If Gauntlet Buster was a Sexy Samurai

Did I just make the assumption that Gauntlet Buster isn’t already sexy? Maybe...

Enter Mutsunokami Yoshiyuki, His rideline revolves around retiring the opponents back-row rearguards and gaining a power bonus based on how many empty back-row rearguard circles there are. 

The Ride Line

Grade 0

Mutsunokami Yoshiyuki

When this unit is rode upon, if you went second, draw a card.

The typical grade 0 starter skill for OverDress.

Grade 1

Mutsunokami Yoshiyuki Sentou

[AUTO] When this unit is rode upon by “Mutsunokami Yoshiyuki Toku”, choose up to one of your opponents back row rear-guards, and retire it. If no units were retired, [Soul Charge 1].

[RC] During your turn, this unit gets [POWER]+2000.

This card helps set up the win condition for the deck, getting rid of any rear-guards in the back and if there isn’t one, extra soul helps conserve resources for the following turns.

Grade 2

Mutsunokami Yoshiyuki Toku

[AUTO] When this unit is rode upon by “Mutsunokami Yoshiyuki Kiwame”, [Soul Blast 1], choose up to one of your opponent’s back row rear-guards, and retire it. If no units were retired, draw a card.

[RC] During your turn, this unit gets [POWER] +2000.

Another unit bites the dust, and if you miss, you get to replace the card you discarded to ride this from ride deck, so it’s a win-win either way!

Grade 3

Mutsunokami Yoshiyuki Kiwame

[VG] If your opponent has no back row rear-guards, this unit gets [POWER] +2000.

[VG] When this unit attacks, [Counter Blast 1], choose one of your opponents back row-rearguards, and retire it. Then, this unit gets [POWER] +5000 until the end of that battle for each of your opponent’s open back row [RC].

So, yeah. A Narukami Samurai that sweeps away the back row and gets HUGE power! combining it with the several cards in Touken Ranbu’s roster of power suppliers and body killers can make this powerful swing a very consistent problem for the opponent to guard.

The Bullies and Hype Men

Shinano Toushiro

[RC] When the attack this unit boosted hits, [Counter Blast 1 & put this unit into your soul], choose one of your opponent’s rear-guards, and retire it.

A pretty decent card despite the fact that its on hit, at least it doesn’t have to hit the Vanguard. Clearing out some rear-guards before getting to the vanguard attack is super handy considering there needs to be max one left in the back row by the time the vanguard attacks!

Hizen Tadahiro

[RC] When the attack this unit boosted hits a vanguard, if your opponent’s back row rear-guard was retired this turn, choose one of your opponent’s rear-guards, and retire it.

Not as lucky with this one, but luckily this boost skill can be activated after the vanguard attack to get rid of any remaining rear-guards on any row!

Shokudaikiri Mitsutada

[AUTO] When this unit is placed on RC from hand, if your opponent’s vanguard is grade 3 or greater, [Counter Blast 1], and all of your front row units get [POWER] +5000.

[RC] When this unit’s attack hits a vanguard, [Soul Blast 1], choose one of your opponent’s rear-guards, and retire it.

Having the extra 5k power boost to the front is always nice, with the added on hit retire ability this makes for one solid unit that can be universally run in Touken Ranbu decks.

Shishiou

[RC] This unit cannot be chosen by your opponent’s card effects.

[RC] When your vanguard’s attack hits, [Counter Blast 1 & Soul Blast 1], draw a card and this unit gets [POWER] +5000 until the end of turn.

What this deck lacks is Draw power, but what it doesn’t lack is power for the Vanguard. You can bet that the opponent will be wary of letting the vanguard hit, however with the huge power the vanguard churns out, they will either have to pitch a Perfect Guard, or risk the drive check not checking any crits as the power of the Vanguard can be too much to guard normally against.

Otegine

[RC] If your opponent’s vanguard is grade 3 or greater, when this unit would attack, it battles all of the units in one of your opponent’s columns.

That may not seem like a great ability at face value, however being able to attack back-row units and clear the back-row for no cost is pretty sweet! Use him as an opening attack to get maximum value out of your Vanguard attack!

The Discord Call:

A pretty good example of the deck list, ratios and fill cards up to the discretion of the fighter!

Overall Analysis

Overall, This deck is one of the stronger and more flexible decks in the D-Standard Touken Ranbu roster. Combining the retire centered powers of Kagero with the power boost of Touken Ranbu makes one MEAN retiring machine!