Deck Analysis: "Blackwing"

Four different types of decks have proven themselves over the myriad of events that have happened in this format. Let us focus on one of them namely "Blackwing". I have decided to post my thoughts about the metagame before the format is changed this coming March. I hope that these series of articles about the "Tier 1" decks is going to be helpful for people to better understand and have a grasp on how the deck plays out in general and how what I think will be made to them in the upcoming March list.


In a nutshell, "Blackwing" play aggressively, usually taking in control of the role of aggressor in a duel. With the help of "Black Whirlwind", they can easily take a "Blackwing" monster with a lower Attack than the one Summoned out of their deck and add it to their hand everytime a "Blackwing" monster is Normal Summoned. After which, they can easily Special Summon different "Blackwing" monsters from their hand and swarm the field with ease. As a back row reliant deck, they rely on multiple copies of "Icarus Attack" and "Royal Oppression" to ensure that the field is in their favor. While they generally have medium to low Attack points, "Blackwing - Kalut the Moonshadow" is there to ensure that they do not lose in terms of brute force.


The deck easily becomes potent just because of "Black Whirlwind", as it allows for easy +1 for each copy in the field, meaning if you have two copies in play, you get to add to your hand two "Blackfeather" monsters. "Icarus Attack" is there to control the field and since the theme does not rely much on regular Special Summoning , "Royal Oppression" pins down your opponent's Special Summons while you continue to abuse your own kind of Special Summon-"Blackwing - Vayu the Emblem of Honor" can still activate and Special Summon a Monster even with "Royal Oppression" in the field. "Blackwing - Shura the Blue Flame" can even use its effect even with "Royal Oppression" on the field, as the effect triggers at the Damage Step, which "Royal Oppression" can't be chained to.


The deck has pretty much reached its maximum potential, as only a few techs are added and removed from the core. Some people prefer to add cards like "Mind Control", "Gorz, the Emissary of Darkness" and "My Body as A Shield", but the tech choices are usually just a matter of personal preference of the duelist running the deck.

Problems encountered are when you start a Duel with no 'big' "Blackwing" monster in your hand, or start out with five Monster cards in your hand, without "Black Whirlwind", things can get ugly. They also lack options to cycle through the deck outside of "Allure of Darkness". It also becomes a problem when your back row becomes pinned down by your opponent with cards like "Stardust Dragon" or "Royal Decree".

I predict that if ever "Blackwings" get hurt in the March list, the card that would be hit are: Black Whirlwind to 2 This will make the deck more inconsistent than it was. Since "Blackwing" fail to sweep Shonen Jumps consistently and is arguably one of the weakest ones among the top tier decks, they might be out of sight in the ban radar.