#predap

Predapruning ———————————————— Activate this card by targeting 1 "Predaplant" monster in your Graveyard; Special Summon it and equip it with this card. When this card leaves the field, destroy that monster. ———————————————— Can Be Found In: Fusion Enforcers (FUEN-EN012)

Revival effects have been abused since the first days of the game, to the point that nowadays is the base for most builds. During the debutting years, players already tried to discard powerful monsters so can be summoned from the Graveyard instead of the slow process arround Tribute Summon. Currently, almost every Deck will have atleast a few cards involving the Graveyard in some way or another, no matter if is to shortcut the arrival of powerful creatures or gather materials for our summons. And while that allowed players to manage their hand as they interact with their Graveyard in mid to late game, it has become the norm in most strategies no matter their unique gimmicks.

"Predapruning" is a card belonging to the Predaplant archetype, providing a simple yet efficient ability for all sorts of situations. Once played, "Predapruning" will revive a Predaplant from our Graveyard and equip itself to the target. The catch is that if "Predapruning" leaves the field its target will be destroyed as a result, but overall is a strong revival tool for all sorts of setups and scenarios. Despite a clear and almost recurring weakness, "Predapruning" soon became a must have for its archetype and other builds involving these creatures.

In an archetype focused on Fusion Summons, "Predapruning" shouldn't need much care despite obtaining the assistance of effects like "Predaplanet" and "Hidden Armory". Predaplants shouldn't take long to dispose monsters to our Graveyard so we can revive by this Spell Card, ranging from their Fusion Summons to using miling effects like "Armageddon Knights" depending of our aproach. While virtually any Predaplant is allowed to be summoned by this card is preferable to prioritize those with effects activated upon arrival, like "Predaplant Spinodionaea" placing a Predator Counter for our other options or "Predaplant Ophrys Scorpio" summoning another Predaplant from our Deck. In most cases the revived Predaplant will immediately become material for any of our stronger monsters, specially useful if using "Predaplant Banksia Ogre" as scatters counters or "Predaplant Chlamydosundew" performing a Fusion Summon which might use opponent's monster(s) as materials. The archetype's lead monsters are no exception and can be retrieved for a comeback and other uses (If were Fusion Summoned properly), with "Predaplant Chimerafflesia"with all sorts of disruptive effects or "Predaplant Dragostapelia" negating monster's effects. But "Predapruning" is not the only archetype card able to revive monsters with, as "Predaponics" as well off-theme support like "Miracle Fertilizer" can do so once per turn and thus potentially leading to swarming the board with Predaplants for all sorts of outcomes.

With no restrictions beyond only targetting Predaplants, "Predapruning" is obviously a staple card for any Deck involving this archetype. Pretty much every Predaplant can be target of this Spell Card effect, with some cases like "Predaplant Orphys Scorpio" and "Predaplant Chlamydosundew" further improving the results with their respective effects. Clearly the main problem arround "Predapruning" is the chance for chainable effects that might destroy it before we can give any uses to our target Predaplant, a common demerit among revival effects yet worth the risk. With up to three copies available period as well other revival options we can include in the archetype, "Predapruning" only needs a single Predaplant in the Graveyard to start providing efficient setups with its assistance.

Personal Rating: A+

+ Revives a Predaplant from our Graveyard + Overall the entire archetype is accessible by its effect + Well supported with setups and other revival options

Predaplant Ophrys Scorpio ———————————————— If this card is Normal or Special Summoned: You can send 1 monster from your hand to the GY; Special Summon 1 "Predaplant" monster from your Deck, except "Predaplant Ophrys Scorpio". You can only use this effect of "Predaplant Ophrys Scorpio" once per turn. ———————————————— Can Be Found In: Maximum Crisis (MACR-EN009)

Although nowadays most Deck involves arround an archetype, that doesn't limit creativity when thinking outside their respective themes. Despite archetypes having their restrictions, is not that difficult to bypass those limitations and allow them to work along other themes and strategies. The most valuable monsters of an archetype might become prevalent outside their own build, while particular tools and effects can become benefitial for most Decks by just making a few changes. To the point that archetypes will mix together to sinergize their gamestyles with each other, just because a card belongs to a particular theme doesn't mean they can stand out in all sorts of setups and strategies.

"Predaplant Ophrys Scorpio" quickly became the most popular monster from the Predaplant archetype, becoming a staple choice for many Decks even outside its own theme. When Normal or Special Summoned, "Scorpio" will give us the opton to dump a monster from our hand to in return summon a Predaplant from inside our Deck except its own copies. Overall seems a solid trade that gives speed for all kinds of setups and even summon some high Level monsters right from early game. However, with just a few number of targets "Scorpio" became a great monster to start Duels with and lead us to powerful setups right from our very first turn.

Obviously unable to bring its copies so we cannot swarm our board from a single summon, "Scorpio" is still in a wonderful position to become available and follow with its effect as soon is needed. If we don't start a game with "Scorpio" ready on hand, "Lonefire Blossom" will summon it from our Deck and pretty much provide the same result. "Predaplant Spinodionaea" is a slower alternative but also able to summon almost any Predaplant from our Deck, doing so by defeating weaker monsters or those affected by Predator Counters. Speaking of which, "Predaplanet" will look for "Scorpio" and other Predap cards in return of monsters with counters leaving the field. The late game won't be less of a problem, as many revival effects will bring "Scorpio" back to once again provide its effect. Keep on mind that for the latter case we can use other copies of "Scorpio" to activate is summoning effect and prepare them for a late revival.

As long we have atleast one monster to dispose from our hand, "Scorpio" provides nearly the whole archetype at disposition of its effect.From bringing any Predaplant to work together as materials to offensive members like "Predaplant Spinodionaea" and "Predaplant Banksiogre" (The latter also being a Tuner), "Scorpio" has flexible purposes during the Duel to summon any Predaplant required for the situation. However, "Scorpio" gained great popularity due its ability to summon "Predaplant Darlingtonia Cobra", a monster that once Special Summoned will search for any Fusion Spell Card. This not only compensates the loss of a monster in our hand, but overall creates all sorts of preparatives by just the summon of "Scorpio" alone. Summoning this monster to follow with "Darlingtonia Cobra" can go from gaining cards like "Brilliant Fusion" and "Instant Fusion" to gather more materials, to simply obtain "Polymerization" and bring out one of the lead monsters in the archetype. Regardless of which Predaplant we summon this way, we can further improve the performance of "Scorpio" if we use monsters with Graveyard interactions as cost of its effect.

"Predaplant Ophrys Scorpio" overall leads the archetype's Main Deck as well any other builds that can fit it in due the powerful results that can provide to its user. Mainly paired along "Predaplant Darlingtonia Cobra" and "Lonefire Blossom", the arrival of "Scorpio" can lead to all sorts of powerful setups at cost of a single monster in our hand. That might require a bit of hand management to assure a monster ready at hand, but Decks arround "Scorpio" will likely have cards like Burning Abyss for additional advantages when playing this monster. With a limited status in the OCG, "Scorpio" became a staple choice for many Decks outside its own archetype as long we invest in the cards that works along with.

Personal Rating: A+

+ Summons a Predaplant from our Deck when Normal or Special Summoned + Well supported for all kinds of setups + Great sinergy with "Predaplant Darlingtonia Cobra" and "Lonefire Blossom"

Predaplant Drosophyllum Hydra ———————————————— You can Special Summon this card (from your hand or Graveyard) by Tributing 1 monster on either player's field with a Predator Counter. You can only Special Summon "Predaplant Drosophyllum Hydra" once per turn this way. During either player's turn, if this card is on the field or in the Graveyard: You can banish 1 other "Predaplant" monster from your Graveyard, then target 1 face-up monster on the field; it loses 500 ATK. You can only use this effect of "Predaplant Drosophyllum Hydra" once per turn. ———————————————— Can Be Found In: Fusion Enforcers (FUEN-EN002)

Predaplants gained a strong reputation even outside their own kind thanks to the strong support arround Fusion Summons they provide with little to no effort. However, while is undoubtly an archetype focused arround Fusion Monsters, some players might forget their second mechanic involving Predator Counters. Usually these counters will cause affected monsters become Level one, making Ritual and most Extra Deck summons struggle when managing some of their materials. But to not become an ability only effective against certain setups, Predaplants can use them as currency for other disruptive abilities.

"Predaplant Drosophyllum Hydra" is a creature that will cause problems to the opposite field in one way or another. Despite its high Level "Hydra" can Special Summon itself from our hand or Graveyard by tributing a monster carrying a Predator Counter, no matter which side of the field said monster is on. Alternatively, "Hydra" can banish itself from our field or Graveyard during any turn to weaken a monster's ATK by 500. Overall a versatile creature to play along with, as if is not constantly summoning itself with the help of Predator Counters as potentially gets rid of enemies it will use its chainable weakening effect to quickly counter any attackers.

"Hydra" actually has an assortment of liberties on its summon regardless of being by its own ability or another. As soon our first turn begins, "Hydra" can be immediately on our field thanks to "Lonefire Blossom" directly summoning it from inside our Deck. Alternatively and thanks to the ability to revive itself, "Hydra" can be disposed to the Graveyard by milling effects or as Fusion material from our hand for a later summon when its help is needed. When comes to providing counters for its summon is quite easy to do at any moment of a Duel, ranging from "Predaplant Spinodionaea" and "Predaplant Dragostapelia" as soon they arrive to our field, to "Predaplast" giving as many counters as Predap cards we show from our hand.

With Predaplants constantly giving counters to opponent's monsters, "Hydra" becomes a quite disruptive creature from start to finish. Despite its low ATK, "Hydra" causes constant problems to the opponent as tributes their strongest monsters as well any others with protective effects that will be ignored by their own tribute. In combination with "Predaplant Banksiogre" having a similar ability from the hand, is quite possible to keep clearing the opposite field as long Predator Counters are provided by one of many options in the archetype. Benefits will further increase with an active "Predaplanet", as by "Hydra" tributing a monster with a counter we'll obtain a new Predap card from our Deck to keep improving our game in the process. Obviously we cannot ignore the constant return of "Hydra" on our field, becoming a recurring material for not only the archetype's Fusion Summons but also other Extra Deck setups we can mix along their main theme. Finally, the weakening effect of "Hydra" might seem quite pointless given the many benefits its summoning provides instead, but due its chainable nature it can save us from a dangerous monster battling ours at the very last second.

"Predaplant Drosophyllum Hydra" is a wonderful creature as long we keep focus on the Predaplant's options arround Predator Counters. With many effects to target opponent's monsters with counters, "Hydra" not only becomes a constantly available monster for any purpose but a highly disruptive card given how difficult is to avoid tribute effects. While greatly supported from start to finish "Hydra" is clearly completely dependant of other cards to work on its summons, although its weakening effect despite not as effective becomes an alternative and solid effect resting (usually) in our Graveyard to turn the tables of any battle. With enough opportunities for its own arrival at any moment, even a single copy of "Hydra" in the Deck can suffice to become a serious problem for our opponent.

Personal Rating: A

+ Tributes a monster with a Predator Counter to summon itself from our hand or Graveyard + Banishes itself from the field or Graveyard to make a monster lose 500 ATK + Highly supported with counters to keep tributing opponent's monsters

Greedy Venom Fusion Dragon ———————————————— 1 "Predaplant" monster + 1 DARK monster whose original Level is 8 or higher Must first be Fusion Summoned. Once per turn: You can target 1 face-up monster on the field; until the end of this turn, change that target's ATK to 0, also that target has its effects negated. If this card is destroyed and sent to the Graveyard: Destroy as many monsters on the field as possible, then you can banish 1 Level 8 or higher DARK monster from your Graveyard and Special Summon this card from the Graveyard. ———————————————— Can Be Found In: Fusion Enforcers (FUEN-EN010)

Many strategies nowadays focuses their Main Deck on gathering materials for any monsters residing their Extra Deck. Depending of the build is no difficult task to do so, as with the many effects to gather the right cards and summon them if needed we can summon our strongest monsters in a matter of few turns. Some monsters might have expensive requeriments on paper, but either they already have the perfect Deck to prepare them right from early game or they'll gain additional cards to ease their arrival.

"Greedy Venom Fusion Dragon" is a counterpart of the Arc-V dragon "Starving Venom Fusion Dragon", which can become a stronger and more resiliant offense during the Duel. "Greedy Venom" allow us to temporarily take away the ATK and effects of  a target monster on the field, overall letting us deal clean damage with our attacks as well avoiding any troublesome abilities in the process. If "Greedy Venom" is destroyed its task won't be over, as in return will destroy all monsters on the field on the field. Not only that, but if we have a Level 8 or higher DARK monster in the Graveyard we can banish it to immediately revive "Greedy Venom" on the spot. Overall a highly devastating Fusion as attacks weakened monsters and wipes out fields if fails doing so, and if we have several high Level monsters in the Graveyard will constantly return against most destructive sources.

Although the materials required makes it look more expensive than "Starving Venom Fusion Dragon", is actually easier to bring out as the latter requires monsters on the field for its arrival. Predaplants have a focus arround counters to disrupt the opposite field yet offers vital resources to Fusion Summon with, going from "Predaplant Darling Cobra" searching for a Fusion card to "Predaplant Chlamydosundew" taking some shortcuts which includes using an opponent monster as material. When it comes to Level 8 or above monsters to work along with, archetypes such as Malefic or Darklord offers plenty of creatures to achieve the Fusion Summon with not many difficulties. If instead we're having problems to obtain a high Level DARK monster, "Odd-Eyes Fusion" will let us use one from the Extra Deck if the opponent controls various monsters and we don't. In late game won't be more difficult if we work along "Dragon's Mirror", using the needed materials straight from the Graveyard.

"Greedy Venom" is a powerful offense from start to finish. Although often will work alone to avoid its destructive effect against our field, its attacks will deal 3300 damage unless the opponent is forced to play defensively. Negating effects can also gives us a breather against troublesome monsters such as "King Tiger Wanghu" or "Naturia Beast" among many others, letting us play our game normally right before we enter the Battle Phase to take them down. The defeat of "Greedy Venom" can become counterproductive for the opponent as wipes out the entire board, specially since this monster can be revived immediately if we have monsters to banish. While by default is no difficult task thanks to one of its materials required, is recommended to use cards like "Trade-In" or "Dark Grepher" to fuel the Graveyard with monsters to keep reviving "Greedy Venom" with.

"Greedy Venom Fusion Dragon" is easily a very tough monster to face against. With several options and shortcuts to Fusion Summon it, "Greedy Venom" will always lead the Battle Phase as weakens any monsters on the field. While this effect can only be used during our turn, the opponent can't take it easier as in case is destroyed will take the entire board with it. Combine that with its revival effect, and "Greedy Venom" is a highly persistent monster to stay dominant during several turns. But while this Fusion has all the tools to rule Duels with, the fact that there are many non-destructive effects to take care of "Greedy Venom" makes it not as indestructible as might look. Try to keep an eye against effects such as "Compulsory Evacuation Device" or "Castel, the Skyblaster Musketeer", and "Greedy Venom" will take down the opponent in a few turns or stay on the lead by punishing them after its brief defeat.

Personal Rating: A

+ Removes the ATK and effects of a monster on the field + If is destroyed will destroy the field in return and revive itself afterwards + Highly supported for its Fusion Summon as well revival effect

Predator Planet ———————————————— If a monster(s) with a Predator Counter leaves the field while you control this face-up card: Add 1 "Preda" card from your Deck to your hand. You can only use this effect of "Predator Planet" once per turn. You can banish this card from your Graveyard; Fusion Summon 1 Fusion Monster from your Extra Deck, using "Predaplant" monsters from your hand or field as Fusion Materials. ———————————————— Can Be Found In: Booster SP: Fusion Enforcers (SPFE-JP013)

Predaplants are a big annoyance for any Deck which doesn't focus on Fusion Summons. The archetype constantly targets enemies with Predator Counters turning them into Level 1, leading to the disruption of popular big summons nowadays. Synchro and Xyz Summons will have it way tougher to gather the right materials on time, while Ritual Summons will become considerably expensive in some circumstances. However don't think that Predaplants are exclusively an Anti-Meta build, as their counters also fuels disruptive effects to lead the Duel with. Together with staple Plant options as well various methods to Fusion Summon their boss monster "Starve Venom Fusion Dragon", Predaplants can easily take full control of a Duel as soon they constantly counters by one of many methods.

"Predator Planet" is a Trap that works arround the two main goals of the archetype. Once per turn, "Predator Planet" allow us to look for a Preda card in the Deck when a monster with a Predator Counter leaves the field. Since nearly every Predaplant card gives a counter as well an ability of their own to take advantage of the situation, is very easy to constantly abuse this Trap to gain a new card each turn. "Predator Planet" won't be over if leaves this purpose, as the Trap can be banished from the Graveyard to allow us perform a Fusion Summon with our Predaplants. With both effects activating whenever turn is possible, "Predator Planet" can keep the build with resources as well bring some of the Fusion Monsters Predaplants can involve in their strategy.

"Predator Planet" has very few options to become available as fast as possible, but very reliable nonetheless. The obvious route is "Predator Planet" itself, as we can get additional copies once the active one leaves the field to take its Fusion Summon task. The second option is the defeat of "Predaplant Sarraceniant", which can be brought to the field in response of a direct attack to counter the opponent and take care of any enemies if needed. Once "Predator Planet" is active, all we have to do is keep playing the archetype as usual. Many of their members and effects will keep placing Preadtor Counters on our enemies, to afterwards disrupt the opponent's field with effects such as "Predaplant Spino Dionaea" or "Predaplant Sundew Kingii". Keep on mind that "Predator Planet" searching effect activates no matter how the affected monster(s) leave the field, so if is by our own Predaplants will be by other removal effects or even if the opponent uses their monsters as materials. "Predator Planet" not only can search for Predaplants and copies of itself, but other cards such as "Predator Plast" and "Predator Graft" among others. The ability to Fusion Summon is open to whenever we want to use it, from our own Battle Phase to in response of opponent actions, only requiring the traditional conditions of having the right materials in our field or hand. The main choices will be "Predaplant Dragostapelia" ability to negate effects from monsters with Predator Counters, "Predaplant Chimera Rafflesia" with an advantage in battle by stat changing effects, and both "Starving Venom Fusion Dragon" and "Greedy Venom Fusion Dragon" abilities to wipe out the opposite field upon defeat.

The only job "Predator Planet" has to do is to catch up with the archetype, and won't be difficult. Many Predaplants and support arround them will start gathering counters on the opposite field, and with the liberties to trigger its searching effect soon enough we'll keep gaining cards nearly every turn. And even if the opponent succesfully gets rid of the Trap Card its pressence is far from over, as then provide us a chainable Fusion Summon to bring a powerful creature when needed the most. Like many Trap Cards "Predator Planet" might have a slow start, but once we pass through that problem we'll constantly gather cards turn after turn or bring a powerful Fusion Monsters if fails to do so.

Personal Rating: A-

+ Searches Preda cards when a monster with a Predator Counter leaves the field + Chainable Fusion Summon from the Graveyard + Easy to keep searching cards due the archetype's playstyle