HERO
"HERO" (
Contents
Sub-themes[edit]
The "HERO" archetype exists to unify various related themes that primarily appear in the Yu-Gi-Oh! GX anime and manga. The primary themes that comprise the "HERO" archetype are "Elemental HERO", "Evil HERO" and "Destiny HERO", "Masked HERO" and "Vision HERO". There are several monsters that are not part of any of these five themes by name: "Contrast HERO Chaos" (although it is treated as an "Elemental HERO" card), the Xtra HERO cards, and the Illegal Match winner "E☆HERO Pit Boss". Additionally, the archetype also includes two Spell Cards ("HERO's Bond" and "Legacy of a HERO") and one Skill Card ("HERO World").
| Archetype | Anime users | Manga users | Design |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elemental HERO | Jaden Yuki Aster Phoenix |
Jaden Yuki Koyo Hibiki |
In the anime, they are themed after comic-book superheroes; in the manga, they are based on natural elements. |
| Destiny HERO | Aster Phoenix (GX) Aster Phoenix (ARC-V) |
N/A | They are based on vigilantes or anti-heroes (such as Batman, Devilman, and Spawn), as well as British culture. Their effects often relate to the passage of time. |
| Evil HERO | The Supreme King | N/A | They bear some similarity to various demonic superheroes, villains, and anti-heroes, such as The Darkness, Hellboy, and Witchblade. Most of the monsters are corrupted versions of Elemental HEROs. |
| Vision HERO | N/A | Aster Phoenix | Most "Vision HERO" monsters wear helmets with a singular lens where the face would be, and have an almost robotic appearance. |
| Masked HERO | N/A | Jaden Yuki | They appear to be based on Japanese Kamen Rider heroes (Kamen meaning "Masked"). They also take inspiration from the recurring "form changing" and transformations of Kamen Riders. The Double Attacks are similar to the original Kamen Riders' (1 and 2) "Rider Double" techniques. |
| Xtra HERO | N/A | N/A | Link Monsters with futuristic designs similar to Vision HEROs. The monsters in this series of cards each have designs and effects referring to the HERO sub-archetypes they support. |
Naming[edit]
OCG[edit]
The Japanese cards use 「
TCG[edit]
In the TCG, originally text supporting this archetype specified "Elemental Hero" and "Destiny Hero" monsters separately, rather than supporting this as an independent archetype; after the release of "Evil Hero" cards in the TCG, support cards for this archetype began to specify all three sub-themes ("Elemental Hero", "Destiny Hero" and "Evil Hero"). This was done in the old texts of "Elemental Hero Stratos", "Elemental Hero Ocean", "Elemental Hero Divine Neos", "Evil Hero Infernal Prodigy", "Elemental Hero Absolute Zero", and "Hero's Bond". The original print of "Elemental Hero Divine Neos" was the only card to reference this archetype (albeit as "Hero"), although it only did so after already specifying that those same monsters must be "Elemental Hero", "Destiny Hero" or "Evil Hero" monsters.
As part of the introduction of Problem-Solving Card Text, in anticipation of the upcoming release of "Masked HERO" and "Vision HERO" cards, this archetype was introduced to the TCG as an independent archetype named "HERO". Starting in Generation Force, "Elemental Hero", "Destiny Hero" and "Evil Hero" were renamed "Elemental HERO", "Destiny HERO" and "Evil HERO", respectively; and "Masked HERO" and "Vision HERO" had their names capitalized accordingly. "HERO" is rendered in all capital letters to distinguish members from cards such as "Hero Kid" and "Oscillo Hero", which have "Hero" in their names but are not part of this archetype.[1]
In addition, two Spell Cards were renamed to align with the OCG: "HERO Flash!!" was renamed to "Hero Flash!!" (to exclude it) and "Hero's Bond" was renamed to "HERO's Bond" (to include it).
Playing style[edit]
Due to the "HERO" archetype being generally divided across a few sub-archetypes, the overall playstyle of the "HERO" archetype is objectively varied although common traits between the sub-archetypes show that the "HERO" archetype is predominantly a Fusion-based playstyle; they focus on swarming the field by Summoning "HERO" monsters, as well as searching "HERO" monsters and/or their "Fusion"/"Polymerization" Spell Cards needed to Special Summon their Fusion Monsters (usually by a Fusion Summon).
Many members (despite also being a member of a specific "HERO" sub-archetype) support the entire "HERO" archetype as a whole. The overall "HERO" meta-archetype playstyle highlights some of the key "HERO" members which are almost always worth including:
- The "Elemental HERO" archetype (specifically, a few individual members) are vital combo pieces to the overall "HERO" meta-archetype playstyle. The most important "Elemental HERO" monster is "Elemental HERO Stratos", a non-once-per-turn searcher for all "HERO" monsters. It is the ideal choice to Special Summon and search with "A Hero Lives" and "E - Emergency Call" respectively. "Elemental HERO Shadow Mist" is also a once-per-turn searcher for all other "HERO" monsters when sent to the GY (usually by "Vision HERO Vyon"). "Elemental HERO Solid Soldier" and "Liquid Soldier" are good monsters to Normal Summon, as they can Special Summon needed "HERO" monsters (usually "Shadow Mist" or "Stratos" for their on-Summon Trigger Effects) and can generate more advantage if they are used as material for the Fusion Summon of a "HERO" Fusion Monster. Lastly, "Honest Neos" is an ATK-booster for all "HERO" monsters, and "Sunrise" is a Fusion Monster with generic "HERO" Fusion Materials that can search out "Miracle Fusion", a powerful Fusion Spell Card that can use monsters in the GY as Fusion Materials, allowing another Fusion Summon with zero card loss to the field advantage.
- The "Destiny HERO" archetype is one of the backbones in the overall "HERO" meta-archetype playstyle, thanks to the Link 'climbing' ability offered by "Destiny HERO - Malicious" and "Destiny HERO - Denier". "Xtra HERO Cross Crusader" combos especially well with "Malicious" as a searcher for all "HERO" monsters. The power offered by the "Destiny HERO" boss monsters ("Destiny HERO - Destroyer Phoenix Enforcer" and "Destiny HERO - Plasma" in particular) also makes them popular for other "HERO" decks to include, especially when they can be Fusion Summoned with "Fusion Destiny" which can use materials from the Deck.
- "Vision HERO" monsters generically support "HERO" monsters outside of their "vision" playstyle. The archetype strongly supports, and is strongly supported by the "HERO" meta-archetype, with general "HERO" support giving the archetype more flexibility, and "Vision HERO" itself giving other "HERO" sub-archetypes multiple extenders, situational tools, and boss monsters. The "Vision HERO" archetype is often compacted into an engine of "Faris", "Increase", and "Vyon"; "Faris" will Special Summon itself from the hand and place "Increase" in the Spell & Trap Zone who will then tribute "Faris" to Special Summon itself and "Vyon", then "Vyon" will send other "HERO" monsters to the GY for their GY effects (usually "Destiny HERO" monsters or "Elemental HERO Shadow Mist") and search out a "Polymerization" to enable "HERO" Fusion plays, all the while providing multiple "HERO" monsters on the field that can enable even more plays. Its Fusion Monsters, "Adoration" and "Trinity" can use any "HERO" monsters as material and the latter serves as a very useful game closer.
- Although "Masked HERO" Fusion Monsters can only be Special Summoned with "Change" Quick-Play Spell Cards rather than Fusion Summons, these cards are also worth including due to the few "Masked HERO" members with disruptive effects and "Change" cards can be searched with "Elemental HERO Shadow Mist". These "Masked HERO" monsters notably include "Dark Law" (for its passive one-sided "Macro Cosmos" and hand-rip effects, also being easy to Summon due to the majority of the key "HERO" monsters being DARK including "Shadow Mist", all "Destiny HEROs" and all "Vision HEROs"), "Acid" (by using "Elemental HERO Absolute Zero" to perform a board wipe), and "Masked HERO Blast" for dealing with Spell/Traps. "Change" Quick-Play Spells can also be used to "dodge" certain targeted disruptions.
- "Evil HERO" can only offer "Evil HERO Adusted Gold", which can search "Dark Calling" to Summon "Evil HERO Malicious Bane" using the discarded "Adusted Gold" and another Level 5 or higher monster such as "Vision HERO Faris" or "Destiny HERO - Malicious".
- Finally, despite the majority of the "HERO" Extra Deck members being Fusion Monsters, a few of them are Link Monsters, those being the Xtra HERO series of monsters. These have effects which either support a specific sub-archetype (such as "Xtra HERO Cross Crusader" with "Destiny HERO" monsters) or ones that support the general shared playstyle of "HERO", such as "Xtra HERO Wonder Driver" recycling "Change", "Fusion" or "Polymerization" Spells.
Sample combos[edit]
"HERO" can function decently well going first by virtue of chainable removal such as "Destroyer Phoenix Enforcer" and "Favorite Contact" to bring out "Shining Neos Wingman" during the opponent's turn, not to mention "Dark Law" posing a threat to Graveyard-reliant strategies and generation of hand advantage. However, they can excel going second due to their ability to accrue high ATK, burn the opponent, and set up opportunity to tag out into additional powerful monsters to continue their onslaught.
Below is a sample combo with the following objectives:
- Fusion Summon "Destiny HERO - Destroyer Phoenix Enforcer" to act as chainable, non-targeting removal during either player's turn.
- Set up the Special Summon of "Elemental HERO Shining Neos Wingman" during the opponent's turn through a combination of the "Xtra HERO" monsters and "Elemental HERO Flame Wingman - Infernal Rage".
- Destroy "Wake Up Your Elemental HERO" to allow it to Summon "Elemental HERO Shadow Mist" in order to search "Mask Change" with which to Summon "Masked HERO Dark Law" to restrict the opponent's ability to generate card advantage or utilize their GY.
- Use "Vision HERO Faris'" effect to discard either "Destiny HERO" mentioned above and Special Summon itself, then use its effect to place "Vision HERO Increase" from your Deck into the Spell/Trap Zone as a Continuous Trap.
- Use "Increase's" effect in the backrow to Tribute "Faris" and Summon itself, which will trigger its second effect to Summon "Vision HERO Vyon" from Deck.
- Use "Vyon's" on-Summon effect to send the remaining "Destiny HERO" mentioned above to the GY, then use its second effect to banish "Faris" from GY and search "Polymerization".
- Link Summon "Xtra HERO Cross Crusader" using "Increase" and "Vyon", and use its effect to revive either "Destiny HERO" in your GY to Tribute with "Crusader's" second effect and search "Elemental HERO Liquid Soldier".
- Banish "Malicious" from GY to Summon a copy of itself from the Deck, and use both it and "Crusader" to Link Summon "Xtra HERO Infernal Devicer", whose effect will reveal "Elemental HERO Shining Neos Wingman" in your Extra Deck to search its mentioned material "Elemental HERO Neos".
- Use "Polymerization" to fuse "Neos" and "Liquid Soldier" into "Elemental HERO Flame Wingman - Infernal Rage". Upon Summon, chain "Liquid Soldier's" effect in GY and "Infernal Rage's" in sequence to search "Favorite Contact" and subsequently draw two cards, then discard one (doing so will avoid the risk of drawing "Favorite Contact" by "Liquid Soldier's" effect, thereby whiffing "Infernal Rage's").
- Given "Infernal Rage" was Summoned with a Normal Monster as material in the form of "Neos", Tribute it to Summon "Elemental HERO Sunrise" from your Extra Deck, who will search "Miracle Fusion" upon Summon.
- Link Summon "Xtra HERO Wonder Driver" using "Infernal Devicer" and "Sunrise", then activate "Miracle Fusion" to banish "Infernal Rage" and "Neos" from your GY as material for "Wake Up Your Elemental HERO", who will be Summoned to "Wonder Driver's" pointed Monster Zone to activate its effect, targeting and Setting "Polymerization" from GY.
- Since the second copy of "Malicious" is in your GY, use "Denier's" effect to Summon itself and subsequently take the first copy of "Malicious" from your banishment to place on top of your Deck, thereby allowing you to Summon it again.
- After Summoning the recycled "Malicious" from your Deck by banishing the second from GY, use "Polymerization" to fuse it and "Denier" into "Destiny HERO - Destroyer Phoenix Enforcer", whose Quick Effect will destroy itself and "Wake Up", triggering the former's to allow it to revive during the next Standby Phase, and the latter's effect to Summon "Elemental HERO Shadow Mist" from hand or Deck and enable it to search "Mask Change". From here you can either use it to tag "Shadow Mist" into "Masked HERO Dark Law" right away, or reserve it for your opponent's turn to use "Shadow Mist's" GY effect to search a "HERO" monster.
- Set "Favorite Contact" and pass turn, then when an opportunity arises, use it to place "Infernal Rage" and "Neos" back into the Deck and Summon "Shining Neos Wingman", which can both destroy the opponent's cards without targeting and unable to be returned (or "spun") to the Extra Deck given "Favorite Contact" placed "Neos" into the Deck.
Recommended cards[edit]
Recommended cards
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Official Deck[edit]
Obelisk Force HERO Deck
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Weaknesses[edit]
- Most "HERO" monsters often lack protection, and as such the player can often easily have their field cleared by mass destruction cards and effects like "Raigeki", "Nibiru, the Primal Being" and "Evenly Matched" which most "HERO" monsters do not have effects to counter these cards with. As such, they are heavily reliant on cards such as "Forbidden Droplet", "Crossout Designator", and "Called by the Grave" to be able to play through such disruptions.
- With a few exceptions, "HERO" monsters generally have little ability to disrupt or prevent the opponent's plays. In particular, there are no "HERO" monsters in the game that can negate the activation of cards or effects so far.
- "Gozen Match" can significantly disrupt "HERO" Decks that use "Elemental HERO" monsters due to their variety of Attributes.
- As most "HERO" Fusion Monsters have to be Fusion Summoned, cards like "Non-Fusion Area" and "Dimensional Barrier" can prevent these Fusion Monsters from being Summoned. Furthermore, cards like "Nekroz of Unicore" can have their effects negated.
- As "HERO" monsters are mostly Warrior-Type, cards such as "Cipher Soldier", "Warrior Elimination" and "There Can Be Only One" can pose as a threat to such decks.
References[edit]
- ↑ Tewart, Kevin (May 23, 2011). "Problem-Solving Card Text, Part 2: New Words & Phrases". Konami. Retrieved October 16, 2022.
- ↑ NeoArkadia (May 25, 2016). "[OCG] Duelist Festival 2016 Obelisk Force Deck Recipes". The Organization. Retrieved May 10, 2022.
