Shadowverse Evolve: Umamusume Pretty Derby Crossover Set - A First Meta Prediction
Savvas Matthaiou - 10 November 2023
With less than a month to go until the release of Shadowverse Evolve's first crossover set, Umamusume: Pretty Derby, we couldn’t be more excited! The new set will not only bring new archetypes and game mechanics, but also even more beautiful anime art to our gaming tables.
In this article, we will explore everything you need to know ahead of Umamusume's release. As with the two previous core sets, Advent of Genesis and Reign of Bahamut, we already have an idea of how the meta will change after December 8. Since the set has already been released in the Japanese version of the game, our predictions for the meta become a little easier.
And we say easy, because the English meta has already shown differences and new playstyles in the first few months. But first, let’s take a look at everything we know so far about SVE's first ever crossover set!
Umamusume: Pretty Derby Set - What We Know So Far
As we already mentioned, the new crossover set is set to release on December 8, 2023. Umamusume: Pretty Derby will contain a pool of 84 cards, 20 of which will be brand new Legendaries. The set will also include a brand-new starter deck with multiple staples for beginners and experienced players alike!
The same 20 cards will also appear as SLs (Super Legendaries) and the set will also include 19 SP (Special) cards, reminiscent of the U (Ultimate) rarity of the first two sets. 39 foils of some of the Bronze, Silver and Gold cards from the set will also be included.
Umamusume: Pretty Derby will also introduce a brand new mechanic (keyword) that will be exclusive to Umamusume cards, racing. The keyword was of course inspired by the anime where horse girls like Special Week, Tokai Teio and Silence Suzuka race for fame and fortune!
Back to our game: Racing can be activated by attaching carrot cards. Carrots are added to the player's evolution deck. As with other keywords, Racing gives your cards additional powers (e.g. Storm, +1/+1, etc.). The new set also includes a total of 19 hot-stamped cards signed by members of the anime cast!
So, with all that in mind,let’s predict how the meta will evolve starting from December 8th!
A BFC Prediction: The Top 3 Meta Decks After the Umamusume Release
The truth is that there are already some differences between the Japanese and English meta when it comes to the release of the Umamusume crossover set. First of all, three Umamusume cards have already been limited in the English version of the game prior to the set's release.
The reason for this was simple: Umamusume aggro decks took over the Japanese meta after the release of the crossover. To limit the consistency of these decks, Bushiroad decided to limit two cards: Trial Initiation and Ikuno Dictus. Both cards will be limited to 1 immediately after release.
On the other hand, Bushiroad announced another restriction just a few days ago, this time for a Dragoncraft card. And that is none other than every player’s favorite dragon, Shenlong. You can read the reasons for this decision HERE, but most of us already know why this card was restricted.
Shenlong was by far one of the two best cards (it was either Shenlong or Forte) in any Dragoncraft deck and was especially strong against aggro and midrange decks! So how will these restrictions affect the English meta? Well, that remains to be seen. In any case, it’s time to make a prediction about the decks that will definitely be played a lot until the release of the third core set, Flame of Laevateinn, on February 24, 2024:
1. Pure Umamusume Aggro
Even after the restrictions set by Bushiroad, we still believe that pure Umamusume decks will be a threat for most other classes. Sure, limiting Trial Initiation and Ikuno Dictus will make the decks a bit less consistent, but the card pool is simply too good to be influenced by such a drawback.
With cards like Agnes Tachyon, 7CM Ahead and the well known Daiwa Scarlet and Vodka combo, aggro uma decks will be every class’s nightmare during the next few months. Dragon could be a great contestant for this deck, but with Shenlong’s restriction, handling Uma’s aggression becomes even harder. So, if you are a fan of the anime or a competitive aggro player, this is a set you simply can’t miss!
2. Discard Dragon
What if Shenlong was restricted to 1? Dragoncraft is still one of the best (and most fun) classes to play in SVE, and Dragon players have already proved they can handle pretty much any obstacle brought in their way, especially in the English version.
For example, after the release of Reign of Bahamut in September, many believe that Dragoncraft won’t be as strong as it used to be. Even though Swordcraft and Heavencraft have won some regionals since then, the truth is that the new (hybrid) discard dragon deck proved to be a well-balanced deck with a great contestant.
As Bushiroad said, “Dragoncraft has maintained an almost 50% Top 8 conversion rate across all World Invitational 2023 Regional Qualifiers”.
The impact of Shenlong’s restriction is still left to be seen. Until then, we still believe in the power of cards like Dracomancer’s Rites and Dark Dragoon Forte. So, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that discard dragon is included in our tier-1 list! Finally, it’s worth mentioning that some pure Ramp decks have also performed really well recently as well.
3. Leonidas Swordcraft
Even though Leonidas sword decks didn’t (arguably) perform as well as they did after the release of the second set in Japan, different variations of this swordcraft deck have managed to win the World Invitational regional qualifiers in Houston, British Columbia and Sydney. Swordcraft also showcased multiple entries in the top-8 of regionals across the globe during the last two months.
With the addition of some top-notch Umamusume cards, like the Legendary “Tokai Teio'' follower and the “Pressured by the Approaching Heat” spell, swordcraft is set to become even more powerful after the crossover set release in December!
Cards currently forgotten, like Lucifer, will now be able to immediately close the game for sword, combined with the 2-cost spell, while providing a unique opportunity for healing, something that’s missing during the current meta. Being able to immediately give Storm to cards like Lucifer, Alexander, or even a buffed Aurelia, is simply too good! This is why Leonidas swordcraft deck easily made it on our top 3 decks.
How Will the Rest of the Classes Perform - Honorable Mentions
4. Havencraft Aegis Control
Aegis decks have already shown how powerful Heavencraft can be! The recent win in Bilbao was particularly interesting and was celebrated by Heavencraft fans! The truth is that Umamusume decks will probably make Heaven’s life harder. But, that doesn’t mean heaven decks won’t have the opportunity to shine in the coming months. After all, Heaven players do a great job controlling the board with instant burn and ward followers.
Unfortunately, the Umamusume crossover set will not introduce any top-notch cards for the hyper aggro Abysscraft deck. After the set was released in Japan, this class was a bit “forgotten” for a while. The reason was simple; pure Uma decks were a better, and more consistent, version of this hyper-aggro deck. Still, now that Umamusume is limited even before the release, the power of Abysscraft could be re-examined!
5. Hyper-aggro Abysscraft
6. Dirt and Spellchain Runecraft
Both dirt and spellchain runecraft decks have shown their power after the Reign of Bahamut release. With key cards like Rimewind and the mighty Merlin, runecraft can’t be neglected by any opponent. Even though none of the two playstyles is expected to be tier-1 after the Umamusume release, runecraft players tend to surprise us all again and again!
7. Forestcraft (Silver Bolt - Storm & Burn)
Last but not least, we have to talk about Forestcraft. The truth is that Forest is probably the class that has seen the least play, at least in the English version. Still, Silver Bolt Forest burn decks could change all that in the next few months. This deck could be seen as an alternative to hybrid dragon decks. Now that Shenlong’s been restricted to 1, Forestcraft could emerge as a top contestant! So, with Silver Bolt and multiple followers with Storm, variations of this deck could reach tier-1 during the next few months.
Take Part in Our Upcoming Big Shadowverse Evolve Tournaments in Thessaloniki
On November 12, witness the clash of titans in our colossal Win-a-Box tournament at Spacelab, promising epic battles and incredible prizes. But that's not all – gear up for another thrilling big event in December, and don't forget our regular locals every Friday.
Engage with a passionate community, refine your skills, and seize the chance to claim victory. Join us for intense competitions and the joy of playing your favorite TCG. The stage is set, and we can't wait to see you there!
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Conclusion
As the Umamusume: Pretty Derby set gallops onto the Shadowverse Evolve scene, we know that more and more exciting moments await players. The new card pool, innovative mechanics, and shifting meta promise a dynamic gaming experience. From predicting the top-performing decks to exploring new strategies, the SVE landscape is evolving.
Whether you're a seasoned player or a newcomer, the journey into Umamusume beckons with endless possibilities. The adventure begins on December 8, and Black Flame Collectibles is here to guide you through every strategic choice. Embrace the upcoming meta, forge new alliances, and may your draws be ever in your favor!