NEXUS

Executive Summary

The modern "HERO" strategy is a masterclass in synergy, a combo-heavy powerhouse that bears little resemblance to a pure Elemental HERO build. Instead, it has evolved into a powerful, synergistic amalgamation?a "HERO soup" ?that expertly fuses the strongest cards from the Elemental, Destiny, Vision, and Xtra HERO sub-archetypes. The deck's primary game plan is explosive and twofold: going first, it establishes oppressive "floodgate" monsters like Masked HERO Dark Law to shut down opponent strategies. Going second, it becomes a terrifying board-breaking engine capable of executing a decisive One-Turn Kill (OTK).

The Core Engines

Vision HERO Engine

The premier combo starter. The trio of Faris, Increase, and Vyon generates multiple monsters, loads the Graveyard, and searches Polymerization without a Normal Summon.

Destiny HERO Engine

Provides recursion and enables floodgates. Malicious and Denier offer a stream of free monsters, fueling the summon of the devastating Destiny HERO - Plasma.

Elemental HERO Engine

The versatile toolbox. Stratos, Shadow Mist, and Liquid Soldier provide crucial searches, draws, and extensions, acting as the glue that binds the strategy.

Core Combo: The "Faris" Starter

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This walkthrough demonstrates how Vision HERO Faris plus any other HERO monster initiates the deck's main combo line.

Vision HERO Faris
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1

Activate & Place

Activate Faris in hand by discarding another HERO. Special Summon Faris and place Vision HERO Increase in your Spell/Trap Zone.

Vision HERO Vyon
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2

Tribute & Summon

Tribute Faris to Special Summon Increase, whose effect then Special Summons Vision HERO Vyon from the Deck.

Xtra HERO Cross Crusader
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3

Search, Link & Extend

Use Vyon to send a HERO to GY (e.g., Malicious) and banish another to search Polymerization. Link into Xtra HERO Cross Crusader to revive a Destiny HERO and tribute it to search for any HERO, continuing the combo.

The Final Endboard

The goal of the primary combo is to establish a board that severely restricts the opponent. The most common and powerful endboard focuses on control and recurring disruption.

Masked HERO Dark Law

Masked HERO Dark Law
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  • GY Floodgate: Any card sent to the opponent's Graveyard is banished instead.
  • Hand Control: When the opponent searches, banishes a random card from their hand.

Destiny HERO - DPE

Destiny HERO - Destroyer Phoenix Enforcer
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  • Recurring Disruption: Quick Effect to destroy one card you control and one card on the field.
  • Self-Revival: If destroyed, it Special Summons itself back from the GY during the next Standby Phase.

Competitive Analysis

Strengths

  • Anti-Meta Specialist: Dark Law single-handedly counters most Graveyard-reliant strategies.
  • High OTK Potential: Excels at going second to break boards and win in a single turn.
  • Resilience through Starters: Multiple one-card starters make the deck consistent and able to play through minor disruption.

Weaknesses

  • Hand Trap Vulnerability: Highly susceptible to Ash Blossom (on Fusion Destiny) and especially Nibiru.
  • Linear Choke Points: The combo is predictable. Negating key pieces like Vyon or Cross Crusader can end the turn.
  • Resource Intensive: Requires a high number of in-archetype cards, leaving little room for defensive "non-engine" cards.

Banlist Impact

While the Elemental HERO core remains untouched, the archetype's moderate means restrictions on generic support cards do have an impact.

Affected Synergistic Cards

Limited

  • Called by the Grave
  • Triple Tactics Talent

Meta Implications: Despite restrictions on support cards, Elemental HERO's high allows the deck to remain viable with alternative tech choices.

Banlist Status Summary

+ analyzed • 0 archetype restrictions • 2 synergistic cards restricted