Cloudian - Cirrostratus———————————

Cloudian - Cirrostratus
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This card cannot be destroyed by battle. If this card is in face-up Defense Position, destroy it. When you Normal Summon this card, place 1 Fog Counter on it for each “Cloudian” monster on the field. You can remove 2 Fog Counters from this card to destroy 1 monster on the field.
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Can Be Found In: Gladiator’s Assault (GLAS-EN011)

Cloudian is a group of monsters with a balanced combination of risks and rewards. Overall slow paced to other Decks, Cloudian takes advantage of its battle protection to keep a resiliant board as long as possible. As the Duel progresses they’ll gather Fog counters, allowing them to pay for their effects with no limitations on how many times can be used each turn. While this might seem too dangerous to rely on due the speed of other Decks out there, Cloudian combines both WATER and Fairy options on its strategy to obtain a strong board in no time and start piling Fog counters in the following turns.

“Cloudian - Cirrostratus” is a good example of the average Cloudian monster, carrying pitiful stats yet with incredible lead potential when played along its options. Like many other Cloudians “Cirrostratus” cannot be defeated in battle, but if is in face-up Defense Position will be automatically destroyed. When Normal Summoned “Cirrostratus” will obtain as many Fog counters as Cloudians are on the whole field (including itself), which can remove two of them to use an ability to destroy any monster on the field. Although on its own “Cirrostratus” will only arrive with a single counter with no uses whatsoever, Cloudian Decks stand out with archetype sinergy along other options. Because of that and the only limitation being the number of counters available, “Cirrostratus” has the potential to wipe out entire boards on its own.

Despite their Type and Attribute giving them great options the archetype is in a bizarre spot, as members like “Cirrostratus” relies on Normal Summon alone to obtain counters and use their effects. However, while cards like “Double Summon” provides more Normal Summons to solve this issue in many scenarios, don’t be afraid on using Special Summon effects to instead summon other Cloudians and thus prepare “Cirrostratus” own Normal Summon. From cards like “Valhalla, Hall of the Fallen” and “Summon Cloud” summoning Cloudians from our hand (The latter also summons from the Graveyard), to the effects of “Cloudian - Storm Dragon” and “Cloudian - Turbulence” gathering more members by their respective effects, is more about swarming the board to fully prepare “Cirrostratus” own Normal Summon with enough counters upon hitting the field. This might also lead to summoning other copies of “Cirrostratus” for this goal and other Cloudians’ effects, but don’t be afraid to do so since they can work as materials for our Extra Deck if needed. Together with late game tools like “Salvage” and “Masked Chameleon” supporting the majority of Cloudians, if “Cirrostratus” isn’t kept for its Normal Summon it will easily find another purpose in one way or another.

As just pointed out, “Cirrostratus” has enough opportunities to be Normal Summoned and have several Fog counters to work with (Gaining additional counters if the opponent also plays Cloudians). With the many summoning options for the rest of Cloudians and even its copies, “Cirrostratus” might be able to use its removal effect twice to deal with the opponent’s most dangerous monster(s). While in common circumstances Cloudians will use their effects to then become materials, “Cirrostratus” and its allies can stay on the field as “Cloudian Squall” and “Cloudian - Storm Dragon” gives them counters while also assuring future Normal Summoned Cloudians gain their own. This is not only easy to do with the Cloudians’ ability to avoid being destroyed in battle, but also cards like “Sea Lord’s Amulet” and “The Sanctuary in the Sky” further reducing their weaknesses.Last but not least, if by any chance “Cirrostratus” cannot use its own counters, instead we can spend them on “Cloudian - Altus” to force the opponent to discard cards from their hand.

Cloudian is one of the weirdest archetypes out there, as despite their scarce pressence in today’s game cards like “Cloudian - Cirrostratus” shows how threatening they can become. Although obviously dependant of supporting cards, “Cirrostratus” has a more than assured field plagued with Cloudians to obtain as many Fog counters as possible from its Normal Summon. However, with great summoning tools from early to late game “Cirrostratus” can be more flexible on its performance and not narrow itself in its own effect, therefore taking a Special Summon approach to either assist gathering counters for other Cloudians or simply work as material. With the possibility to destroy several monsters in a single turn to then follow with an Extra Deck summon once the board is clear, “Cirrostratus” is proof that Cloudians shouldn’t be underestimated.

Personal Rating: A

+Cannot be destroyed in battle
+Gains as many Fog counters as Cloudians on the field when Normal Summoned to activate its removal effect
+Greatly supported in both summon and performance as well assisting other Cloudians and summons if needed