Shinobird

"Shinobird", known as "Esprit" (エスプリット Esupuritto) in Japanese, is a series of WIND Winged Beast Spirit monsters, debuting in Raging Tempest.

Shinobird
"Shinobaron Peacock", "Shinobaroness Peacock", and a "Shinobird Token" in the artwork of "Stars Align across the Milky Way"
"Shinobaron Peacock", "Shinobaroness Peacock", and a "Shinobird Token" in the artwork of "Stars Align across the Milky Way"
Japanese
  • エスプリット
  • Esupuritto (romanized)
  • Esprit (translated)
Simplified Chinese
  • 灵魂鸟
French
  • Shinobiseau
German
  • Shinobivogel
Italian
  • Shinobird
Korean
  • 에스프릿
  • Eseupeurit (romanized)
Portuguese
  • Shinobird
Spanish
  • Shinobird
Sets
TCG
OCG
Lists

Contents

DesignEdit

The Ritual Monsters in the series are based off the story of Tanabata. Hikoboshi and Orihime are the Japanese nativized equivalents of the legendary Chinese Cowherd and Weaver Girl, two lovebirds who were separated and can only meet once a year on the day of Tanabata. These two characters are associated with the two constellations Altair and Vega, which "align" on this day (referenced by the "Stars Align" cards).

The English name attempts at a pun between shinobi and "bird" and "baron(ess)." Shinobi (忍び, literally "hiding" or "a hider") is commonly known in English parlance as another word for ninja, but in this case more likely etymons include 忍ぶ恋 (shinobu koi "hidden/secret love") or 偲び (shinobi "missing" or "longing").

Shinobird card Origin
Shinobaron Peacock
(Shade) 		Hikoboshi
Shinobaroness Peacock
(Shade) 		Orihime
Shinobird Crane Crane
Shinobird Pigeon Pigeon
Shinobird Crow Raven

Playing styleEdit

  • "Shinobaron Peacock" and "Shinobaroness Peacock" are Level 8s that can each bounce up to 3 cards on the opponent's field (3 monsters for "Shinobaron", 3 Spells/Traps for "Shinobaronness"), then Special Summon a Level 4 or lower Spirit monster ignoring its conditions. When returning to hand, they Summon 2 Tokens.
  • "Shinobaron Shade Peacock" and "Shinobaroness Shade Peacock" are Level 4s that can Tribute themselves to search, and return to the field in the Standby Phase after being banished. They are also treated as their Level 8 forms while in hand or field.
  • "Shinobird's Calling" is a Ritual Spell that can banish Spirit monsters from GY, in addition to Tributing from hand/field.
  • "Stars Align Above the Shrine" and "Shinobird Power Spot" each gain advantage if a WIND monster returns to hand, forming the archetype's grind game. The former can Ritual Summon a monster from Deck, while the latter gives an ATK boost.
  • "Stars Align across the Milky Way" searches a Ritual Monster by revealing a Ritual with the same name. It then has a GY effect to send a Ritual Spell to copy its effect, enabling "Baron"/"Baronness" to act as disruption. It can be Set from Deck with "Stars Align Above the Shrine".
  • "Crane", "Pigeon", and "Crow" are non-Ritual Spirit monsters that do not have much connection to the Ritual-centric part of the Deck.

Due to being able to Summon any Level 4 or lower Spirit, "Amano-Iwato" is a natural inclusion for its floodgate effect. It also benefits from various forms of Spirit and Ritual support, such as "Aratama", "Sakitama", and "Pre-Preparation of Rites".

Recommended cardsEdit

Recommended cards
Main Deck

Monster Cards

Effect Monsters

Spirit monsters

Ritual Monsters

Spell Cards

Normal Spells

Field Spells

Ritual Spells

Continuous Spells

Quick-Play Spells

Trap Cards

Normal Traps

Counter Traps

Continuous Traps

Extra Deck

Fusion Monsters

  • Mavelus (as a target for "Instant Fusion"/"Ready Fusion")

Synchro Monsters

Xyz Monsters

Link Monsters

WeaknessesEdit

  • Floodgates: While "Shinobaron" and "Shinobaronness" have innate board clearing effects, if their effects cannot be used, they cannot break a board.
  • Like most Ritual Decks, "Shinobirds" rely on multiple searches, so "Droll & Lock Bird" is usually effective at stopping their gameplan.
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