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Carrotizer on YuGiOh
Carrot Analysis: Katon Goukakyuu-no Jutsu!!!
April 25, 2007 

First off, before I forget, I’d like to say few things about that Virginia Tech incident. Yes, the crazy guy who killed 30+ people was South Korean (though being a North Korean spy sounds more plausible). Yes, he was a stalker with mental illness of some sort. But that’s not why I want to kick him in the nuts (well…it does to “some” extent).


This heavily affects both U.S and Korean communities. Cho could have earned American citizenship, but he didn’t 3 years ago. That shouldn’t have this kind of impact though. My cousin, who lives in Los Angeles, literally received a heavy shock when some students brought a picture and ridiculed him for looking alike. No way, he doesn’t…. by the way, he and I are South Koreans.


He may have Korean citizenship, but it shouldn’t make people say “oh no, he’s Korean, stay away from him.” Just don’t be biased and stereotype (there is difference, but I’m too dizzy to clarify) towards Koreans for this 1 person’s insanity. I want to get to the topic, so…


Ninja Grandmaster Sasuke
Light/Warrior – Level 4
Effect: If this card attacks a face-up Defense Position monster, destroy the monster with this card’s effect without applying Damage Calculation.
1800 ATK/1000 DEF


Readers who watch Naruto on YouTube will recognize the title as “Fireball Jutsu” which Sasuke Uchiha uses. Well, that was the hint.


While Mystic Swordsman LV2 has been around many decks when Apprentice Magician and Magician of Faith were flying around, this card did not show up as often. Usually, people had a lot more staples, but even after Breaker the Magical Warrior and Magician of Faith are gone, this card seems dead.


1800 ATK is certainly solid for Level 4 monster, and 1000 DEF isn’t terrible, but not the best. Light? Not so bad. Warrior is good. Effect? That’s all that matters always right? Gee, at least nod your head.



Hm. This one is arguable, because there are a lot of slots that Warrior (focused or partial) decks fill primarily, such as D.D. Warrior Lady, D.D. Assailant, and Exiled Forces. This one may have the highest attack among commonly used Warriors except one: Blade Knight (I didn’t see Goblin Attack Force that often, sorry).


Ninja Grandmaster Sasuke isn’t mediocre, but there are cards required to work well. Blade Knight, on the other hand, can be splashed by 1’s or 2’s for extra Flip negation. Oh wait, Magician of Faith is gone.


Ceasefire, Swords of Revealing Light, and Enemy Controller will usually create valid targets for which Sasuke’s effect will destroy. Yet how is this better than destroying with a high ATK?


Before I explain it, let’s go over specific rulings. Most crucially, timing: Ninja Grandmaster’s effect happens during the beginning of the Damage Step, somewhat similar to Neo-Spacian Grand Mole. That indicates that attacking face-down monster will not cause to destroy it by the effect of Sasuke. HOWEVER, if Ceasefire or other cards that flip the monster face-up resolves before the Damage Step starts, effect will take place.


Reversely, when Book of Moon flips the attacked monster face-down, the monster will not be destroyed by the effect. For the case of Spirit Reaper, this effect does not target. Even if it did, Spirit Reaper will not flip until Damage Calculation, and by then opportunity to destroy it has passed.


Lastly, as stated, effects such as D.D. Warrior Lady’s, will not activate because Damage Calculation is not applied. That will cause Mystic Tomato to go “splat,” unlike The Six Samurai – Zanji who fails to nullify the killer tomato. This will be a bonus against Legendary Jujitsu Master and Gravekeeper’s Spy, cards that have been appearing more often.


By now you should guess. Nimble Momonga won’t get the annoying effect, Shrinking Sasuke still won’t stop it (there is no point to it, really), Newdoria (yeah…remember him?) doesn’t explode, and countless more…


Unlike Blade Knight, Sasuke has constant 1800 ATK. While you require 2000 ATK to push Elemental Hero Stratos without Divine Sword – Phoenix Blade aside, Blade Knight wants to be a loner to negate Flip effects. You are forced to give up some opportunities to enhance field presence, which isn’t spectacular at all.


To make a good deck that is constant, you need to have combination with cards that will still work functionally on their own. Enemy Controller, combined with Treeborn Frog/Sangan/Scapegoat, and Ninja Grandmaster Sasuke will be one example. To counter $60ish Card Trooper, Hydrogeddon with Shrink as support will work superbly for cheap decks (like mine).


Since cards’ popularities rise and fall with release of newer cards and changes of the Forbidden List (basically metagame shifts), you must cope each time such event happens. Sometimes, creative decks will pop out and sweep a tournament, and, well, surprise!


Point is that some cards can be “teched,” while others require support cards. Fairy Box, for example, may strike defenseless points against nearly any decks that attack. Ninja Grandmaster Sasuke will not use his Fireball Jutsu to kill face-up Defense monsters often, if there are no supports.


Only with Mangekyou Sharingan, will you surpass Blade Knight…;) (Randomness!!)


By Paul Yeem – Carrotizer @ paulyeem@gmail.com