Ancient Pixie Dragon
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1 Tuner + 1 or more non-Tuner monsters
After resolving a Field Spell Card that was activated during your turn: Draw 1 card. You can only use this effect of "Ancient Pixie Dragon" once per turn. Once per turn: You can target 1 face-up Attack Position monster on the field; destroy that target. There must be a face-up Field Spell Card on the field to activate and to resolve this effect.
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Can Be Found In: Premium Gold (PGLD-EN006)
The series following after the original have very different plots from their anime and manga versions. Although often shares the same characters and some of the introduced mechanics in the game at the time, the plot is overall unique when compared to each other. This obviously causes for the manga have its own debutting cards, with in some cases bringing alternative versions of monsters that were already known from the anime.
"Ancient Pixie Dragon" is clearly the manga counterpart of the well known "Ancient Fairy Dragon", and while the former remains in a banned position this version can take over when comes to Field Spell support. Once per turn when a Field Spell is played and resolved during our turn, in return "Ancient Pixie Dragon" will let us draw a card. Additionaly, if a Field Spell is active in either side of the field, "Ancient Pixie Dragon" will target and destroy an Attack Position monster on the field. Overall solid abilities that keep us a healthy hand by trading a played Field Spell with a new card, as well a removal effect easily accesible even when battling particular strategies.
Summoning "Ancient Pixie" has no difficulties from any other Synchro Monster of its Level, virtually sharing the same options as its anime version. Many recurring Special Summon options like "Instant Fusion" and "Cyber Dragon" among many others will gather together right from the very first turn ready to work together as materials, with additional tools depending of the Deck's theme. With the additional help of cards like "Debris Dragon" and "World Legacy Succession" covering the Graveyard in late game, "Ancient Pixie Dragon" is very simple to Synchro Summon. However, since "Ancient Pixie Dragon" has abilities involving Field Spells we can add some unique mechanics to bring materials before and after its arrival. Some Field Spells like "The Gates of Dark World" and "Mount Sylvania" will use effects to benefit their respective archetypes, while others like "Geartown" and "Trickstar Light Stage" will provide monsters to work by simple requeriments.
"Ancient Pixie Dragon" might not have the reputation that "Ancient Fairy Dragon" gained in recent years, but its abilities can become quite benefitial for any Field Spell user. In any Deck involving said cards, "Ancient Pixie" effects will really stand out to gain a solid advantage in both hand and field. Thanks to cards like "Terraforming" and "Set Rotation" among others, we will play a Field Spell of our choice to follow with "Ancient Pixie" drawing effect to keep a steady hand. This effect applies when a Field Spell is played during our turn, so if the opponent plays their own by an effect like "Metaverse" or "Demise of the Land" we will also obtain a card in return. The removal effect of "Ancient Pixie" on the other hand has better liberties on its uses, as no matter who's controlling a Field Spell it will be ready to be activated. So if our own Field Spell isn't making this effect accesible, battling Decks dependant of certain Field Spells will make "Ancient Pixie" ready to take down monsters. Be aware that while "Ancient Pixie" drawing effect is restricted to all its copies its removal effect is not, potentially able to destroy several monsters in a single turn the more copies we can bring to the field.
While "Ancient Fairy Dragon" became banned by turning into a powerful tool for combos and OTKs, "Ancient Pixie Dragon" is way tamer and thus went under the radar. But that doesn't mean that can't become an efficient monster arround Field Spells, as its two abilities can work along our own or against the opponent's. While the drawing effect will mostly depend in our own Field Spells to work, the removal effect of "Ancient Pixie" can punish opponents reliant on their Field Spells. While clearly requires Field Spells to be effective "Ancient Pixie Dragon" might not be a devastating as other Synchro Monsters of its Level like its forbidden version, but has some strong interactions to assure a steady card advantage.
+ Lets us draw a card if a Field Spell is played during our turn
+ Destroys an Attack Position monster if there's a Field Spell in any site of the field
+ Solid support in both summon and performance
- Relies on Field Spells to be effective
- Overshadowed by other Synchro Monsters
