Pojo Lightsworn Guide - II. Lightsworn Monsters

[COLOR="Yellow"][center][b][u]II. Sworn to the Light - Lightsworn Monsters[/u][/b][/center][/color]
These are the monsters that directly support the Lightsworn archetype. All of these cards, except for the boss monster, are members of the archetype as well.

[quote]Judgment Dragon
Level 8
Dragon-Type
LIGHT
3000 ATK
2600 DEF
Cannot be Normal Summoned or Set. Must be Special Summoned (from your hand) by having 4 or more "Lightsworn" monsters with different names in your Graveyard, and cannot be Special Summoned by other ways. You can pay 1000 Life Points; destroy all other cards on the field. During each of your End Phases: Send the top 4 cards of your Deck to the Graveyard. You must control this face-up card to activate and to resolve this effect.[/quote]
The Dragon of Justice himself, and one of the of the most, if not the most, broken cards that is currently legal. [YGOCARD]Judgment Dragon[/YGOCARD] is our win condition, and he is an absolute terror if he hits the field uninterrupted. Recovering from a nuke is extremely difficult. Dropping multiple becomes even scarier, though you only want to do this if you push for game.

Run 3. You would be extremely foolish to run any less.

[quote]Jain, Lightsworn Paladin
Level 4
Warrior-Type
LIGHT
1800 ATK
1200 DEF
If this card attacks an opponent's monster, it gains 300 ATK during the Damage Step only. During each of your End Phases: Send the top 2 cards of your Deck to the Graveyard. You must control this face-up card to activate and to resolve this effect.[/quote]
Jain's effect is simple, yet effective. She's great for running over the likes of [YGOCARD]Thunder King Rai-Oh[/YGOCARD], and is also a name for JD. She doesn't do much, but don't underestimate what little she can do.

Run 1-2.

[quote]Lyla, Lightsworn Sorceress
Level 4
Spellcaster-Type
LIGHT
1700 ATK
200 DEF
During your Main Phase: You can target 1 Spell/Trap Card your opponent controls; change this card you control from face-up Attack Position to face-up Defense Position, and destroy that target, but this card's battle position cannot be changed until the end of your next turn, except with a card effect. During each of your End Phases: Send the top 3 cards of your Deck to the Graveyard. You must control this face-up card to activate and to resolve this effect.[/quote]
A walking [YGOCARD]Mystical Space Typhoon[/YGOCARD], Lyla deals with pesky backrow while also being a name for JD. She's also great for baiting out Traps.

Remember that Lyla's change to Defense Position occurs at resolution of her effect, and is not a cost. If her effect gets negated, she will remain in Attack Position. Also remember that her effect is not restricted to once per turn; if something switches Lyla back to Attack Position you can use it again.

Run 2-3.

[quote]Garoth, Lightsworn Warrior
Level 4
Warrior-Type
LIGHT
1850 ATK
1300 DEF
Each time a card(s) is sent from your Deck to the Graveyard by the effect of a "Lightsworn" monster you control, except "Garoth, Lightsworn Warrior": Send the top 2 cards of your Deck to the Graveyard, then draw 1 card for each "Lightsworn" monster sent to the Graveyard by this effect.[/quote]
Garoth is an interesting Lightsworn. His effect is a powerful one that has the potential to net some amazing advantage. His 1850 ATK also allows him to run over several monsters by just a small amount. However, without another Lightsworn to aid him, he is nothing but an 1850 vanilla monster.

Note that Garoth will only mill in response to a Lightsworn monster's [i]effect[/i]. If the mill is a cost, such as with Celestia, Garoth will not trigger. Garoth's interaction with Minerva is currently uncertain, as his last errata occurred before the clarification between "control" and "possess" was made. For now assume that Minerva also does not trigger him, as her mill does not occur while she is under your control.

Run 1.

[quote]Lumina, Lightsworn Summoner
Level 3
Spellcaster-Type
LIGHT
1000 ATK
1000 DEF
Once per turn: You can discard 1 card, then target 1 Level 4 or lower "Lightsworn" monster in your Graveyard; Special Summon that target. During each of your End Phases: Send the top 3 cards of your Deck to the Graveyard. You must control this face-up card to activate and to resolve this effect.[/quote]
A themed [YGOCARD]Zombie Master[/YGOCARD], Lumina's great for swarming the field for a gigantic mill. Additionally, she will get monsters into the Graveyard that you don't want in your hand. Lumina's also great for Synchro and Xyz plays: 3 of her alone guarantees 2 Rank 3 monsters as long as you have at least 3 cards in your hand to discard, and her in hand with Raiden in the Graveyard is instant setup for Michael.

Run 3.

[quote]Ryko, Lightsworn Hunter
Level 2
Beast-Type
LIGHT
200 ATK
100 DEF
FLIP: You can target 1 card on the field; destroy that target. Send the top 3 cards of your Deck to the Graveyard.[/quote]
Probably the most versatile Lightsworn. Being the only monster we normally Set, he either forces your opponent to play around it, or lose a card (note: ANY card) while we mill 3. He is slower than other cards in the Deck, and is also incredibly predictable, so maxing him out isn't ideal. But you'd be foolish to not run him at all.

To clarify, Ryko's destruction effect is optional, but his mill effect is mandatory. This allows you to bypass effects that negate destruction such as [YGOCARD]Stardust Dragon[/YGOCARD] and still get the mill. Also, the destruction and mill are NOT simultaneous; monsters such as [YGOCARD]Lightpulsar Dragon[/YGOCARD] WILL miss timing if destroyed by Ryko.

Run 1-2.

[quote]Wulf, Lightsworn Beast
Level 4
Beast-Warrior-Type
LIGHT
2100 ATK
300 DEF
Cannot be Normal Summoned or Set. When this card is sent from your Deck to the Graveyard: Special Summon it.[/quote]
Wulf is high risk high reward. You have the chance of getting a free 2100 beater out of nowhere, but also have a chance of drawing a card that does next to nothing for you in hand. Some players like that risk, others don't. It's up to you.

Run 0-2.

[quote]Celestia, Lightsworn Angel
Level 5
Fairy-Type
LIGHT
2300 ATK
200 DEF
When you Tribute Summon this card by Tributing a "Lightsworn" monster: You can send the top 4 cards of your Deck to the Graveyard and target up to 2 cards your opponent controls; Destroy those targets.[/quote]
The Monarch of Lightsworns, in a sense. A double destruction effect on top of the strongest mill effect (tied with JD) makes her a powerful threat. Even if you lose her to a Bottomless or something afterwards, you still get a lot of gain out of her. She is a Tribute monster, though, so using too much of her can prove cloggy.

Note that Celestia's mill is a cost, so outside of [YGOCARD]Solemn Warning[/YGOCARD], you will probably almost always get a mill off of her.

Run 0-3.

[quote]Gragonith, Lightsworn Dragon
Level 6
Dragon-Type
LIGHT
2000 ATK
1600 DEF
This card gains 300 ATK and DEF for each "Lightsworn" monster with a different name in your Graveyard. If this card attacks a Defense Position monster, inflict piercing Battle Damage to your opponent. During each of your End Phases: Send the top 3 cards of your Deck to the Graveyard. You must control this face-up card to activate and to resolve this effect.[/quote]
Also known as “The Other Lightsworn Dragon” by some people,  Gragonith has the potential to get some very high ATK points to complement his Piercing Effect. However, the lack of an effect that takes place when summoned (like Celestia) makes him easy prey for backrow, and undesirable compared to other high level monsters.

Run 0.

[quote]Ehren, Lightsworn Monk
Level 4
Warrior-Type
LIGHT
1600 ATK
1000 DEF
Before damage calculation, when this card attacks a Defense Position monster: Shuffle that monster into the Deck. During each of your End Phases: Send the top 3 cards of your Deck to the Graveyard. You must control this face-up card to activate and to resolve this effect.[/quote]
Ehren is great for dealing with cards like [YGOCARD]Wind-Up Zenmaines[/YGOCARD] and [YGOCARD]Gachi Gachi Gantetsu[/YGOCARD]. A mill 3 effect is not too shabby either. She's situational, but effective.

Note that a face-down monster will still flip face-up if attacked by Ehren, and any effect that triggers by flipping WILL activate.

Run 1.


[quote]Aurkus, Lightsworn Druid
Level 3
Beast-Warrior-Type
LIGHT
1200 ATK
1800 DEF
"Lightsworn" monsters (everywhere) cannot be targeted by Spells, Traps, or card effects. During each of your End Phases: Send the top 2 cards of your Deck to the Graveyard. You must control this face-up card to activate and to resolve this effect.[/quote]
Aurkus has his uses. He's got a nice 1800 DEF, a wonderful effect, and is amazing when backed up by Honest. He is also Level 3, allowing Xyz plays with Lumina. However, Aurkus is crippled by poor ATK, and a disappointingly average mill effect. He also prevents Lumina from using her effect (which is funny in the mirror, but upsetting in every other instance).

Run 0-1.

[quote]Jenis, Lightsworn Mender
Level 4
Spellcaster-Type
LIGHT
300 ATK
2100 DEF
During the End Phase, if a card(s) was sent from your Deck to the  Graveyard by the effect of a "Lightsworn" card this turn: Inflict 500  damage to your opponent and gain 500 Life Points.[/quote]
Almost every archetype has that one monster that really doesn't do much for the Deck. Jenis is that monster for Lightsworn.

Run 0.

[quote]Shire, Lightsworn Spirit
Level 3
Fairy-Type
LIGHT
400 ATK
1400 DEF
This card gains 300 ATK for each "Lightsworn" monster with a different  name in your Graveyard. During your End Phase: Send the top 2  cards of your Deck to the Graveyard. You must control this face-up card to activate and to resolve this effect.[/quote]
Shire sounds a lot better than she actually is. Upon closer [YGOCARD]Inspection[/YGOCARD] you will realize that it takes 5 different names in the Graveyard (which is easier said than done) to even get her to 1900 ATK, a stat that Jain can already surpass from the beginning. It takes 7 (which is painstakingly difficult) to get her to 2500, which is still easy to run over. Does that really seem worth it?

Run 0.

[quote]Rinyan, Lightsworn Rogue
Level 2
Beast-Type
LIGHT
100 ATK
100 DEF
FLIP: [YGOCARD]Return[/YGOCARD] 1 "Lightsworn" monster from your Graveyard to your Deck and draw 1 card.[/quote]
Being the Lightsworn Rogue is fitting for Rinyan, a card who's effect does the exact [i]opposite[/i] of the Deck's goal, all for a measly draw 1.

No, that's not good.

Run 0.


[quote]Raiden, Lightsworn Assailant
Level 4
Warrior-Type/Tuner
LIGHT
1700 ATK
1000 DEF
You can send the top 2 cards of your Deck to the Graveyard, and if you do, if there is a "Lightsworn" monster among those cards, this card gains 200 ATK until your opponent's End Phase. You can only use this effect of "Raiden, Lightsworn Assailant" once per turn. During each of your End Phases: Send the top 2 cards of your Deck to the Graveyard. You must control this face-up card to activate and to resolve this effect.[/quote]
After the pathetic World Premiere Cards that were Shire and Rinyan, Konami really had to work hard to make the new support good.

They did not disappoint.

We've clamored a LONG time for a Tuner monster, and Raiden is no slouch. Level 4 means that he works with Wulf to make Level 8's like [YGOCARD]Crimson Blader[/YGOCARD] and Rank 4's like [YGOCARD]Starliege Paladynamo[/YGOCARD]. With Lumina, he makes a slew of Level 7's, including [YGOCARD]Black Rose Dragon[/YGOCARD], [YGOCARD]Ancient Sacred Wyvern[/YGOCARD], [YGOCARD]Arcanite Magician[/YGOCARD], and most importantly, the Archangel himself, Michael.

As a lone monster, he doesn't fail to impress. Raiden sports not one, but TWO mill effects: one in the Main Phase and one in the End Phase. His hefty 1700 ATK can be boosted to 1900 until the end of the opponent's turn if the first mill sends a Lightsworn to the Graveyard. His Warrior typing means he is searchable by not only [YGOCARD]Charge of the Light Brigade[/YGOCARD], but also by [YGOCARD]Reinforcement of the Army[/YGOCARD].

This guy is gonna change our Deck for the better. You'd be a fool to ignore him.

Run 2-3 upon release.

[quote]Minerva, Lightsworn Maiden
Level 3
Spellcaster-Type/Tuner
LIGHT
800 ATK
200 DEF
When this card is Normal Summoned: Add from your Deck to your hand, 1 LIGHT Dragon-Type monster whose Level is less than or equal to the number of "Lightsworn" monsters with different names in your Graveyard. When this card is sent from your hand or Deck to the Graveyard: Send the top card of your Deck to the Graveyard. During each of your End Phases: Send the top 2 cards of your Deck to the Graveyard. You must control this face-up card to activate and to resolve this effect.[/quote]
Not quite as revolutionary as her buddy Raiden, but Minerva is still impressive. With Lumina, she can make Rank 3 or Level 6 plays, while with Wulf she can make that huge mass of Level 7 monsters I mentioned above. If she's milled or discarded, you get an extra mill; that doesn't sound like a lot, but trust us, it helps.

If she finds herself on the field, she still mills 2 during the End Phase. And if she's Normal Summoned, she can search for a [YGOCARD]Judgment Dragon[/YGOCARD]; the setup for this is hefty though, so don't expect to use it too often.

Run 1-2 upon release.

[quote]Michael, Lightsworn Ark
Level 7
Dragon-Type/Synchro
LIGHT
2600 ATK
2000 DEF
1 Tuner + 1 or more non-Tuner LIGHT monsters
Once per turn: You can pay 1000 Life Points, then target 1 card on the field; banish that target. When this card is destroyed: You can target any number of other "Lightsworn" monsters in your Graveyard; shuffle them into the Deck, and if you do, gain 300 Life Points for each. During each of your End Phases: Send the top 3 cards of your Deck to the Graveyard. This card must be face-up on the field to activate and to resolve this effect.[/quote]
The greatest secondary boss if I ever did see one. Being Level 7 means he's the easiest thing for Raiden to make. You can use any Tuner so even Plaguespreader can summon him if that suits your fancy.

With a solid 2600 ATK, he sports the standard mill 3 End Phase effect, and at the cost of 1000 Life Points, once per turn you get a banishing effect that is SUPERIOR to Black Luster Soldier's; no card is safe from Michael.

And to top it all off, upon destruction he returns ANY number of fallen Lightsworns back to the Deck, and you gain 300 Life Points for each. You can [YGOCARD]Return[/YGOCARD] copies of cards like Lumina and Lyla to recover Life Points lost, while setting up for another Michael play or maintaining the right number of names for [YGOCARD]Judgment Dragon[/YGOCARD]. Note that all that's specified is that Michael has to be destroyed. Even if he's banished by Bottomless or negated by [YGOCARD]Solemn Warning[/YGOCARD], his effect WILL activate. Do also note, however, that he CAN miss timing.

And on a final note, he's [i]riding[/i] [YGOCARD]Judgment Dragon[/YGOCARD], so you know he's a mother****ing badass.

Run 2-3 upon release. Because the second can put the first back into the Extra Deck, you should never need 3. A third will keep this going in the case that one gets banished, but outside of Bottomless and D. Prison this should not happen often.

[quote]Felice, Lightsworn Archer
Level 4
Beast-Warrior-Type/Tuner
LIGHT
1100 ATK
2000 DEF
Cannot be Normal Summoned/Set. When this card is sent from your Deck to the Graveyard by a monster effect: Special Summon this card from the Graveyard. You can Tribute this card, then target 1 monster your opponent controls; destroy that target, then send the top 3 cards of your Deck to the Graveyard.[/quote]

This one should look familiar; her first effect is very similar to Wulf, but is restricted by having to be sent by a monster, so there are no [YGOCARD]Foolish Burial[/YGOCARD] shenanigans (which is a shame). While on paper a free Tuner off of a mill sounds amazing, the setback is that more often than not if you don't mill her during the End Phase then you're probably getting her off of Raiden (another Tuner). She makes a free Level 7 off of [YGOCARD]Card Trooper[/YGOCARD], but unfortunately, you cannot make Michael through this method. Her second effect is equivalent to [YGOCARD]Exiled Force[/YGOCARD], with a free mill attached to it. It's not as versatile as Ryko, but on the flip side it is much faster as it doesn't require a flip.

Overall, Felice has a good number of uses, but also a good number of setbacks. She'll be worth testing, but only time will tell how useful she is.

Run 0-2 upon release.