#patroid

Patroid

Patroid

Of all the roid monsters I’ve seen, I think this is the one I probably like the least? Something about this living car standing and having limbs bothers me. Probably the fact that cars are not supposed to have either of those. Actually, this makes me wonder if this monster is even able to use its wheels normally or not. Is Patroid a semi-transformer? Can it go from car to this standing car form? This is probably a question we’ll never get an answer for. I like its pointy hat though.

Patroid ———————————————— Once per turn, during your Main Phase, you can look at 1 face-down card your opponent controls, then return it to its original position. ———————————————— Can Be Found In: Cybernetic Revolution (CRV-EN006), Starter Deck: Syrus Truesdale (YSDS-EN013), Dark Revelation Volume 4 (DR04-EN006)

The most used effects are pretty much reduced to three categories: Summoning monsters from anywhere the Deck allows it, obtaining or retrieving cards to expand our options, or remove and counter any targets from the opponent. This can be seen in nearly every Deck nowadays, with just some key differences depending of the theme is working along with. Other effects while still present in many builds they usually aren't the main focus of the Deck, with some exceptions such as dealing damage by effects or excavating cards. The game might have narrowed their options to very fundamental mechanics to setup the field with and confront the opponent, but there are various abilities that can diversify Duels and provide assistance on unusual objectives.

"Patroid" belongs to the Vehicroid archetype, a group of monsters that far before focusing on Fusion Summons provided a diverse list of effects to assist the user in all kinds of roles. "Patroid" might be one of the most harmless in comparison to others, as each of our turns allow us to check a face-down card on the opposite field. This might not be a powerful ability in a time where removal effects and Special Summons are the norm, but "Patroid" might give us some vital information to handle possible threats no matter if are Set monsters or suspicious cards in the opponent's backrow.

Vehicroids had some decent support, but with the recent improvement of the archetype we can obtain a member like "Patroid" under all sorts of circumstances. Cards like "Mixeroid" and "Megaroid City" allow us to trade a card on the field to look for "Patroid" in return, while others like "Geargiauger" and "Gear Gigant X" will also look for the Vehicroid with their respective abilities. In mid or late game, "Expressroid" and its copies will allow us to retrieve "Patroid" and other Vehicroids by just being summoned, as well "Iron Call" reviving it effectless to work as material for bigger monsters.

Don't underestimate "Patroid" effect, as although harmless can completely turn arround how we handle entire turns depending of the information we obtain with its assistance. Checking a Set monster allow us to confirm if either has a dangerous effect when flipped or taken down, or simply confirm its DEF is low enough for our monsters to take down without any assistance. Set Spells and Traps are assured to be dangerous, and unless the opponent chains them against the arrival of "Patroid" we can confirm if there's a devastating effect awaiting for us to play our best cards to counter them. With the expansion of the Extra Deck as well the support arround Fusion Summon Vehicroids has obtained "Patroid" is far from useless when its effect isn't needed, as can work arround effects like "Iron Call" and "Summoner Monk" to achieve Link and Xyz Summons, or focus on the arrival of "Super Vehicroid - Mobile Base" with the assistance of cards like "Mixeroid" and "Vehicroid Connection Zone".

Vehicroids are in a very odd position when compared to other archetypes, as besides their focus on expensive but powerful Fusion Summons their members barely shares a main theme in their effects. "Patroid" is no exception, with an effect that might not obtain outstanding outcomes and might be easily replaced by one of many powerful alternatives inside and outside the archetype. However, knowing if a face-down card is a threat for our goals can become vital to save our field out of danger, and with various cards making "Patroid" and easily available material will rarely become a dead card even in the worst situations. "Patroid" might not be one of the strongest Vehicroids available, but has the potential to save entire boards by just revealing a face-down card.

Personal Rating: B-

+ Allow us to check a face-down card on the opposite field + Well supported + The information we obtain by its effect can potentially save our setups