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

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