Top Shelf Spotlight: Special Booster 2.5

By: Ashton McKenzie

What’s up Digi-Destined? We’re back at it again with another amazing Digimon set, and this one is massive! Crosshearts, Liberator and Royal Knights stand at the front of the latest Set Booster 2.5 [BT-19/20] revealed! So, grab your deck and let’s battle, while we go over some of the new additions to the card game. 

BT-19: The Second Half

Starting us off strong, we're getting the second half of BT-19 that wasn't included in 2.0. For those of you not in the know, BT-19 was split into two sets in order to speed up release schedule for Bandai's next set BT-21 WORLD CONVERGENCE! Which will see Digimon globally releasing on time with Japan, say goodbye to set release ban lists, and have fun engaging in deckbuilding the meta. Speaking of, deckbuilders will be extremely happy, as this set is dedicated to dusting off some old decks that fell out of relevancy, Sakuyamon, Rapidmon and Beelzemon are just a few to name. Providing Rapidmon with an ace, may just be what Rapid X from BT-16 needed to come back into the meta, as it previously didn't have much time to shine, with Magnamon and Armor Vaccine greatly outshined the mono decks capabilities. Collectors will be just as satisfied as this set is absolutely jam packed with beautiful cards, with the legendary godfather of Digimon, Kenji Watanabe featuring 5 brand new exclusive alt arts, along with an even rarer 6th signed Impmon!

(SP Rares in order Wargrowlmon, Rapidmon, Beelzemon Blast Mode)

BT-20 

While the Liberators are stealing the spotlight, the Royal Knights aren’t going anywhere. BT-20 brings new support for this iconic faction, ensuring they remain a dominant force in the current meta.

Omnimon X Antibody and Alphamon are the headliners of this set, both receiving stunning alt art treatments. Omnimon X Antibody will without a doubt be a meta staple in any omni decks, thanks to its ability to delete opposing Digimon while also providing rush to other board pieces, potentially swinging for game. Alphamon, on the other hand, excels at control and tempo, making it a key piece in the brand new CHRONICLE archetype. Alphamon: Ouryuken just at a quick glance, seems to be a new flavor of OTK playstyle, providing a little bit more defensive options than Takemikazuchi!

But the Royal Knights aren’t just about it's heavy hitters. BT-20 introduces new support cards that enhance the faction’s synergy and consistency. Cards like Cool Boy and Omekamon give you the tools to dig through your deck and set up your plays, ensuring you always have the right card at the right time. The new Omekamon even lets you warp to Omni X on your opponents turn! providing the deck with some much needed protection.

(Alt Arts in order Omnimon X Antibody, Alphamon,Zephagamon Ace)

BT-20 is poised to shake up the meta in a big way. Here’s what you need to know:

Liberators’ Rise:

The Liberators are a breath of fresh air, offering a new archetype that’s both fun and competitive. Their focus on board control and resource management makes them a strong counter to slower, more defensive decks. With last set providing Medieval Gallant as a must have, and now a few ace techs, Expect to see Zephagamon and its support cards making waves in tournaments.

Necromon:

BT-20 brings Violet back with a new flavor, the Necromon deck is everything I want from the ghost archtype, trash recursion and an unstoppable horde. The Archtype gets a brand new keyword "EXECUTE" allowing players to attack at the end of their turn, similar to overclock and vortex, however instead, when it triggers the attack, it will delete itself afterwards, typically allowing you to recur a card or play out a new one from trash!

Chronicle: 

a brand new mechanic gets a major spotlight in BT-20, and at the heart of it is Alphamon, one of the stellar royal knights Royal Knights. This card isn’t just a powerhouse—it’s a game-defining force that brings a unique blend of disruption, security control, and memory gain to the table. It's a little disappointing to see the new support not cross over with Digi police, but I am sure it will see more support in time!

 

BT-20 SP Rares: Royalty and Power

Moving on to BT-20, the SP Rares here are nothing short of majestic. Leading the pack is Omnimon X Antibody, a card that obviously needs no introduction. Its SP Rare version is a masterpiece, blending a futuristic golden sleek design with the classic Omnimon aesthetic. Whether you’re slamming it on the battlefield or displaying it in your binder, this card is a showstopper.

Then we have Imperialdramon: Fighter Mode (Virus), a fresh take on a classic Digimon. This Virus variant brings a darker, more menacing energy to the battlefield, and its SP Rare art is a perfect blend of nostalgia and modern edge. It’s a must-have for Imperialdramon fans and Virus deck enthusiasts alike.

Finally, Zephagamon, the signature Digimon of Liberator’s main character, takes center stage as an SP Rare. This card is a standout, not just for its striking artwork but also for its unique role as the underdog in the current meta. This one will for sure be something that I yearn for in my personal collection.

(Alt Arts in order Omnimon X Antibody, Imperialdramon: Fighter Mode , Zephagamon Ace)

 

 

Last but not least, be sure to keep your eye on the box toppers and real hit of the set for collectors a low pullrate serialized Wargreymon and MetalGaruru which look ABSOLUTELY STUNNING

Deckbuilding / Gameplay:

This time around I figured I would shake things up a bit and spotlight a few of my personal favorite creators, do you like any choices for their builds? What would you change, be sure to hit me up in our Discord for discussion!

LINK TO DISCORD

 

Omni-X Gameplay: (Credit TC TCG)

Zephagamon Ace VS. Omni X (Credit: AriSu)

Alphamon Deck Profile: (Credit: CardOtakuDesu)

 

Conclusion:

As always, thank you for checking our blog out, I am so excited to see what interesting and new support Chronical gets, and what you are all going to be cooking up in the deckbuilding chat. Be sure to checkout the set on our site and secure your pre-order, this set is going to sell out fast! See you on the battlefield.

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