A Synchro Monster?  On the Top 10 Countdown???  Blasphemy!  Well, no, today, we look at Crimson Blader, and you say BUT MR DARK PALADIN SIR...WHY?!?.  As for today, Crimson Blader is a Level 8 Synchro Monster, of the Fire attribute, with 2800 attack and 2600 defense, both which are very good.  This Monster is Synchro Summoned with a Tuner, and one or more non-Tuner Monsters, so it's an easy enough Synchro Monster to bring out.  If this guy had come out before XYZ Monsters had hit the scene, he'd certainly be a game breaking card in my opinion.

When he destroys a Monster by Battle, Crimson Blader prevents your opponent from Normal or Special Summoning Level 5 or higher Monsters during their next turn.  Obviously the inherent flaw here being that this effect doesn't effect XYZ Monsters, as they have no Level.  So at least in the now, I don't see Crimson Blader being all that effective.  Seeing how is only effect, good as it may be, or may have been, he just can't do much in the competitive environment as of right now.  You could play one in a Fire Deck, say Fire Fist, if only because of the attribute, but I'm not sure where else.

Ratings:

Traditional:  2.25/5
Advanced:  3.25/5
Art:  5/5

Crimson Blader is an extremely powerful synchro monster with a punishing effect and a formidble 2800 attack. If it destroys an opponent's monster by battle and sends it to the graveyard; your opponent cannot normal or special summon level 5 or higher monsters during their next turn. Crimson Blader, being a level 8 Synchro Monster, is not especially difficult to successfully summon in today's meta.

The ability to prevent your opponent from summoning a level 5 or higher monster, whether it be a normal or special summon, is ridiculously monumental. The fact is, if you achieve this effect, you could very well immediately win the duel, depending on the type of deck you are facing. A good duelist will summon Crimson Blader as part of a pivotal strategy, essentially shutting down the opponent from summoning their stronger monsters the next turn.

Furthermore, if you keep Crimson Blader alive during your next turn, you can essentially prevent your opponent from making any type of monster centric power plays for the remainder of the duel by destroying a monster each turn with Crimson Blader. This isn't especially hard to do given the fact your opponent will not be able to summon monsters strong enough to attack over your Crimson Blader,

Crimson Blader's susceptibility to card effects including destruction and removal is it's greatest weakness, so it is important you summon him when your opponent has few or no backrow, or when you have additional resource protection like Forbidden Lance or Safe Zone. Furthermore, he requires you destroy a monster with his attack and send it to the graveyard in order to activate his ability, so you have to be sure your opponent has a monster on the field you are able to destroy.

However, the reward is immense, and the successful summon and attack of Crimson Blader can often mean game over for whoever is on the receiving end of it's mighty strike. For this reason, Crimson Blader easily earns a spot at #6 on our top 10 cards of 2013.

Ratings:

Traditional: 4/5
Advanced: 4.5/5
Mechanic Design: 4/5 (Straightforward ability, severely crippling effect)
Art: 4/5 (He looks like a fierce duel wielding fire insect warrior)

Hello Pojo Fans,

Merry Christmas everyone! Hoping everyone gets what they want, have fun, and enjoy the day with family and friends. Rounding out #6-#10 is number #6: Crimson Blader. The second of two synchro monsters on the list, Blader has been a mainstay in decks and side decks this year. A level 8, Fire, Warrior, 2800ATK/2600DEF, Crimson Blader's effect is what makes it stand apart from other level 8 synchros. Needing only 1 Tuner and 1 or more non-Tuner monsters, if this card destroys an opponent's monster by battle and sends it to the Graveyard: Your opponent cannot Normal or Special Summon Level 5 or higher monsters during their next turn.

No out of the ordinary or themed requirements for this card's summoning make it an easy play alongside other syncros like Stardust Dragon and Scrap Dragon. The lockdown effect on Special Summoning Level 5 or higher monsters next turn for your opponent is great against decks that thrive on it. Big play stopper with big stats, Crimson Blader can stand on his own and allow you to control your opponents moves. Even if Crimson Blader is removed from the field after its effect is activated, it is still applied.

Being a Fire monster, Crimson Blader doesn't have a lot of support. Warrior Returning Alive will bring him back to the Extra Deck from the Graveyard, but if you do that you'd better have everything ready to bring him out already in place. This card can lock an opponent down, but a lot of decks don't Special Summon “levels” anymore, they Special Summon “ranks”. If Blader stopped ranks, as well as levels then he'd be in every Extra Deck.

Traditional-3.5/5
Advanced-3.5/5
Art-3/5- Creative, but reminds me of a jester

Until Next Time,
KingofLullaby

Crimson Blader

With an impressive 2800 ATK, it can run over most of your opponent's monsters. Compound this strength with the fact that there is a great reward for when you do crush your opponent's monsters in battle. They won't be able to summon monsters above the level of 4. Many decks will be able to ride this out and quickly destroy Crimson during the next turn, but some will be crippled by this, even if they do happen to destroy this card next turn with ease.

The fact that this card's effect happens during your opponent's turn makes this card less explosive than a few other XYZ's, but it what is has to offer is still not rivaled by any other Synchro monster.

While it won't be useful in every duel, there are still plenty of situations where it will thrive. Crimson Blader is an excellent edition to an Extra Deck that is in need of strong LV8 Synchro monsters.

Advanced: 4/5 (Very Good)
Traditional: 3/5 (Good)
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