[Leaderboard] Alpakha vs Divine Dragon Sage

[Nathanael D. Striker]

Rules:

All Leaderboard rules apply.
First to 3 votes or most votes by April 22nd, 11:59PM PDT wins.
All voters must elaborate on their votes.
Both contestants and myself have the right to refuse votes, but must explain why we don't accept it.
Written cards are allowed. (Must be in written format, cards with blank pictures are not acceptable)
Card C Votes are allowed. 3 Card C votes result in a tie. If the deadline passes with Card C leading, then it's a tie.

Create a Level 4 or lower DARK monster with a Graveyard-centric effect..

Rewards:
The winner gets a rep from the loser.
All voters get a rep for voting.

Card A

If this card is sent from your hand to the Graveyard by a card effect, you can Special Summon 1 monster from either player's Graveyard. You cannot summon other monsters the turn you use this effect. If your opponent controls at least 2 more monsters than you do, you can discard this card form your hand

 

Card B

1 tuner + 1 or more non-tuner monster(s)
When this card is Special Summoned: You can target 1 Level/Rank 4 Synchro or Xyz Monster in your Graveyard, except "Great Old One Cthulhu"; Special Summon that target. Its effects are negated, and if the Special Summoned monster was an Xyz Monster, you can treat its Rank as its Level while face-up on the field. You can only activate the effect of "Great Old One Cthulhu" once per turn.

[KoolGoldfinch]

CARD A

Simply put, this card is a restrictive Monster Reborn in the form of a monster.  The reason that Monster Reborn was banned was because you could revive almost any monster with no cost.  I have always felt that Monster Reborn should be limited to 1 per Deck instead of banned, and this monster is a very good alternate.  Normally, having a Spell double as a monster would be OP, but as this monster has no ATK or DEF, it really only serves to use its effect.  It is also restrictive about how it can use its effect: being sent to the Graveyard by a card effect.  And just to make it usable, if you're losing to your opponent, you can just discard him to use his ability.  I think this is a balanced and well thought out card.

 

CARD B

This card is kind of bland.  It's a Level 4 Synchro which is rare and a little weird to see, but alright.  It's stats are great for a Level 4, but that's about all that's great.  It's effect is less than desirable.  There are very few Level 4 Synchros (that I am aware of, at least).  And why would you want to Special Summon one of these monsters only to have their effects negated?  This card just seems like a bland design and needs to be more well thought out.  I am unfamiliar with Cthulhu lore, but after a quick read on the internet, the reason for its strange effect still makes no sense to me.

 

My vote goes to Card A.

[Nathanael D. Striker]

CARD A

Simply put, this card is a restrictive Monster Reborn in the form of a monster.  The reason that Monster Reborn was banned was because you could revive almost any monster with no cost.  I have always felt that Monster Reborn should be limited to 1 per Deck instead of banned, and this monster is a very good alternate.  Normally, having a Spell double as a monster would be OP, but as this monster has no ATK or DEF, it really only serves to use its effect.  It is also restrictive about how it can use its effect: being sent to the Graveyard by a card effect.  And just to make it usable, if you're losing to your opponent, you can just discard him to use his ability.  I think this is a balanced and well thought out card.

 

CARD B

This card is kind of bland.  It's a Level 4 Synchro which is rare and a little weird to see, but alright.  It's stats are great for a Level 4, but that's about all that's great.  It's effect is less than desirable.  There are very few Level 4 Synchros (that I am aware of, at least).  And why would you want to Special Summon one of these monsters only to have their effects negated?  This card just seems like a bland design and needs to be more well thought out.  I am unfamiliar with Cthulhu lore, but after a quick read on the internet, the reason for its strange effect still makes no sense to me.

 

My vote goes to Card A.

 

I'd like to point out that Xyz Summoning does exist, more specifically, Xyz Summoning Rank 4 monsters. The effect is geared towards that, if I'm looking at it right. Also, there are notable Level 4 Synchros like Armory Arm and The Fabled Unicorn, so they are out there and are quite powerful given their difficulty. As for the Cthulhu lore, I can't help you there. Since I'm posting, I may as well cast a vote.

 

Card A is a restrictive Monster Reborn. Honestly, I don't like the "cannot Special Summon other monsters" clause. It feels unneeded tbh as a simple Level restriction could have sufficed. The option to discard it on your own accord is good as it punishes the opponent indirectly for overextending, but they situation could lead to them being able to take the change in events and this card is still a bit luck sacky. Also, it's useless unless you get rid of it from your hand by card effect so costs don't help you at all. That puts it in Dark World territory, and we know how they are. Overall, requires you to be losing big time to lose or requires a Dark World situation. Not where I want to be tbh.

 

Card B is a difficult to Summon Level 4 Synchro Monster. I say that because most Decks are geared to Xyz and Pendulum monsters atm, with the exception to Necroz of course. More often than not, you'd be using either a Level 1 or 2 Tuner and a Level 2 or 3 non-Tuner monster to make this, and I think most Decks are Level 3 or 4 monsters at the lowest with some exceptions. The fact that you get an instant Rank 4 is alright and can be powerful, but there is a bit too much effort involved from my viewpoint, especially since there are easier ways of getting Rank 4's out. Armory Arm and The Fabled Unicorn both have effects that make up for its Level 4 Synchro status, while this card does not at the time being.

 

So, my vote is Card C.

 

With that said, 1-0-1 Card A/C.

[ÆƵ–]

Card A is basically a nerfed Monster Reborn, which is both good and bad. It's good that getting access to powerful monsters you took out/ got taken out earlier, and It gives you a fighting chance if you're losing badly. Its self discard is nice, but the only deck this card truly benefits from is Dark Worlds, and they're still pretty fast as is. 

 

Card B is a cool card that gets out an Xyz Monster and sets up for an Xyz summon. Unlike those above me, however, I know that this card would be used to benefit lovecraft.dek (which is a combo of Great Old Ones, Outer Gods, and Elder Gods). This card can set up for a an actual Noden, or just a Rank 4. It is a bit situational to actually get out, but it is possible. 

 

My vote goes to Card B because lovecraft.dek needs love, and this card did an excellent job of helping it.

[Nathanael D. Striker]

1-1-1.

[Nathanael D. Striker]

BUMP.

[Nathanael D. Striker]

Deadline has passed. Card C doesn't come into effect since it's 1-1-1, so we have a 1-1 tie.