Win Target Duel

Galaxy Cyclone ———————————————— Target 1 Set Spell/Trap Card on the field; destroy it. During your Main Phase, except the turn this card was sent to the Graveyard: You can banish this card from your Graveyard, then target 1 face-up Spell/Trap Card on the field; destroy it. You can only use this effect of “Galaxy Cyclone” once per turn. ———————————————— Can Be Found In: Crossed Souls (CROS-EN062)

Both Spells and Traps have always been quite fragile due the massive number of effects against them. While the majority of Decks  must work with them to assure results, is not always wise to completely rely on them. This goes for both players, as a heavy setup of Spells and Traps can be easily disrupted by dealing with the right target, resulting in our field crumbling completely or creating an opening through the opponent’s game. And even if you try to play the minimum and Set or activate few cards, these aren’t less protected against the destructive effects against backrow residing most builds.

“Galaxy Cyclone” might be one of the most limited effects against Spells and Trap cards, but can create a powerful outcome without any effort resulting in a severe card advantage. On its activation, “Galaxy Cyclone” will target and destroy a Set Spell or Trap on the field, overall effective enough to deal against any possible surprises. What made “Galaxy Cyclone” so popular lately is having a recyclable use in the Graveyard, banishing itself to instead destroy any face-up Spell or Trap (Can’t be used the same turn is send to the Graveyard). In short, while cards like the classic “Mystical Space Typhoon” can only deal with one target at a time, “Galaxy Cyclone” alone is more than ready to deal with heavy backrows at cost of a single card that is itself.

There’s no much thinking arround how to use “Galaxy Cyclone”. If is in our hand, it will clear the opponent’s field by dealing with Set cards. However, be aware that the opponent might still be able to chain our targets in response, so be prepared against any situation. As turn passes, “Galaxy Cyclone” in the Graveyard will start dealing with any active Spells and Traps difficulting our game or powering up the opponent’s. This can go from getting rid of Field Spells and Pendulum Monsters, to Continuous Traps being activated during our turn. Since “Galaxy Cyclone” has an effect in the Graveyard it can be easily disposed and still have a good use in future turns, so archetypes like Lightsworn and Infernoid can fuel the Graveyard and able to obtain a “Galaxy Cyclone” ready against any face-up targets. Just remember that “Galaxy Cyclone” Graveyard effect can’t be used the same turn is sent there, so we’ll have to hold up against the opponent until our next turn arrives.

A single card able to get rid of two targets is highly valuable, and thus made “Galaxy Cyclone” a solid choice for several Decks. Set Spells and Traps are always out there so even if feels restricted “Galaxy Cyclone” will have a target to get rid of, and with the addition of Pendulum Monsters its Graveyard effect won’t be as situational as might seem. However “Galaxy Cyclone” is not default a staple option overall, as is probably one of the slowest removal effects out there as can be predicted and chained against its abilities. That includes its restricted options, as in some cases face-up Spells and Traps might be more of a threat than Sets and other situations will be the opposite. The overall conclusion is that “Galaxy Cyclone” is a valuable option to disrupt backrows with, but be aware of its several limitations when dealing with Spells and Traps.

Personal Rating: A-

+ Destroys a Set Spell or Trap for later use a Graveyard effect to destroy a Face-Up Spell or Trap + Overall card advantage as we spend a single card to deal with two potential targets + Can fit milling strategies due its Graveyard effect

Wild Nature’s Release

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Target 1 Beast or Beast-Warrior-Type monster; it gains ATK equal to its current DEF until the End Phase. During the End Phase, destroy it.

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Can Be Found In:  Dark Revelation Volume 2 (DR2-EN033), Champion Pack: Game Three (CP03-EN017), Invasion of Chaos (IOC-EN033), Onslaught of the Fire Kings Structure Deck (SDOK-EN026)

Both Beast and Beast-Warrior monsters were pretty similar back in the day. Both focused considerably in offensive with high ATK, low Level creatures to keep the pressure from the start of the Duel. However as time passed both Types started having more noticeable differences. Beast-Warrior kept the offense strategy for its own, specially with support from the Fire First archetype and Extra Deck options amplifying their overall resources. And while Beasts still carries some powerful creatures, they obtained several options to pull out swarming setups for fast Xyz or Synchro summons.

"Wild Nature’s Release" is one of the many cards which is shared with both Beast and Beast-Warrior monsters. By targeting one monster of this Type, the creature will increase its ATK equal to its DEF. There’s a catch however, as once the turn ends "Wild Nature’s Release" will destroy the boosted creature.  The card is a much weaker version of the Machine staple "Limiter Removal", but although its boost is not even comparable just targeting a single creature makes the risks of this Spell’s drawback effect much lower.

The results of “Wild Nature’s Release” highly depends of what monster gets targeted. DEF of quite offensive monsters is usually pretty low, so we better check for creatures with a minimum of 1000 DEF to obtain considerable results. Candidates such as “Exarion Universe”, “Super-Nimble Mega Hamster”, or a tributeless “Beast King Barbaros” among others will reach ATK high enough to defeat several threats on their own. Obviously boss monsters of our build might be able to defeat the opponent on their own, with examples such as “Thor, Lord of the Aesir” becoming 6300 ATK, “Green Baboon, Defender of the Forest” reaching 4400 ATK, or even “Master of Oz” being a terrifying 7900 ATK. If the opponent is playing quite defensive, a mere “Enraged Battle Ox” will make whoever is affected by “Wild Nature’s Release” (Can be itself) able to deal piercing damage. Otherwise, you can simply play arround small creatures and use the Spell Card just to obtain boost enough to defeat any dangerous enemy.

Although “Wild Nature’s Release” will destroy the target during the End Phase, there’s many options to go arround it or even get benefits. A simple method is “Beast Soul Swap”, able to replace a Beast with another from the hand or even simply resummon it. Crystal Beast members like “Crystal Beast Amber Mammoth” and “Crystal Beast Sapphire Pegasus” not only reaches 3000 ATK thanks to the Spell, but when destroyed they will go to the backrow to fuel many of the archetype cards. Gladiator Beasts on the other hand can easily ignore the drawback of “Wild Nature’s Release”, since once they attack they will return to the Deck to be replaced right after the Battle Phase. If the destruction of the target cannot be avoided, big creatures such as “Green Baboon, Defender of the Forest” (Only if the monster is Beast) and the Meklord Emperors will easily take their place.

"Wild Nature’s Release" is a pretty interesting card to have arround. If played correctly, most targets will turn into 3000 ATK and above which will be enough to defeat any creature or even finish off the opponent. However its main flaw is not that destroys the target in the End Phase, but the fact the build has to go arround this Spell to obtain the best from it. Due combines both ATK and DEF we have to work arround certain monsters to assure that "Wild Nature’s Release" has the perfect target during any occasion, as otherwise the boost will be pitiful. Because requires pretty much its own Deck, some players might prefer alternatives like certain Equip Spells or "Solidarity" instead. "Wild Nature’s Release" is solid, but we have to do some research of which Beast and Beast-Warriors can benefit from it first.

Personal Rating: B

+ Combines both ATK and DEF of a target

+ Several monsters will become 3000 ATK minimum

+ Easy to go arround its negative effect or even get benefits

- Pretty much requires a whole deck arround it

- Will destroy the target during the End Phase

"When a Winged Beast-Type monster you control is destroyed by battle and sent to the Graveyard: Special Summon 2 "Blackwing - Black Crest Tokens" (Winged Beast-Type/DARK/Level 2/ATK 0/DEF 800)."

Gagaga Sister

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When this card is Normal Summoned: You can add 1 “Gagaga” Spell/Trap Card from your Deck to your hand. You can target 1 other “Gagaga” monster you control; the Levels of that monster and this card become the combined current Levels of those 2 monsters, until the end of this turn. You can only use this effect of “Gagaga Sister” once per turn.

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Can Be Found In: Primal Origin (PRIO-JP081)

Gagaga is an archetype completely open to any kind of Xyz setups. Their members although lacking stats are able to manipulate their own Levels in combination with many summoning tools for obtain any Xyz summon of our choice, making their Extra Deck much more expanded in options compared to other builds. Started with “Gagaga Magician”, right now the archetype carries a selective number of members and options to summon the right Xyz for the right situation.

"Gagaga Sister" is treated as a must staple card for the Gagaga strategy thanks to her two effects. If normal summoned, "Sister" will search a Gagaga spell or trap from our Deck, practivally either improving our performance to setup the field ready for our Extra Deck or prepare some backup. Although Level 2 "Gagaga Sister" second effect targets another member so both combine their levels, therefore able to get high level Xyz monsters with the majority of Gagaga creatures without no much more assistance. So in short, "Gagaga Sister" works as a toolbox creature with her searching effect as well Xyz or even Synchro setup after landing on the field.

"Gagaga Sister" is preferable to be normal summoned for get a Gagaga spell or trap in return, so in most situations either we have her right on the opening hand or we look for her by cards like "Onomatopaira". However if we ignore her normal summon effect, "Gagaga Sister" obtains massive number of options to be brought on the field. Right from the archetype itself, "Gagaga Academy Emergency Network" and "Onomatopia" are able to summon "Sister" right from the deck. If "Sister" is in the graveyard, the spells "Gagagarevenge" and "Gagagaback" will revive her right when the field is ready to use her leveling effect. Obviously in an archetype mostly arround Spellcasters they are able to obtain tools from the Type, going from "Apprentice Magician" or "Magician’s Circle" summoning "Sister" from the deck to others like "Magical Undertaker", "Magical Exemplar", or "Dark Renewal" for revive her back from the graveyard.

Despite her several methods to be brought on the field, unless in the graveyard “Gagaga Sister” will simply be normal summoned for get one of the many Gagaga tools ready to assist them. The previously mentioned “Gagaga Academy Emergency Network”, “Gagagarevenge”, and “Gagagaback” not only are for “Sister” but also the rest of members we might need to gather for a Xyz setup. “Gagagawind” is able to special summon members from the hand with a increased level, perfect if we want to quickly setup a high Rank summoning on early turns of the game. As more Gagaga monster accumulates in the graveyards, in late turns we can look for “Gagagadraw” so can banish creatures to obtain extra cards in our hand. Despite a Xyz archetype Gagaga themselves can go to the offensive, with “Gagagatag” able to provide an inmense boost and “Gagagabolt” able to destroy threats before performing a Xyz summon. And same goes for the defense department, with “Gagagaguard” and “Gagagashield” able to protect them from opponent actions, and “Gagagarush” negating a monster effect as well a destructive outcome along burn damage.

If another Gagaga is already on the field, pretty much we are ready for perform a high Rank Xyz summon. Usually is preferably to do it with “Gagaga Magician”, is is able to manipulate his own level to the point we can get Rank 10 creatures thanks to “Sister”. “Gagaga Caesar” does a similar job, but is also able to increase the level of “Sister” and other members so we can use them for heavier Xyz summons. Monsters like “Gagaga Child”, “Gagaga Clerk”, and “Gagaga Gardna” are able to special summon themselves by many conditions, able to arrive on the field before or after “Sister”. Last but not least, “Gagaga Girl” can be used for a Rank 5 Xyz for then weaken an enemy special summon to 0 ATK, truly devastating if we summon “Number 33: Chronomaly Machu Mech” due its unique burning and boost effects able to create a OTK as a result.

Keep on mind that “Sister” abilities can be used for other setups besides Xyz summon. As mentioned, “Sister” increasing level along other members (Except “Gagaga Magician”) can work together with Synchro summons, choosing from many Tuner options to work arround our strategy. In an archetype dominated by Spellcasters is even possible to meet the conditions of “Sorcerer of Dark Magic”, which combined with “Secret Village of the Spellcasters” can complete shutdown the opponent’s field. Spellbooks can also get on the mix of the Gagaga archetype, with “Spellbook Star Hall” able to search “Sister” and others along “Spellbook of Life” able to revive her with an already increased level.

"Gagaga Sister" is practically the core of the Gagaga strategy to the point is unfair she hasn’t come out in the TCG yet. Her normal summon allows us from getting "Gagagabolt" for destroy targets before performing a Xyz summon to looking some tools for keep the momentum on future turns. Her level effect doesn’t need any setup beforehand compared to other members, letting us obtain powerful creatures right from the start of the likes of "Number 11: Big Eye" and  "Superdreadnought Rail Cannon Gustav Max" thanks to "Gagaga Academy Emergency Network" summoning "Gagaga Magician" straight from the deck, or "Number 33: Chronomaly Machu Mech" with its OTK potential using "Gagaga Girl". Searcher and a Xyz setup (Even Synchro) creature, "Gagaga Sister" is a must for an archetype which only firepower comes from their diverse Extra Deck.

Personal Rating: A+

+ Searching effect of spells and traps for any situation

+ Able to setup Xyz summons of any Rank with the right Gagaga

+ Very powerful sinergy together with “Gagaga Girl” and “Number 33: Chronomaly Machu Mech”

- Searching effect only available when normal summoned