Silent Swordsman LV5
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Unaffected by your opponent's Spell effects. During your next Standby Phase after this card inflicts battle damage to your opponent by a direct attack: You can send this face-up card to the Graveyard; Special Summon 1 "Silent Swordsman LV7" from your hand or Deck.
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Can Be Found In: Flaming Eternity (FET-EN008), Elemental Energy: Special Edition (EEN-ENSE4), Dark Revelation Volume 3 (DR3-EN128), Legendary Collection 3: Yugi's World Mega Pack (LCYW-EN034), Starter Deck Yugi - Reloaded (YSYR-EN018), Yugi's Legendary Decks (YGLD-ENC07), Duelist Pack: Rivals of the Pharaoh (DPRP-EN017), Duel Terminal 5b (DT05-EN056)
LV Monsters belong to an archetype which every single member needs their own Deck. Similar to some Xyz Monsters which turn into stronger forms, a LV Deck invests most of their resources on summoning the strongest form of one of these creatures. However, while some LV Decks will completely focus on summoning a powerful creature, some LV monsters can fit in any Deck on their own and provide plenty of support to many strategies.
"Silent Swordsman LV5" is a resiliant monster that completely shuts down one of the most common threats nowadays. While on the field "LV5" becomes completely invulnerable against any kind of Spells the opponent might play, ranging from mass removal to targetting effects. However, as part of the LV archetype "LV5" can replace itself with his strongest counterpart "Silent Swordsman LV7", and to do so much go to the Graveyard from our Standby Phase after a succesful direct attack. While "LV7" can become highly disruptive along two archetypes to work arround its forms, "Silent Swordsman LV5" can become quite a problem if the opponent doesn't bypass its protective effect quickly.
As pointed out, Silent Swordsman forms not only gains the support of LV options but also their very own archetype. The default option is by starting with "Silent Swordsman LV3" going to the Graveyard during our Standby Phase, easily achieved if we bait opponent attacks to monsters like "Shining Angel" as well revival effects such as "Limit Reverse" bringing back "LV3" as soon their turn is about to end. However, the member outside the LV group "Silent Swordsman" has the opportunity to summon any Silent Swordsman including "LV7", so once is taken down by the opponent we can bring either "LV5" or "LV7" depending of the situation. While has two monsters to assist its arrival as well "Level Up!" to skip the conditions of "LV3" and "Silent Sword Slash" to search for any of its forms, keep on mind that "LV5" can simply be brough by Tribute Summon as well revival effects in late game. Therefore, either we invest a whole Deck on the arrival of "LV5" and "LV7", or work arround options such as Frogs and "The Monarchs Stormforth" for an immediate arrival right from our first turns.
The role of "LV5" will highly depend of how much we'll invest a Deck arround it. Some builds can simply Tribute Summon and together with cards like "Royal Decree" and "Effect Veiler" completely shut down any dangerous Trap or Monster effects aiming towards "LV5". By also ignoring common threats such as "Raigeki" and "Forbidden Lance", "LV5" can easily be added in any Deck that needs a sturdy monster. With its own effect and basic coverage, is quite easy for "LV5" soon or later direct attack the opponent and become "LV7" in our next turn. And in any circumstances or strategy we shouldn't worry about stronger monsters confronting "LV5", as with the use of "Silent Sword Slash" will obtain an immense stat boost to easily take down any enemies while also gaining protection against any effects coming from our opponent.
At first "Silent Swordsman LV7" might seem a better choice thanks to locking down all Spell Cards as well becoming quickly available by "Silent Swordsman", but that won't overshadow "Silent Swordsman LV5" that easily. Even if "LV5" has to deal with a rough competition for the high Level spot from monsters like Monarchs and "Horus the Black Flame Dragon LV6" with a stronger ability, "LV5" has enough options to either be played solo or with some basic coverage. Even though Monster effects are more recurrent thant Spell effects as years passes, "LV5" is in a solid position to deal with any openings thanks to cards like "Royal Decree" and "Silent Swords Slash". Overall "Silent Swordsman LV5" might have it tough to stand out, but as a fan favorite with its own options can have different purposes depending of the build is added.
+ Protection against opponent's Spell Cards and effects
+ Can summon "Silent Swordsman LV7" a turn after a succesful direct attack
+ Well supported to work on its own or with its archetypes
- Overshadowed by other high Level monsters
- Might rely on coverage against Trap Cards and Monster effects
