Introduction
Crystrons are a WATER Machine archetype that specializes on popping your own cards to swarm the field with Synchro material, then Synchro Summoning with quick effects during your opponent's Main and Battle Phase. The deck generates card advantage with cards that banish themselves from your GY, and has many ways to recycle cards from both the GY and banishment, creating a strong advantage loop that can easily outgrind and overwhelm your opponent.
In Master Duel where Loading... is legal, Crystrons gain an edge over many other decks in the format, as the deck can play extremely low to the ground and simply wait until the opponent's turn to make Synchro plays. Crystrons also have a ton of ways to play around Loading... , which means you can "Droll" yourself to prevent your opponent from drawing too many cards with Maxx "C" or Loading... .
While the new support already makes the deck fairly strong, it has the potential to be even stronger once the K9 archetype is released in the future.
Why play this deck?
Pros/Strengths
- Fun and Interactive Gameplay: Crystrons perform multiple Synchro Summons during the oppoenent's turn. There are lots of decision making during both players' turns which rewards high skill expression.
- Strong and Flexible Setups: Crystrons end on a quite decent turn 1 board, and the quick Synchro gimmick lets you choose whichever Synchro Monster suits the situation the best while your opponent plays out their turn.
- Handtrap Resilience: Not only do Crystrons have ways to dodge handtraps like Loading... completely by chaining Tristaros to remove its target, the deck can also play under Loading... and Loading... by playing low to the ground or Drolling yourself.
- Grindy: Crystrons have an impressive grind game thanks to their many GY effects that recur advantage, Eleskeletus being able to put cards in the GY or banishment back into rotation, and Cluster shuffling back resources.
Cons/Weaknesses
- Going Second: Crystrons have no strong in-archetype tools to go second. To circumvent this, decks usually play a side engine with better going second capabilities or play a large amount of non-engine.
- Slightly bricky: Tristaros, Sulfefnir and Sulfador all require 2 card combos to function, as well as other bricks like Citree, Thystvern and Cluster. Side engines like the Terrortop package are commonly used to increase consistency.
- Expensive Side Engines: Side engines such as Kashtira and Horus are mostly UR cards that can be costly to craft.
The Cards
All the non-lv.5 Main Deck non-Tuners share an effect to destroy one face-up card on your side of the field to Special Summon a Crystron Tuner from the deck and locking you into Machine Synchro Monsters from the Extra Deck, as well as having a unique ignition GY effect by banishing themselves for cost. Both effects on each monster are shared hard once per turn so choose wisely.
All the Main Deck Tuners have Quick Effects to Synchro Summon a Machine Synchro Monster. Each Tuner uses a different place (hand, deck, GY or banishment) from where they get the non-Tuner to Synchro Summon. Most Main Deck Tuners are Quick Effects that can be activated whenever you want during your opponent's Main or Battle Phase, with the exception of Tristaros who needs to be chained to any card effect activated by your opponent, including during your own turn.
- Main
- Extra
- Side Engines
- Sample Decklists
- Combos
- General Tips
Crystron Sulfefnir (x2-3)
Sulfefnir can summon itself from your hand or GY by discarding a Crystron card, then destroying a card on your field (usually itself). This will trigger its second effect that allows you to summon a Crystron monster from the Deck. Though rare, this effect can also be triggered by popping it with another card effect, such as any of your non-lv.5 Main Deck non-Tuners. This Special Summoning effect does not Machine lock you, which opens up generic non-Machine Link plays. Being a lv.5 monster, this card is frequently used to make Loading... into Loading... during your turn.
Play 3 copies if you play a large amount of Crystron cards. Less copies is fine if you rely more on other side engines.
Crystron Sulfador (x2-3)
Sulfador can summon itself from your hand or GY by popping a face-up Crystron card, then locks you into Machine monsters from the Extra Deck. If Normal or Special summoned, Sulfador sends up to 2 Crystron cards with different names from your Deck to the GY. Sulfador is used for setting up your GY and giving you access to any Crystron card you're missing. It is also a combo starter (albeit a bad one) if you have any Crystron card on the field. Being a lv.5 monster, this card is frequently used to make Cyber Dragon Nova into Cyber Dragon Infinity during your turn.
2 copies is usually played in pure, but playing 3 copies can be useful if you run a side engine such as Horus or Millennium, as you can Tribute Summon it or summon it after milling it with Loading... .
Crystron Smiger (x3)
Smiger (pronounced "smai-ger") can banish itself from your GY to search for any Crystron Spell/Trap. Smiger is a 1 card starter by linking it off with Loading... , so play as many copies of it as you can.
Crystron Thystvern (x1)
Thystvern can banish itself from your GY to search for any Crystron monster. Unlike Smiger, Thystvern is not a 1 card starter on its own, so playing 1 copy is enough.
Crystron Prasiortle (x0-1)
Prasiortle can banish itself from your GY to special summon a Crystron monster from your hand. This effect is used in a small amount of combos, and the deck works fine even if you decide not to play it.
Crystron Rosenix (x0-1)
Rosenix can banish itself from your GY to generate a lv.1 token, which can be used as Synchro or Link material (commonly by converting the token into Clockwork Knight then making Loading... ). Due to it being a brick, Rosenix is rarely included in most Crystron decks.
Crystron Tristaros (x2-3)
Tristaros is easily the best Main Deck Crystron tuner, because unlike the other tuners, it activates in response to your opponent's card effect, special summons a Crystron monster from your Deck, and immediately Synchro Summon using the summoned card as part of the Synchro materials (it is not mandatory to use Tristaros itself as material), letting you dodge targeted interruptions such as Loading... .
Tristaros also has a GY effect that lets you banish itself to pop a Synchro Monster you control and Special Summon 2 Crystron monsters from your Deck, and also Machine locks you from the Extra Deck. This will trigger the on-destruction effects of your Crystron Synchro Monsters, which summons even more bodies to your field.
While playing 2 copies is enough for the deck to function, many players play 3 copies as it is a powerful Normal Summon that protects your combos from interruption both when going first and second.
Crystron Citree (x0-1)
The tuner that summons from the GY, and banishes the materials after synchro summoning. Citree is best non-Tristaros tuner, and is frequently part of your turn 1 setup. It is also commonly summoned from the Deck by Tristaros' quick Synchro effect to make Loading... , because that effect cannot summon another copy of Tristaros and Quariongandrax needs 2 Tuners.
Some players also decide to play 0 copies (or 1 in the side deck in bo3 formats) as Citree is a terrible brick to draw. In that case, your endboards will consist of 2 Tristaros instead of 1 Tristaros and 1 Citree, which modifies your Synchro toolbox options during your opponent's turn, and loses the ability for your lv.5 monsters to dodge targeting effects by summoning Citree from Deck and making a lv.7 Synchro (though this role can be fulfilled by summoning a lv.5 from Deck to make Loading... instead).
Crystron Inclusion (x3)
Easily the best 1 card starter. On activation, Inclusion adds any Crystron card from your Deck to your hand. It gives your monsters battle protection while it is on your field, but usually it is used instead as a free card for your Crystron monster effects to destroy. It can also banish itself from the GY to Special Summon a Crystron monster from your GY for more extension.
Crystron Cluster (x1)
Once per turn, you can destroy 1 face-up card on the field by shuffling 1 Crystron card from your GY or banishment into the Deck, or destroy up to 2 if you control a Crystron Synchro Monster. It also prevents any of your Crystron cards from being banished by your opponent. Cluster is an important part of your turn 1 endboard, providing valuable layered interaction.
Notably, if you choose to immediately use the pop effect of Cluster when you flip if face-up, your opponent can chain Loading... to not only negate Cluster's activation, but also send it to the GY. Using the pop effect on a new chain after flipping Cluster face-up prevents Belle from sending Cluster to the GY, but makes it vulnerable to Loading... .
Crystron Eleskeletus (x1-2)
When Synchro Summoned, Eleskeletus adds a Crystron card from your GY or banishment to your hand. When destroyed, it Special Summons any Crystron monster from your GY or banishment. Both effects are crucial in combos to recycle banished Crystrons and gain card advantage, and it usually doesn't stay on the field for long before getting popped by the GY effect of Tristaros to get 3 bodies on the field. It also has a nice bonus continuous effect that lowers the ATK and DEF of all of your opponent's monsters by 500.
Although Cluster can shuffle it back to the Extra Deck, most players play 2 copies so that Cluster can recycle other Main Deck cards that you need instead.
Crystron Quariongandrax (x1)
Quariongandrax has a unique summoning condition of needing 1 non-Tuner and 2 (or more) Tuners as material. When Synchro Summoned, Quariongandrax banishes 3 monsters from your opponent's field or GY (more if you use more than 2 Tuners). When destroyed, it Special Summons any monster from either player's banishment except itself. Quariongandrax is one of the strongest monster removals you have easy access to, and can be made in your own turn to clear boards or in your opponent's turn using Tristaros' effect to disrupt your opponent's plays. If made in your own turn, you can summon this card, attack, then pop it in Main Phase 2 using Tristaros and convert it into 3 bodies to prepare for your opponent's next turn.
Crystron Ametrix (x0-1)
When Synchro Summoned, Ametrix changes all Special Summoned Monsters your opponent controls to defense position, but in most cases, this card is used for its GY effect which Special Summons a non-Synchro Crystron Monster from your GY when Ametrix is destroyed. It is a lv5 Machine non-Tuner Synchro Monster that can be summoned under the Machine Synchro lock, and be popped by the GY effect of Tristaros to get 3 bodies on the field.
Crystron Quandax (x0-1)
Quandax is a Tuner Synchro Monster that has a Quick Effect to Synchro Summon any Synchro Monster using materials from your field. When destroyed, it Special Summons a non-Synchro Crystron Monster from your GY. Quandax is rarely played in most common Crystron deck variants, but if you play any non-Machine Synchro monsters, Quandax and Loading... are your main ways to Synchro Summon them during your opponent's turn.
F.A. Dawn Dragster (x1-2)
Dawn Dragster is a lv.7 Machine Synchro Monster that negates a Spell/Trap activation and destroys it by reducing its level by 2. This effect is a soft once per turn so the deck can easily end on 2 copies of it if needed. Dawn Dragster is commonly made in the opponent's turn using your Tuners' quick Synchro effects, and the level reducing side effect allows it to be used as a lv.5 Synchro material for another Synchro Summon in your opponent's turn after using its negate.
Cyber Dragon Nova & Infinity (x1 each)
The Cyber Dragon package is an integral piece of the endboard of any Crystron builds due to the deck's ability to pump out many lv.5 Machine monsters. Cyber Dragon Infinity is essentially a reusable Loading... , having a soft once per turn omni-negate and Attack Position monster removal. Certain opening hands are able to make Infinity early on in the combo, which protects the rest of your combo from any handtraps.
Clockwork Knight (x1)
Clockwork Knight is a Machine Link-1 that lets you link off Smiger to use its GY effect, or as fodder for Loading... going second. Its actual effects are situational at best (it cannot Tribute itself to use its revival effect).
S:P Little Knight (x1)
Your main board breaker going second, being easier and requires lower commitment to make than Quariongandrax or Infinity, despite not being Machine. Sometimes S:P can also be part of your turn 1 endboard.
Spright Elf (x1)
Spright Elf is banned in the TCG and OCG, but excellent as part of your turn 1 setup in Master Duel. It can be made using Tristaros and another monster before being Machine locked, revives Tristaros in both your and your opponent's turn, and gives your endboard pieces targeting protection.
Samurai Destroyer (x1)
Samurai Destroyer is almost exclusively used for its GY effect to Special Summon a Machine monster in your GY (which can summon itself) when it leaves the field by your opponent's card effect. This is useful as a counter for Loading... :
- Your opponent activates Nibiru.
- You chain Tristaros' Quick Effect.
- Tristaros resolves, you summon a lv.5 monster from your Deck and immediately Synchro Summon Samurai Destroyer.
- Nibiru resolves, tributing all monsters including Samurai Destroyer.
- On a new chain, Samurai Destroyer's GY effect triggers, Special Summoning any Machine monster you need.
Centur-Ion Legatia (x0-1)
Legatia is a lv.12 Machine Synchro Monster that can be made in your opponent's turn using Tristaros' effect (2+5+5). It destroys a monster on summon (does not target) and draws you a card. Legatia is very important to include for builds without Citree, and optional for builds that include Citree.
Accel Synchron (x0-1)
Accel Synchron is a lv.5 Machine Tuner Synchro Monster that can quick Synchro during your opponent's Main Phase. It can convert a useless Thystvern on the field in some combo lines or a spent Dawn Dragster (which becomes lv.5) into any generic lv.8 or lv.10 Synchro Monster.
Baronne de Fleur (x0-1)
Baronne is usually made using Accel Synchron, and gives you an additional omni-negate.
Satellite Warrior (x0-1)
Satellite Warrior is usually made using Accel Synchron and a lv.5 Dawn Dragster, and blows up a significant portion of the board on summon.
Hi-Speedroid Hagoita (x0-1)
Hagoita is a lv.5 Machine Synchro Monster that changes the levels of your opponent's monsters, messing up their Synchro/XYZ plays. Although not effective against every deck, it can be made using a single Tristaros (summoning Smiger) in your opponent's turn if you need to go for a low commitment board (e.g. after being Maxx C'd).
Hi-Speedroid Chanbara (x0-1)
Chanbara is an OTK tool that can be easily made, helping you push for damage when you go second. As a win-more card, it is usually not included outside of very loose Extra Decks.
Navy Dragon Mech (x0-1)
Commonly made during the opponent's turn using Citree's effect on Eleskeletus in the GY, and negates 1 or more face-up cards on the field on summon. After that, it can be popped by your own effects to add any Tuner back to your hand, including handtraps like Ash Blossom. Usually not included in decklists due to its low impact negate effect only triggering on a new chain after you Synchro Summon it with a Quick Effect.
Invoked Mechaba (x0-1)
If your opponent (foolishly) decides to drop a Loading... when you have Loading... on your field (or any other effect that sends Nova to the GY), Nova's GY effect triggers and you can summon Mechaba for free as a negate. This requires your opponent to not be smart enough to Nibiru when you have 2 lv.5 monsters sitting on your field.
Foolish Burial
Foolish Burial sends any Crystron monster you need, making it a wonderful 1 card starter/extender.
Terrortop Package
Terrortop gives you easy access to Cherubini without Normal Summoning, which sends Smiger or Thystvern to the GY to start your combos. Terrortop and Taketomborg are also excellent S:P materials when going second to force out interruptions.
Tidal
Tidal is essentially a worse Foolish Burial, requiring you to also discard a WATER monster on activation. Compared to the Terrortop package, Tidal is not a 1 card combo and cannot threaten S:P, as well as being expensive to craft in Master Duel, but requires no Main Deck bricks and Extra Deck space.
Kashtira Package
The Kashtira cards enable some 2 card combos to get to your Crystron engine, and help you play into boards going second (which the Crystron cards are terrible at). In bo3 formats, the Kashtira monsters allow you to play low to the ground against a sideboarded Loading... or Loading... .
Horus Package
Since many Crystron cards prefer to be in the GY, the Horus engine is a way to discard Crystron cards and make Rank 8 monsters, such as Photon Lord for a monster negate and Zombie Vampire to (hopefully) get access to your Crystron engine. The Horus monsters are also just really large and help dealing damage and improving the grind game even more.
Millennium Package
Similar to the Horus package, the Millennium package provides Rank 8 access (Sengenjin + Doomed Dragon) and puts Crystron monsters from your hand to the GY, by first placing it in the Spell/Trap zone with Wedju Temple and then sending it to the GY to summon Doomed Dragon. Millenniums have several advantages over Horus, having no Main Deck bricks and having Doomed Dragon as a free monster removal, but worse in the grind game.
Adventure Package
Crystrons don't mind playing under the restriction of Rite of Aramesir, so the Adventure package is something worth considering if you're playing the Terrortop package, as Terrortop could make Cherubini to send Water Enchantress to the GY to access an early omni-negate.
Fiendsmith Package
Crystrons can bridge to the Fiendsmith engine fairly easily by summoning Sulfador using Sulfefnir's effect instead of its own (which Machine locks). Caesar strengthens your endboard and the Fiendsmith monsters give the deck an even scarier grind game.
Azamina Package
Another engine that discard Crystron cards and makes an early omni-negate. The Azamina package is much better in bo3 formats where Loading... can be sided to counter threats such as Loading... .
Inclusion
- Activate Loading... , searching Loading... .
- Activate Sulfador's effect to Special Summon it from your hand by destroying Inclusion, then activate its on summon effect, sending Loading... and Loading... to the GY.
- Activate Thystvern's GY effect, searching Loading... .
- Normal Summon Tristaros.
- Synchro Summon Loading... using Sulfador and Tristaros as material, and activate its on summon effect to add Thystvern from banishment to your hand.
- Activate Tristaros' GY effect, destroying Eleskeletus to summon Loading... and Loading... from your Deck. Eleskeletus' GY effect triggers, summoning Tristaros from banishment.
- Activate Inclusion's GY effect, Special Summoning Sulfador from your GY.
- XYZ Summon Loading... and then Loading... using Sulfefnir and Sulfador as material.
- Activate Smiger's GY effect, searching Loading... and set it.
Endboard:
Smiger
- Normal Summon Loading... .
- Link Summon Loading... using Smiger as material.
- Activate Smiger's GY effect, searching Loading... .
- Activate Inclusion, searching Loading... .
- Activate Sulfador's effect to Special Summon it from your hand by destroying Inclusion, then activate its on summon effect, sending Loading... and Loading... to the GY.
- Activate Inclusion's GY effect, Special Summoning Tristaros from your GY.
- Synchro Summon Loading... using Sulfador and Tristaros as material, and activate its on summon effect to add Cluster from the GY to your hand.
- Activate Tristaros' GY effect, destroying Eleskeletus to summon 2 copies of Loading... from your Deck. Eleskeletus' GY effect triggers, summoning Tristaros from banishment.
- XYZ Summon Loading... and then Loading... using 2 Sulfefnirs as material.
- Set Cluster.
- Before you end your turn, you can choose to use the effect of Infinity to attach Clockwork Knight to it as material. This prevents you from having a low ATK attack position monster on your field.
Endboard:
Foolish Burial
- Activate Loading... , sending Loading... to the GY.
- Activate Smiger's GY effect, searching Loading... .
- Activate Inclusion, searching Loading... .
- Activate Sulfador's effect to Special Summon it from your hand by destroying Inclusion, then activate its on summon effect, sending Loading... and Loading... to the GY.
- Activate Thystvern's GY effect, searching Loading... .
- Normal Summon Tristaros.
- Synchro Summon Loading... using Sulfador and Tristaros as material, and activate its on summon effect to add Cluster from the GY to your hand.
- Activate Tristaros' GY effect, destroying Eleskeletus to summon Loading... and Loading... from your Deck. Eleskeletus' GY effect triggers, summoning Tristaros from banishment.
- Activate Inclusion's GY effect, Special Summoning Sulfador from your GY.
- XYZ Summon Loading... and then Loading... using Sulfefnir and Sulfador as material.
- Set Cluster.
Endboard:
Speedroid Terrortop
- Special Summon Loading... , using its on summon effect to search Loading... .
- Special Summon Taketomborg.
- Link Summon Loading... using Terrortop and Taketomborg as material.
- Activate Cherubini's effect, sending Loading... for cost to boost its own ATK.
- Activate Thystvern's GY effect, searching Loading... .
- Normal Summon Smiger.
- Link Summon Loading... using Cherubini and Smiger as material.
- Activate Smiger's GY effect, searching Loading... .
- Activate Inclusion, searching Loading... .
- Activate Sulfador's effect to Special Summon it from your hand by destroying Inclusion, then activate its on summon effect, sending Loading... and Loading... to the GY.
- Activate Spright Elf's effect, Special Summoning Tristaros from your GY.
- Synchro Summon Loading... using Sulfador and Tristaros as material, and activate its on summon effect to add Cluster from the GY to your hand.
- Activate Tristaros' GY effect, destroying Eleskeletus to summon Loading... and Loading... (under a Spright Elf arrow) from your Deck. Eleskeletus' GY effect triggers, summoning Tristaros from banishment.
- Activate Inclusion's GY effect, Special Summoning Sulfador from your GY.
- XYZ Summon Loading... and then Loading... using Sulfefnir and Sulfador as material (under a Spright Elf arrow).
- Set Cluster.
Endboard:
Inclusion + Any Crystron
- Activate Loading... , searching Loading... .
- Activate Sulfefnir's effect, discarding another Crystron card, then summon and pop itself. Sulfefnir's GY effect triggers, summoning Loading... from Deck.
- Activate Sulfador's on summon effect, sending Loading... and Loading... to the GY.
- Activate Thystvern's GY effect, searching Loading... .
- Normal Summon Tristaros.
- Link Summon Loading... using Sulfador and Tristaros as material.
- Activate Spright Elf's effect, Special Summoning Tristaros from your GY.
- Activate Sulfador's effect to Special Summon it from your GY by destroying Inclusion.
- Synchro Summon Loading... using Sulfador and Tristaros as material, and activate its on summon effect to add Thystvern from banishment to your hand.
- Activate Tristaros' GY effect, destroying Eleskeletus to summon Sulfefnir and Loading... (under a Spright Elf arrow) from your Deck. Eleskeletus' GY effect triggers, summoning Tristaros from banishment.
- Activate Inclusion's GY effect, Special Summoning Sulfador from your GY.
- XYZ Summon Loading... and then Loading... using Sulfefnir and Sulfador as material (under a Spright Elf arrow).
- Activate Smiger's GY effect, searching Loading... and set it.
Endboard:
Smiger + Any Crystron
- Normal Summon Loading... .
- Link Summon Loading... using Smiger as material.
- Activate Smiger's GY effect, searching Loading... .
- Activate Inclusion, searching Loading... .
- Activate Sulfefnir's effect, discarding another Crystron card, then summon and pop itself. Sulfefnir's GY effect triggers, summoning Loading... from Deck.
- Activate Sulfador's on summon effect, sending Loading... and Loading... to the GY.
- Activate Clockwork Knight's effect, tributing Sulfador to summon Tristaros from the GY.
- Link Summon Loading... using Clockwork Knight and Tristaros as material.
- Activate Spright Elf's effect, Special Summoning Tristaros from your GY.
- Activate Sulfador's effect to Special Summon it from your GY by destroying Inclusion.
- Synchro Summon Loading... using Sulfador and Tristaros as material, and activate its on summon effect to add Cluster from the GY to your hand.
- Activate Tristaros' GY effect, destroying Eleskeletus to summon Sulfefnir and Loading... (under a Spright Elf arrow) from your Deck. Eleskeletus' GY effect triggers, summoning Tristaros from banishment.
- Activate Inclusion's GY effect, Special Summoning Sulfador from your GY.
- XYZ Summon Loading... and then Loading... using Sulfefnir and Sulfador as material (under a Spright Elf arrow).
- Set Cluster.
Endboard:
Sulfefnir + Any Crystron
- Activate Loading... 's effect, discarding another Crystron card, then summon and pop itself. Sulfefnir's GY effect triggers, summoning Loading... from Deck.
- Activate Sulfador's on summon effect, sending Loading... and Loading... to the GY.
- Activate Thystvern's GY effect, searching Loading... .
- Normal Summon Tristaros.
- Link Summon Loading... using Sulfador and Tristaros as material.
- Activate Spright Elf's effect, Special Summoning Tristaros from your GY.
- Activate Smiger's GY effect, searching Loading... .
- Activate Inclusion, searching Loading... .
- Activate Sulfador's effect to Special Summon it from your GY by destroying Inclusion.
- Synchro Summon Loading... using Sulfador and Tristaros as material, and activate its on summon effect to add Thystvern from banishment to your hand.
- Activate Tristaros' GY effect, destroying Eleskeletus to summon Sulfefnir and Loading... (under a Spright Elf arrow) from your Deck. Eleskeletus' GY effect triggers, summoning Tristaros from banishment.
- Activate Inclusion's GY effect, Special Summoning Sulfador from your GY.
- XYZ Summon Loading... and then Loading... using Sulfefnir and Sulfador as material (under a Spright Elf arrow).
- Set Cluster.
Endboard:
Sulfador + Any Crystron monster
- Normal Summon any Crystron monster.
- Activate Sulfador's effect to Special Summon it from your hand by destroying any Crystron monster, then activate its on summon effect, sending Loading... and Loading... to the GY.
- Activate Thystvern's GY effect, searching Loading... .
- Activate Sulfefnir's effect, discarding Smiger, then summon and pop itself. Sulfefnir's GY effect triggers, summoning Loading... from Deck.
- Synchro Summon Loading... using Sulfador and Tristaros as material, and activate its on summon effect to add Thystvern from banishment to your hand.
- Activate Tristaros' GY effect, destroying Eleskeletus to summon 2 copies of Sulfefnir from your Deck. Eleskeletus' GY effect triggers, summoning Tristaros from banishment.
- XYZ Summon Loading... and then Loading... using 2 Sulfefnirs as material.
- Activate Smiger's GY effect, searching Loading... .
- Activate Inclusion, searching Loading... and set it.
Endboard:
Tristaros Target Dodging
It is almost always a good idea to have a copy of Tristaros on the field before you commit to any plays, both going first and second. It functions similarly to Loading... , letting you chain to your opponent's targeting effects and removing the target from the field.
For example, if you have Tristaros on the field and your opponent tries to chain Effect Veiler to negate the effect of your Sulfador, you can chain the first effect of Tristaros, summon a Citree from your deck, and Synchro Summon an Eleskeletus using Citree and the targeted Sulfador. Since Sulfador is no longer on the field, Effect Veiler loses its target and the effect of Sulfador resolves.
Forcing Interactions with S:P
When you go second, you would usually try to make an S:P Little Knight as soon as possible to force out any interactions on your opponent's field. It is easy to put out 2 monsters on the field, link one of them away for Loading... , then make S:P to banish a card before resuming your combos. Be careful to not use Sulfador's own effect to summon itself, and summon it using Sulfefnir's effect instead to not Machine lock yourself.
Many supplementary engines in Crystron decks can also make an early S:P, such as using Loading... and Loading... by first making a Clockwork Knight.
Playing Around Nibiru
Crystrons have several ways to play around the turn ending rock. Obviously making an early Cyber Dragon Infinity lets you directly negate Nibiru, but in situations where this is not possible, here are some other ways you can recover from a Nibiru effect.
If an inexperienced opponent activates Nibiru when you have Loading... on the field, this will trigger Nova’s secret GY effect to Special Summon a Machine Fusion monster. The best target is Loading... , which is a negate whose cost can be easily fulfilled by the many searching and recycling effects of your Crystrons.
If you have Tristaros on your field, you can chain Tristaros to Synchro Summon Loading... for it to revive any Machine monster when Nibiru Tributes it. Not only can it revive any Crystron you need or a Cyber Dragon Nova, it can also revive itself, which gives you a target for the graveyard effect of Tristaros.
It is also a good idea to keep your Inclusions and Sulfefnirs in your graveyard before you make your Cyber Dragon Infinity so that you have something to do after your board gets wiped.
Playing Around Droll
Despite having many search effects, many Crystron combo lines play around Droll completely. You can still summon from your deck using Tristaros and Sulfefnir, and you can still access Cluster by sending it to the graveyard with Sulfador then adding it back with Eleskeletus. Very rarely does Droll completely end your turn, it's only an issue when you're forced to do weaker combos such as the Smiger 1 card combo. In fact, the deck plays under Droll so well that it's entirely viable to Droll yourself to counter Loading... .
Playing Around Maxx "C"
Doing your full Crystron combos would give your opponent a lot of Maxx "C" draws, but fortunately you can significantly reduce the amount of Special Summons by Normal Summoning Tristaros, setting Cluster and ending your turn.
The deck can also afford to play 9 Maxx "C" counters:
- 3x Loading...
- 3x Loading... (used on yourself)
- 2x Loading...
- 1x Loading...
Maxx "C" would also be effective if your opponent uses it in their own turn, albeit a lot less impactful. Using the effect of Tristaros or Citree gives them 2 draws each, but you can always choose to not use their effects, making the Maxx "C" activation a -1 in card advantage.
Playing Around Mulcharmies
Crystrons summon from all locations, but aren’t really extremely vulnerable to any specific Mulcharmy because they don’t summon that much in any specific location. Fuwalos is the strongest one against the deck, but even then the deck can still make a decent endboard under it. If your opponent stacks multiple Mulcharmies against you, passing on Tristaros (and sometimes Cluster) is always an option.
Mulcharmies are essentially worse Maxx "C"s, so any Maxx "C" counters work against Mulcharmies as well.
Purulia isn't really a concern because it usually only gets your opponent 1-2 draws at most, even when you do your full combo.
Fuwalos is slightly more impactful, but the deck can play around it pretty easily by not summoning Cyber Dragon Infinity. Using the graveyard effect of Tristaros to summon 2 monsters only gives your opponent 1 draw because they are summoned simultaneously.
Meowls usually gets your opponent about 2-3 draws when you do your full combo. You can give them 1 less draw by not activating the effect of Eleskeletus when it is destroyed by Tristaros, if you already have a strong enough endboard.
Conclusion
Crystron is definitely a viable deck even without the support of the K9 cards. Fundamentally, Crystrons are very flexible and can be played in many ways, so have fun experimenting with different ratios, side engines and Extra Deck options, and play this deck the way you like the most.