Daigusto Emeral ———————————————— 2 Level 4 monsters Once per turn: You can detach 1 Xyz Material from this card, then activate 1 of these effects. ● Target 3 monsters in your Graveyard; shuffle all 3 into the Deck, then draw 1 card. ● Target 1 non-Effect Monster in your Graveyard; Special Summon that target. ———————————————— Can Be Found In: Hidden Arsenal 7: Knight of Stars (HA07-EN020), Battle Pack 3: Monster League (BP03-EN122), Premium Gold: Infinite Gold (PGL3-EN065), Duel Terminal 7 (DT07-EN0036)
Banned cards are divided in few categories to know the reason of their forbidden status. Some cards are simply overpowered on their own until either the game changes considerably or they get a weakened reprint. In other cases it might not seem quite clear if checking the card on its own, as they can be part of an entire combo or setup that either give us a massive advantage or even results in an OTK. The latter case is actually more prominent than might apparent, as the game became about playing several cards at once to obtain powerful summons in no time. As the game constantly adds need cards and strategies to the game, a card that might've seen as tame on its release it might become the key to run a powerful setup along other effects.
"Daigusto Emeral" gained some reputation in various Extra Deck despite carrying some tame abilities, becoming a forbidden card in the TCG to completely avoid all its benefits. By detaching one of its Xyz Materials "Emeral" can activate one of two effects each turn: Shuffle three monsters in our Graveyard to the Deck so we can draw a card, or revive a non-Effect Monster. The first effect might seem costy to just draw a card, and the ability to summon a monster from the Graveyard although valuable is quite restricted. But that didn't stop "Emeral" from gaining a staple position in several builds, becoming part of several strategies that can gain incredible advantages from its abilities despite their flaws.
Despite belonging to the Gusto archetype, "Emeral" has no restrictions whatsoever on its summon. Along a Rank 4 trait, "Emeral" is easily available for a massive array of Decks with the bare minimum arround Xyz Summons. From "Summoner Monk" working along the monster summoned from the Deck to "Rescue Rabbit" gathering Normal Monsters, to cards like "Tin Goldfish" and "Kagetokage" coming in pairs from our hand, the arrival of "Emeral" is highly assured as soon the Duel starts. In addition of archetypes like Six Samurai and Lightsworn having no problem to gather Level 4 monsters in an instant, there's no much depth on summoning "Emeral" when needed the most.
The main purpose of "Emeral" in most Decks is its drawing effect, as although not that impressive it has more value than might apparent. This effect is mainly used for the cost required, as will let us retrieve valuable monsters to our Deck to reuse them later on. Together with searching effects and other drawing options besides "Emeral" itself, is quite possible to recycle valuable monsters including limited cards in the banlist. Not only that, but "Emeral" can also retrieve Extra Deck monsters to summon them afterwards as well avoid refilling our Main Deck to assure certain draws. While this ability might seem that could take a while to provide benefits, if we prioritize other summons and/or play arround milling effects "Emeral" shouldn't take long to start using this effect at its peak.
Although "Emeral" gained recognition from recycling and drawing cards, its revival effect shouldn't be dismissed that easily. Due its restriction might seem that "Emeral" second ability can only work with Normal Monsters, but actually has more targets to play with if we dig deep enough. Gemini Monsters can be revived to spend our Normal Summon unlocking their effects, Extra Deck monsters like "Gaia Saber, the Lightning Shadow" and "Gem-Knight Zirconia" will strength our field with their high stats, and overall will assist highly supported monsters like "Blue-Eyes White Dragon" and "Dark Magician" in one of their many setups. Otherwise, with the introduction of Link Monsters "Emeral" can revive one of many potential materials to work together in a Link Summon.
"Daigusto Emeral" is that kind of card you don't see the reason of its forbidden position until we explore the advantages that will provide to the Decks is added into. Although its drawing effect is compared to slow cards like "Pot of Avarice", its position as an Extra Deck monster along a very cheap Xyz Summon makes it quickly available to not only draw a card but also retrieve valuable monsters as soon its assistance is needed. On the other hand its revival effect might seem limited to a few builds, yet obtains powerful monsters to choose from and even prepare bigger setups like Link Summons with even the weakest Normal Monster(s). If anything "Emeral" biggest weakness is its low stats, but if we summon it is not to enter battle but to keep momentum with one of its two effects. With the increasing number of powerful combos in the card game, "Emeral" supporting role is way too strong to leave unchecked.
Personal Rating: A+
+ Returns three monsters in the Graveyard to our Deck to draw a card + Able to revive a non-Effect Monster from our Graveyard + Very easy to summon + Highly valuable outcomes with its effects under certain strategies
- Low stats - Reduced to a supporting role - Revival effect is only useful for certain Decks
