Number 16: Shock Master

So let's get started with a little basic information about the card. Shock Master is a rank 4 Xyz monster requiring 3 level 4 monsters. He's a LIGHT Fairy, with 2300 ATK and 1600 DEF.

What does he do? Read his effect, I'm not typing the card text here.

Is he good? Of course.

Why? Continue reading the post please.

When he was first released, the only deck that can afford 3 level 4 monsters on the field quickly and consistently was Offering Gadget (with 3 Ultimate Offerings of course). With 1 Offering and 1 Gadget, you can summon up to 3 Shock Masters in a single turn, with the cost of 4000 Life Points. Quite a lot, but it's really worth it. 3 Shock Masters mean you can lock down your opponent from card effects completely in 3 turns, which are enough to finish your opponent in almost any situation, just make sure you call monster effect lastly LOL

As the format continued, another deck had found use of it: Alive HERO OTK. Since 3 MST along with 3 Night Beam (not mentioning Heavy Storm and Call of the Haunted on Stratos) took good card of your opponents' backrow, the only thing to fear of while doing OTK was Gorz, as always. Because Elemental HERO Bubbleman could be easily searched, summoned and reused (The Warrior Returning Alive), HERO players could make Shock Master, calling monster effect before entering Battle Phase. In this case (assume that all traps card had been cleared), nothing could stop you from finishing your opponent. Also, you could make Shock Master in your first turn of the duel to keep your opponents from their key plays (e.g. call spell against Dark World, HERO...)

Back to present, when Offering Gadget is not a deck right now (of course if you have Tinplate Goldfish, a Gadget and Double summon, just go for Shock Master), HERO has lost some consistency, Wind-Up has just become the deck to play Shock Master in.

Does this look scary?

Why do people make Shock Master? Because it's like a multi-purpose toolbox. Shock Master gives you the ability to counter your opponent's deck NO MATTER WHAT THEY PLAY. Because every deck has its weaknesses, the way Shock Master stops a type of card is quite deadly.

Giving your options to counter your opponent depending on what they play? Shock Master is like a side deck itself. And if you think that side-decking is unimportant and does not make any impact on the game, then yeah...

Shock Master, in general, is a huge control card, for both defensive or offensive purpose(s). If you can summon it, just put it in your extra deck without any hesitation. It's worth a slot in your extra deck, I guarantee.

That's for today, thanks for reading xD