Score totally had us hanging on baited breath for the Trunks Saga. After a multitude of delays and the absolute disappointment of not being able to play as Frieza or any major villain from the show (except Guldo) during his own set; the community was hungry. We wanted the biggest villains; we wanted the Super Saiyans. Score delivered. Trunks Saga is still the most valuable set in the game from a sealed product standpoint (boxes will run you up to $350), and not only was reprinted in Unlimited format but also in the much-maligned Trunks Reforged. This is a breakdown of the 10 cards that through my eyes have had the most staying power on the Tournament Scene. This was a big set — if your favorite card isn’t on this list, sound off in the comments section below!
Everything's bigger on Namek!
10. Namek Dragon Ball 4
I’m only picking one Dragon Ball from this set. Let’s be clear – I think this DB set has always been excellent (although the Alt. Namek DB’s we made in Kid Buu Saga blow them away); but does anyone else remember their reaction to seeing Namek DB 4 for the first time? What a powerful effect, especially if you can capture it from an unsuspecting opponent.
Stops everything from win conditions to Weddings.
9. Trunks Energy Sphere
TES is probably the #1 tournament staple in the game. I really can’t say too much about this card that hasn’t been said already; but I have personally been involved in many high-level matches that were determined by this card and this card alone. Many people will enter combat due to an Android 18’s Stare Down or Saiyan Truce Card in their hand; and this will turn the tides instantly.
STRANGER DANGER!
8. Android 20 Absorbing Drill
I remember doing several double-takes when I first read this card. “I can use it as many times as I want?” “The discards don’t count as damage, or allow the card to be successful?” “It’s a common?” Absolutely a staple in any Freestyle or Orange deck that can keep it safe, this card was one of the very first reasons you HAD to start packing Non-Combat removal into your energy decks.
Good thing Gohan ran into Frieza!
7. Hero’s Lucky Break
A tutor for some of the most powerful cards in the game, that isn’t removed from the game after use? Sign me up. I guess my only beef is that the picture makes absolutely no sense, as I’m sure Gohan wouldn’t call being caught by Frieza a ‘lucky break’ for anyone…
That and clowns.
6. Don’t You Just Hate That
It’s a shame that you can only use this once per game, but it’s just that good. Freestyle only helps its cause as this card is still actively used in decks today. A lot of effect for 1 card slot.
Not sure why this works on Frieza, Cooler or King Cold.
5. Krillin’s Heat Seeking Blast
I think this is a lot of people’s personal favorite cards in the game, and has been for a while. When you drew this card into your hand, you went into combat. It was that simple and powerful. Debuting in the same set as damage pumps like Black & Orange Style Mastery, and Frieza’s personality set, only lent itself to more popularity. Krillin Orange was my favorite deck during TS, and this card was the #1 reason.
Thus establishing black as the go to style for ally decks.
4. Black Physical Focus
Man, this card is fun. It’s ridiculously powerful, and the secondary effect activates Ally decks even if the attack is stopped. A major part of the Android 18 Black style decks that performed well at Worlds 2002, and many other Black decks since.
3. Masteries
Without a doubt in my mind, Masteries were the most significant development in the entire life of the game. It changed the game from a battle of personalities to a battle of colors, and also started to define the flavor and personality of each style. When a Mastery hits the table, it tells you more about what you can expect than any other piece of information available to you. It’s a drill that can’t be removed from the game and is always active. In future sets, I will probably pick individual masteries (as the qualities differed greatly) but in Trunks Saga, they were all great and had an immediate and permanent impact on the game (okay, except Blue Style Mastery).
Bulma ca. 1987
2. Where There’s Life, There’s Hope
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – in any card game, any effect that messes with the rules of the game will always be powerful. This card is no exception. A staple in ball decks of all types, as well as in many control decks, this was the first truly sought-after Ultra Rare for gameplay purposes.
Still sucks to be a hero.
1. Confrontation
The card that makes Vegeta’s Lunge seem like weak-sauce. To my recollection, this was the first major card in the game to give you a reason to pick Hero. Without a doubt still used to this day, in almost every Hero deck. How many of you have had your dream hand broken apart by this or its villain counterpart (more on that in the next article…)
Good article. Surprised Sphere isn’t higher up on the list as its used in every deck, which is hard to say for most of the other selections on the list (outside of Masteries of course).
Also very surprised that boxes go for $350. I guess that box of sealed 1st edition sitting on my shelf is actually worth something now. =p
Chippy
My lists are actually never in any particular order 🙂 Gun to my head, I’d probably do masteries/sphere/halt 😛
I add numbers because a list without numbers would just be stupid.
Despite the fact that this article was written well after dozens of CRD updates, I think Chiatzou’s Psychic Halt deserves, nay–demands a mention. Until its inevitable ban that card not only was a staple, but was key in game wins, one-sided battles and opponent frustration for over a year before it was finally eliminated from play. Unable to be TES’d, and a remarkably hard to get uncommon, I like to think that this card paved the way for such cards as Majin Buu’s Fury. Still didn’t make me want to play Chiatzou as a MP though…