Heir of Fire and Lord of Cinder (Dark Souls III)

[The Nyx Avatar]

Archetype mostly consisting of DARK monsters. It is meant to encourage the use of Tribute Summoning, as suggested by the secondary effect that they all share in which they can be banished from the Graveyard for a Tribute Summon. As well as by their Spell Cards, making Tribute Summons easier. Technically, I think they can use Monarch Spell/Trap Cards, but the only only one so far that can directly interact with them is Vordt, and I plan on only one more to directly benefit like that. There will be more to come, including the Lord of Cinder monsters that are hinted in the Spell/Trap Cards text.


[spoiler=Show Monster Cards]

DARK
Level 5
Warrior/Effect
ATK:2300
DEF:2000
If this card would be destroyed: You can pay 1000 Life Points; it is not destroyed and it gains 1000 ATK. You can only activate this effect once while this card is face-up on the field. If you would Tribute Summon a monster: You can banish this card from your Graveyard as 1 of its Tributes.


DARK
Level 5
Beast-Warrior/Effect
ATK:2400
DEF:1000
You can discard this card; send 1 card from your Deck that lists "Heir of Fire" or "Lord of Cinder" in its text to the Graveyard. Once per turn: You can pay 1000 Life Points; halve the ATK and DEF of all monsters your opponent controls. If you would Tribute Summon a monster: You can banish this card from your Graveyard as 1 of its Tributes.


DARK
Level 5
Plant/Effect
ATK:1500
DEF:3000
If this card would be destroyed: You can pay 1000 Life Points; it is not destroyed and its ATK and DEF are switched. You can only activate this effect once while this card is face-up on the field. If you would Tribute Summon a monster: You can banish this card from your Graveyard as 1 of its Tributes.


DARK
Level 5
Spellcaster/Effect
ATK:1900
DEF:2500
If this card would be destroyed: You can pay 1000 Life Points; it is not destroyed and Special Summon up to 2 "Crystal Sage Tokens" (Spellcaster-Type/DARK/Level 5/ATK 1900/DEF 2500). You can only activate this effect of "Heir of Fire - Crystal Sage" once while this card is face-up on the field. If you would Tribute Summon a monster: You can banish this card from your Graveyard as 1 of its Tributes.


DARK
Level 4
Spellcaster/Effect
ATK:1800
DEF:1000
If this card is Normal or Special Summoned: You can add 1 Spell/Trap Card from your Deck to your hand that lists "Heir of Fire" or "Soul of Cinder" in its text. You can only activate this effect of "Heir of Fire - Deacons of the Deep" once per turn. If you would Tribute Summon a monster: You can banish this card from your Graveyard as 1 of its Tributes.


DARK
Level 5
Zombie/Effect
ATK:1300
DEF:2800
While you control no monsters: You can Special Summon this card from your hand in face-up Attack Position. If you Normal Summon this card: You can change it to Defense Position. If you would Tribute Summon a monster: You can banish this card from your Graveyard as 1 of its Tributes.


DARK
Level 8
Spellcaster/Effect
ATK:2900
DEF:100
If this card would be destroyed: You can pay 1000 Life Points; it is not destroyed; then Special Summon 1 "Pontiff Sulyvahn Token" (Fiend-Type/DARK/Level 8/ATK 2900/DEF 100). You can only activate this effect of "Heir of Fire - Pontiff Sulyvahn" once per turn. This card can attack all monsters your opponent controls once each. If you would Tribute Summon a monster: You can banish this card from your Graveyard as 1 of its Tributes.


DARK
Level 7
Beast-Warrior/Effect
ATK:2700
DEF:1900
When this card is Normal Summoned: You can add 1 of your banished cards to your hand. If this card would be destroyed: You can pay 1000 Life Points; it is not destroyed, and it gains 800 ATK. You can only activate this effect once while this card is face-up on the field. If you would Tribute Summon a monster: You can banish this card from your Graveyard as 1 of its Tributes.


DARK
Level 6
Warrior/Effect
ATK:2000
DEF:3000
This card can attack while in face-up Defense Position. If it does, apply its DEF for damage calculation. If this card would be destroyed: You can pay 1000 Life Points; it is not destroyed and its Battle Position is changed. You can only activate this effect of "Heir of Fire - Dragonslayer Armour" once per turn. If you Tribute Summon a monster: You can banish this card from your Graveyard as 1 of its Tributes.


DARK
Level 6
Fiend/Effect
ATK:2300
DEF:2300
If this card destroys an opponent's monster by battle: Inflict 1000 damage to your opponent. If this card would be destroyed: You can pay 1000 Life Points; it is not destroyed, and all face-up monsters your opponent controls are destroyed. If you activate this effect, this card's ATK and DEF become 100. If you would Tribute Summon a monster: You can banish this card from your Graveyard as 1 of its Tributes.


DARK
Level 5
Dragon/Effect
ATK:2800
DEF:0
If this card attacks, it is changed to Defense Position at the end of the Damage Step. If this card would be destroyed: You can pay 1000 Life Points; it is not destroyed and it gains 1000 ATK. You can only activate this effect of once while this card is face-up on the field. If you would Tribute Summon a monster: You can banish this card from your Graveyard as 1 of its Tributes.


DARK
Level 8
Dragon/Effect
ATK:3000
DEF:2500
At the start of the Damage Step, if this Defense-Position card is attacked: Destroy this card. Once per turn: You can pay 1000 Life Points; destroy 1 card on the field. If you Tribute Summon a monster: You can banish this card from your Graveyard as 1 of its Tributes.


DARK
Level 8
Warrior/Effect
ATK:2800
DEF:2300
If this card is Summoned: You can add 1 "Heir of Fire" or "Lord of Cinder" monster from your Graveyard to your hand. If this card would be destroyed: You can pay 1000 Life Points; it is not destroyed and it gains 1000 ATK and DEF. You can only activate this effect once while this card is face-up on the field. This card can attack twice. If you Tribute Summon a monster: You can banish this card from your Graveyard as 1 of its Tributes.

 

DARK

Level 7

Dragon/Union/Effect

ATK:3000

DEF:2000

While you control a face-up "Heir of Fire - Nameless King": You can Special Summon this card from your hand. Once per turn, you can either: Target 1 "Heir of Fire - Nameless King" you control; equip this card to that target, OR: Unequip this card and Special Summon it. A monster equipped with this card gains 2000 ATK and DEF, also if the equipped monster would be destroyed by battle or card effect, destroy this card instead. If you Tribute Summon a monster: You can banish this card from your Graveyard as 1 of its Tributes.

 

DARK
Level 7

Thunder/Effect

ATK:2700

DEF:2700

While you control a face-up "Heir of Fire - King of the Storm": You can Special Summon this card from your hand. You can Tribute Summon this card by Tributing 1 "Heir of Fire" or "Lord of Cinder" monster. If this card attacks a Defense Position monster, inflict piercing battle damage to your opponent. If this card would be destroyed: You can send 1 card that is equipped to this card instead. If you Tribute Summon a monster: You can banish this card from your Graveyard as 1 of its Tributes.

 

DARK

Level 8

Warrior/Effect

ATK:2800

DEF:1000

While this card is face-up on the field or in the Graveyard, this card is also treated as a LIGHT monster. If this card would be destroyed: You can pay 1000 Life Points; it is not destroyed and you can equip 1 "Lord of Cinder - Lothric, Younger Prince" directly from your Deck or hand to this card. You can only activate this effect of "Heir of Fire - Lorian, Elder Prince" once per turn. If you would Tribute Summon a monster: You can banish this card from your Graveyard as 1 of its Tributes.

 

DARK
Level 4

Warrior/Union/Effect

ATK:800

DEF:1000

While you control a face-up "Heir of Fire" or "Lord of Cinder" monster: You can Special Summon this card from your hand. Once per turn, you can either: Target 1 "Heir of Fire - Lorian, Elder Prince" monster you control; equip this card to that target, OR: Unequip this card and Special Summon it. A monster equipped with this card cannot be targeted by your opponent's card effects and gains 1000 ATK, also if the equipped monster would be destroyed by battle or card effect, destroy this card instead. If you would Tribute Summon a monster: You can banish this card from your Graveyard as 1 of its Tributes.

 

DARK
Level 4
Warrior/Effect
ATK:0
DEF:0
If this card is Normal or Special Summoned: You can pay 1000 Life Points; Normal Summon 1 "Heir of Fire" or "Lord of Cinder" monster. If you would Tribute Summon a monster: You can banish this card from your Graveyard as 1 of its Tributes.


DARK
Level 8
Warrior/Effect
ATK:2800
DEF:1000
When this card is Normal Summoned: You can Special Summon 1 "Lord of Cinder - Abyss Watcher" from your Deck. If this card is destroyed: You can pay 1000 Life Points; Special Summon this card from your Graveyard, and if you do, it gains 1000 ATK and DEF. You can only activate this effect of "Lord of Cinder - Abyss Watchers" once per turn. If you would Tribute Summon a monster: You can banish this card from your Graveyard as 1 of its Tributes.


DARK
Level 10
Warrior/Effect
ATK:4000
DEF:4000
Cannot be Special Summoned. Requires 3 Tributes to Normal Summon (cannot be Normal Set). This card's Normal Summon cannot be negated. Any monster this card battles is banished at the end of the Damage Step. If this card leaves the field: You can add up to 2 "Heir of Fire" or "Lord of Cinder" monsters that are banished or in your Graveyard to your hand, except "Lord of Cinder - Yhorm the Giant". If you would Tribute Summon a monster: You can banish this card from your Graveyard as 1 of its Tributes.


DARK
Level 10
Fiend/Effect
ATK:3500
DEF:3500
Cannot be Special Summoned. Requires 3 Tributes to Normal Summon (cannot be Normal Set). This card's Normal Summon cannot be negated. Once per turn: You can inflict 500 damage to your opponent for each monster they control. During either player's turn: You can pay 1000 Life Points to banish this card. You can only activate this effect of "Lord of Cinder - Aldrich, Devourer of Gods" once per turn. During your End Phase, return this banished card to the field. If you would Tribute Summon a monster: You can banish this card from your Graveyard as 1 of its Tributes.

 

DARK
DARK

Level 12

Warrior/Effect

ATK:5000

DEF:5000

(This card is always treated as a "Lord of Cinder" monster)

Cannot be Normal Summoned/Set. Must be Special Summoned by its own effect and cannot be Special Summoned by other ways. You can shuffle 5 Level 10 or lower "Lord of Cinder" monsters with different names that are banished or in your Graveyard into your Deck; Special Summon this card from your hand. Unaffected by your opponent's card effects. If this card would be destroyed: You can pay half your Life Points; it is not destroyed, and it can attack all your opponent's monsters once each during your next turn. You can only activate this effect of "Soul of Cinder" once while this card is face-up on the field.

 

[spoiler=Show Spell Cards]

Normal Spell Card
Add 1 "Heir of Fire" or "Lord of Cinder" monster from your Deck to your hand. During either player's turn, if a Tribute Summoned monster would leave the field by a card effect: You can banish this card from your Graveyard instead.

 

Normal Spell Card

Activate while your opponent controls 2 or more Special Summoned monsters and you control no Special Summoned monsters. Pay 1000 Life Points; add 1 Level 5 or higher "Heir of Fire" monster from your Deck to your hand. Immediately after this card resolves, you can Normal Summon it with 1 less Tribute. If the monster Summoned by this effect was "Heir of Fire - Pontiff Sulyvahn", it is unaffected by your opponent's card effects.


Normal Spell Card
Pay 1000 Life Points. Special Summon 2 "Pontiff Knight Tokens" (Beast-Warrior/DARK/Level 4/ATK 2000/DEF 0) in Attack Position. These Tokens cannot be used as a Link Materials. During either player's turn (except during the turn this card was sent): You can banish this card from your Graveyard; return 1 of your banished "Heir of Fire" or "Lord of Cinder" monsters to your Graveyard.


Field Spell Card
"Heir of Fire" and "Lord of Cinder" monsters can be Normal Summoned with 1 less Tribute. If an "Heir of Fire" or "Lord of Cinder" monster attacks or is attacked, your opponent cannot activate cards or effects until the end of the Damage Step.


Continuous Spell Card
During your Main Phase, you can Normal Summon 1 "Heir of Fire" or "Lord of Cinder" monster in addition to your Normal Summon/Set. (You can only gain this effect once per turn.) If an "Heir of Fire" or "Lord of Cinder" monster you control attacks a Defense Position monster, inflict piercing battle damage to your opponent.


Continuous Spell Card
"Heir of Fire" and "Lord of Cinder" monsters you control cannot be targeted by an opponent's card effects. Once per turn: You can shuffle 1 banished "Heir of Fire" or "Lord of Cinder" monsters or 1 banished card that lists "Heir of Fire" or "Lord of Cinder" in its text into your Deck; draw 1 card.

[spoiler=Show Trap Card]

Normal Trap Card
Special Summon 1 "Heir of Fire" or "Lord of Cinder" monster from your Graveyard. During either player's turn (except during the turn this card was sent): You can banish this card from your Graveyard; Special Summon 1 of your banished "Heir of Fire" or "Lord of Cinder" monsters.

 

[Dova]

Never played any Dark Souls game, so can't comment on the flavour. However: TRIBUTE SUMMONING, so I'll give them a look.
 
Firstly, to get the bad OCG advice out of the way, the main effect on all of the monsters that tribute substitutes should read as follows:

"If you would Tribute Summon a monster, you can banish this card from your Graveyard as 1 of its tributes."

As the effect happens before the monster is Tribute Summoned, you need the would there to indicate just beforehand, and the fact that it doesn't activate means a comma, not colon. Same deal with the "would not be destroyed" effect that seems to be prevalent. Anywho, moving on to proper critique.

 

Iudex is the basic format of the archetype; can't be destroyed once, and can substitute as a tribute fodder. Simple card, doesn't work with monarchs, isn't too hard to get rid of. Strikes me as a little weak, but hey, that's what support is for.

 

Vordt seems to have a little more utility, milling you a S/T and then immediately being able to Tribute fodder. Basically allows tributing straight from hand; and to think I was going to complain that this archetype didn't have enough means of fueling it. So far, we only have Pontiff with a GY effect, and it's not a search, so this card is a great little mini-combo to run. Shame you're never going to use the...okay, I guess, 1000 LP effect.

 

Greatwood turns into a beatstick upon destruction, and I wish that some of these cards has responses to means other than being destroyed. At least right now you have options as to whether you want your monster to remain a beatstick or go to the GY as fuel...although you can Tribute anyway even if it is left face-up on the field, so nevermind that train of thought. The archetype just doesn't seem to be able to deal with shuffling or returning to the hand very well, but it can deal with banishment, so that's something I guess.

 

Crystal grants you a wall. Same comment as above, but can also be additional Tribute fodder, so not bad.

 

Deacon finally shows up as a Normal Summonable monster, and it also has an additional search upon said Summon, or even SS. Can also be Tribute fodder in the GY, so...one of the best cards of the archetype so far, simply because it properly fuels the engine.

 

Wolnir is more fuel. Hooray. Can also be fodder in the GY. More hooray. Simple card, simple effect, neat little trick about forcing you to choose between wall and fodder, I like this one. Even if it isn't really special.

 

Slyvahn is actually easier than I thought it would be to get out turn 2, with cards the like of Foolish Burial in this little deck. Actually has some more staying power, but only grants fodder and OPT protection from destruction. You can attack all of your opponent's monsters, but considering this card has nothing to make that attacking any better, this isn't a great boss. It's a little scattered, and so practically any deck could easily take care of it. Doesn't really do much either; I might not even run this card over the Monarchs, which can also be Summoned with the monsters in your Graveyard and the other forms of Tribute Fodder.

 

Pontiff is fuel and restocking fuel. Nothing amazing, but decent. Nice restriction.

 

Lothric lets you Normal Summon the entire archetype. Hooray. Now they are more competent, although as long as this is up, the Grave tribute effect isn't very useful. One could argue for Slyvahn still requiring a Tribute, but he's still a bad card, at least in this context. There are better bosses that could easily be run. At least this card makes him a little decent, but without any self-protection, doesn't make him good enough to warrant play.

 

Irithyll is strange. Outside of Slyvahn, I wouldn't say that this archetype is very battle-centric at all. Although these cards do help him, their secondary effects don't really boost the rather defensive rest of the archetype. At least you get a continuous extra NS, so again, not horrible. Just could be better.

 

This does feel rather incomplete, with the set not seeming to warrant its own play. Perhaps a few splashes of Monarchs in this or vice versa, but it doesn't really have a win condition, draw power to stock up the Tribute Summoning hand, or proper speed early game. However, there are cards missing that you said you planned to add later, so perhaps they can salvage this set. Except for Slyvahn. He needs modifying.

[The Nyx Avatar]

Never played any Dark Souls game, so can't comment on the flavour. However: TRIBUTE SUMMONING, so I'll give them a look.

 

Firstly, to get the bad OCG advice out of the way, the main effect on all of the monsters that tribute substitutes should read as follows:

"If you would Tribute Summon a monster, you can banish this card from your Graveyard as 1 of its tributes."

As the effect happens before the monster is Tribute Summoned, you need the would there to indicate just beforehand, and the fact that it doesn't activate means a comma, not colon. Same deal with the "would not be destroyed" effect that seems to be prevalent. Anywho, moving on to proper critique.

 

Iudex is the basic format of the archetype; can't be destroyed once, and can substitute as a tribute fodder. Simple card, doesn't work with monarchs, isn't too hard to get rid of. Strikes me as a little weak, but hey, that's what support is for.

 

Vordt seems to have a little more utility, milling you a S/T and then immediately being able to Tribute fodder. Basically allows tributing straight from hand; and to think I was going to complain that this archetype didn't have enough means of fueling it. So far, we only have Pontiff with a GY effect, and it's not a search, so this card is a great little mini-combo to run. Shame you're never going to use the...okay, I guess, 1000 LP effect.

 

Greatwood turns into a beatstick upon destruction, and I wish that some of these cards has responses to means other than being destroyed. At least right now you have options as to whether you want your monster to remain a beatstick or go to the GY as fuel...although you can Tribute anyway even if it is left face-up on the field, so nevermind that train of thought. The archetype just doesn't seem to be able to deal with shuffling or returning to the hand very well, but it can deal with banishment, so that's something I guess.

 

Crystal grants you a wall. Same comment as above, but can also be additional Tribute fodder, so not bad.

 

Deacon finally shows up as a Normal Summonable monster, and it also has an additional search upon said Summon, or even SS. Can also be Tribute fodder in the GY, so...one of the best cards of the archetype so far, simply because it properly fuels the engine.

 

Wolnir is more fuel. Hooray. Can also be fodder in the GY. More hooray. Simple card, simple effect, neat little trick about forcing you to choose between wall and fodder, I like this one. Even if it isn't really special.

 

Slyvahn is actually easier than I thought it would be to get out turn 2, with cards the like of Foolish Burial in this little deck. Actually has some more staying power, but only grants fodder and OPT protection from destruction. You can attack all of your opponent's monsters, but considering this card has nothing to make that attacking any better, this isn't a great boss. It's a little scattered, and so practically any deck could easily take care of it. Doesn't really do much either; I might not even run this card over the Monarchs, which can also be Summoned with the monsters in your Graveyard and the other forms of Tribute Fodder.

 

Pontiff is fuel and restocking fuel. Nothing amazing, but decent. Nice restriction.

 

Lothric lets you Normal Summon the entire archetype. Hooray. Now they are more competent, although as long as this is up, the Grave tribute effect isn't very useful. One could argue for Slyvahn still requiring a Tribute, but he's still a bad card, at least in this context. There are better bosses that could easily be run. At least this card makes him a little decent, but without any self-protection, doesn't make him good enough to warrant play.

 

Irithyll is strange. Outside of Slyvahn, I wouldn't say that this archetype is very battle-centric at all. Although these cards do help him, their secondary effects don't really boost the rather defensive rest of the archetype. At least you get a continuous extra NS, so again, not horrible. Just could be better.

 

This does feel rather incomplete, with the set not seeming to warrant its own play. Perhaps a few splashes of Monarchs in this or vice versa, but it doesn't really have a win condition, draw power to stock up the Tribute Summoning hand, or proper speed early game. However, there are cards missing that you said you planned to add later, so perhaps they can salvage this set. Except for Slyvahn. He needs modifying.

Yeah, Iudex and Greatwood are there just to be there. But for Sulyvahn, I originally had his Token's ATK at 2900, but thought of reducing it since his effect isn't meant to be once while it's face-up on the field. Would it be alright to bring it back up to 2900?

[Dova]

Yeah, Iudex and Greatwood are there just to be there. But for Sulyvahn, I originally had his Token's ATK at 2900, but thought of reducing it since his effect isn't meant to be once while it's face-up on the field. Would it be alright to bring it back up to 2900?

 

It would allow him to clear the field, then attack with his tokens. It does rely on attempted destruction, and unless every single follow-up card ends up attempting to destroy your monsters, it should be fine.

[The Nyx Avatar]

Edit Pontiff Sulyvahn's effect, added three new monsters, and Trap Card.

[Dova]

Dancer provides some restocking, ATK boost when it would be destroyed, and again, Tribute fodder. A good card, provides the hand advantage these cards so sorely need, but not much else to say here.

Ludileth has the Tribute fodder again, unsurprisingly. Should probably have an "immediately after this effect resolves" to clear up potential confusion, but grants some extra speed...which the archetype didn't really need. They already had Deacons and all of the Spells speed up the process somewhat. You already aren't running all of the higher Levels, and perhaps it will be a choice between Ludileth and Deacons...although Deacons' search makes it almost completely better.

 

Watcher provides some neat swarming. Again, simplish card, but changes the dynamic a little. I think this card would be run to hit harder and faster, especially with battle effects in the S/T.

 

Succumbing is just pure speed. Good card, would like some HOPT on the first effect though.

 

Still missing hand advantage, but the new additions allow for a lot of GY play, so perhaps it's alright. Would hurt to go all out turn 1 and be left with nothing in your hand, but if you can survive a few more turns, you could turn around the tide.

[The Nyx Avatar]

Added two more "Lord of Cinder" monsters and a Normal Spell Card to search out all the monsters.

[The Nyx Avatar]

Bump.

[The Nyx Avatar]

More "Heir of Fire" monsters and a new Spell Card added to the archetype.

[The Nyx Avatar]

Bump.

[The Nyx Avatar]

"Heir of Fire" monsters Oceiros, the Consumed King, Ancient Wyvern, and Champion Gundyr added to the archetype.

[The Nyx Avatar]

Bump.

[The Nyx Avatar]

Nameless King and his dragon partner King of the Storm added to the archetype!

[The Nyx Avatar]

Bump.

[The Nyx Avatar]

Not counting the bosses from the Dark Souls 3 DLC, one last Spell Card (Evil from the Painted World) and the last Lords of Cinder have been added (The two Prince brothers and the Soul of Cinder himself)!

[The Nyx Avatar]

Bump.