I'm enlisting into National Service on the 15th of February, so posts will be very few for the next couple of months. However, I will still continue to study the game, and post as often as possible about stuff I think deserve to be talked about in the Singaporean metagame. Also, expect another Introducing our Singaporean Players for my next post, I already know who it's going to be :D
As of today, which is the LGTY release for most people I must say Konami did splendidly in business terms this time around. They:
1. Made decent tech-able commons and rares.
2. Made good support for existing archetypes
3. Made decent introductions into the meta, which could certainly help diversify the game.
4. Made a Tier 1 deck that requires skill to win, is fun to play, and everything is Super Rare.
Basically with the last point, they have made one of the most profitable moves that is still able to make the player base happy.
Next step is banning Heavy Storm.
Let's be honest, no one will ever be truly happy if Heavy Storm stays or goes. We all wish we have it, we all wish that our opponent doesn't. There will forever be complaints on both sides.
More importantly, the announcement of the new Extra Pack, BOMB THE WORLD.
But please don't Attack the Moon. =D
P.S All that hype about Mental Drain, the card is thrash. Complete rubbish, you heard it here first.
Wednesday, 13 February 2013
Thursday, 7 February 2013
Hoard all the Dust Tornado!
Dust Tornado is going to be an extremely potent piece of backrow removal in the upcoming format. Reason being that it can be activated during your opponent's turn to stop bullshit like Tenki and Tensu, and has more utility than MST with it's secondary effect, which can:
1. Help protect cards from being MST-ed or Night Beam-ed during you opponent's Main Phases.
2. For Infernity players, give the opponent a fake sense of security that even if you top deck Archfiend you can't use the effect by setting your last hand card with Dust Tornado's effect during the End Phase.
3. In general, to force optional effects of Spell/Trap that activate when destroyed to miss timing.
I think Dust Tornado has finally risen from the slumps of being that lousy MST to a main deck worthy card, we'll have to see as the format progresses from March. As of now, I see much potential in this card as more than just Side Deck stuff, but given time I'm sure it'll prove itself.
As for now, just hoard all dem Dust Tornados.
1. Help protect cards from being MST-ed or Night Beam-ed during you opponent's Main Phases.
2. For Infernity players, give the opponent a fake sense of security that even if you top deck Archfiend you can't use the effect by setting your last hand card with Dust Tornado's effect during the End Phase.
3. In general, to force optional effects of Spell/Trap that activate when destroyed to miss timing.
I think Dust Tornado has finally risen from the slumps of being that lousy MST to a main deck worthy card, we'll have to see as the format progresses from March. As of now, I see much potential in this card as more than just Side Deck stuff, but given time I'm sure it'll prove itself.
As for now, just hoard all dem Dust Tornados.
Sunday, 3 February 2013
In preparation for March 2013
I don't think this list is going to be easy to predict. In fact, I'm not even going to try to predict it in full.
What I forsee is older problem decks, such as Wind-up getting knocked off a bit but not to an unplayable state, and the next format to be a monster based format.
Konami has been releasing several new archetypes that are different but playable, it appears they want to diversify the meta with the new archetypes, but not let anyone of them be miles ahead of the others. That said, Fire Fists and Mermails appear to be the top contenders with decent support in upcoming sets.
If it is true that the meta is set to be diversified, then only problem staples should be hit. Right now I can only think of 2 problem cards, which are Monster Reborn and Heavy Storm. I hate Mind Control, but that has certainly lost power and will only continue to lose power as the meta diversifies.
Reborn should not be allowed to stay any longer, the card is on borrowed time. Heavy Storm is iffy as part of me wants it to stay, most of me wants it to go. I do feel that snipe backrow cards, like MST, Dust Tornado and Night Beam should not be as abundant, perhaps 4-6 in both altogether in Side and Main, so perhaps something may happen to them. I doubt it.
BLS is honestly no longer a problem in my eyes. The card is vulnerable to almost all types of monster removal, and Chaos attributes are losing power as more and more support goes in favour of the Elemental attributes.
That's what I think, in fact, this list is more likely to balance out the splashable cards instead of killing off any deck in particular. Konami has shown that they rather cards fade out of the meta than straight up putting it on the banlist in previous banlists.
I do think though, if Rescue Rabbit doesn't go to 1 that Fire Fists will continue to dominate.
What I forsee is older problem decks, such as Wind-up getting knocked off a bit but not to an unplayable state, and the next format to be a monster based format.
Konami has been releasing several new archetypes that are different but playable, it appears they want to diversify the meta with the new archetypes, but not let anyone of them be miles ahead of the others. That said, Fire Fists and Mermails appear to be the top contenders with decent support in upcoming sets.
If it is true that the meta is set to be diversified, then only problem staples should be hit. Right now I can only think of 2 problem cards, which are Monster Reborn and Heavy Storm. I hate Mind Control, but that has certainly lost power and will only continue to lose power as the meta diversifies.
Reborn should not be allowed to stay any longer, the card is on borrowed time. Heavy Storm is iffy as part of me wants it to stay, most of me wants it to go. I do feel that snipe backrow cards, like MST, Dust Tornado and Night Beam should not be as abundant, perhaps 4-6 in both altogether in Side and Main, so perhaps something may happen to them. I doubt it.
BLS is honestly no longer a problem in my eyes. The card is vulnerable to almost all types of monster removal, and Chaos attributes are losing power as more and more support goes in favour of the Elemental attributes.
That's what I think, in fact, this list is more likely to balance out the splashable cards instead of killing off any deck in particular. Konami has shown that they rather cards fade out of the meta than straight up putting it on the banlist in previous banlists.
I do think though, if Rescue Rabbit doesn't go to 1 that Fire Fists will continue to dominate.
Thursday, 31 January 2013
Introducing our Singaporean players, 2
Yeap, it's back. Today's player is a well known Blackwing (Black Feather) enthusiast and also the writer of his own blog, Avengingknight's Yu-Gi-Oh Zone. It's Vishal Dharshan!
Could you introduce yourself and how long you've been playing Yu-Gi-Oh?
Hello, my name is Vishal aka avengingknight, I have been playing Yugioh since 2008.
In all the past formats you've played which has been your favourite and why?
Definitely the March 2010 format. The format was filled with great plays but with balanced decks such as Blackwings and Machina.
Since playing Yu-Gi-Oh, what has been your favourtie card and why?
Black Whirlwind, mainly because it's my favourite deck and also because it makes the entire deck more versatile and consistent.
I assume then your favourite deck is Blackwings, why is that so?
Yes. Blackwings in my opinion are a very balanced deck. There is no two card OTK in the deck. Hence it rewards skillful plays. And also Blackwing monsters are cool :D.
I have to agree with that, being a former Blackwing player myself. In your opinion, how large are the differences between OCG and TCG and how much has Extra Pack done to reduce that?
Honestly, before Extra Pack 2012 was released, they were like 2 different card games. Now everybody can enjoy the same amount of brokenness in the cards, which is better IMO.
Do you forsee the OCG and TCG becoming even more similar as time passes or more differences to crop up as more exclusives get released before Extra Pack 2013?
I can see that happening to a certain extent. Konami will definitely release TCG exclusive cards like Tour Guide in the future. But it all comes to who plays better and not who plays more broken cards.
There have been complaints that the game is taking less and less skill, though such complaints are definitely fewer than before, do you forsee the game to become more skill based with the direction Konami is going?
If the ban list eliminates decks that can OTK or lock with 2 or less cards, then the format will mostly be based on how skilled you are rather than how lucky you are in drawing the 2 cards. There should be satisfaction in a loss and not hatred because you lost to a skilless play.
Well said indeed, regarding the local scene, how competitive is it in your opinion, and how well do your forsee youself performing in 2013?
Singapore locals are actually very competitive. It is not very easy to top in our locals. I have been doing well since 2013 begun. The deck I currently pilot is Dark World (hail Grapha). I believe it is the best meta call. As for foresee I'm hoping to get Top 8 finish at a major event.
Looking into the March 2013 format, what do you expect it to be comprised of/dominated by?
Fire Fist mainly. The rest will have to depend what's on the list.
So what do you think is going to be on the list?
Monster Reborn.
I think that's about it, thanks a lot for your time, do you have any shoutouts?
Yeah, Kenneth Tan for starting Pokemon with me and yourself for conducting this interview for Singaporeans!
So there you have it, also expect a banlist post soon.
Acheivements:
2011 Asia Championship Qualifyer Top 16
2011 Asia Plus Top 8 with Evol
2011 Top Shop of Singapore Top 4 with Blackwing
Could you introduce yourself and how long you've been playing Yu-Gi-Oh?
Hello, my name is Vishal aka avengingknight, I have been playing Yugioh since 2008.
In all the past formats you've played which has been your favourite and why?
Definitely the March 2010 format. The format was filled with great plays but with balanced decks such as Blackwings and Machina.
Since playing Yu-Gi-Oh, what has been your favourtie card and why?
Black Whirlwind, mainly because it's my favourite deck and also because it makes the entire deck more versatile and consistent.
I assume then your favourite deck is Blackwings, why is that so?
Yes. Blackwings in my opinion are a very balanced deck. There is no two card OTK in the deck. Hence it rewards skillful plays. And also Blackwing monsters are cool :D.
I have to agree with that, being a former Blackwing player myself. In your opinion, how large are the differences between OCG and TCG and how much has Extra Pack done to reduce that?
Honestly, before Extra Pack 2012 was released, they were like 2 different card games. Now everybody can enjoy the same amount of brokenness in the cards, which is better IMO.
Do you forsee the OCG and TCG becoming even more similar as time passes or more differences to crop up as more exclusives get released before Extra Pack 2013?
I can see that happening to a certain extent. Konami will definitely release TCG exclusive cards like Tour Guide in the future. But it all comes to who plays better and not who plays more broken cards.
There have been complaints that the game is taking less and less skill, though such complaints are definitely fewer than before, do you forsee the game to become more skill based with the direction Konami is going?
If the ban list eliminates decks that can OTK or lock with 2 or less cards, then the format will mostly be based on how skilled you are rather than how lucky you are in drawing the 2 cards. There should be satisfaction in a loss and not hatred because you lost to a skilless play.
Well said indeed, regarding the local scene, how competitive is it in your opinion, and how well do your forsee youself performing in 2013?
Singapore locals are actually very competitive. It is not very easy to top in our locals. I have been doing well since 2013 begun. The deck I currently pilot is Dark World (hail Grapha). I believe it is the best meta call. As for foresee I'm hoping to get Top 8 finish at a major event.
Looking into the March 2013 format, what do you expect it to be comprised of/dominated by?
Fire Fist mainly. The rest will have to depend what's on the list.
So what do you think is going to be on the list?
Monster Reborn.
I think that's about it, thanks a lot for your time, do you have any shoutouts?
Yeah, Kenneth Tan for starting Pokemon with me and yourself for conducting this interview for Singaporeans!
So there you have it, also expect a banlist post soon.
Tuesday, 29 January 2013
Introducing our Singaporean players, 1
Ok this is a ripoff of Kyde's Rolling with the Top Dogs, in this segment, I will be interviewing prominent players in Singapore's competitive scene that are not so well known. Well, today's player is extremely well known in the country as well as over the Causeway in Malaysia, it's Sherwyn Lim!
Achievements:
Asia Plus 2012 Top 8
By his request, there will be no picture of him. Future interviews (if any) would hopefully have a picture of the player.
My words will be bolded whilst responses will be bolded in red.
So Sherwyn, when did you start Yugioh?
2009?
Of all the formats you've played in which has been your favourite?
Hieratic.
Hmmm, that's interesting, what has been your favourite card since playing Yugioh?
Reborn.
If you could bring back a card from the banlist, what would it be and why?
Ummmmmm, dunno, LOL.
Ok, now tell me, what do you enjoy about Yugioh?
The plays and the people playing it.
Can you give me an example?
I was only joking, I enjoy Yugioh because it is interesting.
Haha, that was very funny, was there any moment in Yugioh which you regret or treasure?
I have 1 regret in WCQ (World Championship Qualifyer) 2012 which I don't wish to tell. Sorry.
That's alright. The March 2013 Banlist is approaching do you see any unexpected cards on the list?
My thoughts are almost the same as the rest, Wind-Ups are getting a hit. IMO Mermails will not be touched although Bixuan (from HLG) abuses it too much with his (Armor) Kappa and Megalo.
Haha. What do you forsee the next format to be comprised of/dominated by?
It should be dominated by HEROes, Fire King and Mermails. Fire King eat Mermails, Mermails eat HEROes, HEROes eat Fire King. Verz would also be another contender though in small numbers.
So we are looking at a "Rock, Paper, Scissors" format? Any rouge decks other than Verz you expect to contend against this Big Three?
Lavals, as Maxx "C" wouldn't be much use.
Ok, in the Singapore competitive scene, we've seen some big achievements on the international stage, such as several tops in the World Championships and actually winning it in 2009. How far do you see yourself in the competitive scene in 2013?
Wow, that's a tricky question. Singapore is very competitive IMO, so I will just do my best and hope for the best. I forsee myself getting a Top 8 in Asia Plus this year.
Thanks a lot for your time. Do you have any shoutouts?
Keith Chen :), Wesley Seek, Bixuan.
That's all?
Johann.
Well that's the end of this interview. Yay.
Disclaimer: grammatical changes and removal of local slang were made to the actual interview to allow foreign readers to fully understand it. After all, this IS to promote Singaporean players to the foreigners.
PUT IN JSPEED!!! FOR MY SHOUTOUT!!!!
As for banlist predictions, I can only say, I have absolutely no idea. For the first time in all my Yugioh I have no idea what direction Konami wants, everything they are making is completely fresh, completely new, they could start set rotation and the game would still be competitive.
Achievements:
Asia Plus 2012 Top 8
By his request, there will be no picture of him. Future interviews (if any) would hopefully have a picture of the player.
My words will be bolded whilst responses will be bolded in red.
So Sherwyn, when did you start Yugioh?
2009?
Of all the formats you've played in which has been your favourite?
Hieratic.
Hmmm, that's interesting, what has been your favourite card since playing Yugioh?
Reborn.
If you could bring back a card from the banlist, what would it be and why?
Ummmmmm, dunno, LOL.
Ok, now tell me, what do you enjoy about Yugioh?
The plays and the people playing it.
Can you give me an example?
I was only joking, I enjoy Yugioh because it is interesting.
Haha, that was very funny, was there any moment in Yugioh which you regret or treasure?
I have 1 regret in WCQ (World Championship Qualifyer) 2012 which I don't wish to tell. Sorry.
That's alright. The March 2013 Banlist is approaching do you see any unexpected cards on the list?
My thoughts are almost the same as the rest, Wind-Ups are getting a hit. IMO Mermails will not be touched although Bixuan (from HLG) abuses it too much with his (Armor) Kappa and Megalo.
Haha. What do you forsee the next format to be comprised of/dominated by?
It should be dominated by HEROes, Fire King and Mermails. Fire King eat Mermails, Mermails eat HEROes, HEROes eat Fire King. Verz would also be another contender though in small numbers.
So we are looking at a "Rock, Paper, Scissors" format? Any rouge decks other than Verz you expect to contend against this Big Three?
Lavals, as Maxx "C" wouldn't be much use.
Ok, in the Singapore competitive scene, we've seen some big achievements on the international stage, such as several tops in the World Championships and actually winning it in 2009. How far do you see yourself in the competitive scene in 2013?
Wow, that's a tricky question. Singapore is very competitive IMO, so I will just do my best and hope for the best. I forsee myself getting a Top 8 in Asia Plus this year.
Thanks a lot for your time. Do you have any shoutouts?
Keith Chen :), Wesley Seek, Bixuan.
That's all?
Johann.
Well that's the end of this interview. Yay.
Disclaimer: grammatical changes and removal of local slang were made to the actual interview to allow foreign readers to fully understand it. After all, this IS to promote Singaporean players to the foreigners.
PUT IN JSPEED!!! FOR MY SHOUTOUT!!!!
As for banlist predictions, I can only say, I have absolutely no idea. For the first time in all my Yugioh I have no idea what direction Konami wants, everything they are making is completely fresh, completely new, they could start set rotation and the game would still be competitive.
Thursday, 24 January 2013
Elemental Dragons
I think LTGY biggest cause for hooha is actually these 4 mofos.
All of them have a semi-broken effect, and my personal favourite would have to be Redox cos I'm a Chemistry geek and cos Monster Reborn is looking to FINALLY be banned.
However, like my previous post on Tidal, Redox's effect being one of the strongest leaves it to have almost no attack at all. whereas Blaster and Tidal are HUGE.
That being said, Redox is not needed on the field, so there are two uses it has:
1. Prepare to Endphase go back hand
2. Use for Rank 7 Exceed.
That being said, wtf they are all Level 7 that's making Big Eye broken as shit.
Anyway, I think proper Machina Gadget, not with Tinplate, will be a real contender with the inclusion of Redox in their decklist.
I also think Blaster is asking for abuse, but I can't find a suitable way to truly abuse it other than popping your own Garudinix.
And banlist post should be up anytime now.
All of them have a semi-broken effect, and my personal favourite would have to be Redox cos I'm a Chemistry geek and cos Monster Reborn is looking to FINALLY be banned.
However, like my previous post on Tidal, Redox's effect being one of the strongest leaves it to have almost no attack at all. whereas Blaster and Tidal are HUGE.
That being said, Redox is not needed on the field, so there are two uses it has:
1. Prepare to Endphase go back hand
2. Use for Rank 7 Exceed.
That being said, wtf they are all Level 7 that's making Big Eye broken as shit.
Anyway, I think proper Machina Gadget, not with Tinplate, will be a real contender with the inclusion of Redox in their decklist.
I also think Blaster is asking for abuse, but I can't find a suitable way to truly abuse it other than popping your own Garudinix.
And banlist post should be up anytime now.
Sunday, 20 January 2013
Some people just want to watch the world burn
LTGY-JP039 Tidal, the Waterfall Dragon 「瀑征竜タイダル」WATER/Dragon - Effect/7/2600/2000Activate by removing from play a total of 2 Dragon-Type or WATER Monster from your hand and/or Graveyard, except this card. Special Summon this card from your hand or Graveyard. Return this Special Summoned card to its owner's hand during your opponent's End Phase. Also, by discarding this card and 1 WATER Monster from your hand to the Graveyard, send 1 Monster from your Deck to the Graveyard. If this card is removed from play, you can add 1 Dragon Type WATER Monster to your hand. The effect of "Tidal, the Waterfall Dragon" can only be used once per turn.
WHAT THE FLYING FUCK?!
Oh ya I scrubbed at ranking cos Six Sam dies terribly to Verz.
Discard Dragoon, send Dragoon, what's Undine?
WHAT THE FLYING FUCK?!
Oh ya I scrubbed at ranking cos Six Sam dies terribly to Verz.
Discard Dragoon, send Dragoon, what's Undine?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)