Synchrons, Part 1

Hello duelists in the making! Coach Muramasa is back with your next installment of dueling advice. Recently, I was with the gang and we were sitting around dueling. We did some traditional 2 on 2 duels, and we thought we'd role play a bit while doing so. Since 5 of us hang out together, the odd man (or woman) out was the referee. Each of us built a deck based on only cards that the Signers used. I chose my deck based on the greatest Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's duelist: Yusei Fudo. Everyone who watched the show knows that his deck centered about a special group of tuner monsters known as Synchrons. These crafty monsters are what make Synchro Summoning possible, and all of Yusei's monsters summon impressive Synchro monsters. Today, in the first of a three part series, we're gonna look more into Yusei's Synchro world.

     First stop on the tour is Junk Synchron, and he's got two really good uses. On one hand, he's great for getting a Level 5 Synchro monster in play after being put on the field. On the other hand, he's even greater because he's linked to four different Synchro monsters. So many options, so little time needed to win. You have Junk Warrior for a quick 2300 point strike. Junk Archer can snipe a monster away and open up your opponent to a 2300 point direct attack. Junk Destroyer can trash up to four cards your opponent controls, and then follow up with 2600 points of damage. Junk Berserker can drain a monster's attack by removing a Junk monster from your Graveyard, and smash a defensive monster of any strength. Now those are some pretty good options.

     Next up, let's look at Nitro Synchron. He's a bit on the weak side, but his ability to summon Nitro Warrior will grant you a free card draw. Nitro Warrior is a powerhouse at 2800 ATK, with the ability to jump to 3800 ATK is you activate a Spell Card during your turn. Not only is he going to trash one monster, his ability will give him the chance to do if again, if your opponent has a Defense Position monster. That Defense Position is switched to Attack Position, and Nitro Warrior gets a second knockout under his belt. Nitro mosters may not be as diverse as Junk monsters, but their power will speak well enough for them.

     Let's switch gears and have a need for speed. Turbo Synchron is a little dynamo with two abilities. First, he can attack a monster and force it into Defense Position. This is really only good for heavy hitters with 0 DEF. Second, it can Special Summon a monster based on damage it takes from picking a fight with something that has much greater defense. This is a risky move, but could pay off if you are looking to make a comeback. After you've had your fun with this little guy, use him to trade up for Turbo Warrior. TW's special abilities make him much more useful than his little counterpart. He can pick a fight with and win against a more powerful Synchro monster, including any of the Signer Dragons. He is also unaffected by monster of Level 6 or less with a special ability. Turbo Warrior is perfectly in the middle. He's too fast to be taken done by those weaker than him, and also too fast to be taken down by those stronger than him. He's an ace to put in any deck.

     Next up on the Synchron Express will be Road Synchron. Now, while he can be used to Synchro Summon almost anything, it is at the cost of 2 of his levels. This is not bad for getting a lower level Snychro in play, but it is that much harder to pull in Stardust Dragon or any of the other aces. If Road Synchron attacks before Synchro Summoning, he gets an extra level. So waiting until Main Phase 2 might not be so bad. Road Warrior is a good choice for any deck with his ability to Special Summon a Level 1 or 2 monster of the Warrior or Machine variety. RW sets you up for back to back Synchro action, in the right deck.

 

     Last, but not least, is Drill Synchron.  His special ability gives all your Warriors the power to do piercing damage. Since Synchrons use both Warriors and Machines, this is a perfect fit. In addition, for using this effect and doing damage, you get to draw a card for your reward. After you've had your fun with that, use him to Synchro Summon his big brother, Drill Warrior. This tool of destruction has two impressive abilities. First, he can half halve his ATK and bypass your opponent's monsters for a direct attack. His second ability can save him from certain doom by ditching a card to the Graveyard in order to banish him until the start of your next turn. This is good to keep him around when more lethal opponents are in play.

     Let's take a tally of my scores for these duel monsters:

  9/10     Junk Synchron
  7/10     Junk Warrior
  8/10     Junk Archer
10/10     Junk Destroyer
  7/10     Junk Berserker
  7/10     Nitro Synchron
  7/10     Nitro Warrior
  8/10     Turbo Synchron
10/10     Turbo Warrior
  7/10     Road Synchron
  9/10     Road Warrior

     That's it for this part of the tour. Next time, I'll be back with more of Yusei's hardcore Synchrons. Until then, keep on duelin'!