Difference between revisions of "Blackwing"

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"'''Blackwing'''", known as "'''Black Feather'''" ({{Ruby|BF|ブラックフェザー}} ''Burakku Fezā'') in the Japanese version, are an [[archetype]] of [[Monster Card|monsters]], debuting in ''[[Crimson Crisis]]'', used by both [[Crow Hogan]] and [[Robert Pearson]], with the former inheriting the Deck from the latter, in the ''[[Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's]]'' anime. They were also used in the ''[[Yu-Gi-Oh! ARC-V]]'' anime by Crow's [[Crow Hogan (ARC-V)|alternate universe counterpart]]. All members of this archetype are [[DARK]] [[Winged Beast]] monsters, except for the [[LIGHT]] "[[Blackwing - Aurora the Northern Lights]]" and the [[Warrior]] "[[Blackwing Tamer - Obsidian Hawk Joe]]".
 
"'''Blackwing'''", known as "'''Black Feather'''" ({{Ruby|BF|ブラックフェザー}} ''Burakku Fezā'') in the Japanese version, are an [[archetype]] of [[Monster Card|monsters]], debuting in ''[[Crimson Crisis]]'', used by both [[Crow Hogan]] and [[Robert Pearson]], with the former inheriting the Deck from the latter, in the ''[[Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's]]'' anime. They were also used in the ''[[Yu-Gi-Oh! ARC-V]]'' anime by Crow's [[Crow Hogan (ARC-V)|alternate universe counterpart]]. All members of this archetype are [[DARK]] [[Winged Beast]] monsters, except for the [[LIGHT]] "[[Blackwing - Aurora the Northern Lights]]" and the [[Warrior]] "[[Blackwing Tamer - Obsidian Hawk Joe]]".
  
They are a Deck with both [[swarm]]ing and speed capabilities. When ''[[Crimson Crisis]]'' was released, this archetype was very unsupported, with only five "Blackwing" cards being released: "[[Blackwing - Gale the Whirlwind|Gale the Whirlwind]]", "[[Blackwing - Sirocco the Dawn|Sirocco the Dawn]]", "[[Blackwing - Bora the Spear|Bora the Spear]]", "[[Blackwing Armor Master|Armor Master]]" and "[[Raptor Wing Strike]]". Later on, with the release of ''[[Raging Battle]]'' and ''[[Ancient Prophecy]]'', Blackwings grew into a high swarming and powerful Deck. The speed it gives with its swarming, along with its additional [[Synchro Summon]]ing capabilities, landed this Deck a place on the [[Shonen Jump]] Circuit, along with being known as one of the many Meta Decks. The Deck proceeded to win the 2009 World Championships and remained popular the following year. New "Blackwing" monsters and support were released in ''[[The Shining Darkness]]'' and ''[[Starstrike Blast]]'', giving them alternative strategies.  
+
They are a Deck with both [[swarm]]ing and speed capabilities. When ''[[Crimson Crisis]]'' was released, this archetype was very unsupported, with only five "Blackwing" cards being released: "[[Blackwing - Gale the Whirlwind|Gale the Whirlwind]]", "[[Blackwing - Sirocco the Dawn|Sirocco the Dawn]]", "[[Blackwing - Bora the Spear|Bora the Spear]]", "[[Blackwing Armor Master|Armor Master]]" and "[[Raptor Wing Strike]]". Later on, with the release of ''[[Raging Battle]]'' and ''[[Ancient Prophecy]]'', Blackwings grew into a high swarming and powerful Deck. The speed it gives with its swarming, along with its additional [[Synchro Summon]]ing capabilities, landed this Deck a place on the [[Shonen Jump]] Circuit, along with being known as one of the many Meta Decks. The Deck proceeded to win the 2009 World Championships and remained popular the following year. New "Blackwing" monsters and support were released in ''[[The Shining Darkness]]'' and ''[[Starstrike Blast]]'', giving them alternative strategies.
  
 
As of ''[[Premium Gold: Return of the Bling]]'', the deck's swarming capabilities and consistency have been greatly improved. With the release of ''Dimension of Chaos ''and ''The Dark Illusion'', new "Blackwing" monsters, called "Assault Blackwings", have been introduced that gain the ability to be Tuner monsters allowing for more access to Synchro Summoning thanks to "[[Assault Blackwing - Onimaru the Divine Thunder]]" having level manipulation once Summoned. The deck functions with high amounts of speed, searching, and good hand trap situations as leaving a "[[Blackwing - Kalut the Moon Shadow]]" in hand can be used both offensively and defensively.
 
As of ''[[Premium Gold: Return of the Bling]]'', the deck's swarming capabilities and consistency have been greatly improved. With the release of ''Dimension of Chaos ''and ''The Dark Illusion'', new "Blackwing" monsters, called "Assault Blackwings", have been introduced that gain the ability to be Tuner monsters allowing for more access to Synchro Summoning thanks to "[[Assault Blackwing - Onimaru the Divine Thunder]]" having level manipulation once Summoned. The deck functions with high amounts of speed, searching, and good hand trap situations as leaving a "[[Blackwing - Kalut the Moon Shadow]]" in hand can be used both offensively and defensively.
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| [[Blackwing - Aurora the Northern Lights|Aurora the Northern Lights]] || [[wikipedia:Aurora (astronomy)|Aurora Borealis]]
 
| [[Blackwing - Aurora the Northern Lights|Aurora the Northern Lights]] || [[wikipedia:Aurora (astronomy)|Aurora Borealis]]
 
|-
 
|-
| [[Blackwing - Auster the South Wind|Auster the South Wind‎]] || [[wikipedia:Anemoi|Anemoi]]
+
| [[Blackwing - Auster the South Wind|Auster the South Wind]] || [[wikipedia:Anemoi|Anemoi]]
 
|-
 
|-
 
| [[Blackwing - Blizzard the Far North|Blizzard the Far North]] || [[wikipedia:Blizzard|Blizzard]]
 
| [[Blackwing - Blizzard the Far North|Blizzard the Far North]] || [[wikipedia:Blizzard|Blizzard]]
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| [[Blackwing - Oroshi the Squall|Oroshi the Squall]] || [[wikipedia:Oroshi|Oroshi]]
 
| [[Blackwing - Oroshi the Squall|Oroshi the Squall]] || [[wikipedia:Oroshi|Oroshi]]
 
|-
 
|-
| [[Blackwing - Shura the Blue Flame|Shura the Blue Flame]] || [[wikipedia:Fire#Flame_temperatures|Blue fire]]
+
| [[Blackwing - Shura the Blue Flame|Shura the Blue Flame]] || [[wikipedia:Fire#Flame temperatures|Blue fire]]
 
|-
 
|-
 
| [[Blackwing - Simoom the Poison Winds|Simoom the Poison Winds]] || [[wikipedia:Simoom|Simoom]]
 
| [[Blackwing - Simoom the Poison Winds|Simoom the Poison Winds]] || [[wikipedia:Simoom|Simoom]]
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| [[Assault Blackwing - Raikiri the Rain Shower|Raikiri the Rain Shower]] || [[wikipedia:Precipitation|Precipitation]]
 
| [[Assault Blackwing - Raikiri the Rain Shower|Raikiri the Rain Shower]] || [[wikipedia:Precipitation|Precipitation]]
 
|-
 
|-
| [[Assault Blackwing - Sayo the Rain Hider|Sayo the Rain Hider]] || N/A
+
| [[Assault Blackwing - Sayo the Rain Hider|Sayo the Rain Hider]] ||  
 
|-
 
|-
 
| [[Assault Blackwing - Sohaya the Rain Storm|Sohaya the Rain Storm]] || [[wikipedia:Storm|Rain Storm]]
 
| [[Assault Blackwing - Sohaya the Rain Storm|Sohaya the Rain Storm]] || [[wikipedia:Storm|Rain Storm]]
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"Blackwings" have a strong emphasis on [[swarm]]ing and utilizing hand traps. Most have the ability to Special Summon themselves from the hand; others carry special effects that utilize the Graveyard and Hand to advance the gamestate. Because of these swarming capabilities, they give many opportunities to [[Synchro Summon]] and [[Xyz Summon]]. Their overall gameplan allows for quick OTKs all the while setting up multiple layers of contingency plans and proofing for additional OTKs in future turns.
 
"Blackwings" have a strong emphasis on [[swarm]]ing and utilizing hand traps. Most have the ability to Special Summon themselves from the hand; others carry special effects that utilize the Graveyard and Hand to advance the gamestate. Because of these swarming capabilities, they give many opportunities to [[Synchro Summon]] and [[Xyz Summon]]. Their overall gameplan allows for quick OTKs all the while setting up multiple layers of contingency plans and proofing for additional OTKs in future turns.
  
Since all of the "Blackwings" rely on the hand to swarm, "[[Black Whirlwind]]" allows them to replenish their resources while giving them the ability to toolbox into certain combo pieces. And when enough Blackwings have swarmed the field, support cards like "[[Delta Crow - Anti Reverse]]" and "[[Black Sonic]]" are granted additional effects that allow them to be activated from the hand.  
+
Since all of the "Blackwings" rely on the hand to swarm, "[[Black Whirlwind]]" allows them to replenish their resources while giving them the ability to toolbox into certain combo pieces. And when enough Blackwings have swarmed the field, support cards like "[[Delta Crow - Anti Reverse]]" and "[[Black Sonic]]" are granted additional effects that allow them to be activated from the hand.
  
 
Because the majority of the "Blackwing" monsters are [[DARK]] and [[Winged Beast]]s, they can utilize "[[Icarus Attack]]", "[[Dark Armed Dragon]]", "Dark Illusion", "Cattle Call", "Crush Card Virus", "Deck Devastation Virus", and "Eradicator Epidemic Virus" for card destruction. They even have access to draw power such as "[[Allure of Darkness]]", "[[Pot of Duality]]", "[[Cards for Black Feathers]]", "[[Pot of Desires]]" (albeit risky) and searching power such "[[Raidraptor - Force Strix]]", "[[Creeping Darkness]]", "[[Swallow's Nest]]", "[[Transmodify]]", and "[[Downbeat]]".
 
Because the majority of the "Blackwing" monsters are [[DARK]] and [[Winged Beast]]s, they can utilize "[[Icarus Attack]]", "[[Dark Armed Dragon]]", "Dark Illusion", "Cattle Call", "Crush Card Virus", "Deck Devastation Virus", and "Eradicator Epidemic Virus" for card destruction. They even have access to draw power such as "[[Allure of Darkness]]", "[[Pot of Duality]]", "[[Cards for Black Feathers]]", "[[Pot of Desires]]" (albeit risky) and searching power such "[[Raidraptor - Force Strix]]", "[[Creeping Darkness]]", "[[Swallow's Nest]]", "[[Transmodify]]", and "[[Downbeat]]".
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The Deck has numerous mind games, forcing opponents to make less than sub-optimal plays to play around certain cards like "[[Icarus Attack]]", "[[Black Sonic]]", "[[Delta Crow - Anti Reverse|Delta Crow]]" and "[[Blackwing - Kalut the Moon Shadow]]". The player can create an illusion by simply setting a card in the Spell & Trap Card Zone or keeping a few cards in hand with a "Blackwing" monster on the field. Aggressive Decks are forced to slow down to stay out of range of these options that can cripple them or possibly cost the game.
 
The Deck has numerous mind games, forcing opponents to make less than sub-optimal plays to play around certain cards like "[[Icarus Attack]]", "[[Black Sonic]]", "[[Delta Crow - Anti Reverse|Delta Crow]]" and "[[Blackwing - Kalut the Moon Shadow]]". The player can create an illusion by simply setting a card in the Spell & Trap Card Zone or keeping a few cards in hand with a "Blackwing" monster on the field. Aggressive Decks are forced to slow down to stay out of range of these options that can cripple them or possibly cost the game.
  
With great self sustaining synergy, powerful support cards, toolbox capabilities and the ability to shift between aggressive to passive playstyles; “Blackwings” are one of the easiest archetypes to play and an overall solid archetype.
+
With great self sustaining synergy, powerful support cards, toolbox capabilities and the ability to shift between aggressive to passive playstyles; "Blackwings" are one of the easiest archetypes to play and an overall solid archetype.
  
 
==Decks==
 
==Decks==
Blackwings are a powerful archetype, able to quickly swarm the field, Synchro Summon, and potentially OTK every turn. Their specialty is their quick Special Summoning, allowing you to Summon multiple monsters in a single turn, then use effects of monsters such as "[[Blackwing - Sirocco the Dawn]]" or "[[Blackwing - Kalut the Moon Shadow]]" to build on one another and quickly wreak massive destruction.  
+
Blackwings are a powerful archetype, able to quickly swarm the field, Synchro Summon, and potentially OTK every turn. Their specialty is their quick Special Summoning, allowing you to Summon multiple monsters in a single turn, then use effects of monsters such as "[[Blackwing - Sirocco the Dawn]]" or "[[Blackwing - Kalut the Moon Shadow]]" to build on one another and quickly wreak massive destruction.
  
 
{{Decklist|Recommended cards
 
{{Decklist|Recommended cards
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|tuner monsters =
 
|tuner monsters =
* [[Blackwing - Auster the South Wind‎]]
+
* [[Blackwing - Auster the South Wind]]
 
* [[Blackwing - Blizzard the Far North]]
 
* [[Blackwing - Blizzard the Far North]]
 
* [[Blackwing - Gale the Whirlwind]]
 
* [[Blackwing - Gale the Whirlwind]]
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===Vayu Turbo===
 
===Vayu Turbo===
This Deck is based on getting "[[Blackwing - Vayu the Emblem of Honor]]" and high-Level "Blackwing" monsters into the Graveyard. Vayu's effect allows the [[Special Summon]] of "Blackwing" [[Synchro]]s from the Extra deck by using "Blackwing" monsters in the graveyard to fulfill the level requirements; the effects of these monsters are negated. Because this is not a traditional Synchro Summon, the Synchro monsters are not revivable if they are to hit the graveyard.  
+
This Deck is based on getting "[[Blackwing - Vayu the Emblem of Honor]]" and high-Level "Blackwing" monsters into the Graveyard. Vayu's effect allows the [[Special Summon]] of "Blackwing" [[Synchro]]s from the Extra deck by using "Blackwing" monsters in the graveyard to fulfill the level requirements; the effects of these monsters are negated. Because this is not a traditional Synchro Summon, the Synchro monsters are not revivable if they are to hit the graveyard.
  
The strategy then devolves into spamming high-ATK [[Synchro|Synchro Monsters]] followed by swarming the field with other "Blackwing" monsters. Recycling with "[[Burial from a Different Dimension]]" to perform another [[Special Summon]] is a recommended tactic. This also allows you to return "[[Necro Gardna]]" and anything else you might remove with "[[Dark Armed Dragon]]" or "[[Allure of Darkness]]" to your [[Graveyard]]. To go along with "[[Burial from a Different Dimension]]", you can add "[[Return from the Different Dimension]]" to Summon the same cards to your side of the field and attempt an [[OTK]]. Cards that send other cards from your Deck to your Graveyard, such as "[[Card Trooper]]" (or, to a lesser extent, "[[Veil of Darkness]]"), are suggested. Another possible strategy is to Special Summon "[[Blackwing - Vayu the Emblem of Honor]]" through the effect of "[[Blackwing - Shura the Blue Flame]]", negating the Synchro Summoning restriction of "[[Blackwing - Vayu the Emblem of Honor]]", and Synchro Summon "[[Ally of Justice Catastor]]".  
+
The strategy then devolves into spamming high-ATK [[Synchro|Synchro Monsters]] followed by swarming the field with other "Blackwing" monsters. Recycling with "[[Burial from a Different Dimension]]" to perform another [[Special Summon]] is a recommended tactic. This also allows you to return "[[Necro Gardna]]" and anything else you might remove with "[[Dark Armed Dragon]]" or "[[Allure of Darkness]]" to your [[Graveyard]]. To go along with "[[Burial from a Different Dimension]]", you can add "[[Return from the Different Dimension]]" to Summon the same cards to your side of the field and attempt an [[OTK]]. Cards that send other cards from your Deck to your Graveyard, such as "[[Card Trooper]]" (or, to a lesser extent, "[[Veil of Darkness]]"), are suggested. Another possible strategy is to Special Summon "[[Blackwing - Vayu the Emblem of Honor]]" through the effect of "[[Blackwing - Shura the Blue Flame]]", negating the Synchro Summoning restriction of "[[Blackwing - Vayu the Emblem of Honor]]", and Synchro Summon "[[Ally of Justice Catastor]]".
  
"[[Crush Card Virus]]" is a viable tool for ditching "[[Blackwing - Vayu the Emblem of Honor]]" to the Graveyard while destroying the opponent's monsters. "[[Deck Devastation Virus]]" and/or "[[Eradicator Epidemic Virus]]" work for ditching a high-Level "Blackwing" monster to the Graveyard and destroying low-ATK monsters. This strategy works very will with this type of Deck, since you will be able to rapidly swarm the field with high-ATK DARK-Attribute Monsters, since the key cards of this Deck ("[[Blackwing - Vayu the Emblem of Honor]]", high Level "Blackwings") make perfect targets for the "[[Crush Card Virus]]". When they are in the Graveyard, you can Summon even more monsters while leaving your opponent with nothing. Furthermore, you will be looking at your opponent's hand, allowing you to predict their actions.  
+
"[[Crush Card Virus]]" is a viable tool for ditching "[[Blackwing - Vayu the Emblem of Honor]]" to the Graveyard while destroying the opponent's monsters. "[[Deck Devastation Virus]]" and/or "[[Eradicator Epidemic Virus]]" work for ditching a high-Level "Blackwing" monster to the Graveyard and destroying low-ATK monsters. This strategy works very will with this type of Deck, since you will be able to rapidly swarm the field with high-ATK DARK-Attribute Monsters, since the key cards of this Deck ("[[Blackwing - Vayu the Emblem of Honor]]", high Level "Blackwings") make perfect targets for the "[[Crush Card Virus]]". When they are in the Graveyard, you can Summon even more monsters while leaving your opponent with nothing. Furthermore, you will be looking at your opponent's hand, allowing you to predict their actions.
  
Another great card for this Deck is "[[Skill Drain]]" which can negate the effect of "[[Blackwing - Vayu the Emblem of Honor]]" while it is on the field (so it can be used as a Synchro Material monster on the field) while still allowing it to Special Summon Synchro Monsters by removing it from the Graveyard ("Skill Drain" does not negate effects in the Graveyard). As an added bonus, the effect-negating drawback on the Synchro Monster will be meaningless, since "Skill Drain" does the same to each other monster.
+
Another great card for this Deck is "[[Skill Drain]]" which can negate the effect of "[[Blackwing - Vayu the Emblem of Honor]]" while it is on the field (so it can be used as a Synchro Material monster on the field) while still allowing it to Special Summon Synchro Monsters by removing it from the Graveyard ("Skill Drain" does not negate effects in the Graveyard). As an added bonus, the effect-negating drawback on the Synchro Monster will be meaningless, since "Skill Drain" does the same to each other monster.
  
 
<!-- This is not an exact Decklist. Do not add multiples or staples.-->
 
<!-- This is not an exact Decklist. Do not add multiples or staples.-->
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==Official Deck==
 
==Official Deck==
{{Decklist|DARK + Blackwing” Deck Recipe<ref>https://ygorganization.com/ocg-dark-blackwing-deck-recipe/</ref>
+
{{Decklist|DARK + Blackwing" Deck Recipe<ref>https://ygorganization.com/ocg-dark-blackwing-deck-recipe/</ref>
 
|effect monsters =
 
|effect monsters =
 
* [[Armageddon Knight]]
 
* [[Armageddon Knight]]
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* [[Assault Blackwing - Raikiri the Rain Shower]]
 
* [[Assault Blackwing - Raikiri the Rain Shower]]
 
* [[Assault Blackwing - Sohaya the Rain Storm]]
 
* [[Assault Blackwing - Sohaya the Rain Storm]]
* [[Beelze of the Diabolic Dragons]]
+
* [[Beelze of the Diabolic Dragons]]
 
* [[Scarlight Red Dragon Archfiend]]
 
* [[Scarlight Red Dragon Archfiend]]
 
|xyz monsters =
 
|xyz monsters =
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==Weaknesses==
 
==Weaknesses==
Unfortunately, the majority of the archetype lacks raw power and relies on having both the strong and weak monsters to combo properly. Their dependency on Black Whirlwind to maintain resources can be easily worked around with attack debuffs such as "[[Burden of the Mighty]]" or "[[Solidarity]]".  
+
Unfortunately, the majority of the archetype lacks raw power and relies on having both the strong and weak monsters to combo properly. Their dependency on Black Whirlwind to maintain resources can be easily worked around with attack debuffs such as "[[Burden of the Mighty]]" or "[[Solidarity]]".
  
 
Blackwing's ultimate strength is their swarming capacity, but the swarm require at least 1 "Blackwing" to present first. Immediately Negate that summon or Destroy it after the summon will potentially shutdown the deck for 1 turn.
 
Blackwing's ultimate strength is their swarming capacity, but the swarm require at least 1 "Blackwing" to present first. Immediately Negate that summon or Destroy it after the summon will potentially shutdown the deck for 1 turn.
  
They also have some problems maintaining hand and field advantage due to the overwhelming speed with which “Blackwings” are Summoned, a player can (and often will) find his/her hand depleting quickly, thus lacking resources in case his/her plans goes wrong, (such as in the case the opponent counters a massive Swarming with a destruction card like "[[Torrential Tribute]]", "[[Dark Hole]]", "Raigeki", "Bottomless Trap Hole" or "Solemn Warning").  
+
They also have some problems maintaining hand and field advantage due to the overwhelming speed with which "Blackwings" are Summoned, a player can (and often will) find his/her hand depleting quickly, thus lacking resources in case his/her plans goes wrong, (such as in the case the opponent counters a massive Swarming with a destruction card like "[[Torrential Tribute]]", "[[Dark Hole]]", "Raigeki", "Bottomless Trap Hole" or "Solemn Warning").
  
 
[[Balance of Judgment]] can help to draw more cards just in case this happens, giving you more chances to plan a new attack
 
[[Balance of Judgment]] can help to draw more cards just in case this happens, giving you more chances to plan a new attack

Revision as of 05:46, 24 January 2019

Blackwing
From left to right: "Blackwings": "Bora the Spear", "Gale the Whirlwind", "Shura the Blue Flame", "Mistral the Silver Shield" and "Armor Master".
Japanese
  • BFブラックフェザー
  • BF (base)
  • ブラックフェザー (ruby)
  • Burakku Fezā (romanized)
  • Black Feather (translated)
French
  • Aile Noire
German
  • Schwarzflügel
Italian
  • Alanera
Korean
  • BF블랙 페더
  • BF (base)
  • 블랙 페더 (ruby)
  • Beullaek Pedeo (romanized)
  • Black Feather (translated)
Portuguese
  • Asanegra
Spanish
  • Alanegra
Other names
Arabic
أسود الرّيش (male)
سوداء الرّيش (female)
Black Feather (translated)
Croatian
Vranolik
Dutch
Zwartvleugel
Swedish
Svartvinge
Thai
แบล็กเฟเทอร์
Sets
TCG
OCG
Anime appearances
Manga appearances
Lists

"Blackwing", known as "Black Feather" (BFブラックフェザー Burakku Fezā) in the Japanese version, are an archetype of monsters, debuting in Crimson Crisis, used by both Crow Hogan and Robert Pearson, with the former inheriting the Deck from the latter, in the Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's anime. They were also used in the Yu-Gi-Oh! ARC-V anime by Crow's alternate universe counterpart. All members of this archetype are DARK Winged Beast monsters, except for the LIGHT "Blackwing - Aurora the Northern Lights" and the Warrior "Blackwing Tamer - Obsidian Hawk Joe".

They are a Deck with both swarming and speed capabilities. When Crimson Crisis was released, this archetype was very unsupported, with only five "Blackwing" cards being released: "Gale the Whirlwind", "Sirocco the Dawn", "Bora the Spear", "Armor Master" and "Raptor Wing Strike". Later on, with the release of Raging Battle and Ancient Prophecy, Blackwings grew into a high swarming and powerful Deck. The speed it gives with its swarming, along with its additional Synchro Summoning capabilities, landed this Deck a place on the Shonen Jump Circuit, along with being known as one of the many Meta Decks. The Deck proceeded to win the 2009 World Championships and remained popular the following year. New "Blackwing" monsters and support were released in The Shining Darkness and Starstrike Blast, giving them alternative strategies.

As of Premium Gold: Return of the Bling, the deck's swarming capabilities and consistency have been greatly improved. With the release of Dimension of Chaos and The Dark Illusion, new "Blackwing" monsters, called "Assault Blackwings", have been introduced that gain the ability to be Tuner monsters allowing for more access to Synchro Summoning thanks to "Assault Blackwing - Onimaru the Divine Thunder" having level manipulation once Summoned. The deck functions with high amounts of speed, searching, and good hand trap situations as leaving a "Blackwing - Kalut the Moon Shadow" in hand can be used both offensively and defensively.

Design

Linework

Most "Blackwing" monsters generally have a very bird-like appearance, with most Level 3 and lower monsters appearing as small birds while the Level 4 and higher monsters appearing to be either humanoids in bird-like outfits or humanoid birds. Most of the "Blackwing" monsters feature black in their design, usually on their wing feathering.

Members

Anime

In the anime, the "Blackwing" monsters are named after geographical elements usually related to the natural phenomena, winds and birds.

Blackwing

Monster Origin
Abrolhos the Megaquake Abrolhos squall
Aurora the Northern Lights Aurora Borealis
Auster the South Wind Anemoi
Blizzard the Far North Blizzard
Bora the Spear Bora
Boreas the Sharp Boreas
Breeze the Zephyr Zephyr
Brisote the Tailwind Brisote
Calima the Haze Calima
Elphin the Raven Raven
Etesian of Two Swords Etesian
Fane the Steel Chain Foehn wind
Gale the Whirlwind Whirlwind
Ghibli the Searing Wind Ghibli
Gust the Backblast Gust
Harmattan the Dust Dust/Sandstorm
Hillen the Tengu-wind Tengu
Hurricane the Tornado Hurricane
Jetstream the Blue Sky Jet stream
Jin the Rain Shadow Jinn
Kalut the Moon Shadow Moonlight
Kochi the Daybreak Eastern wind
Kogarashi the Wanderer Cold winter wind
Mistral the Silver Shield Mistral
Oroshi the Squall Oroshi
Shura the Blue Flame Blue fire
Simoom the Poison Winds Simoom
Sirocco the Dawn Sirocco
Steam the Cloaked Steam
Tornado the Reverse Wind Tornado
Vayu the Emblem of Honor Vayu
Zephyros the Elite Zephyrus

Assault Blackwing

Monster Origin
Chidori the Rain Sprinkling Sprinkling Rain
Kunai the Drizzle Drizzle
Kunifusa the White Rainbow Fog bow
Kunisada the White Rainbow
Kuniyoshi the White Rainbow
Kusanagi the Gathering Storm Cumulus cloud
Onimaru the Divine Thunder Thunderbolt
Raikiri the Rain Shower Precipitation
Sayo the Rain Hider
Sohaya the Rain Storm Rain Storm

Manga

In the manga, the Blackwing monsters are named after weapons of mythological origins and natural sky-related phenomena.

Main Deck

Blackwing Origin
Astronomy Weapon
Damascus the Polar Night Polar night Damascus steel
Gladius the Midnight Sun Midnight sun Gladius
Jul the New Moon New moon Katar
Kris the Crack of Dawn Dawn Kris
Pinaki the Waxing Moon Waxing moon Pinaka
Sharnga the Waning Moon Waning moon Sharnga

Extra Deck

Blackwing Origin
Astronomy Weapon
Gram the Shining Star Shining star Gram
Nothung the Starlight Starlight Nothung

Playing style

"Blackwings" have a strong emphasis on swarming and utilizing hand traps. Most have the ability to Special Summon themselves from the hand; others carry special effects that utilize the Graveyard and Hand to advance the gamestate. Because of these swarming capabilities, they give many opportunities to Synchro Summon and Xyz Summon. Their overall gameplan allows for quick OTKs all the while setting up multiple layers of contingency plans and proofing for additional OTKs in future turns.

Since all of the "Blackwings" rely on the hand to swarm, "Black Whirlwind" allows them to replenish their resources while giving them the ability to toolbox into certain combo pieces. And when enough Blackwings have swarmed the field, support cards like "Delta Crow - Anti Reverse" and "Black Sonic" are granted additional effects that allow them to be activated from the hand.

Because the majority of the "Blackwing" monsters are DARK and Winged Beasts, they can utilize "Icarus Attack", "Dark Armed Dragon", "Dark Illusion", "Cattle Call", "Crush Card Virus", "Deck Devastation Virus", and "Eradicator Epidemic Virus" for card destruction. They even have access to draw power such as "Allure of Darkness", "Pot of Duality", "Cards for Black Feathers", "Pot of Desires" (albeit risky) and searching power such "Raidraptor - Force Strix", "Creeping Darkness", "Swallow's Nest", "Transmodify", and "Downbeat".

The Deck has numerous mind games, forcing opponents to make less than sub-optimal plays to play around certain cards like "Icarus Attack", "Black Sonic", "Delta Crow" and "Blackwing - Kalut the Moon Shadow". The player can create an illusion by simply setting a card in the Spell & Trap Card Zone or keeping a few cards in hand with a "Blackwing" monster on the field. Aggressive Decks are forced to slow down to stay out of range of these options that can cripple them or possibly cost the game.

With great self sustaining synergy, powerful support cards, toolbox capabilities and the ability to shift between aggressive to passive playstyles; "Blackwings" are one of the easiest archetypes to play and an overall solid archetype.

Decks

Blackwings are a powerful archetype, able to quickly swarm the field, Synchro Summon, and potentially OTK every turn. Their specialty is their quick Special Summoning, allowing you to Summon multiple monsters in a single turn, then use effects of monsters such as "Blackwing - Sirocco the Dawn" or "Blackwing - Kalut the Moon Shadow" to build on one another and quickly wreak massive destruction.

Vayu Turbo

This Deck is based on getting "Blackwing - Vayu the Emblem of Honor" and high-Level "Blackwing" monsters into the Graveyard. Vayu's effect allows the Special Summon of "Blackwing" Synchros from the Extra deck by using "Blackwing" monsters in the graveyard to fulfill the level requirements; the effects of these monsters are negated. Because this is not a traditional Synchro Summon, the Synchro monsters are not revivable if they are to hit the graveyard.

The strategy then devolves into spamming high-ATK Synchro Monsters followed by swarming the field with other "Blackwing" monsters. Recycling with "Burial from a Different Dimension" to perform another Special Summon is a recommended tactic. This also allows you to return "Necro Gardna" and anything else you might remove with "Dark Armed Dragon" or "Allure of Darkness" to your Graveyard. To go along with "Burial from a Different Dimension", you can add "Return from the Different Dimension" to Summon the same cards to your side of the field and attempt an OTK. Cards that send other cards from your Deck to your Graveyard, such as "Card Trooper" (or, to a lesser extent, "Veil of Darkness"), are suggested. Another possible strategy is to Special Summon "Blackwing - Vayu the Emblem of Honor" through the effect of "Blackwing - Shura the Blue Flame", negating the Synchro Summoning restriction of "Blackwing - Vayu the Emblem of Honor", and Synchro Summon "Ally of Justice Catastor".

"Crush Card Virus" is a viable tool for ditching "Blackwing - Vayu the Emblem of Honor" to the Graveyard while destroying the opponent's monsters. "Deck Devastation Virus" and/or "Eradicator Epidemic Virus" work for ditching a high-Level "Blackwing" monster to the Graveyard and destroying low-ATK monsters. This strategy works very will with this type of Deck, since you will be able to rapidly swarm the field with high-ATK DARK-Attribute Monsters, since the key cards of this Deck ("Blackwing - Vayu the Emblem of Honor", high Level "Blackwings") make perfect targets for the "Crush Card Virus". When they are in the Graveyard, you can Summon even more monsters while leaving your opponent with nothing. Furthermore, you will be looking at your opponent's hand, allowing you to predict their actions.

Another great card for this Deck is "Skill Drain" which can negate the effect of "Blackwing - Vayu the Emblem of Honor" while it is on the field (so it can be used as a Synchro Material monster on the field) while still allowing it to Special Summon Synchro Monsters by removing it from the Graveyard ("Skill Drain" does not negate effects in the Graveyard). As an added bonus, the effect-negating drawback on the Synchro Monster will be meaningless, since "Skill Drain" does the same to each other monster.

Vayusworn

Vayusworn is a Deck type centered on using "Lightsworn" monsters with "Blackwing - Vayu the Emblem of Honor" and "Blackwing - Sirocco the Dawn" or "Blackwing - Elphin the Raven".

Players often choose "Sirocco the Dawn" over "Elphin the Raven" for one of two reasons; "Sirocco the Dawn" is capable of being Summoned to the field like "Cyber Dragon". It can also be used against the common "Blackwing" deck, by stealing other "Blackwing" monsters ATK from the opponent and attacking their "Blackwing" monsters for 2000 or more damage depending on the amount of ATK the "Blackwing" monsters on the field that "Blackwing - Sirocco the Dawn" absorbs. "Lightsworn" Decks got hurt by the March 2010 Lists. However, the September 2011 Lists increased this deck's power, with Necro Gardna going back to 2 and Judgment Dragon going back to 3. In addition the deck got even more power due to the "March 2012 Lists", with "Lumina, Lightsworn Summoner" being put back to 2.

Official Deck

Weaknesses

Unfortunately, the majority of the archetype lacks raw power and relies on having both the strong and weak monsters to combo properly. Their dependency on Black Whirlwind to maintain resources can be easily worked around with attack debuffs such as "Burden of the Mighty" or "Solidarity".

Blackwing's ultimate strength is their swarming capacity, but the swarm require at least 1 "Blackwing" to present first. Immediately Negate that summon or Destroy it after the summon will potentially shutdown the deck for 1 turn.

They also have some problems maintaining hand and field advantage due to the overwhelming speed with which "Blackwings" are Summoned, a player can (and often will) find his/her hand depleting quickly, thus lacking resources in case his/her plans goes wrong, (such as in the case the opponent counters a massive Swarming with a destruction card like "Torrential Tribute", "Dark Hole", "Raigeki", "Bottomless Trap Hole" or "Solemn Warning").

Balance of Judgment can help to draw more cards just in case this happens, giving you more chances to plan a new attack

"Blackwings" are good in that they are not very weak to any common Side Deck cards. Because they are all DARK (save the rarely used "Aurora") and all Winged-Beast (save for "Obsidian Hawk Joe"), cards such as "Rivalry of Warlords" and "Gozen Match" do not hurt them.

Cards such as "Shadow-Imprisoning Mirror" may hurt the player as you will not be able to use your effects, and "Dimensional Fissure" will render "Blackwing - Shura the Blue Flame", "Blackwing - Kalut the Moon Shadow", "Blackwing - Blizzard the Far North" and "Blackwing - Zephyros the Elite"'s effects useless. However, all of these threats are easily solved with "Icarus Attack" or "Diamond Dire Wolf", as all of the monsters are Winged-Beasts. "Royal Decree" may pose a problem as it will render "Icarus Attack" useless, but it's also easily dealt with using "Diamond Dire Wolf" or the common "Mystical Space Typhoon".

"Thunder King Rai-Oh" will stop Black Whirlwind searching, and can negate a Synchro Summon.

Siding in "Blackwing - Sirocco the Dawn" is also surprisingly effective against "Blackwings", since "Blackwing - Sirocco the Dawn" can use the opponent's "Blackwings" for his effect. Although unlikely.

References