Zoodiac Ram

[Darj]

Zoodiac Ram
Attribute: EARTH
Type: Beast-Warrior/Effect
Level: 4
ATK: 400
DEF: 2000

If this card is destroyed by battle or card effect: You can target 1 "Zoodiac" monster in your Graveyard, except "Zoodiac Ram"; Special Summon it. An Xyz Monster whose original Type is Beast-Warrior and has this card as Xyz Material gains this effect.
● During either player's turn, when your opponent activates a Trap Card or effect that targets this card: You can detach 1 Xyz Material from this card; negate the activation.

 

So, according to Road of the King analyses, this card is seeing more play in OCG Zoodiacs and its variants lately. In a comment it is mentioned that it's because it grants protection to Drancia from the True Draco destruction Traps, Revival and Apocalypse, and it's involved in a combo with Lyca for summoning an extra Xyz, but it didn't elaborate on that. I'm guessing Lyca can Summon it as well so it floats when it it ultimately destroyed? IDK

 

Anyway, what do you think of this card gaining popularity because of these Traps? Personally, I never say it coming, that any of the "protection Zoodiacs" would ever have some sort of relevance.

Also, the rise of this card and Master Peace in the OCG meta makes me wonder if Rooster/Cuckle could actually become a solid pick as well to prevent, or bait, destruction from opposing Master Peaces and Drancias; although, unlike Ram or Rabina, it doesn't have a 1-for-1 float so naturally it is more punishable than those 2 by destroying it before the player overlays a Zoodiac over it.

[~~~~]

It also gives pretty chunky stats to Drancia

[notcleverusername]

P sure Cuckle wouldn't protect from Master Peace anyways, who would most likely be carrying monster immunity

 

The Lyca combo you're referring to is probably meant to be used in combination with Lithogazm, because waiting for your opponent to pop your floaters is silly.

 

Side note but what is up with that shota art, kid looks like he's barely double-digit age

[Βyakuya]

I think it's irrelevant what Lyca summongs in these True Draco builds. It ends up being either Master Piece fodder or Lithosazim fodder.

 

That said, even though Ram does protect against those Traps, it still won't do much against Kaijus at all. Goes to show how desperate the OCG has moved where mirrors need ways to incorporate techs and utilities to prevent stuff like Revival/Apocalypse being abused. A variant can go without him or maybe Rabbina too; I think My Body as a Shield is more ideal to use. The only thing is that at least this card is searchable.

[Kaiji]

You're adding a Zodiac card to your deck, that's as good as it gets as opposed to meme sheep OCG trends like MBAAS

 

P sure this is just an ultra-specific context, which isn't surprising since cards aren't "good on their own," they've always shown to be "good/decent/brokin" in contexts that aren't obvious at first glance (Magical Spring during its initial reveal vs what it can do vs an Igkknight deck). 

[Darj]

P sure Cuckle wouldn't protect from Master Peace anyways, who would most likely be carrying monster immunity

 

The Lyca combo you're referring to is probably meant to be used in combination with Lithogazm, because waiting for your opponent to pop your floaters is silly.

 

Side note but what is up with that shota art, kid looks like he's barely double-digit age

 

Yeah, I later looked up some videos and found out the Ram revived by Lyca is popped by one of your cards, like Drancia in the worst cases, to make it float and trade it with a Zoodiac that can be used as Xyz fodder for that extra Zoodiac Xyz that was mentioned. I guess I was on the right track in that Ram was being popped, just not by the opponent xD

 

And yeah, Ram appears to be a little kid and he gets to carry the shield and be the wall of the team? really, Zoodiacs? :v

 

 

I noticed the MBAAS in some of the top decks; that caught me by surprise, too. Cannot but think of it as the Solemn Strike of this new age. To think the game would get so fast and disruptive that even Counter Traps are not fast enough anymore, and instead hand Traps, and protection or negation Quick-Plays are becoming the way to go.