Dian Keto the Cure Master is a name that resonates with veteran Yu-Gi-Oh! players. As one of the first healing cards in the Trading Card Game (TCG), it was a staple in many childhood decks. The simple premise of gaining Life Points (LP) appealed to the common notion that "more LP = more winning." However, as Yu-Gi-Oh! evolved, the importance of LP shifted, and Dian Keto faded into obscurity. This article explores the journey of Dian Keto, from its humble beginnings to its surprising resurgence in Rush Duel and beyond, examining its various forms and its impact on the game.
The Original Cure Master
Dian Keto the Cure Master was a widely available card, likely found in every Yu-Gi-Oh! player's collection. Its effect was straightforward: gain LP. While the modern Yu-Gi-Oh! strategy emphasizes reducing the opponent's LP to zero, the early days of the game saw value in accumulating LP as a means of survival.
Adding to the card's mystique, many players assumed Dian Keto was an old man, possibly influenced by the card's name being derived from the male Irish God of Healing, Dian Cécht. However, the original artwork revealed Dian Keto to be an old woman.
Despite being a recognizable character, Dian Keto has been largely ignored by the OCG (Official Card Game) throughout its history. The only card that references her is Healing Wind, an anime-only card from Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's that heals 200 LP for every monster on the field. In the anime Yu-Gi-Oh Zexal, Dian Keto appeared as a "trap" during the Duel Coaster event, altering players' LP totals. Chumley Huffington from Yu-Gi-Oh! GX even considered Dian Keto his "idol card," expressing a fondness for it akin to a "card crush."
Reinvention in Rush Duel
A turning point arrived with the introduction of Rush Duel, a new format that breathed new life into Dian Keto. Reinvented for the modern era, Dian Keto became a LIGHT Aqua monster with a powerful effect.
Read also: Examining Dian Keto
Dian Keto the Boogie Master
Dian Keto the Boogie Master allows players to heal 1000 LP each turn by discarding a card from their hand. With a respectable 2500 ATK, it provides a solid body on the field, a valuable asset in Rush Duel where ATK values still hold significance. In the Duel Links meta, the Boogie Master serves as both a source of LP gain and a way to stall, allowing players to draw out the duel without the risk of milling their deck.
Dian Keto the Security Master (Prison God)
Dian Keto's transformation continued with Dain Keto the Security Master (Prison God in Japan), who has the ability to discard a card from the opponent's hand, and if it's Level 7 or higher you gain LP. While it costs the player one of their cards in hand, clearing your hand is generally important in Rush, as it allows for more draws next turn.
Dian Keto the Cooking Master (Kitchen God)
Dian Keto the Cooking Master (Kitchen God) offers a unique milling effect, sending three cards from the deck to the GY (Graveyard). This can be advantageous in many Rush Duel decks that rely on recursion, as cards in the GY can be readily utilized. Furthermore, if the player's LP are 2000 or less, any Aqua monsters discarded through this effect grant an additional 1000 LP.
The Bubble Actress Connection
The Yu-Gi-Oh! Go Rush series introduced Manya Atachi, a character who utilizes the Bubble Actress archetype. These cards are based on classic Yu-Gi-Oh! monsters, reimagined as child actresses. This connection hints at Go Rush being a prequel series to Sevens, with Manya being an ancestor of Mimi and Dian Keto the Boogie Master.
Dian Keto the Cure Maiden
Dian Keto the Cure Maiden allows the player to draw a card if they control a Field Spell. If the drawn card is another Field Spell, the player gains 1000 LP.
Read also: From Healing to Security
Dian Keto the Gourmet Maiden
Dian Keto the Gourmet Maiden requires a face-up Spell Card to activate its effect. The player gains 1000 LP and the monster gains 300 ATK for each face-up Spell on the field.
Dian Keto the Cleaning Maiden
Dian Keto the Cleaning Maiden requires the player to have less LP than their opponent to activate its effect. By discarding a card, the player gains 1000 LP and 1000 ATK for the rest of the turn.
Praime Dian Keto
The Praime archetype, introduced in Yu-Gi-Oh! Go Rush, features LIGHT variants of the heroes' monsters that can adjust their Tribute Summon requirements. Praime Dian Keto can be Tribute Summoned with only one monster, reducing its base ATK to 1000. However, it can discard a card to gain 1000 ATK and 1000 LP, while also adding a "Praime Call" card from the GY to the hand.
Read also: Dian Keto Lore