FinalPhase

Following the trend of how the Fifth Omni surpassed the Crimson Battlers, who overcame the Thunder Knights before them, one would guess that the baton should be passed on to the Sun Dragons. Players gripped with anticipation, waiting for someone to top with the Sun Dragons. As if responding to these wishes, 'Sorter' (pseudonym) proved their worth at Card World Akiba's shop tournament - bringing the protagonist's deck to greater heights.

08/04/16 Card World Akiba Shop Tournament
First Place: 'Sorter'
Flag: Dragon World
Buddy Monster: Heat Dragon Jr.
Size 0: 4
x4 Heat Dragon Jr.
Size 1: 6
x4 Flarefang Dragon
x2 Mera Blade Dragon
Size 2: 8
x4 Flamewing Dragon
x4 Sun Dragon, Bal Dragon
Size 3: 4
x4 Scorching Cavalry Dragon, Second Helios
Spells: 16
x4 Sun Dragon Shield
x4 Green Dragon Shield
x4 Blue Dragon Shield
x4 Dragobond
Items: 8
x4 Sun Sword, Daylight
x2 Sun Fist, Balknuckle
x1 Sun Fist, Burning Sun
x1 Sun Fist, Rising Knuckle
Impacts/Impact Monsters: 4
x4 4 Bal Dragon, "Bal Burst Smasher!!"

The structure of Sorter's deck is extremely linear, with multiple four of's and absence of tech choices. However, when a deck is this streamlined, it is also consistent.

Perhaps the highlight of the entire deck lies in his spell lineup. Sorter’s ‘triple Gao formation’ is backed by a reliable slew of twelve dragon shields, including the latest Sun Dragon Shield. The new shield grants perks from both Green and Blue, and even has a built-in immunity to nullification. While the card is extremely efficient, it is heavily reliant on having Sun Dragons on the field.

Thus, it becomes a necessity to maintain field presence in order to cast Sun Dragon Shield. However, destruction abilities are rampant post-D-BT01, with the surge in Black Dragon and Asmodai decks. These abilities distrupt the field and prevent the use of Sun Dragon Shield. To make things worse, the size 2 Sun Dragons are not armed with Soulguard, a stark contrast to the Fifth Omni Drums which boast topdeck Soulguard. Sorter rectifies this with four copies of Dragobond, an old yet relevant spell, keeping the vulnerable Sun Dragons alive.

Sorter's item choices are arguably bizzare. Sporter mains the vanilla weapon, Daylight, which sports 3000 power and 2 critical, unbefitting of the aggressive theme brought out by the Bal impact monster. It is possible that the use of Daylight is not brought by choice, but by necessity. After all, the higher quality Sun Dragon weapons are concentrated in D-BT01, and the set is still fresh - leaving most unable to complete their decks.

(Source: Card World Akiba's Twitter)

The first set in the Buddyfight Triple D series, D-BT01, was released in Japanese on the first of April. Yesterday, Card Kingdom Akihabara held the Aso Buddy Cup (ABC), a series of official Buddyfight shop tournaments sanctioned by Bushiroad. The tournament saw a turnout of 30, and it gave some insight on the metagame post-DBT01.

The champion was Takanashi, who piloted a Magic World ‘Asmodai’ deck. The deck incorporated several D-BT01 cards, namely, Lie-Spitting Shux, Hot-blooded Demon King Teacher, Asmodai, Emergency Treatment, Neverland and Magical Book, Theurgy.

03/04/16 Card Kingdom Akihabara Aso Buddy Cup (Turnout 30)
First Place: Takanashi

Flag: Magic World

Buddy Monster: Art of Body Duplication! Asmodai
Size 0: 5
x3 Boy Transformation! Asmodai
x2 Demon Musician, Amdukias
Size 1: 14
x4 Art of Body Duplication! Asmodai
x3 Lie-Spitting Shux
x3 Hot-blooded Demon King Teacher, Asmodai
x2 Let’s Play! Asmodai
x2 Street Racer, Eligos
Size 2: 5
x4 Dance! Asmodai
x1 Third Omni Water Lord, Miserea
Size 3: 2
x2 Champion Wrestler Asmodai
Spells: 13
x4 Nice One!
x4 Hardcore of Mind
x4 Magical Goodbye
x3 Solomon’s Shield
x2 Emergency Treatment, Neverland
x2 Never Say Never
x1 BAR King Solomon
Items: 2
x2 Magical Book, Theurgy
Impacts/Impact Monsters: 2
x2 Gatling Hardcore!!

The control deck used the Asmodai utility engine as its core. With Body Duplication Asmodai acting as an all-purpose toolbox, Takanashi had easy access to card draw, life gain, item break and monster removal.

The main focus of the deck, however, was Gatling Hardcore. The deck aimed to keep a closed-center, triple-monster formation at all times, thus maximizing the damage output of Gatling Hardcore. 72 Pillars set spells and items also count towards the ability of Gatling Hardcore, so Emergency Treatment, Neverland, BAR King Solomon, and Magical Book, Theurgy all help to increase the impact card’s damage.

Complementing the theme of 72 Pillars field swarm, Teacher Asmodai, Hardcore of Mind and Lie-Spitting Shux added much-needed value to keep the deck running. Magical Book, Theurgy’s monster defense reduction ability helped the deck’s monsters to reach better numbers during attacks. This was especially important against deck types where monster removal was ineffective, i.e. Jackknife Aster and Arc-En-Ciel.

The peculiar tech choice of Third Omni Water Lord, Miserea may have been attributed to the recent dominance of Jackknife Aster decks, since Miserea can clear two Aster souls in one fell swoop. Of course, there is also a possibility that Takanashi had simply wanted an efficient attacker in the ranks of his size 2s.

(Source: Card Kingdom Akihabara's Twitter)

With the recent increase in showing of Star Dragon World, including strong placings in the Chicago and Jakarta Springfests, now is perhaps the most apt timing to discuss about Star Dragon World's performance in the metagame.

Introduction
The debut of Star Dragon World in HTD03: Dragonic Star saw most players flock toward the Drawing Trinity, namely Brun Deus, Akison, Azul, Tesslamagna and Vert Deus, Matrix.

Pros:
- One of the best draw engines in the game
- Not all 3 components needed to produce draw
- Solid stats for all 3 monsters
- Gauge-less call cost

Cons:
- Inconsistent 3 card combo
- No game ending pressure
- No immediate access to newly drawn cards
- No Soulguard
- Proto Barrier and Earth Barrier usually unable to protect draw engine

As soon as Fifth Omni began to dominate, it was clear that the Trinity's days were numbered. With no direct protection to destruction effects, it was impossible to answer Fifth Omni Dragon Lord, Drum as well as other popular cards, such as Death Grip and Purgatory Knights Leader, Demios Sword "Inferno".

However, with the release of Speed of Light, Tri Elements the deck does stand somewhat of a fighting chance with new game ending pressure or use as a simple set up tool.

The primary attacker of the deck is usually Star Guardian, Jackknife, but with the high density of the trio as well as defensive spells to protect them, the probability of hitting everything at the right timing is too inconsistent.

Overall, the viability of deck in the current game is much lower than it was previously, though not to say it cannot win; and consistently drawing cards under your opponent's nose is always a fun thing to do. A solid pick for any budget player, not so much for a competitive one.

From off-meta to meta
The face of Star Dragon World is undoubtedly Star Guardian, Jackknife.

Needless to say, there have been many new supports introduced to supplement the shiny dragon. We will only be going through what we feel are the top 2 builds, namely Jackknife Aster and Jackknife Big Bang. And the reason; or reasons we put these on the top of our list, are these little guys.

Star Guardian, Jackknife "SD" is probably the most versatile card in the whole of Star Dragon World, allowing you access to any of your Size 2 Neodragons, this card is probably the most annoying thing to see after committing multiple attacks to clear a single Size 2 Neodragon. You'll probably think to yourself "Not this shit again".

V Gradation, Quantum Ruler represents both tempo and consistency, with gauge acceleration and card draw available at one's fingertips. Having a solid attack stat of 4000, this card can answer most opposing Size 1s after generating a one turn advantage. Quantum Ruler brings much needed steroid in a deck so focused on spending gauge.

1. Jackknife Aster

At 6000/3/6000, Aster is probably the most efficient wall in the game. Protection vs Destruction effects are a huge deal in a meta rampant with Fifth Omni and Purgatory Knights, with sprinkles of Black Dragon. You are going to have to hit through this guy's soul, and players of the deck aren't going to make it easy.

Pros:
- Good stats on Size 2s
- High efficiency of cards
- Versatility provided by Dragonarms
- High draw density
- Weapon and destruction protection
Cons:
- Almost impossible to win without access to Jackknife or Radiant Guardian, Jackknife "Aster"
- Specific Dragonarms needed for specific situations
- Move ability reliant on item
- Reliant on Soulguard

The deck's main tech lines come from its versitilty in Dragonarms, with several of them there solely for specific matchups. Aster is able to convert any of these into a meat shield that can cement this tank onto the board for longer, allowing players to entirely freestyle their line of Dragonarms.

Being a Size 0, oversize on board is never an issue when attempting to Crossnize Dragonarms, Garbel Anchor. Being able to finish the game, or simply break an opponent's tempo, Garbel Anchor is one of those cards that can outright win you the game.

Dragonarms, Radiant Alma providing Double Attack on a body like Aster is no joke, and also punishes the opponent for being overly aggressive in trying to get damage in while the Aster wall is still building.

One of the larger issues with Jackknife Aster is no direct access to weapon destruction. Dragonarms, Sonic Blast provides this added option, as well as being able to target down Set spells or just annoying monsters in general.

Dragonarms, The Main Force makes the hard to kill Aster virtually immortal, as long as you have the gauge to pay. Pair this with Dragonarms, Slowing and the steady stream of gauge will keep your Aster tough as nails.

One of the greatest assests to removing annoying monsters, Dragonarms, Artiliger serves as both Aster's sword and kryptonite. Pay close attention to this card why playing vs other Star Dragon World decks.

Going back to Jackknife "SD", the decks constant theme of tanking is extremely reliant on our midget, capable of producing wall after wall, which can also be adapted depending on the situation. Don't be afraid to oversize a Size 2 with "SD" just to gain access to a specific Dragonarm, or simply have Aster's weapon protection ability.

While this deck might seem simple enough to play; understanding of matchups, adaptation and willingness to lose big and win bigger are crucial to pilot this deck to perfection. And let's not forget the cost of Aster, probably over the top for the casual's wallet, but definitely should be a consideration for competitive players.

2. Jackknife Big Bang

The Genesic, Omega Big Bang typically replaces Jackknife Aster in this variant of Star Dragon World.

Pros:
-Access to high utility destruction
-Potential for multiple uses in a single turn for tempo disruption
-Soul as part of Call Cost
-Naturally diverts attention to Big Bang
-Does not require a monster to be its soul upon Call Cost
Cons:
-Susceptible to Penetrate effects
-Generally higher count of Dragonarms needed in order to be effective, resulting in weaker draw density
-Unable to move with Radiant Saber, Providence

At the cost of losing Aster's protective abilities, Omega Big Bang provides high utility by being able to target down important cards on the opponent's field. This consistent access to weapon and Set spell breaks comes extremely useful, especially when it comes to the fabled Fifth Omni matchup.

Because Omega Big Bang requires a Dragonarms to activate its destruction effect, the deck tends to run a higher count of Dragonarms than the normal Jackknife deck. This leads to both added utility as well as a shortage of attackers. Do take note that this largely affects the draw density of the deck as well. Top decking is not one of Jackknife Big Bang strengths.

Space Cemetery, Star Remnant plays an important part of this deck's strategy. Because of Omega Big Bang's inability to move without the required Dragonarms, the ideal formation would be for it to function as a Soulguard meat shield in the center, meaning to say it might have to be constantly replaced. With Jackknife "SD" and Star Remnant, Omega Big Bang is able to come back constantly, each time bringing with it a destruction effect. Coupled with Quantum Ruler, this helps bring some relief to the headache that is gauge management for a deck that wants to call Omega Big Bang so often.

Even with Omega Big Bang, the deck still has problems closing out games, to which they turn to the star of Star Dragon World, Jackknife. The deck's larger count of Dragonarms helps immensely to fully utilize Jackknife, though it may not be as protected as Aster. Synergy with "SD", Quantum Ruler, Providence and Star Remnant also allows a smooth transition from utility to offense, allowing this deck to be one of the best adaptors within the game.

The deck is one of the more demanding ones in the game, as making the transitions to and from offense and utility at the wrong timings can prove to be extremely punishing. One cannot be overly committed in either aspect, meaning to say one's assessment of the game is of utmost importance. Relatively affordable to build, players should still shy away from this variant if they lack experience in well thought-out decision making.

In Closing

While Jackknife Aster is starting to creep over the metagame, it is worth noting that the player pool is not very large. This can be largely attributed to Jackknife Aster's Secret rarity, which either makes the deck very pricey to build or very difficult to assemble.

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