When a Spell, Trap, Spell/Trap Effect, or Monster Effect is activated: You can banish this face-up card. During the next Standby Phase, return this card to the field and it gains 300 ATK.
The effect of “Evilswarm Thunderbird” can only be activated once per turn, during either player’s turn.


When I think of this card... the first word that comes to mind is 'troll'. I know I shouldn't describe a card like that so I'll re-word it: it is probably one of the most irritating monsters in YGO history. No it isn't broken like Yata & Co but it is one of the most used cards in the OCG for a reason.

To start off... it's very difficult to destroy this monster. Any spell/trap/effect and it'll come back next turn as a 1950 beater (can re-use that ability every turn) which is nothing be to laughed at. I'll give a basic example just to give you a clear idea:

1) Summon Thunderbird
2) Opponent uses Torrential/Bottomless/Anything other than Solemn
3) You tribute it to escape
4) Next turn you get it back as a 1950 monster
5) Opponent uses Dark Hole/Different Trap
6) Go to step 3

See what I mean? Card with so much potential, I actually made a Anti-Meta/Troll deck with 3 Thunderbird/3 Rabbit/Destruction Traps which gave me amazing results. I'm sure most of you are aware of the Evilswarm Rabbit, there is now an increasing trend of an Evilswarm deck that actually abuses the effect of Thunderbird (Less 1st turn Ophion, more control). This card is amazing for all types of control decks, Chain Burn (yes... I have used Chain Burn *is ashamed*), and even decks that use Chaos Zone (an interesting idea for you Chaos lovers out there).

Now what can it not do? Well initially it is a 1650 monster; something a certain Rai-Oh can run over easily. It also means without backrow, you are open to your opponent's direct attacks. You cannot expect to put Thunderbird in a deck and watch the magic happen, you'll need to design the deck to provide enough protection/enemy hate while adjusting your play style to grind your opponent down.

Other basic rulings I missed out on (Thanks Polar):

1st: Banishing is an effect, if you beat Thunderbird in a chain (3+), he can get ridden off.
2nd: The card effect can only be used once per turn. If you summon 2 Thunderbird, one of them is useless.
3rd: You can banish him during your SP and summon him again, like Treeborn. But you won't be able to use his effect that turn.

This card isn't just a tech for other decks; it needs its own deckstyle to fully annoy.. I mean beat the opponent. While the OCG deck can sometimes confuse us with its love for Raigeki Break (if you know what I mean then.. you know your stuff), I cannot stress enough how much potential this has. It's not game-breaking, and it's not overpowered; but if you are looking for a card that will (almost) never die, you've found it.

Once you have used it... then you have my permission to... ok too much. Anyway let the discussion begin!

Note: The next COTW will be a secret: *cough* this is not because I haven't decided but... *cough*