It’s been a while but we’re back in Preview Season. For those wondering my absence as of late, I’ve been a bit busier than expected. Also those expecting a new Deck Profile for Vegeta Baby, I do have it and it will be up in the next few days. Anyway, we’re onto Series 6 and we finally get these fabled Red Movie Goku and Vegetas, alongside more Red Frieza’s Army stuff. Let’s see how they pan out this go around.

Son Goku and Vegeta/SSB Gogeta, Fusion Perfected

We finally see the pinnacle of the Holy Fusion Knight, in very pretty SSB form. Front side is really freaking good. I haven’t said it much, because it doesn’t come up often, but the ability for a Leader to draw cards without having to attack is a very big deal. It can cost the opponent card advantage and self-awakening potential while also opening up your turns a bit. Add to the fact that it’s a Discard 1 to Draw 2 which turns all your Red Movie Goku and Vegetas into Pot of Greed and we have a very powerful winner. On top of all of that, you even get an optional self-awaken to go with it, which provides an immense amount of versatility. Thankfully because it requires specific cards it won’t be the new wave of generic Leader, but still quite powerful. He also has the slightly new Hybrid Awaken which I do enjoy a lot.

His Awakened Side is very interesting as well. It’s another in the class of “Pitch a card to do a certain effect”. The main effect you’re aiming for is the +5K and Double Strike, and it being a Battle Effect is EXTREMELY helpful. On offense, you don’t have to commit to the pitch if the opponent throws out a Counter or a Blocker which is always good. Opponent will be forced to respect the Double Strike while you conserve on card advantage.

EDIT: Edited out where I talked about him being a Senzu because of that handy little comma tying in his +5K to being on your turn, meh.

Also I failed to talk about how he also avoids Counter Effects of 2+. Mainly because there’s not much to talk about, it helps against Mafuba and Preemptive Strike for the turn but nothing too major. In this deck you’re probably not playing anything high value enough to get hit with the Strike outside of Chain Attack Trunks, and Mafuba only sees periodic play, usually in the Sideboard. Good ability to have, but doesn’t really affect his rating all that much.

Still, fantastic Leader that I have high hopes for.

Frieza/Golden Frieza, the Majestic Emperor

Now we have one of the most unique Leaders we’ve gotten. It’s a new “Deck Restriction” Leader and he definitely has the most unique restriction we’ve gotten yet. You’re not allowed to use any Battle Cards that cost 3 or Less (Original Cost at least). I want each of you reading this to look into basically everyone of your decks. I guarantee none of your decks meet this requirement for a couple of reasons. One, most everyone runs cheap Battle Cards usually as cantrips at the very least, or for aggression. Two…nearly every single Super Combo in the game has an Energy Cost of 2 (there’s one with 3 and another with 4, both in Yellow ironically enough). That’s right, as of this writing since in the preview none was revealed that meets the requirement, this Frieza cannot use a traditional Super Combo. That is an immense restriction, every deck in existence jams 4 Super Combos for a reason, they’re that powerful.

However, this does leave some interesting design space open, as we’ll see by his Front Side abilities. He specifically, without attacking as well, searches the deck for Red Extra Cards. This is probably the first real “Extra Cards Matter” Leader that we have gotten. Yes, technically we had Mecha Frieza but he was less “Extra Cards Matter” and more “Use Cheap Extra Cards to Awaken Really Fast”. This Frieza really wants to take Extra Cards, specifically Red Extra Cards, and make them the basis of the deck which is very interesting. He also heralds the return of the Draw 2 Awaken, which actually fits him quite well. Since you really aren’t playing Battle Cards for tempo or big swing turns you don’t really need the Untap, you’ll usually be keeping Energy up anyway.

On his Awakened Side he has another one of those Free Negates that apparently they love to put on these Deck Restriction Leaders. Since Red generally lacks great Negates, this is welcome though isn’t flashy. Also his Draw Ability on his Awakened Side does not require an attack which is extremely rare and also extremely welcome.

So, how do we use this Frieza besides jamming a bunch of big cards in the game and getting run over in the early game? Well now more than ever, “Super Combo.dec” may have to be a thing. Or, to be more specific, Specialized Combos will have to be Frieza’s defense. Sadly he also can’t use a Bodyguard, Vegeta costs 3 Energy naturally, but thankfully he’ll be given quite a few cards to really help out in the early game. This Frieza is a Control Leader to its core…because he really can’t be anything else. Not much to combo with, can’t be aggressive obviously and can’t really be Midrange. I’m actually kind of jazzed about this Leader and welcome the challenge of crafting him. But before we get into the other Series 6 cards, let’s go into a card this Frieza can use from Clash of Fates.

Frieza, Army Reborn

The Secret Rare from Clash of Fates, I have to admit I don’t think anyone was really expecting a Frieza card (at least until we saw the Red in the Puzzle). He’s an 8 Drop, but you’ll only ever want to play this when he’s at 5. Yes, you have to be at 2 or Less Life…but this card would probably be too powerful otherwise so it’s a worthwhile restriction. Also because this is a Movie Frieza, no Swapping into him.

The rare Quad Strike also comes equipped to this 40K Body which means you better have an answer to him or you will die that turn. However, if this Frieza is played you probably won’t have an answer (unless you have ole Bloodlust). He looks into your hand and gets rid of any card, while also clearing your board guaranteed. If you don’t have 2+ Negates in hand, you are dead.

People seem to lament that this card isn’t good enough but here’s my judgment. One, this card is good enough in the decks that can run him. Two, he can’t be absolutely absurd or fantastic or you get an Awakened Power issue. A card that an entire deck needs to really be optimal with, that is extremely expensive to get (Son Goku, the Awakened Power is currently retailing on the secondary market at around $250, enjoy making optimal U7 Frieza/Gohan). So it actually does limit the design space of most Secret Rares. The goal to me is to make very flashy, useful effects that can help a deck, but nothing so strong that a deck NEEDS to run it to be optimal. And I think this Frieza succeeds.

Harmonic Energy SSB Son Goku

Now back to our regularly scheduled previews. We get into those Red Movie Gokus and Vegetas which carry a very specific gimmick. Namely uniform power that can get pumped on board, and the ability to return to hand after every turn to be used with Union:Fusion…or just to combo off, your choice. Goku and Vegeta also have specific gimmicks. In Goku’s case, he pumps himself to become a 20K Active Attacker which is fantastic. He also looks at Top 7 to find a Movie Vegeta and play him in Rest Mode, also fantastic. Not much to say, one of the best cards we’ve seen for the archetype.

Preemptive Strike SSG Son Goku

Now this one looks at Top 5 to find Vegeta or Gogeta and add them to hand. Sadly though it will cost you a card from hand if you do hit the search which is irksome. I don’t think a strict add would’ve been all that powerful, let alone on a 15K swinging body. This is probably one of the weaker cards to the archetype, but likely still necessary to make it work.

Son Goku, Prepping for Fusion

This card however is great. A Top 3 Searcher is nothing too new. A Top 3 searcher on a 1 Drop 10K Body is new though. The ability to continuously look for what you need, attack at a relevant number, and then bounce to hand cannot be overstated. Fantastic card for the archetype.

Support Attack Son Goten

Not much to say, just another of the new Super Combos to add to the pile.

Harmonic Energy SSB Vegeta

Now this Vegeta dives into his own gimmick, of being pseudo-Baby and lowering opposing Battle Card power. This card, on Rest, also looks for a Red Movie Goku and plays it, which is nice. He also ignores Barrier to lower something by 10K. The two Harmonic Energy are a pair, usually to down something big and then both of them bounce back to your hand. Ultimately though I think the Goku is better simply because a 20K swinging body has more versatility whereas Vegeta is either only good against weenies, or in combination with Harmonic Energy Goku but he’s still solid.

Preemptive Strike SSG Vegeta

Like the above 2 Drop Goku, this Vegeta falls a bit flat for me. Again, I don’t think it was necessary to put a “discard” clause into the search, and -5K on a 2 Drop Body isn’t too exciting. He’s fine I guess, nothing too special.

Vegeta, Prepping for Fusion

Like the 1 Drop Goku, I love this card. Helps that they’re pretty much the same exact card other than Vegeta search Goku and vice versa. Great cards, play all the numbers.

Support Attack Trunks

Now this is an interesting card. It’s a new Bodyguard which we haven’t gotten in quite a while, but he’s got some spice to him. At the cost of both 5K Power and 5K Combo Power, on top of the Bodyguard ability only being usable on defense, he gets to give a Battle Card -5K for the turn after he’s put onto the board proper. I like him, he’s interesting…but I think they put in too many concessions to try and make up for the effect. I think he could kept a 10K Combo Power at the very least. Ultimately, I think this falls just short of seeing play.

Bulma, from the Sidelines

Another interesting card. This isn’t a cantrip like a lot of 1 Drops, but instead a Faithless Looting giving up Flashback for a body and the need to have a non-Leader Saiyan on board. I don’t think her future is necessary in Gogeta, but maybe if more Reanimator based strategies come along she’ll be fantastic. Draw 2, Discard 2 is generally quite powerful in every TCG it comes in, do not overlook this card. If she isn’t relevant right away she WILL become relevant.

Veku, Contents Under Pressure

I was initially gonna stick my nose at this card. But after thinking about it more, it’s actually not bad at all. First off, it’s a free Battle Card in most ways which is always great, and a free Active Attacker cannot be overlooked. But what draws me to the card is that you can actually use him to switch out Gokus and Vegetas you don’t like/need for ones you may want more that are currently in your Drop Area which allows more freedom of use for Red Gogeta Leader’s front side ability. I like him a lot now, main all the copies in that archetype.

Veku, the Fragile

Now this one I like a bit less than the above. Worse body (hey, art flavor!) mainly. But he can do a combination with one of the Vegetas to potentially kill something which is nice. Mainly should be used as a backup for the above Veku.

Gogeta, Unparalleled Fusion Warrior

A bit of a payoff, probably leading to the real SR payoff later, this card is solid. He’s a Union-Fusion that pays the Fusion Cost back which is becoming the trend, thankfully. Sort of like how Yu-Gi-Oh ultimately did something similar with Fusion and Ritual mechanics, DBSuper realized that the Union-Fusion mechanic was a bit too costly and needed to recoup itself so it didn’t cost too much card advantage.

Also it’s interesting to note the restriction on who can use him. Mainly that it is a Red Saiyan Leader and “no other color”. Opening up the door for Multi-Color Leaders it seems, or at least future-proofing for such a scenario.

Anyway, he’s a 25K Double Striker with pseudo-Indestructible and pseudo-Dual Attack if he attacks a Battle Card first. Card is definitely great and worthwhile early payoff, allowing a control bent on the archetype. Chances are this will lead to an Evolve Gogeta that will put this card over the top.

Piccolo

Skip!

Frieza, the Finisher

So a 7 drop that can go all the way down to a 5 Drop if you’ve been abusing Red Extra Cards. That’s a good way to try and pay off the “Red Extra Cards Matter” archetype. It also board wipes pretty much everything on play. The issue is…we already have more condition-less Board Wipes and they aren’t seeing play. It’s not like the SCR where you can near guarantee the win either. You REALLY need to play this at 5 Energy to be worthwhile, and you also need to be able to keep up defense. I think it’s worth testing, but I’m not high on this card. Probably better off using Final Showdown Frieza.

Berryblue, the Negotiator

To make up for the Deck Restriction on Majestic Emperor, he got himself some higher cost helpers. Will they pay off? Well this Berryblue is an absurd start. This just outright yoinks nearly every card in the game, and that’s without the power reduction Red often provides. Removal at 5 that also takes the opponent’s best card on board? Yes and please. Metamorphic Threat should also be playing this.

Quickshift Berryblue

Not exactly a pseudo-Super Combo, but a decent card nonetheless for decks that need specific hand molding or simply don’t want certain cards in hand. Or for certain Leaders that can’t play Super Combos and need something to tide them over…

Loyal Kikono

I love this card. This legitimately is a Pseudo-Super Combo that specifically grabs a quality card of choice from the Drop Area. Majestic Emperor adores this card, would play 10 if he could.

Kikono, the Fledgling

This one on the other hand, is a bit meh. While he is free in Energy Cost, having to give up 2 cards to go -5K isn’t particularly worth it. At most it maybe turns a dead Extra Card into an extra 5K Combo Power, but don’t think it’s worth it at that point.

Live to Fight Another Day

Now onto the fun Extra Card stuffs to make Frieza work. This one might as well read both you and your opponent skip your turn, which makes this card’s name very apropos. The main downside is that your opponent needs to be at 3 Energy so you can’t put this out ahead of say, Cell Chain unless your opponent has a brain fart and decides to not let it rip immediately. But against most things, this is very powerful. Most players aren’t in the business of giving up 3 extra cards to play something. This card can definitely help Frieza get to his wheelhouse in the end game. Because it’s technically searchable and recyclable, 2-3 should work in the deck.

New Model Scouter

We like +1s. We like them for cheap. Especially in Majestic Emperor where it’s a cheap Red Extra Card. You’ll have to run a good amount of heavy Frieza’s Army cards, but I think this makes it worth it. Should make sure to have around 16-20 targets.

Transcendent Strike

We’ve come a LONG way from Family Kamehameha. 1 Drop, kill something relevant. It’s hard to ignore that. I think more than Majestic Emperor ultimately plays this since it realistically frees up a lot of deck space that was usually meant for Battle Cards that kill something.

Is That All You’ve Got?

The final card for today and…it might very well be the crown jewel of the preview. In the family of Afterimage Technique and Revenge Death Ball, we have this. Honestly, this card is extremely reminiscent of when Yellow picked up Flying Nimbus, it might be that much of a game changer. It actually negates an attack, and then can “usually” kill two Battle Cards on board, that don’t necessarily have to be what attacked. I’m not gonna go too hard into explaining the differences between the 3 big Power Reduction cards because honestly I think it needs its own article, but I will say for now that this card is absolutely absurd. I think Red went from having an alright matchup vs Storm (unless you were Vegeta Baby in which case you won free) to having an easy matchup vs Storm, while also being able to carry a negate that’s not completely useless in taller matchups like Shenron Gogeta. This card in my opinion is almost never bad, and will be the keynote negate that Red has needed.

Final Thoughts:

I really like how this set is unfolding. A lot of interesting design space is being explored. I’m starting to really adore this “Red Extra Cards Matter” Frieza, and I think the Movie Gogeta Archetype is fleshing out well enough. I was going to go back and look at the Broly Pack Vol. 1 Gogeta since we can finally analyze him properly…but honestly, this set’s Gogeta just looks and feels far superior other than simply not being Blue which is becoming less and less of a drawback as Red grows more powerful. I’m pretty hype and hopeful about this set.