Don't get the wrong, though, Odysseus is still broken, providing you with an unparalleled G2 game. Calling big beatstick vanillas to rear with extra on-hit pressure from Pavroth is strong. The Cyclone package gives the deck actual scaling into late-game and access to a first stride Valeos that stops damage triggers.
It's also worth noting that if you open your 1 Zazan and an Odysseus you do some cheeky stuff and probably autowin?
But let's get into it.
Grade 3
The Ripple G3s are giftless and don't really do anything anymore. Again, striding is far, far stronger than trying to use the Legion.
Navalgazer is going to be our main, and only, G3. An easy restand is pretty much the best we can ask for out of all the options. Revonn is also an option because it doesn't cost CB, but he's expensive and completely unnecessary.
Barigiran/Mowark package is another option, but I've found the 4 vanilla requirement coupled with the CB cost to be pretty rough and it's just not worth the payoff. Pavroth usually wins you the G2 game anyway, and cheating a grade isn't needed. Both of these cards are giftless and basically dead late game, which is no me gusta because the Ripple pieces are also going to be dead late game.
Grade 2
Pavroth is the most important G2, obviously. We only have to run 2 copies, though, because Odysseus rides it from deck.
Since this is a Cyclone deck, we get to jam-pack it with vanillas. 6 of the 12k G2s are good here. We love calling these down early to swing with. Also a really good card early game is Tidal Assault (OG). Checking a Crit on him early game is some pretty insane pressure. He's also just a really good unit to plop in front of Odysseus when you start swinging. In addition, his free restand makes him a really good Alexandros target to pump to high heaven.
Society has evolved past our need for the Turtle. Don't play Turtle. Chances of whiffing him are pretty high and we'd rather just have vanillas for Tempest Sphere consistency.
Grade 1
4 Odysseus is the bread-and-butter of the deck. I usually try to hardmulligan for him with every opening hand. In addition, we play a copy of Sotirio to enable Pavroth's +1k and on-hit.
For the Cycloned package, we have 1 Zazan and 4 Tempest Sphere. Zazan gives you a massive advantage swing if you draw into him at any point throughout the game. Similarly, Tempest Sphere provides you a lot of value, giving you a Cycloned flip and +1 to curve out your early game. If you already have enough Cycloneds face up, you can still use it as an incredibly efficient +1 in tandem with Galfilia, who can immediately countercharge the damage you used for Tempest Sphere.
7 vanillas round out the G1 lineup. I run a mix of the shieldless 9k and Mekira. The 9k could also be a 7k with 15k shield, but I like having more aggro early. Mekira is the best of both worlds because it has the 8k number to help the 12ks hit for magic numbers early, but it also has shield value if drawn into later.
Grade 0
Vanilla Heals for obvious reasons, and 4 Vanilla Critical. Since the list only has 4 G3, I max the Stride Fodder Criticals. Draw PGs round out the trigger lineup. Since we run a super lean Ripple engine, Alecs isn't used. Unfortunate, as his flavor text is pretty freaking cool.
Grade 4
The Cyclone pieces accelerating GB is actually incredible with a lot of the Aqua Force G Zone. Valeos is the deck's primary stride, and his full skill to keep the opponent at 11k is online once you flip a single Cyclone. Be wary that using him more than once usually gets to deckout, though. Genbold Dragon is similar to Valeos, but better in a lot of situations. Alexandros pumps the hell out of your units late game when you're trying to secure a kill. Lambros is the only real CBless option, and a really good one at that, so he's played at 2
Galfilia is the most important G Guard, letting you much more aggressively use up your Counterblast without having to worry about resources on later turns. Ihoannes makes a very thicc shield. The other G Guards are whatever. Skip Ice Barrier Dragon for budget if you want.
1x Officer Cadet, Erikk (V)
Effectiveness: 7/10. The deck often feels like it could do... more? If it had a gift G3. Or maybe some in name Ripple support that isn't at least 5 years old.
Competitiveness: 7/10. While it might not be a MK/DI/PM, being an efficient aggro deck gives it a solid niche to fill.
Final Words: Unga bungaing with this deck is pretty fun, and it takes me on a nostalgia trip. Do recommend.
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