Review: Main Reprints from the 25th Anniversary Rarity Collection II

From May 23rd 2024 onward, the 25th Anniversary Rarity Collection II will be legal. It is an exclusive Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG set, and supposedly was meant to complement the 25th Anniversary Rarity Collection (released last year). This new set includes over 79 popular reprints, each one with 7 different rarities:

> Super Rares;

> Ultra Rares;

> Secret Rares;

> Quarter Century Secret Rare;

> Extra Secret Rare (referred as Platinum Secret Rare in the products' descriptions);

> Collector's Rare (Japanese version);

> Ultimate Rare (Japanese version).

So, in this article, I'll analyze what I consider the best reprints in the 25th Anniversary Rarity Collection II!

To open our list, we have 4 popular handtraps in the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG metagame. The most significant of them is Ghost Ogre & Snow Rabbit, which is popular in the current format because it is great against the main metagame decks (Snake-Eye, Tenpai, Voiceless Voice, Melodious, and many others).

Fantastical Dragon Phantazmay is another handtrap, and, even though it isn't as popular as the other ones, considering it is very specific, is quite strong against decks that focus on link-summons (like Snake-Eye, for instance).

Besides the fact they're in the nostalgic Dark Magician deck, Magicians' Souls and Illusion of Chaos are popular in many strategies as card draw engines, and, even though they're not popular in the current meta, they're quite costly. So, this reprint is an excellent opportunity to cheapen these cards even more.

The Purrely and My Friend Purrely reprints will make this deck an excellent cheap, competent deck because they were the only expensive cards in this archetype. It might not be considered meta, but Purrely is strong and has a "good" matchup against the main deck in the format, Snake-Eye.

Garura, Wings of Resonant Life is the main fusion monster in the game, and it is useful both as a simple Super Polymerization target and as material for link-summons or to summon class 6 xyz monsters. Even if you don't plan to use this card in a deck right now, I consider buying this card an interesting investment for the future.

Another reprint that will come at the right time is Number 38: Hope Harbinger Dragon Titanic Galaxy, which became popular in Snake-Eye after Snake-Eyes Diabellstar was released. As this format is full of powerful spells, a negate for this type of card is extremely valuable in decks that access class 8 xyz monsters.

Another deck that will become quite cheap after this set is released is Exosister. Exosisters Magnifica was its only expensive card, and should be a lot cheaper soon.

Apollousa, Bow of the Goddess is probably the most significant card in this set, as it is the main generic negate in the current format. Because of this and the recent ban of Baronne de Fleur and Borreload Savage Dragon, many players have been waiting for this card to be banned in the next banlist. This way, this would be the last chance for players who don't have it yet to get it for a cheap price.

Unchained Soul of Rage is another expensive card from an archetype that disappeared from the meta. Despite this, you can use it in any deck that uses an Unchained engine. Currently, it is popular in Yubel, which is already strong nowadays, and will also get more support cards in the upcoming months.

I:P Masquerena is also quite popular in the current format. It is popular in many decks, but particularly in the best deck in the format, Snake-Eye. Its main role is to activate S:P Little Knight, but, depending on the matchup or the game state, you can summon another monster that fits the situation a bit better.

Accesscode Talker is another highlight in this set. Known as an excellent finisher, we all expect this card to become cheaper this time for good, considering there's already an OTK combo in the meta that is more popular.

Underworld Goddess of the Closed World is another useful generic link monster. It is really worth the investment, particularly after this reprint. “Goddess” is an exceptional out for towers, particularly if you summon it on your opponent's turn through I:P Masquerena.

Crossout Designator was a very popular tech before it was released in the TCG, but was forgotten as soon as it came out for good. Nonetheless, as soon as handtraps became popular in the metagame again, this card has been standing out in the main decklists at big tournaments, and this is a great chance to get it.

Another set of cards that deserve a highlight in this set are the field spells from Visas Starfrost's lore. Except for Primitive Planet Reichphobia, they were all quite expensive, and now they'll probably be a lot cheaper.

To finish our list, we have Skill Drain, which might be saying farewell to players at the next banlist, considering Konami is removing some floodgates from the game. This card became popular in Snake-Eye recently to counter Tenpai.

Just like the previous “Rarity Collection”, 25th Anniversary Rarity Collection II is a great set investment-wise, be it to increase your collection, or get cards that have always been expensive and now will be cheaper.

But, what did you think of the cards in the 25th Anniversary Rarity Collection II? Do you think it could include more cards? Which cards will you buy? Tell us in our comment section below.

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