Joey Wheeler - Hermos Red-Eyes Warrior [Low Rogue]

Power: Low Rogue (6.4/10) - This is a cleaner, fully TCG-legal Link Evolution rebuild and it earns Low Rogue because the Red-Eyes engine gives real access and follow-up. It does not go higher because The Claw of Hermos still needs specific monster types in hand or on field, and the Hermos Fusion payoffs are battle/equip pressure rather than a modern one-card engine.

Consistency: Good for a theme deck (7.2/10) - Black Metal Dragon, The Black Stone of Legend, Red-Eyes Insight, Red-Eyes Fusion, Keeper of Dragon Magic, Pot of Extravagance, and Reinforcement of the Army give the deck more playable openings than the old nostalgia-heavy version. The Claw of Hermos remains the main variance point because it needs the right Dragon, Warrior, or Time Wizard line to convert into an equip fusion.

Ceiling: Solid (7.0/10) - The best hands combine Hermos pressure with Red-Eyes Slash Dragon, Red-Eyes Fang with Chain, Red-Eyes Black Dragon Sword, Rocket Hermos Cannon, Red-Eyes Flare Metal Dragon, Ferocious Flame Swordsman, Hieratic Seal, or Borrelsword Dragon. The deck can produce real damage quickly when a Hermos equip sticks to an established body.

Recovery: Solid (6.9/10) - Red-Eyes Spirit, Red-Eyes Fang with Chain, Monster Reborn, The Black Stone of Legend, Black Metal Dragon, and Red-Eyes Insight help reload after the first push. Pot of Extravagance also improves follow-up, though it can banish some one-of Extra Deck tools.

Going first/second: Slightly better going second. Going first, set up Red-Eyes Slash Dragon, Fang with Chain, Spirit, Infinite Impermanence, or a small Link/Seal board. Going second, The Claw of Hermos, Red-Eyes Black Dragon Sword, Rocket Hermos Cannon, Harpie's Feather Duster, and the side deck cards let the deck turn openings into damage: Dark Ruler No More, Evenly Matched, Twin Twisters, Nibiru, and Artifact Lancea.

Choke points: Stop Red-Eyes Insight or Black Metal Dragon to slow the engine. Remove the monster that The Claw of Hermos is trying to send before the equip fusion resolves. Stop Red-Eyes Fusion when Slash Dragon would stabilize the board. Banishing Red-Eyes Black Dragon or Black Metal Dragon also weakens Spirit, Fang, Black Stone, and follow-up searches.

Key cards: The Claw of Hermos, Red-Eyes Black Dragon Sword, Rocket Hermos Cannon, Time Magic Hammer, Black Metal Dragon, Red-Eyes Black Dragon, Gearfried the Red-Eyes Iron Knight, Rocket Warrior, Time Wizard, Red-Eyes Insight, Red-Eyes Fusion, Red-Eyes Slash Dragon, Red-Eyes Fang with Chain.

Key combos: The Claw of Hermos sends a Dragon for Red-Eyes Black Dragon Sword, a Warrior for Rocket Hermos Cannon or Goddess Bow, or Time Wizard for Time Magic Hammer. Black Metal Dragon can be linked into Linkuriboh or Striker Dragon to search Red-Eyes follow-up. Red-Eyes Insight sends a Red-Eyes monster to search Red-Eyes Fusion, Fang, or Spirit. Red-Eyes Fusion makes Slash Dragon using Red-Eyes plus a Warrior, giving the deck a backup plan when Hermos is not online. Black Stone summons Red-Eyes Black Dragon and later recycles itself for more Red-Eyes access.