Yu-Gi-Oh Card Review: Photon Sabre Tiger

There are other exclusives I wanted to review first, but since their effects are unconfirmed as of now, there seems to be no point in reviewing them. There is one that has been confirmed though, and it's one of the many ways that Konami is trying to make Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon more playable.

Today's card is Photon Sabre Tiger

Sabre no Swiping! 

Sabre no Swiping!

This level 3 LIGHT monster is part of the Photon archetype and has 2000 attack and 300 defence. That's pretty good stats for a level 3 don't you think? It must have some kind of downside to counter that incredible attack power.
It does, but it's nothing too bad.

When this card is normal or flipped summoned, you can add one "Photon Sabre Tiger" from your deck to your hand. If you do not control any other "Photon Sabre Tiger", this card drops down to 1200 attack.

This card is intended to be used with Galaxy eyes. If you have 2 of them on the field, they are both going to be 2000 attack. Then you can tribute them to special summon galaxy eyes. It requires a 2 turn setup but at least you don't waste 3 cards in your hand to do it.

So yeah, on it's own its 1200. You replace the tiger you just summoned so its essentially like Yellow Gadget in terms of attack power (The only difference is that Tiger does not get its effect when special summoned). So with Tiger now on the field, you will pretty much need to protect it for a turn while it's in it's weaker attack, otherwise your opponent will have trouble taking down 2 2000 attackers. Also, if you have 2 on your field, you have the opportunity to xyz into a rank 3 if you know your opponent can take one of them out on their turn.

Now for it's downsides. As I've said, if one of them dies, then the other will drop down to 1200 (unless you have all 3 on the field, then you're fine). Another is that it's quite slow. If you plan on using them for an xyz or galaxy eyes, then that's fine. But it does require you to use up your normal summon to get it's effect and that would rather be invested in something more advantageous, like Tour Guide or Goblindbergh. You can flip summon it, but at 300 defence, that's not really a good idea.

Anyway that's enough said on this mediocre exclusive. As for the price of it, it's almost assured to be a super rare and since you need 3 of them to use it, it could hover at around £5 (about $5 too), comparable to something like Naturia Cherries.

Next up for review will be something like Wind-Up Rabbit or Dark Smog, but only when their effects get confirmed. But for now I'll review one of the OCG imports.