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[Stride]-Stride Step-COST [Choose one or more cards with the sum of their grades being 3 or greater from your hand, and discard them], Stride this card on your (VC) from face down.
[ACT](VC)1/Turn:COST [Retire two rear-guards], your opponent chooses three of their rear-guards, and retires them. If three cards were not retired, until end of turn, this unit gets “[AUTO](VC)1/Turn:At the end of the battle this unit attacked, COST [Counter Blast (1) & retire two rear-guards], and [Stand] this unit.”, and [Power]+10000.
Dark Knight, Crow Cruach is one of the many dark knights from Shadow Paladin. He has a single ability with two parts. This ability makes him to be a valuable G-Unit. He is one of many vanguards with the ability to stand himself for an additional attack.
Ability:
Dark Knight, Crow Cruach is a generic G-Unit. He has the ability to stand for a second battle. He provides an option of a vanguard with the ability to stand himself for Shadow Paladins in the premium format. You may play him with Blasters, Luard, and Witches.
Ability: Part 1
The first half of the ability sets up the second half. Dark Knight, Crow Cruach retires two of your rear-guards and the opponent must retire three of their rear-guards. You are controlling the field with the cost of your rear-guards. The ability hurts the opponent’s strategy.
This ability is a strong impact against clans with few resources. The opponent loses key resources. You effectively counter their strategy with those particular rear-guards.
However, the opponent chooses which rear-guards that he or she wants to retire. It is the only disadvantage from this ability. They can keep their best rear-guards on the field. A smart opponent would keep their units with the ability to intercept attacks.
Ability: Part 2
The second part of this ability is a unique addition. Dark Knight, Crow Cruach gains the effect to stand and retire two of your rear-guards if the opponent is unable to retire three of their rear-guards. In addition, Dark Knight, Crow Cruach gains 10,000 power
Therefore, you have a vanguard with 38,000 power for his second battle. He creates a strong offense with a lot of pressure. Triggers and Force markers may additional power to him.
In addition, Dark Knight, Crow Cruach maintains triple drive for both battles. You are able to recover the four cards for the total cost of this ability. You have a healthy balance of resources.
Support:
The best support for Dark Knight, Crow Cruach are units with the effect to retire the opponent’s rear-guards. They are essential units for your strategy. The goal is to ensure the opponent to have two or less rear-guards. Dark Knight, Crow Cruach would be able to activate the second half of his ability.
Therefore, I recommend cards such as Blaster Dark (D Series) in your deck. He retires an opponent’s rear-guard. This basic maneuver puts you in position for Dark Knight, Crow Cruach’s ability.
Another useful card with Dark Knight, Crow Cruach is Knight of Instant Slash, Greete. You need a heart with Blaster in its name for this duo. Knight of Instant Slash, Greete deals one damage to the opponent if they use a sentinel to block Dark Knight, Crow Cruach when Knight of Instant Slash, Greete boosts him. This rear-guard puts a lot of pressure on the opponent during the late game and forces the opponent to use other cards defense.
In addition, Knight of Instant Slash, Greete is an amazing booster. This card gains 5,000 power when you retire your rear-guard in the battle phase, and Dark Knight, Crow Cruach retires two rear-guards during the battle phase. You are able to add a lot of power. Knight of Instant Slash, Greete becomes a booster with 15,000 power.
Play these cards with Dark Knight, Crow Cruach!
- Blaster Dark (D Series)
- Knight of Instant Slash, Greete
Matchups:
Dark Knight, Crow Cruach is a good card against many clans. You consistently force the opponent to retire his or her rear-guards. Your support such as Blaster Dark allows Dark Knight, Brow Cruach to have the ability to stand himself.
Furthermore, Dark Knight, Crow Cruach is an effective G-Unit against clans such as Pale Moon and Bermuda Triangle. These clans normally have a few rear-guards on the field. Pale Moon sends its units to the soul and Bermuda Triangle return rear-guards to the owner’s hand.
Therefore, you can consistently activate Dark Knight Crow Cruach’s ability. Opponents with these clans may not have three rear-guards to retire due to their strategy. An opponent may not expect this G-Unit when you play it, and Dark Knight, Crow Cruach takes advantage of the situation
Disadvantages: Bad Matchups
On the other hand, the effectiveness of Dark Knight, Crow Cruach depends on the opponent. An opponent with an Accel clan has many rear-guards on the field due to Accel markers. They can easily retire three rear-guards and Dark Knight, Crow Cruach would lose the ability to stand himself for a second battle. The only exception is Pale Moon due to the clan sending its units to the soul.
For instance, Liberators from Gold Paladin are a nightmare for Dark Knight, Crow Cruach. Liberators can easily swarm the field and they create many Accel markers. It is very unlikely for this group of Gold Paladins to be unable to retire three rear-guards. Therefore, Dark Knight, Crow Cruach is unable to stand himself for a second battle.
Card Rating:
Overall, Dark Knight, Crow Cruach is a solid card for Shadow Paladins. He provides a major advantage against particular clans and archetypes. He makes an impact with two battles. I recommend playing one or two copies of Dark Knight, Crow Cruach in a deck.
Premium format: 3.0 out of 5.0 stars
