Earthbound Immortal

"Earthbound Immortal", known as "Earthbound God" (（じ）（ばく）（しん） Jibakushin) in Japan, is an archetype used by the Dark Signers in the Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's anime, composed of eight DARK monsters with various Types. It is a sub-archetype of the "Earthbound" archetype. With the exception of "Earthbound Immortal Red Nova", this archetype consists of Level 10 monsters.

Design[edit]

The "Earthbound Immortals" are based on the Nazca Lines. Each "Earthbound Immortal" is pictured rising from its corresponding Line, with its form and Type matching the respective creature. Also, each "Earthbound Immortal" monster (except "Red Nova") has an associated color of the rainbow to highlight its face and the designs on its body.

The "Earthbound Immortals" are among the largest monsters seen in the anime; dwarfing humans and being comparable to massive buildings in size. When they are Summoned in Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's (and some video games), a beating stone heart appears in the sky, absorbing souls in the vicinity if this is the first time the "Earthbound Immortal" has been Summoned, followed by a flash of light revealing their full form, which emerges from the ground. If the Dark Signer is defeated, the souls their "Earthbound Immortal" took for their Summon are released.

History[edit]

In the anime, the Earthbound Immortals, also known as "evil gods" (（じゃ）（しん） Jashin) in the Japanese version, are evil incarnations who possess Dark Signers and battle the Crimson Dragon and its Signers every 5000 years. They represent the darkness in the human heart, while the Crimson Dragon represents the light. 10,000 years ago, the strongest Earthbound Immortal, Red Nova, was defeated by the Legendary Signer. 5,000 years before the present, the other Earthbound Immortals lost to the Signers of the People of the Stars and were sealed in the Nazca Lines. They were released from their seals as a result of the Zero Reverse incident, caused by the first modern Dark Signer, Roman Goodwin. They serve as the ace monsters of the Dark Signers, possessing them to serve as gatekeepers of Old Ener-D, which serves as the entrance to the netherworld.

Later, Red Nova, the strongest Earthbound Immortal, attempted to awaken after the Dark Signers' defeat by sacrificing Jack Atlas. However, Jack possesses the power of Blazing Soul and sealed Red Nova into a card, merged with "Red Dragon Archfiend", called "Red Nova Dragon".

Members[edit]

8 "Earthbound Immortals" exist: 7 are used by the Dark Signers in the anime and are associated with the colors of the rainbow, while the last one is the Monster Card version of Red Nova. Each "Earthbound Immortal" is based on one of the Nazca Lines. Their names are based on Quechua words (except "Red Nova"), usually for the subject depicted in the corresponding Nazca Line.

Signer Dragon hybrid[edit]

In the anime, Jack Atlas sealed the strongest "Earthbound Immortal", Red Nova, into a card via Blazing Soul. By merging the Crimson Devil with his "Red Dragon Archfiend", Jack created "Red Nova Dragon".

Effects[edit]

All "Earthbound Immortal" monsters share the following effect(s): There can only be 1 "Earthbound Immortal" monster on the field. If there is no face-up Field Spell on the field, destroy this card. Your opponent's monsters cannot target this card for attacks. This card can attack directly. In the anime, they instead all shared the following effect(s): While this card is face-up on the field, "Earthbound Immortal" monsters cannot be Summoned. If there is no face-up Field Spell Card on the field, the following effects are negated, and this card is destroyed during the End Phase: ● This card can attack your opponent directly. ● This card cannot be attacked by your opponent's monsters. ● This card is unaffected by the effects of your opponent's Spell/Trap Cards. In the anime, the "Earthbound Immortals'" immunity to attacks, ability to attack directly, and immunity to Spell and Trap Cards is presented as them being incorporeal; Yusei Fudo attempted to defend his LP with "Stardust Dragon" from "Earthbound Immortal Ccapac Apu", but "Stardust" flew right through the monster's outstretched hand. This is also presented as a weakness—in the anime (in contrast to the TCG/OCG), if a player only controls an "Earthbound Immortal", their opponent can attack them directly (such as when "Stardust Dragon" passed through the body of "Earthbound Immortal Uru" to attack directly).

Playing style[edit]

The "Earthbound Immortal" monsters are very powerful and have effects that range from inflicting Effect Damage to your opponent while locking their Battle Phase ("Chacu Challhua"), to taking control of an opposing monster, as in the case of "Uru". Also, all of them can attack their opponent directly and cannot be targeted for attacks. As powerful as they are, they have some drawbacks: there cannot be more than 1 "Earthbound Immortal" monster on the field at the same time, and they are all destroyed if there is no Field Spell Card active. If "Hardened Armed Dragon" is Tributed to Tribute Summon an "Earthbound Immortal" monster, it prevents it from being destroyed by card effects (including its own). Alternately, "Earthbound Linewalker" can be used to protect "Earthbound Immortal" monsters. "March of the Monarchs" will also stop them being destroyed by their own effects, as will the effect of "Number 66: Master Key Beetle". In an emergency situation, "Skill Drain" can also prevent them from destroying themselves. Their strategy basically relies on attacking directly and dealing huge damage every turn; if they are protected by cards like "Safe Zone" or "Mound of the Bound Creator", there are few ways of stopping them. "The Seal of Orichalcos" also works well in this Deck, as it can protect itself while boosting your monsters' ATK by 500. "Terraforming", and even "Ancient Fairy Dragon" if used carefully or alongside "Field Barrier"/"The Seal of Orichalcos", can assist in making sure you always have Field Spell(s). "Ancient Pixie Dragon" can also be included to increase draw power as this deck relies on Field Spells. The "Earthbound Immortal" monsters can all be Summoned easily, due to having no restrictions on Special Summoning them (except the field-unique condition).

Recommended cards[edit]

Weaknesses[edit]

Because they depend on Field Spell Cards being on the field, cards like "Ancient Fairy Dragon", "Black Rose Dragon" and even "Mystical Space Typhoon", "Twin Twisters", etc. can cause "Earthbound Immortal" monsters to destroy themselves. Cards like "Field Barrier" or "Malefic Stardust Dragon" can be used to protect a Field Spell Card from being destroyed. Cards that cause the Field Spell Card to leave the field without destroying it (such as "Shaddoll Dragon" and "Castel, the Skyblaster Musketeer") are still a threat even with "Field Barrier". This can cause additional problems, as "Field Barrier" prevents a new Field Spell Card being played while it is active.

See also[edit]

• Card Rulings:Earthbound Immortal

Notes[edit]

References[edit]