Welcome back to a very late edition in Preview Season. Sorry for the delay, getting ready to go to University on top of my job has left me with fleeting moments. But today, we look at the Blue Cards. Can they live up to the hype of the Red Card preview or will Blue be left in the dust? Let’s find out.

Bubbles

I was going to immediate skip, but one interesting thing. They made Bubbles a goddamn God. …is Bandai trying to tell us something about him? Has Goku been blaspheming for longer than we thought?! Do we need to bow to our new God and savior?!!

Desperate Measures

As you can tell I’m going by Cost Order today if only because it’s easier to get the pictures on the page this way. Desperate Measures…is not Galick Cannon for Blue, that’s for sure and it’s shown by it being Common rather than Super Rare. I honestly hesitate to call this good at all, 1 Energy to bounce a 2 Drop isn’t the most enticing option. I guess it’s fine to hurt tempo a bit but it’s still not particularly great. You can also potentially reuse one of your Battle Cards, which is neat I guess. It’s a much weaker and restricted Legendary Flute. Should be okay for Limited, don’t see it making the cut in Constructed unless we get dunked on by cheap aggro again.

Kamehameha

Uh sure, a slightly expanded Family Kamehameha for Blue and putting to the bottom of the deck is actually a slight upside to straight destruction due to us gaining more ways to interact with the Drop Area. Good for Limited play, a cheap way to spirit away those 30Ks that will show up. Could be a decent meta call in Constructed if the format ever shifts in its favor.

Master Roshi, Universe 7 United

A U7 Roshi but for Blue instead of Yellow. Sure, not bad to have in Limited especially in the wake of mild U7 synergy. In Constructed now certain U7 decks can have a more focused color base so they can play things like Senzu and Objection a bit easier. This is an example of good redundancy at work.

North Kai, Protector of Earth

A Goku reanimator which is certainly interesting, while also being attached to a cantrip. Preface Goku becomes free with this card and this could have applications with the Test of Strength partners. This could board the two on Turn 2 rather than 3. I think it has potential, don’t overlook him.

Android 17, Universe 7 United

Why wasn’t this Green?! *sigh* Oh well. Solid card for Limited, 2 Drop 15K Crit is always welcome. In Constructed this will be a hard nope…for now at least.

Android 18, Universe 7 United

I do like Mana/Energy sinks. Not that much though. This would’ve been better if it could also be used in Activate:Battle, but being forced to commit during your Main Phase really hampers this. Don’t see it being used in Constructed, probably just filler at best in Limited.

Grand Kai, the Lazy Instructor

Now this is design that definitely goes back to Magic the Gathering Limited Design. The cheap body that will eventually turn into removal late in the game. This is definitely not meant for Constructed but to be good Limited filler. Not a bad flyer to take late in a draft.

Mai, the Graceful Tactician

Another Limited Card but even for Limited this is a bit much. This honestly could’ve been a free Combo Cost and likely be fine, as it is pass over it at any opportunity.

Shu, Deluge of Power

My god a new Shu, the meta has been broken! Anyway, this is another in the apparent psuedo-Super Combo cycle for Battle Cards. Okay Draft filler, nothing more.

Tien Shinhan, Universe 7 United

For Limited definitely not too shabby. Decent tempo option against Battle Cards with no Enter effects. Not a bad pickup if you’re in Blue.

Frieza, Universe 7 United

Now this card is definitely interesting. At a glance a definite Limited powerhouse. It’s a guaranteed Blocker every turn whether he lives or dies, and at a relevant power threshold. In Constructed he could have potential as well. Pitching this to U7 Frieza only to revive it is pretty nice in a deck that wants to play defensively. Countering or killing this also doesn’t feel amazing since he can easily comeback. He won’t warp the meta or anything, but he’s a neat option.

Majin Buu

Good for Limited as you would expect, otherwise skip!

Son Gohan, Universe 7 United

Hey, we like recursion and he offers it. Once again meant to avoid recurring Super Combos but otherwise there’s a few things you can mess around with. For decks in Blue that need the recursion it’s a solid option and also gives you some leeway with comboing on defense. Not bad in Limited, could see Constructed play at some point as one can never completely overlook the ability to rebuy key cards.

Krillin, Universe 7 United

Well hello surprise GB/Zamasu support! Seriously, this is a potential all-star in that deck. More forced ramp, which that deck does need alongside removal AND a cantrip? Hell yeah. In Limited this is solid but also risky as it’s much harder to deal with quality bombs in this environment.

SSB Vegeta, Universe 7 United

Another solid Limited card. Cantrip Blocker that frees up an Energy every opponent’s turn. That’s the main draw, that said Auto triggers every time and not just on play. Pretty good build around in Limited on that facet. Constructed it’s just too slow. If you want Untap we have plenty of that in Blue for free.

Ultra Instinct Son Goku, the Unstoppable

There is a LOT of debate on this card. Some call it trash, others are going as far as calling it Cryptic Command. Well I’ll say right now this is NOT Cryptic Command and anyone who says so needs to go play some Modern again (without Hogaak >_>). This card though is a bit tricky to evaluate. In theory he’s VERY flexible. Usable pretty much anytime for a guaranteed bounce if he hits the board. Need to protect yourself on attack, he’s got you. Need to deal with a problematic Battle Card hitting the board? He’s got you. Need to clear a path? He’s got you. He ignores Barrier which is a big deal as well, breaking up potential game winning potential.

The main question is, does he see play (in Constructed, in Limited you jam any you got). That’s…tough. On defense 4 Energy is a LOT to keep up, let’s be real here. He has no offensive Keywords (or any Keywords at all for that matter) so he’s just a vanilla 20K Body once he hits board. Being a 4 Drop 20K means he’s vulnerable to Preemptive Strike/Denial of Hope or dying to a multitude of things. He’s not great on Offense and he’s not particularly impressive on Defense. Bandai is really relying on the versatility on this card, especially compared to the straight explosion and power of Vegeta in this very set. I don’t think it’s QUITE enough outside of the Side Board where he could do some damage. I could see him in U7 builds though wanting some more defense. I think a main home will be if they push Aegis more. Then it’s a bit more feasible to have the Energy up to play him. As it stands he just might be too expensive to see play, I think he would’ve been safe as a 3 Drop.

Janemba, Infernal Intruder

The heavens opened and Bandai has made a commandment. “Stop playing Mill you jerks and start playing Infernal Chain!”. This is…a very persuasive way of trying to get players on that horse again. Another way to start the Chain, and starts it immediately. Note that the chain becomes a lot more volatile with this card, but also more explosive due to the cheaper cost to play and the fact it starts as a 20K Crit body. Idk if this points Janemba Chain on the map but it’s a solid attempt at it. Also fun fact, this card can put another of itself into play with no restriction if you wanna go that route. So you know, neat!

SS Son Goku, the Ever-Adapting

Once upon a time this card would’ve been seen as insane. Easy Draw 2, 25K Crit/Barrier and gets you a free Untap on the opponent’s turn? Notably if we get a decent amount of Gokus in the Draft Box this is fantastic in Limited if you have enough Evolve Targets. In Constructed, again doesn’t do enough. But I definitely love it for Limited.

Whis, Keeper of Universe 7

Following up Vados we have Whis. The question that needs to be asked immediately is, “Is a 5 Drop Whis with Barrier and Double Strike with a free Negate every turn worth it?”. It’s obviously not worth it at 7, you need to hit that 5 Energy cost. My immediate answer is no. Not only is being a 5 Drop conditional, but even if it wasn’t I don’t think he’s quite good enough in Constructed to make the cut. In Limited as well, it really depends on our Dual Color pool of cards. If we have a bunch he makes it. At 7…idk if the game is going long enough to make it happen for him.

Final Thoughts:

Unlike Red where you could see a lot of potential Constructed decisions alongside Limited, Blue seems ALL about the Limited here outside of a couple of outliers. That’s fine considering the product but a bit of a letdown after how good the Red spoilers were.