Android Format derives its name from the OCG translation of its boss monster, Jinzo. We've jumped in time quite a bit from wildly popular July 2002 Critter Format. By comparison, Android Format includes 3 additional booster sets: Magic Ruler, Pharaoh's Servant, and Labyrinth of Nightmare. I've merged these mini-formats into one all-encompassing format because they overlap in the 'feel of the game' and are each underplayed in their own right. I think the April 2003 format is not only the most fun version of those three, but it's also a logical cutoff in the game's history, given what is released in the next booster sets.
In September 2002 Magic Ruler dramatically changed the game, quite frankly for the worse, by introducing the 3 original pre-negators, also known as the "Unholy Trinity". Confiscation, Delinquent Duo, and The Forceful Sentry are 3 extremely powerful spells that disrupt your opponent's plans before they are put into action. On its own, the Magic Ruler format isn't very fun because there's no real balance of power. Whoever opens with the Unholy Trinity has an inherent advantage, and the other cards in the format aren't powerful enough to allow for a good old-fashioned comeback. That's where Pharaoh's Servant and Labyrinth of Nightmare come in. These sets add what prehistoric Yu-Gi-Oh! so desperately needed, strong monsters that can generate advantage through battle and through field presence. Namely, I'm talking about cards like Jinzo, Gemini Elf, Bazoo the Soul Eater, and Kycoo the Ghost Destroyer. We also get Sinister Serpent as a Promo, one of the coolest and fairest Yu-Gi-Oh! cards ever created, and one heck of a counter to Delinquent Duo. In addition, new spells and traps like Premature Burial, Snatch Steal, Call of the Haunted, Torrential Tribute, and Imperial Order give you solid ammunition to stand a fighting chance even after you're hit with a difficult opening.
This is a classic Yu-Gi-Oh! format in the sense that haymakers and counter-punches are the way of the game. The central goal of the format being to reduce your opponent's life points to zero quickly and efficiently, while leaving yourself safe against counters. But beware, the game was about to change dramatically with the next booster, with an evil Spirit capable of freezing time lurking around the corner.
In September 2002 Magic Ruler dramatically changed the game, quite frankly for the worse, by introducing the 3 original pre-negators, also known as the "Unholy Trinity". Confiscation, Delinquent Duo, and The Forceful Sentry are 3 extremely powerful spells that disrupt your opponent's plans before they are put into action. On its own, the Magic Ruler format isn't very fun because there's no real balance of power. Whoever opens with the Unholy Trinity has an inherent advantage, and the other cards in the format aren't powerful enough to allow for a good old-fashioned comeback. That's where Pharaoh's Servant and Labyrinth of Nightmare come in. These sets add what prehistoric Yu-Gi-Oh! so desperately needed, strong monsters that can generate advantage through battle and through field presence. Namely, I'm talking about cards like Jinzo, Gemini Elf, Bazoo the Soul Eater, and Kycoo the Ghost Destroyer. We also get Sinister Serpent as a Promo, one of the coolest and fairest Yu-Gi-Oh! cards ever created, and one heck of a counter to Delinquent Duo. In addition, new spells and traps like Premature Burial, Snatch Steal, Call of the Haunted, Torrential Tribute, and Imperial Order give you solid ammunition to stand a fighting chance even after you're hit with a difficult opening.
This is a classic Yu-Gi-Oh! format in the sense that haymakers and counter-punches are the way of the game. The central goal of the format being to reduce your opponent's life points to zero quickly and efficiently, while leaving yourself safe against counters. But beware, the game was about to change dramatically with the next booster, with an evil Spirit capable of freezing time lurking around the corner.
