.::Duel Monsters Comet RPG::.

[redbaronii]

OK, when you first read the title of this article, all I would say is, don't be shock. Don't get me wrong, I do like the set, so the set is not really a "bust". I would explain where this title comes from. But first, as usual of me right after a set was released and translated, I would write my first impression to the set. Of course, the criterias, if you need reminder, is the card trend/theme of set, the deck types idea, the not-so-useful "useful card list" (since I would list any cards that I would give a score of 6 or more in a card review if I feel like writing one), and of course, my favorite futility award.

Card Trends and theme:
The main focus of this set, this time around, is the [/Buster] monster. The Buster monster is the "SEED mode" (OK, for those who do not watch Gundam, a stronger version) of a Synchro monster. In terms of anime card, this set have the first Bommer's cards from the 5Ds anime. Of course, there are also cards from each of Yusei and Jack, Crow's Black Feather monsters makes first appearance, Aki's weird Plant related deck and Rua's Deformers also gets the boost. Other type that get boosts include more Psychic cards (the theme of Series 6 anyway), few Spellcaster and Insects related cards, plus cards related to existing theme of Alien (of all thing...), Gladial Beast, "Gaeru"/Frog, plus Six Warmasters.

Oh yeah, to continue the "one Gladius card per set", now Giant Battleship Big Core turns Mk-II...

Deck Types:
Here are some of the new deck types that I think people could create after this set, competitive or not.
- Black Feather-Bird deck
- Bommer's - Airraid/Reactor Machine deck
- Buster abuse (?)

For deck types that get boosts:
- Psychic Type (if themed...)
- Spellcasters (finally)
- Plant (not much, through)
- Deformers
- Yusei/Jack character theme
- Alien/Reptile type
- Gladial Beast (yes...they still get cards)
- Six Warmasters
- Gaeru/Water

Useful cards :
Well, if you read from the above list, you may have an idea already that this set is not as good as the last set. Of course, there are "hidden" gems here and there sometimes. So here is my usual 2 cents on which cards I think you should even look at and which would be a waste even at common.

- Turret Warrior (is a VERY good card to abuse in Warrior!)
- Red Demon's Dragon/Buster
- Trap Eater (hey, any level 4 Tuner is good!)
- Twin Breaker
- 3x Black Feather monsters (at least on paper, I will definitely playtest them!)
- Night Rose Knight (a.k.a. too bad it's not Plant...or Plant deck using Black Rose Dragon would love this card to death!)
- Summon Reactor AI/Trap Reactor RR/Magic Reactor AID (built in FREE Counter effect? Dude...that's insane!)
- Giant Bomber Airraid
- Deformer Bodon (yes...there is actually decent Deformer)
- Death Kaiser Dragon/Buster, Hyper Psycho Gunner/Buster, Arcanite Magician/Buster (their effects are good...of course!)
- Gladial Beast Samnite
- Giant Battleship Big Core Mk-II (just have to put him on the list)
- Cross Sword Hunter
- Triple Viper
- Alien Revenger
- Alien-Monite
- Black Feather - Armored Wing (the effect looks really good...but again, need playtest!)
- Hyper Psycho Gunner
- Arcanite Magician
- Space Fortress - Golgal (although the art is really disgusting)
- Star Blast (have all the potential!)
- Psycho Sword (even if one time use...2000 boost is not a joke)
- Barrier of Magical Tribe (cough cough Apprentice Magician)
- Triangle Area
- Buster Mode (HEY...it IS the basis of this set!)
- Spirit Force
- Black Arrow
- Deformer Barrier
- Psycho Chain
- Super Natural Healing
- Thron Wall (duh)
- Planetary Polluting Virus (can be REALLY destructive!)

Now, of course, my choice of worst card in the set...and it is?

Silver Barrier - Silver Force - No, this card is not useless. Actually, the nice thing about it is that all cards in this set can be somewhat useful if use correctly and situationally. However, how much there are Traps that deals damage? Not much...not to mention about 2 things, one is that it only destroy FACE-UP Magic/Trap cards, two is that this card is super hard to even activate. Three is that this card is a freaking SUPER rare....

Another card I had consider is [Nightmare Demons], but there is the combo of that card with [Remove Brainwashing] and [Owner's Seal] which is more murder for opponent now.

Do /Buster monsters Bust?
Before you read this portion of this article, I would first mention one thing. I had yet to play in real person using Buster monsters, so anything I say in the following may not be 100% true in real game and I only base the following observation from my playing experience.

Why I even have this topic in the first place? Well, as the focus of this set...I have to look at it.

I would first list the few positive and negative things I found about /Buster monster.

Positive:
- High Attack Strength
- Pretty crazy effect
- Have actually semi-self protected effect

Negative:
- NOMI
- The cost of special summoning is pretty steep...requiring some high level Synchros
- The supports are truly useless

Well, the thing that I think /Buster monster stands out from all the other types of NOMI monster is that the protection effect which when the monster itself is destroy, the "original" Synchro version would come back to earth and continue the attack, without leaving you vulnerable to using up all the resources for nothing.

The effect of the /Buster monster are pretty good also. OK, I would not start on Stardust/Buster here since it is not in this set, but Red Demon's/Buster is a heavy Black Hole machine, Death Kaiser/Buster is even more special summoning than Death Kaiser, while Arcanite/Buster makes it MUCH easier to annihilate opponent's field.

How would they be bust? Really, the biggest problem is its uselessness in hand: since [Buster Mode] would special summon them from deck and deck ONLY. Well, there is [Buster Teleport] but the chance of you drawing that card with a [/Buster] monster in hand is just...not so high.

Also, the thing about the Buster monsters is that...although the effects are powerful, but the question goes back to "does it worth it to invest few slots in your deck for just few cards"? Probably not...and the Synchros itself are not USELESS! There are too much luck and hand problem with putting NOMI monsters in a deck...

So are the monsters bad? No...is the idea bad? Unoriginal is a better word, but what make them having me to have the whole "bust or not" discussion? The support cards are truly useless...one just don't put Spellcasters monsters with [Zombie Carrier] and Psychic type monsters together for a "/Buster" deck! Maybe with Red Demon's + Stardust...maybe...

Either way, have fun playing with the set.

- Baron, 11/11/2008

[SynjoDeonecros]

Since all of the /Buster monsters are level 7 or higher, they can also be used with Lighten the Load; free draw and a return to your deck.

You're right, though; the /Busters are way too situational. You might as well stick with the normal Synchro, instead. It's similar to how people passed up Red-Eyes Metal Dragon, Metalzoa, and Jinzo - Lord.