The Path of Evolution by Konami

Konami sure has brought about heaps of changes to the card game Yu-Gi-Oh!.  Now that I recapitulate, when I first started playing this game, everyone was hyped over Blue Eyes White Dragon and Dark Magician as these monsters are the trademark of the two main characters in the animation.  Soon, Effect monsters were introduced and this was followed by Fusion monsters, Synchro monsters and up to this current point of time Exceed (Xyz for TCG) monsters.  I was dueling against my friend on Skype today and it really surprised me how fast I could swarm my field with just a mere 5 or 6 cards.  Back in those days, we had high defense or high attack monsters in our deck so that we could either stall for time until we get bigger monsters or just downright own the opponent's play.  Nowadays, Yu-Gi-Oh! is all about being competitive and speed, the fun time chatting while playing this card game has significantly reduced.  I still remember when I was playing Yu-Gi-Oh! a few years back with my brother and we always had laugh when one of our lower attack monsters rammed into a high defense monster (2000DEF and above) and we would just continued playing while laughing and joking about the size of the wall the monster had built on the field.  That's all for the sentimental part, let's go into the card discussion for the day.

As noted in a few blogs (duelinglegacy.blogspot.com and Team Mental Warfare), there is a new card that was introduced in Photon Shockwave that is causing a fuss at the moment and that card is "Shining Darkness/ Dark Flash".  Before we go in depth, let's have a quick view of the card itself:

"I have the power!!!!"

Okay, so the effect goes like this: "Activate by tributing (releasing) one 1500ATK or higher DARK monster on your side of the field.  Destroy all monsters special summoned this turn."

Now the cost to activate this effect is nearly insignificant with the amount of DARK monsters that are in the decks in this current meta.  For the TCG, we have plants, gravekeepers and BF while in OCG, we have dark worlds, doppels, BF and literary any deck that runs breaker, dark grepher or the sort.  Take note of its effect, "destroy ALL monsters special summoned this turn."  I am not sure about this but does that include your own field too since it didn't specify whether your opponent gets the full blast or not.  Alright, let's move on to the advantage of maining this card in your deck.  It stops all FTK, OTK and swarmings for one turn while giving you the chance to retaliate during your next turn.  Since it doesn't destroy when its condition isn't fulfiled, I am guessing Stardust Dragon cannot negate its destruction effect.  However, this card doesn't destroy monsters that are normal summoned so your opponent still has a chance of dealing you damage albeit being unable to special summon.

Looking at the description of the card, it reminds me of the three virus brothers.  We had the original that required us to tribute a DARK monster with 1000 or less ATK.

"I am the original!! :3"

Time passed and we had one that required us to tribute one DARK monster with 2000 or more ATK.

"1500 or less ATK monsters beware..."

As we entered the 21st century, Konami decided that it was about time they introduced one with the highest requirement and altered its effect a bit.  Let me introduce you to the virus that requires you to tribute one DARK monster with a whooping 2500 or more ATK and it destroys either spell/trap!!

"I am the biggest and meanest baby~"

I guess when Konami reviewed their virus stockpile, they realised there was a gap between 1000 and 2000, so they decided to put in a 1500 with a slightly altered effect that focuses on summoning.  That wraps up my review of the new card and its trivia.  Until next time, see ya~

"We have come a long way but once we are out, you can scoop. ^^"