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Simply put, The Soul Paladin build (an unofficial archetype within the Royal Paladin clan) focuses on getting moderate amounts in the soul (6 in the most case) to activate powerful effects and build strong columns. This archetype is divided into 2 different types: The "6-soul" and the "constant soulcharge".
Six-Soul
Quite frankly, this aspect of the build focuses on just getting a set amount of soul (6) to enjoy consistent and powerful effects. This is also the cheaper of the 2 builds considering the rarity of the cards involved, but in my opinion this is the weaker of the 2 due to the set up required as well as its inability to go beyond the limits (pun intended). This means you get that effect and nothing else. However, it is the more stable build IMO, and should be worth looking at if not for its cost, but its stability.
Constant Soulcharge
Really, I don't know what else to call them. This type depends on a constant soulcharge engine (Read: Lohengrin, since there's no other megablast unit in Royal Paladins) to gain their effects. It is the more explosive of the build since that effect is stackable, meaning multiple soul charges would result in an explosive power boost equivalent to that of a Holy Charging Roar, maybe even surpassing it. In addition, this build also provides space for soul blast effects since they do not need a set amount of soul for their effects to go off. In that sense, this is the more explosive build of the 2. However, the absence of the engine (Read: Not riding Lohengrin) can lead to subpar power lines. In that sense, the player must plan accordingly.
Building the deck:
"6-Soul":Grade 0
Example:
1 Drangal (SVG)
4 Margal
4 Bringer of Luck, Epona/ Quiet Sage, Sharon
4 Alabaster Owl
4 Yggdrasil Maiden, Elaine
Cards like this are nearly auto-includes in the trigger lineup. We are playing the Galahad ride chain since in a sense, the Galahad line is the "High-end" of the whole 6-soul line and playing the Ride chain is one of the easiest ways to that "6 soul" count (it's pretty cheap as well). While playing the ride chain does include a Soulcharge of 2, even if you get the chain off, you only get 5 soul. Playing these cards help get that 6th card into the soul. Players may eschew Sharon for a higher critical trigger count, since you would rarely want to give up a 10k shield for a 3k power up and a extra soul. Other than that, the lineup is very standard.
Grade 1 (14)
Example:
4 Borgal
2 Toypoogal/ Pongal
4 Galahad
4 Iseult
We are looking at 14-15 cards for Grade 1 (you might go up to 16). Galahad's an auto include since we are running the bleedin' ride chain and you want to ride him as much as possible (lol, sexual innuendo). 4 perfect guard appears to be a must in the current meta where Limit Breaks are flying around like nobody's business, but if you can't afford it, Liens or Marrons can be added. If you are playing the Japanese meta, you might also want to consider adding Dream Painter to add missing pieces since riding a 9k VG is essentially defensive suicide nowadays. Other interesting options include Toypoogal (as a backup 9k booster) and Pongal (helps get that extra soul and nabs you a backup ride/rearguard).
Grade 2:
Example:
4 Knight of Tribulations, Galahad
3 Gigantech Dozer
4 Knight of Silence, Gallatin
Again, quite straightforward. 4 of G2 Galahad for maximum chance of riding him and getting the damn ride chain off consistently, and 3 of Dozer since he is a good beater but 4 is too much and riding him = die in some cases. That leaves us with 3-4 deck space to work with (we want 10-11 (maybe 12 if I can wrangle the space) Grade 2s in there to ride up smoothly). Since this is an article, for the heck of it, let's go with Gallatin for stable meaty goodness (EVEN MOAR SEXUAL REFERENCES), but you may include some other tech options like Akane (fetches your Borgal, Toypoogal and Pongal who are all High Beasts, btw) or Gordon (for chump blocking crap and drawing attacks like nobody's business. Seriously, try it next time. Put up a Gordon and count the number of turn before your opponent devotes an attack to it. If you are up against Narukami, never mind.).
Grade 3
Example:
4 Knight of Godspeed, Galahad
3 Twin Shine Swordsman, Marhaus/Lohengrin
Right. We are going for 4 of that piece of crap (we can play 3) that is Galahad because unlike Tsukuyomi, whose soul charge effect comes by at Grade 2, we are stuck with getting our soulcharge ONLY AND ONLY IF THE GRADE 3 RIDES DIRECTLY ON TOP OF THE GRADE 2. Yeah, let that sink in a little. Then bloody rage at the unfairness of the world. Done? Feeling Better? Good. So anyways, we have to depend on Lohengrin to hold up the fort in case we can't get the ride chain off (read: Most of your games.). That is the issue of the Six-Soul build, that you are seriously delayed if you don't get the ride chain off, but there are ways around this (probably). On the plus side, Galahad's very meaty if you do get off the ride chain (he's the only static 11k Vanguard in the Clan currently), and he and a 9k booster make 20k to punish any 10k Vanguard. Unlike the "Constant Soulcharge" build, which we'll go through later, we don't have that many options for this lineup due to the rigidity of the "Six-soul", but don't let that get you down. We just need 3 more cards in the soul, so there are ways to do this:
- Lohengrin's soulcharge (+1 Soul each main phase)
- Margal/Sharon (+1 Soul)
- Pongal (+1 Soul)
Oh, and please note that even if Galahad is stuck at 9k, if you got the 6 soul, you can still use his +3k and Crit +1 to try and swing for game. Remember to stick Toypoogal/Borgal behind him for best results.
Other options include Marhaus (who meshes well with all my little 9k boosters to make 21k) and Palamedes (overkill, but welcome against MLB and Shamsiel AF, also goes with G1 Galahad to make 20k). And naturally Soul Saver since we need something to fetch anyways. Or Pendragon and his 45000 power goodness (lol).
"Constant Soulcharge"
Grade 0
Example:
1 Wingal Brave/ Drangal/ Bluegal (SVG)
4 Margal
4 Alabaster Owl
4 Bringer of Good Luck, Epona/ Quiet Sage, Sharon
4 Yggdrasil Maiden, Elaine
Right, so we have several options for Starting VG this time. We can use the Galahad lineup again for possible pluses, or we can use Bluegal (who still gets the job done at the most case, this and Lohengrin/Marhaus makes 16k) for the always advantageous Forerunner effect. If BT-05 is already out, consider Wingal Brave as one of your best options (since he has both Forerunner and the potential to fetch out a free G2). Margal is really solid in this build to stack up the power bonuses, so yeah. 8 Criticals because we build up columns anyway, although again Sharon is an option.
Grade 1
Example:
4 Young Pegasus Knight
4 Pongal
4 Iseult
2 Toypugal/Marron
We have options, a dime a dozen. Young Pegasus Knight is an expensive option that can hit 12k within two soulcharges and turn your columns into crossride-slayers, and it's a key card in your deck, so 4-of. Players may want to include Borgals as a backup booster if you are not planning anything with the soul, otherwise Toypoogals are fine as well. Again, 4 Galahads if you are running the ride chain, and fill up the remaining 6-7 spaces with whatever. Pongals are an auto-add due to its effect = +3k everywhere.
Grade 2
Example:
4 Great Sage, Barron
3 Knight of Silence, Gallatin
2 High Dog Breeder, Akane
2 High Speed Brakki
Surprised? Perhaps not, because when you think about it, Brakki's a pretty techable option in a deck with all that soul to spare. Besides, you are not losing out in teching one or two copies (even if SSD can only target Royal Paladins and wants all that soul.), so I don't see why not. Haters gonna' hate and all that. Barron's gonna do a lot of heavy lifting with his effect, so 4-of since he is a natural target, but you may also include his "Six-Soul" counterpart to share in the workload if you have the space. Akane is included since she adds to your board and you should have the counterblast to spare by all means. Other options include Gordon, Gallatin, Lamorak, and so on.... and Blaster Blade if you are running Wingal Brave (4-of, sadly).
Grade 3
Example:
4 Demon-slaying Knight, Lohengrin
2 Soul Saver Dragon
2 Twin Shine Swordsman, Marhaus/Swordsman of Explosive Flames, Palamedes
Lohengrin is going to be a major work horse in your deck, by the way. He provides that 1st spark to set your offense going, and fits with Young Pegasus Knight and Toypugal to make 21k. To top it off, he has that Megablast for those cases where you somehow have the soul and the counterblast to do it. Multiple copies with Megablast active make a lot of pressure or a surprise win. Even if not for that reason, auto 4-of.
We have extra soul. Guess who is take all that soul and ramming crap down your opponent's face. Soul Saver is just such a natural fit in the deck and it provides that final push that most Royal Paladin builds lack. She also makes a great backup ride, even if she can't provide soul.
Marhaus/Palamedes rounds up the lineup. He is just excellent for building up those 20-21k columns. Marhaus is the budget option if you can't afford Palamedes.
Other Options, surprisingly include Pendragon. Believe it or not, his Limit Break is actually +1 soul, so it activates Pegasus and Barron's effects. Bonus points if you got a Soul Saver off his effect and used Holy Charging Roar to provide a whopping overall +8k power up (if you stack the effect.). You may also wish to add Star Drive Dragon (if you got the spare cards) or Bors (if you got the spare CB). Also, if the rumors prove to be true, Exculpate the Blaster may also be an option to add into your deck as a one-of, using up all of your surplus soul to hit for ungodly amounts for a turn.
Wow, that was a long article, but I think this should cover everything. Hopefully that was a good and comprehensive read. I should be back in 2 weeks with another article (I'm off on Holiday!!! :D). Look forward to it.
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