card, the versatility blowback can provide gives it good reason to be played.  Often becoming an instant floater upon summoning (say it with me, priority chain), Blowback Dragon is an excellent game closer when your opponent is on the defensive.  In addition, it can be tributed for Deck Devastation Virus.  Versatility + Playability + Synergy = A Great Card!

1.  Rush Recklessly

Quick-play Spell

Increase 1 monster's ATK by 700 points during the turn this card is activated.

            Try this card now!  Pump any monster a ridiculous amount unexpectedly!  Suddenly Kycoo can kill Monarchs, Tomatoes can be tributed for DDV and your opponent will regret hitting your zaloog with their Blade Knight.  It’s all too easy!  Playing this card during your opponent’s battle phase is a huge push in your favor.  Potentially ending their battle phase and maybe taking a monster with it, Rush Recklessly gives new life to cards with battle damage effects.  Rush is chainable during the damage step, can take out reapers and will add a whole different dimension of dueling to most decks.

Finally just to give you guys an idea of how a deck can work with some of these cards, I’ve built a little something that incorporated a lot of these guys into the strategy.

Monsters (18)

Mefist the Infernal General x 2

Nimble Momonga x 3

Big Shield Gardna x 1

Legendary Jujitsu Master x 2

Giant Rat x 1

Injection Fairy Lily x 1

Exiled Force x 1

Morphing Jar x 1

Apprentice Magician x 1

Magician of Faith x 2

Tsukuyomi x 1

Sangan x 1

Breaker the Magical Warrior x 1

Spells (16)

Graceful Charity x 1

Nobleman of Crossout x 2

Heavy Storm x 1

Mystical Space Typhoon x 1

Snatch Steal x 1

Premature Burial x 1

Wave-Motion Cannon x 2

Double Spell x 1

Nobleman of Extermination x 2

Rush Recklessly x 2

Scapegoat x 1

Metamorphosis x 1

Traps (7)

Magic Cylinder x 1

Ceasefire x 1

Staunch Defender x 2

Torrential Tribute x 1

Call of the Haunted x 1

Mirror Force x 1

Total: 41

            This deck is basically a new type of aggro/control with a bit of burn strategy added.  Staunch Defender and a huge defensive monster lineup slow the tempo of the game while cards like Wave-Motion Cannon, Ceasefire and small monsters let the damage trickle in.  The inclusion of Nobleman of Extermination works to eliminate your opponent’s defensive traps (sakuretsu, widespread , bottomless) and as potential fodder for Double Spell.  Finally Mefist is best used with Rush Recklessly to further control in game tempo and do some serious damage.  This deck is relatively low-cost, so try it out, because you might be surprised with the usefulness of cards that are so underplayed.  Happy Dueling!

-FanatikMonk

Clayton_Nelson@Brown.edu