#vendead

Revendread Slayer ———————————————— You can Ritual Summon this card with any "Vendread" Ritual Spell. Once per battle, if this card battles an opponent's monster, during damage calculation (Quick Effect): You can banish 1 Zombie monster from your GY; this card gains 300 ATK. If this Ritual Summoned card is sent to the GY: You can add 1 Ritual Spell from your Deck to your hand, and if you do, send 1 "Vendread" monster from your Deck to the GY. You can only use this effect of "Revendread Slayer" once per turn. ———————————————— Can Be Found In: Code of the Duelist (COTD-EN082), OTS Tournament Pack (OP06-EN004)

Ritual Monsters gained a big list of improvements over the years, in part compensating the tough competition of Extra Deck strategies in most Decks. Ritual Summon requires a big investment of our Main Deck to not only obtain both a Ritual Monster and Spell, but also the enough materials to perform the summon. During the first years this was a very expensive investment unless working arround cheap monsters like "Relinquished", but as time passed Ritual Summon obtained several updates on their performance. From shortcuts on our Ritual Summons to additional effects in our Ritual Monsters, Ritual Summon took quite a while to achieve a variety of efficient builds.

"Revendread Slayer" is the lead monster of the Vendread archetype, a group of Zombies taking advantage of the Type's mechanics to Ritual Summon monsters like this one. "Slayer" has a simple effect activated during each battle against an opponent's monster, banishing a Zombie in our Graveyard for permanently gain 300 ATK. Since this will gradually make it stronger "Slayer" won't take long to be removed from the field, but if is sent to the Graveyard after being Ritual Summoned we can obtain a Ritual Spell from the Deck and dump a Vendread monster from the Deck in return. An in-battle effect and a backup plan once leaves the field might seem that "Slayer" is not that impressive compared to other Ritual Monsters, but once we apply the archetype's gimmicks it can become one of the most dangerous monsters out there.

Although Vendread has other Ritual Monsters to work with, "Slayer" will become the priority due some additional advantages it can obtain during the progress of a Duel. With "Vendread Nights" looking for "Slayer" and common Ritual tools like "Preparation of Rites" as well "Slayer" itself looking for Ritual Spells, it won't take long to have the key cards for the Ritual Summon. The non-Ritual monsters in the archetype have a diverse number of conditions to revive themselves, and combined with staple Zombie options like "Book of Life" and "Mezuki" we won't run out of materials to summon "Slayer". Not only that, but "Revendread Origin" allows us to use materials directly from our Graveyard, while "Revendread Evolution" does so with a Vendread in our Deck (Like a copy of "Slayer" paying the whole summon). "Evolution" it can become more valuable in late game, as with its ability to Ritual Summon "Slayer" from the Graveyard it can bring it back as we mill a Vendread in the process for further benefits. Don't worry is we banish too many monsters due the archetype's nature, as cards like "Vendread Anima" and "Vendread Reunion" among others will retrieve them to keep with our Ritual Summons.

"Slayer" is that kind of monster that we can't see its true potential until we apply the rest of the build to its performance. The ATK boost since is permanent can make "Slayer" a powerful attacker the longer it stays on the field, and with the protection from the Graveyard effect provided by "Revendread Origin" we can assure its safety against destructive sources. The non-Ritual monsters in the archetype not only can revive themselves but also grant additional effects to any monster Ritual Summoned by using them as materials, allowing "Slayer" to destroy cards each turn with "Vendread Houndhorde" and "Vendread Revenants", or improving its own performance thanks to "Vendread Core" and "Vendread Striges". Obviously these effects can apply to other Ritual Monsters that can make company to "Slayer", with "Vendread Battlelord" shutting down a card type during our turn or "Vendread Chimera" negating card or effect activations. However, a lone "Slayer" can still be a problem not only by the granted effects from our materials but also "Vendread Chimera", a Trap Card capable of clearing the whole board but "Slayer" itself. Keep on mind that its searching effect will trigger no matter how is sent to the Graveyard, so as long "Slayer" was Ritual Summoned it can give us a Ritual Spell no matter if was defeated or used as material for other summons.

Despite Vendread offering stronger Ritual Monsters to focus on, "Revendread Slayer" has some small yet noticeable benefits to make it the core card of the archetype. A low and solid Level to make its Ritual Summon steady from early to late game, the Vendread materials providing additional effects to work along its ATK boosts, and the Graveyard coverage provided by "Revendread Origin" and "Revendread Evolution" makes "Slayer" a sturdy monster that becomes more threatening as turns passes. "Slayer" is obviously a monster very dependant of other cards, starting with its Ritual Summon to the effects and Graveyard options to work along with. The latter is quite apparent as most of its efficiency comes from being Ritual Summoned, and although it can be revived by one of many options it will lost all its power including its ability to search for a Ritual Spell unless brought back by "Evolution". With more than enough support to work with, "Slayer" might not be the most impressive Ritual Monster on its own but can become one of the most dominant creatures in a Duel thanks to the many options involving it.

Personal Rating: A

+ In each battle against a monster it can banish a Zombie in the Graveyard to permanently gain 300 ATK + If Ritual Summoned and sent to the Graveyard it will search a Ritual Spell and mill a Vendread monster from our Deck + Greatly supported by its archetype in both performance and Ritual Summon from early to late game

Vendread Revenants ———————————————— If this card in your possession is destroyed by an opponent's card (by battle or card effect) and sent to your GY: You can Special Summon this card, but banish it when it leaves the field. A "Vendread" monster Ritual Summoned using this card on the field gains this effect. You can only use the preceding effect of "Vendread Revenants" once per turn. ● Once per turn (Quick Effect): You can target 1 Special Summoned monster your opponent controls; banish it. ———————————————— Can Be Found In: Code of the Duelist (COTD-EN083)

Ritual Decks gradually became easier and less severe when comes managing their resources, and the Vendread archetype is a great example of their current status. Taking advantage of Zombie support along its own, a Vendread Deck will constantly have materials available at any moment for one of their many Ritual Summons. From revival effects to even able to retrieve banished monsters, overall the archetype will almost always have a chance to Ritual Summon under any circumstances.

"Vendread Revenants" is one of the various candidates to become a material for the archetype's Ritual Summons, not only providing an additional effect to a Ritual Monster but also having a failsafe effect in case something goes wrong. If the opponent uses a destructive effect or attack to take down "Revenants", it will immediately revive itself in exchange of banishing itself once leaves the field. But the main objective of this monster is to be used as tribute for our  Ritual Summon(s), as will grant the Vendread Ritual Monster the ability to banish a Special Summoned monster from the opposite field each turn. Obviously a devastating effect given the fact that can be activated during any player turn, clearly making "Revenants" one of the most primordial materials to work arround the archetype's goals.

Combining the support of both its Type and archetype, "Revenants" shouldn't take too long to become available not only for our Ritual Summons but other setups we might need its assistance with. "Revenants" will arrive to our hand thanks to the effect of the Field Spell "Vendread Nights", which although requires discard a card to do so we can use a Zombie as cost (Including another copy of "Revenants") to be revived by one of the many options the Type provides. Another similar method is by "Vendread Charge", letting us trade a Zombie from our hand or field to summon "Revenants" from inside our Deck in return. Because all the options involving our Graveyard, alternatively we can mill "Revenants" by effects like "Revendread Evolution" to become accesible from that position. From "Book of Life" to "Mezuki", "Revenants" will barely rely on its own effect to come back from the Graveyard. Finally, no matter if is banished by its revival effect or other sources the opponent or the archetype uses we have nothing to worry about, as many cards like "Vendread Anima" and "Vendread Revolution" will retrieve it in one way or another.

"Revenants" overall leads part of the archetype due how devastating the banishing effect provided to the Ritual Monsters can become, becoming the main material for most of their setups. With the mentioned revival effects as well cards like "Revendread Origin" letting us use materials from the Graveyard and "Vendread Reunion" using banished monsters instead, the chances to Ritual Summon with "Revenants" are quite assured. We can add also the fact other Vendread monsters will also provide other effects to the point we can stack them together in a single Ritual Monster, like "Vendread Core" providing some immunity or "Vendread Houndhorde" letting us destroy backrow cards. But clearly the removal effect of "Revenants" is the most valuable among them, letting us get rid of potential threats during any turn as well bypassing some protective and/or recovery effects by banishing the target. From making basic Ritual Monsters like "Revendread Slayer" even more powerful to leading with already powerful creatures like "Vendread Battlelord", "Revenants" overall becomes a core part of the Deck's whole strategy. However, due the many methods we can bring out "Revenants" from virtually anywhere, don't hesitate on using him as material for non-Ritual Monsters like "Advendread Savior" or "Dragonecro Nethersoul Dragon".

While the self-revival effect has its uses in some dangerous scenarios, "Vendread Revenants" is all about providing its removal effect to our Ritual Monsters so they can lead Duels as banishes monsters each turn. Despite only affecting Special Summons, due the popularity of such in recent years makes "Revenants" one of the most valuable materials a Deck can depend on. Combined with many options from early to late game to the point that can be recovered after being banished, "Revenants" becomes an always accesible material ready for our Ritual Summons. With some archetype builds only requiring its assistance along vital Zombie and Vendread options, "Revenants" clearly becomes a staple choice on its role as material.

Personal Rating: A+

+ Immediately revives itself if destroyed by the opponent + A Vendread Ritual Monster brought with this monster as material will be able to banish Special Summoned monsters during any turn + Greatly supported from early to late game

Revendread Origin ———————————————— This card can be used to Ritual Summon any "Vendread" Ritual Monster from your hand or GY. You must also Tribute monsters from your hand or field, and/or banish Zombie monsters from your GY, whose total Levels equal or exceed the Level of the Ritual Monster you Ritual Summon. If "Revendread Slayer(s)" you control would be destroyed by battle or card effect, you can banish this card from your GY instead. ———————————————— Can Be Found In: Code of the Duelist (COTD-EN084)

Vendread is an archetype which takes full advantage of the gamestyle of Zombie monsters to ease their Ritual Summons considerably. While taking the same approach of the Type to fuel the Graveyard and revive their members, Vendreads probably have some of the most accesible setups arround Ritual Monsters out there. Not only that, but most of their members will provide additional abilities to our Ritual Monsters when used as materials, not only becoming cheap setups but also powerful creatures by little to no effort.

"Revendread Origin" will be the main tool for the biggest plays arround these creatures, yet able to keep some abilities to interact arround one of their key members. Obviously is a Spell Card made towards Ritual Summon, but with the liberty to completely take advantage of our Graveyard by either summoning a Ritual Monster from there and/or banishing Zombie materials. Clearly the staple card of the entire archetype and combined with the playstyle of Vendreads, soon enough we will obtain cheap Ritual Summons as well able to revive their Ritual Monsters without any difficulties. Among those monsters there's "Revendread Slayer" which obtains a special place arround "Revendread Origin", as in case "Slayer" (Or several of it on the field) is about to be destroyed we can banish this Spell Card from our Graveyard to avoid the outcome. Clearly is more about the Graveyard setups "Origin" can interact with as can go from recycling materials to reviving Ritual Monsters, but with "Slayer" getting some coverage when on the lead is something to not ignore that easily.

Although the archetype is quite new and still lacking in some options, there's more than enough resources to prepare "Revendread Origin" and any materials needed. Starting games with the help of "Manju of the Ten Thousand Hands" and "Pre-Preparation of Rites", "Revendread Origin" will be immediately in our hand ready for its activation. However, since is so far the only Ritual Spell the archetype can work with, is recommended to add "Preparation of Rites" to our Deck so we can retrieve it from our Graveyard before is spent protecting "Revendread Slayer". When comes to materials and even the Ritual Monster we want to summon "Origin" shouldn't have any difficulties, as we can fuel our Graveyard with the help of effects like "Gozuki" or "Uni-Zombie" among others to obtain key monsters immediately. While "Origin" can use almost any Zombie as material, Vendreads will be the main priority in many matches as members like "Vendread Revenants" and "Vendread Houndhorde" will provide disruptive effects to our Ritual Monster. Otherwise, we can mix this archetype with Shiranui monsters as once we banish members like "Shiranui Spiritmaster" and "Shiranui Solitaire" we will obtain their abilities in the process. Finally, with only two Ritual Monsters to work so far in most cases "Revendread Slayer" will be the lead monster of the build, and even though "Origin" is able to provide protection against destructive sources "Slayer" can be defeated to not only be revived later on but also its effect to look for another "Revendread Origin" as well dump a Vendread from our Graveyard.

With the Graveyard fully available for the archetype's key setups, "Revendread Origin" is undoubtly the most important card in the whole build. Many supporting cards will mill our Deck with not only materials but also the Ritual Monster we want to summon, obtaining the bonus effects of Vendreads but also other Zombies like the Shiranui archetype, and with cards like "Preparation of Rites" and "Pre-Preparation of Rites" under our assistance will keep the only Ritual Spell in the build fully available from early to late game. Protecting "Revendread Slayer" is a little extra and might make the only Ritual Spell the archetype has go to waste as the Duel progresses, but with the many materials strengthening our Ritual Monster with their provided effects as well cards like "Vendread Reunion" taking over by using banished monsters as materials it might be worth the risk to keep a strong field against any danger. Clearly "Revendread Origin" is what moves the entire build, and with the cheap yet highly effective Ritual Summons that can perform will be what produces the best results arround Vendreads.

Personal Rating: A+

+ Full use of the Graveyard by banishing materials as well reviving a Vendread Ritual Monster + Can be banished from the Graveyard to protect "Revendread Slayer" and any other copies from destruction + Greatly supported by milling and searching effects + Cheap Ritual Summons in addition of bonus effects from Vendread and Shiranui materials