Swartbron Awesomesauce

          So...how many of you guys have actually seen this card before? Oh, Hikeda had a contest with it? Well, let me rephrase myself: How many of you have actually used this card before? That's better.

          I don't blame you for not trying. Giving your opponent energy, sometimes in the triple digits, is definitely not the most pleasant thing. Swartbron costs 3 which, even counting in Fluidmorph, can be a pain to get to. On top of all this, Swartbron Battlesong is a M'arrillian Mugic, which makes it highly susceptible to Najarin FF. Why would you ever want to use this card?

          As I stated in my last post, my specialty is synergies. What can you use to make this card work for you? How do you get this card to give you the high end, triple digit energy, and leave the opposition in the dust? Well, say hello to my little friend:

          This battlegear is a key to unlocking the true potential of Swartbron Battlesong. If your M'arrillian can last long enough to cast a Swartbron, you'll already be gaining 30+ energy! Imagine your energy after 3 more attacks. Now how do I last long enough, and have enough Swartbrons to get into the triple digits, even the quads? Well, that's what this deck is for. Make sure to check it out on the back-up forum for discussion!

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1. Part'soa/Riverland Moon
2. Nunk'worn/Riverland Moon3. Na-inna/WEV
4. Na-inna/WEV
5. Lomma DW/Riverland Star
6. Najarin/ Azaia Mindprobe

2 Swartbron Battlesong
1 RoD (Overworld)
1 Cadence Clash
1 Trills of Diminution 
1 Notes of Neverwhere

1 SCR
1 Ice Disks 
2 Flood Force
2 Eidolon Advance
2 Invader's Tactics
2 Outfreeze
2 Ghost Gouge
2 Marksman's Prep
2 Acid Rain
2 Tidal surge
2 Inner Flood
2 Delerium

1 Ulmar's Projecition Cavern
1 Vidav's Refectorium
2 Gigantemopolis CotO
2 The Riverlands
2 The Everrains
2 Rao'pa Sahkk Chimegrid

          So, are you having some difficulty understanding how the deck works? Well, there's an explanation of the strategy and card choices below. And if you do know how the deck works, you might as well read on anyways; you've made this far.

Strategy: Your two fluidmorphers, Nunk'worn and Part'soa, will be your main combatants. Conduct combat as normal with them, and when you get low on energy, pop off a Swartbron Battlesong to keep the fight going. Sure, you'll be giving your opponent energy too, but soon you'll be gaining astronomical amounts of energy. Once out of Battlesongs, start using Najarin to return them. He should have a good number of counters from the Na-inna's, Inner Floods, and Chimegrids. Lomma DW will defend your 3 supports, and you'll just have an easier time winning as the game goes on...


Card Choices: Creatures:

Part'soa: I know people don't like long and drawn out battles, so I figured I'd save them some time and lower their disciplines every once in a while.

Najarin: I wanted to take full advantage of Swartbron Battlesong, and what better way to do that than by having multiples? Yeah, Najarin takes a lot of effort to keep in the deck, but he pays off so well. Also, it's nice to return a refrain every once in a while.

Battlegears:

Riverland Star: Lomma won't have access to Swartbron, so I had to find another way to give her energy. I don't have Xerium Armor or a Droskin...

Mugics:

Trills of Diminution: I use this mugic to take care of LVBSoA; he's a real pain to this deck without it. Also, I found it difficult to get my M'arrillians to 3 counters against elementalist decks, so I use Trills to remove element X.

Notes of Neverwhere: There are 3 common locations that come to my head when I use this mugic: Illusionary Lake, Numin Voidland, and Azaia Mindscrying Chamber.

Attacks:

Ice Disks: As you all know, Najarin FF is the bane to any deck with a fluidmorpher, so I added Ice Disks over say, another SCR, to stop him from countering the Battlesongs. Also, it stops any of that annoying overworld healing stuff.

Outfreeze: These were initially Riptides, but I realized that this deck would be extremely weak against Gan'trak decks without Outfreeze, so in it went.

Locations: 

Ulmar's Projection Cavern: This is used over another Refectorium because I don't really like giving my opponent the opportunity to cycle attacks, but this deck needs the Refectorium because of all the 0 bp attacks. 

And that's the deck. As usual, feel free to comment on anything about the deck that could improve it. Thanks for reading!

-Ziro207

Card Review: Katharaz

                                      Stats: (Unavailable, but I'll put the stats of mine once I get him)

          Katharaz...where to begin? The Danian elementalist has a lot going for him. He has 3 elements, 2 mugic counters, decent stats and energy, and a great creature type. The question has to come to mind: why wasn't he used more? In my opinion, many people looked at his ability and said, "meh." The first time I saw him I did too. There were better combatants with better stats and energy like Nimmei, and better Muges with more counters and abilities like Lore. But one of my specialties is finding the niches and combos that you can use with cards like Katharaz. With that, let me tell you some of those ways.

          The first nifty combo I'd like to tell you about is one with Danian Element Choral. It's a simple combo where you target an opposing creature who's engaged with Katharaz. Now, if Hive is on and you only have Katharaz's elements, Katharaz will gain 45 energy right off the bat! If you manage to fit a creature with fire into your army, he gains 60 energy! Just make sure you have ways to protect Danian Element Choral from Mugic negation.

          A location some of you may know, Stronghold Mourn, is another card that combos very well with Katharaz, giving both him and his opponent all the elements. That's an instant 60 energy! the only problem with this is that stronghold mourn is a unique location, meaning you only have a 10% chance of pulling it from your location deck. Try adding Ulmar's Projection Cavern to your deck to better your chances.

          The final card I'd like to tell you about is one that requires you to expand from a pure Danian deck: Jaidwarl. He' just like Danian Element Choral, but is much more abusable. You can get more counters on to him vie MBF, Na-inna, The Rao'pa Sahkk Chimegrid, etc. He's also a bit easier to use than the first two cards, as he's already on the field, and ability negation is far less common than mugic negation. burn mugic might get him though...

          Like every card, Katharaz has his downfalls. Low disciplines will cause him to get smacked around by discipliners, and they also leave him open to LVBSoA. you can use Citadel Fragments to improve his stats and energy, but if you're worried about Katharaz's elements, use a Scarab of Kilhai.

          Another downside is that Katharaz relies on his ability to make him a front liner. Say your Danian Elemental Choral gets negated, Stronghold Mourn isn't up, Jaidwarl is mugicless or dead, or the worst: you have no way to activate hive. Katharaz would only have 45 energy on average; he'd be beaten to pulp quick.  To give yourself some hope when this has happened to you, have another combatant available to fight with. Good front line partners for Katharaz are Mhein, Nimmei, and any elementalist with Pauldrons.

          In my opinion, cards like Katharaz are made to be discovered. Some people will forget cards like this even exist because of superior or easier choices. But sometimes, you just have to look for the combos and synergies to unlock a cards full potential. Katharaz is ultra for a reason.

Apprentice: 1.5/5. His elements are his only redeeming factor
Master: 3.5/5. He takes more devotion than some of simpler cards, but Katharaz is very potent when the effort is put in to base the deck around him.

Thanks for reading guys. Please leave comments below, as they will encourage me to write more (yes, even the hate comments, 'cause then I'll know someone came to the site...).

-Ziro207

         

                                                                             

Card Review: Barrath Beyond, Underworld General

I have this review posted on the Chaotic Backup Forum for anyone interested. This is kind of the place to talk now since the real site is down. I really hope that Chaotic can get back up on its feet.

General description:
Barrath is probably the least used out of all the Forged Unity generals, and for a good reason. The price to activate his abilities are the sacrifices of your own teammates, though each of these abilities are quite good in their own rights. Barrath is a super, so he's not extremely easy to obtain. He's also legendary, which means you can't use the other generals with him. But if you're willing to overcome his steep prices, you'll be able to find the single most powerful general of the four, well, at least when Tangath Toborn doesn't have a Mipedian by his side.

Strategies and game play:
Barrath's stats by themselves are usual for an Underworlder. He has high power, good speed, and fire and

air, along with good energy. These all make up for a very good front line fighter. To make the most use out of his abilities though will require more devotion to the general himself. You can stick a general's standard on one of your creatures to give them double duty for Barrath. More good cardd to use would be Vidav, Master Strategist and The Northrange, as they can both can change creatures' tribes. My favorite way to use him is to give him a Mandiblor Crown and put Makanaz's and Ivelaan's in my deck so that whenever I sacrifice my creatures, I get big energy and stat boosts.


Ways to counteract it:
Instead of going head first into Barrath Beyond, you can go for the surrounding creatures so that he has no fuel for his abilities.You can also  se Trills of Diminution while one of your creatures are engaged with Barrath. As for the compost strategy, you can either destroy the Mandiblor Crown or remove the dead Danians from the game.

Strengths/Pros:
Good stats for an Underworld combatant
Elements to expand the attack deck
An ability that is very easy to manipulate as long as you are willing to devote cards to it

Weaknesses/Cons:
No Mugic Counters
His ability relies on sacrificing creatures.
Without his abilities, some of the stronger fighters can overpower him

Artwork and Aesthetics:
In my opinion, his sickness level went up an insane amount compared to his previous artwork. His head is surrounded by flames, which is awesome, and his armor looks beautiful. In his left hand, he's holding a helmet, or at least I think he is. I'm assuming that the helmet is from a fallen ally who sacrificed himself to his general, a very noble way to die.

Overall Rating:
The Underworld General is a bit pricey all over, but if you are willing to build your deck around him, he'll do wonders; I'm a witness to them. Because the sacrifice of creatures is still a high price, I give Barrath Beyond, Underworld General a 7/10.

And yes, this is how I'll be formatting my review from now on. Have a good day whoever is reading!

-Ziro207

Create a Card: Chaor, the Flame Heart

So, yeah. I created a card. Sorry for the absence, I've been busy.

Chaor, The Flame Heart
Creature-Underworld Conqueror Warrior
Courage: 95
Power: 100
Wisdom: 70
Speed: 55
Energy: 70
Mugic Counters: 1
Expend fire while engaged: Deal 20 damage to target creature.
Whenever a creature your opponent controls is healed or gains energy, Chaor gains fire.
Unique, Loyal

So what do you think? Voice your opinion in the comments below!
-ziro207

Underworld Lyssta

Hey guys. Sorry I haven't posted for a...long, while. But I'm back, and I've got a cool deck to share with you.

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1. Chaor/ Sandstorm Shroud
2. Lyssta/ Stormbird Statues
3. Bladez/ Kha'rall Husk Armor
4. Agitos, EM/ Bi-Mowercycle
5. Agitos, EM/ Bi-Mowercycle
6. Nivenna/ Azaia Mindprobe

2 Cannon of Casualty
1 Searing Symphony
1 Rod (red)
2 Cadence Clash

2 Prowl Strike
2 Voltorch
2 Hammer Dash
2 Marksman's Prep
2 Lightning Burst
2 Clashjet
2 Ash Torrent
2 Dry Liquid
2 Flashwarp
2 Flying Advantage

2 Prexxor Chasm, The Blight
1 Dranakis Threshold
1 Bodal's Arsenal
2 Lore's Chamber of Recall
2 Illusionary Lake
2 The Pits

I won't give too much of an explanation, but pretty much, the goal is to demolish all of your opponents fighters by forcing them to fight Lyssta. She has the Stormbird Statues to give her Surprise and gain all of her awesome combat abilities. Agitos makes sure that all your combatants will be winning their challenges. Really, that's all there is to this deck.



Signing out,
-ziro207

My Danian Deck (offline)

Hey guys. I'm really sorry for missing 2 cotw's. I'm making it up to you with a deck that I found quite good.

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1. Tabaal/Lightning Canister
2. Nimmei/ Ulmar's Projector
3. Ambolx/WEV
4. Illexia/WEV
5. Nimmei/Scepter of Infernal Parasite
6. Makrabon/ MBF

2 Cadence Clash
1 Deep Dirge
1 Strain of Infection
1 RoD (Danian)
1 Void Dirge

1 Megaroar (4bp)
2 Fearless Strike (8bp)
2 Streak Strike (10bp)
2 Hammer Dash (12bp)
2 Ghost Gouge (14bp)
2 Marksman's Prep (16bp)
2 Rust Toxic (18bp)
1 Mineral Mayhem (19bp)
1 Twister of Elements (20bp)
2 Shadow Strike
2 Evaporize
1 Aftermath Feint

2 Bodal's Arsenal
2 Mipedim Mirage
2 Mount Pillar
2 Brawler's Burrow
2 Ra'opa Sahkk Chimegrid (however it's spelled...)

Now, you're probably groaning. You've seen this deck before, or have you. The inclusion of Ulmar's Projector and Bodal's Arsenal is new. The main point of those 2 cards is to retrieve your scepter after Nimmei goes down. If you go first, Fight with your front Nimmei. If he wins, great. If he loses, just return him to the field. Now you're saying, "But if the opponent goes first, Nimmei won't be able to revive because I won't have any open spaces!" Tabaal fixes this by sacrificing himself for an open space.

You see, it's all thinking deep enough to create synergy.
-ziro207

COTW: The Marshmallow

     Hello readers! I'm back again for another cotw. Now, you may find the title somewhat...odd, but it will all be explained in due time. Without further ado, let's begin the review.

Stats:

C:55

P:65

W:25

S:35

E:55

     As you can see, I like looking at the more underused cards. Anyway, Dreg'ora is, as the title says, a big marshmallow. He has very high energy for a kha'rall (usual is about 45), but all of his stats are fairly weak. He has water (big suprise), and no mc (another big suprise), but unlike the original 4 kha'ralls, Dreg'ora has a more, interesting ability.

     When a creature is in combat with Dreg'ora, they lose 10 energy for each of their disciplines that are below 30. This ability can be extremely deadly against elementalist with, weaker stats, but there are mor things you can do with this ability.

The first immediate combo that comes to many player's minds is pairing him up with Part'soa. Just play a few water attacks and your opponent will struggle to survive. If 40 energy loss isn't enough, you can use a super rare attack called rancorous projection for another 40 dmg!  

   
Now you have to start wondering, what happens when Part'soa is cannoned to death? Well, there are other ways to reduce disciplines. One rare M'arillian mugic, Intimidating Melody of M'arr, can be devastating to opponents against Dreg'ora. The battlegear, Ulmanator, reduces all of the opposing engaged disciplines by 10 for each elelment they have. 2 attacks, Riptide and Degenerative, also help lower disciplines, but my favorite option of stat reduction has to be the location Glacier Plains, M'arrilian Melting Camp.



     Of course you have to be careful of creatures like Blazvatan; they eat marshmallows for breakfast.

Ratings:

Apprentice: 1.5
There are less ways of reducing the opponent's stats. Besides, water attacks won't do much for your team; the big ones are much better for Master


Master: 3
Dreg'ora is a very potential kha'rall that can produce quick energy loss in a multitude of ways.


Overall, Dreg'ora, in my opinion, is one of the strongest kha'ralls in Chaotic. Sometimes, decks will just be too stat heavy to be affected by him. Most of the time though, Dreg'ora is a pain to beat.
-ziro207