As it currently stands the main power play in Ritual Beast is to search Ritual Beast Steeds. Though Spiritual Beast Tamer Winda and Ritual Beast Ulti-Gaiapelio give the deck more options, they don't take away from the underlying reliance on Ritual Beast Steeds. While this only presents its self as an issue in match ups where monster destruction is lackluster it is still an issue we must address. Some players have transitioned into playing a large Zefra engine to circumvent this issue with Zefra Divine Strike while others have opted into hefty hand trap line ups. Though these are both valid options, I would like to introduce a third option -- Hop Ear Squadron.

Hop Ear Squadron is a level 2 tuner with an effect that allows you to Synchro Summon during your opponent's Main Phase. Since Ritual Beast contain an array of levels we are granted access to a plethora of Synchro options. This, paired with a moderate hand trap line up, has appeared to bypass the aforementioned reliance on Ritual Beast Steeds.

One of the most obvious plays would be to use one of your fusion monster and Hop Ear Squadron to Synchro Summon Borreload Savage Dragon. This; however, is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Synchro options. I will list a few viable synchro options, but I would encourage you to test them and see what helps you personally.

• Desert Locust is a level 6 / Tuner / Synchro Monster. This means it can be summoned using any level 4 Ritual Beast monster and Hop Ear Squadron. When Synchro Summoned: its effect forces the turn player to discard one card, since you will be summoning it during your opponent's Main Phase this will force them to discard a card. Desert Locust also has a second effect that allows you to Synchro Summon during your opponent's Main Phase. This gives you an option when Syncrho Summoning to first rip a card out of your opponent's hand before climbing to a higher level Synchro monster. This can be viewed in our Elder + Cannahawk + Hop Ear combo.

• Borreload Savage Dragon is a level 8 Synchro monster. This means it can be summoned using a Ritual Beast Fusion monster or Desert Locust and any level 2 monster. When Synchro summoned it equips 1 Link monster from your graveyard to its self. It then gains omni-negates equal to said monsters link rating; this line of play is almost always active, as you put Ritual Beast Ulti-Kimunfalcos in grave with the standard combo.

• Metaphys Horus is a level 6 Synchro monster. This means it can be summoned using any level 4 Ritual Beast monster and Hop Ear Squadron. When Synchro summoned using an Effect monster you can target 1 card on the field and negate it.

• Hyper Psychic Riser is a level 6 Synchro monster. This means it can be summoned using any level 4 Ritual Beast monster and Hop Ear Squadron. While this card is on the field monsters with less ATK (2000) can not attack and monster with more ATK (2000) can not activate their effects. Also, when this card is destroyed by an opponent's card effect you can add 1 Tuner and 1 non-Tuner with the same type and attribute from your graveyard to hand. This is helpful since Hop Ear Squadron and Spiritual Beast Rampengu share the same type and attribute.

• PSY-Framelord Omega is a level 8 synchro monster. This means it can be summoned using a Ritual Beast fusion monster or Desert Locust and any level 2 monster. When used with Desert Locust you can preform a 2 card hand loop.

• Herald Of The Arc Light is a level 4 Synchro monster. This means it can be summoned using Ritual Beast Tamer Elder and Hop Ear Squadron. It is just a walking omni-negate.

• Ravenous Crocodragon Archethys is a level 9 Synchro monster. This means it can be summoned using Fantastical Dragon Phantazmay and Hop Ear Squadron. On summon it allows you to draw cards up to the amount of non tuner monsters used to summon it (1). This can help you dig for cards when going second. Also during either players turn you can discard 2 cards to destroy 1 card on the field.

• Chaofeng, Phantom of the Yang Zing is a level 9 Synchro monster. This means it can be summoned using Fantastical Dragon Phantazmay and Hop Ear Squadron. While on field it has no effect unless Yang Zing monsters were used for its summon; however, when destroyed by battle or card effect you can search for 1 tuner and add it to hand. This means when resolving Ritual Beast Steeds you could destroy this card and search your deck for Effect Veiler, Ash Blossom & Joyous Spring or any other useful Tuner monsters.

In conclusion, to maintain viability in formats where Ritual Beast Steeds is lackluster the deck must find other options to compete. Hop Ear Squadron has shown its self to be viable alternative to its more mainstream counterparts.

-Caleb Webb