Minerva the Exalted Lightsworn

In her own theme, Minerva is an absolute beast. There is no question. Anyone who simply reads the card knows this fact. Milling 3 cards, possibly twice, is worth it to most players just by itself (See: Dante). Getting to draw up to 3 cards is just a bonus that’s off the charts. Then to be able to possibly blow up the field when she gets destroyed? Bonkers.

So, everyone gets that Minerva is stupid good. But how does she stock up right now? Well, the Lightsworn theme hasn’t been tier 1 competitive for a while, but it’s always a dark horse because milling cards so easily is something no other theme can do, and getting a lot of cards in the grave fast is always bueno. You’ve seen the deck names at tournaments: Lightsworn Zombie, Lightsworn Entermage, Lightsworn Shaddoll, Lightsworn Infernoid. As new cards and themes come along, inevitably there’s a problem with speed and getting cards into the grave. And one of the first thoughts that comes to mind is: “Can I combine it with Lightsworn?” The frequency of this question will only increase with the advent of Fairy Tail – Snow and the return of Charge of the Light Brigade to 3 in the OCG. But what about outside Lightsworn decks? Well, she only needs 2 level 4 monsters, and so could she be used just as a milling agent? Of course, especially in level-4 heavy decks such as Clownblade.

With the success of Lightsworn comes the broken influence of Minerva. She will always be an insane card to face. There’s nothing so disheartening as watching your opponent mill 3 Lightsworn cards and fill up their hand, pretty much locking up the duel. In time, Minerva will probably be banned as almost all cards that let you mill and/or draw with such ease usually are. It will just take an above-average combo that uses her to push her over the edge. Until then, her potential is in the outer limits.

Advanced: 5/5

Future Potential: 5/5

Hello Pojo Fans, 

When I got word about Minerva, The Exalted Lightsworn I was so excited. THIS was the card that would bring Lightsworns back to Tier 1 status...until it became a Championship Series only card. The sadness was real, the dream was over. 

No special requirements for Xyz summoning, this opened her up to wide playability. Milling the top 3 and then draw for the number of Lightsworns you send to the grave by that effect was an incredible effect for those who play pure Lightsworn. For one material (which would likely be another Lightsworn) you could draw up to 3 cards. More draw power is good, and in the form of a monster is great as well.  

When Minerva is destroyed in any way by your opponent you get another effect. Same mill, but now its a destruction ability. Lightsworns for cards on the field, amazing. Lightsworns have destruction cards like Lyla, Celestia, and Judgment Dragon, but nothing where if destroyed, it was what they were missing. “Up to” is critical as well, preventing you from having to destroy cards that were your own to fulfill the effect. Not only that, but it was another mill that was all but guaranteed to happen. Minerva doesn't even have to hit the graveyard for this effect to kick. You are also able to use each effect once per turn, protecting you from losing out if you used one and then Minerva bit the dust.  

Even if you wouldn't plus off of her effect, her mill ability alone gave her playability in Shaddoll decks, potential in Burning Abyss, Zombies, D-Heros, anything that depended on the grave that could make a Rank 4 could potentially use this lovely lady.  

It saddens me that she hasn't yet been released outside the Championship Series. She would do a world of good for Lightsworn players out there.   

Advanced-4/5
Art-5/5 

Until Next Time

SOOOOOO Expensive! Minerva, the Exalted Lightsworn is a Rank 4 Light Fairy-type XYZ Monster with 2000 Atk and 800 Def. Well she didn't get to be a prize card for her stats. Being XYZ Summoned with any 2 Level 4 monsters makes her much more versatile than yesterday's prize card. Instead of having any built in protection, this card floats extremely well. It replenishes resources when its destroyed by battle or opponent effect by sending the top 3 cards from the deck to the grave, triggering their effects if any, and then destroying cards on the field up to the number of Lightsworn cards sent to the grave. Not Lightsworn monsters, all Lightsworn cards. That's another reason not to run Judgement Dragon and more reason to run some more Lightsworn Spells and Traps. Really that's only Sabre, but more options might be on the way.
 
The activated effect of Minerva, the Exalted Lightsworn costs one XYZ material and can only be activated once per turn. The effect, not the cost, is to send the top 3 cards from the deck to the grave and drawing cards up to the number of Lightsworn cards sent to the grave. Drawing cards is a huge bonus that makes this card better than Dante. If this card were more available, there would be Lightsworn engines in many more decks. As it is, triggering multiple Lightsworn effects per turn or sending valuable cards straight to the grave should always be worth the investment. Take care of her if you have one. 
 
Score: 4.75/5
Art: 5/5
 
-WarlockBlitz