Xyz monsters all

Ever since the release of Lord of the Tachyon Galaxy, we’ve watched Compulsory Evacuation Device become more and more popular. It’s a one-shot answer to Mecha Phantom Beast Dracossack, and Number 11: Big Eye, bouncing each monster before it can use its effects to do horrible things to your cards. Because Compulsory’s a Spell Speed 2 card, you can play it to beat everything from Maestroke the Symphony Djinn to Gagaga Cowboy, outspeeding their abilities and getting them off the field before they can do their jobs.

The problem? Well, there are actually three. First, Compulsory’s a Trap Card, which means you have to Set it for a turn before you can use it. If your opponent’s already got a big Xyz Monster on the field and you set Compulsory, then activate it next turn, they still have a chance to Summon another big Xyz Monster while you get no chance for an attack. Trap cards are a little slow like that. In addition, Solemn Judgment is still hugely popular and it can easily negate Compulsory when you’re relying on it to save you. And you can’t forget about Infestation Pandemic making it nearly impossible to get the Evilswarm Ophion that’s debilitating your Deck off the field. Such scenarios usually end in losses. Finally, Number Hunters is now legal, and Number 74: Master of Blades will manhandle your chances of winning if you try to hit him with Compulsory.

With those thoughts in mind, check out today’s World Premiere debut from Judgment of the Light – Xyz Encore.

That’s a lot of text, but here’s the breakdown.

-Quick-Play Spell, targets 1 enemy Xyz Monster with at least 1 Material.

-Detaches all remaining Materials and returns the Xyz Monster to the Extra Deck.

-Summons as many of the detached Materials that were monsters as possible to your opponent’s side of the field in Defense Position, but with their Levels reduced by 1.

-Cannot be responded to in any way.

It may seem like Compulsory Lite, but Xyz Encore offers a lot of things that Compulsory doesn’t. First, you can set it like Compulsory if you want, but you don’t have to. You can play it straight from your hand, making it a better topdeck and a more surprising card when you want to be aggressive.