This month’s Monthly Bushiroad magazine has given us a sneak peek into the future of Great Nature with our first new card from G Extra Booster 2: The AWAKENING Zoo. This card is a new Grade 3 that adds an extra tool to Success decks as well as opening up more potential for combos.

[AUTO](RC):Success 20000 (When your rear-guard’s [Power] becomes 20000 or greater, this unit becomes successful until end of turn)

[CONT](RC) Generation Break 1:If this unit is successful, this unit gets [Power]+4000, and for the battle that this unit attacked, your opponent cannot call grade 0 cards from hand to (GC).

Guard restrict is not something that has been heavily explored in Great Nature pre-G-EB02, and with the rise in decks that can guard or draw heavily, this is always a welcome mechanic. The more options we have to get around large hands to push for game, the better. Notable is the fact that this card’s skill is CONT and does not active on-attack like Greybelly. Because of this, Rhinos’ skill can be gained even if he becomes successful due to a boost from a unit behind him. It seems as though the card designers in charge of giving us Great Nature cards have learned from their past mistakes. Also nice is the fact that Rhinos gives himself another 4000 power. This is not a huge buff, but it keeps him in theme with the rest of the clan and gives him that extra push he might need to break through what little shield the opponent may have at their disposal.

My main qualm surrounding this card is the obvious one. As a Grade 3, Rhinos is much harder to fit into any given deck. Grade 3 space is always tight simply by virtue of wanting to run fewer of them than any other grade to ensure consistent rides as well as wanting to minimize the number of cards in your hand that do not have shield value.

This minor issue aside, I foresee many players finding room for Rhinos in their decks. Though being a Grade 3 comes with its hindrances in deck building, it also provides a benefit. Two commonly played cards – Momonga and Mikesaburo – give you the ability to tech a single copy of this card and search it out when you feel like you may need it. This allows you to have Rhinos around for specific situations while avoiding having to clog your deck in order to see him.

The major potential of this card is in a very simple combo with Omniscience Dragon, Managarmr. When Successful and boosted by Managarmr’s skill, Rhinos prevents your opponent from guarding with any cards from hand. This limits your opponent to G Guardians, intercepts, and special guard skills such as those of Gurguit. Paired with Crayon Tiger, you can swing twice with a high-powered, nearly unblockable unit to put incredible pressure on your opponent. Paired with critical triggers, this can end games quickly. Keep an eye out for this powerful Common when G Extra Booster 2: The AWAKENING Zoo releases in English on January 26, 2018 and keep an eye on this site for any further updates regarding new releases for the set!

Remember, if you want to keep up to date with past, present, and futures articles published on this website, we have a Facebook page that will update whenever something new is posted here. Give it a like or a follow to make sure you get a notification when important things happen in the world of Great Nature! Also, if you want to interact with your fellow Great Nature players, GNU has a Facebook Community where you can talk about tournament results, decks builds, and more!