Notes & Combos
Cards that are cuttable/exchangeable:
- Veiler Droll <-> Fuwalos: I would run at least 2x Fuwalos, since its not HOPT, but I have no UR. I like running variety of hand traps over 3x ratio. Ash is really good against Tenpai and MaxxC, especially if you are forced into Verte.
- DRNM <-> Evenly. Searchable board breaker with thrust.
- Nibiru: I think you should run it at 1 to pair with MaxxC/Fuwalos (see below).
- Ecclesia: I like Ecclesia as a 1 of. Good going second + acts as good discard fodder going first. In theory, can also help break Spellcaster Village lock since its an inherent summon. Not mandatory though.
- Regained: Win more card. But incredibly strong against certain matchups and in games longer than 3 turns. Not completely useless going first unlike Beast.
- Khaos Starsource Dragon <-> Guardian Chimera/Alba Lenatus. I never liked Guardian Chimera in Branded since it is ashable and you often have to banish an Albaz with BiR, which conflicts with Quem/Rindbruum in certain scenarios. The new dragon can be summoned by any means, not just spells and is more versatile. Can be summoned through Albaz + any tenpai dragon and provides a free pop. Banishment line that makes LADD can also make this. Can also be summoned with just Fusion Lubellion + Albaz as material by shuffling them back, unlike Borreload Furious. Also a crazy super poly target against Centurion, and can come up against Voiceless as well. Alba Lenatus is the standard replacement for this card. More experimentation with KSD is needed.
- Sanctifire: Since LADD can negate evenly and I dont run a lock, I don't see a great purpose for this card anymore. I rarely summon him in games and even against MaxxC, I often go into GGG -> MJ to give one extra draw instead of this. I run two Quems now, and this makes this card almost redundant. Curious to hear your thoughts about this card.
(New) Core cards (IMO):
- LADD: You definitely want to running this card. It is very easy to access and is almost a strictly better Dragoon for Branded. Only out for Tenpai is Droplet/Crow. Great omni negate
- Branded Banishment: To easily access LADD. This card also counters Yubel, which is stronger with Varudras.
- Superpoly: Custom card. I didn't include it for several seasons but I have gotten more comfortable cutting ED for Garura/Mudragon. Lowered Bystial Count to make room. Even when you "brick" with nonengine, this card can save the day.
Replays
Notes continued: 4. Fuwalos+MaxxC: Branded can make use of Fuwalos discard fodder when going first. The existence of a second MaxxC makes both cards stronger, as one is very likely to resolve. In previous seasons, I often did not bother with MaxxC against SEFK, since an Ash could be recycled with Sunlight Wolf. Running superpoly as a "power" card makes the potential draws very impactful. 5. Verte: Play around Ash. There are so many games where I would have lost if I didn't have Verte.