Master Duel's latest event, the Fusion Festival kicked off today and we come prepared with an insight on the 3 available Loaner Decks. At a first impression, these Decks feel like they missed the mark on some spots. Regardless, we will make the most of it and help you bring some variety to this predominantly purple packed competition. If these three really didn't strike your fancy, consider our latest Guide on the freshly released Cyberdarks.
Scope of the Meta
The overall power level of the Fusion-only format will likely be a step down from the combo focus that Synchro Summoning was all about. Control oriented Decks include things like Invoked, Despia, Thunder Dragon, and Shaddoll. Surprisingly, there's lots of Fusion Decks that rather want to go on the offense, such as Ancient Gear, HERO, and Lunalight.
In the context of the loaner Decks, all of them share a few staples we might as well go into now.
Super Polymerization is all over the place. However, Mudragon of the Swamp is not the most ideal target to dissolve opposing Monsters into. When you have the suspicion there might be a set Super Poly on the other side, make sure to avoid playing into the common Starving Venom Fusion Dragon. This will prove quite difficult, as the loaners have a DARK theme all around.
Another interesting topic is De-Fusion. A multi-functional tool, since it can stop the enemy's Fusions, or split your own. It's important to keep track that all the original copies are still in your GY when using it for yourself. That means: Once any material leaves the GY, even just for one moment, that's it, no materials will be brought back.
Not really a secret tip, but still worth a mention is Monster Reborn. With Destiny HERO - Destroyer Phoenix Enforcer a constant presence in the Festival, prevent it from reviving every other turn by just... making it your own. Do note that this only works in the short term - once it gets destroyed on your side they can freely bring it back once more.
Destiny HERO: "Converging Illusion of Destiny"
"Oh wow, Destiny HERO, aren't those the guys with one and only DPE? Truly, this must be the best loaner to choose from!" Yeah, let us stop you right there. It's true, Destroyer Phoenix Enforcer (DPE) is indeed great, and will be played by everyone and their mothers. Sadly, that's just about where the positives stop. The highest impact this deck can produce comes in the form of Fusion Destiny, Break the Destiny, and Plasma. Without a clear plan to arrive on any of these, the archetype falls flat.
Fusion Targets
This section works off the assumption that Fusion Destiny will miraculously end up in our hand most games. The ability to fuse from the Deck is paramount. In reality, an actual Fusion Summon won't be a frequent occurrence, which we will disregard for the sake of having anything of substance to talk about.
For the first turn, DPE puts to shame any other Fusion that could be Summoned. The usual Fusion Materials are Celestial for card draw, and Dasher for easier Summons. Although, in a dedicated list like this, there's also the option of Denier paired with Malicious, for more immediate impact.
The Vision HERO part of the Extra Deck won't be able to rely on Fusion Destiny, which is a shame, given that Vision HERO Trinity is a strong finisher. Next to DPE, Destiny HERO - Dominance and Destiny End Dragoon are worth a consideration. Both don't mind landing in the GY caused by the mandatory destruction and Dragoon might actually be harder to get rid of than DPE in some cases.
Plasma Control
With how the Deck is structured, Destiny HERO - Plasma might be the next best thing to lean into. Drawing Fusion Destiny is not a guarantee, so what's left is a one-sided Skill Drain on legs. The combo of Denier and Malicious especially comes to shine when it comes to getting the 3 tributes on the field. The same can be said for Drilldark. It's a stretch, but with the bolstering effect of D - Force, Plasma might be able to turn the tides of a duel.
Visions of Disappointment
The fact of the matter is that HEROs can't go solo. Vision HEROs are a great engine to run for the archetype. Vision HERO Faris is the starter card. Using it to bring out Vision HERO Increase, which in turn Summons Vision HERO Vyon to get a Fusion Summon started. They were unfortunately cut short for the Loaner, almost as if these Decks have a UR CP budget to maintain. Alas, quite the expense would have to be made to run this Deck at full power.
Fluffals: "The Heart of a Sky with Perse Clouds"
In no way, shape, or form am I an expert on Fluffals. But even I can tell you that there is something deeply wrong with this list. Fluffals mainly revolve around the second effect of Toy Vendor triggering an obscene amount of times. Take that away, and you are left with a pile of plushies that have a hard time getting past the initial Normal Summon. Let's look at the few beacons of hope we've been granted.
Fusion Targets
Looking at this selection, going first is not recommended. Frightfur Kraken and Frightfur Tiger are decent for tearing apart established boards. In case your hand is forced, Frightfur Cruel Whale or Dangerous Frightfur Nightmary would be the choice starting out, hoping that the opponent misplays by not reading them. For the sake of disruption, Edge Imp Scythe, Super Polymerization, and Necro Fusion can all Fusion Summon on either turn.
A Last Stitch Effort
Frightfur Patchwork is the glue that holds this Deck together. It can either add Edge Imp Scythe or Edge Imp Chain, along with a Polymerization. When the chance presents itself, Fluffal Dog can then also search Fluffal Penguin, which helps fix the hand when used as Fusion Material. In reality, one of the three essential parts (A Fluffal, an Edge Imp, and a Fusion effect) will likely be missing, forcing you to pass on the spot.
Loose Ends
This archetype doesn't even remotely take advantage of Super Polymerization. Why is it in here anyways? Who decided Toy Vendor wasn't important? Why did Fluffal Freaking Cat make it in the list, but not Fluffal Wings or at least Fluffal Owl?? Why on earth does Edge Imp Frightfuloid have such a smug expression? We may never know.
Predaplants: "Pleasure-Devouring Venom Dragon"
Well, it's only uphill from now on. Going into this event, we weren't expecting Predaplants to take the spot as "Deck to have the best odds at winning", yet here we are. In a brilliant act of deckbuilding, this list contains every single card the archetype has to offer, save for Predaponics. This archetype is full of Plants that want to put Counters on the opponent's Monsters, which then can be taken advantage of in different ways.
Contagious Counters
Before going into the Fusions, it's essential to take a look at the process of Counter generation. Flytrap can do it each turn and even takes advantage of them on its own, due to the destruction by battle effect. That's sproutling stuff compared to what Banksiogre, Predaplanning, Squid Drosera, and Predaplast can accomplish.
Distributing those Counters enables massive swing turns all thanks to Chlamydosundew, which turns the Counter bearing Monsters into DARKS and fuses them away all on its own. On a related note, the best Monster to send to the GY with Predaplanning is Cordyceps for recovery plays on the following turn.
Fusion Targets
This one is less about the actual Fusions and more about how many of the opposing Monsters we can use Super Polymerization, Predaprime Fusion, and Predaplant Chlamydosundew on. As soon as we get to fuse on each side, Starving Venom Fusion Dragon and Predaplant Triphyoverutum are the main options to consider. In the case of Polymerization and Necro Fusion, the primary target is Predaplant Chimerafflesia. On top of the strong effects, it fetches Super Poly the turn after it hits the GY.
Actual Searching
It's like finding an oasis in this desert of unoptimized Loaner Decks. Let's list the kinds of searching Predaplant possesses
- Ophrys Scorpio - Usually gets you to Darlingtonia Cobra to search Poly going first, or the Super version when a board needs to be dealt with.
- Spinodionaea - Also Summons from the Deck, just make sure it survives the battle to trigger.
- Sarraceniant - Gives access to the entire archetype. Slow, but better than nothing.
- Predaplant Spider Orchid - Leaves you wide open as a 0 ATK Normal Summon. Following the concept of Sarraceniant, that's still worth it.
- Predapractice - Beautiful. There's nothing left to add.
- Predaplanet - Like Ying and Yang, this one balances out how good Predapractice is.
This density of consistency lends itself to actually following a structured gameplan. Ideally, we stall until finding Predaplanning and Predaplant Chlamydosundew, at which point the established board becomes the soil we nourish our Fusions with.
Which Loaner Deck will you give a try? Let us know what you think of them down in the comments!
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