5 replies to this topic

[Nathanael D. Striker]

Rules:
All Leaderboard rules apply.
First to 3 votes or most votes by 11:59pm PDT April 1st, 2018 wins
All voters must elaborate on their votes or else the vote will be rejected.
Both contestants have the right to refuse votes but must explain why they don't accept it.
Card C votes are allowed in case the voter thinks both cards don't deserve a vote but must elaborate on why he/she thinks so.
Written cards are allowed.
Winner gets 1 Like from the loser; each voter gets 1 Like.
In case a downtime or an emergency happens, the deadlines may be extended.

Card Requirement:
Retrain a high level Normal Monster into a Main Deck Boss Monster.

Card A
Full Armored Bug
********
Insect/Effect
EARTH
2800/1500
Must first be Special Summoned (from your hand) while there are at least 5 or more Insect-type monsters in your Graveyard. Unaffected by other card effects that do not target it. When this card destroys an opponent's monster by battle, it can attack again, but if you do, it cannot attack directly this turn.

Card B

Steel-Plated Armor Bug
EARTH | Insect | Level 8 | Effect
Cannot be Normal Summoned/Set. Must be Special Summoned (from your hand) by controlling 2 or more Insect monsters. Other Insect monsters you control gain 400 ATK/DEF for every Insect monster on the field. If there are 5 or more Insect monsters on the field: You can destroy all cards your opponent controls. This effect of "Steel-Plated Armor Bug" can only be used once per Duel. You cannot conduct your Battle Phase the turn you use this effect.
2800/1500

[Dova]

With Parasitic Paranoid, both of these cards became slightly more viable. But are either of them playable?

 

To be honest, I'm really torn as to which one exactly is better. Card A is slightly more accurate to the lore imo, and easier to get out, but Card B isn't too hard to get out, really, and that minimum 1200 ATK boost is nothing to scoff at. Both of their effects are rather situational, with the latter's being more effective but a million times more restricted/restrictive. Neither of them is specifically supported, so I can't comment on interactions, except perhaps Insect's swarming slightly suffering for Card B to be too viable.

 

After some deliberation, I've decided that the protection on Card A combined with how easily it comes out trumps Card B. Vote to Card A.

[Nathanael D. Striker]

1-0 Card A.

[Flash Flyer - Sakura]

So both of you retained Metal Armored Bug, eh? This should be interesting.

 

Card A

 

The GY requirement for Insects is a bit high (then again, Insects can usually fill the grave fast anyway, so it's probably not too bad), but at least it's a Semi-Nomi and has decent effect protection. Granted, targeting removal is far more common nowadays but you can at least avoid getting sweep removed or something. The double attacking effect isn't too special, but it fits the original card. Can't argue with getting rid of 2 monsters while being immune to Mirror Force or something (like someone actually runs it after VRAINS showcases it...)

 

Card B

 

The stat boost isn't something to laugh at (possible 2K if you can summon something like a Krawler Link or w/e on a full board), but problem is that Insects don't really swarm that well yet. I guess Krawlers MIGHT like this card since they can generally swarm and can fulfill its summon requirements, plus gives them a nice power bonus. That being said, outside the aforementioned Krawlers (idk if Inzektors were ever able to amass 5 monsters in their prime, for lack of other Insect decks worth talking about), pulling off the field wipe effect is pretty difficult. Also, it's once per Duel, compared to Fandra for Skyfangs which is hard OPT, just negates damage to the opponent for the turn, and the archetype can actually field 5 monsters. Then again, that requires DIFFERENT names, whereas this just requires 5 Insects no matter what their names are or where they are. (If your opponent is playing mirror Insect or you have DNA Surgery up, then sure, you can fire this off easier). Otherwise...yeah.

 

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Voting A since it's more consistent for Insects and doesn't require as much commitment; given their state at the moment.

[Nathanael D. Striker]

2-0 Card A

[Nathanael D. Striker]

And the Bronze goes to Dragon Sage with a 2-0 victory.