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" (
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
The "Masked HERO" archetype centers on the "Change" Quick-Play Spell Cards, mainly "Mask Change" and "Mask Change II", which can "transform" a monster into a "Masked HERO" Fusion Monster, sending the monster on the field to the Graveyard and Special Summoning the "Masked HERO" from the Extra Deck (rather than Fusion Summoning like most Fusion Monsters do).
In the manga, "Masked HERO" is an independent archetype featuring its own Main Deck monsters. In the TCG/OCG however, they do not have any Main Deck monsters, and "Mask Change", which only worked on "Masked HERO" Main Deck monsters in the manga, was revamped to be general "HERO" support. Due to lacking Main Deck monsters, the archetype has no de-facto "playing style", and instead primarily served as boss monsters for other "HERO" decks, such as "Elemental HERO" or "Destiny HERO" decks, or even a cross-archetypal "HERO" archetypal deck. The most important support for the archetype's monsters is "Elemental HERO Shadow Mist", who can search out "Change" Spells when Special Summoned.
The "Masked HERO" Fusion Monsters all have a variety of battle-related, protective and/or disruptive effects. "Masked HERO Acid" and "Masked HERO Blast" can answer against Spell/Trap heavy boards. "Masked HERO Koga" and "Masked HERO Goka" serve as attacking beatsticks, "Masked HERO Divine Wind" and "Masked HERO Vapor" have protection while "Masked HERO Anki", and "Masked HERO Dian" net advantage if they destroy a monster by battle. However, the most prominent member of the archetype is "Masked HERO Dark Law", having an oppressive one-sided "Macro Cosmos"-like effect while also punishing the opponent's searches by randomly banishing one card from their hand if they do so. Its DARK-Attribute makes it widely compatible with the entire DARK "HERO" arsennal including all "Destiny HEROs", all "Vision HEROs" and "Shadow Mist" (whom searches a "Change" card upon its Special Summon and can also be used as the target of the said card to Summon "Dark Law", netting additional advantage if done during the subsequent turn).
"Mask Change II" takes the splashability of "Masked HERO" monsters one step further, by allowing any monster to "transform" into a "Masked HERO" monster. Netherless, some "Masked HERO" monsters still depend on "HERO" monsters to make use of their effects.
