Masked HERO
| Masked HERO | |
|---|---|
 From left to right: "Masked HERO Dark Law", "Masked HERO Koga", "Elemental HERO Shadow Mist", "Masked HERO Divine Wind" and "Contrast HERO Chaos" | |
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"Masked HERO" (
The Transformation Summon method is utilized by this archetype.
Design
While the "Elemental HERO" archetype is said to be based off of American superheroes, it can also be assumed that the "Masked HERO" archetype is a salute to Japanese Kamen Rider heroes. In addition to "Kamen" meaning "Masked", there are several similarities between the two, such the recurring "form changing" and transformations of Kamen Riders. The Double Attacks are also similar to the original Kamen Riders' (1 and 2) "Rider Double" techniques.
| Attribute | Main Deck Monster | Level 6 Fusion Monster | Level 8 Fusion Monster |
|---|---|---|---|
WIND 
|
Gust | Blast | Divine Wind |
WATER 
|
Fountain | Vapor | Acid |
FIRE 
|
Inferno | Goka | - |
EARTH 
|
Bassols | - | Dian |
LIGHT 
|
Ray | - | Koga |
DARK 
|
Dusk Crow | Dark Law | Anki |
Playing style
Rather than Fusion Summoning like most Fusion Monsters do, "Masked HERO" monsters use cards like "Mask Change" to be Special Summoned from the Extra Deck. In the manga, Chazz Princeton was amazed seeing how "Masked HERO" monsters could use the same effect of "Fusion" using one single material rather than 2 or more.
This archetype favors a fairly straight-forward beatdown strategy. Their "transforming" cards being Quick-Play Spell Cards allows them to be transformed at any time, including during the Battle Phase, for multiple attacks, or in response to an opponent's effect or attack.
While "Masked HERO" is an independent archetype in the manga, in the TCG/OCG they were revamped to be a general "HERO" support, making them splashable options for any "HERO" Deck (though they essentially work well only with "Elemental HERO" monsters, due to their varied Attributes). "Mask Change II" takes this even further by allowing "Masked HERO" monsters to be splashable in any Deck, as long as one can handle the increased cost and Extra Deck real estate.
An efficient build can consist of running a few "Elemental HERO" monsters that help you conduct Fusion Summons (Like "Elemental HERO Blazeman" and "Elemental Hero Woodsman") to Fusion Summon "Elemental HERO Absolute Zero" ("King of the Swamp" help this even further) which has 2 advantages: it can be Fusion Summoned using even "Masked Hero" monsters, and when combined with "Mask Change" or "Form Change", lets you get a WATER or high Leveled "Masked HERO" while destroying your opponents' monsters.
