Neo Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon——————————&

Neo Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon
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3 Level 9 monsters
If this card has a “Cipher” card as Xyz Material, it gains this effect.
● Once per turn: You can detach up to 3 Xyz Materials from this card; monsters you control cannot attack your opponent directly for the rest of this turn, except this card, also for each Material detached, take control of 1 opponent’s face-up monster until the End Phase, but while this effect is applied, they have their effects negated, their ATK’s become 4500, also their names become “Neo Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon”.
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Can Be Found In: Raging Tempest (RATE-EN049), Duelist Pack: Dimensional Guardians (DPDG-EN039)

Cipher is overall a separated branch of the Photon archetype, as its options also focuses arround Galaxy monsters and high Rank Xyz Summons. Although not as expansive in options compared to its brother archetype, Cipher has solid methods to quickly gather materials and immediately summon with some of the most expensive Xyz Monsters their Extra Deck can offer. Capable to share some mechanics with Photon as well the ability to steal opponent’s monsters thanks to their lead Galaxy members, Cipher might be a small archetype but they achieve incredible results by a small investment.

“Neo Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon” is one of the various Cipher counterparts of the well-known “Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon”, providing a similar but much stronger effect from its weaker version “Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon”. Requiring a Cipher material to obtain its effect, “Neo” let us detach as many materials as we like to take control of that same number of opponent’s monsters until the turn ends. This will make “Neo” the only monster able to direct attack, as well the stolen monsters lose their effects. However, the taken monsters will change their names to “Neo Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon” as well turning their ATK to 4500, still able to deal some considerable damage against other monsters. Combined with some possibilities arround the fact their names changed to the monster that targetted them, “Neo” has incredible setup potential if is not using the ATK boost from the affected monsters to pass through some damage while battling other enemies.

A Rank 9 monster with an effect locked through requiring a Cipher material might make “Neo Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon” a very complicated monster to summon, but is simpler than it looks as the archetype invests arround “Rank-Up-Magic Cipher Ascension”. This Spell Card like other Rank-Up effects will use a Rank 8 monster for the arrival of “Neo”, so if we aim towards bringing out “Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon” not only we will meet this requeriment but also obtain “Neo” effects with ease. With “Cipher Wing” ability to increase Levels along “Cipher Twin Raptor” summoning abilities, as well other options involving Rank 8 summons like some Galaxy and Photon options we can mix together, the entire objective goes more about summoning “Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon” to follow with a Rank-Up card as “Neo” takes over right after. Alternatively, both “Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon” and “Neo” provide effects to steal opponent’s monsters, giving us potential materials to summon “Neo” if we have a free Extra Monster Zone and/or a Link Monster providing its arrows. Finally don’t hesitate on reviving “Neo” in later turns, as thanks to the effects of “Cipher Etranger” and “Cipher Bit” not only we will provide a material to be attached on it but also unlock its effect under any circumstances.

With an upgraded version of the effect from “Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon”, “Neo Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon” goes one to two steps further with the possibilities of this stealing ability. Excluding “Neo” itself all monsters on our field might be unable to direct attack, but as long there’s enemies on the opposite field we can attack with the stolen monsters and potentially deal severe damage thanks to their ATK change. This goes slightly improved by “Neo” was brought by “Rank-Up-Magic Cipher Ascension”, as any Level 4 and above monsters will gain a small ATK boost for further damage. Otherwise as pointed out we can use the affected monsters to be materials of our summons if we have the right zones to work with, specially with Xyz Monsters as we could use Rank-Up effects, or taking Link Monsters and take advantage of their Rating for our own Link Summons. Alternatively, the stolen monsters could be used for summons like “Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon” so they don’t return to the opponent’s field in case we have problems to setup Extra Deck summons with them. The possibilities arround the target monster(s) goes even further given they will be treated as “Neo” while under our control, giving them archetype support to work along with. By targetting high Level monsters we will meet the requeriments of “Galaxy Expedition” to summon Photon or Galaxy monsters from our Deck, while stealing Xyz Monsters they’ll immediately become materials for “Galaxy-Eyes Full Armor Photon Dragon” and “Number 95: Galaxy-Eyes Dark Matter Dragon” by using their shortcuts.

Stealing effects are some of the most terrifying tools any player can depend on thanks to its many possibilities, and “Neo Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon” does so with extra benefits. Although “Neo” will be the only one able to direct attack we can still take advantage of the monsters’ ATK change by battling any remaining enemies, as otherwise we can use them as materials of our own summons including that they’ll be treated as both Galaxy and Cipher members for further options. While “Neo” clearly has a variety of winning conditions to aim for both its summon and effect conditions makes it require a Deck fully invested on its arrival and performance, specially some complications we might have preparing Extra Deck summons without a proper zone or Link Monster(s). Otherwise, not only “Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon” offers a weaker yet similar effect for less effort, but other Galaxy-Eyes forms takes less resources on their summons and abilities. While far from the most important Galaxy-Eyes monster, “Neo” has incredible potential to steal entire boards and completely turn Duels in our favor.

Personal Rating: A-

+ Takes control of as many opponent’s monsters as materials we deattached for its effect
+ Stolen monsters will be treated as “Neo Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon” and have their ATK turn to 4500
+Various options to work arround this monster and its target(s)

-Requires investment on its summon, obtaining its effect, and/or zones we might require for Extra Deck setups
-Will be the only monster able to direct attack as well target monsters will lose their effects after using its own
-Overshadowed by other Galaxy-Eyes monsters with simpler summon conditions