Gagaga Magician (GENF-EN001)

Card:  GENF-EN001
Card Name:  Gagaga Magician
Attribute:  Dark
Level/Rank:  4
Type:  Spellcaster/Effect
ATK:  1500
DEF:  1000

Card Text:
Once per turn, during your Main Phase: You can declare a Level from 1 to 8; this card becomes that Level until the End Phase.  You can only control 1 face-up "Gagaga Magician".  This card cannot be used as a Synchro Material Monster.

Personal Comment:

Go out and get this card...now!  If you are dueling and intend to use Xyz Monsters this card is absolutely essential.  It was made to easily bring out Xyz Monsters or meet level requirements for Ritual Monsters.  There are only a few cards out there that have the ability to change levels (one of my favorite is Fabled Raven) and be as versatile as this monster.  The restriction of only controlling 1 face-up "Gagaga Magician" won't be a problem once Gagaga Girl is released in the Order Of Chaos Booster Pack which is due out in January.  Her ability to match the level of Gagaga Magician will essentially make Xyz Summoning a snap (especially for Xyz Monsters that require 3 monsters).  So lets say you want to summon Number 83: Galaxy Queen (which requires 3 Level 1 monsters).  Play a level 1 monster, have Gagaga Magician copy that level, then have Gagaga Girl copy Gagaga Magician.  Wham!!!  3 level 1 monsters.  Just think if they ever make an Xyz Monster that requires 3 Level 8 monsters.  The summoning would be just as easy.  Now you know why you need to go out and get this card.

Personal Rating:
Artwork - 7/10
Power - 7/10 (his stats aren't as important as his effect)
Easy To Play - 7/10
Collectable - 7/10
Overall Score - 7/10

Rescue Rabbit (PHSW-EN037)

Card:  PHSW-EN037
Card Name:  Rescue Rabbit
Attribute:  Earth
Level/Rank:  4
Type:  Beast/Effect
ATK:  300
DEF:  100

Card Text:
This card cannot be Special Summoned from the Deck.  You can banish this face-up card you control; Special Summon 2 Level 4 or lower Normal Monsters with the same name from your Deck.  Destroy them during the End Phase.  The effect of "Rescue Rabbit" can only be activated once per turn.

Personal Comment:

Not only is Rescue Rabbit the best card to come out of Photon Shockwave, it might be one of the best card ever (right up there with Tour Guide From The Underworld).  Currently it is selling for more than $100 and every duelist wants it in their deck.  The difference this card makes is so significant that "having it" versus "not having it" will determine the outcome of a duel.  Even the 3 stipulations to prevent this card from being too powerful does absolutely nothing to hold it back.

1.  This card cannot be Special Summoned from the Deck.
Not a big deal.  He's going to end up in your hand or Graveyard soon enough for you to get him in play.  It's a Level 4 card so there's no need for a Tribute or anything of the sort.  This is the most basic play possible.

2.  Destroy the 2 monsters you Special Summoned at the End Phase.
The 2 monsters will be used up before the End Phase as part of another Special Summon.  Why else would you bring them into play?

3.  The effect of "Rescue Rabbit" can only be activated once per turn.
Excuse me?  It should be once per game!!!

The example of how to use Rescue Rabbit is one I'm sure everyone has heard about.  Get Rescue Rabbit on the field face-up.  Banish him and Special Summon two Alexandrite Dragon from your Deck.  Tribute the Two Alexandrite Dragon to Special Summon Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon.  Before your opponent can even blink you have on the field a Level 8 Monster with 3000 ATK and 2500 DEF that is nearly impossible to destroy.  Rescue Rabbit is one of the most game-changing and broken card to ever to be released.  If you have this card use it while you can.  I can't imagine it not being banned or limited soon.

Personal Rating:
Artwork - 9/10
Power - 10/10 (for what it can do...not for its stats)
Easy To Play - 9/10
Collectable - 10/10 (if it gets banned or limited this rating will drop)
Overall Score - 9.5/10

Vennominaga The Deity Of Poisonous Snakes (TAEV-EN013)

Card:  TAEV-EN013
Card Name:  Vennominaga The Deity Of Poisonous Snakes
Attribute:  Dark
Level/Rank:  10
Type:  Reptile/Effect
ATK:  0
DEF:  0

Card Text:
This card cannot be Normal Summoned or Set.  This card cannot be Special Summoned except with its own effect or with "Rise of the Snake Deity".  This card gains 500 ATK for each Reptile-Type monster in your Graveyard.  This card cannot be targeted and is unaffected by the effects of other Monsters, Spells, and Traps.  When this card is destroyed by battle and sent to the Graveyard, you can remove from play 1 other Reptile-Type monster from your Graveyard to Special Summon this card.  When this card inflicts Battle Damage to your opponent, place 1 Hyper-Venom Counter on it.  When 3 Hyper-Venom Counters are on this card, you win the Duel.

Personal Comment:

This is my 50th post so I wanted to feature a card that truly is one of the best in the game and rarest to own.  With the release of Legendary Collection 2 everybody can now afford to run this card (LCGX-EN191) but having the 1st Edition (TAEV-EN013) makes it that much more special to my collection.  This post is going to be longer than most because it is one of my favorite card to duel with.

Deck Type:

Vennominaga The Deity Of Poisonous Snakes needs to be ran in a Reptile-Type deck specifically built around her.  In order to maximize the deck's potential it has to accomplish two key objectives: (1) the deck needs to be able to easily summon her and (2) it needs to get large amounts of Reptile-Type Monsters into the Graveyard quickly.  If you are successful at doing both it will be one of the most competitive decks you can bring into a duel.

Archetypes That Are Reptile specific:
- Alien
- Reptillianne
- Worm

Summoning:

To bring Vennominaga into play (initially) you need to set the Trap card "Rise of the Snake Deity" and have "Vennominon the King of Poisonous Snakes" destroyed for it to active.  This isn't a very hard summoning requirement and the fact that she can be summoned from your hand or deck makes a significant difference (no need to search your deck for this card).  The text for the Trap card "Rise of the Snake Deity" is the following...

Active only when a face-up "Vennominon the King of Poisonous Snakes" you control is destroyed.  Special Summon 1 "Vennominaga the Deity of Poisonous Snakes" from your hand or deck.

Here are two (of many) ways to accomplish this Special Summon...

- Use "Damage = Reptile" to get Vennominon onto the field.  Active "Offering To The Snake Deity" to destroy Vennominon which then activates "Rise of the Snake Deity".

- Use "Snake Rain" to get Vennominon into the Graveyard.  Special Summon Vennominon from the Graveyard with "Viper's Rebirth" which automatically destroys it during the End Phase.  Activate "Rise of the Snake Deity".

Once In Play:

Vennominaga can't be targeted and is immune to the effects of other Monsters, Spells, and Traps.  This makes it nearly impossible for your opponent to remove her from the field using other methods besides ATK brute force.  Because of this, ideally you want Vennominaga to hit the field when your Graveyard has about 6 (or more) Reptile-Type monsters to boost her ATK to 3000 (at a minimum you want her ATK to be greater than any of your opponent's monster currently in play).  That should be enough to hold off your opponent a few rounds so you can keep dumping Reptile-Type monsters in your Graveyard to keep powering her up.  Also activate the Trap card "Imperial Iron Wall" to prevent these cards from being removed from play which would weaken her ATK.  Even if your opponent is successful at destroying her in battle, her effect lets you remove a Reptile-Type monster from your Graveyard to Special Summon her back onto the field (this won't work if you still have Imperial Iron Wall activated).  But if you use this effect she will come back 500 ATK weaker than before because a Reptile-Type monster was removed from the Graveyard.

The final part of Vennominaga's effect is so powerful that very few cards in the Yugioh dueling world can match its might (besides Exodia The Forbidden One).  The ability to automatically win a duel gives you a chance at victory no matter what kind of deck your opponent is using.  On top of that, this is a lot easier than gathering the 5 pieces of Exodia.  When you inflict Battle Damage to your opponent, place 1 Hyper-Venom Counter on Vennominaga.  When she has 3 Hyper-Venom Counters you win the duel.  Done!

Cards Essential For A Vennominaga Deck:

- Rise Of The Snake Deity
- Viper's Rebirth
- Snake Rain
- Damage = Reptile
- Offering To The Snake Deity
- Snake Deity's Command
- Snake Whistle
- Venom Shot
- Card Destruction
- Imperial Iron Wall

Personal Rating:
Artwork - 10/10
Power - 10/10
Easy To Play - 7/10
Collectable - 10/10
Overall Score - 9.25/10

Number 20: Giga-Brilliant (PHSW-EN042)

Card:  PHSW-EN042
Card Name:  Number 20: Giga-Brilliant
Attribute:  Light
Level/Rank:  3
Type:  Insect/Xyz/Effect
ATK:  1800
DEF:  1800

Card Text:
2 Level 3 monsters
Once per turn: You can detach 1 Xyz Material from this card; all face-up monsters you currently control gain 300 ATK.

Personal Comment:

Another great Xyz Monster from the Photon Shockwave release, Number 20: Giga-Brilliant is a support card that can give you that slight edge in winning a duel.  The summoning requirement is simple and it can be ran in virtually any deck (I don't know of any deck that doesn't have Level 3 Monsters).  The question is which is a better card...Number 20: Giga Brilliant or Number 17: Leviathan Dragon?

Attribute:
Giga-Brilliant - Light
Leviathan Dragon - Water
Winner - Giga-Brilliant.  This is the first Light Xyz Monster and can be played in more decks.

Level:
Giga-Brilliant - 3
Leviathan Dragon - 3
Winner - Push

Summoning Requirement:
Giga-Brilliant - 2 Level 3 monsters
Leviathan Dragon - 2 Level 3 monsters
Winner - Push

Stats:
Giga-Brilliant - 1800 ATK, 1800 DEF
Leviathan Dragon - 2000 ATK, 0 DEF
Winner - Leviathan Dragon.  The extra ATK will help it stay on the field longer.

Effect (these are lingering effects so the ATK increase are cumalative):
Giga-Brilliant - Once per turn: you can detach 1 Xyz Material from this card; all face-up monsters you currently control gain 300 ATK.
Leviathan Dragon - Once per turn: you can detach 1 Xyz Material from this card; this card gains 500 ATK.  If this card has no Xyz Materials, it cannot attack your opponent directly.
Winner - Push (this all depends on the situation during the duel)

So which card is better?  There's no correct answer (that's not the answer some are looking for but it's the honest truth).  Which card you play depends on what you want to accomplish.  If you're swarming the field with monsters, using Giga-Brilliant to boost all your monster's ATK by 300 (600 if you can detach the second Xyz Material) is absolutely brutal for an opponent to deal with.  However, the additional 500 ATK (1000 if you can detach the second Xyz Material) that Leviathan Dragon brings into play can take out most beat stick monsters your opponent might throw at you.  So whichever card you decide to run, have the other one in your side deck so you can adjust accordingly.  Don't run them both since summoning one will make it tougher to summon the other.  Both are great cards...that much I can say with certainty.

Personal Rating:
Artwork - 8/10
Power - 7/10
Easy To Play - 8/10
Collectable - 6/10
Overall Score - 7.25/10

Yugioh Deck - Lost Sanctuary

I've been asked by several readers to help them build a competitive Lost Sanctuary deck at minimal cost.  So here's what I came up with for the Main Deck.  Of course you should have more cards in your Side Deck to adjust accordingly to your opponent but this Main Deck is a pretty solid foundation to go up against anybody.

- I tried to stick to the Lost Sanctuary Structure Deck as closely as possible.
- 40 card minimum/maximum (add more if you want but I try to stick with 40).
- Archlord Kristya is pretty cheap if you get the Collector Tin version.
- Advanced Format.
- Total cost is about $25 if you start with the Lost Sanctuary Starter Deck and add the additional cards.

Monster Card - Master Hyperion (x3)

Monster Card - The Agent of Miracles - Jupiter (x3)

Monster Card - The Agent of Mystery - Earth (x3)

Monster Card - The Agent of Force - Mars (x2)

Monster Card - The Agent of Judgment - Saturn (x2)

Monster Card - The Agent of Wisdom - Mercury (x2)

Monster Card - Achlord Kristya (x1)

Monster Card - Athena (x1)

Monster Card - Hecatrice (x1)

Monster Card - Honest (x1)

Monster Card - Shining Angel (x1)

Monster Card - Splendid Venus (x1)

Monster Card - Tethys, Goddess of Light (x1)

Monster Card - Zeradias, Herald of Heaven (x1)

Spell Card - The Sanctuary In The Sky (x2)

Spell Card - Burial from a Different Dimension (x1)

Spell Card - Dark Hole (x1)

Spell Card - Heavy Storm (x1)

Spell Card - Monster Reborn (x1)

Spell Card - Smashing Ground (x1)

Spell Card - Solidarity (x1)

Spell Card - The Fountain in the Sky (x1)

Spell Card - Valhalla, Hall of the Fallen (x1)

Trap Card - Beckoning Light (x1)

Trap Card - Divine Punishment (x1)

Trap Card - Miraculous Descent (x1)

Trap Card - Mirror Force (x1)

Trap Card - Return from the Different Dimension (x1)

Trap Card - Solemn Judgment (x1)

Trap Card - Torrential Tribute (x1)

Dark Armed Dragon (PTDN-EN019)

Card:  PTDN-EN019
Card Name:  Dark Armed Dragon
Attribute:  Dark
Level/Rank:  7
Type:  Dragon/Effect
ATK:  2800
DEF:  1000

Card Text:
This card cannot be Normal Summoned or Set.  This card cannot be Special Summoned except by having exactly 3 DARK monsters in your Graveyard.  You can remove from play 1 DARK monster from your Graveyard to destroy 1 card on the field.

Personal Comment:

Dark Armed Dragon has been a destructive force the moment he was released and one of the most sought after in the Yugioh card game.  For many duelists, Dark Armed Dragon is the weapon of choice for two specific reasons...easy to summon and the effect is one of the best available.  For all the damage this card dishes out, it is a relatively easy monster to play.  The summoning requirement of "exactly 3 DARK monsters in your Graveyard" will be more manageable if you have cards like Plaguespreader Zombie or Prometheus, King Of The Shadows that can manipulate the number of Dark Monsters in your Graveyard.  It only becomes difficult if you draw Dark Armed Dragon late in the game when the Graveyard might be full of Dark Monsters.  In such a situation, having a monster like Rainbow Dark Dragon in your hand will greatly increase your chance of winning and flushing out your Graveyard for a reset.  Once summoned, you can remove from play 1 Dark Monster (which you have 3 in your Graveyard) to activate his effect.  Why is this effect more useful than most?  It is because you can activate the effect multiple times during the same turn.  That is the epitome of destruction.  In addition, you can select ANY card on the field to destroy.  Your opponent's monster, trap, spell, or even one of your own card are all at your disposal.  This kind of flexibility lets you dictate the pace of the game on both sides of the field and allows a possible direct attack to their life points.  A definite Top 10 monster on anybody's list.  It is on mine.

Rulings For This Card:
- This card cannot be Normal Summoned or Set.
- This card cannot be Special Summoned from the Graveyard.
- Removing from play 1 DARK monster is a cost to activate the effect which destroys a card on the field.
- The effect targets 1 card on the field.
- You can activate the effect which destroys a card on the field multiple times during the same turn.

Personal Rating:
Artwork - 9/10
Power - 9/10
Easy To Play - 8/10
Collectable - 9/10
Overall Score - 8.75/10

Effect Veiler (DREV-EN002)

Card:  DREV-EN002
Card Name:  Effect Veiler
Attribute:  Light
Level/Rank:  1
Type:  Spellcaster/Tuner
ATK:  0
DEF:  0

Card Text:
During your opponent's Main Phase, you can send this card from your hand to the Graveyard to select 1 face-up Effect Monster your opponent controls.  Negate the effect(s) of that monster until the End Phase.

Personal Comment:

What are the best Yugioh Tuners?  There’s no single one “correct” answer to this question.  However, there are certain Tuners that would show up on Top 10 Lists more than most.  Effect Veiler would be one of those.  This card is a Level 1 Monster that packs a whopping 0 ATK and 0 DEF (I hope you can hear the sarcasm in my voice).  These stats are the lowest possible in the dueling game.  So why is this card “featured” on my blog?  It’s because Effect Veiler’s card effect is one of the rarest in the game…a monster card (which doesn’t need to be summoned) that can negate the effect of an opponent’s monster.  Once in your hand, that’s where you want it to stay to utilize the card’s effect.  Effect Veiler is basically a Spell/Trap Card that sits in your hand (instead of the field) making it extremely hard for any opponent to remove or anticipate.  This single effect can stop some of the most destructive top tier dueling monsters in the game today (such as Trishula, Dark Armed Dragon, and Judgment Dragon...just to name a few), making Effect Veiler essential in any deck (even if you don’t use it to Synchro Summon).

Some Of My Other Favorite Tuners:
- Fabled Raven (in my opinion the best Tuner)
- Plaguespreader Zombie
- Glow-Up Bulb
- Krebons
- Delta Flyer
- Formula Synchron

Personal Rating:
Artwork - 7/10
Power - 8/10 (for the ability to stop some of the strongest monsters)
Easy To Play - 9/10
Collectable - 9/10
Overall Score - 8.25/10

Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon (PHSW-EN011)

Card:  PHSW-EN011
Card Name:  Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon
Attribute:  Light
Level/Rank:  8
Type:  Dragon/Effect
ATK:  3000
DEF:  2500

Card Text:
You can Special Summon this card (from your hand) by Tributing 2 monsters with 2000 or more ATK.  During either player's Battle Step, when this card battles an opponent's monster: You can target the monster this card is battling; banish both it and this card, then any monster banished by this effect returns to the field at the end of the Battle Phase.  If the monster banished by this effect was and Xyz Monster, this card gains 500 ATK for each Xyz Material the Xyz Monster had when it was banished.

Personal Comment:

What do you get when you combine Blue-Eyes White Dragon with Stardust Dragon (two of the best dueling monsters available)?  You get an absolute powerhouse that's almost impossible to destroy...Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon.  With the wave of Xyz Monsters starting to join the fray, this beat stick is one of the first monster created to specifically counter these cards.

The Tribute Summoning requirement of 2 mosters with 2000 (or more) ATK is fairly easy to achieve.  The inclusion of Alexandrite Dragon and Rescue Rabbit in the release of Photon Shockwave was geared towards bringing out Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon.  However, if you can't afford Rescue Rabbit (like most of us), the ability to bring out 2 high ATK monsters is only a matter of time for most dueling decks.  But if you're still having trouble, the card Dragonic Tactics makes bringing this card onto the playing field even easier (tribute 2 Dragon Type Monsters to Special Summon 1 Level 8 Dragon Type Monster from your deck).

Once in play, Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon has the stats to back him up.  The 3000 ATK and 2500 DEF is more than enough to handle a majority of monsters in a head-to-head battle.  These are the same stats that have made Blue-Eyes White Dragon so formidable all these years.  But it's this card's effect that will win you duels.  During either player's Battle Step, when this card battles an opponent's monster, you can banish them both and have them  return to the field at the end of the Battle Phase.  So any monster with an ATK higher than 3000 won't get a chance to destroy Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon because they will never reach the Damage Step of the duel.  In addition, many Monsters with destroying effects are also negated once they are removed by Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon because they are never given the chance to activate.  In many cases, once an opponent's monster is removed, you will have a possible direct attack at their life points.

The second part of Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon's effect is aimed specifically at Xyz Monsters.  If you use his effect to remove and Xyz Monster, you gain 500 ATK for each Xyz Material that monster had when it was banished.  You have the ability to reach 3500 ATK or 4000 ATK easily.  The most important thing to know is that once an Xyz Monster is banished it loses all of it's Xyz Material.  So if you banish an Xyz Monster with 2 Xyz Material attached, Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon returns with 4000 ATK and the Xyz Monster returns with nothing but its stats to defend itself.  There isn't an Xyz Monster out there (currently) that can hold off Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon.  This isn't just game changing, it's game ending. 

Easy to summon, nearly impossible to destroy, has the ability to power up, has the ability to stop any Xyz Monster...simply a fantastic dueling monster.

Cards That Will Help With A Dragon Deck:
- Dragonic Tactics
- Lord Of D.
- The Flute Of Summoning Dragon

Personal Rating:
Artwork - 7/10
Power - 9/10
Easy To Play - 8/10
Collectable - 7/10
Overall Score - 7.75/10

Number 10: Illumiknight (PHSW-EN041)

Card:  PHSW-EN041
Card Name:  Number 10: Illumiknight
Attribute:  Light
Level/Rank:  4
Type:  Warrior/Xyz/Effect
ATK:  2400
DEF:  2400

Card Text:
3 Level 4 monsters
Once per turn: You can detach 1 Xyz Material from this card; send 1 card from your hand to the Graveyard and draw 1 card.

Personal Comment:

There are two major problems with Illumiknight.  One, the summoning requirement is rather difficult for a Rank 4 monster.  Two, the card effect doesn't offset the summoning requirement.  Is it really worth sacrificing 3 level 4 monsters to have the ability to send 1 card from your hand to the Graveyard and draw 1 card?  In addition, you will need a card like Plaguespreader Zombie in your hand (or a card that thrives in the Graveyard) to make sending a card to the Graveyard beneficial.  Tough to summon, tough to play, and the effect isn't game changing.  But since this Blog is about "featured" cards I must say something good to justifiy my reason for writing about it.  The 2400 ATK and 2400 DEF are decent stats.  In addition, Illumiknight is pretty cheap to purchase right now and it's worth adding to any collection.  I would just hold off on using it in a duel right now.

Personal Rating:
Artwork - 7/10
Power - 6/10
Easy To Play - 5/10
Collectable - 6/10
Overall Score - 6/10

Number 83: Galaxy Queen (PHSW-EN039)

Card:  PHSW-EN039
Card Name:  Number 83: Galaxy Queen
Attribute:  Dark
Level/Rank:  1
Type:  Spellcaster/Xyz/Effect
ATK:  500
DEF:  500

Card Text:
3 Level 1 monsters
Once per turn: You can detach 1 Xyz Material from this card; until the opponent's next End Phase, the monsters you currently control cannot be destroyed by battle, and if they attack a Defense Position monster, inflict piercing Battle Damage to your opponent.

Personal Comment:

For being a Rank 1 card, Galaxy Queen has two very impressive effects that assists all your monsters on the field.  The summoning requirement of 3 Level 1 monsters isn't difficult but it will take some time to gather (unless your running a deck filled with Level 1 monsters which isn't likely).  However, there are plently of great Level 1 monsters to choose from: Effect Veiler, Glow-Up Bulb, Battle Fader, Copycat, D.D. Crow, Turbo Synchron, and Kuriboh...just to name a few.

Once per turn, you can activate the first part of the effect by detaching 1 Xyz Material from this card.  By doing this, all your monsters on the field can't be destroyed by battle until your opponent's next End Phase (including Galaxy Queen so her low stats of 500 ATK and 500 DEF isn't much of a hinderance).  This is one of the best stall options available to buy you time if your opponent has an ATK beat stick on the field.  Just keep in mind that this is restricted to battles so Spell and Trap cards can still put a hurting on you.  Be sure you're prepared to deal with this if it should arise.

The second part is an added bonus that basically gives all the monsters you control an additional effect (until your opponent's next End Phase).  The ability to inflict piercing Battle Damage means if you attack a defense position monster, and you have higher ATK than the DEF of that monster, then the difference directly hits your opponent's life points.  Here's an example...

Blue-Eyes White Dragon (3000 ATK) attacks a defense position Cosmo Queen (2450 DEF).
Calculation = 3000 - 2450 = 550 piercing Battle Damage
So: Cosmo Queen gets destroyed and your opponent's life points will decrease by 550.

Simply by detaching an Xyz Material, Galaxy Queen makes all the monsters you control harder to destroy and more powerful when they attack.  One of the best support monster card out today.  If you have it, run it.  If you don't have it, go get it.

Personal Rating:
Artwork - 9/10
Power - 5/10
Easy To Play - 7/10
Collectable - 7/10
Overall Score - 7/10

Thunder End Dragon (PHSW-EN044)

Card:  PHSW-EN044
Card Name:  Thunder End Dragon
Attribute:  Light
Level/Rank:  8
Type:  Dragon/Xyz/Effect
ATK:  3000
DEF:  2000

Card Text:
2 Level 8 Normal Monsters
Once per turn: You can detach 1 Xyz Material from this card; destroy all other monsters on the field.

Personal Comment:

With the release of Photon Shockwave we are starting to see the first batch of truly impactful Xyz Monsters.  It is also the debut of Thunder End Dragon, the first Rank 8 Xyz beat stick.  This card is stacked with 3000 ATK and 2000 DEF which means it will be an absolute force to deal with.  The summoning of Thunder End Dragon requires 2 Level 8 Normal Monsters, which for some will be a little tough.  Just to give you an idea, it basically requires 2 Blue-Eyes White Dragon (or monsters of the sort).  Sure there are various cards to Special Summon the required 2 Normal Monsters onto the field but at worse you will have to do 2 Tribute Summons.  Just remember, any Normal Monster Level 7 or higher requires 2 tribute monsters to summon (whereas Level 5 or Level 6 only requires 1 tribute monster).  But the hard work is worth it.  Once per turn you can detach 1 Xyz Material from this card and destroy all other monsters on the field (yes, that does include your own monsters leaving only Thunder End Dragon standing).  Even when you use up both of the Xyz Material (that's one heck of a mess you're if you need to activate this effect twice) the stats alone should be formidable enough to handle whatever your opponent has left to throw at you.  Since the effect only destroys monsters on the field, Spell and Trap cards can still easily remove Thunder End Dragon from play.  So be sure to have cards in place to counter such a possible situation or all your hard work to bring this beat stick into play will be wasted.  Being the first Rank 8 Xyz, Thunder End Dragon gives you a glimpse of what's to come...it is impressive.

***If you are still having trouble Normal Summoning a high level monster, include the card Mausoleum Of The Emperor to make it a lot easier.  You don't need to tribute but will have to sacrifice 1000 Life Points for each tribute monster that was required.

Personal Rating:
Artwork - 7/10
Power - 9/10
Easy To Play - 7/10
Collectable - 7/10
Overall Score - 7.5/10

Drill Warrior (ABPF-EN041)

Card:  ABPF-EN041
Card Name:  Drill Warrior
Attribute:  Earth
Level/Rank:  6
Type:  Warrior/Synchro/Effect
ATK:  2400
DEF:  2000

Card Text:
"Drill Synchron" + 1 or more non-Tuner monsters
Once per turn, during your Main Phase, you can halve this card's ATK (permanently).  If you do, it can attack your opponent directly this turn.  Once per turn, during your Main Phase, you can discard 1 card and remove this card from play.  During your next Standby Phase, Special Summon this card, if removed by this effect.  Then, add 1 Monster Card from your Graveyard to your hand.

Personal Comment:

Drill Warrior is a very tricky card to play and needs a strategy in place to be successful.  So the following comment will be slightly hard to follow if you are new to dueling.

The requirement of "Drill Synchron" to Synchro Summon this card makes it a little difficult to bring into play but adding "Quickdraw Synchron" will definitely speed this up.  Once on the field, the first part of Drill Warrior's effect is pretty self explanatory.  Halve the ATK of this card (it becomes 1200 ATK permanently) and attack your opponent directly.  In most situation, I recommend activating this effect right away (Main Phase 1) and taking full advantage of it.  Now that he's weakened (1200 ATK and 2000 DEF) it is more important to utilize his second effect than keeping him on the field.  So during your Main Phase 2, send 1 card in your hand to the Graveyard to remove Drill Warrior from play (note: the card you sent to the Graveyard can be one of the cards you bring back to your hand and is not considered a cost).  The success of the second part of Drill Warrior's effect will depend on what monsters you have in the Graveyard and what the current situation dictates.  You need to think carefully about what monster(s) your opponent has on the field or what monster you want to put in play.  During your next Standby Phase, you can now Special Summon Drill Warrior back to the field and return a monster from the Graveyard to your hand (adding the card to your hand is a trigger effect that is part of the Special Summon).  Because he was removed from play, Drill Warrior's stats reset and he comes back with 2400 ATK and 2000 DEF.  This means you can start the whole process all over...halve his ATK and attack your opponent directly again.  If used properly, Drill Warrior can eat away an opponent's life points and strengthen your hand at the same time.  A very fun and challenging card.

Here's what I just talked about simplified:

- Your Turn
- Draw Phase
- Standby Phase
- Main Phase 1 (Synchro Summon Drill Warrior, halve his ATK, attack opponent directly)
- Battle Phase
- Main Phase 2 (Send 1 card from hand to the Graveyard, remove Drill Warrior)
- End Phase

- Opponent's Turn

- Your turn
- Draw Phase
- Standby Phase (Bring back Drill Warrior with full stats, return card from Graveyard to hand)
- Main Phase 1 (Halve Drill Warrior's ATK, attack opponent directly)
- Battle Phase
- Main Phase 2 (Send 1 card from hand to the Graveyard, remove Drill Warrior)
- End Phase

Personal Rating:
Artwork - 8/10
Power - 7/10
Easy To Play - 6/10
Collectable - 7/10
Overall Score - 7/10

Plaguespreader Zombie (CSOC-EN031)

Card:  CSOC-EN031
Card Name:  Plaguespreader Zombie
Attribute:  Dark
Level/Rank:  2
Type:  Zombie/Tuner
ATK:  400
DEF:  200

Card Text:
You can return 1 card from your hand to the top of the Deck to Special Summon this card from the Graveyard.  If you do, remove this card from play when it is removed from the field.

Personal Comment:

Tuners are used specifically to Synchro Summon monsters.  So for a Tuner to be effective and useful in this respect, it has to have the ability to be easily brought onto the playing field when needed.  Plaguespreader Zombie is one of the best option there is.  Getting him into the Graveyard is fairly easy with all the cards available to specifically accomplish this task (such as Foolish Burial or Dark Grepher).  Having Plaguespreader Zombie in the Graveyard is also a bonus since this monster's stats won't offer him much protection on the playing field.  Once there, bringing him out is as simple as returning 1 card from your hand to the top of your deck.  The fact that you don't need to destroy/remove a card to get him in play is a huge bonus.  The stipulation that this card needs to be removed from play if Special Summoned this way is not a very big problem.  Since you will only be bringing this monster out for the sole purpose of a Synchro Summon, having him removed from play to get a Synchro Monster on the field is more than a fair trade-off.  Even so, there are plenty of cards that can bring him back into play.  In addition, Plaguespreader Zombie can be splashed into any Synchro Deck and still be effective.  Easily one of the best Tuner available, he's a Synchro Monster's lifeline in any duel.

Personal Rating:
Artwork - 7/10
Power - 5/10
Easy To Play - 7/10
Collectable - 9/10
Overall Score - 7/10

Darklord Superbia (LC02-EN005)

Card:  LC02-EN005
Card Name:  Darklord Superbia
Attribute:  Dark
Level/Rank:  8
Type:  Fairy/Effect
ATK:  2900
DEF:  2400

Card Text:
When this card is Special Summoned from the Graveyard: You can target 1 Fairy-Type monster in your Graveyard, except "Darklord Superbia"; Special Summon that target.

Personal Comment:

With the recent release of “Legendary Collection 2: The Duel Academy Years”, duelist are now able to afford some of the more expensive cards out there as these reprints are as good as the originals in a dueling match (which is great for the game).  In addition, 3 new “Darklord” cards were added into the mix: Darklord Asmodeus, Darklord Superbia, and Darklord Edeh Arae.  Of the three, Darklord Superbia is the best of the bunch.  The 2900 ATK and 2400 DEF are well balanced and can handle most battles on its own.  But its Darklord Superbia’s effect that gives you a huge card advantage on the field.  Use Darklord Asmodeus’ effect to search your deck and easily send this monster to the Graveyard.  Once Darklord Superbia is Special Summoned from the Graveyard, you can Special Summon another Fairy-Type monster from your Graveyard (except another Darklord Superbia) giving you a two-for-one Special Summon.  So not only do you have Darklord Superbia on the playing field, but if the right card is in your Graveyard you could bring out some of the most powerful Effect Monster cards in the game (generally, Fairy-Type monsters lack the stats but more than make up for it with their effects).  In addition, if you’re running a Synchro deck, Darklord Superbia's effect makes gathering the needed material for a Synchro Summon that much easier.  The options and versatility that Darklord Superbia brings to a duel makes it an essential part in any Fairy-Type deck.

Personal Rating:
Artwork - 6/10
Power - 7/10
Easy To Play - 7/10
Collectable - 6/10
Overall Score - 6.5/10

Raigeki (LOB-053)

Card:  LOB-053
Card Name:  Raigeki
Attribute:  -
Level/Rank:  -
Type:  Magic Card
ATK:  -
DEF:  -

Card Text:
Destroys all of your opponent's monsters on the field.

Personal Comment:
This Magic Card doesn't mess around and is straight to the point.  Once activated it "destroys all of your opponent's monsters on the field".  Currently forbidden on the Advanced Format and limited on the Traditional Format, Raigeki is one of the most powerful Magic Card available.  There's just one thing to note...if your opponent has no monsters on their side of the field this card cannot be activated.  But that's a minor detail because why would you even want to activate Raigeki if there is nothing to destroy?!?!  Like Mirror Force, this card would be a perfect 10/10 if the artwork wasn't so blah.

Personal Rating:
Artwork - 6/10
Power - 10/10
Easy To Play - 10/10
Collectable - 10/10
Overall Score - 9/10

Raviel, Lord Of Phantasms (SOI-EN003)

Card:  SOI-EN003
Card Name:  Raviel, Lord Of Phantasms
Attribute:  Dark
Level/Rank:  10
Type:  Fiend/Effect
ATK:  4000
DEF:  4000

Card Text:
This card cannot be Normal Summoned or Set.  This card cannot be Special Summoned except by Tributing 3 Fiend-Type monsters.  Each time your opponent Normal Summons a monster(s), Special Summon 1 "Phantasm Token" (Fiend-Type/Dark/Level 1/ATK 1000/DEF 1000).  This token cannot declare an attack.  Once per turn, by Tributing 1 monster, this card gains ATK equal to that monster's original ATK, until the End Phase.

Personal Comment:
One of the three Sacred Beasts specifically created to go up against the 3 Egyptian God Cards (the counter to Obelisk The Tormentor), Raviel is an absolute powerhouse.  Tributing the 3 Fiend-Type monsters to get him on the playing field can be challenging but not impossible.  However, the effort is well worth it.  He comes stacked with 4000 ATK and 4000 DEF.  In addition, whenever your opponent Normal Summons a monster you get to Special Summon a "Phantasm Token" on your side.  This in turn can be Tributed to increase Raviel's ATK to 5000 ATK until the End Phase.  Why so much power in one card?  It's because you will need all of it to challenge a monster like Obelisk The Tormentor.  Raviel, Lord Of Phantasms is the epitome of power in a monster card.  If you can get him on the playing field you can expect a quick victory to follow.  Lets compare Raviel, Lord Of Phantasms versus Obelisk The Tormentor...

Summoning:
Raviel - Tribute 3 Fiend-Type monsters
Obelisk - Tribute 3 monsters (no specification on type)
Winner - Obelisk

Stats:
Raviel - 4000 ATK, 4000 DEF
Obelisk - 4000 ATK, 4000 DEF
Winner - Push

Effect:
Raviel - Tribute a monster to increase ATK
Obelisk - Tribute 2 monsters to destroy all monsters your opponent controls
Winner - Push (whoever activates the effect first will win)

Misc:
Obelisk can be Normal Summoned (it can't be negated) or Special Summoned.  Also, Obelisk cannot be targeted by Spells, Traps, Spell/Trap effects, or Effect Monster effects.  Huge advantage over Raviel.

Overall Winner: Obelisk

Rulings For This Card:
- You can tribute face-down Fiend monsters to summon Raviel, Lord Of Phantasms.
- Tributing 1 monster is a cost to activate this card's Ignition Effect.
- You cannot tribute this card to activate its own effect.
- A "Phantasm Token" cannot be forced to attack with a card effect.

Personal Rating:
Artwork - 9/10
Power - 9/10
Easy To Play - 7/10
Collectable - 8/10
Overall Score - 8.25/10

Number 39: Utopia (YS11-EN041)

Card:  YS11-EN041
Card Name:  Number 39: Utopia
Attribute:  Light
Level/Rank:  4
Type:  Warrior/Xyz/Effect
ATK:  2500
DEF:  2000

Card Text:
2 Level 4 monsters
When any player's monster declares an attack: You can detach 1 Xyz Material from this card; negate the attack.  When this card is targeted for an attack, while it has no Xyz Materials: Destroy this card.

Personal Comment:
As the Synchro era is coming to an end, many people have debated if the new Xyz (pronounced "ek-seez") will be better and more powerful than the Synchro monsters that have dominated the dueling world.  Only time will tell.  I added Number 39: Utopia to my collection because it was one of the first Xyz monster to be released and it also gave me a chance to try him out.  The first thing you need to know is that Xyz monsters can't be used for Synchro Summoning because they are RANKS, not LEVELS.  In this case, Utopia is a Rank 4 monster that requires 2 level 4 monsters to bring him into play.  Once summoned, the two cards used become Xyz materials (which you place under the Utopia card on the dueling field).  While the stats are decent at 2500 ATK and 2000 DEF, the main purpose of this card is to hold off your opponent for two rounds when they have a beat stick above 2500 ATK in play.  Also note that once Utopia is out of Xyz material to discard, he will be destroyed by whatever monster attacks him (doesn't matter if it is a 100 ATK monster).  Overall, this is a useful stall card that you should try out and learn to play.  It will prepare you for things to come.  Because like it or not, the Xyz are coming.

Personal Rating:
Artwork - 7/10
Power - 7/10
Easy To Play - 7/10
Collectable - 7/10
Overall Score - 7/10

Doomcaliber Knight (TU01-EN001)

Card:  TU01-EN001
Card Name:  Doomcaliber Knight
Attribute:  Dark
Level/Rank:  4
Type:  Fiend/Effect
ATK:  1900
DEF:  1800

Card Text:
This card cannot be Special Summoned.  When an Effect Monster's effect is activated, you must Tribute this card.  Negate that effect's activation, and destroy the monster.

Personal Comment:
There are a lot of great qualities to this card and there are some not so great qualities.  In order to play this card properly you have to know how to utilize its full potential.  Doomcaliber Knight isn't a card that you can play without a strategy in place.  Being a level 4 monster you can easily Normal Summon this card once it is in your hand.  However, the first restriction on this card is that he can't be Special Summoned.  So once he is destroyed on the field it's not an easy task to revive him.  Also, once in play when a monster activates its effect you must tribute this card, nullify the activation, and destroy that monster.  Take note that it doesn't matter who activates an effect (you or your opponent) and the tribute is mandatory.  So how do you use this card to your advantage?  First, when Doomcaliber Knight is in your hand make sure you wait until your opponent has an Effect Monster worth destroying in play.  Or even better yet, if you have a Yubel card on the field to bring out its other incarnation.  Putting him in play without a target would be waste.  Second, be sure you don't have any moster with an effect that might get destroyed once Doomcaliber Knight hits the field (unless it's a card that you want destroyed...again, like Yubel).  If used properly, this card has the ability to destroy nearly all top tier monster cards out there (since most top tier monsters are effect cards).  An added bonus is that Doomcaliber Knight can be splashed into any deck.  For a level 4 monster that has this kind of power, there is no reason what-so-ever to not have this card as part of your dueling deck.

Personal Rating:
Artwork - 7/10
Power - 8/10
Easy To Play - 7/10
Collectable - 9/10
Overall Score - 7.75/10

Master Hyperion (SDLS-EN001)

Card:  SDLS-EN001
Card Name:  Master Hyperion
Attribute:  Light
Level/Rank:  8
Type:  Fairy/Effect
ATK:  2700
DEF:  2100

Card Text:
You can Special Summon this card from your hand by removing from play 1 "The Agent" monster in your hand, field, or Graveyard.  Once per turn, you can remove from play 1 LIGHT Fairy-Type monster from your Graveyard to select 1 card on the field, and destroy it.  If "The Sanctuary in the Sky" is face-up on the field, you can activate this effect up to twice per turn.

Personal Comment:
Master Hyperion is one of the best deck leaders available in the game today.  Almost everything about this card is top tier level.  His stats, summoning, and card effect can compete with the best of them.  So the question is why isn't this guy on the forbidden or limit list?  That's a question I'll address after we take a closer look at what he brings to the table.

Stats:
The fact that he's a Fairy monster with Light attribute means there are plenty of cards out there to support him.  The 2700 ATK and 2100 DEF is enough to both give and take beatings.  But these stats are more impressive than most because of how early/quickly he can hit the playing field.  Early in the game your opponent won't have many mosters with stats that can go up against him.

Summoning:
This is one of the easiest summoning in the game (and let us not forget that he's a level 8 monster).  If you're running an "Agent" deck it's guaranteed he's coming out fast.  Once you have him in your hand he can hit the playing field just by removing from play 1 "The Agent" monster from your hand, field, or Graveyard.

Effect:
Forget about the 2700 ATK, this is where Master Hyperion does the major damage.  Once per turn you can remove from play 1 LIGHT Fairy-Type monster from your Graveyard to destroy one card on the field.  Three things to note on why this effect is so fantastic: 
1.  If you're running an "Agent" deck nearly all your monsters will be LIGHT Fairy-Type.
2.  You can destroy any card on the field (yours or your opponent's).
3.  If you have "The Sanctuary in the Sky" face-up on the field you can double this up.

Now back to the question of why Master Hyperion isn't on the forbidden or limit list.  It's because he is so specialized.  Outside of an "Agent" deck he is helpless if you can't easily summon him onto the playing field.  There are plenty of other decks out there that can be built to compete with an "Agent" deck so the threat of Master Hyperion destroying the game is not that big of a concern.  Is there a chance they might limit him in the future because he's so powerful?  Maybe.  But putting him on the forbidden list is very unlikely.  So be sure to run him 3 deep while you can.

Personal Rating:
Artwork - 9/10
Power - 8/10 (would be higher if he wasn't so specialized)
Easy To Play - 9/10 (hard to find any level 8 monster easier)
Collectable - 6/10 (only for those who run an "Agent" deck)
Overall Score - 8/10

T.G. Hyper Librarian (JUMP-EN051)

Card:  JUMP-EN051
Card Name:  T.G. Hyper Librarian
Attribute:  Dark
Level/Rank:  5
Type:  Spellcaster/Synchro/Effect
ATK:  2400
DEF:  1800

Card Text:
1 Tuner + 1 or more non-Tuner monsters
While this card is face-up on the field, each time a Synchro Monster(s) is Synchro Summoned, draw 1 card for each.

Personal Comment:
This is one of the best (if not the best) support card for any Synchro deck...PERIOD.  I'm using the term "support" very loosely because he can stand on his own in most head-to-head battles.  The 2400 ATK is very nice for a level 5 monster but it's the "simple" effect that is devastating (don't let the simplicity of this card's effect fool you though).  T.G. Hyper Librarian has changed the landscape of dueling across all formats the moment he was released.  The ability to be +1 for every monster that is Synchro Summoned has made it possible to bring out some of the most dangerous Synchro Monsters quickly and consistently.  Not only do you gain a +1 card advantage when you Synchro Summon a monster, but also when your opponent Synchro Summons a monster.  This makes it a priority for your opponent to try and remove this card before they do any Synchro Summoning of their own.  In addition, T.G. Hyper Librarian isn't relegated to the "T.G." archetype.  He can be splashed into any Synchro Deck out there and flourish just the same.  To say this card should be used in a Synchro deck is an understatement...it should be mandatory.  Unfortunately, T.G. Hyper Librarian is quite expensive right now because he is sought after by every duelist and collector.  Hopefully they will release another card version soon so everybody can afford it.  An absolutely fantastic card.

Personal Rating:
Artwork - 8/10
Power - 8/10
Easy To Play - 8/10
Collectable - 9/10
Overall Score - 8.25/10

Doomsday Horror (PTDN-EN022)

Card:  PTDN-EN022
Card Name:  Doomsday Horror
Attribute:  Dark
Level/Rank:  4
Type:  Fiend/Effect
ATK:  ?
DEF:  ?

Card Text:
The ATK and DEF of this card are each equal to the number of removed from play DARK monsters x 300.  When this card is destroyed and sent to the Graveyard, return all removed from play DARK monsters to their owners' Graveyards.

Personal Comment:
A gentleman by the name of MONTYTHEMAESTRO asked for my opinion of this card.  So I went and added the card to my collection in order to post it on this blog.  First let me say that I've never used this card before so my opinion isn't very relevant.  However, a friend of mine who specializes in Fiend and Zombie decks was gracious enough to give his take on it.  So here's his review...

Doomsday Horror is a very situational card.  The fact that his (or it could be a her but anything that looks that ugly I just assume it's a male:-) ATK and DEF depends on the number of DARK monsters removed from play dictates how useful he is.  If he comes out early in the game he won't be on the playing field for long.  If he comes out late in the game there is great potental for some very powerful stats.  But realistically, at that point in the game it's likely that your opponent will have a beat stick in attack position ready to dance with Doomsday Horror.  Obviously, this card should be used in a DARK deck with the ability to remove large amounts of DARK monsters quickly with milling and swarming capabilities.  But even in that perfect situation Doomsday Horror is just a "good" card at best. 

However, there is one more deck type that makes this card absolutely devastating.  Any deck that is built around Rainbow Dark Dragon.  Think about it.  If Doomsday Horror comes out early and is destroyed he becomes one of the cards needed to summon Rainbow Dark Dragon.  If he comes out AFTER Rainbow Dark Dragon has been summoned, Doomsday Horror's ATK and DEF is 2100 minimum!!!  And here's the most important part.  If he is destroyed all the removed from play DARK monsters are returned to the Graveyard.  That gives you the ability to bring out Rainbow Dark Dragon again with more ATK than the first time (remember Rainbow Dark Dragon already starts at a whopping 4000 ATK before the additional power up!!!).  You literally can end the duel right there with a one-turn-kill.

Summary - Use this card in a DARK macro deck (milling and swarming capabilities) for some good uses.  Use it in a Rainbow Dark Dragon deck to take it to another level.  Overall, a very good card to have.

- OnePotatoTwo

Personal Rating:
Artwork - 6/10
Power - 7/10 (very situational but has great potential)
Easy To Play - 7/10
Collectable - 6/10
Overall Score - 6.5/10

Black Rose Dragon (CSOC-EN039)

Card:  CSOC-EN039
Card Name:  Black Rose Dragon
Attribute:  Fire
Level/Rank:  7
Type:  Dragon/Synchro/Effect
ATK:  2400
DEF:  1800

Card Text:
1 Tuner + 1 or more non-Tuner monsters
When this card is Synchro Summoned, you can destroy all cards on the field.  Once per turn, you can remove from play 1 Plant-Type monster from your Graveyard to change 1 monster your opponent controls to face-up Attack Position, and reduce its ATK to 0 until the End Phase.

Personal Comment:
Due to the non-restriction on the Synchro Summoning requirement (no specification of a plant monster), it isn't mandatory that you play Black Rose Dragon in a plant deck.  The ability to easily bring this dragon out and utilize the first part of the card's effect is a game changer when you are being overwhelmed by your opponent.  Once Synchro Summoned you get to clear the entire field of all cards.  But there's a catch.  If you decide to activate this effect Black Rose Dragon is also destroyed in the process (notice how the card text says "destroy all cards on the field").  That one downside shouldn't take away from how important this effect is when a duel isn't going in your favor.  While it isn't imperative to run Black Rose Dragon in a plant deck exclusively, having some plant monsters in the Graveyard to activate the second part of the effect would be a huge added bonus.  Simply put, some of the most powerful monsters in the game don't stand a change once they are switched to attack position and their ATK is reduced to 0.  So where does the full force of the 2400 attack go once you destroy their monster?  Yep, directly against your opponent's life points.  Easy to summon, capable of being played in most decks, game changing first effect, game changing second effect...what else do you expect from one of the best Synchro Monster card available?

Just to clarify.  It isn't madatory to use Black Rose Dragon in a plant deck...but it is mandatory to have Black Rose Dragon in any plant deck.  Understand the difference and you will understand how powerful this card can be.

Personal Rating:
Artwork - 8/10
Power - 8/10
Easy To Play - 8/10
Collectable - 8/10
Overall Score - 8/10

Grapha, Dragon Lord Of Dark World (SDGU-EN001)

Card:  SDGU-EN001
Card Name:  Grapha, Dragon Lord Of Dark World
Attribute:  Dark
Level/Rank:  8
Type:  Fiend/Effect
ATK:  2700
DEF:  1800

Card Text:
You can Special Summon this card (from your Graveyard) by returning 1 face-up "Dark World" monster you control to the hand, except "Grapha, Dragon Lord of Dark World".  If this card is discarded to the Graveyard by a card effect: Target 1 card your opponent controls; destroy that target, then, if this card was discarded from your hand to your Graveyard by an opponent's card effect, look at 1 random card in your opponent's hand, then, if it was a monster, you can Special Summon it to your side of the field.

Personal Comment:
Grapha, Dragon Lord Of Dark World is the leader of the pack in the new Gates Of The Underworld structure deck.  In order to maximize this card's full potential, it needs to be used in a "Dark World" theme deck.  Its card effect has several components to it so you really need to break it down and understand each one individually...

Special Summon:
If you're running a "Dark World" theme deck this summoning requirement is fairly easy.  All you need to do is return 1 face-up "Dark World" monster you control (except Grapha) back to your hand.  The important thing to note here is that the card you're returning is not destroyed so there is no cost to you.  Basically, Grapha can keep coming back from the Graveyard and cards that return to your hand can be used over and over again.  A very good added bonus for an easy summoning.

This card is discarded to the Graveyard by a card effect:
You can then target 1 card your opponent controls and destroy it.  Notice how it doesn't specify who discards Grapha to the Graveyard.  So if your opponent isn't willing to do the dirty work, you can use your own card effects and send him to the Graveyard to destroy an opponent's card.  Then return a "Dark World" face-up monster back to your hand, Special Summon Grapha, and repeat the destruction.  It's a never ending nightmare for an opponent who can't stop this.

If Grapha is sent from your hand to the Graveyard by an opponent's card effect:
You then get to randomly look at 1 card in your opponent's hand.  If it's a monster card you can Special Summon it to your side of the field.  There are actually two benefits to this.  One, Grapha gets sent to the Graveyard, which is where you want him.  This will then give you the chance to Special Summon him.  Two, there's a chance to steal an opponent's monster.  There is no downside to this what-so-ever.

Simply put, this is a great card and is mandatory in every Dark World deck.  While the 2700 ATK and 1800 DEF isn't anything to brag about, Grapha's ability to revive, destroy, and steal makes him difficult for any opponent to go up against.  Oh, and the artwork is sinister.  Everything you'd expect from a Dragon Lord Of Dark World.

Personal Rating:
Artwork - 10/10
Power - 7/10
Easy To Play - 7/10
Collectable - 7/10
Overall Score - 7.75/10

Il Blud (TAEV-EN088)

Card:  TAEV-EN088
Card Name:  Il Blud
Attribute:  Dark
Level/Rank:  6
Type:  Zombie/Gemini
ATK:  2100
DEF:  800

Card Text:
This card is treated as a Normal Monster while face-up on the field or in the Graveyard.  While this card is face-up on the field, you can Normal Summon it to have it be treated as an Effect Monster with this effect:
* Once per turn, you can Special Summon 1 Zombie-Type monster from your hand or from either player's Graveyard.  When this card is removed from the field, destroy all Zombie-Type monsters Special Summoned by this effect.

Personal Comment:
This is one of the tougher cards to successfully duel with and isn't for a beginner.  The negatives need to be listed in order to fully understand how difficult Il Blud is.

1.  He needs to be run in a Zombie deck (and it also helps if your opponent has some Zombie cards).
2.  He's a Gemini monster which means he needs to be double summoned for his effect to kick in.
3.  He's a level 6 monster so on your first summon you have to tribute a monster to Normal Summon him.
4.  After your first Normal/Tribute Summon you have to hope your opponent isn't able to remove him (2100 ATK and 800 DEF isn't very spectacular).
5.  If he survives and your are able to perform the second summon then the effect will finally activate.

*** The difficulty of a double summon is true for all Gemini monsters.  To make it easier use the Trap card "Ultimate Offering".  This lets you summon and active the Gemini monster's effect in the same turn.

So why go through all the trouble?  It's because Il Blud's card effect is sinister.  Once per turn you can Special Summon 1 Zombie-Type monster from your hand, Graveyard, or your opponent's Graveyard.  That is a game changer.  On top of that, all cards Special Summoned by this effect is destroyed once Il Blud is removed from the field.  Some duelist will use this as a way to fill the Graveyard with Dark Monsters to bring out a card like Rainbow Dark Dragon.  If that happens victory is sure to follow.  So if you're looking for a fun little challenge try running Il Blud and see how successful you are with him.

One more thing.  I highly recommend holding the card and admiring the artwork in person.  It is one of the coolest looking cards.  A picture on a computer screen just isn't the same.

Personal Rating:
Artwork - 9/10
Power - 7/10 (all depends on if you can get his effect to kick in...then it's 9/10)
Easy To Play - 5/10
Collectable - 8/10
Overall Score - 7.25/10

Mirror Force (DB2-EN081)

Card:  DB2-EN081
Card Name:  Mirror Force
Attribute:  -
Level/Rank:  -
Type:  Trap Card
ATK:  -
DEF:  -

Card Text:
You can only activate this card when your opponent's monster declares an attack.  Destroy all Attack Position monsters on your opponent's side of the field.

Personal Comment:
I'll make this short and sweet.  One of the easiest card to play.  One of the most powerful card available.  It is sought after by all collectors.  It would get a perfect 10/10 rating if the art was better.

Personal Rating:
Artwork - 6/10
Power - 10/10
Easy To Play - 10/10
Collectable - 10/10
Overall Score - 9/10

Loki, Lord Of The Aesir (STOR-EN039)

Card:  STOR-EN039
Card Name:  Loki, Lord Of The Aesir
Attribute:  Dark
Level/Rank:  10
Type:  Spellcaster/Synchro/Effect
ATK:  3300
DEF:  3000

Card Text:
1 "Nordic Alfar" Tuner + 2 or more non-Tuner monsters
Once per turn, when your opponent activates a Spell/Trap Card during your Battle Phase, you can negate its activation and destroy it.  During the End Phase, if this face-up card on the field was destroyed by your opponent's card (either by battle or by card effect) and sent to the Graveyard this turn, you can remove from play 1 "Nordic Alfar" Tuner monster from your Graveyard to Special Summon this card from the Graveyard.  When it is Special Summoned by this effect, you can select 1 Trap Card in your Graveyard, and add it to your hand.

Personal Comment:
Here's the specific order for the three Nordic God cards in terms of dueling capabilities...Odin, Loki, then Thor.  Like the other two, Loki is a great card.  But if you're going to build a deck around one card you should go with Odin.  Loki's ability to destroy a Spell/Trap card once per turn is fantastic.  The 3300 ATK and 3000 DEF will stand up against most monsters.  But he still falls short of power compared to Odin (which also has an impressive card effect that negates Spell/Trap cards).

So here's the quick recap for the three Nordic God cards I've written about...
- Odin is the most powerful and should be the card you build a deck around
- Loki should be used only if you don't have Odin
- Thor is a great card but there are a lot better cards you can build a deck around***
- Get all three cards...they're a great addition to any collection and the artwork is the best there is.

***Refer to my updated comment section on Thor, Lord Of The Aesir.

Personal Rating:
Artwork - 10/10 (the ultimate rarity version doesn't do it justice)
Power - 9/10
Easy To Play - 6/10
Collectable - 8/10
Overall Score - 8.25/10

Thor, Lord Of The Aesir (STOR-EN038)

Card:  STOR-EN038
Card Name:  Thor, Lord Of The Aesir
Attribute:  Earth
Level/Rank:  10
Type:  Beast-Warrior/Synchro/Effect
ATK:  3500
DEF:  2800

Card Text:
1 "Nordic Beast" Tuner + 2 or more non-Tuner monsters
Once per turn, you can negate the effects of all face-up monsters your opponent controls, until the End Phase.  During the End Phase, if this face-up card on the field was destroyed by your opponent's card (either by battle or by card effect) and sent to the Graveyard this turn, you can remove from play 1 "Nordic Beast" Tuner monster from your Graveyard to Special Summon this card from the Graveyard.  When it is Special Summoned by this effect, inflict 800 damage to your opponent.

Personal Comment:
I'm still on the fence with this card.  Thor has some great stats with 3500 ATK and 2800 DEF but it will take a lot of work to bring him into play.  On top of that, once in play your opponent can easily get rid of him with various Spell/Trap cards.  For dueling purposes, there are plenty of other monsters with comparable stats and more staying power than Thor (Odin or Loki are simply better).  But as a collector, this is one of my favorite card.  The artwork is superb.  If you're going to spend money on a card you don't want to feel ripped off due to a lack of effort in the art (I refuse to buy The Wicked Avatar for this reason).  This card is worth the money.  Plus, it's one of the three Nordic God cards which makes it a pivotal part of any collection.

Update - 10/28/2011
I've heard a lot of disagreement with my assessment of Thor as a dueling card.  Apparently there are many duelist who have been very successful using this card and others who have been beaten by an opponent who uses this card.  So I need to clarify.  I think Thor is a very powerful card (my Personal Power Rating has him at 8/10).  The 3500 ATK and 2800 DEF is nothing to laugh at.  Those stats will hold up against most monsters and if you get him on the playing field there's a very good chance you will win your duel.  Having said that, why build a deck around Thor when you can build it around Odin instead?  Odin brings with him 4000 ATK and 3500 DEF with an effect that negates Spell/Trap cards.  Odin is simply the most powerful of the three Nordic Gods.  So the question is this...if you had a "winner takes all" match with the choice to build a deck around Odin, Loki, or Thor...which one would you choose?

Personal Rating:
Artwork - 10/10
Power - 8/10
Easy To Play - 6/10
Collectable - 8/10
Overall Score - 8/10