Of birds and mines: A little bird from Number Hunters

When number hunters came out, the main attention went to Master of Blades, since it’s another Rank 7 xyz that could be splashed in Dragon Ruler decks. So it comes as no surprise that other good cards from the same set were neglected or simply ignored.

I plead guilty, because I did not know of this gem, until it was used against me.

Number 49: Fortune Tune

At the moment my opponent overlayed 2 Lv. 3 monsters, I expected to see a Wind-up Zenmaines. But instead a card appeared from Number Hunters named Fortune Tune. I was surprised to see it. I was even more surprised when I read the full effect:

I'm the bird of Paradise and I bring you... heaven!

“2 Level 3 monsters. During each of your Standby Phases: Gain 500 Life Points. This card cannot be targeted by card effects. If this face-up card would be destroyed, you can detach 1 Xyz Material from this card instead. When this card is sent from the field to the Graveyard: Target 2 Level 3 monsters in your Graveyard; shuffle them both into the Deck, and if you do, return this card from your Graveyard to the Extra Deck. You can only use this effect of "Number 49: Fortune Tune" once per turn.”

So basically:

• You can’t target it. So no fiendish chain, Breakthrough Skill or Veiler; not even Blackship of Corn or Book of Moon. Your opponent will have to waste a lot of resources to get rid of this card.
• You have the ability to gain life points (always a nice extra)
• You have the ability to recycle all XYZ materials (or 2 other Lv. 3 monsters) AND the XYZ monster (an effect that does NOT miss timing, btw).
• Oh, and I just checked: You can use it for Icarus attack AND still gain its recycle effect (LOL). That just makes it amazing in Winged Beast decks (like Blackwings, for example).

Lol, what? The low stats make it an easy target to beat, but after it’s done it goes back to the extra deck? I think Tour Guide just found itself a new pet bird.

Tour Guide >> an extra Tour Guide >> Fortune Tune. Tune = a wall + extra lifepoints + recycling 2 Tour Guides & Fortune Tune to use them again later. Profit much?

Fortune Tune Vs Wind-up Zenmaines

The question obviously remains; will you use Fortune Tune over Zenmaines? Zenmaines’ effect can be negated more easily and he can become a target of Blackship of Corn, while Bird cannot be a target of card effects. The only way to get around this card is using card effects that don’t target (Tiger King, Spellbook of Fate, or D.D. Warrior Lady or HTS Psyhemuth).

But on the other hand, Zenmaines has a higher defense to get over (900 defense isn't much) and has the ability to destroy cards. Heck, you can smash Zenmaines into an opponent’s monster to get rid of it during the end phase (Ophion, for example).

So in the end, both cards have advantages, while both cards act as walls. Bird is more resilient, allows you to live (a little) longer and recycle (more interesting in stun decks); Zenmaines is a higher wall and allows you to smash and destroy (more interesting in offensive/OTK decks).

Which card do you prefer? Or do you like to use both?

V out.