Perfecting Infernity 5 - Combatting Removal [Part 1]

"Infernity Archfiend"

Now, we all know how deadly removal is for this deck. The fact that the deck relies so heavily on the Graveyard is the prime culprit for this. Moreover, if combos get disrupted, you will find yourself in a very sticky situation.

However, that doesn't mean the deck can't exploit its weaknesses and totally dominate the game.

The deck, per se, has in-built methods to counter and combat this fatal flaw in the deck.

And that is what I shall cover today; the in-built anti-removal cards the deck has at its disposal.

This is unarguably the best way to counter reactive removal. By using this card, you can spare your "Infernity Archfiend" from the likes of "Bottomless Trap Hole, "Chaos Sorcerer" and "Dimensional Prison". Moreover, this card is very versatile in its own right. With "Black Rose Dragon" becoming omnipresent, "Book of Moon" has become more important than ever.

One may ask, "How does Book of Moon stop Black Rose Dragon?". The answer to that, lies in the process of Synchro Summoning itself. As I'm sure you are aware, the Material for a Synchro Summon must be present in the field in a face-up position. If you detect a "Black Rose Dragon", use "Book of Moon" to flip the newly summoned monster face-down before they get a chance to use it as material. You essentially delay "Black Rose Dragon" by a whole turn, thus giving you a chance to destroy to the material with your own cards.

These are very important plays for an Infernity player to make, and without them games can and will be lost.

Quick recap of events (BTH/D-Prison dodging):

1. Link 2: "Book of Moon" resolves, flipping the summoned monster face-down.
2. Link 1: "Bottomless Trap Hole" attempts to resolve, but the target no longer exists, so the effect disappears.
3. All appropriate cards are sent to the Graveyard.

I'm not certain how many other players use it, but the double search technique with "Infernity Archfiend" is very powerful. This play eliminates "Bottomless Trap Hole" from the equation completely.

You are special summoning "Infernity Archfiend". "Infernity Archfiend" goes as chain link 1 due to TPP, your opponent then uses their priority to chain "Bottomless Trap Hole" as chain link 2.

The chin resolves in reverse order as normal. Firstly, "Bottomless Trap Hole" eliminates the summoned "Infernity Archfiend". Then "Infernity Archfiend" resolves, searching another copy from your deck. 1 died, but you have replaced it. "Bottomless Trap Hole" has slowed you down, but it has not shut you down.

This works because "Infernity Archfiend" selects the card being searched at resolution, not activation. This ruling is important. Make sure you declare what you are searching at resolution, not activation.

Quick recap of events:

1. Link 2: "Bottomless Trap Hole" resolves, removing from play and destroying "Infernity Archfiend".
2. Link 1: "Infernity Archfiend" resolves, adding another "Infernity Archfiend" to the hand.
3. All appropriate cards are sent to the Graveyard.

This is another way to exploit ruling knowledge. Once again, you have activated a card (in this case, we shall say "Infernity Necromancer" is trying to revive "Infernity Archfiend"). Your opponent responds by activating "D.D. Crow", adding it as chain link 2. This is the clever part. You then chain "Call of the Haunted" or "Archfiend's Roar" to "D.D. Crow", selecting the same target.

The chain resolves per normal.

1. Link 3: "Call of the Haunted" revives "Infernity Archfiend".
2. Link 2: "D.D. Crow" attempts to remove "Infernity Archfiend" in the Graveyard, but the target no longer exists, so the effect disappears. (cost was paid at activation)
3. Link 1: "Infernity Necromancer" attempts to revive "Infernity Archfiend" from the Graveyard, but the target no longer exists and the effect disappears.
4. All appropriate cards are sent to the Graveyard (none in this case).
5. "Infernity Archfiend" misses the timing to activate its effect because the resolution of "D.D. Crow" and "Infernity Necromancer" interrupted the opportunity to activate the effect.

This is the most simplistic way to deal with "Bottomless Trap Hole" and "Dimensional Prison". "Seven Tools of the Bandit" is equally effective. Just fire this off in response to a removal card to have its effect negated. Simple.

That's all for today. Don't forget to click the follow button and leave a comment. =)

~Valafar123