[Warrior/Xyz/Effect]
2 Level 4 LIGHT monsters
Once per turn: You can detach 2 Xyz Materials from this card to target 1 face-up monster your opponent controls; its ATK becomes 0, and if it does, its effects are negated. When this card you control is destroyed by your opponent’s card (either by battle or by card effect) and sent to your Graveyard: Draw 1 card.
Starliege Paladynamo is one of nine Ultra Rare cards in the 2013 Zexal Collection. It is one of the tin’s most sought after cards for its powerful effect and being only available in the tin. The XYZ monster focuses on using Light monsters to XYZ summon it, its requirements fit with its Light attribute. Despite being restricted to only Light monsters for its summoning’s requirements, it can be played in many decks along with various archetypes.
There is no need to fear your opponent’s powerful boss monsters with Starliege Paladynamo in your Extra Deck. His first effect will render an opponent’s monster useless by making its ATK 0 and removing all of its effects. The effect will instantly assist Starliege Paladynamo in destroying almost any monster on the field with ease. However, the effect only be used once if you are unable to attach new XYZ materials, and this situation will leave Starliege Paladynamo vulnerable on the field. The effect’s high cost retains balance, and prevents players from abusing the effect every turn. For this reason, only summon this monster when you really need to destroy a threatening monster on the field.
Light themed decks such as Chaos, Noble Knight, Lightsworn, Photon, and various rogue decks can use Starliege Paladynamo’s services to their advantage! It will help the decks overcome some of their disadvantages against particular archetypes and monsters. These decks have many ways to XYZ summon an XYZ monster in a single turn. A Noble Knight deck Normal summons Noble Knight Artorigus to special summon Noble Knight Gawayn from the hand, then uses the two monsters to perform the XYZ summon.
Finally, the second effect is a very nice bonus. A player can draw a card when Starliege Paladynamo is destroyed by the opponent in battle or with a card’s effect. The second effect provides a quick recovery from the lost to regroup. It is a simple one for one play with the player losing his or her monster, and also drawing one card in consequence.
Overall, Starliege Paladynamo is a balanced and strong XYZ monster that can make immediate impact in various decks. Its stats are not impressive, but its effect makes up for the lack of ATK to give it a temporary advantage over powerful monsters. A monster with the ability to destroy any monster is always a good card to me. Players should consider adding Starliege Paladynamo to their Light themed decks’ Extra Deck.
Card Rating: 3.0 out of 5.0 stars
