Karakuri

Karakuri (カラクリ karakuri, Mechanical in Japanese) is an archetype of EARTH Machine-Type Monsters appearing in the booster pack Starstrike Blast.

Appearance
The Karakuri monsters resemble mechanized puppets or automata from Japan from the 17th century to 19th century. The word "karakuri" means a "mechanical device to tease, trick, or take a person by surprise". Like wind-up toys, they could only move in a predetermined pattern - this is reflected by the cards' effects, as they do not have a choice whether to attack or defend. Most of them have names that are made up of Japanese numerals, often the Japanese daiji (大字) or Formal numbers is used. Notice that the first 2 numbers in their names when multiplied together get the last number.

Gameplay
Most Karakuri monsters must attack if able and when attacked in Attack Position, they change to Defense Position. Most Karakuri monsters so far also have low ATK, and have their effects and support cards triggered when attacked, destroyed or shifted to Defense Position, forcing them to play defensively in order to counter the opponent's moves. Other monsters have the ability to change positions of cards from one side of the field or another.

Karakuri can be used with Machine support cards like Machina Fortress, as well as other cards like Machine Assembly Line and Solidarity to increase the weak ATK of most of the Karakuri monsters. Their repeated Mode-changing could provide many Morph Counters for Morphtronic Map, and their DEF could always be boosted by Stronghold Guardian. Their "attack if possible" effects can also be negated by cards like Omega Goggles and Ekibyo Drakmord.

Trivia
The Karakuri debut in Starstrike Blast seems to be very equivalent to the Scrap debut in Duelist Revolution. Their Synchro Monster is and Ultra/Ultimate Rare (Karakuri Shogun mdl 00 “Burei”), one of their monsters is a Super Rare (Karakuri Ninja mdl 339 “Sazank”), one of their support cards is a Super Rare (Karakuri Klock), and the rest are Common and Rare.

Monsters

 * Karakuri Soldier mdl 236 “Nisamu”
 * Karakuri Bushi mdl 6318 “Muzanichiha”
 * Karakuri Ninja mdl 339 “Sazank”
 * Karakuri Strategist mdl 248 “Nishipachi”
 * Karakuri Merchant mdl 177 “Inashichi”
 * Karakuri Barrel mdl 96 “Shinkuro”
 * Karakuri Ninja mdl 919 “Kuikku”
 * Karakuri Guard mdl 313 “Saizan”
 * Machina Fortress
 * Cyber Dragon

Spells

 * Karakuri Showdown Castle
 * Karakuri Anatomy
 * Machina Armored Unit
 * Karakuri Powder
 * Solidarity
 * Borrowed Karakuri Warehouse
 * Machine Duplication
 * Golden Gearbox
 * Pot of Avarice

Traps

 * Karakuri Klock
 * Karakuri Trick House

Extra Deck

 * Karakuri Shogun mdl 00 “Burei”
 * Karakuri Great Shogun Bureido
 * Red Dragon Archfiend