NEXUS

Executive Summary: The Union Renaissance (2025)

The A-to-Z archetype has undergone a profound technical reinvention following the "Duelist of Brilliance" support wave. Historically split between the competitive "ABC" and the difficult "XYZ," the strategy has merged into a singular, hyper-consistent "Light Machine Union" engine.

The modern build no longer relies solely on "Union Hangar" as a choke point. Instead, it utilizes a modular combo structure where Main Deck monsters function as both starters and extenders. The primary objective is now the reliable summoning of A-to-Z Dragon Buster Cannon?previously a "win-more" card, now a viable competitive endgame supported by the new XYZ-Hyper Dragon Cannon bridge.

Foundational Mechanics

"Equipped by Effect"

A critical distinction in 2025: X-Cross Cannon and Union Driver treat their equips as if "equipped by that Union monster's effect." This bypasses standard restrictions, allowing for immediate Special Summons and rapid Union Climbing.

Hyper Contact Fusion

The new XYZ-Hyper Dragon Cannon bridges the gap between modern speed and legacy requirements. It cheats the original materials onto the field by banishing itself, creating a massive resource swing that enables the full A-to-Z summon.

The Core Engine: ABC Components

A-Assault Core
Missing: 30012506

A-Assault Core

Recursion Unit

GY Effect: Adds another Union monster from GY to hand.

Equip Effect: Immunity to Monster effects.

B-Buster Drake
Missing: 77411244

B-Buster Drake

Search Unit

GY Effect: Adds any Union monster from Deck to hand. The primary combo starter.

Equip Effect: Immunity to Spell effects.

C-Crush Wyvern
Missing: 3405259

C-Crush Wyvern

Extension Unit

GY Effect: Special Summons a Union monster from hand.

Equip Effect: Immunity to Trap effects.

The 2025 Arsenal

X-Cross Cannon
Missing: 70860415

X-Cross Cannon

The absolute starter. Special Summons itself if you control a Light Machine Fusion/Union. Equips a Union from Deck directly, treating it as if equipped by effect.

Union Controller
Missing: 2133971

Union Controller

The central node. Contact Fusion of Light Machine + Y or Z. Searches "Union" Spell/Traps (Hangar/Activation) and extends plays.

XYZ-Hyper Dragon Cannon
Missing: 75748977

XYZ-Hyper Dragon Cannon

The bridge. Banishes itself to cheat out the original XYZ-Dragon Cannon materials from GY/Banished, enabling the A-to-Z summon.

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Loaded: Union Hangar Start - ABC/XYZ Full Board
BETA

Union Hangar Start - ABC/XYZ Full Board

Beginner Guide Available

Starting with Union Hangar, this combo builds into ABC-Dragon Buster and XYZ-Hyper Dragon Cannon with Cyber Dragon Infinity for negation. A less safe variant that requires Hangar in hand.

✨ Combo by Francois

Deck Construction (2025)

Card Name Count Role / Reasoning
X-Cross Cannon 3 Absolute starter. Mandatory max.
Union Activation 3 Consistency tool; effectively 3 more copies of X-Cross.
B-Buster Drake 3 Best searcher in the deck.
A-Assault / C-Crush 2-3 / 2 Recyclers and extenders.
Y-Yearhead / Z-Zillion 1-2 Extenders for the loop. 1 is mandatory, 2 for grind.
Original X / Y / Z 1 "Garnets". Required for Activation targets and A-to-Z.
Union Driver 1 Engine lubricant for Hangar plays.

Standard Endboard Configuration

A-to-Z Dragon Buster Cannon

A-to-Z-Dragon Buster Cannon
Missing: 65172015
  • Omni-Negate: Discard 1 card to negate activation of Spell/Trap/Monster effect and destroy it.
  • 4000 ATK: Massive beatstick that demands an answer.

Support: Silhouhatte Rabbit

Silhouhatte Rabbit
Missing: 1528054
  • Silhouhatte Rabbit: A key Link-2 that sets Angel Statue - Azurune directly from deck when summoned, providing non-targeting removal. Its effect to special summon a Level 4 also enables further plays.
  • Synergy: Works perfectly with Union Controller and C-Crush Wyvern as Link materials, then immediately advances your board state with a free trap set.

Competitive Analysis

Strengths

  • Board Breaking: ABC's banish + A-to-Z's negate creates a layered offense.
  • Resilience: The "Tag-Out" mechanic allows bosses to dodge targeted negation like Impermanence.
  • Light Lock: While restrictive, it prevents the opponent from using Super Poly into non-Light targets easily.

Weaknesses

  • Droll & Lock Bird: The deck searches 5+ times per turn. A resolved Droll ends the turn immediately.
  • Nibiru: The main combo summons 15+ times. Requires early Therion King Regulus or Infinity to insulate.
  • Garnets: Drawing the original X/Y/Z pieces is painful without Union Activation to swap them.

Synergies & Tech

  • Galaxy Soldier: Provides early access to Cyber Dragon Infinity for insulation.
  • Fiendsmith Engine: Used to bridge into "Beatrice" and "Curious" to dump specific Union parts.
  • Union Activation: GY effect can search a 3000+ ATK monster (like Beast King Barbaros) for board wiping.

Current TCG Banlist Status

Banlist Impact

While the A-to-Z/ABC core remains untouched, the archetype's dependence on generic Link monsters and extenders means restrictions on generic support cards do have an impact.

Affected Synergistic Cards

Forbidden

  • Union Carrier

Meta Implications: Despite restrictions on support cards, A-to-Z/ABC's strong synergy with multiple engines (Therion, Bystial, P.U.N.K.) allows the deck to remain viable with alternative tech choices.

Banlist Status Summary

+ analyzed • 0 archetype restrictions • 1 synergistic card restricted