6 replies to this topic

[MyBlackwingPlaylist]

Ohai. Today's card is a TCG-exclusive released in REDU. This card is the inappropriately named Advance Zone.

Quote

Continuous Spell
Once per turn, during the End Phase of any turn in which you Tribute Summoned a monster(s): You can apply these effects, depending on the number of monster you Tributed for Tribute Summons this turn.
* 1 or more: Destroy 1 Set card your opponent controls.
* 2 or more: Draw 1 card.
* 3 or more: Add 1 monster from your Graveyard to your hand.

So, I'm sure you're all thinking: Why's this card's name weird? Well, in the OCG (where this card is non-existent), they refer to Tribute Summons as Advance Summons, as of the 5D's-era. The TCG never received this change though (as well as the change from the term "Tribute" to "Release".), and that's why this card is named weird.

Alright, so, what can this card be used for? Tribute Summons, duh! Short and simple, Advance Zone can be fit into any deck that relies on Tribute Summoning, though they will have to sacrifice their access to the recurring Treeborn Frog fodder.

Speaking of Frogs, Frog Decks are excellent at creating field advantage (and Tribute fodder) using cards like Swap Frog and Ronintoadin. Thus, they're ideal for use with monsters like Thestalos the Firestorm Monarch and Obelisk the Tormentor, which need Tributes. Thus, you can summon monsters requiring 2+ tributes without breaking a sweat, and reaping the benefits of Advance Zone each turn.

If you were too lazy to look at the artwork, this card is also meant to be used in Steelswarms. It will allow them to get rid of potential threats and makes summoning Steelswarm Hercules much more rewarding. Still, losing access to Steelswarm Scout, their best Tribute fodder, really hurts their ability to summon in the first place.

Reaching a number of Tributes higher than 1 a turn is somewhat challenging, as you'll want to be getting as much from the card as possible. Using cards like Ultimate Offering are excellent in this case, allowing you to Tribute Summon several high Level monsters by tributing other high Levels. Monsters like the Monarchs will be able to get rid of opposing cards, and allow you to plus at the End Phase.

Better yet, you can "cheat" with Advance Zone and Ultimate Offering, allowing you to draw a card each turn, recycle your monsters, and keep pressure as well as advantage of the hand and field.

Arguably though, Advance Zone is very, very slow. Besides required you to wait until the End Phase, that is. The inability to Tribute Summon several times in a duel, let alone a turn, makes the card subject to deading.

So, is Advance Zone a great card? No, not really. It has a lot of limitations, and comes up short compared to its predecessors: Super Rejuvenation and Tribe and Tribulation.

Usability: 4/10, doesn't really do much necessary and hurts the user by forcing them to not run Treeborn or Scout.
Art: 7/10, the Duel Terminal reference is nigh.

[Cyberlancer]

Hieratics say hello

[Ritokure]

Cyberlancer, on 15 September 2012 - 04:45 AM, said:

Hieratics say hello

Hieratics are actually the worst deck possible to run this card in, 'cuz since you can Special Summon them by their effect, you'll never want to Tribute Summon. And this card's effect only cares for monsters Tribute Summoned, not monsters Tributed in general like Trials and Tribs.

Yeah, there are not many decks that can run this card. Frogs lose a consistency if they focus on Ronin for their Tribute Summons, except maybe Lancer Frogs. Steelswarms, however, have been looking for a reason to run less Scouts and start abusing Caller, Mantis and Infestation Ripples (remember, Scout blocks Special Summons), and this plus Seal of Ori might be it. Who knows, only time will tell. >.>
I like it, but there are really no solid decks that can use this. And even then, it's a dangerous card 'cuz it can turn into a dead draw very often. Interesting card, but sadly it's just not that good, at least not right now.


ADV: 6/10
ART: 7/10 (Wait, Roach? He's the only Steelswarm that wouldn't make sense adding to this card's art, why did they do this?! D:)

[Bedabest]

I can think of a few deck that could use this.

[TheLaughingMan-JDS]

You don't even mention Level Eater shenanigans. We just talked about that. >_>

[MyBlackwingPlaylist]

TheLaughingMan-JDS, on 15 September 2012 - 09:04 AM, said:

You don't even mention Level Eater shenanigans. We just talked about that. >_>

That goes under Ultimate Offering abuse! <.<

Actually, I didn't think of that. It was 3-ish when I was writing that, and yesterday was my sister's birthday, so I'd been out until 9:30. I pretty much typed that up and fell asleep xD

[warrain]

I'm looking at adding this to a number of my decks. Yeah I don't tribute summon often, but when I do, oh man.... Lol earthbound immortals, the Egyptian gods, wicked beasts, monarchs, even high level fairies after you already have a monster on the field (when you can't use Valhalla). And especially in the fairy deck this us another continuous spell, so Hammon could be tech'd in...

3/5 cause it is a nice card giving added bonus to something you'd do anyway. Sucks that you have to wait til the end phrase, and being a continuous spell makes it an inviting target.. (that's both a pro and a con fyi)