Finally the new set had been released, so obviously it's time for me to start writing card reviews again.

Anyway, since I found that there are more interesting cards for me to write on from this set (outside of if I decided to write an article on Plant, which I may but don't have plan for that yet), there should be plenty reviews from this set. But as usual I would first review the cover card.

This card was used by Aki in the 5Ds anime.
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CSOC-JP039
Black Rose Dragon
Fire/Dragon - Synchro/7/2400/1800
Tuner + 1 or more non-Tuner monster(s)
When this card is successfully Synchro Summoned, you can destroy all cards on the field. Once per turn, you can remove a Plant type monster from your Graveyard from the game, change a defense mode monster on opponent's field to attack mode, and that attack strength becomes 0 until End Phase of this turn.
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Art:
Well, the illustration of this card has match the card name of this card: it's a dragon covered up with dark color (not really black) roses. Actually, the dragon looks like a flower, with the dragon head as the stigma, the tail as the "throns". Either way, eye pleasing, match description...just not really good using as "deck back".
RATING: 9.1/10

Stats/Requirement:
This card is a level 7 Synchro monster with stats of 2400/1800. If talking about the comparison of the level and the stats, it is kind of low. Level 7 also means you cannot just purely use a [Rescue Cat] and Synchro Summoned this card, but have to do it in a "harder" (or, a normal 2-tribute) way. As a monster that is related to plant, this card is actually a Fire/Dragon monster. Due to the effect of this card...the attribute and type just does not matter much.
RATING: 8.1/10

Effect:
This card have 2 effects, and I will talk about each one separately.

The first effect of this card is your Wrath of God. When this card is Synchro Summoned, you can choose to destroy everything on the field. However, unlike [Judgment Dragoon] where it can saved itself, this card is destroyed in the process also. However, field clearance is just so powerful of an effect that sometimes it does not matter, especially since you would use up more resource to Synchro Summoned this card that any extra lost should be bearable.

When you choose not to destroy everything on the field, there is a second effect that is actually Plant related. You can choose an opponent's monster in defense mode, change it to attack, make the attack strength 0. What's the point? This is just to tell opponent to stop being a wimp and put everything to defense mode. Like Red Demon's Dragon, this card punished opponent's monster(s) that are in defense mode, just in a different way. Making the attack strength 0 can be cruel if the attack was not stopped by opponent. Well, the cost of this effect is to remove a Plant monster from your Graveyard...but if you will use this effect, I don't see why you would not have Plant type monster (especially the ones used to Synchro summoned this card) in your Graveyard.
RATING: 9.1/10

OVERALL: 8.8/10 - In my view, one mass-destruction effect is enough to shoot this card's rating through the roof. The effect make this card almost a must in any deck that would used Synchro monster, and gives the deck another option to destroy cards on the field outside of [Dark Armed Dragon] (for any of those Synchro-D.A.D. deck). As for Plant deck, the first effect is of course useful (since it's useful pretty much in any deck anyway), but the second effect is extra which can gives your Plant a chance to actually deal some damages (as their attack strength are kind of low). I see the second effect just a kick-in effect so this card is actually Plant related...but in the end, at least this card have some use if special summoned back from Graveyard!

It is the best 7-Star Synchro Monster out of the three that does not require specific material and the only Synchro Monster that destroys S/T. It deserves a higher rating.

I disagree. Whereas what you've said is perfectly valid, what nails Black Rose Dragon is its Level. The two most popular engines for Synchro Summoning at this moment in time are Rescue Cat and Summon Priest, and their proficiency lies in Summoning Level 6 and Level 8 Synchro Monsters respectively. Level 7 Synchro Monsters are a bit of a pain in the arse to Summon, as aside from simply Summoning two monsters using conventional methods, there's not really a whole lot one can do.

Apart from that though, its effect is brilliant, although in a non-Plant Deck all it is is a pretty-looking neutron bomb, and although such an effect is good, it's still nothing more than that, which is a bit of a shame to be honest.

An Extra Deck should contain at least one level 7 monster to ensure that you can use the monsters you take control with Mind Control to Synchro Summon something. (Excapt when the controlled monster's level is too high)

Also, as I mentioned before, this is the ONLY Synchro Monster that destroys S/T.

Didn't we have TWO Synchro Monsters in the DT sets that Destroyed "Cards" with their Effects? Last time I checked, Cards included M/T XD I will agree that it's always a good idea to keep varied Lvs in your Extra Deck, and that's a concept that's been around ever-since Metamorphosis. With Synchros especially, the usefulness of the Monster depends on the situation.

I'm not debating whether or not one should run Level 7 Synchro Monsters, I'm just saying that said Synchro Monsters are hampered by their Level due to the fact that it renders them unusable with the two methods of easily Synchro Summoning many Synchro Monsters that are currently being used competitively. Mind Contol may indeed be a perfectly valid way of helping one Synchro Summon such Synchro Monsters, but it still requires a chance encounter with a monster of the appropriate Level, which renders it a less dependable method of Synchro Summoning than those referred to above.