The Duelist Genesis: dueling redefined

In 2008, the Yu-Gi-Oh trading card game introduced a new set based on the newest Yu-Gi-Oh TV show 5D's. This set drastically changed how the TCG is played with more additions to the young synchro summoning system and added two new deck archetypes (Piece Golem and Psychics) and further support to the long forgotten Spirit monster cards. The first set to ever feature cards from 5D's-this set is The Duelist Genesis.



I will be discussing the highlights of this set: its top 3 cards and my opinions regarding the set in general.

Top 3 cards

3: Krebons (C)

This card is a all-in-one card with so-so initial stats of 1200ATK and 400 DEF at level 2. It is DARK based, which can be splashed around on any decks revolving in this type, at the same time, it runs as a Tuner aside from its primary type, Psychic. This card can take in any punishment from monster attacks and live to tell the tale, regardless of its attack power if you activate its effect. It can survive a turn or two for just paying 800 Life Points for every monster that attacked it. This card is also searchable by Sangan, Mystic Tomato and Emergency Teleport (more about this card below), it serves as an immediate solution to aggro decks. This card can also be be special summoned with Graceful Revival for a quick emergency tuner. Played carefully, this card can prove to annoy your opponent and bring the lashing with a synchro summon the following turn.

2: Emergency Teleport (UR)

This card took a serious hit with the March list, restricting it to 1 per deck. There has to be a reason why this card was sanctioned. One of them is that this card is a quick play spell card, which can be activated at the Battle Phase and your opponent's turn and combo it with a Book of Moon to cancel out its destruction effect. Another is that it can be activated to aquire and easy tribute fodder for your regular tribute monster. Lastly, this card can easily summon a Krebons or a Psychic Commander for an easy tuning. If you somehow run an Urgent Tuning in your deck, you can abuse this card with it and do massive damage. This card also thins the deck by one card.

And the best card is... *drumroll*

1: Goyo Guardian (UR)

Easy synchro requirements. Conveniently level 6. Massive base stats of 2800 ATK and 2000 DEF. Brain Control effect every time it destroys a monster. No wonder every Extra Deck that has synchro summoning has this card in it. This card is so good that it was changed to Limited status in the March list.

Honorable Mention:

Gladiator Beast War Chariot (SR)

This card is never without in a Gladiator Beast deck because of its easy requirements(Having any Gladiator Beast monster on the field) and massive game breaking effect. With the current meta revolving around monster effects more than anything else-Judgement Dragon? Gotcha. Dark Armed Dragon? Na-ah. Rescue Cat? I don't think so. A simple card with a simple purpose-annoy the living out of your opponent.

Verdict: This set contains essential cards that are staple on the current metagame. With other game breaking cards like Izanami, The Tricky and synchro monsters like Red Dragon Archfiend, Thought Ruler Archfiend and Stardust Dragon, this set is a must for every competitive player, and collector alike. And the best part of it all is that this set runs for the cheapest among all the sets available today. Don't hesistate to contact me for pricing and availability if you are interested to purchase a Booster Box or two.