Crystrons Guide

Introduction

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Crystrons are a WATER-Attribute, MACHINE-Type archtype that is very defensive and can be pretty explosive as well with the right setups. The deck got first introduced in the Cybernetic Rebellion Main BOX, then getting crucial support in the Spirit of the Beast Mini BOX. Unfortunately, because of its nerfs over time (3 semi-limited core archetypal cards and 2 semi-limited core tech cards) the deck has lost a lot of its grind game, so it's not as defensive anymore. Semi-limiting these core cards, alongside some skill nerfs throughout the time, created a constant need to adapt the deck, resulting in the appearance of multiple different versions of the deck, which had a consequence of making the deck even more expensive. But the main focus of Crystrons has always remained the same: Synchro summoning.

A core mechanic of the deck is being able to Synchro summon during your opponent's turn. The cards responsible for this are the archetypal Tuners of the deck, shown a bit later in the guide. There are restrictions though: you can only Synchro summon MACHINE-Type monsters this way and it can only be done during your opponent's Main Phase or Battle Phase. You will probably use this tool almost every duel.

This guide will cover everything in categories: cards used in the various decks, including and explaining the core and the techs for each version, deck examples, both basic and more complicaded combos, including turn 1 and turn 2 plays, choices to make during combos, cards to look out for, matchups and a few extra tips at the end.

NOTE: as of the time making this guide, there's 1 competitive version of the deck, so only that one will be displayed. If another one appears later down the line it'll be added to the guide. The reason to not put every existent version in the guide is because there's too many of them, so covering them all in one guide wouldn't be wise.

Cards

Despite covering 1 version of the deck only, this part of the guide will be divided into cards that are core in any one of the deck versions and cards that are specific to the deck version displayed here (the Mudragon version), both the archetypal and non-archetypal ones.

Main core cards

By coincidence, all the main core cards are archetypal ones, so let's get to it.

Main deck monsters:

All the main deck non-tuners (from the archtype), except Loading... , share the similarity of being able to destroy one face up card on your side of the field to special summon a Crystron tuner from the deck, as well as having a graveyard effect. Keep in mind if you use the first effect you will be locked into only being able to special summon MACHINE-Type Synchro monsters for the rest of the turn.

On the other hand, all the main deck tuners (from the archtype) can Synchro summon during your opponent's turn, as stated before. Each one of the 3 tuners uses a different place (hand, graveyard or banished pile) from where they get the non-tuner to Synchro summon. Remember you can only Synchro summon MACHINE-Type monsters this way.

Crystron Sulfefnir

The deck enabler. It's the card that's going to allow you to summon Crystron monsters from the deck by discarding a Crystron card (except itself), summoning itself and then destroying itself. You can also destroy any other card on your side of the field instead, if necessary (while leaving the Sulfefnir on the field). You want to maximize the number of copies you use for improved deck consistency.

Crystron Thystvern

One of the deck searchers. Thystvern is the monster searcher, it can search any Crystron monster from your deck to your hand. An invaluable piece for your combos, as it allows you to control your deck and adapt what you use for each duel. You want to maximize the number of copies of this card as well, not only for better deck consistency but also for an improved game plan throughout a duel.

Crystron Smiger

The other deck searcher. Smiger is the trap searcher, as it can search any Crystron trap card. There's 2 traps within the archtype that you can search, these being Loading... and Loading... . Each trap serves a different purpose, which will be further expanded on in their own section. It's worth mentioning that Sulfefnir can discard traps, so they can enable your plays even without Crystron monsters. It's recommended you use 2 copies of this card.

Crystron Rosenix

A combo extender. Despite not being a searcher like Thystvern or Smiger, Rosenix is great for multiple reasons. Its value as increased a lot with the changes caused by the banlist. The reason for this is it's token (created by Rosenix's graveyard effect). The token can be used as a fusion material for Loading... , a combo extender to go from a Loading... into a Loading... , an easier way to go into Quarion since you can change it's level with Loading... , etc. It's recommended you use 1-2 copies of this card.

Crystron Prasiortle

Another combo extender. The last and least useful of the main deck non-tuners. It's level makes it hard to use and it's graveyard effect summons a Crystron monster from the hand, which can be useful to come back from a sticky situation, outplay your opponent, or enable a lethal play. So it does have its uses but only on specific situations. Because of this, it's recommended you use 1 copy of this card.

Crystron Citree

The first and most impactful out of the 3 archetypal tuners of the deck. Citree uses the graveyard to Synchro summon using it's effect. Because of this and the fact it's a level 2, it provides an easy setup for summoning Loading... during your opponent's turn using Thystvern or Smiger. You can see this basic combo and variations of it in the "Combos" section. Depending on the version of the deck, due to the nature of semi-limits, you either use 1 or 0 copies.