Abandon all hope... "Dark Forest" Archetype [13/13]

[NobodySovereign]

The Lore

 

Somewhere in the Duel Monsters world, there exists a sprawling, shadowy forest which is said to thrive off of the feelings of despair and hopelessness of those who lose their way within. Strange creatures, appearing as shadows of themselves, hound would-be adventurers, and chief among them is the mysterious Hunter, who draws his power from the forest itself. One young man, though, may be able to light the way for others...

 

The Goal

 

The set has the interesting mechanic to banish cards face-down in order to fuel the effects of the DARK monsters in the set, with a couple of cards making use of this stockpile to increase their own power-- namely Herne and the Explorer, though they do so in different ways. As the odd duck out, and built-in counter, Explorer is immune to most of the dangers of the Dark Forest's natives, but be wary: fall ill in body or in spirit, and his life (and possibly yours) will pass into the crooked hands of the Hunter and his wicked creatures!

 

With it's ability to recycle face-down banished cards, and to banish Graveyard cards face-down, this deck can dodge some pretty tricky foes like Ghostricks, and Explorer is a soft counter (I believe) to Shaddolls. Enough Flip effects, and he could even take out boss monsters like Shekinaga. Songbird is a Tuner, allowing for a slew of general Level 8 synchros, and they can also churn out some Rank 4's with a little less certainty.

 

 

[spoiler=Monsters]

 

Wolves of the Dark Forest

Ever the forest appears as the wolf at the door-- dangerous yet distant.

4/DARK/Fiend/1400 ATK/1700 DEF

FLIP: This card cannot be destroyed by battle or card effects until the End Phase of your opponent's next turn.

Once per turn: You can banish the top 2 cards of your Deck face-down, and if you do, this card gains 800 ATK until your next Standby Phase.

 

Beast of the Dark Forest

Oft is it forgotten that the buck has not soft fur or kind eyes, but sharp horns and heavy hooves.

4/DARK/Fiend/1100 ATK/2000 DEF

FLIP: You can target 1 monster your opponent controls; banish the top 2 cards of your Deck face-down, and if you do, banish that target. Once per turn: You can banish the top card of your Deck face-down, and if you do, Special Summon 1 Level 4 "Dark Forest" monster from your hand or Graveyard.

 

Songbird of the Dark Forest

What song flies on the winds when the moon is full but the dirge of the listener?

4/DARK/Fiend/1000 ATK/? DEF

FLIP: Target 1 monster your opponent controls; this card's Original DEF becomes equal to that monster's ATK.

Once per turn: Excavate the top card of each Deck, then place them either on the top or bottom of their respective decks.

 

Explorer of the Dark Forest

We are all explorers of the unknown-- that dark forest that seems to go on forever.

4/EARTH/Warrior/1300 ATK/1200 DEF

This card is unaffected by Flip Effects. When a Flip Effect is activated: This card gains 300 ATK and DEF. Once per turn: You can target 3 face-down banished cards; shuffle them into the Deck, and if you do, this card can make a second attack during each of your Battle Phases this turn.

 

Lost Soul of the Dark Forest

Fall ill or lose hope and your life will pass into His crooked hands.

4/DARK/Fiend/500 ATK/2000 DEF

FLIP: Destroy 1 Spell/Trap Card your opponent controls, then banish 1 card face-down from the top of your Deck.

Once per turn: You can banish 1 card face-down from the top of your Deck, then target 1 card in your Graveyard; shuffle that target into the Deck.

 

Herne, Hunter of the Dark Forest

Come, wayward souls who wander through the darkness. There is a light for the lost and the meek.

Rank 4/DARK/Fiend/2100 ATK/1300 DEF

2 Level 4 DARK monsters

While this card has an Xyz Material attached to it that was originally a "Dark Forest" monster: This card cannot be destroyed by battle. Once per turn: You can detach 1 Xyz Material and shuffle all face-down banished cards into your Deck (min. 1); this card gains 100 ATK and DEF for each card shuffled into the Deck by this effect.

 

Herne, Master of the Dark Forest

There is only me. There is only my way. There is only the Forest and there is only surrender.

1 "Dark Forest" Tuner + 1 or more non-Tuner DARK monsters

When this card is Summoned: You can banish up to 3 cards face-down from the top of your Deck, and if you do, this card gains 500 ATK for each card you banished. Once per turn: You can add 2 face-down banished cards to your hand, then discard 1 card.

 

 

 

 

[spoiler=Traps]

 

Foreshadow of the Dark Forest

Led through the mists by the milk-light of moon... all that was lost is revealed.

Normal Trap

Excavate the top 5 cards of your opponent's Deck, then place them back on the top in whatever order and each player draws 2 cards.

 

Embrace of the Dark Forest

Sorrow and fear are easily forgotten when you submit to the soil of the earth.

Continuous Trap

During each of your End Phases: You can change any number of face-up monsters you control to face-down Defense Position. During each of your Standby Phases: You can banish the top card of your Deck face-down.

 

Witching Hour in the Dark Forest

He lurks out there in the unknown, seeking those who are far from home, hoping never to let you return.

Counter Trap

When a Spell/Trap Card, or monster effect, is activated while you control at least 1 "Dark Forest" card, and all face-up monsters you control are "Dark Forest" monsters: Negate the activation, and if you do, destroy that card.

 

 

 

 

[spoiler=Spells]

The Dark Forest

Oh how the gentle wind beckons through the leaves as autumn colors fall...

Field Spell

Once per turn: This card cannot be destroyed. During each of your Draw Phases: You can add 1 face-down banished card to your hand instead of drawing. Each "Dark Forest" monster you control gains 500 ATK and DEF.

 

Dawn Breaks on the Dark Forest

Hope begins in the dark, the stubborn hope that if you just show up and try to do the right thing, the dawn will come.

Quick-Play Spell

Banish up to 5 cards from your Graveyard face-down, also, flip as many face-down monsters you control as possible to face-up Attack Position. While this card is in your Graveyard, except the turn it was sent there: You can banish this card, then add 2 face-down banished cards to your hand.

 

Twilight Road of the Dark Forest

Half way along the road we have to go I came to in a gloomy wood...

Continuous Spell

Once per turn: You can discard 1 card, then Special Summon 1 "Dark Forest" monster from your hand or Graveyard in face-down Defense Position. During each of your End Phases: You can banish the top card of your Deck face-down.

 

 

 

[Tojin]

These guys have a neat gimmick. IIRC there's barely anything done with banishing cards face-down in Yugioh proper, so seeing something like this is pretty neat.

 

You can probably boost Explorer's ATK gain to 300 or so, since 100 ATK per Flip Effect is rather slow going with only 3 Flip monsters. Twilight Road also doesn't specify where you're summoning from.

[NobodySovereign]

Thanks for the feedback. I've adjusted the two cards accordingly. I feel silly for having forgotten to add where Twilight specials from.

[NobodySovereign]

BUMP

[NobodySovereign]

Bump? Please?

[NobodySovereign]

BUMPITY BUMP BUMP