Deck Tech: Iona (Not Yuki) Part 1
Firstly, I apologize for putting this up so late and that the formatting is a little weird (I'll clean it up D:):p Had a lot of problems recently... so ya.. On the bright side, here it is. Presenting... Deck Tech: Iona. This review might seem a bit skewed towards the playstyle and deck type for Iona, Ultima/Maiden as that is my preferred Iona playstyle, but I will give my thoughts on other playstyles as well. I can't exactly say that I'm the best player to give strategies and guides for Iona, but I have been Iona since her release and I hope my experience helps :D
- MakiBestGirl
Firstly, I will do a review on each of the LRIG forms starting from Level 1.
Iona, Crescent/Maiden vs Iona, Nepto/Maiden
1 of them is your standard level 1, 2 limit LRIG, whilst the other is a Level 1, 1 limit LRIG with an abiltiy, which is that your opponent's SIGNI has to attack if able. Which is better you might ask? I personally prefer Iona, Nepto/Maiden as it is to me a much safer pick. Even though you force your opponent's SIGNI to attack, they would normally attack anyway on turn 1, as you have 2 open holes for their SIGNI to hit your life cloth, since your limit is once. Unless you are playing a gimmicky deck, go with the safer Iona, Nepto/Maiden.
Level 2:
Iona, Half/Maiden vs Iona, Uranus/Maiden
Now the dilemma starts, both are really good LRIGs in their own right. Iona, Half/Maiden is a Level 2, 4 limit LRIG that forces your opponent SIGNI to attack if able, and also, if you have a White and Black SIGNI on the field, all of your SIGNIs get +1000 power. The other, Iona, Uranus/Maiden is your standard level 2, 5 limit LRIG with no particular effect whatsoever. Iona, Half Maiden, when compared to other similar Level 2, 4 limit LRIG has a surprisingly good advantage, as other such LRIG only gives +1000 to SIGNIs that are the same colour as the LRIG. Both are equally good choices for a level 2 Iona to be honest, and the decision of which to use has to really do with your playstyle, as well as your deck build.
Level 3:
Iona, Pale/Maiden vs Iona, Pluto/Maiden
The level 3 for Iona poses another dilemma, but it is not that much of a headache when compared to the choice for the level 2 Iona slot. Iona, Pluto/Maiden is a Level 3, 7 Limit LRIG with 2 abilities, your opponent's SIGNI has to attack if able, and also when this card is played, you may pay 1 black ener for all your opponent's SIGNI to lose 2000 power, banishing most of the open's level 1 SIGNIs left on the field. The other is a Level 3, Limit 8 LRIG with no particular effect whatsoever. Also, not how the grow cost for both LRIG is different. Iona, Pale/Maiden requires 1 black and 1 white ener, whilst Iona, Pluto/Maiden requires 2 black ener. I would personally recommend Iona, Pale/Maiden as her on play ability is really strong, and optional as well. Also, the grow cost seems easier to pay as well, as opposed to that of Iona, Pluto/Maiden.
Level 4:
Iona, Full Maiden
No choice at all here. This is up to now, the only level 4 Iona there is. (sadly...) A level 4, 11 Limit LRIG with 3 abilities. Firstly, your opponent's SIGNI have to attack if able. Secondly, if you control a Black and White SIGNI, all your opponent's SIGNI lose 2000 power. Lastly, By paying 1 black ener and discarding a white and black SIGNI from your hand, you get to trash 1 of your opponent's SIGNIs. Her first ability solve all of your ener problems, as your SIGNI get banished by your opponent, it makes for some really cool combos as well (will be explained later). Her second ability is what makes Iona a fearsome LRIG to play against. The lost of 2000 power to many SIGNI's causes many combo problems and in a sense, force your opponent to clear a SIGNI every turn. Her last effect helps Iona get past annoying SIGNIs that are unaffected by ARTS, Spells, SIGNI effects etc. such as Arcgain, Archangel of Pioneering. It is a really strong LRIG and what defines Iona as a strong LRIG... (not like we have any other choice though).
Level 5:
Iona, Ultima/Maiden vs Mayu, Genesis Miko
Okay... so this isn't really a comparison. Both level 5 require different deck builds and different playstyles to maximize the usefulness of the cards. In fact, you might not even need to play any level 5 at all in your deck! Iona/Ultima Maiden goes for a more late game control-based playstyle, while Mayu, Genesis Miko goes for a more offensive, end-game push. Both are really good Level 5 with 0 grow cost (albeit with a certain grow condition of course) but are nonetheless LRIGs that define Iona and can be seen played in Iona decks. Whether or not you use them is up to you as a player to decide.
Moving On~
Now that the LRIG is over, I will start individual analysis on Iona-limited cards, as these are cards you might normally see in a Iona deck (most of them anyway). Starting with ARTS...
Black Crisis
Cost: 1 Black 1 White
Use Timing [Main Phase]
Put the top four cards of your deck into the trash. If there is a black card, add 1 black SIGNI from your trash to your hand. If there is a white card, search your deck for 1 white SIGNI, reveal it, and add it to your hand. Then shuffle your deck.
Life Burst: Until end of turn, a SIGNI gets -10000 power. If you have a <Poison Fang> SIGNI on the field, additionally, until end of turn, a SIGNI gets -7000 power.
Do not underestimate this card, this card is really really strong. Her 1st ability allows her to on attack -1000 to all your opponent's SIGNIs for every Poison Fang SIGNI you have on your field. Essentially being able to banish during your attack phase, after your opponent's ARTS phase. The banishing of opponent's SIGNI happens before the attack, so you banish the SIGNI opposite this card and you get to crush a life cloth! Thus, your opponent is forced to use ARTS to remove this SIGNI and not ARTS that call SIGNI onto the field. Her second Ability is even crazier, when an opponent's SIGNI is trashed, you ener charge 1. This trashing of opponent SIGNI can happen by using Iona, Full/Maiden's Action Ability, ARTS such as Dark Matter or Last Select, or even Growing into Iona, Ultima/Maiden. Her life burst too, is really useful. Your standard -10000 to a SIGNI, but with a bonus, if you have a Poison Fang SIGNI on the field, you get to -7000 to a SIGNI too. This -10000 and -7000 can be used on the same SIGNI to -17000 or can be used on 2 different SIGNIs to banish 2 SIGNIs. All in all, Vier is a really good card, and you should especially play it if you play the Poison Fang Variant of Iona.
- MakiBestGirl
Firstly, I will do a review on each of the LRIG forms starting from Level 1.
Iona, Crescent/Maiden vs Iona, Nepto/Maiden
1 of them is your standard level 1, 2 limit LRIG, whilst the other is a Level 1, 1 limit LRIG with an abiltiy, which is that your opponent's SIGNI has to attack if able. Which is better you might ask? I personally prefer Iona, Nepto/Maiden as it is to me a much safer pick. Even though you force your opponent's SIGNI to attack, they would normally attack anyway on turn 1, as you have 2 open holes for their SIGNI to hit your life cloth, since your limit is once. Unless you are playing a gimmicky deck, go with the safer Iona, Nepto/Maiden.
Level 2:
Iona, Half/Maiden vs Iona, Uranus/Maiden
Now the dilemma starts, both are really good LRIGs in their own right. Iona, Half/Maiden is a Level 2, 4 limit LRIG that forces your opponent SIGNI to attack if able, and also, if you have a White and Black SIGNI on the field, all of your SIGNIs get +1000 power. The other, Iona, Uranus/Maiden is your standard level 2, 5 limit LRIG with no particular effect whatsoever. Iona, Half Maiden, when compared to other similar Level 2, 4 limit LRIG has a surprisingly good advantage, as other such LRIG only gives +1000 to SIGNIs that are the same colour as the LRIG. Both are equally good choices for a level 2 Iona to be honest, and the decision of which to use has to really do with your playstyle, as well as your deck build.
Level 3:
Iona, Pale/Maiden vs Iona, Pluto/Maiden
The level 3 for Iona poses another dilemma, but it is not that much of a headache when compared to the choice for the level 2 Iona slot. Iona, Pluto/Maiden is a Level 3, 7 Limit LRIG with 2 abilities, your opponent's SIGNI has to attack if able, and also when this card is played, you may pay 1 black ener for all your opponent's SIGNI to lose 2000 power, banishing most of the open's level 1 SIGNIs left on the field. The other is a Level 3, Limit 8 LRIG with no particular effect whatsoever. Also, not how the grow cost for both LRIG is different. Iona, Pale/Maiden requires 1 black and 1 white ener, whilst Iona, Pluto/Maiden requires 2 black ener. I would personally recommend Iona, Pale/Maiden as her on play ability is really strong, and optional as well. Also, the grow cost seems easier to pay as well, as opposed to that of Iona, Pluto/Maiden.
Level 4:
Iona, Full Maiden
No choice at all here. This is up to now, the only level 4 Iona there is. (sadly...) A level 4, 11 Limit LRIG with 3 abilities. Firstly, your opponent's SIGNI have to attack if able. Secondly, if you control a Black and White SIGNI, all your opponent's SIGNI lose 2000 power. Lastly, By paying 1 black ener and discarding a white and black SIGNI from your hand, you get to trash 1 of your opponent's SIGNIs. Her first ability solve all of your ener problems, as your SIGNI get banished by your opponent, it makes for some really cool combos as well (will be explained later). Her second ability is what makes Iona a fearsome LRIG to play against. The lost of 2000 power to many SIGNI's causes many combo problems and in a sense, force your opponent to clear a SIGNI every turn. Her last effect helps Iona get past annoying SIGNIs that are unaffected by ARTS, Spells, SIGNI effects etc. such as Arcgain, Archangel of Pioneering. It is a really strong LRIG and what defines Iona as a strong LRIG... (not like we have any other choice though).
Level 5:
Iona, Ultima/Maiden vs Mayu, Genesis Miko
Okay... so this isn't really a comparison. Both level 5 require different deck builds and different playstyles to maximize the usefulness of the cards. In fact, you might not even need to play any level 5 at all in your deck! Iona/Ultima Maiden goes for a more late game control-based playstyle, while Mayu, Genesis Miko goes for a more offensive, end-game push. Both are really good Level 5 with 0 grow cost (albeit with a certain grow condition of course) but are nonetheless LRIGs that define Iona and can be seen played in Iona decks. Whether or not you use them is up to you as a player to decide.
Moving On~
Now that the LRIG is over, I will start individual analysis on Iona-limited cards, as these are cards you might normally see in a Iona deck (most of them anyway). Starting with ARTS...
Black Crisis
Cost: 1 Black 1 White
Use Timing [Main Phase]
Put the top four cards of your deck into the trash. If there is a black card, add 1 black SIGNI from your trash to your hand. If there is a white card, search your deck for 1 white SIGNI, reveal it, and add it to your hand. Then shuffle your deck.
So the standard TD foil, LRIG-limited ARTS, is it good though? Let's examine the effect closely, Mill 4 cards from your deck, if there is a black card in the 4, salvage a black SIGNI, if there is a white card, search your deck for a white SIGNI. On paper, it seems really good, paying 1 black 1 white to add 1 black SIGNI and 1 white SIGNI to hand. Remember though, even though the chances are low, you might be paying 1 black and 1 white to mill 4 cards (with all of them being guards), Mill your last 2 white cards at once, thereby failing to search. Having nothing in your trash and milling a black spell. These are some situations where this card's effect might fail to be useful. As it stands, I don't really like this card, it might seem useful at first glance but then again, looks are deceiving. Play it if you feel lucky though.
Dark Matter
Cost: 3 Black
Use Timing [Attack Phase]
All players put 1 of their SIGNI into the trash. Then, if you have no SIGNI on the field, add the top card of your deck to your Life Cloth.
All players put 1 of their SIGNI into the trash. Then, if you have no SIGNI on the field, add the top card of your deck to your Life Cloth.
Literally 1 of my favorite ARTS right here! Mostly used in Iona, Ulitma/Maiden decks due to the synergy, it can still be played in other Iona decks. You might be thinking paying 3 black to trash 1 of your opponent's SIGNI of your opponent's choice, and maybe add a life cloth? That's it? That's where you are wrong. This card helps you put necessary SIGNI in your trash, such as Code Anti Mage. Also, you can 'choose' what life cloth you add through the effect of Code Maze Pyramid. By leaving a strong life burst at the top of your deck after using Pyramid's ability, you effectively choose your next life cloth, helping turn the game to your favour.
Death Beam
Cost: 2 Black 2 White
Use Timing [Main Phase] [Attack Phase]
Banish 1 of your opponent's SIGNI.
Banish 1 of your opponent's SIGNI.
Nope, just nope! Horrible effect with Horrible cost, so much better stuff to put in your LRIG deck. Ignore!
Last Select
Cost: 1 White 1 Black
Use Timing [Main Phase] [Attack Phase]
Put four cards under your LRIG into the LRIG Trash. If you do, put one of your opponent's SIGNI into the trash.
Put four cards under your LRIG into the LRIG Trash. If you do, put one of your opponent's SIGNI into the trash.
If you wanted a card similar to Death Beam in your LRIG deck, play Last Select instead. Iona doesn't have any exceed skills (Unless you grow into Mayu, Genesis Miko, but then again, the cards sent to LRIG trash go back under the LRIG), so placing the four cards under your LRIG to the LRIG trash doesn't matter as much. Instead of banishing an opponent's SIGNI, this trashes your opponent's SIGNI, not giving your opponent ener to respond. The drawback of this card though, is that it can only be used at Level 4 or higher, thus it being a dead ARTS in your early game.
Moving on to Iona-limited SIGNIs~
Code Maze Michel
[Action] 
Put this SIGNI from the field into the trash: Return 1 of your opponent's level 3 or less SIGNI to the deck. Then, your opponent shuffles their deck.
Put this SIGNI from the field into the trash: Return 1 of your opponent's level 3 or less SIGNI to the deck. Then, your opponent shuffles their deck.
Hmmm.... Starting off with a not so good card for now... The cost is a little to heavy to justify the fact that your opponent does not get ener or trash, while you remove a SIGNI. Shuffling your opponent's deck help's against top deck stacks, as shuffling opponent's cards that were sent to the bottom of the deck, spoiling some strategies. (Such as the above mentioned Dark Matter + Code Maze Pyramid combo). Even though it has a good effect, it probably will not see much play due to the high cost. Maybe when Iona transitions into Yuki?
Code Maze Towerb
[Constant]: As long as you have another <Labyrinth> SIGNI on the field, this SIGNI's power becomes 3000.
[On-Play]: You may change the position of one of your SIGNI with this SIGNI.
[On-Play]: You may change the position of one of your SIGNI with this SIGNI.
Another not really that good Level 1 Labyrinth... Having another Labyrinth SIGNI on the field gives her +1000 power, that's it. And it swaps position with another SIGNI. Unless you swap it with a SIGNI played the previous turn, you can just play the SIGNI's you want into the correct positions from the start. Not really a good card, imo... Better stuff to play in your deck.
Code Maze Triumph
[Constant]: When your opponent places a SIGNI, it has to be placed in front of this SIGNI if possible.
[Action] Discard a card from your hand
: Search your deck for a level 2 or less black SIGNI, reveal it, and add it to your hand. Then shuffle your deck.
Life Burst: Draw a card.
[Action] Discard a card from your hand
: Search your deck for a level 2 or less black SIGNI, reveal it, and add it to your hand. Then shuffle your deck. Life Burst: Draw a card.
This is what I'm talking about, a strong Level 1 Labyrinth!!! This card can be seen played in 90% of all Iona decks just because it is that good a card! The first ability allows for you to block of one of your opponent's attack on his first attack phase, as he cannot call opposite an empty slot. Essentially, if you start first and call 2 Triumphs onto the field, your opponent cannot use his SIGNI to hit your life cloth on his attack phase. Her second ability helps you set up for your next turn, or the same turn, by swapping out high level cards which you do not need at the start of the game, to early game cards that help you win the early game. Also, like Dark Matter, it helps you put cards into your trash early, which is a great help to Ancient Surprise, as you build up your trash, setting up for the 3rd effect, and also, can also put cards you want called out from the trash for the 2nd effect. Triumph is really a strong card to play on turn 1, especially of you start first.
Code Maze Babel
[Constant]: When your opponent places a SIGNI, it has to be placed in front of this SIGNI if possible.
[Action] Discard one card from your hand: Search your deck for a level 3 or less black SIGNI, reveal it, and add it to your hand. Then shuffle your deck.
Life Burst: Draw a card.
[Action] Discard one card from your hand
: Search your deck for a level 3 or less black SIGNI, reveal it, and add it to your hand. Then shuffle your deck. Life Burst: Draw a card.
Level 2 variant of Triumph is somehow.... not as good as triumph. The 1st ability is sort of redundant turn 2 onwards, especially if your opponent already has SIGNI on the field. The second effect is still really good though. So you might still consider putting her in your deck. I wouldn't put more than 2 copies though.
Code Maze Metron
[Constant]: As long as you have three <Labyrinth> SIGNI on the field, all of your SIGNI get +2000 power.
Currently, a pure Labyrinth deck does not work really well since Iona currently focues on the synergy between White and Black, so this card doesn't see much play at all, in any Iona Deck. When Iona becomes Yuki though, this card might become really strong, especially if Yuki focuses on Labyrinth SIGNI.
Code Maze Tajmaha
[Constant]: As long as you have another <Labyrinth> SIGNI on the field, this SIGNI's power is 7000.
[On-Play]: You may arrange all of your SIGNI in play as you wish.
A... erm how do I put it... sort of better version of Towerb? Her first ability gives her +2000 now as opposed to Towerb's +1000. Do note though, even though I say that they gain power, they actually do not and have their power values changed. Her On-play effect is still not really good though, re-arranging your SIGNI's positions does not help you much. Still a meh card only in my opinion.
Code Maze Pyramid
[Constant]: When your opponent places a SIGNI, it has to be placed in front of this SIGNI if possible.
[Action]: Look at the top three cards of your deck. Reveal one black or white SIGNI from among them and add it to your hand. Then, return the remaining cards to the top of your deck in any order.
Life Burst: Search your deck for a black SIGNI, reveal it, and add it to your hand. Then shuffle your deck.
[Action]
: Look at the top three cards of your deck. Reveal one black or white SIGNI from among them and add it to your hand. Then, return the remaining cards to the top of your deck in any order. Life Burst: Search your deck for a black SIGNI, reveal it, and add it to your hand. Then shuffle your deck.
One of the few and best card draws Iona has access to. Her first ability is similar to Triumph and Babel. As with Babel, I feel that past level 1, this ability becomes worse and worse. However, her second ability more than makes up for it. A rest to add a card to your hand level 3 is not uncommon, but what makes Pyramid stand out is that not only do you add a card to your hand, you get to know what you draw next turn, effectively helping you plan out your next turn. (There is also that Dark Matter/Pyramid combo which I won't elaborate on any further). Her life burst is also really useful, normally when you search your deck for a SIGNI, largely it is to get White SIGNIs (from most cards), as Black SIGNIs are usually added from trash into your hand, so this helps you filter out important Black SIGNIs that have not been drawn yet from your deck.
Code Maze Sagfami
[On-Play] Discard 1 <Labyrinth> SIGNI from your hand: You may rearrange the position of your opponent's SIGNI in any way you like. Then, draw 1 card.
Life Burst: [Ener Charge 1]
Life Burst: [Ener Charge 1]
A decent card, especially with Cross being a really strong mechanic in the current meta. You get to filter out a early game card such as Triumph which you usually do not need at Turn 3, for a chance at a better card. Also this builds up your trash for Ancient Surprise. My only complain is the life burst. Iona is a LRIG that does not need the Ener Charge 1 Life Burst as much as other LRIG due to the sole fact of her LRIG ability of 'Your opponent's SIGNI must attack if possible' giving you more ener than you need most of the time. Would be a great card if not for the life burst.
Code Maze Skyju
[Constant]: As long as you have another <Labyrinth> SIGNI on the field, this SIGNI's power becomes 10000.
[On-Play]: You may rearrange the position of your opponent's SIGNI in any way you like.
The Level 3 version of Towerb and Tajmaha that is surprisingly playable! Her first ability gives her a power buff to 10000, an averagely high number for a Level 3 SIGNI, allowing it to possibly tank some attacks. Her second ability, is similar to that of Sagfami's in that it rearranges your opponent's SIGNI as opposed to your own. This stops Cross SIGNIs as they have to be in specific positions to activate their Heaven ability. Also, this card does not have a negative life burst, unlike Sagfami! It is a better tech card, even so, i would keep it to a maximum of 1-2 copies in your deck.
Drei=Capsule
[Action] : Until end of turn, one of your opponent's SIGNI gets -5000 power. (A SIGNI with power 0 or less is banished)
: Until end of turn, one of your opponent's SIGNI gets -5000 power. (A SIGNI with power 0 or less is banished)
The first non Labyrinth Iona-limited card, and it is a really good one too! Playing this card on turn 3 gives you a really big advantage. By resting this card, you get to lower an opponent's SIGNI by 5000 power, likely banishing it. This helps you go on offense on turn 3, attacking your opponent's life cloth. Also, on turn 3, if you play Iona, Pale/Maiden, the -2000 from Iona's on play ability, coupled with the -5000 from Drei=Capsule's ability, allows for you to take out some of your opponent's key Level 3 SIGNIs as well. It is a really versatile card and can be used in many situations. A really good card to keep in your deck, regardless of whether you are playing a Poison Fang Iona build.
Code Anti Vimana
[Constant]: When your opponent's SIGNI attacks, if the SIGNI's power is lower than the power of the SIGNI in front of it, banish the SIGNI that attacked.
[On-Play]
: Put four <Ancient Weapon> SIGNI with different levels in your trash to the bottom of your deck in any order. If you do, until end of turn, one of your opponent's SIGNI gets -10000 power.
Life Burst: Until end of turn, one of your opponent's SIGNI gets -10000 power.
[On-Play]
: Put four <Ancient Weapon> SIGNI with different levels in your trash to the bottom of your deck in any order. If you do, until end of turn, one of your opponent's SIGNI gets -10000 power. Life Burst: Until end of turn, one of your opponent's SIGNI gets -10000 power.
This card and Triumph is why Iona's TD is known to be one of the strongest trial decks for Wixoss. This card's effect I feel warrants it at least a SR rarity. Her 1st constant, is really really strong in Iona. Iona forces your opponent SIGNI to attack if possible, even when their SIGNI's power may be lower than yours. This punishes that. Also, Iona -2000 power to all your opponent's SIGNI if you have a White and Black SIGNI on the field, helping this card's first constant as well. Also, you can set up situations where your opponent's SIGNI are lower power than yours through ARTS such as Ancient Surprise, there are so many ways to combo this card. Her second ability is a on play effect, where by sending 4 ancient weapon of different level from your trash to your bottom deck, one of your opponent's SIGNI gets -10000 power. Coupled with Iona's -2000, -12000 to a SIGNI, banishes a lot of SIGNIs, even level 4 SIGNIs. Her life burst too, is defensive, and can also be coupled with Iona's -2000. She herself is a really strong card. What makes her even stronger is her unpredictability. She can be called from trash during the Attack Phase!!! Grave Awake, Dead Splash, Ancient Suprise + Code Anti Arahabaki just to name a few. Also, even when she is called from trash, her on-play ability can still be used to -10000 to a SIGNI, and by placing her in front of a lower powered SIGNI, you effectively open 2 holes for your next turn. This card is too good, especially so in an Ancient Weapon oriented Iona deck.
Code Labyrinth Louvre
[Constant]: The SIGNI in front of this SIGNI loses its abilities.
[Constant]: As long as your opponent has two or more SIGNI with no abilities, this SIGNI gets +3000 power.
[Constant]: When one of your opponent's SIGNI is put into the deck from the field, search your deck for one <Labyrinth> SIGNI, reveal it, and add it to your hand. Then, shuffle your deck.
Life Burst: During your next turn, all of your opponent's SIGNI lose their abilities. Draw a card.
[Constant]: As long as your opponent has two or more SIGNI with no abilities, this SIGNI gets +3000 power.
[Constant]: When one of your opponent's SIGNI is put into the deck from the field, search your deck for one <Labyrinth> SIGNI, reveal it, and add it to your hand. Then, shuffle your deck.
Life Burst: During your next turn, all of your opponent's SIGNI lose their abilities. Draw a card.
At first glance, this card may seem really good as it removes your opponent's abilities, but essentially that is all it does, is it really that useful? Her life burst too, (I am not 100% sure about the ruling, so take this with a grain of salt) only affects the SIGNI on the field at the moment, so SIGNI called to the field during your turn through ARTs of life bursts still get to keep their abilities. Louvre is a really interesting card, and I hope it sees more play, especially since Yuki seems to be playing with the idea of sending opponent's SIGNI back into the deck.
Code Labyrinth Quinn
[Constant]: When one of your opponent's SIGNI attacks, until end of turn, all of your <Labyrinth> SIGNI gets +1000 power. Then, if there is no SIGNI in front of the attacking SIGNI, you may put this SIGNI in front of the attacking SIGNI.
Life Burst: Search your deck for a <Labyrinth> SIGNI, reveal it, and add it to your hand or put it into play. Then, shuffle your deck.
Life Burst: Search your deck for a <Labyrinth> SIGNI, reveal it, and add it to your hand or put it into play. Then, shuffle your deck.
All hail the Queen!! I mean the Quinn... Erm.... :p
This card is why many players hate fighting against Iona. Having this one card on the field essentially stops all attacks of 12000 and below. Without lifting a finger! With the rise of Cross and Resonas with 15000 power, Quinn may be dropping in power and value, but essentially Quinn is still one of the strongest Iona-limited cards there is. nearly every Iona deck you see would play multiple copies of this card in their deck! Having this card with Vimana is a really strong combo too. Not only do your opponent's SIGNI lose 2000 due to Iona's ability, they will get banished when they attack, and they will hardly get past Quinn's power. Her life burst too, is really strong. Searching your deck for a Labyrinth SIGNI, and you get the option of adding it into hand, to prepare for next turn or if your field has no space, or you can put it into play to stop an attack. The thing is her life burst can call herself from deck, sometimes helping you survive an important opponent attack, thus winning you the game. This card's life burst should definitely be one of the options for the Dark Matter + Pyramid combo.
Vier=Rikabuto
This card is why many players hate fighting against Iona. Having this one card on the field essentially stops all attacks of 12000 and below. Without lifting a finger! With the rise of Cross and Resonas with 15000 power, Quinn may be dropping in power and value, but essentially Quinn is still one of the strongest Iona-limited cards there is. nearly every Iona deck you see would play multiple copies of this card in their deck! Having this card with Vimana is a really strong combo too. Not only do your opponent's SIGNI lose 2000 due to Iona's ability, they will get banished when they attack, and they will hardly get past Quinn's power. Her life burst too, is really strong. Searching your deck for a Labyrinth SIGNI, and you get the option of adding it into hand, to prepare for next turn or if your field has no space, or you can put it into play to stop an attack. The thing is her life burst can call herself from deck, sometimes helping you survive an important opponent attack, thus winning you the game. This card's life burst should definitely be one of the options for the Dark Matter + Pyramid combo.
Vier=Rikabuto
[Constant]: When this SIGNI attacks, for each of your <Poison Fang> SIGNI, until end of turn, all of your opponent's SIGNI get -1000 power.
[Constant]: During your turn, when your opponent's SIGNI is put into the trash from play, put the top card of your deck into the Ener Zone. Life Burst: Until end of turn, a SIGNI gets -10000 power. If you have a <Poison Fang> SIGNI on the field, additionally, until end of turn, a SIGNI gets -7000 power.Do not underestimate this card, this card is really really strong. Her 1st ability allows her to on attack -1000 to all your opponent's SIGNIs for every Poison Fang SIGNI you have on your field. Essentially being able to banish during your attack phase, after your opponent's ARTS phase. The banishing of opponent's SIGNI happens before the attack, so you banish the SIGNI opposite this card and you get to crush a life cloth! Thus, your opponent is forced to use ARTS to remove this SIGNI and not ARTS that call SIGNI onto the field. Her second Ability is even crazier, when an opponent's SIGNI is trashed, you ener charge 1. This trashing of opponent SIGNI can happen by using Iona, Full/Maiden's Action Ability, ARTS such as Dark Matter or Last Select, or even Growing into Iona, Ultima/Maiden. Her life burst too, is really useful. Your standard -10000 to a SIGNI, but with a bonus, if you have a Poison Fang SIGNI on the field, you get to -7000 to a SIGNI too. This -10000 and -7000 can be used on the same SIGNI to -17000 or can be used on 2 different SIGNIs to banish 2 SIGNIs. All in all, Vier is a really good card, and you should especially play it if you play the Poison Fang Variant of Iona.
Code Ancients Necronomico
[Constant]: When an <Ancient Weapon> SIGNI comes into play from your trash, add 1 card from your trash to your hand. This effect can only be triggered once per turn.
Life Burst: Search your deck for 1 SIGNI and put it into the trash. Then, shuffle your deck, and add one card from your trash to your hand.
Life Burst: Search your deck for 1 SIGNI and put it into the trash. Then, shuffle your deck, and add one card from your trash to your hand.
The level 5 SIGNI given to most Level 5 LRIGs. What makes her special then? Necronomico used to be rarely seen played in Iona decks due to her being too slow, hard to bring out etc. Now with many new ARTS and SIGNI abilities, Necronomico can be seen played in both Iona, Ultima/Maiden decks, as well as Mayu, Genesis Miko decks. Grave Awake, Dead Splash, Ancient Suprise + Code Anti Arahabaki, same way you bring out Vimana is the same way you bring out Necronomico from Trash. When she herself, or any Ancient Weapon is called from the trash to the field, you get to salvage 1 card. This card can be any card, a guard, Quinn, anything to your liking. Her lifeburst too, can be a godsend, sending a card to trash (Code Anti Texahammer *hint hint*) and being able to salvage any card? This card's life burst is another one good enough for consideration for the Dark Matter + Pyramid combo.
Torchen Whip
Choose 1 of the following 2.
「Banish 1 of your white SIGNI. If you do, search your deck for 1 white SIGNI, reveal it, and add it to your hand. Then, shuffle your deck.」
「Banish 1 of your black SIGNI. If you do, until end of turn, 1 of your opponent's SIGNI gets -7000 power.」
「Banish 1 of your white SIGNI. If you do, search your deck for 1 white SIGNI, reveal it, and add it to your hand. Then, shuffle your deck.」
「Banish 1 of your black SIGNI. If you do, until end of turn, 1 of your opponent's SIGNI gets -7000 power.」
The typical every LRIG self-banish card. What makes the one for Iona so great? You get options :D
Banish a white SIGNI such as Triumph/Pyramid after using their effects and getting another white SIGNI to your hand? Banish the Code Anti Doronjo that came out through the effect of Code Anti Aztec to -2000 and -7000 to SIGNIs? SIGN ME UP PLS!!! This card is really great in nearly all Iona decks, and it helps when you need a specific colour in your Ener zone, to open ARTS or SIGNI abilities.
Banish a white SIGNI such as Triumph/Pyramid after using their effects and getting another white SIGNI to your hand? Banish the Code Anti Doronjo that came out through the effect of Code Anti Aztec to -2000 and -7000 to SIGNIs? SIGN ME UP PLS!!! This card is really great in nearly all Iona decks, and it helps when you need a specific colour in your Ener zone, to open ARTS or SIGNI abilities.
Tri Signal
For each of your <Labyrinth> SIGNI on the field, the cost to use this spell is reduced by 1 . Return one of your opponent's SIGNI to their deck, and your opponent shuffles their deck.
Life Burst: Discard one <Labyrinth> SIGNI from your hand. If you do, your opponent puts one of their SIGNI into the trash.
As stated before, a pure Labyrinth deck doesn't really work in Iona, espcially since the LRIG is Black. Yuki though may help this card see some play. As stated, Yuki seems to play around sending Opponent's SIGNI back to deck, as well as focusing on Labyrinth SIGNIs. While this card won't see play in Iona decks, we might see it in play soon when Yuki is released.
. Return one of your opponent's SIGNI to their deck, and your opponent shuffles their deck. Life Burst: Discard one <Labyrinth> SIGNI from your hand. If you do, your opponent puts one of their SIGNI into the trash.As stated before, a pure Labyrinth deck doesn't really work in Iona, espcially since the LRIG is Black. Yuki though may help this card see some play. As stated, Yuki seems to play around sending Opponent's SIGNI back to deck, as well as focusing on Labyrinth SIGNIs. While this card won't see play in Iona decks, we might see it in play soon when Yuki is released.
Violence Splash
This turn, if a SIGNI with power 0 or less is banished, that SIGNI is put into the trash instead of being put into the Ener Zone. This turn, if the power of your opponent's SIGNI would be decreased by the effect of your SIGNI, double the amount of power decreased.
Life Burst: Put onto the field or add to your hand 1 black SIGNI from your trash.
This card is the ultimate dream for Poison Fang Variant of Iona decks. It especially combos well with Vier=Rikabuto. Poison Fangs largely focus on minus-ing the power of opponent's SIGNIs, and while doing so, banish opponent's SIGNI through game rulings. This helps Poison Fangs even more as not only does it prevent your opponent from gaining Ener, you trigger Vier=Rikabuto's 2nd effect as well! The lifeburst too, is similar to that of Quinn, where you can call a black SIGNI to the field, or add 1 to your hand. You can combo this lifeburst with Necronomico/Vimana as explained earlier to make even more use of this lifeburst.
Life Burst: Put onto the field or add to your hand 1 black SIGNI from your trash.This card is the ultimate dream for Poison Fang Variant of Iona decks. It especially combos well with Vier=Rikabuto. Poison Fangs largely focus on minus-ing the power of opponent's SIGNIs, and while doing so, banish opponent's SIGNI through game rulings. This helps Poison Fangs even more as not only does it prevent your opponent from gaining Ener, you trigger Vier=Rikabuto's 2nd effect as well! The lifeburst too, is similar to that of Quinn, where you can call a black SIGNI to the field, or add 1 to your hand. You can combo this lifeburst with Necronomico/Vimana as explained earlier to make even more use of this lifeburst.
So comes the end of Part 1 of Iona's Deck Tech where we looked at her different LRIG Variants, as well as her LRIG-limited cards. Next time, we will explore cards that I feel can see play in Iona decks, and go in depth into more wombo combos!!! If you have any questions/thoughts/arguments you wish to share, do comment below and I'll try to be of help! Until next time! じゃあね!
Leggo Scrubs~
MakiBestGirl Signing off~
MakiBestGirl Signing off~
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