Budget Deck: Aqua Force (Ripples)

      Hey guys. My name's Robot Victor Chang. I'm a new writer here on Budgetfight Vanguard and I'm happy to be here.

Hello!

      So for my first blog I want to talk about the deck that took first place last World Championship. I want to talk about Ripples. Yes, I'm telling you that this high-tier competitive deck can be built on a budget. One of the only Aqua Force decks that can be fully built budget as well, because it doesn't run a CERTAIN CARD!!!

As many of you know, Ripples have lost much of their competitive power from the last update to the banlist. As of February 1st, only 2 copies of Flash Ripple, Odysseus may be included in any deck. This hit lowered Ripples's consistency in forming the ride chain and their ability to spam Miltiadis's skill multiple times per turn. After this many players have left Ripples and declared them "dead" and I was no exception. But this, my friends, is a blessing in disguise for budget players. A "dead" deck means what? That's right. Unused. And what does unused mean for budgetfighting?

Thundering Ripple, Genovius, the final stage of the Ripple ride chain, has dropped from $25 to $8. This, my friends, is a golden opportunity in my eyes. Yes, $8 is still pricy but for a card as powerful as this in a deck as strong as Ripples I am willing. Also, the rest of the ripples are cheap as hell so time to get to work.

Grade 3

Obviously, Genovius is a must in a Ripple deck. Genovius's legion leader, Miltiadis, is a great card and the one I would personally run, since it essentially guarantees Genovius as a vanguard and Miltiadis by itself grants a huge amount of utility. Since Genovius is $8 and Miltiadis is the main ride target, I recommend you run 4 Miltiadis and 3 Genovius.
You could tech in Thavas for use with Nikki if you're into that but...

Grade 4

Lambroke... Lambroke your

wallet more like it!

Surging Ripple, Prodromos is Ripple's dedicated stride. Oh-hit it can call up to two Ripple units to increase your attack count or fill up your field. A great card and probably the only stride you will use during a game, if you stride at all. If it were me, I would run just 2-4 Prodromos to save money, but why not have a full G-Zone?
The three generic, budget strides for Aqua Force are Aristotle, Tidal-bore, and Sokrates. Aristotle and Tidal Bore both apply great pressure, while Sokrates is flat out useless in Ripples. I would run one each of Aristotle and Tidal-bore.
The leftover slots go to Cray Elementals, especially one in particular. Free striding while Genovius is on the Vanguard Circle? Sign me up.
 If you SOMEHOW got your hands on Lambros SOMEHOW and you want to run him, go ahead. I'm just saying, Ripples don't need him.

Grade 2

So good, but so pricy

   Rising Ripple, Pavroth should be run at four, no questions asked. Its on-hit restand and possible 10k base are awesome.
  Unruly Ripple, Lapis is a great card since it's a Ripple and can be called with Prodromos. The fact that it's essentially a 12k beater also helps. Run at least one, but any number is fine.
  Tidal Rescue Sea Turtle Soldier was the obvious choice for Ripples in the past, but it's skill isn't as spammable now with Odysseus at two. Regardless, the free cards are awesome.
  Tidal Assault is an amazing card, but is quite pricy. With Genovivus already eating at the budget it will be difficult to include Tidal into the deck. If you can afford them, then run them.
  Blue Storm Marine General, Ianis gives some pretty amazing pressure. It gives you a great advantage engine during the early rush. Great card to whittle down your opponents hand and beef up your own. Again, the free cards are awesome.

Grade 1

When broken cards are only rares,

the budgetfighers rise.

  Silent Ripple, Sotirio is the grade 1 of the ride chain and is mandatory for Pavroth and Alec's skills to go off and Odysseus is just awesome. By itself it gives Ripples deck thinning, soul pumping, and consistency. Such an amazing card that's only a rare. I'd love to say run both at four, but we are only allowed 2 Odysseus now.
Both perfect guards and quintet walls work perfectly well in Ripples. Run either 2PG,2QW or 3PG,1QW. Whatever floats your boat...


   Sorry. Had to fit a water pun in here somewhere... Moving on.

  Penguin Soldier is the SB2 draw 1 for Aqua Force and works wonders in Ripples. It helps to extend your Odysseus-Miltiades combos further and is useful at all points in the game. Note: Soulblast any copies of your Grade 3's. This allows you to send them back with Legion for use later in the game.
  Cloris adds extra pressure from Pavroth's on-hit skill. Since her skill is a Wave-4 it forces your opponent to choose between losing cards in hand and giving you an extra attack and an extra card to guard with. Again, soulblast any Grade 3's that have found themselves in the soul.
  Dispatch Mission Seagull Soldier is the final option for Grade 1's that utilize the soul. Its SB1 +3000 helps your rearguards hit magic numbers and keep your Tidal Assaults relevant after your opponent reaches Grade 3
  Mako Shark Soldier of the Blue Storm Fleet allows you to use Genovivus's Limit Break if your opponent decides to keep you at 3 or refuses to attack your Vanguard.
  Kelpie Rider, Nikki is an option, but you stride sparingly in this deck. If you do end up striding you usually want to discard your Grade 3's.

Grade 0

You know you have to run this

when it's flavor is that good

  Without a doubt run Alecs as your starter. It increases ride consistency and is a target for Odysseus to send to soul if you fail your ride.
  Onto the triggers. Four heals are a must. The rest of the slots should go to crits and draws. Only testing will tell. Make sure to use Ripple of Demise, Orest in your critical trigger lineup. It's a target for Podoromos, can search out Ripple units that you need, and sends itself back to the deck to increase your chances of hitting triggers. It's always good to have a deck loaded with triggers.











                                                                                                               
Decklist:
NOTE: This is only an example decklist and should only be used as a base. I recommended that you create your own decklist through your own testing. I found this decklist to fit me, but it is up to you to find a decklist that fits you.

Grade 0's
1x Starting Ripple, Alecs
4x Ripple of Demise, Orest
12x Triggers of Choice

Grade 1's
4x Silent Ripple, Sotirio
2x Flash Ripple, Odysseus
4x Sentinels of Choice
2x Mako Soldier of the Blue Storm Fleet
3x Light Signals Penguin Solder

Grade 2's
4x Rising Ripple, Pavroth
1x Unruly Ripple, Lapis
3x Blue Storm Marine General, Ianis/Tidal Assault
3x Tidal Rescue Sea Turtle Soldier

Grade 3's
4x Rolling Ripple, Miltiadis
3x Thundering Ripple, Genovius

Grade 4's
4x Surging Ripple, Prodromos
1x Marine General of the Heavenly Scales, Tidal-bore Dragon
1x Marine General of the Heavenly Silk, Aristotle
4x Rain Element, Madew
2x Guard Leader of Sky and Water, Flotia
2x Dark Element, Dizmel
2x Metal Element, Scryew

                                                                                                           

Effectiveness: 9/10

Price: $60-70

Competitive: Yes

Final Words: Ripples are extremely good. Their ability to choose to gradestall rush, stride beatdown, or end with legion gives Ripples a huge amount of options, utility, and versatility, but this large amount of options also means a large amount of choices to be made. Ripples? Autopilot? Not at all. Ripples takes time to adjust and to figure out but once you do, Ripples become a deadly force. Tip: Gradestall rush until your opponent is at four damage, the go into Miltiades or Stride to end the game! A bit on the pricy side of budgetfighting but it makes it up with it's effectiveness. I hope you enjoyed my first blog here on Budgetfight Vanguard and I hope you enjoy my content in the future!