Card of the Week 08/10/03 - Dark Magician (j. Black Magician)

Let's face it, Dark Magician to most duelists is a cool character on the television series, but here in the real world it has always been a bit...lackluster.  Out of respect for one of my best friends, I won't go into the finer points of why this card is less than desireable.

Just like Blue-Eyes, the Dark Magician has many combos that will soon be released that just may cause a Dark Magician or two to find its way back into a few decks.  In fact, the next American expansion, Magicians Force will contain many of Dark Magician's companion cards, such as Skilled Black Magician, which can allow a Dark Magician to be special summoned from a players hand, deck, or graveyard.

Current Rating: 2/5 Estimated Future Rating: 4/5

Just when you thought it was safe to play a monster in defence mode...(insert dramatic music here) I summon...Spear Dragon!

The great thing about this card is that it almost always does damage.  It's especially great when an opponent just finished attacking with their Goblin Attack Force (j. Goblin Strike Team) and you can hit them with the full brunt of 1900 ATK.

The main weakness of this card is that it goes to defence mode after attacking, which is especially painful if your opponent has another Spear Dragon themself.

This card is one of my personal favorites, and i think his strengths far out weigh his weaknesses.  Current Rating: 4/5  Estimated Future Rating:  4/5

The second I laid eyes on this ingenious little card, it struck me:  Jinzo+Raigeki=Free Attack.  This is one of those cards I would like to shake Kazuki Takahashi's hand for being responsible for creating.

Although it does have its weaknesses (especially magic), like every card does; in a beatdown deck this machine reigns supreme.  Add his ability to negate trap cards to the fact that 2400 ATK is nothing to scoff at and you've got yourself a potential game winner.  This is one card that will never see any binder time in my collection.

Current Rating: 5/5  Estimated Future Rating: 5/5

It's no surprise that my first card of the day entry (especially to those that know me) is the Blue-Eyes White Dragon.  Also ironic is the fact that Blue-Eyes was also the first Duel Monster to be introduced to what is now millions of Yu-Gi-Oh! fans. 

To this day Blue-Eyes is still number one statistically for any normal type monster.  However, the days when plopping this juggernaut onto the field and striking instant fear into your opponent's heart is unfortunately over.  In the current evironment, it just isn't worth the tribs to get this once invincible monster onto the field.  With equip cards such as United We Stand (j. Power of Teamwork) and Mage Power (j. Power of Magicians) at your disposal any monster can easily become as strong or greater than a Blue-Eyes. 

But don't count out his power just yet; future sets will reveal card combos that will breathe new life into our noble dragon.  Then maybe someday I'll be able to play the card I love and compete on tournament levels simultaneously.  Until then, ya look nice in my binder Blue-Eyes, right next to my Dark Magician. Current Rating:2/5  Estimated Future Rating: 4/5