Feature: Dimensional Forest

So, as I'm sure most of you are aware, I've been teasing a new deck that I've been testing at a few of my locals over the past few days on Twitter and various forums. Well, after a lot of play testing both in tournaments and with my group of YGO buddies, I'm finally ready to reveal the deck list and concept!

Monsters: (11)

3 GB Laquari

2 GB Equeste

2 GB Darius

1 GB Bestiari

1 GB Murmillo

1 GB Retiari

1 Spirit Reaper

Magic: (16)

2 Ancient Forest

1 Terraforming

2 Dimensional Fissure

3 Smashing Ground

3 Gladiator Proving Ground

1 Book of Moon

1 Monster Reborn

1 Dark Hole

2 MST

Traps: (14)

3 Gladiator Beast War Chariot

3 Trap Stun

2 Solemn Warning

2 Bottomless Trap Hole

2 Dimensional Prison

1 Torrential Tribute

1 Mirror Force

1 Solemn Judgment  

I have quite a few things to say about this deck. First up, this is a build very similar to the build I was playing in North Carolina around this time last year; it's literally been that long since I've played GB's in any fashion. As is tradition with the start of any new format, Gladiator Beasts are really good right now, and with all of the field spells floating around (Necrovalley, Dragon Ravine, Fusion Gate, etc.) among top tier decks, not to mention this is strictly an attack-based format, Ancient Forest is absolutely crippling to a lot of decks, and it essentially turns into an extra two copies of MST by ridding the field of another deck's annoying field spell.

For those that don't know, Ancient Forest reads:

When you activate this card, change any Defense Position monster(s) to face-up Attack Position. Flip effects are not activated at this time. If a monster attacks, destroy it at the end of that turn's battle phase.

This is good for a NUMBER of reasons. The first effect of the card may seem minor and not very useful, but you'd be very wrong in making that assumption. With all of the recruiters, Rykos, Spirit Reapers, Gravekeeper's Spy and all kinds of other annoying face down monsters floating around, the first effect of Ancient Forest comes in VERY handy.

While the first effect is cool, I'm obviously playing the card for its second effect. Gladiator Beasts compliment this card perfectly because they are able to play around its destruction effect by "tagging out" for another creature. Because you are turn player and because the effects of Ancient Forest and the Gladiator Beast that attacked resolve at the same time, you are able to choose which resolves first. Meaning, in simpler terms, that Gladiator Beasts are completely unaffected by Ancient Forest, while other aggressive, attack based decks (Dragunity, Gravekeepers, Six Samurai, etc.) are nearly shut down by it.

Combined with Dimensional Fissure, which Gladiator Beasts can also comfortably play around, the deck has a consistent, easy way of removing giant monsters from the field, which has always been an issue for Gladiator Beasts. I'm also playing 3 Smashing Ground for that same purpose, as well as to remove annoying monsters like Thunder King Rai-Oh. Dimensional Fissure also completely shuts down a lot of graveyard oriented decks, slowing them down enough for Gladiator Beasts to keep pace and control over the game. If you've ever played Anti-Meta Gadgets (and I'm not talking about the herp-derp Machina build) or Fifth Gadgets, this deck plays a lot like that. It's designed around the concept of easy one for one card exchanges that clear the field and allow you to rack up advantage via your Gladiator Beast's effects.

Having said all of that, let's take a look at my side deck (which isn't final, btw -- I'm always making changes to every side deck I've ever had) and the choices I've made there.

Side Deck: (15)

2 DD Crow

2 Consecrated Light

2 Cyber Dragon

2 Effect Veiler

1 Nobleman of Crossout

1 Dimensional Fissure

2 Chain Disappearance

2 Pulling the Rug

1 Mind Crush

Most of these choices are pretty self-explanatory, though I can see where some people might find some contradictions, namely in DD Crow and Effect Veiler, given that I'm playing Dimensional Fissure. Well, the simple fact of the matter is that you aren't always going to have D-Fissure, and more often than not it's going to be your opponent's first MST target after you activate it. Having a DD Crow or Effect Veiler back (depending on the match up; I never side both in at the same time) is great, because they aren't spells or traps, so they aren't susceptible to destruction or Giant Trunade.

Pulling the Rug is amazing right now with all of the Dragunity decks being played post-YCS Charlotte. I've also seen a rise in the number of Machina Gadget decks at my various locals, so it really helps out there as well and, of course, it's always good in the Frog Monarch match up, which is another deck seeing a rise in popularity this format.

So, after all that teasing, it's finally revealed -- my Dimensional Forest Glads. I'm really happy and proud of this deck, even though I know it's a concept that others (including myself) have already explored in the past. The difference is that this deck is better now than it has ever been and I'm amazed that more people haven't thought to play it. Oh well, I guess I'll just have to blaze the trail!

What do you guys think? Was it worth the wait and all the teasing? Let me know in the comments!