Becoming a Better Duelist 5: Staple Synchros
It took me well over a month to get back to this, and for that I apologize. The site has not gone wanting for updates, but school has kept me from updating as frequently as I would like. I said when I came back I would do Staple Traps, but at the moment I feel more like doing a post on Staple Synchro Monsters. (First thing's first, I'm going to explain some things to absolute newbies to this game. If you know what you're doing, just press Ctrl-F and then type "the list" and hit enter twice to jump you down to it.)
Now, what *is* a Synchro Monster? Well, that's an excellent question!
In Yu-Gi-Oh, when you have a Tuner and a non-Tuner monster on your side of the field at the same time, you can summon a synchro monster who's level is equal to (not less than or greater than) the combined levels of said Tuner and non-Tuner monster.
For instance, let's say you summon the Tuner Monster Junk Synchron onto the field:
Cute little fellow, isn't he? Now, let's also say you have the monster Doppelwarrior on the field.
With Junk Synchron (level 3), and Doppelwarrior (level 5) both on the field simultaneously, you can now summon a level 5 synchro monster. See? Easy.
Now, actually bringing a synchro monster out works in a pretty interesting way: You don't need to have it in your hand. Fusions, Synchros, and the new type of monster, Exceeds, don't exist in your Main Deck, but in a separate deck of their own called an "Extra Deck". Now, your extra deck can have a maximum of fifteen cards in it--but you don't NEED to have one to play the game.
Before I get to explaining the Staple Synchros, one more thing, and it's important. Your Extra Deck is technically a second hand, and that's how you need to look at it. Because you don't "draw into" those monsters: You can summon any monster from your extra deck the very moment your field can meet the conditions required to summon it. (IE: A generic level 6 synchro can be summoned by a tuner and a non-tuner with levels that add up to equal 6. If you can do that, you can summon that monster on your turn.) All Extra Deck summons are special summons, and thus can be performed even after you have already used up your Normal Summon. This means that theoretically, any extra deck monster is available at all points in the duel--which is why I refer to it as a second hand, and why it's best if your "second hand" is at the maximum it can be at the start of every game.
Explanations out of the way, let's move on to listing the actual synchros. I'll be doing this by level, and explaining why they're necessary and how much they cost so you can decide what you can afford.
Formula Synchron
Cost: $7
I present to you the lowest level synchro monster in Yu-Gi-Oh, Formula Synchron. It's unique in that it is one of two synchro monsters that is also a tuner (though it's the only one that's on this list). Now, for most decks this card isn't really necessary. But the ones that CAN use it used three before Konami dropped the banhammer and reduced the number you can have to 1.
There's a reason. Just for summoning this monster, it gives you a present: an extra draw! How kind of him. Add in the fact that it can get rid of some lower level monsters and be used again to synchro climb (synchro summoning with synchro monsters to get higher level monsters), AND it can summon on your opponent's turn, and it's easy to see why this card is so loved. Though that's also why even when you can only have 1 in your extra deck he's still seven bucks. (Take heart--he used to be $15.)
Level 5
Magical Android
Cost: $5-6
Our first true staple. It's generic, meaning it can go into any deck if that deck can synchro. Probably one of the more balanced monsters in the game, Magical Android has decent attack stats (2400 and up usually goes to level 6+ monsters) and rewards it's summoner with 600 LP for every turn you keep it alive. Plus, being 5 bucks it's pretty cheap. One of the first synchros a budget player should invest in.
Naturia Beast
Cost: $19
A staple synchro for EARTH-focused decks. Negation in Yu-Gi-Oh is fairly rare, and negation of spells exists in all of one other card (Dark Bribe). Don't let the milling worry you. Remember, there are only two things in Yu-Gi-Oh you need to win: the set up of your own field, and the destruction of your opponent's. And if your opponent can't get off spells (like draw cards, or MSTs, or Dark Hole), then a third of his deck is shut down. His weaker stats help to balance things out, but you'll find few people that care about that over his negation ability.
Ally of Justice Catastor
Cost: $17-18
One of the earliest synchros from the Hidden Arsenal/Dual Terminal line, and it does not disappoint. (Though the Ally of Justice archetype kinda does...) Catastor destroys ALL monsters that don't share it's attribute (Dark) without ever taking damage. It's balanced by it's low attack stats and the fact that DARK attribute monsters happen to be *everywhere*. Case in point is this next monster...
T.G. Hyper Librarian
Cost: $26-30
The biggest of the big level 5 monsters, and one that players couldn't shut up about last format when it first game out. When it was unlimited, the shenanigans this card was capable of were ridiculous. The ability to draw cards in a game where card drawing is both powerful and rather rare is of paramount importance. And considering his effect ALSO works during your opponent's turn and it's stats are slightly better than Magical Android's, and it's very easy to see how this card got to $30.
Level 6
Brionac, Dragon of the Ice Barrier
Cost: $34-36
Ahhh, a favorite of mine. Another product of Hidden Arsenal 1, Brionac is unique in it's effect. Forcing players to sacrifice hand advantage to destroy their opponent's field advantage is probably one of the most balanced abilities I've ever seen in this game. For whatever reason it's limited, but I cannot think of a deck that needs more than one Brio to begin with.
New players shouldn't be fooled: Yes, Brionac can't destroy cards other than by battle, but that's the point. There are numerous cards that can't be destroyed by battle or card effect. There are cards that can't be banished. But there are almost no cards that can't be bounced. Be sure to think about that when you're trying to make your extra deck. The one thing I will say is that Brio is extremely expensive (even I refused to outright pay for it), so only the most competitive players should bother.
Naturia Barkion
Cost: $16-18
Trap negation. This is only slightly more common than spell negation. (Seven Tools and Dark Bribe both negate them.) Still, a powerful effect like this attached to a 2500 ATK body? If you have an Earth-attribute deck, you need this. Period. Bye-bye Mirror Force. You too Dimensional Prison. Summon this and your battle phase attacks go through as long as you can keep this on the field. I only wish it were generic.
There are suckers letting this card go for $10 less than what he was worth last format. (Heavy Storm has reduced trap counts in all decks, so trap negation is less important.) If you can afford to buy this now, make it happen.
Gaia Knight, the Force of Earth
Cost: $2
One of perhaps three Synchro monsters without an effect. There's only a handful of reasons why you use this card: It's generic, it's cheap to afford, you have room in your extra deck, and it's 2600 ATK gets over a lot of level 5-8 monsters. There's NO reason not to put this in your extra deck if you have room.
Level 7
Black Rose Dragon
Cost: $14-19
The second anime card in this whole list. There aren't going to be a lot of them, so don't expect too many more. Black Rose Dragon has decent stats, but that's not why it's here. Sometimes, your opponent's field is overpowered. Sometimes there's too much backrow, sometimes they summoned a boss monster you can't defeat in battle. When that happens, Black Rose Dragon is there to reset the game to a state where victory can be possible for you again.
Black Rose Dragon's effect occurs "When it is Special Summoned", which means short of negating the very summoning of the monster (possible, but costly), it's (optional) effect *must* happen, even if the monster is destroyed or banished. Complete field nukes aren't rare, but few are this effective, and that's what snagged this card it's $16 tag.
Level 8
Colossal Fighter
Cost: $2.80
This card is used for the same reasons Gaia Knight is. Cheap, very beefy stats, and generic. In addition though, the two additional stars grant it a powerful protection effect. It cannot be destroyed by battle. This means it can suicide itself against monsters with monsters that have 2800 ATK and come back anyway. This usually won't be a problem though, since it ALSO gains an additional 100 for every Warrior-Type monster in either graveyard. Warriors are plentiful, and there's a chance at least one will find itself in either your graveyard or your opponent's, so it's rare to see CF hit the field with base stats.
And at three bucks, there's just no reason not to have this card if your deck can synchro unless you don't care about being good at this game.
Stardust Dragon
Cost: $8
Another anime card! And, again, probably one of the best staple monsters ever created. For those of you who played when this game first came out back in the early 2000's--remember how EVERYBODY had this card in their decks? Notice how no one does that anymore? This card is why. The ability to negate Mirror Force, Sakuretsu, or any card that destroys a card(s) is nice, but the fact that it's attached to a monster with 2500 ATK who can revive himself so basically your opponent not only loses their trap but you keep your field presence is ridiculous.
This is why people see this card in every deck that can make it, and why it should be one of the synchro monsters you pick up as soon as possible.
Scrap Dragon
Cost: $35-40
Best eight star synchro in the game. 2800 ATK gets over most monsters, but Colossal Fighter can do that. No, it's Scrap Dragon's spot removal ability at the cost of field presence that's amazing. You can chain that destruction to traps, but just the ability to pop a card is nice. Able to attack for game except for one pesky little trap your opponent has? Pop your other monster (or your own backrow) and destroy it. Stuck dealing with a Spirit Reaper? Not anymore.
Unfortunately, it's neat effect combined with *great* stats means the card costs almost 40 bucks. Only the most competitive players need apply.
Level 9
Mist Wurm
Cost: $9
And now we come to our level 9s. Most of them require 3 monsters to synchro with, which isn't that difficult to manage with the right deck. This is one of the first level 9s, and it comes with an amazing ability. Unless your opponent is literally destroying you, returning three cards to your opponent's hand generally means you completely reset their field, AND you get (at the least) a 2500 ATK monster to swing with. Even if you don't, it's a Trigger effect so unless your opponent negates it's summoning it goes through, even if it's destroyed by something like Trap Hole/Bottomless Trap Hole.
Trishula
Cost: $35-40
Same requirements as Mist Wurm, and another trigger effect. Trishula is one of the worst cards to see hit the field, because it messes with so much of your strategy. You not only lose one card each from your hand, field, AND Graveyard--but all of them become banished; there's no chance of getting them back again during that duel. (Well, there is, but you most likely won't have it.)
When this card was unlimited and could be spammed, it was easily capable of completely devastating combinations, and hovered somewhere around $70. Now that it's (rightfully) limited, it's much cheaper, but it's still a hefty $40. Even I don't have one, so same as with Scrap Dragon, only buy this card if you're incredibly serious about this game.
*exhales* Done. Finally.
Yes, there are level 10s and level 11 synchros, but none of them qualify as staples. Now that you know what the best ones are, feel free to go about picking out the ones you need the most/can afford. If you're super serious about this game, here's a list of the ones every player should have, their costs, and a total of those costs.
Magical Android - $5
Ally of Justice Catastor - $18
T.G. Hyper Librarian - $30
Brionac, Dragon of the Ice Barrier - $36
Gaia Knight, the Force of Earth - $2
Black Rose Dragon - $18
Colossal Fighter - $3
Stardust Dragon - $8
Scrap Dragon - $36
Mist Wurm - $9
Trishula - $38
11 in all, leaving you space for four more depending on the deck you're using. (Seven if you ditch Magical Android, Gaia Knight, and Colossal Fighter--always the first to go.) Unfortunately it comes up to a total of about $203. $63 if you take out cards above $30. Something to think about.
I'll get to Staple Traps or Staple Exceeds next time. For now, it's 3AM and I need sleep. Later.
Now, what *is* a Synchro Monster? Well, that's an excellent question!
In Yu-Gi-Oh, when you have a Tuner and a non-Tuner monster on your side of the field at the same time, you can summon a synchro monster who's level is equal to (not less than or greater than) the combined levels of said Tuner and non-Tuner monster.
For instance, let's say you summon the Tuner Monster Junk Synchron onto the field:
Cute little fellow, isn't he? Now, let's also say you have the monster Doppelwarrior on the field.
With Junk Synchron (level 3), and Doppelwarrior (level 5) both on the field simultaneously, you can now summon a level 5 synchro monster. See? Easy.
Now, actually bringing a synchro monster out works in a pretty interesting way: You don't need to have it in your hand. Fusions, Synchros, and the new type of monster, Exceeds, don't exist in your Main Deck, but in a separate deck of their own called an "Extra Deck". Now, your extra deck can have a maximum of fifteen cards in it--but you don't NEED to have one to play the game.
Before I get to explaining the Staple Synchros, one more thing, and it's important. Your Extra Deck is technically a second hand, and that's how you need to look at it. Because you don't "draw into" those monsters: You can summon any monster from your extra deck the very moment your field can meet the conditions required to summon it. (IE: A generic level 6 synchro can be summoned by a tuner and a non-tuner with levels that add up to equal 6. If you can do that, you can summon that monster on your turn.) All Extra Deck summons are special summons, and thus can be performed even after you have already used up your Normal Summon. This means that theoretically, any extra deck monster is available at all points in the duel--which is why I refer to it as a second hand, and why it's best if your "second hand" is at the maximum it can be at the start of every game.
Explanations out of the way, let's move on to listing the actual synchros. I'll be doing this by level, and explaining why they're necessary and how much they cost so you can decide what you can afford.
The List
Level 2
Level 2
Formula Synchron
Cost: $7
I present to you the lowest level synchro monster in Yu-Gi-Oh, Formula Synchron. It's unique in that it is one of two synchro monsters that is also a tuner (though it's the only one that's on this list). Now, for most decks this card isn't really necessary. But the ones that CAN use it used three before Konami dropped the banhammer and reduced the number you can have to 1.
There's a reason. Just for summoning this monster, it gives you a present: an extra draw! How kind of him. Add in the fact that it can get rid of some lower level monsters and be used again to synchro climb (synchro summoning with synchro monsters to get higher level monsters), AND it can summon on your opponent's turn, and it's easy to see why this card is so loved. Though that's also why even when you can only have 1 in your extra deck he's still seven bucks. (Take heart--he used to be $15.)
Level 5
Magical Android
Cost: $5-6
Our first true staple. It's generic, meaning it can go into any deck if that deck can synchro. Probably one of the more balanced monsters in the game, Magical Android has decent attack stats (2400 and up usually goes to level 6+ monsters) and rewards it's summoner with 600 LP for every turn you keep it alive. Plus, being 5 bucks it's pretty cheap. One of the first synchros a budget player should invest in.
Naturia Beast
Cost: $19
A staple synchro for EARTH-focused decks. Negation in Yu-Gi-Oh is fairly rare, and negation of spells exists in all of one other card (Dark Bribe). Don't let the milling worry you. Remember, there are only two things in Yu-Gi-Oh you need to win: the set up of your own field, and the destruction of your opponent's. And if your opponent can't get off spells (like draw cards, or MSTs, or Dark Hole), then a third of his deck is shut down. His weaker stats help to balance things out, but you'll find few people that care about that over his negation ability.
Ally of Justice Catastor
Cost: $17-18
One of the earliest synchros from the Hidden Arsenal/Dual Terminal line, and it does not disappoint. (Though the Ally of Justice archetype kinda does...) Catastor destroys ALL monsters that don't share it's attribute (Dark) without ever taking damage. It's balanced by it's low attack stats and the fact that DARK attribute monsters happen to be *everywhere*. Case in point is this next monster...
T.G. Hyper Librarian
Cost: $26-30
The biggest of the big level 5 monsters, and one that players couldn't shut up about last format when it first game out. When it was unlimited, the shenanigans this card was capable of were ridiculous. The ability to draw cards in a game where card drawing is both powerful and rather rare is of paramount importance. And considering his effect ALSO works during your opponent's turn and it's stats are slightly better than Magical Android's, and it's very easy to see how this card got to $30.
Level 6
Brionac, Dragon of the Ice Barrier
Cost: $34-36
Ahhh, a favorite of mine. Another product of Hidden Arsenal 1, Brionac is unique in it's effect. Forcing players to sacrifice hand advantage to destroy their opponent's field advantage is probably one of the most balanced abilities I've ever seen in this game. For whatever reason it's limited, but I cannot think of a deck that needs more than one Brio to begin with.
New players shouldn't be fooled: Yes, Brionac can't destroy cards other than by battle, but that's the point. There are numerous cards that can't be destroyed by battle or card effect. There are cards that can't be banished. But there are almost no cards that can't be bounced. Be sure to think about that when you're trying to make your extra deck. The one thing I will say is that Brio is extremely expensive (even I refused to outright pay for it), so only the most competitive players should bother.
Naturia Barkion
Cost: $16-18
Trap negation. This is only slightly more common than spell negation. (Seven Tools and Dark Bribe both negate them.) Still, a powerful effect like this attached to a 2500 ATK body? If you have an Earth-attribute deck, you need this. Period. Bye-bye Mirror Force. You too Dimensional Prison. Summon this and your battle phase attacks go through as long as you can keep this on the field. I only wish it were generic.
There are suckers letting this card go for $10 less than what he was worth last format. (Heavy Storm has reduced trap counts in all decks, so trap negation is less important.) If you can afford to buy this now, make it happen.
Gaia Knight, the Force of Earth
Cost: $2
One of perhaps three Synchro monsters without an effect. There's only a handful of reasons why you use this card: It's generic, it's cheap to afford, you have room in your extra deck, and it's 2600 ATK gets over a lot of level 5-8 monsters. There's NO reason not to put this in your extra deck if you have room.
Level 7
Black Rose Dragon
Cost: $14-19
The second anime card in this whole list. There aren't going to be a lot of them, so don't expect too many more. Black Rose Dragon has decent stats, but that's not why it's here. Sometimes, your opponent's field is overpowered. Sometimes there's too much backrow, sometimes they summoned a boss monster you can't defeat in battle. When that happens, Black Rose Dragon is there to reset the game to a state where victory can be possible for you again.
Black Rose Dragon's effect occurs "When it is Special Summoned", which means short of negating the very summoning of the monster (possible, but costly), it's (optional) effect *must* happen, even if the monster is destroyed or banished. Complete field nukes aren't rare, but few are this effective, and that's what snagged this card it's $16 tag.
Level 8
Colossal Fighter
Cost: $2.80
This card is used for the same reasons Gaia Knight is. Cheap, very beefy stats, and generic. In addition though, the two additional stars grant it a powerful protection effect. It cannot be destroyed by battle. This means it can suicide itself against monsters with monsters that have 2800 ATK and come back anyway. This usually won't be a problem though, since it ALSO gains an additional 100 for every Warrior-Type monster in either graveyard. Warriors are plentiful, and there's a chance at least one will find itself in either your graveyard or your opponent's, so it's rare to see CF hit the field with base stats.
And at three bucks, there's just no reason not to have this card if your deck can synchro unless you don't care about being good at this game.
Stardust Dragon
Cost: $8
Another anime card! And, again, probably one of the best staple monsters ever created. For those of you who played when this game first came out back in the early 2000's--remember how EVERYBODY had this card in their decks? Notice how no one does that anymore? This card is why. The ability to negate Mirror Force, Sakuretsu, or any card that destroys a card(s) is nice, but the fact that it's attached to a monster with 2500 ATK who can revive himself so basically your opponent not only loses their trap but you keep your field presence is ridiculous.
This is why people see this card in every deck that can make it, and why it should be one of the synchro monsters you pick up as soon as possible.
Scrap Dragon
Cost: $35-40
Best eight star synchro in the game. 2800 ATK gets over most monsters, but Colossal Fighter can do that. No, it's Scrap Dragon's spot removal ability at the cost of field presence that's amazing. You can chain that destruction to traps, but just the ability to pop a card is nice. Able to attack for game except for one pesky little trap your opponent has? Pop your other monster (or your own backrow) and destroy it. Stuck dealing with a Spirit Reaper? Not anymore.
Unfortunately, it's neat effect combined with *great* stats means the card costs almost 40 bucks. Only the most competitive players need apply.
Level 9
Mist Wurm
Cost: $9
And now we come to our level 9s. Most of them require 3 monsters to synchro with, which isn't that difficult to manage with the right deck. This is one of the first level 9s, and it comes with an amazing ability. Unless your opponent is literally destroying you, returning three cards to your opponent's hand generally means you completely reset their field, AND you get (at the least) a 2500 ATK monster to swing with. Even if you don't, it's a Trigger effect so unless your opponent negates it's summoning it goes through, even if it's destroyed by something like Trap Hole/Bottomless Trap Hole.
Trishula
Cost: $35-40
Same requirements as Mist Wurm, and another trigger effect. Trishula is one of the worst cards to see hit the field, because it messes with so much of your strategy. You not only lose one card each from your hand, field, AND Graveyard--but all of them become banished; there's no chance of getting them back again during that duel. (Well, there is, but you most likely won't have it.)
When this card was unlimited and could be spammed, it was easily capable of completely devastating combinations, and hovered somewhere around $70. Now that it's (rightfully) limited, it's much cheaper, but it's still a hefty $40. Even I don't have one, so same as with Scrap Dragon, only buy this card if you're incredibly serious about this game.
*exhales* Done. Finally.
Yes, there are level 10s and level 11 synchros, but none of them qualify as staples. Now that you know what the best ones are, feel free to go about picking out the ones you need the most/can afford. If you're super serious about this game, here's a list of the ones every player should have, their costs, and a total of those costs.
Magical Android - $5
Ally of Justice Catastor - $18
T.G. Hyper Librarian - $30
Brionac, Dragon of the Ice Barrier - $36
Gaia Knight, the Force of Earth - $2
Black Rose Dragon - $18
Colossal Fighter - $3
Stardust Dragon - $8
Scrap Dragon - $36
Mist Wurm - $9
Trishula - $38
11 in all, leaving you space for four more depending on the deck you're using. (Seven if you ditch Magical Android, Gaia Knight, and Colossal Fighter--always the first to go.) Unfortunately it comes up to a total of about $203. $63 if you take out cards above $30. Something to think about.
I'll get to Staple Traps or Staple Exceeds next time. For now, it's 3AM and I need sleep. Later.
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