Here we go...a review that I've LONG promised to do (yet never did...)
Anyway, Devil King Dragon (Dark Ruler Dragon, Dark King Dragon, Underworld King Dragon, whatever you want to call it) Vandalgion is the promo card for Yu-Gi-Oh R, Vol. 1 (Which is released like almost 9 months ago), and is used by Yugi in a special episode of Yu-Gi-Oh R in Heroes Jump. With that in set...let's look at the card itself.
Art:
Well, as always, Kazuki cards almost always guarantee a good art.
And that still hold true for this card.
With strong lightning, sky fall dark, and Vandalgion descend. What am I saying?? Well...that's pretty much how the art is - a Dragon flying under thunderstorm, showing off its muscle (Voice: Whatever...), and preparing to bring its devastation to opponent...
Overall, the depletion of the Dragon is very good, and here goes another card very great for anyone's collection...
Rating - 9.2/10
Stats/Requirement
This card is a Dark/Dragon, as expected. Dragon sub-type make it able to be use with Dragon-support cards, while Dark main-type...who cares...other than [Deck Destruction Virus of Magic], it doesn't mean much...
8-star 2800/2500...stats isn't really THAT bad for a 2-trib. But then, being 2-trib is always not really a good thing, as even with tribute support, they can still clog hands...but since 99% of the time one use this card, it'll either be King Dragoon/Flute or Counter Trap summon via its effect, so...
Rating - 7.6/10
Effect:
This card have one of the most unique effect of all monsters - using itself with the Counter Traps.
Well, even though this card doesn't get have effect other than using its special requirement, as I already say, chance of you "hard-summoning" this card is close to 0...
Anyway, without further ado, lets look at what it can do.
With each type of cards you negate iva Counter Trap, you get different effect, but first, lets take a brief look at the Counter Trap itself (I'll only briefly cover the common ones).
Magic Negation:
Magic Jammer - Well, the first Magic Negation Counter Trap, and it's a 2-for-1...not really THAT bad...usable
Magic Drain - The "soft counter", meaning opponent control whether a card get negate or not...it's quite good, but is another 2-for-1
8-Type Spell Shield - Kind of Multi-purpose Counter, with the ability to freely counter Magic card that target monster = Not bad
Magic Sealing Curse - A very nice anti-Magic Counter Trap...especially when opponent is using multiple copies of a card...
Goblin Perfunctory Action - A card that's pretty much "Vandalgion-abuse" only...I mean...getting it back to hand after paying 500 to negate it?? Nowhere close to good other than triggering Vandalgion
Trap Negation:
Thief's Seven Tools - The first anti-Trap Counter Trap...the card itself isn't bad...since paying 1000 LP isn't really much
Trap Jammer - WAY WAY WAY too situational...
Malfunction - This time, worse than Goblin Perfunctory Action...basically since 500 LP more and you can actually NEGATE it...
Effect Negation:
Divine Judgment - Well...the only card that can do it, and does quite a good job...
And obviously, the king of all Counter Trap:
God's Declaration - Being able to negate anything you want is just good...with a cost of half of your LP, that is...
With that in set...it's clear that it's the easiest to negate Magic card (Magic Jammer/Magic Drain are frequently use, along with God's Declaration...), so, for now, let's look at how Vandalgion will gain you back the disadvantage Counter Trap sometimes bring...
By negating a Magic card, you get to deal 1500 LP damage to opponent. Not bad, eh?? You get a 2800 fatties, get to deal 1500 LP damage, AND negate a card...that's almost way too good to be true.
By negating a Trap card, you get to destroy a card on opponent's field. Not really THAT much of an effect in my opinion. Even though you get to get 2800 fatties as usual AND get a small field advantage, destroying just 1 card is just nothing consider that this is a one-shot effect.
By negating the effect of an Effect Monster, you get to special summon a card from Graveyard. Not bad...really, free [Raise Dead]?? Obviously, though, you NEED a Monster card in Graveyard to abuse this fully...or else...it's just a waste.
Overall, dealing 1500 is just the best...as it DIRECTLY hurt opponent where it most hurt...
Rating - 8.3/10
Overall - 8.5/10 - I LOVE this card, for its art and unique effect. Even though this card can get quite situational some times, other time it's just fun to look at opponent's face when you summon this. The main problem with this card is NOT it clogs your hand, is that you never seems to be able to draw it when you make a devastating counter via a Counter Trap...I mean, what's better than a complete advantage of a fat 2800 attack Dragon even after you negate an opponent's card?? NOTHING...but then, you also need enough Counter Traps to abuse this card fully...which limit your option as well (and lower the score by quite a notch). Otherwise, prepare for the ultimate strike from Underworld, as other than Hades, they also have Vandalgion also.
