Bujinki Ahashima

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2 monsters with the same Level
Cannot be used as Link Material. You can only use each of the following effects of “Bujinki Ahashima” once per turn.
● If this card is Link Summoned: You can Special Summon 2 monsters with the same Level, 1 from your hand and 1 from your GY, but negate their effects, and immediately after this effect resolves, Xyz Summon 1 Xyz Monster using those 2 monsters only.
● If an Xyz Monster this card points to activates an effect by detaching material(s) (except during the Damage Step): You can target 1 Spell/Trap your opponent controls; destroy it.
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Currently Found In: Duel Overload (DUOV-EN018)

Many current Decks spend long turns on several summons and Extra Deck preparatives to obtain the strongest board as soon as possible, but that doesn’t mean every strategy has to follow this playstyle. A good example of this is the Bujin archetype, which only requires a single monster from the Main Deck to already become a main threat against any opponent. Thanks to the Bujingi subgroup a monster of this archetype can stay alive and even punish the opponent’s actions, which with some backrow for further support it can turn into an Anti-Meta strategy without no much effort. Despite its passive nature doesn’t mean that Bujin won’t take the offensive at any chance given, as will look for the right opening to bring their Xyz Monsters to either beat the opponent or rearrange our resources.

 
“Bujinki Ahashima” is the Link Monster addition many classic archetypes gained in recent years, not only able to support its own kind but any Xyz Summons in general. With the drawback where cannot become a Link material, the Link Summon of “Ahashima” will allow us to immediately follow with a Xyz Summon by summoning two monsters sharing equal Levels from our hand and Graveyard respectively with their effects negated. “Ahashima” continues the support with its second effect, where a Xyz Monster pointed by its arrows detaches a material to activate an effect it will allow us to destroy an opponent’s Spell or Trap. “Ahashima” might not have a high ATK, but can become a reasonable investment in any Xyz focused strategy which wants some field pressence and backrow removal all together.

 
The summoning conditions of “Ahashima” are quite odd, as pretty much shares the same as a Xyz Monster by needing monsters with the same Level. Because of that “Ahashima” must be played as if we were aiming for a Xyz Summon (Specially due its effects), and all will vary of the Deck is interacting with. Bujin although often a passive strategy they won’t hesitate on bringing materials to summon “Ahashima” in no time, as from a mere “Rescue Rabbit” summoning copies of “Bujin Hiruko” from inside our Deck, to gaining additional summons by the likes of “Bujin Hirume” and “Fire Formation – Tensu”, the archetype can easily go from a simple field to one with “Ahashima” and the following Xyz Monster by its effect. This same outcome can be replicated by pretty much any Deck that has even some basics arround Xyz Monsters given the effects and summon of “Ahashima” isn’t exclusive to its archetype, ranging from being easily accessible by Decks that swarms the board with materials such as Frogs or Burning Abyss, to those that slightly mix Levels like Gagaga. One major advantage “Ahashima” has on its summon over Xyz Monsters is that is capable of using Tokens for its arrival, therefore we can instead use way simpler resources such as “Scapegoat” and “Photon Sanctuary” to obtain all the materials needed for its Link Summon. Lastly, its arrows’ locations and several restrictions to be a material makes “Ahashima” not a favorable revival target, but unless there’s a Xyz Monster in the Extra Monster Zone it can become a material for a Tribute or Fusion Summon in some particular cases.

 
At first might seem rebundant to Link Summon “Ahashima” to simply follow with a Xyz Summon we could’ve used the materials of the former into, but there are various advantages no matter if involves other Bujins or not. First of all is field pressence, as even though “Ahashima” might not be the strongest monster out there and will often rely on the likes of “Honest” and/or “Bujingi Crane” to survive, the mere fact we obtained two monsters at cost of technically one summon it can create a strong setup by little effort. Because “Ahashima” requires monsters with matching Levels in our hand and Graveyard for its Xyz Summon ability can lead to a very expensive summon if not careful, but in many cases it will potentially use one of the materials of its Link Summon and thus pretty much become a card that requires three monsters to work with (In other words, the two Link materials plus a monster in our hand). Another important trait of “Ahashima” is the potential to rearrange our setups if stuck, as while its Link Summon has more liberties than a Xyz Summon the latter can be prepared with monsters in our hand and Graveyard which otherwise wouldn’t find a way to be brought together (For example, using cheap Level 3 monsters on “Ahashima” so can summon Level 5 monsters). The removal effect is much simpler on its usage, as the very same Xyz Monster we just brought or any other pointed by “Ahashima” will trigger this ability once detaches one of its materials. This also can include opponent’s Xyz Monsters, as given the upper arrow of “Ahashima” it can punish reckless players which didn’t consider card location during their plays.

 
“Bujinki Ahashima” is not like many other Link Monsters which often provides straightforward assist effects towards other summons, but can truly stand out among the competition due many of its unique traits. With the right material management “Ahashima” is a card that will require three monsters at most, leading to not only its own Link Summon but also a Xyz Monster which isn’t limited to other Bujins. This also gives us the opportunity to slightly diversify our monsters’ Levels when working arround its effect, taking advantage of the simple investment of Link Summons to then aim for a Xyz Summon by this monster’s shortcuts. The backrow removal although might not be as prominent against various Decks is nonetheless powerful, leading to a strong board with two Extra Deck monsters immediately taking over the field. While in the right hands “Ahashima” grants a lot of benefits no other Link Monster will easily replicate, both its low ATK and the fact the opponent might gain an additional Zone for their Link and Pendulum Summons due its upper arrow it leads to a major risk that will affect the overall usage of this monster. While this alone damages its pressence in many Extra Decks, “Ahashima” offers a strong balance of benefits for the overall investment required.

 

Personal Rating: A-

 

+ When Link Summoned it will perform a Xyz Summon by summoning a monster in our hand and Graveyard with matching Levels
+ If a Xyz Monster pointed by its arrows detaches a material to activate an effect we can destroy an opponent’s Spell or Trap
+ Easy to handle its summon and effects arround Xyz strategies

 

– Cannot be used as Link material
– Low stats and an upper arrow carries several risks to be aware of

Bujin Regalia – The Mirror

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At the start of your Main Phase 1, if your opponent controls more monsters than you do and you control a Beast-Warrior-Type “Bujin” monster: Until the end of your opponent’s next turn, Spell/Trap Cards, and their effects, cannot be activated.
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Currently Found In: Shadow Specters (SHSP-EN063), 2014 Mega-Tin Mega Pack (MP14-EN170)

In a time where builds aims to controlling as many monsters as possible right from the first turns, Decks that only need a few of them often stand out among the crowd. A good example of this is the Bujin archetype, focusing on a handful of key members as the rest supports them with hand and Graveyard effects. This can lead to even a mere Normal Summon be enough to make an impact on the field, as Bujin might have some strong Extra Deck monsters but won’t be often necessary to settle Duels. To the point of becoming some sort of Anti-Meta strategy under the right resources, Bujin is practically the complete opposite of many popular strategies currently dominating the game.

 
“Bujin Regalia – The Mirror” is a Spell Card which can either create a safe turn for this archetype, or completely shut down entire Decks on its own. Requiring to be activated right at the start of our Main Phase 1 under the control of a Beast-Warrior Bujin and the opponent has monsters than we do, “The Mirror” will make both players unable to play Spells or Traps and/or their activated effects until the end of the opponent’s turn. Even though also affect us, “The Mirror” on its own has the potential to become a winning condition as Bujin takes over the field out of any possible threats.

 
One thing to point out is that, because must be played once our Main Phase 1 begins, “The Mirror” must be the first card we play in that turn as well the only Spell or Trap we can activate for that turn. Not only obviously mean that will be the only card of its kind we can play for the rest of our turn, but we must also assure we have already the proper Bujin to meet its requeriments before the Main Phase 1 even begins. Fortunately Bujin is an archetype that doesn’t require too many expenses or even Extra Deck setups to achieve this condition as the opponent floods their side of the field with monsters, as even by having a single “Bujin Yamato” a turn early is more than likely that will survive the opponent’s plays as Graveyard and hand effects such as “Bujingi Hare” and “Bujingi Crane” protects it. Alternatively we can just take a different direction with the whole build so doesn’t compromise the turn we activate “The Mirror”, as with a diverse pool of Effect Monsters taking over the majority of today’s Decks as well strong Trap Cards to stop the opponent during their turn, is actually simpler than might look towards the activation of this Spell Card in particular. Regardless of the direction we take the result will cause the opponent to be unable to play Spells and Traps for two entire turns, not only making our turn safe of a variety of threats but also stopping their own turn from making various plays, potentially resulting in a cripple board right after the effect of “The Mirror” stops. During those two turns is more than likely that we will finish the Duel, as along “Yamato” and other Bujin lead cards such as “Bujintei Susanowo” which can wipe out the many monsters the opponent controls and helped us to play “The Mirror”, we can bring any other creatures to finish the opponent as well the Spells or Traps we kept ready to go once the lockdown disappears.

 
“Bujin Regalia – The Mirror” has several comparisons to the banned card “Cold Wave”, to the point that is excusable its many limitations for its activation. Because must be the very first card we play immediately when our turn starts and requiring a lead Bujin monster already on the field “The Mirror” is not a card we can just drop at any moment to shut down the majority of Spells and Traps for two full turns, but if we handle its conditions it can settle many Duels on its own as our Bujins and other monsters take over without compromising the restrictions applied on ourselves. The results arround “The Mirror” will severely vary of the opponent’s Deck and their reliance on Spells and Traps to work, but by stopping their backrow and potentially most of their Deck during their turn is quite worth the effort required to assure this card is activated. Overall, “The Mirror” carries an undoubtly fearsome effect no matter how much the opponent centers arround Spells and Traps, but due its several requeriments and restrictions to be activated it won’t be a prominent card for many builds involving this archetype.

 

Personal Rating: B

 

+ Players won’t be able to play Spells and Traps or activate their effects until the end of the opponent’s turn
+ Various methods to handle its activation requeriments
+ Can potentially settle Duels on its own

 

– Too many requeriments and restrictions to be activated with ease
– Efficiency varies of the opponent’s Deck

Bujin Hiruko

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You can banish this card in your Pendulum Zone, then target 1 “Bujin” Xyz Monster you control; Special Summon from your Extra Deck, 1 “Bujin” Xyz Monster with a different name, by using that target as the Xyz Material. (This Special Summon is treated as an Xyz Summon. Xyz Materials attached to it also become Xyz Materials on the Summoned monster.)
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‘Imprisoned after a showdown with “Bujin Hirume” over the Sky Throne, this master schemer eventually escaped by manipulating Hirume and creating the sinister “Bujinki Amaterasu”, then went on to almost engulf the world in darkness, but was finally defeated by Yamato and his allies.’
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Can Be Found In: Maximum Crisis (MACR-EN092)

In an age where Decks tries to summon as several powerful monsters as possible, the archetype Bujin quite stands out over the competition. With a single monster alone on their field, Bujin is able to take full dominance of a Duel thanks to the strong support they provide to that individual monster. With the Bujingis providing both offense and defense from either our hand or Graveyard, the build doesn’t need to focus on their Xyz Summons to achieve powerful results. Even if is a single Normal Summon to end a turn with, the opponent must be very cautious when dealing with a lone Bujin.

 
“Bujin Hiruko” is extremely particular given its archetype’s nature by not only being a Normal Monster, but also a Pendulum Monster with barely any usages on that position for the build. The main purpose of “Hiruko” comes from its Pendulum effect to further support the build by banishing itself, allowing us to replace a Bujin Xyz Monster with a different one from the Extra Deck as its attached to this Xyz Summon with its materials. Undoubtly “Hiruko” is a very odd addition to an archetype that has zero purpose arround Pendulum Summons, but the opportunity to replace Xyz Monsters practically for free gives it some interesting goals once we start bringing out the strongest creatures of our build.

 
Probably the greatest advantage “Hiruko” has over its allies is the massive pool of supporting cards thanks to its several traits, to the point that could be included in Pendulum Decks that mixes some Bujin options. As a Bujin “Hiruko” gains the assistance from other members like “Bujin Yamato” or “Buningi Peacock”, in addition of the prominent “Fire Formation – Tenki” as the main searcher of any Deck involving Beast-Warriors. Depending of how we prioritize “Hiruko” and other monsters its support will go in one way to another, with “Rescue Rabbit” or “Unexpected Dai” summoning Normal Monsters from our Deck, or “Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon” and “Luster Pendulum, the Dracoslayer” taking care of Pendulum Monsters. Given “Hiruko” will likely end banished by its effect or in the Extra Deck due the rules behind Pendulum Monsters might not have much Graveyard options to work with, but on the other hand since Bujin focuses on Xyz Monsters as well some options to recover banished cards, there’s a chance that cards like “Bujin Regalia – The Sword” and “Bujingi Amaterasu” gives us the opportunity to bring “Hiruko” back in action.

 
Given Bujin has zero purpose arround Pendulum Summons, “Hiruko” main priority is to focus on its ability to replace their Xyz Monsters with new ones. Most of the time the archetype will try to win with the consecutive attacks of “Bujintei Susanowo” as is assisted with the rest of Bujin cards, but given can only be brought by Bujin monsters as materials “Hiruko” can become a valuable shortcut in case we Xyz Summoned another Bujin with materials outside their own kind (Specially if “Hiruko” is the only Bujin monster in the Deck). “Susanowo” also offers a searching effect of its own that could be used to search for “Hiruko” and others, which then we can turn into any other Bujin depending of the circumstances. “Bujintei Kagutsuchi” mills our Deck upon arrival along a protective effect to most of the archetype’s lead monsters, “Bujingi Amaterasu” can recover banished monsters during any turn, while “Bujintei Tsukuyomi” takes the more advantage of the opportunity to stack several materials by “Hiruko” as is able to revive several Bujins upon defeat. The latter goal can become not only possible as we reuse “Hiruko” and its copies as much as possible, but it can become a devastating outcome if we work along effects like “Bujin Regalia – The Jewel” rewarding us the more materials the Xyz Monster has attached.

 
As pointed out several times, “Bujin Hiruko” is a bizarre addition to its own archetype in more than one way. Bujin has no uses for Pendulum Summons or even Normal Monsters as is a build that can lead boards with a single monster alone, no matter if is a Xyz Monster or even any Bujin from the Main Deck with the right support. That clearly places “Hiruko” in a position where has barely any staple role in the archetype whatsoever, but that doesn’t stop from having some potential in other strategies. Given the Bujin’s Xyz Monsters have their respective material conditions as well unable to gather several copies together “Hiruko” can bypass these limitations to replace even a revived Xyz Monster with another, while more particular setups can go from trying to stack as many materials as possible, to allowing several Decks Xyz Summon any Bujin with the help of “Hiruko” alone. “Hiruko” won’t be a prominent card with its own kind whatsoever, but in mixed themes or Decks that wants to focus on their Xyz Monsters’ possibilities without having to fully invest on the Bujin’s playstyle and mechanics it becomes a strong tool arround its particular results.

 

Personal Rating: B

 

+ Banishes itself to replace a Bujin Xyz Monster with another
+ Highly supported thanks to its many traits
+ Allows us to bypass various limtiations as well giving access to the archetype’s Xyz Monsters in nearly any Deck

 

– Bujin has no uses whatsoever for Pendulum or Normal Monsters
– The archetype already offers stronger options to focus on
– Only effective in very specific builds