Starcraft and Yu-Gi-Oh

On a random conversation with my non Yu-Gi-Oh playing friend today, I was discussing to him about how the Blackwings were winning with their speed and swarming capabilities. Upon the continuous flow of conversation, I ended up explaining to him the strengths and weaknesses of every one of the top archetypes of today. It was hillarious that I ended up comparing them to Starcraft, as the races that a player is able to choose in that game is somewhat related and connected to today's Yu-Gi-Oh.

First and foremost, I was explaining that Blackwings share a similar style with the Zergs in Starcraft, as they rely on speed and on their swarming capabilities. The units are fairly cheap and easy to summon and they also have the ability to catch players by surprise with Blackwing - Kalut the Moon Shadow.

Then, Gladiator Beasts are similar to Terrans as the concept of the Gladiators are control and heavily fortified defenses, much like Terrans in Starcraft. Their swift methods to deal with their current ordeals and the flexibility they use to react to the situation are their key in winning their duels.

Finally, Lightsworn is best represented by Protoss. Extremely powerful cards with devastating effects at a price-either they are too expensive to build or they pretty much exhaust their resources faster than the other two races. Judgment Dragon is also similar with The Protoss Carrier. Once a fleet is assembled, the game is finished.

Although I am dissapointed that Starcraft II will lack multiplayer function in its first release, I am still looking forward to watching professional matches held by Koreans and be amazed again and again.

Phoenix Wing Wind Blast versus Raigeki Break

Since the poll ended yesterday, I think now is the time to explain why I set up that poll in the first place. The reason why I decided to compare those two cards is to determine how duelists who voted for their specific card thinks behind how he/she uses his/her cards to his/her advantage.

Both cards are Traps, which require discarding a card as its cost for activation and both mainly get rids of the immediate threat. The difference between the cards is that one destroys it and puts it into the Graveyard(Raigeki Break) while the other puts the targeted card on top of it's owner's deck(Phoenix Wing Wind Blast). Raigeki Break ensures the destruction of its target, while the latter might just delay the threat and ruin your opponent's Draw Phase.

On some occasions, Phoenix Wing Wind Blast can prove to be more useful than Raigeki Break assuming it targets something that returns to the Extra Deck or a card that needs difficulty in playing-Tribute and Synchro monsters to be specific. The tradeoff for this though is Raigeki Break is almost sure to be more effective in destroying Spell and Trap cards than Phoenix Wing Wind Blast as you don't always target these cards on Duels and you never know when you might need to activate the card.


Phoenix Wind Wind Blast is better on the metagame in my opinion as the ensured one turn delay it provides is sufficient enough to turn the tides and score victory at least, whreas Raigeki Break will prevent any slip-ups, in case your strategy gets ruined by your opponent. In the end, its the choice of potency over stabilization. Whatever you choose to run in your deck if you ever do, is entirely up to you.

The winner for the previous poll was Raigeki Break. Thank you everyone for responding with the previous poll. The poll was closed with a total of six votes all in all. For those who did not participate, I hope that you take time in voting and I hope we get more results with today's new poll.

Threatening Roar versus Waboku

The game sometimes has two or more similar cards with almost the same effect, but a different concept in performing certain tasks. A card might be designed to remove something from the field but another card might have similar effects but different aspect in doing so. A famous example is the current poll for this week-Phoenix Wing Wind Blast and Raigeki Break. Both of these cards require a discard as a cost, and stop an immediate threat that you are currently facing. I will not be discussing about that but another set of cards with almost the same or similar end effect result but differ from methodology and play.



Both can give good responses to regular Spell and Trap card destruction effects from cards like Mystical Space typhoon or Gladiator Beast Bestiari as these cards can activate the moment they are selected as targets while face-down (except when they are targeted on the turn they are Set). They both prevent destruction of monsters by battle and they both help stop your opponent's assault for a turn. The question is, what card is better running in a deck?

First and foremost, Threatening Roar entirely prevents attacking with monsters. Some monsters activate their effects via conducting battle such as the infamous Gladiator Beasts. Waboku, on the other hand, just prevents card destruction via battle and damage recieved from attacks. Using one if you control a Flip Effect monster would help trigger the effect and at the same time, saving it from destruction for a synchro summon or tribute summon next turn. On deciding which card you are adding to your deck, first you have to consider the pros and cons of each and weigh them down according to the playstyle of your deck. Do you have cards like Morphing Jar or any other Flip effect monsters on your deck? Do you want to prevent Gladiator Beasts from activating their effects? These two are one of the many two or more similar cards with similar effects but play differently.