#linkslayer

Hugs/Cyberse:  5 times Yusaku's Duel Monsters hugged him +1 time Yusaku hugged a being from Cyberse.

Linkslayer ———————————————— If you control no monsters, you can Special Summon this card (from your hand). Once per turn: You can discard up to 2 cards, then target that many Spells/Traps on the field; destroy them. ———————————————— Can Be Found In: Starter Deck: Link Strike (YS17-EN004)

Nowadays there are some many ways to Special Summon a monster that is quite easy to find those able to fit in any kind of build. From the monsters themselves using their effects to assistance by other cards, is quite easy for any player to gather a variety of monsters on the board right from the first turn. Back in the day players had a very limited number of Special Summons to work with, but as the game expanded in mechanics pretty much became the core method to achieve our best setups and summons as soon as possible.

"Linkslayer" is a creature that will take a variety of roles thanks to how we use its abilities. Although a high Level monster "Linkslayer" is able to Special Summon itself if there are no other monsters on our field, making it quickly available right from our first turn or in case something goes wrong as the Duel progresses. Additionaly "Linkslayer" gives us the option to discard up to two cards from our hand, so in return destroy that same number of Spells and Traps on the field. Overall, while its Special Summon effect is quite prevalent in a big number of monsters nowadays to make it a solid purpose in many scenarios, the ability to take down backrow cards can become quite handy to either take down troublesome targets or even clear the opponent's setups.

The bad news is that "Linkslayer" lacks on supporting options to work with, in part because the Cyberse-Type debuted quite recently to have a expanded number of tools available. But the cards currently at our disposition might suffice to have atleast "Linkslayer" ready at hand, with "Formud Skipper" looking for it after being used in a Link Summon or "Summon Sorceress" directly summon it to our field. When comes to its effect "Linkslayer" will either arrive right on our first turn or as a comeback option, quite similar to other monsters like "Cyber Dragon" and "Solar Wind Jammer" among others. But if we really need its removal effect don't hesitate on using a monster on our field for a Tribute Summon, as depending of the opponent it might be worth the loss(es).

As pointed out "Linkslayer" has very similar uses to other monsters with self-summoning abilities, but has an additional purpose thanks to its ability to destroy backrow cards. Its Special Summon will mostly follow with other monsters to prepare all kinds of bigger summons, that can go from gathering certain Levels for Synchro and Xyz Summons to bringing any kind of materials for a Link Summon. While its purpose as material and even offense is quite straightforward, its removal effect will vary on reliability depending of the Deck we're facing against. In many cases we will discard a single card so "Linkslayer" destroys a suspicious Set card, but in other will be worth spending two cards if means we can destroy setups relying on particular cards like Pendulum Monsters and/or Field Spells. In either case, to mitigate the cost of its removal effect is recommeneded to dispose of cards with uses inside our Graveyard. That can go from monsters that we can revive in later turns, to cards like "Breakthrough Skill" and "Bacon Saver" banishing themselves to counter the opponent's actions.

"Linkslayer" doesn't bring nothing new to the card game when comes to Special Summons, but with its removal effect it quite stands out over the competition. If the opponent is the one starting the Duel, we can immediately follow with our turn summoning "Linkslayer" and destroy any Spells and Traps they might have placed and gain a big lead as a result. Destroying backrow or not "Linkslayer" is a useful as material as other monsters with similar summoning effects, leading the first turns or even becoming a comeback card as we follow with other monsters to quickly prepare a bigger summon(s). If anything we shouldn't be too greedy using its removal effect as we can become handless in just a pair of turns, but if you're ready to face the consequences try to atleast use cards with uses in our Graveyard to reduce losses considerably. Overall "Linkslayer" will mostly work as material right from our first turn, but taking down cards before continuing our turn becomes highly valuable to keep our performance safe from any dangers.

Personal Rating: A

+ Special Summons itself if we don't control any monsters + We can discard cards to destroy Spells and Traps in return + Valuable to lead setups as material

Linkslayer (VRAINS Episode 10)