This idea might not be new - I've tried something similar myself in the past, and I'm sure other people have explored this concept as well - but now with the limitations of Snake-Eye Ash and WANTED: Seeker of Sinful Spoils, and the increased synergy between Vanquish Soul and Snake-Eye with Infernal Flame Banshee in the game, allowing any Rank 4 to be a Snake-Eye combo, I thought this was an idea worth revisiting, and I've been having some success with it in the WCS 2024 Qualifiers event. You can facilitate this strategy by playing Parallel eXceed, which is really easy to trigger by link summoning either Rock of the Vanquisher or Linkuriboh.
Here's how you can get from Vanquish Soul Razen to Snake-Eye combo:
Obviously, depending on your hand, this combo can be adjusted. If you already have Vanquish Soul Dr. Mad Love, you can get a different Vanquish Soul monster, like Vanquish Soul Jiaolong or Vanquish Soul Heavy Borger for example. Or you can get Vanquish Soul Snow Devil if you already have Vanquish Soul - Continue?. Also, if you already have access to Snake-Eye combo (via Diabellstar the Black Witch or Bonfire for example), you can either do the regular Vanquish Soul stuff, or use this "engine" to make a different Rank 4, like Abyss Dweller, which can be very strong against decks like Snake-Eye, Branded or Tearlament (I believe it is actually broken, the only reason it is not more seen in this fire meta is because not a lot of decks at the moment can make a Rank 4 without compromising their main combos).
Some notes about the strategy and individual cards:
- Parallel eXceed is really good in this deck, being another way to get an easy Rank 4 just by Link Summoning anything, or just generic link material should you need it (if only it was fire, dark or earth it would be perfect). It was already cool in Snake-Eye, since you could get Snake-Eyes Poplar after your Snake-Eye Ash gets Veilered/Impermed, just by summoning Linkuriboh and making the Infernal Flame Banshee. How convenient that Vanquish Soul also has access to a Link-1 with a downward pointing arrow! This is also the reason for playing Salamangreat Almiraj, since it can turn a "brick" hand with a Parallel eXceed into full combo if you can Normal Summon an Ash Blossom & Joyous Spring or Maxx "C" for example.
- Kurikara Divincarnate is amazing. This card is a powerhouse, and it's easy to search in this deck, destroying many decks when you go 2nd and allowing easy OTKs.
- You can use Snake-Eyes Poplar effect to put Vanquish Soul Razen from the GY in the S/T zone, so you can also summon it during the opponent's turn using Divine Temple of the Snake-Eye or Snake-Eyes Flamberge Dragon.
- We all like to draw cards, but don't sleep on Vanquish Soul Heavy Borger burn effect! 3000 damage (1500 on your turn, + another 1500 during your opponent's draw phase) it's huge, sometimes you can even OTK while playing around Nibiru, the Primal Being because of it.
- If you can resolve both engines, that's awesome, but many times you will use one engine as "bait" and then drop the other to kill your opponent. I'd say that Vanquish Soul is really good at baiting all your opponent's interactions (which also plays well with Kurikara Divincarnate) and leave the coast clear for your Snake-Eye combos to make an appearance, but you can choose if you prefer to do the opposite of course.
- The Extra Deck is somewhat flexible, you can play other Rank 4 or Link monsters if you so desire. The space for non-engine is not the biggest, and this deck is already 45 cards (which is fine tbh), but you can adjust that as well (I'd prioritize playing Fire/Dark/Earth handtraps though, that's why I haven't included Nibiru, the Primal Being or Effect Veiler, opting for Bystials instead, which are good in a variety of matchups). The side deck has some additional cards you can consider.
All in all, I think this is a fun twist on the current fire meta. I hope you enjoyed the deck, I really appreciate your suggestions and feedback about the list, so feel free to leave them in the comments! It's also my first time making a video to accompany/showcase a deck list, so I also really appreciate feedback on it as well.
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