Inzektor Exa-Stag ββββββββββββββββ 2 Level 5 Insect-Type monsters Once per turn: You can detach 1 Xyz Material from this card to target 1 monster your opponent controls or in their Graveyard; equip that target to this card. This card gains ATK and DEF equal to half the original ATK and DEF of the monster(s) equipped by this effect. ββββββββββββββββ Can Be Found In: Galactic Overlord (GAOV-EN050)
Some of the most reliable cards in the game are those that activates several effects at once to obtain the best results as possible. Even if they carry some big flaws to compensate, the damage that can cause to the opponent might become unrecoverable to the point that can win Duels on the spot. This kind of cards have the potential of lead Duels on their own, either becoming the main engine to run entire Decks with their pressence or the several benefits that will cause as soon we actiavate their effect(s).
"Inzektor Exa-Stag" seems a feeble card for a Rank 5 Xyz Monster due its pitiful stats, but as one of the lead monsters on the Inzektor archetype is more than capable to unleash powerful results with its effects. By detaching a material, "Exa-Stag" will steal an opponent's monster from their field or Graveyard to become an Equip Card. As a result "Exa-Stag" will gain ATK and DEF equal to half of each monster equipped by this ability, therefore the more monsters we take away the more powerful will become. However, even though gaining half stats of its target(s) might not make it a powerful offense depending of which monsters we steal, the fact that we can target monsters on the field already makes "Exa-Stag" a serious threat as clears the opposite field for our attacks.
Although being one of the boss monsters in its archetype, "Exa-Stag" is available for any Insect Deck that can prepare its Xyz Summon with ease. Although Inzektors have a variety of Levels among their monsters, many of them share the ability to increase the Level of each other once they become equipment thanks to the archetype's main mechanics. In combination with staple members such as "Inzektor Centipede" and "Inzektor Hornet", the build shouldn't take too long to have "Exa-Stag" out on our field ready for action. Other Insect Decks won't have bigger problems in comparison, as with options like "Primitive Butterfly" and "Super Cocoon of Evolution" they obtain plenty of opportunities from early to late game to prepare this Xyz Summon. The poor stats of "Exa-Stag" might become an advantage if working along copies of "Limit Reverse", as although won't have its effect in most cases it becomes a solid material for other monsters like Link Summon.
"Exa-Stag" shouldn't be underestimated, as is not all about how much stats will gain with its effect but rather the outcomes that will case once activated. In most cases targetting enemies on the opposite field, "Exa-Stag" main purpose comes from clearing the board from any threats as itself and other monsters obtain a field clear to attack against. If not equipping monsters on the field will still cause damage by aiming to the Graveyard, not only having wider options the later this effect is used but also the potential to steal key monsters so aren't retrieved by the opponent in the next turns. While the best outcome is for "Exa-Stag" use its effect atleast twice to obtain the biggest stats as possible there's nothing to worry about if working along other Inzektors, as thanks to members like "Inzektor Giga-Mantis" we can provide a bigger base ATK for not only coverage but also making him stronger to battle with.
As stated several times, "Inzektor Exa-Stag" is not a card that shouldn't be judged just by its stats and the boosts that will gain by its effect . Although clearly a monster that most likely will be easily defeated before gets any stronger, "Exa-Stag" main function is to clear the board of any threats first and gain stats second. Fortunately the rest of Inzektors provide more than enough coverage towards "Exa-Stag" as themselves become equipment to provide additional boosts and effects including preparing its own Xyz Summon, so is not a card that will stay alone on the field to be easily taken down a turn later. While far from a powerful Rank 5 monster when compared to other options, "Exa-Stag" has a powerful role to depend on even though won't obtain the biggest stat boosts in the process.
Personal Rating: B
+ Equips an opponent's monster in their field or Graveyard and gain half their ATK and DEF + Good coverage from its own archetype
- Poor stats even with atleast one monster equipped - Might rely on other cards to survive - Overshadowed by other Rank 5 monsters
