Alert reader Mike shared some eBay auctions with images of the super rares for this new set - and so it seemed like a great time to talk about them!

As a YGO skeptic, I have to say that I'm starting to come around on this set. There are some really nifty abilities here and in the card set as a whole. Unless you're 100% turned off by the Yu Gi Oh brand and/or art style, I'd say that you should check this set out.

Let me also say that I know nothing about how thematic any of these might be. However, they're all pretty terrifying and they're all dragons, so I assume that they're all ridiculously powerful in the actually setting of YGO.

If that's the case, then WizKids nailed it. 

On to the cards!


Obelisk the Tormentor - "Intimidator"

First, let's talk about this guy's die - a TFC of 6, but the potential for a 9/9 monster? That's pretty awesome. Of course you can see what to expect from the serial numbers on the bottom left of the first die face depicted on the card.

This ability is pretty awesome, especially given the prevalence in the meta so far of cycling "when fielded" characters. This puts a big and scary cost on everything and really demands an answer from it's opponent.

The die looks pretty cool, too.



Slifer the Sky Dragon - "Thunderforce Attack"

Once again - these STATS. Holy smokes. A TFC of 6 once more, but 10/8? That's huge. It's worth noting, of course, that the purchase cost for the die is also huge, and we're going to see that with all of the super-rares. They also have a die limit of just one in common.

The ability and the global are both top-notch. So many sidekick-focused teams would falter with this one out there- though of course you have to be able to purchase him to make it happen. And that global? How about using it with Professor X in some cross-set play! Dangerous!


Thousand Dragon - "Noxious Vapor Gust"

This is the most affordable of the super-rares, but it also has an ability with no staying power. It works on the turn it was summoned and that's it. Still, for a TFC of 1(!) you get potentially a 7/6 creature. Not too shabby.

This is a monster you want out on an offensive turn. KO some stuff, and kick it to used rather than prep. I like cards that do this kind of thing. We need more. This fusion mechanism is also interesting, basically sacrificing two monsters to create this one. I'd like to see some more of this in other settings.   Lots of potential with that mechanism.


The Winged Dragon of Ra - "Blaze Cannon"

I won't gush about stats again, but know that I want to. The power level among this set of super-rates is definitely quite high, perhaps over 9000.  Of course, the purchase cost is also quite high. This guy also has a pretty neat ability.

Spinning down characters is incredibly useful, though the risk involved is that you spin them to a more favorable face, with a burst.

This also makes me want characters that react to being spun down. "If this character is spun down, move a sidekick from used to prep" or something like that.

* * *

My Favorite Is....

SLIFER THE SKY DRAGON. That is one awesome card, die, and ability. The total package. Well done.