Introduction
With the arrival of the 5D's Duel World, we are all introduced to the new art of Synchro Summoning. However, as many of us may know, up until recently we do not have good enough Synchro monsters or generic Tuner monsters to make Synchro-based decks viable (other than Loading... which seldom sees use in Blue-Eyes decks).
X-Sabers is one of the initial Synchro-based archetype that was released in the first Main Box of 5D’s: Stardust Acceleration. It is also one of the fan-favorite Synchro archetypes in the TCG since its release in 2009. Although we did not get all the core cards from the TCG, we still received a couple of main monsters that can make this deck work, such as Loading... , Loading... , and Loading... . With the addition of some new cards from the Trudge Event, this deck has found some light in the current meta.
The Deck
Most of the cards that will be discussed in this article will come from the Stardust Acceleration Main Box. Currently, X-Sabers focus on playing with their main Tuner monster, Loading...
and swarming the board with Loading...
. At the moment, the play style of the deck revolves around sitting on protective backrow that causes disruption to the opposing combos and swarming until being able to make a huge push such as board-wiping with Loading...
and/or Loading...
.
(Note: XX-Saber monsters are also considered “X-Saber” monsters when included in card text.)
Core Cards
The most essential cards you want to have to make this deck viable:
This is the main Tuner monster of the deck, and one of the best Tuner monsters in the game right now. Being able to negate one attack once while it is face-up on field and sitting on a solid 1300 ATK, this is one of the most independent Tuner monsters we have in Duel Links. It also has the effect of being able to revive any Level 4 or lower X-Saber monster from the Graveyard after it destroys an opponent’s defense position monster by battle, so the ability to recycle Graveyard monsters including another copy of itself is a great element to have in a Synchro-based deck.
The Loading... of the deck, this monster is the main beater and swarmer of the archetype. Note: Unlike Destiny HERO – Drilldark, XX-Saber Boggart Knight still resolves with effect even if it is no longer face-up on the field upon resolution. Sitting at an impressive stat of 1900 ATK at level 4, the level 4 monsters of other top tier decks struggle to get over it. This includes: all level 4 Destiny HEROs, all Gladiator Beasts, and Loading... /Loading... in Vampires (without Loading... ). This card is used to bring out any X-Saber monster in your hand and combos extremely well with Loading... , being able to guarantee two face-up destructions upon activation. It is also important to note that XX-Saber Boggart Knight cannot be used as a Synchro Material except for the Synchro Summon of an X-Saber Synchro monster.
This is the main searcher of the deck; however, it is important to consider that its searching effect only goes off during the End Phase of the turn it is sent to the Graveyard. With 100 ATK/100 DEF, this monster is almost guaranteed destruction when it engages in any sort of battle. XX-Saber Darksoul is the main monster used with Loading... to bring out Loading... .
One of the main power play cards for this archetype, being able to destroy up to 3 face-up cards on the field is a devastating effect especially in Duel Links, potentially board-wiping the opposing player. However, because it checks the amount of face-up attack position X-Saber monsters you control upon resolution, the opposing player may chain certain cards to its activation to alter the number of X-Sabers before it resolves. These cards include but are not limited to Loading... , Loading... , and Loading... .
This new level 2 Tuner monster came from the recent Trudge Event as a level-up reward that boosted the versatility of the X-Saber archetype. Although not an X-Saber monster itself, it now allows you to bring out an Loading... , tuning with the level 4 Loading... . The most important effect of this Tuner is that the Synchro monster brought out by it prevents the opposing player from activating any Trap Cards upon attack declaration until the end of Damage Step, effectively shutting off popular and powerful Trap Cards such as set Loading... , Loading... , Loading... , and Loading... . Also, being able to bring out a Loading... by tuning with an Loading... can almost guarantee the ability to “steal” the opposing player’s monster. This monster does have the drawback of being limited to only be used as a Synchro Material of a Warrior-type Synchro Monster. Luckily, most of our Synchro Monsters in our Extra Deck are Warrior-type monsters. However, because this monster is not an X-Saber monster that doesn’t work with Loading... , has no effects outside of being used for a Synchro Summon, and has horrendous base stats, you want to run only 1 or 2 copies in your Main Deck.
The main boss monster of the deck, being able to destroy up to 3 Spell/Trap Cards upon Summon is incredible and game-changing, especially in Duel Links where there are only 3 Spell/Trap Card Zones. It is important to note that this Synchro Monster requires 1 or more X-Saber non-Tuner monsters to summon.
- Your main ways of getting it out are: