Order And Disorder

                                (http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/Number_74:_Master_of_Blades)

Let’s talk about Number 74: Master of Blades. The OCG version of this card will most probably be in Collector’s Pack: Zexal Version which is due to be release in August (plenty of mixed feelings going around for this card.) Let’s start off with a general analysis into the card’s stats. Number 74 is a Rank 7 generic Exceed boasting a 2700 ATK and 2300 DEF body (Dragon Rulers and Mermail love.) Being an EARTH makes this card compatible with Redox’s Special Summoning effect similar to Mecha Phantom Beast Dracossack and Tempest’s relationship in Dragon Rulers. 2300 DEF makes it a reliable enough meat shield while 2700 ATK makes it a relevant beatstick which is bigger compared to Dracossack, Number 11: Big Eye, Tidal, and Tempest but smaller in comparison to Blaster, Crimson Blader, and Colossal Fighter. Not so important notice, 2700 ATK automatically includes this card into the OTK-relevant or stand alone category.

At first glance, Master of Blades is just another card with big stats. Going slightly deeper, being an Exceed Monster instead of a Synchro gives Dragon Rulers easier access to it compared to a similar card, Thought Ruler Archfiend (two daddy dragons and the job is done no Tuners involved.) So, what’s the point here? Mecha Phantom Beast Dracossack is obviously a better card in general. What changes will Number 74: Master of Blades bring into the most dominant strategy in the Meta right now? Well, let’s just say this card revolutionizes much more than what meets the eye. In my opinion, Master was created to bring more creativity in terms of tactics especially in the mirror match. That’s where its value lies assuming Dragons don’t die off after September banned list. Again, how and why?

Forbidden Chalice, Enemy Controller, and Book of Moon are a few popular tech choices in Dragons to fend off opposing Dragons. When it comes to hate techs, Compulsory Evacuation Device comes into everyone’s mind instantly. Number 74: Master of Blades allows you to bypass all those threats unlike Dracossack giving it significant amount of credit. Also, with this new addition into the Extra Deck ranks, players can now go into Master instead of airplane during Main Phase 2 or whatnot to prevent Big Eye from wrecking your board during your opponent’s turn. Having said that, this card is vulnerable to effects that does not target (Dark Hole, Book of Eclipse, Spellbook of Fate, and Jowgen’s effect are some examples.) Before I forget, Konami forgot to include the “Once per turn” clause into this card. Now that’s just fucked!

The common argument right now against this card is Crimson Blader. 2700 is big but as mentioned earlier there are even bigger aggressors. Now remember  Book of Moon and Chalice being popular tech cards right now in mirror matches? Crimson Blader will never cease from being a nightmare for Dragons and in common cases like that, Master of Blades works well with Forbidden Chalice and Book of Moon for combination douchebagery (I especially love how much synergy Blades have with these cards.) For example with Forbidden Chalice, common play would be you pumping Number 74 to 3000 ATK during Damage Step to run over Blader however by doing so you are leaving yourself vulnerable during Main Phase 2. An alternative trick can go like this, you choose to negate Chalice with Number 74’s effect and pop Crimson Blader breaking even (one-for-one) and survive further onslaught preventing your death. Now with Book of Moon, the obvious play would be minus one by changing Crimson Blader to Face-Down DEF position preventing it from killing Master of Blades and Blader’s effect to go off. OR you can target Number 74, negate BoM, and proceed to pop Crimson Blader through Master’s effect again going into a nice one-for-one. Those are some examples on how Number 74: Master of Blades can be useful in the mirror match. Listing down every usage and combination would be a pain but bottomline is Master of Blades adds in more value into already fearsome techs like the ones mentioned above. 

Master of Blades might not be as convincing as Dracossack when it stands alone but by combining it with other cards it is possible to pull off a variety of effective plays depending on the situation and your resources. This card also becomes another out to popular win-conditions like Colossal Deck Out and Armory Arm OTK when combined with cards like Forbidden Chalice and Book of Moon (or generally cards that targets a Face-Up monster.) Give your opponent cancer by requesting him or her to perform the Colossal Deck Out combo step by step, proceed to draw into more cards with Maxx “C”, when you had enough use Master’s effect to end your opponent’s misery. Sounds fun doesn’t it? That’s the case if you have both 74 and Dracossack on the field and your opponent attempts to screw with your airplane (you can still stop that combo if its only Master on the field and you have a card that targets.) I can understand if one would to question the effectiveness and consistency in establishing two-card combos. 

After writing all that, this card is indeed less useful in Prophecy match-ups. Spellbook of Fate does not target, Power+Starhall makes Kycoo a bitch, even Jowgen's destruction effect goes through Number 74. Not to mention how shitty it would be for this card to stare down Blue-Eyes White Dragon and Azure-Eyed Silver Dragon. The card still proves to be decent against lower tier strategies such as Fire Fist and Constellars. You can net plus ones if you pull out Master at the right time. Against Verz, I like the fact Master of Blades keeps Reptiless Vasuki at home and can potentially destroy Ophion and Imperial Iron Wall while being immune to Compulsory Evacuation Device assuming you get to summon it so it’s not all that bad. Overall, Number 74 looks to be a well-rounded custom card designed to counter Dragon Rulers. Some love for other decks that can utilize Rank 7 Exceeds. It changes a number of things believe it or not.  This card has “I am giving you a choice” written all over it and definitely isn’t something one can mindlessly play. Bring it out at the wrong time you’ll probably want to tear Master of Blades on the spot. At the very least, this shit ain’t stupid like Dracossack! That’s my take on Number 74. I hope you have enjoyed reading another wall of text. Thank you for dropping by!