Ikeda has released the first information about Starter Deck 01, as well as some additional information about Starter Deck 02! The first bit of information is this tweet revealing Evil Dragon Priest but for us there isn't any new information, as its just the same information that Ikeda posted to our discord which we talked about in yesterday's article.
Kamaitachi Joe (2020GS01-004)
Faction: Yomajin Front
Card Type: Unit
Level: 0
Attribute(s): Superior, Beast
Attack: 5
HP: 2
Strike: 1
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Two types of Starter Decks will be released at the same time. One is a combo deck that will allow intermediate TCG players to enjoy the game right away. The comeback play that says "Abyss Summon! Abyss Symphony!" is a popular deck. The other is designed for beginners who can easily enjoy the high-power beatdown strategy with a combining robot theme.
For the test players, the image of this card was clear. "One of the strongest cards in the 1st format" says the vanilla card (yes! the vanilla card is really strong!), Kamaitachi Joe. There are multiple copies in the Starter Deck, so you can easily obtain him.
(Sources: 1 2)
Its been awhile since we had a new card with full details to talk about! Kamaitachi has been talked about a lot in the past with the similar language of "one of the strongest cards in the 1st format despite being a vanilla" and its easy to see why. While we don't know how Level works yet (could be a turn limiter like Wixoss's Level/Vanguard's Grade, or could be a cost even though it seems a Counterblast-esque system would be the only costing mechanism) when we look at this Level 0 with enough Attack to take out Level 3's that we've seen, its power becomes apparent. Its strictly better than the pictured Kageroudoji featured in the free Trial Deck, though maybe Kageroudoji's Attribute could make it useful in some other way.
But even more than that, compared to the similar Thousand Rapier Dragon of Buddyfight, its good stat allocation can be used defensively too. The previous mention of "first strike" existing in the game heavily implies that attacking creatures also take damage, like in MtG, so by utilizing the game's center mechanics carried over from Buddyfight, you can force your opponent to need to go through a 5 ATK unit to get to you. In addition, the mention of "vigilance" also implies a blocking mechanic like in MtG, Duel Masters, and Battle Spirits will be present, allowing further opportunities to use Joe's high ATK stat defensively.
While 2 HP is low, it isn't low enough to die to any small random burn effect. In addition, to help with that weakness, we have the knowledge of Yomajin Front's color identity. Its been stated to have a lot of combat tricks. For those unaware, combat trick is a MtG term for instant-speed cards that alter stats or grant keywords and are used to unexpectedly change how the combat will resolve. One example we know is "Moment of Offense and Defense", a Yomajin Front Event that is said to give a unit "first strike". We mention that keyword before, but for the unaware, it is a MtG keyword that allows the unit to deal damage before the opposing creature, allowing the creature to not take damage if it has enough power to destroy the opposing creature. The application of such a keyword to Joe's high ATK and low HP should be obvious enough.
Last point I'd like to mention is a "Beast" deck has been mentioned before as an archetype used in Yomajin Front and Wonderverse, themed around beatdown, and we now know Kamaitachi Joe is a part of it. That theme has been mentioned to have a unit with an effect similar to a Duel Masters Shield Trigger that summons itself.
While the recital now being on December 10th was already known, the Rules release date is new. Unfortunately for us, Ikeda has stated previously that the English release of the free Trial Decks will not be at the same time, though he is considering speeding up its release. However, even without the physical product, as long as we can have images of the cards in the free Trial Deck we can print our proxies of it easily enough and begin playing the game.
Black Knight, Riha (2020GS02-006)
Faction: Volnar
Card Type: Unit
Level: 0
Attribute(s): Warrior, Traitor, Darkness
Attack: 3
HP: 3
Strike: 1
Flavor Text: One of the pillars of the Fell Dragon Quadrach, Rough Dust King Vastorus Rex. He is accompanied by 88 evil dragons and linked black knights.
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"Black Knight, Riha" from the Starter Deck "Demon Dragon Summoning".
It is a versatile card because it is a vanilla card with balanced stats. If you specialize in attack power, you will be easily destroyed by burn damage, and if you specialize in defense, you won't be able to defeat enemy units. Gate Ruler was created with a balance of "attack power and defense are equally important".
(Source)
In most ways, Riha seems identical to Knight of Oath Blade from the free Trial Deck. However while all its stats are the same, Riha possesses the same Warrior attribute of Oath Blade, while possessing two additional attributes of "Traitor" and "Darkness". Previous comments have implied Special Summon cares about the attributes of the cards used to fulfill it, so its likely one of these two attributes is the one "Abyss Summon" requires. It seems most likely to be "Darkness", considering the theming of the archetype. "Traitor", on the other hand would mean the seemingly strong "Time-eating Genie" would be usable as part of the archetype.
I didn't comment on this with the previous card, but we also see the set codes here. "2020GS01-004" on Kamaitachi Joe and "2020GS02-006" on Black Knight, Riha. This seems to confirm our previous assumption that the year will be at the front of all set codes. The code for the Starter Decks is also a bit weird, with it being "GS". I suppose it stands for "Gate (Ruler) Starter"?
I'd also like to talk about Ikeda's comment on balancing offensive stats and defensive stats. This goes a long way to explaining the change from Buddyfight's combat system towards the system used in MtG. While the balance of Power vs Defense in Buddyfight was much better than you'd find in games like Yu-Gi-Oh! and it certainly mattered more than enough to not be a superfluous stat, it still had its flaws. Primarily, cards with balanced stats were not worthwhile. Cards would only care about the stat that mattered to its role, attacking or walling. And while a low power would be detrimental to walls, their high size meant it rarely happened. MtG's system allows the desired balance to be achieved much easier, since Defense being a HP stat instead makes every bit of HP matter for surviving burn damage, in a way that the Defense stat never did.
Kamaitachi Joe (2020GS01-004)
Faction: Yomajin Front
Card Type: Unit
Level: 0
Attribute(s): Superior, Beast
Attack: 5
HP: 2
Strike: 1
---
Two types of Starter Decks will be released at the same time. One is a combo deck that will allow intermediate TCG players to enjoy the game right away. The comeback play that says "Abyss Summon! Abyss Symphony!" is a popular deck. The other is designed for beginners who can easily enjoy the high-power beatdown strategy with a combining robot theme.
For the test players, the image of this card was clear. "One of the strongest cards in the 1st format" says the vanilla card (yes! the vanilla card is really strong!), Kamaitachi Joe. There are multiple copies in the Starter Deck, so you can easily obtain him.
(Sources: 1 2)
Its been awhile since we had a new card with full details to talk about! Kamaitachi has been talked about a lot in the past with the similar language of "one of the strongest cards in the 1st format despite being a vanilla" and its easy to see why. While we don't know how Level works yet (could be a turn limiter like Wixoss's Level/Vanguard's Grade, or could be a cost even though it seems a Counterblast-esque system would be the only costing mechanism) when we look at this Level 0 with enough Attack to take out Level 3's that we've seen, its power becomes apparent. Its strictly better than the pictured Kageroudoji featured in the free Trial Deck, though maybe Kageroudoji's Attribute could make it useful in some other way.But even more than that, compared to the similar Thousand Rapier Dragon of Buddyfight, its good stat allocation can be used defensively too. The previous mention of "first strike" existing in the game heavily implies that attacking creatures also take damage, like in MtG, so by utilizing the game's center mechanics carried over from Buddyfight, you can force your opponent to need to go through a 5 ATK unit to get to you. In addition, the mention of "vigilance" also implies a blocking mechanic like in MtG, Duel Masters, and Battle Spirits will be present, allowing further opportunities to use Joe's high ATK stat defensively.
While 2 HP is low, it isn't low enough to die to any small random burn effect. In addition, to help with that weakness, we have the knowledge of Yomajin Front's color identity. Its been stated to have a lot of combat tricks. For those unaware, combat trick is a MtG term for instant-speed cards that alter stats or grant keywords and are used to unexpectedly change how the combat will resolve. One example we know is "Moment of Offense and Defense", a Yomajin Front Event that is said to give a unit "first strike". We mention that keyword before, but for the unaware, it is a MtG keyword that allows the unit to deal damage before the opposing creature, allowing the creature to not take damage if it has enough power to destroy the opposing creature. The application of such a keyword to Joe's high ATK and low HP should be obvious enough.
Last point I'd like to mention is a "Beast" deck has been mentioned before as an archetype used in Yomajin Front and Wonderverse, themed around beatdown, and we now know Kamaitachi Joe is a part of it. That theme has been mentioned to have a unit with an effect similar to a Duel Masters Shield Trigger that summons itself.
The cards I've been introducing the last few days have been a part of one of the Starter Decks, "Demon Dragon Summoning", that will be released alongside the 1st Booster Set. We are now going to start revealing cards from the other Starter Deck, "Youkai & Giant Robo". This is a deck designed for beginners as well as players who enjoy beatdown strategies.
(Source)
(Source)
Rules release date is scheduled for November 26th, 2020.
Distribution of free Trial Decks will begin on the same day. (Please wait until November for details on the distribution method)
The recital will be on December 10th. Public recital will be on a later date.
(Source)
Distribution of free Trial Decks will begin on the same day. (Please wait until November for details on the distribution method)
The recital will be on December 10th. Public recital will be on a later date.
(Source)
While the recital now being on December 10th was already known, the Rules release date is new. Unfortunately for us, Ikeda has stated previously that the English release of the free Trial Decks will not be at the same time, though he is considering speeding up its release. However, even without the physical product, as long as we can have images of the cards in the free Trial Deck we can print our proxies of it easily enough and begin playing the game.
Black Knight, Riha (2020GS02-006)Faction: Volnar
Card Type: Unit
Level: 0
Attribute(s): Warrior, Traitor, Darkness
Attack: 3
HP: 3
Strike: 1
Flavor Text: One of the pillars of the Fell Dragon Quadrach, Rough Dust King Vastorus Rex. He is accompanied by 88 evil dragons and linked black knights.
---
"Black Knight, Riha" from the Starter Deck "Demon Dragon Summoning".
It is a versatile card because it is a vanilla card with balanced stats. If you specialize in attack power, you will be easily destroyed by burn damage, and if you specialize in defense, you won't be able to defeat enemy units. Gate Ruler was created with a balance of "attack power and defense are equally important".
(Source)
In most ways, Riha seems identical to Knight of Oath Blade from the free Trial Deck. However while all its stats are the same, Riha possesses the same Warrior attribute of Oath Blade, while possessing two additional attributes of "Traitor" and "Darkness". Previous comments have implied Special Summon cares about the attributes of the cards used to fulfill it, so its likely one of these two attributes is the one "Abyss Summon" requires. It seems most likely to be "Darkness", considering the theming of the archetype. "Traitor", on the other hand would mean the seemingly strong "Time-eating Genie" would be usable as part of the archetype.I didn't comment on this with the previous card, but we also see the set codes here. "2020GS01-004" on Kamaitachi Joe and "2020GS02-006" on Black Knight, Riha. This seems to confirm our previous assumption that the year will be at the front of all set codes. The code for the Starter Decks is also a bit weird, with it being "GS". I suppose it stands for "Gate (Ruler) Starter"?
I'd also like to talk about Ikeda's comment on balancing offensive stats and defensive stats. This goes a long way to explaining the change from Buddyfight's combat system towards the system used in MtG. While the balance of Power vs Defense in Buddyfight was much better than you'd find in games like Yu-Gi-Oh! and it certainly mattered more than enough to not be a superfluous stat, it still had its flaws. Primarily, cards with balanced stats were not worthwhile. Cards would only care about the stat that mattered to its role, attacking or walling. And while a low power would be detrimental to walls, their high size meant it rarely happened. MtG's system allows the desired balance to be achieved much easier, since Defense being a HP stat instead makes every bit of HP matter for surviving burn damage, in a way that the Defense stat never did.
Edited by HunterSerge on 29th September, 2020 at 11:46am CST