#xx03

Victory Viper XX03 ———————————————— If this card destroys an opponent's monster by battle: Activate 1 of these effects. ● This card gains 400 ATK. ● Target 1 face-up Spell/Trap Card on the field; destroy that target. ● Special Summon 1 "Option Token". Its Type, Attribute, Level, ATK and DEF are always the same as this card, but it leaves the field if this card is no longer face-up on the field. ———————————————— Can Be Found In: Enemy of Justice (EOJ-EN011), Battle Pack 3: Monster League (BP03-E021), Dark Revelation Volume 4 (DR04-EN191)

Since the card game is owned by Konami, it wasn't long enough until we find cards based on some of their videogames. Series such as Mystical Ninja, Castlevania, and even obscure videogames like Getsu Fūma Den have at least one card representing them. However the series that got the better treatment is the Shoot'Em Up genre, with several spaceships leaded by Gradius monsters sharing the same strategy, as well the B.E.S. archetype representing the bosses of their most famous franchise of the bunch.

"Victory Viper XX03" is one of the main spaceships we control in the Gradius series, and tries to replicate the Option mechanic of its games. Each time "Vic Viper" destroys a monster in battle we are able to activate one of three effects: We increase its ATK by 400, we destroy a face-up Spell or Trap, or summon a Token replicating the stats of "Vic Viper" at the moment. "Vic Viper" might be low in stats, but once the first hit lands will start improving either itself with ATK boosts or improve the situation on our field with Tokens and removal. With many other Konami spaceships sharing a similar behavior, "Vic Viper" has gained a build of its own to have full advantage in battles.

Although doesn't have an archetype like its enemies B.E.S. does, "Vic Viper" has a lot of resources to be on the field on the right opportunity. Since most Konami spaceships share similar stats and a focus in battles, we can work along "Shining Angel" to bring it out during a Battle Phase of our choice. An alternative is to instead add it to our hand for later use, with "Cyber Repair Plant" and "Gear Gigant X" easily doing so or "Jade Knight" searching for "Vic Viper" after its own defeat. "Vic Viper" will not be less supported from the Graveyard, as "Falchionβ" will dump it from our Deck and/or revive it in the middle of a Battle Phase to keep the pressure. And while the main focus of these spaceships is to enter into battle, "Summoner Monk" in early gam and "Iron Call" later on can bring them out if we need materials for bigger summons at the moment.

"Vic Viper" has support of its own in the name of "Power Capsule" to shortcut its effects, but in most circumstances it won't be necessary thanks to the many methods to obtain powerful outcomes in battles. Nowadays is not hard to encounter way stronger enemies than "Vic Viper" itself, but is easily solved with the help of effects such as "Shrink" or "Darkworld Shackles" turning them weak enough to take down in battles. As easy we can weaken enemies the same is to strength "Vic Viper" outside its own effects, with "Solidarity" powering up our Machines altogether, and cards like "United We Stand" taking full advantage of the Tokens we will summon by not only "Vic Viper" but other spaceships such as "Lord British Space Fighter" and "Blue Thunder T-45". Creating Tokens at the right occassion can even lead to dealing lethal damage right from early game, as thanks to the powerful stat boosts from cards like "Limiter Removal" and "Honest" they will keep the high ATK even after their effects wear off on "Vic Viper" itself. Otherwise the Tokens will have plenty of other uses, like being materials of Synchro Summons or to work with an effect such as "Delta Tri".

"Victory Viper XX03" might need a small push upon arriving on the field, but the results that can achieve will lead to a powerful field advantage. With many stat changing effects outside of its own, in most circumstances "Vic Viper" will constantly summon Tokens replicating its increased stats to quickly corner the opponent. But while its ATK boost can be handy in early game and its Tokens will take the lead, its removal effect will have few uses other than countering certain strategies like arround Field Spells or Pendulum Monsters. With not only other spaceships sharing similar abilities but also several resources to always be on the lead in battles, "Vic Viper" shouldn't be underestimated due its low stats as can achieve absolute dominance even with the slightest stat boost in its favor.

Personal Rating: A-

+ ATK boost, removal effect, or creates Tokens after destroying a monster in battle + Highly supported in all sorts of departments along monsters with similar gamestyle + Its Tokens replicates stat boosts as well becoming materials to work with