Introduction
Secret Shiny Box is an OCG - Exclusive set designed to replicate the success of the previous Legendary God Box. Promising support for 3 notable feminine archetypes, these boxes would contain plenty of merchandise relevant to the archetype received. A player could randomly get a Sky Striker box, Mayakashi or Witchcrafter.
Each box came with a guaranteed Promotional Pack of 2 new cards, 5 booster packs, 1 Acrylic stand depicting one of two heroines of that archetype, and one of two different designs of sleeves, along with one pack of oversleeves. All of these accessories are extremely coveted, and Secret Shiny Box ended up selling extremely well. But the financial success of SSB1 is for another person to tell - My job here is to analyze the support introduced from this set. A grand total of 2 cards per these 3 selected archetypes.
Let's crack this box open and reveal the impact of these contents!
Sky Striker
Sky Striker is undoubtingly one of the most popular and meta defining archetypes of the game. With impressive designs tacked onto a singular Raye, captivating lore depicted on Sky Striker cards, and an engaging game play (get it?), Sky Striker has Widow Anchored the hearts of many players to their bidding, and to great successes. This archetype focuses on trading marginal resources against the opponent through Spell Cards. Secret Shiny Box has granted this archetype two more tools to use: Strategic Striker - H.A.M.P. and Sky Striker Mobilize - Linkage!
Strategic Striker - H.A.M.P.
Strategic Striker - H.A.M.P.
Machine/Effect
Level 8 ATK/ 2500 DEF/ 2500
- (This card is always treated as a "Sky Striker" card.)
- If you control a "Sky Striker Ace" monster, you can Special Summon this card (from your hand) to either field by Tributing 1 monster on that field.
- You can only Special Summon "Strategic Striker - H.A.M.P." once per turn this way.
- When this card is destroyed by battle: You can target 1 card your opponent controls; destroy it.
H.A.M.P. is the third Striker main deck monster for the archetype within 4 years. Quite noticeably, H.A.M.P.'s effect resembles the Kaiju monsters, a strong effect used to immediately replace problematic threats on the opposing field with itself. Although there are no major benefits to using either H.A.M.P., Kaijus or similar cards like Santa Claws, its biggest quality is displaying the Striker brand. This makes it a first of its kind to be easily searchable, from Sky Striker Mobilize - Engage or Area Zero. Striker players has had a difficult time dealing with untargetable, unremovable and unaffected boss monsters like Ultimate Falcon. This simple addition will definitely help to deal with these problematic cards. Now Raye truly has all bases covered.
Sky Striker Mobilize - Linkage!
Sky Striker Mobilize - Linkage!
Quick-Play Spell
- If you control no monsters in your Main Monster Zone: Send 1 other card you control to the GY, and if you do, Special Summon 1 "Sky Striker Ace" monster from your Extra Deck to the Extra Monster Zone, and if you have at least 1 LIGHT and 1 DARK "Sky Striker Ace" monster on your field and/or in your GY, the Summoned monster gains 1000 ATK.
- For the rest of this turn after this card resolves, you cannot Special Summon monsters from the Extra Deck, except "Sky Striker Ace" monsters.
Linkage is arguably the best card to come out of Secret Shiny Box. For a mere cost of any one card, Linkage transforms it into one of the many colored dresses Raye holds. This is quite the buff as Striker players has had difficulty establishing a consistent Striker on board at all times, especially if Raye is not found. With Linkage, it is way easier to add Spells to the Graveyard and place a quick Striker body on field. Did I mention OTK?
Raye + Linkage OTK
- Normal Summon Raye, attack for 1500. (8000 - 1500 = 6500)
- Activate Raye's effect to summon Hayate, attack for 1500. (6500 - 1500 = 5000)
- Use Hayate's effect to send Roze from the Deck to the GY.
- Now activate Linkage, sending Hayate to summon Kagari.
- Activate Kagari's effect to retrieve Linkage from the GY.
- Attack with Kagari for 2500. (5000 - 2500 = 2500)
- Activate Linkage in this Battle Phase, sending Kagari to summon Shizuku.
- Declare the final blow with Shizuku for 2500! (2500 - 2500 = 0)
While potentially inapplicable in practice, the threat of an OTK is very much real, and players should now beware of this sudden OTK. With only two new additions, Sky Strikers are ready to reclaim their throne as queens of the metagame. Let's take a look at a sample deck list.
Sky Striker Profile
The Sky Striker strategy is the same as before. Use one or more of Raye many tools to dictate the pace of the game. amass ridiculous advantage with Engage, then finish the opponent off with an over-prepared Accesscode Talker! You can feel more secure given the additional boons to consistency, now that this deck is more forgiving with misplays.
You may notice from the dreaded Maxx "C" that this is a list from the OCG. Since Secret Shiny Box is only available in Asia, I will present successful OCG lists instead, so readers can get a general idea of the ideal ratios. As H.A.M.P. is a card designed to eliminate specific threats, it does not see use outside of its intended purposes, so 1 or none copies is fine. Linkage however, is yet another key consistency piece, so it absolutely must be maxed out to 3 copies.
Players are now forced to run the singular copy of Roze in order to achieve the conditions of Linkage for the mentioned OTK combo. Otherwise, she is still another copy of a Striker monster, enough to tap into any of the many Striker outfits.
Mayakashi
Mayakashi is a Zombie archetype introduced in Hidden Summoners, a set more reowned for giving birth to the Prank-Kid archetype. Representing the various youkai littered throughout Japanese folklore, this theme focuses on churning out odd-numbered level Synchro monsters and ending on a specific Link Monster. If any of these Mayakashi Links or Synchro monsters would be removed by your opponent, Mayakashi Synchro monsters from the Graveyard would resurrect themselves, as if to punish the opponent for disturbing the dead. Now back with a vengeance, Secret Shiny Box promises these apparitions additional powers: Yuki-Onna, the Icicle Mayakashi and Ghost Meets Girl - A Mayakashi and Shiranui's Tale.
Yuki-Onna, the Icicle Mayakashi
Yuki-Onna, the Icicle Mayakashi
Zombie/Link/Effect
Link-3 ATK 2400
2+ Zombie monsters
- You can only control 1 "Yuki-Onna, the Icicle Mayakashi".
- You can only use each of the following effects of "Yuki-Onna, the Icicle Mayakashi" once per turn.
- If this card is Special Summoned: You can target 1 Effect Monster your opponent controls; negate its effects.
- (Quick Effect): You can banish this card from your GY; Special Summon 1 of your Zombie Synchro Monsters that is banished or in your GY.
With the Icicle Mayakashi, Yuki-Onna now has formes from Link 2 to Link 4. The Icicle Mayakashi may be another step of the Mayakashi ladder, but it provides a much needed effect for this deck: a quick effect to revive any Zombie Synchro Monster. All the Mayakashi Synchros trigger from being resurrected. Prior to this, it was difficult to manipulate this timing without the use of external support like Monster Reborn and Mayakashi Metamorphosis. As an extra deck monster, it is very possible to summon her into the GY, where you can selectively choose the perfect timing to revive any Mayakashi Synchro Monster.
This quick effect triggers both Yuki-Onna, the Absolute Zero Mayakashi and the summoned Mayakashi Synchro effects, but it does help other Zombie Synchros as well! Other Synchros like Corpse Dragon Lord Felgrand and Shiranui Sunsaga will appreciate being able to activate their on-summon effects again.
Ghost Meets Girl - A Mayakashi and Shiranui's Tale
Ghost Meets Girl - A Mayakashi and Shiranui's Tale
Normal Trap
- Tribute 1 "Mayakashi" or "Shiranui" Synchro or Link Monster; neither player can Special Summon monsters from the hand, Deck, or Extra Deck for the rest of this turn.
- You can banish this card from your GY, then target 1 of your banished Zombie monsters; return it to the GY.
- You can only use 1 "Ghost Meets Girl - A Mayakashi and Shiranui's Tale" effect per turn, and only once that turn
This mouthful of a card's title is the latest addition to the Mayakashi and Shiranui story, where both duke it out over their responsibilities. And the consequences? The best floodgate for Zombies we have ever seen. A Mayakashi and Shiranui's Tale merely needs to tribute a Synchro or Link Monster - easily achievable, to lock your opponent out of a turn. And veterans already know the impact of skipping any turn in this fast paced game. This effect is so extremely powerful.
The secondary effect is very relevant as well. This allows the overused Mezuki to return for overtime, or recycle Yuki-Onna, the Icicle Mayakashi for another go. Zombies excel from the Graveyard, so any effort to return them back to rest is valuable. These Zombies need their beauty sleep!
With these two newfound support, I will present yet another sample deck list.
Mayakashi Profile
The Mayakashi game plan has never strayed from the very first iteration. Synchro summon your way up to the highest level, Link it off, then do it all over again. The eventual result is Yuki-Onna, the Absolute Zero Mayakashi and a bunch of Mayakashi Synchros in the GY, waiting to resurface should anything happen to the Boss Queen. In the past, they would only emerge if their lady-in-charge met with danger; but times have changed, and Mayakashis have evolved - they can selectively dictate their appearance now with Yuki-Onna, the Icicle Mayakashi.
Mayakashis do not require a lot of deck dedication to function: just summon Hajun and Dakki. Start from Oboro-Guruma. Re-use Dakki until satisfied. This one-card combo can be backed up with the multiple traps or hand traps you choose to run. Eventually, your opponent should curse at you for playing such a strategy, and you can walk away with another W. Yet another undeserved victory for the Zombie fanatics.
Soul-Absorbing Bone Tower is the counter to Maxx "C", forcing the opponent to deplete 3 cards per special summon, and there is a lot from this deck.
Other then a pure build, players may want to consider adding an Eldlich engine, or even more generic Zombie support like Mezuki and Uni-Zombie.
Witchcrafter
Witchcrafter is one of the many female Spellcaster archetypes introduced from Deck Build sets; this from Infinity Chaser. Chronicling the antics of these magical crafters, this theme focuses on using in-hand Spell Cards to employ various effects. These Witchcrafter Spells will resurrect themselves at the end of the turn back into your hand, which fuels the cost for these girls' effects.
Recently, Grandmaster Madame Verre has left on a journey - her free-spirited will is nothing new to the gang! But not before imparting her archetype two new responsibilities in the Secret Shiny Box: Witchcrafter Confusion and Witchcrafter Vice-Master.
Witchcrafter Confusion
Witchcrafter Confusion
Normal Spell
- Fusion Summon 1 Fusion Monster from your Extra Deck, using monsters from your hand or field as Fusion Material, including at least 1 "Witchcrafter" monster.
- During your End Phase, if you control a "Witchcrafter" monster, while this card is in your GY: You can add this card to your hand.
- You can only use 1 "Witchcrafter Confusion" effect per turn, and only once that turn.
Witchcrafter Confusion introduces a fusion mechanic to the magical artisan archetype. Previously, this deck has had no reliance on any extra deck monsters, so why start now? This fusion spell operates exactly like any other generic fusion spells, aside from having Witchcrafter in the name. But since it does include the typical Witchcrafter effect of reclamation, it may not be terrible to run in the deck. What fusion monster are we summoning with this spell? Will the girls be okay after Madame Verre's sudden departure? Let's find out.
Witchcrafter Vice-Master
Witchcrafter Vice-Master
Spellcaster/Fusion/Effect
Level 8 ATK/ 2700 DEF/ 2800
1 "Witchcrafter" monster + 1 Spellcaster monster
When a non-Fusion Spellcaster monster's effect OR a Spell Card or effect is activated (Quick Effect): You can activate 1 of these effects;
● Destroy 1 card on the field.
● Special Summon 1 Level 6 or lower "Witchcrafter" monster from your hand or Deck.
● Add 1 "Witchcrafter" Spell/Trap from your GY to your hand.
You can only use each effect of "Witchcrafter Vice-Master" once per turn.
Now that Madame Verre is gone, who is going to run the show? Of course, it's everyone else. Vice-Master is the obvious conclusion of the Witchcrafter crew, displaying a multitude of effects stacked upon any spell activation. Vice-Master can resolve up to three different effects during either turn per turn, which generates massive advantage by itself. This is backed up by the numerous Spells that Witchcrafters are able to employ, on hand, field or graveyard to trigger Vice-Master at any point of the game. Vice-Master also triggers from your opponent's spells! Alone, this overwhelming advantage will surely outpace the opponent quickly, but only if you are able to dedicate the resources into summoning Vice-Master.
With a brand new approach, Witchcrafter may finally be able to compete with their resource advantages. As usual, here is my sample OCG list.
Witchcrafter Profile
With the inclusion of Vice-Master, the Witchcrafter game plan has drastically focused on one goal - to summon and resolve Vice-Master. This means adding fusion support, while pumping more cost advantageous spells into the deck. Thankfully, I do have such a list that encompasses all this greed.
That Grass looks Greener - one of OCG's many benefits.
This version aims to mill every copy of Witchcrafter spells, a tactic familiar for Duel Link players. Along this, an Albaz package is used to summon Vice-Master. The Albaz package is extremely helpful for summoning Vice-Master for little to no commitment, as it is difficult to find two willing Witchcrafters AND Witchcrafter Confusion, and then an additional spell to set Vice-Master off. You can find yourself with a huge green hand in the later stages of the game, with Verre and Haine to disrupt the opponent.
Now, you can be sure to achieve anything you want with this deck, because Vice-Master is here to provide every resource you would ever need, and want.
This deck can be ran with Shaddoll to mill specific Witchcrafters, or Invoked to protect your Vice-Master from being negated. Regardless, Witchcrafters can now be categorized as a fusion-centric deck.
My Box and Conclusion
Secret Shiny Box is an amazing set. The support introduced in this set has been phenomenal, and I respect this. Even as Sky Strikers take their newfound power to re-enter the metagame, the other two archetypes are now extremely fun to play, now that they have improved consistency and more resilience. Give them a go! But as I display my acryclic stands in a corner of my room, I have to wonder, and if you are reading this, give me your thoughts as well.
Why is its name the Secret Shiny Box? What exactly is the secret here?
And if this set is full of female archetypes, will we get a ikemen variant next time? Some would hope so.
Until next time, thank you for reading, and do not forget to get your hands on one of these beauties!
