Explore the depth of plays available to the “White” Fish Synchro series when they combine with other WATER archetypes and series!

Synchro WATER – A long time coming:

Welcome to the VRAINS era. While the waves of Extra Link spam decks have begun crashing upon the metagame, very few of the older summoning mechanics have survived well into the modern game. Ritual Summoning, the first ‘special summon’ mechanic has gotten a massive boost in the form of the Impcantation archetype, but even then has only revived some old archetypes as the debut Ritual archetype post support – Demise/Ruin – did not launch all that well. On the other hand, we have Fusion Summoning that has unfortunately resorted to using spells as a secondary option, a la Thunder Dragon. Xyz Summons have reclaimed a bit of the spotlight due to Number 101’s ability to get rid of an opponent’s monster without destroying it, due to it’s nature as an anti-Thunder Dragon tech card, or the return of Madolche or Railway with the upcoming release of Madolche Puddingcessoeur*(YGOrg Translation) and Duelist Pack: Legend Duelist 4, but outside of those about to be revitalized strategies for the OCG, they have not had a strong showing in a while. And while Pendulum Summoning is still prevalent as the manifestation of a mishmash of archetypes and standalone disruptors, there hasn’t been a cohesive, archetypal Pendulum deck faring well for quite some time. But what about for Synchro Summoning?

Relevant Archetypes/Series:

Let’s Talk About Crystron Glassfiber*(YGOrg Translation):

However way you slice it, Glassfiber is an great part of the deck. As it should be for any Synchro based strategy moving forward, until it eventually finds its way to the Forbidden/Limited List. Because Link monsters that Special Summon from the deck are just too powerful in my honest opinion. But until that day comes, it offers many useful characteristics and effects, especially to this deck, so despite its tendency to be hated for the power it holds, it will be holding nothing back in this build. So now that I’ve rambled for a while about how a ton of Fish and other WATER friends can work together in practice, let’s see how it all comes together!

Sample Decklist:

Combos and Resilience:

As I tried to hint at throughout all of the introduction of this article, this is a very option-heavy deck. Each turn can take a variety of different twists and turns, and depending on your playstyle and the type of deck you are facing, the same hand can be used multiple ways. These are just some of the many combos that I found for the build above, but if you continue to refine the build with your own options, you can really start to accomplish some amazing things.

• Mermail Abysspike/Beautunaful Princess/One for One + Nimble Angler

• White Stingray + One for One\Beautunaful Princess + Fishborg Launcher

While this play is definitely less common than the last combo, it is still pretty awesome. First, bring out Princess, using its effect to bring Abysspike from the deck. Pike activates, discarding Launcher and adding Sea Archiver from the deck. Use White Stingray‘s inherent summon by discarding Archiver, and Special Summon it. Next, Link Summon Mermail Abyssalacia. Now, use Launcher’s effect, bringing itself back from the GY to a zone Alacia points to. Archiver activates, Special Summoning itself. Then you can just go into the same exact setup you had in the first combo – make Glassfiber, Special Summon another Launcher, then let the duel develop from there. So while this may have been more cards getting to the same setup, you still got to a really powerful and reactive field early into the duel. That’s precisely the point of this deck – react to how your opponent is playing, then adapt to the situation by throwing the right Fish at them.

• Combo Extenders

• Disruption Tools

Themed Tech Options:

In terms of other tech options, the world is your oyster when it comes to Spells or Traps. Infinite Impermanence is definitely an amazing card in this day and age, if you would prefer having the more generic staples over something like an Oh F!sh!. The problem when it comes to Monsters is that you have to stick on the WATER side, as non-WATERs once they hit the GY shut down Launcher’s ability to keep coming back. While the sheer utility offered by Celestial Double Star Shaman, Knightmare Phoenix and Knightmare Unicorn is worth it to me, it might not be as worth it to run the typical Ash Blossom & Joyous Spring that most other decks can afford to. Also, since this is such a combo-heavy deck, Pot of Desires can backfire horribly on your strategy, making it not recommended.

Conclusion:

Personal Note: