Best Control Cards in Lightning (Opus 1)

Fire, ice, wind and earth are done. Today I got Lightning for you guys. One of the premier ways to be control with, as many players say. Is it so? Let’s take a look what are – in my opinions – the staple cards for control decks within this element.

LIGHTNING

3. Gilgamesh

There are two reasons why I put all three versions of Gilgamesh on this spot instead of only one.

First: They look like an evolution line from a Pokémon game if you display them right next to each other. Second: They can (and most of the time) should be played as a complete package. If you would have to cut one of them – [3]Gilgamesh is probably the weakest. Even if he blocks extremely well.

Both 4-drop Gilgamesh are amazing threats for you to put out at the end of the game. They attack and block well by having 8K bodies. While the [4]Gilgamesh has Brave and doubles as a valuable blocker, the [4S]Gilgamesh can not be bounced back to your hand.

But what makes this line of characters so outstanding are their special skills. All of them have a vast array of uses with the abilities of the 4-drops taking the cake by providing you with removal. Since those skills are so useful, running 9 of this card in a control shell is nothing you should shy away from. Even if you does not have to dull for it’s activation, the skill of the [4S]Gilgamesh needs some setup by having us take some damage beforehand (which is often just part of playing control – life is a resource after all), while the [4]Gilgamesh has a RNG based effect. However if you also play water, you can use [2]Geomancer for some great synergy.

Once the game has gotten to the late game, [4S]Gilgamesh can be enough to bring the complete offense and defense of you opponent to a halt.

2. Odin

Putting multiple cards in one spot. Again? Within the sam article? I may look like the biggest scrub. But hear me out.

Both [4]Odin and [7]Odin are outstanding. Fourdin is a reverse-Alexander. The 7-drop outright murders a Forward. I really could not decide which of those deserve this spot over the other. It depends completely on your deck and the meta you are playing in. Those two Summons are prime examples for cards I would need a sideboard for. Right now I am playing an even split in my decks or lean more towards the 4-drop-version. But I always run at least on [7]Odin.

There is not much more to say. Those are some fine cards. They kill stuff.

1. [6]Lightning

The best control card for lightning is [6]Lightning. But I also think [6]Lightning is the best Lightning. Also possibly one of the best legendaries in the set.

When you put down lightning you get a 9K Forward for 6 CP. Not great. But she also tutors for a card named Odin. And the Odins from Opus 1 are pretty good cards. They kill stuff. And being able to search your deck for removal to deal with their dudes is such great value.

Of course this alone does not justify her sitting on the number 1 spot. Her special skill Army of One makes herself be a kind of removal spell. Making her a hasty first striker is solid. But you also get to choose a forward that has to block her this turn. This makes her amazing at finishing the game. The Odin you put into your hand and her special skill will tear through the enemy ranks and guarantee that he needs a way to answer her quickly.

On minor downside. The other Lightnings in Opus 1 are not that great in a control deck and thus running some of them may seem like a waste of space for some players. They are not the worst, but most of the time I would rather play a different character in their slots.

Conclusion

Lightning is a powerful element to base a control deck on. All the cards featured in todays list go very well along together. Having a combination of [6]Lightning and [4S]Gilgamesh sitting on your side of the field feels amazing. Taking so much options from your opponent by being able to remove his Forwards without eben have to dull them (Lightning still has to be dulled to attack if she does not have Brave). If you need cards in your deck to close the deal. Those are some fine examples to look into.

Another card I did not yet mention is Seymour. Being able to play a Backup without losing tempo is crucial for us. [5]Lulu seems decent as well. Although a little slow.

Next up: Water!

———————————————————————————————————————————————————————–

Author Bio:

Prinny first dipped his toe into the pond of TCGs in 2002 when Yu-Gi-Oh! made it’s way to Europe. He has been taken the part of TO, judge and tournament player in several games. Mainly focusing on Magic: The Gathering and the World of Warcraft TCG.