Card review: Nebula Dragon, Big Crunch Dragon

This is the new stride for LJ, and it has strong control elements to further support their control strategies.

http://cardfight.wikia.com/wiki/Nebula_Dragon,_Big_Crunch_Dragon

So let me first get the obvious out of the way. This will usually be your second stride to omega lock an entire column, granting similar control as route flare dragon. Unlike route, it deny them the ability to use an entire column for 2 whole turns, which will buy you 10-15k shields each turn for 2 turns, particularly so if you lock dangerous rearguards like sazanda.

The cost for activation is very similar for most GB2 strides, and can only be used only twice at most. Fortunately it is only a low cost of 1 CB, making it quite easy for many LJ decks to weave this in addition to their other locking tactics. Omega lock 2 units for 2 turns at 1CB and a discard, tag in a 26K+ VG and triple drive check, and we got a pretty good deal.

The way the ability works helps you get around resist units, as long as there is another select able unit in that column. Problem do arise when your opponent scatter their units around and leaving only 1 RG in each column, making this effect not so tempting. But then you have duskblade, alter ego, judgement to pinpoint control, so there's still options if this isn't the right tool for the job.

Now the most obvious combo to use with this is hinted greatly in the VG G episode: Star-vader, dark zodiac. After you stride Crunchy, you can perform legion with zodiac in induce another turn worth of omega lock. That is a pretty low cost of maintaining 2 RG locked for 3 turns for only 2 CB; quite a steal even for legion era LJ, not factoring Zodiac's persona blast lock VG booster and another front row.

The less obvious combos would be using this to set up G3s that need locked units to function, due to the units still being locked next turn. Hafnium, Venom dancer, nebula lord give you some power plays along with this card, something LJ are usually in short supply of. In combination with the claw buddies, you can see some scary number on the turn you stride Crunchy. It also lets you conveniently search for Blaster Joker with Dilaton the next turn when you legion, either as future ride or fodder.

People also talked about using this in Glendios to start the board locking. In my opinion I will only see a pair the most being played. The omega locking is quite time sensitive, and the most I see being locked in one column and if you are striding, you are not making full use of Glendios and your reverse units cannot attack due to lord, hence only 1 column will be attacking. Also the units you have locked previously with Glendios will now unlock due to you not maintaining any previous omega locks. You will have to stride at least once before, making it 2 turns of not using Glendios effect. For better or for worse, we will see how it goes, but as of now I am not convinced its mandatory due to fruit loop existing.