Every time a new Yu-Gi-Oh booster set is released, all of the new cards, archtypes and boosts to old decks that they can provide always creates the possibility of reshaping the game. Yet, very few sets have had as big as an impact as the most recent set, Breaker of Shadows, has had. Highlighted by the return of the “Solemn” trap card, new Performapals that make Pendulum Summoning an even bigger threat, and the return of prominence for Cyber Dragons and the Atlantean/Mermail combo, and we’re left with one of the most comprehensive sets in a very long time.
Once a staple in nearly every deck, Solemn Judgment was a trap that let you sacrifice half of your life points to negate anything. Having since been banned from competitive play, Solemn Warning would take its place, costing 2000 LP to negate any card effect that would special summon a monster. Now that this card has also been hit with a limited restriction of one per deck, and newer cards that can summon en mass, Warning would eventually fade as well, With Solemn Strike however, the card’s ability to stop monster effects as well as special summons for 1500 LP gives it more flexibility. Since the card is brand new and hasn’t been affected by ban lists, this card is setting the dueling world on fire while three can still be packed in the deck.
On the subject of negating, Cyber Dragon Nova is the card you want when you want to shut down effects. Bringing the GX era Cyber Dragon set back into prominence, this XYZ monster can continuously attach an attack position monster to it as material once per turn, allowing it to continuously boost its attack while storing material. When an opponent tries to set up a troubling effect, using up one of Nova’s Xyz material lets it negate the activation during either player’s turn. It’s almost having near unlimited access to a Solemn card attached to a 2100 Attack monster, who’s strength only grows as its material accumulates.
As with most of the recent sets, Performapal Pendulum monsters are prominent within the set, but BOSH seems to take it to another level. Headlined by the much sought after Performapal Pendulum Sorcerer, which gives you some incredible searching power with the right card combinations. Before you know it, you’ll essentially be able to choose your cards at will, reaching maximum effectiveness with your deck and dominating the field. This Secret Rare card is further complimented by Performapal Monkeyboard and Performapal Guitartle. Monkeyboard can change its Pendulum Scale to 4 when paired with a non-Performapal monster in the opposite zone, and can search for one level 4 Performapal monster once per turn, (including Sorcerer.) Guitartle on the other hand, will let you draw a card while in the Pendulum Zone every time the effect of the card in your other Zone is activated. In other words, Monkeyboard could search cards while Guitartle can let you draw a card each time, resulting in two bonus draws per turn while setting up a 1-6 scale for a wide variety of summoning possibilities. With the option to draw Sorcerer on top of that? You’re looking at a devastating combo.
Oh, and by the way; I was lucky enough to pull all three cards in my review packs that Konami so graciously provided, so if you see someone tearing up your LA locals, it’s probably me. Or not… I kind of suck.
Lastly, we can’t talk about new cards without one that’s bringing back Mermail and Atlanteans in a big way. Neptabyss, The Atlantean Prince, allows you to move other Atlanteans to the graveyard and hand. When Neptabyss is used to activate other card effects, (like many cards of the two archtypes mentioned do,) you can then special summon one of those Graveyard cards with no further cost, potentially setting up big combos in very little time. Combined with cards from the Realm Of The Sea Emperor structure deck and Mermail cards from various sets, and this card has brought both types back to prominence all on its own. Plus, look how sexy it is!
In addition, Breaker of Shadows has additional support for Buster Blader‘s. Red Eyes B. Dragon‘s, and many other card sets. More than any other since I’ve started reviewing these sets, if you were planning on buying a box of cards, this is the set to do it with. With so many cards to help countless decks, and with these amazing abilities that have yet to be hit by the ban hammer, and it’s clear that now’s the time to boost your competitive presence. It’s only a matter of time before Konami catches onto us!