Synchro Powerwell

[Galkin]

 

If a Synchro Monster is Tributed for the Special Summon of an "/Assault Mode" monster: You can banish this face-up card; increase the ATK of the Special Summoned "/Assault Mode" monster by 1000. While you control a Synchro Monster, apply all of the following effects: ● Once per turn, during your Main Phase, you can discard 1 card; this card cannot be targeted by card effects, until the End Phase of your next turn. ●During either player's turn, you can pay 1200 Life Points; detach 1 XYZ Material from 1 XYZ Monster on the field. ● All face-up Syncho Monsters gain 600 ATK and DEF.

 

Probably OP, however, you are the Judgeman.

[magemeek22]

Well, I'll divide my review of this fairly excellent card into various sections:

 

[spoiler="Artwork and OCG"]

I must say, as per my knowledge, the OCG is near flawless. There are some errors, though hardly worth mentioning. As far as the artwork is concerned, its decent. Looks nice, sounds nice; good job with that.

[/spoiler]

 

[spoiler="Effect Usefulness"]

Here's where the critiquing begins. Well, lets start off with each part of the effect:

 

If a Synchro Monster is Tributed for the Special Summon of an "/Assault Mode" monster: You can banish this face-up card; increase the ATK of the Special Summoned "/Assault Mode" monster by 1000. 

Fairly useful, though extremely situational. Adds some more meat to your Assault Mode monsters, which can be helpful if you run them. However, seeing as most decks don't monopolize those cards, this effect is rather lackluster in terms of usefulness. Equip Spells do a far better job of adding ATK, and they are far more affordable than the cost of this card (banishing it). Its plethora of other effects are useful, but this one seems slightly subpar. Maybe providing Assault Mode monsters with a bonus while they are face-up (for example, ""/Assault Mode" monsters you control cannot be destroyed by battle.") would suffice, but even then, that may make this card OP. However, here's a suggestion that I have. Instead of having a mediocre effect that banishes the card to give your monster an ATK boost, change the ATK boost to a destruction-invulnerability. Basically, change the first effect to: "During either player's turn, if a Synchro Monster or "/Assault Mode" monster would be destroyed, you can banish this card instead." I do not intend to overpower the card with this effect, but the one that exists presently is the weakest part of this card (sorry).

 

 

● Once per turn, during your Main Phase, you can discard 1 card; this card cannot be targeted by card effects, until the End Phase of your next turn.

ALMOST perfect. Really nice effect, in my opinion, given that it guarantees the ATK boost of the third bonus effect as well as the XYZ-detaching effect that follows. Basically, what I'm trying to say is: I like that this effect serves to protect the card itself, which thus enables you to keep using the other card's effects. Its unique, and the cost is perfect; discarding is always risky, but the result (depending on which effect(s) you want to use) can be extremely beneficial. Further, I like that the protection lasts 2 turns; it makes the cost well-worth using. Once again, discarding is no easy-to-fulfill cost, and it makes sense for the protection to last longer than usual.

 

 

●During either player's turn, you can pay 1200 Life Points; detach 1 XYZ Material from 1 XYZ Monster on the field. 

Powerful, extremely useful, and VERY well developed; this effect thoroughly incorporates a theme of XYZ vs Synchro, which I admire. Its a situational effect, but given that the other effects provide other uses for this card, this one effect is fine to utilize. It is a great anti-meta ability that can really harm certain Deck builds. Further, this effect's cost and effect are very well balanced. Since there is no restriction to the number of times the effect can be used, the 1200 point cost means that it really can't be exploited. NICE. However, I recommend limiting it to "Up to twice per turn, during either player's turn." You want to give your opponent some sort of fighting chance if they use XYZs.

 

 

● All face-up Syncho Monsters gain 600 ATK and DEF.

Nice. Perfect. No changes needed :)

[/spoiler]

 

[spoiler="Balance"]

Well, this part is going to be pretty general. The card is, in my opinion, is pretty well balanced. The fact that the three bonus effects proc only while you control Synchro Monsters is enough to warrant extravagant effects for minimal costs. The second bonus effect, for example, may be considered OP because it severely hurts XYZ Decks, but in essence, it is quite fairly constructed; the cost is well-suited, and the prerequisite of controlling a Synchro Monster in an XYZ-meta is enough to warrant high-power effects. The first effect involving Assault Mode monsters is, however, truly weak and needs reworking. Ultimately, this card is well-balanced, even slightly underpowered if once considers the requisite of controlling Synchro Monsters and the further costs that the card possesses.

[/spoiler]

 

[spoiler="Overall Playability"]

Would I use this card? Well, depending on the situation maybe. I'll rate each effect on sheer desirability (how much I feel decks would benefit from it):

1. Assault Mode Effect: 1/10

2. Card Self-Protection Bonus Effect: 7/10*

3. XYZ Detaching Effect: 9/10

4. ATK/DEF Boost: 8/10

 

*The rating on this effect would go up immensely if the first effect (the Assault Mode one) was changed to something worthwhile (like the Synchro-protecting effect I recommended).

[/spoiler]

 

My rankings:

Artwork/OCG: 9/10

Effect Usability: 7/10

Balance: 8/10

Playability: 6/10

 

NOTE: You can easily increase the rankings by 1 point each for the latter 3 categories by simply improving the first effect (the Assault Mode one). I hope you like this review!!!

[Galkin]

I would like to thank you for your quick (and great) review. As a result, I had time to write up the new effect and put it here for examining. I have done the favor and underlined the changes:

 

While you control a Synchro or "/Assault Mode" monster, apply all of the following effects: ● Once per turn, during your Main Phase, you can discard 1 card; this card cannot be targeted by card effects, until the End Phase of your next turn. ● Up to twice per turn, during either player's turn, you can pay 1000 Life Points; detach 1 XYZ Material from 1 XYZ Monster on the field. ● All face-up Syncho and "/Assault Mode" monsters gain 600 ATK and DEF. ● If a Synchro or "/Assault Mode" monster would be destroyed: You can banish this card; it is not destroyed and, until the End Phase, it cannot be targeted by card effects.

In this case, I removed the exclusive effect and simply made "/Assault Mode" part of the effect. They may not be technically synchros, but, honestly, they are Synchros (if that makes sense).

[magemeek22]

I like the changes! Its honestly a lot better without the whole "/Assault Mode" 1000 ATK boost, and I like that you added the Synchro-protection effect at the end. I think you can make these changes to the card, and then we'll see how people respond!