#general freed

[mrtoptenlist]

The evil version of a counterpart is a classic trope n fiction, so of course, Yugioh has evil versions of monsters running all over the place, so we're finding the coolest evil monster counterparts cuz we feel like it!

[ygoreviews]

Freed the Matchless General ———————————————— Negate any Spell effects that target this card, and if you do, destroy that Spell Card. During your Draw Phase, instead of conducting your normal draw: You can add 1 Level 4 or lower Warrior-Type monster from your Deck to your hand. This card must be face-up on the field to activate and to resolve this effect. ———————————————— Can Be Found In: Legacy of Darkness (LOD-EN016), Dark Beginning 2 (DB2-EN137), Retro Pack 2 (RP02-EN054), Warriors' Strike Structure Deck (SDWS-EN006), Battle Pack: Epic Dawn (BP01-EN123)

Warriors are overall the biggest Type in the entire game, with a variety of strategies to aim for thanks to the many monsters we can choose among them. Some builds will work arround consecutive summons to either overwhelm the opponent or gather materials right from early game, while others will work along protective and boost effects to create a sturdy board. Is even possible to mix all these goals into a single build and still create efficient outcomes together, as well add Warriors in mixed themes to assist other builds and archetypes. With a highly variety of playstyles to choose from, the Warrior-Type provides something to match any preferences.

"Freed the Matchless General" is a veteran card from the first years of the game, and still remains a powerful option with a combination of board pressence and a role as a reliable searcher. While face-up on the field "Freed" cannot be targetted by any Spell cards and effects while also destroying the source, already making him quite resiliant against a variety of common threats. But "Freed" is mostly known for its ability to skip our Draw Phase, as instead of letting us draw normally will allow us to look for a level 4 or below Warrior form our Deck to be added in our hand. Therefore "Freed" gives us the opportunity to erase the randomness of drawing cards by letting us search for the right monster for the right occasion, and with the massive card pool the Type offers he can become a powerful lead monster as gathers other Warriors during each of our turns.

The main weakness of "Freed" shows up when comes to supporting options, as Warriors gradually became more about low Level monsters instead of their big monsters residing the Main Deck. Fortunately his Tribute Summon can be prepared beforehand by "The Immortal Bushi", a monster able to revive himself if our field is empty and therefore prepare the arrival of "Freed" even in the worst conditions. If we invest in other high Level creatures, cards like "Star Blast" and "The Monarchs Stormforth" will allow us to take shortcuts for the summoning of "Freed" and other big monsters as the Duel progresses. In late game "Freed" can easily be brought back from the Graveyard in some way or another, ranging from "Back to the Front" and "Call of the Haunted" reviving him back to the field, or "The Warrior Returning Alive" returning "Freed" to our hand for a new Tribute Summon.

The efficiency of "Freed" will truly stand out the longer he stays on the field, and with already a protective effect of his own will make things easier for us start gathering key monsters during our Draw Phases. Although "Freed" can only defend himself against targetting Spells they are quite prevalent in a variety of Decks, shutting down a variety of counters like "Forbidden Lance" and "Book of Moon". Remember that "Freed" will destroy whichever Spell Card tries to target him, therefore can still beocme a dangerous effect against permanent cards like Continuous Spells and Pendulum Monsters blindfully aiming against him. Combined with coverage from cards like "Solemn Warning" as well the Warriors we'll gather by his own effect, "Freed" has a high chance to stay on the board for several turns.

Warriors is one of the most diverse Types out there, and with the majority of their kind carrying low Levels makes the effect of "Freed" available for any Deck that can spare a Draw Phase to look for any of them. Some monsters like "Marauding Captain" and "Goblindbergh" will either be added by "Freed" or obtain a monster to summon together by their effects, becoming a quickly available pair of cards for all sorts of setups. Otherwise, in late game we can look for cards like "Junk Synchron" and "Battlin' Boxer Switchitter" so they can revive a monster in our Graveyard to work together as materials of Extra Deck summons. Some others such as "D.D. Warrior Lady" and "Exiled Force" are easily disposable monsters with removal effects ready to deal with any powerful enemies with their effects. There are some special cases where the monsters "Freed" can look for are those who will lead the entire Deck, like "Armed Samurai - Ben Kei" trying to prepare an OTK or "Command Knight" along boosting effects to create a powerful offense. "Freed" has also a good opportunity to assist a good number of archetypes, ranging from HERO builds looking for their Fusion materials to Amazoness with their advantages arround the Battle Phase. Combine the effect of "Freed" with staple searching effects like "Reinforcement of the Army" and "E - Emergency Call", and we will have a hand plenty of Warriors to play along with. Be aware that once "Freed" makes us skip drawing a card, any other copies of himself will be unable to stack their searching effect as they'll miss their requeriments.

"Freed the Matchless General" is a well-rounded monster with a protective effect and the ability to manipulate the luck factor of drawing cards, with a massive list of Warriors to look for and be added in our hand. From obtaining the right Warrior for the right situation to helping particular themes and archetypes, at first skipping our Draw Phase might seem a flaw but if means we can search for specific cards it becomes a powerful ability the longer "Freed" stays on the field. Unfortunately this ability is overall slow compared to other searching effects as "Freed" won't take its searcher role until a turn after his arrival, but by his own immunity against targetting Spells and some basic coverage is quite likely that will survive for various turns. Overall, although "Freed" has some troubles to deal with including the lack of support in a Type full of low Level creatures, is quite possible to stay on the lead with not only coverage but the many Warriors that will let us search for.

Personal Rating: B+

+ Protection against targetting Spell Cards and effects + Gives us the option to skip our Draw Phase to search for a Level 4 or lower Warrior + A massive pool of monsters to help with his effect

- Barely supported on his summon - Searching effect is slow compared to other options

[mrtoptenlist]

New video time! We're looking at even more Yu-Gi-Oh Monster Card Backstories!

[mrtoptenlist]

My next Yu-Gi-Oh Monster Card Backstory list is coming out as my next upload, so catch up with the original list! Some of the monsters on here may even be relevant on the new list...