Tech Update: Stardust Overdrive, Part 1
Stardust Overdrive is released in full this coming Tuesday, although it’s already available in the Majestic Star Dragon Tin and Earthbound Immortal Tin, and is therefore allowed for play this weekend. Looking around at the Decks people are talking about, it’s clear that Stardust Overdrive is already making its impact on the tournament scene. Here are some cards everyone is expecting to shake up the tournament here today.
“Archlord Kristya”:
It didn’t take long for competitive players to realize “Archlord Kristya’s” power. Kristya prevents both players from Special Summoning any monsters, so its presence on the field totally shuts down the most popular decks we’ve been seeing lately.
If Kristya is out, Lightsworn Decks can’t play “Judgment Dragon” or use the effect of “Lumina, Lightsworn Summoner,” Blackwing Decks can’t Synchro Summon or use the effect of “Blackwing – Vayu the Emblem of Honor,” Zombie Decks can’t use “Mezuki” or Summon “Dark Armed Dragon,” and Gladiator Beast Decks can’t tag-in their Gladiators or Summon “Gladiator Beast Gyzarus.” On top of all that, Kristya has 2800 ATK, making it tough for your opponent to get it off of the field, especially since they can’t Special Summon.
Although Kristya can be Tribute Summoned like any ordinary Level 8 monster, it can also be Special Summoned while there are exactly 4 Fairy-Type monsters in your Graveyard. Then, you also get to return one of those Fairies from your Graveyard to your hand. Some Duelists are using Kristya to return “Honest” to their hands. This is a powerful combo that allows players to gain huge attack boosts and quickly end games. Since Kristya is sent to the top of your Deck whenever it would be destroyed, you can repeat the cycle of Summoning it to the field and retrieving “Honest.” Some Duelists are even using Kristya in Lightsworn Decks, since Celestia, “Honest,” and “Shire, Lightsworn Spirit” are all Fairy-Type monsters.
“Shutendoji”:
“Shutendoji” is the newest addition to the Zombie toolbox. It can be Special Summoned with “Zombie Master” or “Mezuki,” or searched out with “Sangan” or “Goblin Zombie.” “Shutendoji” lets you draw an extra card by removing 2 Zombies from your Graveyard. This creates an awesome combo with his second effect, which allows you to put one of the cards you removed on top of your Deck. Players are using “Shutendoji” today for the added draw power, and for the ability to choose the next monster they draw. Expect it to make a splash in Zombie Decks in your area too.
“Guardian Eatos”:
“Guardian Eatos” is making its way into some awesome decks designed to counter the anticipated ‘usual suspects’ we’ll see today. Duelists trying to take advantage of other players’ continued dependence on Graveyard manipulation have turned to “Dimensional Fissure” and “Macro Cosmos” to hinder their opponents. “Guardian Eatos” is the perfect monster to add to a Deck that stops monsters from staying in the Graveyard. Without Graveyards building up, “Guardian Eatos” is easy to Summon, and with 2500 ATK, she can pose some serious trouble for opponents.
Players don’t yet seem to be tapping into her ability to remove cards from their opponent’s Graveyard to boost her own attack, but in the future, we may start seeing Duelists exploit all of “Guardian Eatos’s” potential.
