Random rantings

Few things that crossed my mind:

1.
I think I am getting addicted to striding aurageyser dragon. combined with claret fetching a swordbreaker and putting it behind serva, and retiring david to aurageyser, gives you some of the most insane and best feel of hand size boost ever (think only 3 Peace with multiple Darling can compare). Specially if you get to stride first, puts you so far ahead at times, even with crappy hand, that you are set for the next 1-2 turns. Hell there are times I even consider striding it twice depending on opponents (against big final turns like Bad End Ogre, or retire clans and LJ) over doomed. Never regretted buying and keeping 4, specially when it was still $12.

2.
RP getting way too much support. Granted most are for either Altmile and Alfred, we still have the insane altmile stride, and I think good JK are printed because we might see something happen to Swordmy. Benon is a pretty strong early play for 1 CB, i can easily see it being tech in in budget royal lists along with Mirron. Alfred is basically RP's version of Ezel; screwing LJ like its nothing. but since most of Alfred's support ties to a grade 3, at least if this craze catches on we'll see a lot less of the "grade stuck at 2 and swordmy you to death". Bushi must have been smoking weed again...

3.
Think deletor will be pretty consistent after the comic booster. Now with ample ways to countercharge, and getting pluses off Alba and Elro, a potential unflip trigger, and a new alternate win in Eigorg (ain't easy), but at least opponent can't do shit against it cause if they refuse to fill the drop zone by guarding, they are gonna die to delete. And best thing none of this give a lick whether opponent is grade 3 or not, which gives deletor a strong identity of aggression over say Messiah.

4.
Aqua force support is arriving. Ripple support kind of makes me fearful if they print more grade 1 and grade 2 support, but the legion is in the right direction. Definitely brace for a new maelstrom (likely a breakride or more effects pre LB4 version), thavas stride will also likely be a big middle finger to tidal bore 3-4. Hell we likely see 1 tidal bore, 1 socrates, 4 lambros, and maybe 2 thavas. Hopefully it would help if they can gain a little more field for less, but that might be asking for too much.

5.
Rush period is finally over, and it has slowed down significantly enough for me to start writing on a consistent basis (hopefully). No promises.

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.