For the first time in nearly two years, I dragged myself off my lazy ass, and decided to write.  Why?  Something in the Yugioh world has piqued my interest, and prompted me to do so.  I discovered the new Ban List for September on the Forums today, and there is one thing that really compelled me to write, and has interested all kinds of players.  Black Luster Soldier--Envoy of the Beginning has become Limited once again (again this is the OCG List.)  While it's true our Ban List often is shaped (if not identically) from this, there's no guarantee this will happen for us.  But, assuming it does, let's talk about what the return of Black Luster Soldier means.
 
Black Luster Soldier would be splashed into every Deck made this coming Format, and then some.  Now, Black Luster Soldier is still an excellent card, but it's not the card it was?  Why not, one might ask?  The game has evolved to include Synchro Monsters, and even Xyz, if that counts for anything.  But the incredible awesome power of the Envoy isn't even his incredibly easy Special Summon, or his potential double 3000 attacks--it's the removal.  Being able to remove a Monster once a turn (which is as important as ever) with things like Shooting Star Dragon (even if that's a moot point).  
 
It all began with Warrior Toolbox, and that isn't going to be enough to propel Black Luster Soldier to its former glory.  Your task is finding if what you're playing with now can utilize the Soldier, without having to completely overhaul your Deck.  Take something like your Tier 1 Plant Deck in any of its assorted forms--very few plants are Light or Dark, and you aren't going to be able to splash or tech Lights and Darks, and add a copy of Black Luster Soldier, and expect it to work.  Lightsworn, Dark World, even Gladiator Beasts, perhaps even Six Samurai can really make use of though I think.  
 
Black Luster Soldier, in my opinion, won't have the impact or ability to completely wreak havoc, as he did before, but that isn't to say he isn't good anymore.  I'm not saying that at all.  A creative mind will find the way to use the Soldier with relative ease, while making the opponent squirm.  It's just one of the many things to consider.  Well that's all for today, I hope you enjoyed reading.  Feel free to e-mail me about anything @ tsearcy@lssu.edu
 
You stay classy, Planet Earth,

~Dark Paladin~