Hello everyone and welcome back. Now that we know every card in the set of Destroyer Kings (and more importantly the current rulings) it’s time to see where they may fall prior to Pre-Release. Let’s see how the set stacks up in full.

Common

Honorable Mention: Son Goku, Spirit Forger

Kicking things off with an Honorable Mention in Spirit Forger. This card is pretty hilarious. It’s slow as sin, carries a lot of risk but when he goes off you’ll feel like a god. It’s hard to rate completely because he requires his own deck archetype essentially, but I think the card has too much latent potential to completely leave off the list.

Honorable Mention: Godstrike Beerus

It pains me to leave him off the list because I think the ability to outright shut off something like Barrier anytime is very strong, but ultimately he’s too costly and will be relegated to sideboards. He was initially in my 5 slot regardless but a ruling bumped him down.

5. Loyal Kikono

Starting off the list proper we have Kikono. To me, having him this low speaks to the pretty solid quality of the Commons in Destroyer Kings. A Pseudo-Super Combo that guarantees card quality and recycles some of your best cards cannot be overlooked. Especially since Red obtained plenty of strong Extra Cards this set, this Kikono is loaded with a lot of potential value. I honestly wanted him higher but the other cards were just too good to ignore and thus Kikono lands at 5.

4. Vegito, Powers Combined

The name of this Vegito’s name is value. I think that Kikono may be a better card, but Vegito has a better chance of making a legitimate impact in the metagame since he’s not nearly as restricted deckbuilding wise. Even without Union, playing him on 3 while replacing himself and threatening a big Vegito play the next turn can really railroad an opponent’s gameplan making him a great lightning rod. If you’re able to get the Union for cheap though, it’s even more cards and a much better likelihood of swapping him out the same turn with no opposing interaction. He’s played far better than expected, so he gets a spot on the list.

3. Is That All You’ve Got?

This card was initially in the Number 1 slot on this list a couple of weeks ago when I started to draw it up. But then Storm got hit, and while it’s not dead, it’s made this card far less of a nuke dropped onto the meta. The power level on this card is great, the issue is that for the most part it’s easy to avoid unless you’re a going wide deck. With the meta going taller this card lost a fair bit of value, but the overall power level still makes the list because it can just be an immense blowout.

2. Berryblue, the Negotiator

Part of me wanted to drop her due to Mono-Red Prison not being as good as I envisioned and the original Red FA deck struggling to fit her…but her ability is FAR too powerful to completely overlook and I just can’t believe she won’t find her way onto a relevant list. Removal that ignores Barrier alone is at an absolute premium, and stealing the Battle Card entirely is even more absurd. Add to the fact that being a Cheap Combo keeps her from clogging the hand, and you can dig for her? There’s a reason she can needle Frieza with no fear of reprisal. I would’ve even considered her for number 1…if not for…

1. Bonds of Friendship Android 8

I scoffed at the possibility they would actually allow it to be the case…but the rulings came out and Bandai made no ironclad stance against it. Thus, as of now yes, you can combo off a Kid Goku to trigger Eighter’s KO ability. I shouldn’t have to say how immensely busted that is. It’s a kill for essentially free, at Battle timing. Since we can just recycle The Adventure Begins with Power Burst, it comes at almost no cost. He’s also not Once Per Turn so he can outright wipe a board as well (I’ve had it happen to me, wasn’t pleasant). It turns what I already was a fantastic archetype, into something extremely powerful. The deck already had outstanding defense, and now it’s nearly unbreakable. I can see (and by see, I mean hope) that this is eventually changed but for now…all hail our Eighter overlord. He’s not just one of the best cards in the set, currently he’s one of the best cards in the game period.

Uncommon

5. Harmonic Energy SSB Son Goku

No honorable mention here, mainly because its slim pickings in the UC slot. I went with this Goku because at his worst he’s a 20K Active Attacker which…well we could do worse than that. At his best he grabs a relevant Vegeta, has a free kill and then prepares for Fusion the next turn. He’s not the best, but he’s a solid mid game play for the Gogeta deck. He gets the nod over Vegeta because he’s more relevant if he does whiff.

4. Paragus, Deadly Premonition

He makes the list mainly as a typical archetype searcher, in an archetype that REALLY needs to find very specific pieces when it can. That’s pretty much enough. His second ability, while I raved about it previously, actually doesn’t see all that much usage surprisingly. But it’s a good bonus to have when you need it.

3. Broly Control Mechanism

Another day, another object to control Broly that becomes a lynchpin of his deck. It triggers your level up which is very important, it gives you an extra draw and it’s searchable. It does what it needs to do, does it well and lands in the 3 spot.

2. SS3 Son Goku, Pushing Forward

I’m a sucker for Turn 3 removal, especially when it’s easy to do and reusable. It does have some downsides, Burst 5 can be costly in the right matchups and having to wait until End of Turn means that things can go very wrong but otherwise it’s just a great tech removal piece that should see at the very least sideboard, if not mainboard play.

1. Live to Fight Another Day

I will go on record saying that I don’t like this card as much as I did when I first reviewed it. It turns out the effect isn’t all THAT hard to get around in the right deck, and other decks will just simply not care about tossing 3 cards because whatever play they’re going after is just far better. Even still, a cantrip that makes sure the game stays relatively even at worst is still a strong build-around card. It’s also an aggro killer in general because they almost never have anything that can duck the effect and usually want to play multiple Battle Cards. It’s still a good card, still worthy of the Number 1 spot, but not the game changer I expected it to be.

Rares

Honorable Mention: Four-Star Ball

On its own, the Four-Star Ball really isn’t all that great or special of a card. Honestly in most cases it’s just an extra 5K combo unless pushing for lethal with a Vanilla. However it’s so important to Bonds of Friendship Son Goku it felt criminal to not include it here. Pick them up when you can. But since the card itself isn’t that amazing, it’s relegated to HM status.

5. Gogeta, Unparalleled Fusion Warrior

25K Double Strike, Active Attacker, pseudo-Dual Attack, can be played on the cheap AND is extremely hard to kill under conventional removal methods. This card has a ton going for it. The main downside is that he will be relegated to one or two specific decks and is really only the stepping stone to a far greater power. Still, he deserves a spot on the list absolutely.

4. Vegito, at Full Throttle

Like the above, a lot of things going for it but I expect this to see play in a couple more decks. Double Strike/Dual Attack on a 25K body is great and he doesn’t clog the hand (usually) because he’ll be in your Energy waiting for Powers Combined to bring him out. Getting rid of pesky Barrier BCs is a very nice bonus but even without that skill he is a very potent mid to late game threat that brings down a ton of pressure on the opponent. Do not overlook the Vegito package, it may surprise you.

3. Majin Buu, the Intensifying Evil

Buu is the antithesis of a lot of archetype lynchpins. You can honestly ignore the archetypal effect and are still left with a very solid card. Pseudo-Barrier that in some respects can actually be better than Barrier and extremely easy repeatable removal. He’d honestly make the list just on those merits alone. But add his effect that the entire archetype is built around and you have a home run. Bandai seems to have found a groove with these enabler cards, making them good on their own while also setting off the deck. Was an honest contender for the Number 1 spot.

2. Broly, Power Unleashed

Like Buu, this Broly is damn good on his own merits. Now, he can’t be as separated as Buu simply because he would be quite pricey at 6 but he makes up for it very fast. 25K Double Strike that can’t be hosed by Mafuba is fantastic. The ability to kill something in Battle is such an absurd trick, that we’ve already discussed at length, and he can do it for damn near free. Add to the fact that if for whatever reason he’s still left on board you still can’t deal with him safely because getting rid of him in any capacity will set upon you the SR and you’ll really be sorry. That’s almost better than Barrier outright because you simply won’t WANT to touch him. Geez, such power, what can overtake him at Number 1?

1. Speedy Partner Lemo

Wait…what? After all the bombs we went past, this little thing is in the Number 1 spot? Yes he is and I’ll tell you why! He forms a backbone with Cheelai, Frieza Force Soldier that makes for a VERY potent core engine. It brings a lot of pressure to the table while draining the opponent’s hand. In the right hands (like say…Golden Frieza) you have an honest to goodness monster. This looks unassuming, and certainly is nowhere near as flashy as literally every other card in the Rare list but let me tell you, Lemo has a bright future.

Destruction Rares

5. Lord Slug, Agent of Destruction

I figured since we have exactly 5 DRs this set, might as well give them a list too. All of these are for the most part excellent cards so don’t take the ranking too seriously. Lord Slug is on the bottom because…well, someone had to be. But really it’s because he’s one of the more restrictive of the DRs. Fantastic for his deck, but outside of it he’s not the most fantastic. Which says something about the power of these cards where 3 Drop 20K forced discard is on the bottom level.

4. Boujack, Agent of Destruction

I think he’s overall weaker than Lord Slug HOWEVER…he has a very unique niche of just being anti-meta as hell right now. Being able to tap down annoying Barrier cards like Path to Greatness to get at them is extremely important, and locking down a Leader means Janemba Mill is slowed down. Outside of maybe his own deck, I think Boujack is definitely relegated to the sideboard but I think he’s a very strong sideboard tech in this metagame and possibly the next one thus he ends up higher than Slug.

3. Janemba, Agent of Destruction

These last three are EXTREMELY close and honestly I can make a case for them to be in any order. So what will decide them will honestly be nitpicks, just keep that in mind. Janemba is probably the most likely of the 5 to see metagame play just because of how absurdly easy it is to fit him into Janemba Mill, on top of being the easiest to use with Babidi and the SCR. The reason he ends up this low though is because ultimately he’s pretty low impact. He only makes Janemba Mill a little bit better and the SCR Buu fun seems more of a fun gimmick rather than anything major. Again, a nitpick as he’s a damn solid card and will do very well.

2. Android 13, Agent of Destruction

This is a card I adore (well I adore all the DRs). It just does so much very well, with very little restriction. 3 Drop 20K Crit is already well stated, but his KO ability just puts him over the line. He becomes an immediate lightning rod as he just maintains absurd pressure and value if allowed to live for even one extra turn. I can see most Green decks loving to have him. The only thing holding him back is that he’s expensive to start up, generally either requiring 5 Energy or some untap help to get going. It’s JUST enough to drop him below the Number 1 spot.

1. Vegeta, Agent of Destruction

Topping off the list we have Majin Vegeta himself. He’s just a house. Providing Red with something it usually doesn’t have outside of dedicated archetypes in reliable removal. As I said before in his review, I think he’d be good enough just on the basis of his first effect but if you’re able to get his second going he turns into an insane pressure tool. It honestly doesn’t take much to put Blue in Red decks, most already run Zen-Oh so it’s just a matter of fitting a little bit more Blue. But again, since the effect isn’t necessary you don’t have to overload the deck for it. I expect to see a lot of him at top tables.

Super Rares

Honorable Mention: Paragus, Rampage Trigger

I’ll admit I was a bit harsh when this card was first revealed. But after actually playing against the deck, I can see why he’s a SR. Paragus guarantees your 6 Drop on Turn 2 or your 8 Drop if your opponent has so much as a cantrip out (without it you’ll need a little more help). He accelerates the Broly deck by about 5000 MPH. Why is he only an Honorable Mention? He’s only good, in that specific deck, and really in only that specific scenario. Past that absurd burst turn he’s pretty much only alright as the deck requires a bit more setup to go off again. Thus, relegated to HM but still worthy of mention.

5. Golden Frieza, the Indomitable Emperor

When I initially made this list I actually had this card at Number 2 and for good reason. When he hits the board it’s all but game over outside of very specific scenarios. So why the drop? For one, he doesn’t get out nearly as fast as expected (due to my correct fear in the new Frieza Deck lacking desperately needed proactive Extra Cards) and two, simply put the deck isn’t as good as I expected. Frieza pretty much goes as the deck does, and his personal power is the only reason he stays on the list. He comes in at 5.

4. SSB Gogeta, Fusion Onslaught

Gogeta will often be one of the things. A game ending burn play, or a complete board wipe only stopped by Mafuba. Both are quite amazing for obvious reasons. This card makes the Gogeta: Br deck have an absurd payoff because no matter what you’re getting a fantastic card that’s useful in nearly every scenario and also maintains the resiliency of his Evolve target. Fantastic card, only really overshadowed by other fantastic cards while also being in a relatively rigid and unproven archetype, he comes in at 4.

3. Boujack, the Plunderer

The verdict is in. Yep, he triggers for every single card. Thus in many cases dropping Boujack is nigh equivalent to a Cell Chain resolution but one that continues to go off as long as he exists on board. The ONLY reason he isn’t an immediate Number 1 is simply because…you have to play him in a pretty meh deck. On the bright side he can also Evolve off of the Agent of Destruction, so that’s neat. But his power level is just so insane and can end the game on the spot (especially if the opponent has no removal for him) that despite his own deck, he has to get on the list.

2. Broly, Limits Transcended

I was a bit down on him in my preview but that’s mostly because he covers usual ground with his previous drop. Don’t get me wrong though, killing something through Barrier is insane, alongside doing it at Battle speed. You can get this Broly out as early as Turn 2 as well. God forbid if you’re able to board two (though honestly you only need one of this and one of the 6 drop). The sheer presence he puts by existing on board makes life hell for most decks in the game. You better have removal for him, or you’ll pay the price.

1. Son Goku, the Adventure Begins

This may seem like bias, but hear me out on this one. Like the above, he spirals out of control quite quickly in value. Paired with Eighter he forms a deadly removal package. He’s easily recycled with Power Burst. But his main intangible is just how much of a lightning rod he is. Unless the opponent has built in answers for him (usually any weenie killer will do it, you know the ones) they’ll usually have to waste prime real estate killing him rather than…you know, your big body threats gunning them down. He’s restricted to his own deck…but that goes for every SR in the set. His Leader however has the most freedom of any in the set, and thus the Adventure Begins will come with him. At his worst he gives you the Four-Star to start your draw power and continues to get them for you. He’s always giving you more and more card economy, and then he’s putting 30Ks on board as well. Trust me, play with or against him and you’ll understand very fast why I put him at Number 1.

Final Thoughts:

Other than the Uncommons I think we have a great set on our hands. A lot of great cards are coming out to create new strategies or bolster existing ones. What will you play? The Pre-Release is upon us, decide quickly! Maybe a new strategy caught your eye? Or is it time…for the return of an old friend…