245: Two more four-star cards

Although the traits of the [Abyss Slime] are few, Shi Li felt that it was very powerful.

Several tactics had already been born in his mind.

He pulled up the simulated card table and immediately began testing.

After continuous testing, he obtained the results he wanted.

The mechanism of transforming into the target card is exceptionally powerful, even if it only lasts for 1 round.

Furthermore, if its duplication target is an enemy card, it transforms into an enemy card identical in every way.

This includes the card's current status, which is also duplicated.

Under this duplication condition, if it is defeated in the round it is revealed.

It can still activate its own Signature Hand Card, select one of its own traits, and bestow it upon its own card.

This point alone signifies a qualitative change in how the [Abyss Slime] can be used.

Previously, it could only duplicate passive traits and bestow passive traits.

But now, the situation has become completely different.

The trait [Ultimate Mimicry] makes it possible to bestow active traits.

For example.

Let's first assume [Red Blade Maiden] is a four-star card, as this meets the activation requirement for [Ultimate Mimicry].

Then, let the [Abyss Slime] duplicate the passive trait of [Red Blade Maiden], transforming it into [Red Blade Maiden].

Then, let it retreat from the field within the round it is revealed, and use the Signature Hand Card [Slime Ultimate Technique] while in the state of [Red Blade Maiden].

And then bestow [Vast] from [Red Blade Maiden] upon [The Diner].

Yes, because Rage System cards have special energy consumption, their active traits can only be bestowed upon other Rage System cards.

Other systems use standard energy, so they can bestow traits across systems.

Returning to this example.

[The Diner]'s health theoretically has no upper limit.

But it has a drawback.

That is, its stacks are destined to be low in PVP matches.

Even when stacked high in PVE matches, it remains merely a meat shield.

For example, if in the [Abyssal True Realm], the Abyssal Kind uses various means to bypass it and kill the other cards, then it becomes useless.

No matter how high its HP is, lacking means of output makes it difficult to pose a threat.

But if [The Diner] is equipped with [Vast], it's different.

With theoretically infinite HP, it would be world-shattering once it gains [Vast].

This is one of the uses of the four-star [Abyss Slime].

Besides this, there are other ways to bestow traits.

For instance, giving powerful Charge traits to Wisdom cards, strong survival traits to output cards, or strong output traits to damage-absorbing cards, and so on.

Furthermore, Shi Li discovered an even better use.

That is, the Signature Hand Cards of other cards.

It must be noted that a Unique Character Card is unique.

And the Signature Hand Card of a Unique Character Card is naturally also unique.

But when two identical Unique Character Cards appear on the field due to a special mechanism.

What effect would result if that unique Signature Hand Card were played?

Shi Li tested it, and the answer was simultaneous activation.

To give another example.

The [Abyss Slime] duplicates the [Jumping Dragon Guard], specifically the [Jumping Dragon Guard] currently in a state of [Stasis].

Then, by the end of the round, both the [Jumping Dragon Guard] and the [Jumping Dragon Guard (Abyss Slime)] will retreat.

If [Dead's Talisman] is played at this time, the trigger is doubled!

Five [Jumping Girl] cards will gain 100 * 4 = 400 Attack Power.

What if [Cicada Wing Patrol] is made to trigger an additional death rattle at this time?

That would result in 100 * 6 = 600 Attack Power.

This is truly terrifying.

No, it's too powerful.

Similarly, many other Signature Hand Cards can be effective.

Such as [Flower Cudgel Leader]'s [Invincible] and [Full Penetration].

Such as [Lotus Succubus]'s [Power of Love].

Such as [Demon-Defeating Dark Hunter]'s [Mana Siphon].

Such as [Fennec Fox Girl]'s [Comprehension in the Wind].

Such as [The Diner]'s [Food is Heaven].

Such as [Black Angel]'s [Dark Conversion].

Such as [Lightning Flash]'s [Thousand Thunderfalls].

However, all of the above effects only last for the 1 round of [Ultimate Mimicry]; it's not that the effect is bad, but it is slightly regrettable.

The strongest secondary trigger of a Signature Hand Card must be the [Withering Initial] of the [Withering Dragon], and the

[Stars Shifting and Moving] of the [Snail Walking Lady].

The former can activate a double negative field.

[Withering Initial]: While the Withering Dragon exists, all non-Wither revealed cards on the field suffer 10 points of [Wither] damage every 3 rounds.

Furthermore, due to the presence of the original [Withering Dragon], even if the [Abyss Slime] reverts to its original form, the double negative force field will still persist.

20 points of [Wither] every 3 rounds is incredibly strong.

And then the latter, the Signature Hand Card of the [Snail Walking Lady].

[Stars Shifting and Moving]: Snail Walking Lady consumes 40 Energy, selects 2 Martial Cards and swaps positions with them. After playing this, the [Abyss Slime] can also select 2 Martial Card targets and swap their positions.

This back-and-forth means there are 6 cards on the field whose positions can be changed.

It's practically a complete reshuffle of the card table formation; how could that not be strong?

Moreover, Shi Li had previously overlooked something about the Signature Hand Card [Stars Shifting and Moving], so he tested it further.

That is, it can actually swap the enemy's Martial Cards as well.

Swapping the opponent's key cards into his own formation for a group assault, or swapping [Red Blade Maiden] into the opponent's formation to run rampant.

Just thinking about that scene is frightening.

The more Martial Cards the opponent has, the easier it is for this move to unleash its power, as there are more available [Swap] positions.

In other words, strictly speaking, his Martial Card deck counters the opponent's Martial Card deck.

Having completed the Star Ascension task for the [Abyss Slime], Shi Li did not linger.

He could, of course, choose to continue soaking in the [Abyssal True Realm].

He might even be able to break the record of 30 floors held by the top ranker if he spent more time.

But that would consume too much time.

Although he can move freely in the God Realm, there are time intervals.

Perhaps it would be more suitable to return here the next time he leaves the God Realm.

What Shi Li wanted to do now was upgrade his last two cards, [Breaker] and [red dragon beast master], to four stars.

[red dragon beast master]: Defeat different Beast-type Monster Cards, 55/1000

[Breaker]: Activate skills in battles against different opponents or monsters, 124/1000

These two tasks could be done together.

The important thing was choosing the right location.

So, through Xiu Qingshan's connections, Shi Li quickly found a suitable place.

A Level 5 medium-sized Foreign Domain, [Lost Beast Garden].

The area of this Foreign Domain was not large, but the number of Beast-type monsters was high, and the density was high.

For a Level 5 Foreign Domain, the highest entry requirement is the [Diamond] rank.

This also meant that five-star monsters were likely present in this Foreign Domain.

However, for Shi Li, this wasn't his main concern.

Due to the danger of this Foreign Domain, Blue Star does not allow Card Players below the [Emerald] rank to enter easily.

Coupled with the fact that drops from Beast-type monsters are usually mediocre, few people come here.

Unless they are Card Players seeking specific drops or completing various tasks, few people visit.

This way, his actions would be less likely to be disturbed.

Once inside, Shi Li was like a fish in water.

From weak starless monsters to slightly less weak four-star monsters, he spared none that he hadn't defeated before.

His rampage finally attracted the attack of the overlords of this Foreign Domain—several five-star monsters.

However, Shi Li easily slaughtered them, converting them into task counts for [red dragon beast master].

In fact, even if they hadn't come, he would have eventually found them.

Because these creatures were all Dragons.

The Item Card [Dragon Seeking Technique] he obtained from Ashiro came in handy.

After killing several Dragons, Shi Li also received an excellent drop.

[grade-up token card]: Can allow 1 Dragon Card (unique) to undertake a five-Star Ascension task. His original intention was to see if he could get a few Dragon-type unique cards to complete his Dragon Card deck.

The resulting drop was this grade-up token card, which only [red dragon beast master] could use, which was also an extremely good gain.

After a period of hunting, and just before the God Realm summoning arrived.

Shi Li finally completed the Star Ascension tasks for [red dragon beast master] and [Breaker].

Both cards had finally been upgraded to four stars.

And they had also unlocked their Signature Hand Cards.

Both of these cards are eligible to participate in the [Hell Trial].

Combined with the 200% bonus for the Wither System and Balance System, Shi Li can now field a full set of unique decks in the [Hell Trial].

Let's first look at the four-star stats of [Breaker].

[Breaker]

Momentum, 20 points, Four-Star ATK 20, 100/100, 0/60

[Break Strike - Characteristic]: Every 10 points of attack damage dealt by the Breaker converts to 5% of the target's Max HP. [Consecutive Break - Passive]: If the Breaker attacks the same target for 2 consecutive rounds, it gains the [Penetration] effect. [Persistence Break Strike - 10 Energy]: If the Breaker's target is a Persistence card, it gains [Fragile Mind] (T2).

[Initiation Break Strike - 20 Energy]: The Breaker attacks a 1-grid target, causing it to become a [Face-down Card] (T5).

[Giant Break Strike - 20 Energy]: If the Breaker's target is a Giant Card, its Attack Power +20.

[Life Break Strike - 30 Energy]: The Breaker attacks 1 target, dealing damage equal to its missing HP (Max 100 points).

([Penetration]: When attacking a target that is not in [Defense], the adjacent target directly behind it also takes damage.)

([Fragile Mind]: Prevents Persistence card targets from regenerating energy when hit.)

([Face-down Card]: If the target is a regular card, it returns to the face-down state.)

"Finally, a passive trait has appeared."

Shi Li had previously felt that this card was somewhat similar to [Snail Walking Lady], a reverse kind of similarity.

Before four stars, [Snail Walking Lady] had all passive traits and no active skills, while [Breaker] had all active skills and no passive traits before four stars.

However, this newly added four-star trait is quite powerful.

Attacking a single target consecutively grants the [Penetration] effect.

He pulled up the simulated card table and tested it. This means that as long as he attacks the same target, starting from the second round, every subsequent round against that target will include [Penetration].

This is quite advantageous for dealing with those tough damage-absorbing cards.

If I can't break through the damage-absorbing card, can't I still hit the backline card behind you?

It's a shame that [Breaker]'s own Attack Power is low.

20 points of damage can only convert to 10% of Max HP.

Even if [Penetration] hits two targets, it only amounts to 10% + 10%.

Furthermore, [Penetration] is not ideal for hitting cards in the last row.

Because there's a risk of helping the opponent reveal their trump card prematurely.

"[Breaker] is actually a utility-focused Momentum card, so adding an output passive trait doesn't provide a huge benefit."

"Let's look at the Signature Hand Card instead."

Shi Li continued reading.

[Mountain Chain Break]: The Breaker's [Penetration] effect in this match also includes skill effects. "Oh?"

As soon as this card effect appeared, he was overjoyed.

In other words, as long as the [Consecutive Break] trait is carried and activated, [Mountain Chain Break] can take effect.

[Persistence Break Strike] can grant [Fragile Mind] to two Persistence cards at once.

However, the probability of the opponent placing two Persistence cards one after another is too small, unless it is a special occasion like the [Momentum Trial], where it is more common.

[Initiation Break Strike] can instantly flip two of the opponent's grid cards face-down, which is very strong.

This means the number of opposing cards he flips face-down is greater than the number the opponent reveals.

Unfortunately, [Initiation Break Strike] requires 20 Energy, and a hit from [Penetration] is not considered an attack hit, so it does not regenerate energy.

This means that when using [Initiation Break Strike], it can only recover 10 Energy.

It needs to wait 1 round before [Initiation Break Strike] can be used again.

However, if combined with appropriate Charge effects, it can achieve long-term sustainability.

[Giant Break Strike] is similar to the two cases mentioned above. Firstly, the 20 Energy cost prevents continuous regular use, and secondly, the chance of the opponent placing two Giant Cards in the front and back rows is also very small.

Unless it's a PVE card match specifically composed of Giant Cards, which are rare Events.

[Life Break Strike] yields greater benefit because it is inherently an output skill.

With the double effect brought by [Penetration], the damage will be higher.

"Overall, when using the Signature Hand Card, the [Initiation Break Strike]'s effect of flipping 2 cards face-down is the best.

"

Shi Li reached a conclusion.

However, this is only when used alone.

He immediately conducted another test.

If the [Abyss Slime] duplicates the [Breaker], then [Penetration] can be triggered immediately in the current round.

Even if the [Abyss Slime] reverts to its original form next round, the original [Breaker] can continue to trigger the effect by attacking the same target.

In addition, the substitute attack from [Snail Walking Lady]'s [Strike After Defense] can also trigger [Penetration] within one round.

In summary, Shi Li felt that even with the increased output capability after Star Ascension to four stars, [Breaker] remains generally utility-focused.

If the opponent is hit by its first attack, they will definitely want to adopt a [Defense] stance in the next round to prevent [Penetration] from activating.

Knowing that a certain opposing card intends to adopt [Defense], Shi Li becomes much more proactive in setting up his tactics.

"Alright, that's it for [Breaker]."

"Next, it's time to look at [red dragon beast master]."