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The Battlefied: Who's Jain?
Posted On: 06/15/2008 15:03:06
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The Battlefield: Who's Jain?
Introduction A few days ago I was helping a friend build a deck. As we gathered up all the staples and necessary components, I saw him stop and squirm a little. Two cards were laying in front of him: Ryko, Lightsworn Hunter, and Card Trooper. Let me explain the situation a little first. It just so happens that the deck we were making was a Six Samurai deck, and he didn't exactly want to play any run of the mill Six Samy swarm; he wanted to mill cards and then use Monster Reborn/Premature Burial/Cunning of the Six Samurai to bring whatever he needed back. While looking at the two cards, one of them automatically seemed the right choice. But, as I delve deeper, the problem became much more complex:
Neither Card Fit This was obviously a major problem. Although Card Trooper seemed like the hands-down, no-brainer choice, it is Limited. Ryko is also no help. Him having to be set facedown would greatly slow the tempo of his Six Samurai. Sure you could run them both or just bag the idea, but neither would be a successful choice. I began sifting through online articles about Ryko and Trooper. Almost all of them came to the same conclusion: Ryko was better. Although I largely agree with this statement, It wasn't what I was looking for. The deck just couldn't be played with him.
With No Other Choice... My friend ran both of them, afraid that Trooper alone would destroy consistency (which it would). Needless to say, it failed miserably. With Ryko facedown, the opponent would run it over, and Ryko would pop a card. Next turn, a dead draw of Ryko would kill. It also milled all his key spells, as well as his Shoguns. He needed something with a bit more control and a lot more attack points. Eventually, we turned up a card, that...well...no one wants:
Jain, Lightsworn Paladin [Warrior/Effect]Lv.4, LIGHT If this card attacks an opponent's monster, it gains 300 attack during the Damage Step only. During each of your End Phases, send the top 2 cards of your deck to the Graveyard
As you can see... ...Jain has a little more control by only milling 2 cards. Also, the 1800 attacks points with allow it fit in with the Six Samurai much better. Also, the 300 attack points gain gives it a hefty 2100, Wulf has almost nothing on Jain.
A New Option For all those aggro decks that need something like Jain, this is a blessing. A lot of decks using her are not only faster, but more efficient. The Six Samurai deck that I helped fix is a lot faster, and twice as deadly. On a side note, for anyone wanting to try Six Samurai/Jain, you must stabilize your initial assets before charging with Jain. She can kill your deck and turn good draws into game losing mistakes.
Closing A select few Lightsworn has proven themselves in the current metagame. Ryko has been seen in several decks, and a few others are being used in affordable OTKs. Jain can be just as good as any of them, respectably. If given the chance, she can tear through both your deck and the field. You decide if that’s a good or a bad thing.
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