Article # 44 - The “Retrained” Monsters

Well, after just 6 days and 3,100+ votes, you guys most wanted to see the “Retrained” Monsters be reviewed. What are the Retrained Monsters, you ask? They’re simply “newer” versions of previously Effect-less cards, updated with some new Effects and card-art. They’re being pretty anticipated for released by players of the TCG. We’ll be taking a look at these 2 cards today, starting off with a look at the Retrained Celtic Guardian. (a.k.a. Meddling Elven Swordsman)

Retrained Celtic Guardian

Earth/Warrior - Level 4 - 1400/1200

Effect: This Monster can’t be destroyed in Battle by any Monster with an ATK of 1900 or higher. Damage is applied normally.

Retrained Celtic Guardian was an Ultra Rare card from the Yugi Structure Deck volume 1, and a Common in the Yugi Structure Deck volume 2. There is no telling when it might be released in English.

Now, Retrained Celtic Guardian is certainly a Monster a step up in viability from its counterpart Celtic Guardian. The only difference being its Effect, but still, a lot more effective than its Normal Monster counterpart. It’s an Earth/Warrior, and with those stats, it can be Searched by the Witch, Critter, Giant Rat, and Calling Reinforcements, making it a pretty fast card in any Deck it‘s included in.

RCG can be somewhat good in Stall Decks, Warrior Decks, and Earth-Based Decks. Its stats aren’t too impressive, but with that Effect, 1400 ATK is usually just enough to get done what needs be. 1200 DEF isn’t too stable, either, as most anything in your opponent’s Deck will be able to get by it, but if it’s anything with 1900 ATK or more; no worries. RCG can be good to put out onto the Field to set you up for Tribute for a higher-level Monster, which can be sometimes beneficial to you.

Its Effect is quite simple. It cannot be destroyed in battle by any Monster with an ATK of 1900 or more, but damage will be applied normally. So say a Jinzo attacks your RCG in attack mode. You’ll take that 1000 damage, but your RCG will not be destroyed. Simple as that. As I explained before, this can be helpful for stall purposes for things such as Sacrificing it for a high-level Monster, or just to help you stay alive in a close Duel.

Get an Equipment card on this guy, though, such as Murasame Blade or United We Stand, and this could turn into a Monster to be reckoned with. With 2200+ ATK and that Effect, it could be pretty hard to get around.

Overall, RCG’s not that great of a Monster card, but it can be fun to use and sometimes pretty effective in the right Decks. I’d give Retrained Celtic Guardian an overall rating of 6.7/10.

For the second card of today’s article, we take a look at Dark Knight Gaia of the Gale.

Dark Knight Gaia of the Gale

Dark/Warrior - Level 7 - 2300/2100

Effect: If this is the only card in your Hand, you may Summon this Monster to the Field in attack mode without having to Tribute any Monsters. If used, this counts as a Normal Summon.

Dark Knight Gaia of the Gale was also an Ultra Rare from the Yugi Structure Deck Volume 1. No telling when it’s English release will be, either.

Dark Knight Gaia of the Gale.. Again, like RCG, it has the same stats (except for this is a Dark-type while Gaia the Fierce Knight is an Earth-type) and is the same type as Gaia the Fierce Knight. Only this Gaia is a little bit easier to use, making it a little bit more effective for anyone who may be interested in using Gaia in any Deck of theirs. It’s rarely used, but it could fit into Dark-based Decks, Warrior Decks, or Fun Decks.

Being Level 7 with stats of 2300/2100 is rather weak, especially considering it cannot be Searched by anything. Not to mention there are Monsters that only require 1 Tribute that are more powerful than this Monster, and Goblin Attack Force could go head-to-head with this guy. But its Effect is what makes it an interesting Monster.

If Gaia of the Gale is the only card in your Hand, and you haven’t Normal Summoned during that turn, (since it would count as a Normal Summon) you can Normal Summon it to the Field from your Hand without having to Tribute any Monsters for it. Bringing out a Level 7 Monster for free is pretty nice, and can be pretty beneficial in some situations. It’s just not all too powerful of a Monster for being Level 7, but I guess its Effect about evens that out.

At any point during your turn that you may have no other cards in Hand besides Gaia, you can bring it out onto the Field. i.e. If you have 5 cards at the start of your turn, then you have only 1, being Gaia, during your 2nd Main Phase, you could bring it out then. Gaia of the Gale wouldn’t be too bad of a Top-Deck with no cards in Hand. Probably the only high-level Monster in such a situation that you’d actually want to draw during your Draw Phase with no other cards in Hand. It could be pretty fun to use with Ultimate Offering and a Hand full of Monsters, too. Use Ultimate Offering and bring out a bunch of Monsters, then when Gaia’s the only one left in your Hand, pay another 500 to bring out a Level 7 2300 ATK Monster. It’d certainly be a nice surprise for your opponent to encounter.

Overall, Dark Knight Gaia of the Gale could be a pretty fun Monster card to try using, but it’s nothing special nor too effective. I’d give it an overall rating of 6/10.

And here’s a Warrior Deck example using these 2 cards; again, in accordance to the Banned List.

Monsters: 16

1x Chaos Soldier - Messenger of Creation

1x Dark Knight Gaia of the Gale

3x Blade Knight

2x Dimensional Warrior Girl

2x Retrained Celtic Guardian

1x Don Zaloog

1x Mataza the Zapper

1x Marauding Captain

1x Exiled Force

1x Black Forest Witch

1x Critter

1x Killer Snake

Magic Cards: 17

3x Cyclone

2x Calling Reinforcements

1x Warrior Returning Alive

1x Pot of Greed

1x Angel’s Gift

1x Dark Hole

1x Heavy Storm

1x Monster Reborn

1x Premature Burial

1x Snatch Steal

1x Nobleman of Crossout

1x United We Stand

1x Fusion Sword Murasame Blade

1x Mystery Wok

Trap Cards: 7

1x Sixth Sense

1x Call of the Haunted

1x Torrential Tribute

1x Mirror Force

1x Destruction Ring

1x Magical Cylinders

1x Waboku

Total: 40

 

Note: In my last article, I made a mistake on Yu-Jyo’s Effect. If the handshake is accepted, both players Life Points become equal. (Each players’ LP becomes half of the total of both players LP combined; i.e. you have 5500 LP and your opponent has 7000. Half of your LP = 2750 + Half your opponent’s LP = 3500. 2750 + 3500 = 6250, which is what both of your Life Points would become)

And that’ll do it for Article # 44 - The “Retrained” Monsters. Stay tuned for my next article, which will be featuring some of Kaiba’s cards that have not yet been released in the TCG, as voted on in 2nd place by you guys. You can e-mail me with any questions and/or comments at dm7fgd32@hotmail.com

Until next time..

~DM7~