Yu-Gi-Oh! Wiki
Register
Advertisement
Yu-Gi-Oh! Wiki

"Masked HERO" (M・HERO (マスクドヒーロー) Masukudo Hīrō in Japan, written as (マスクド) HERO (ヒーロー) or (マスクド) (ヒーロー) in the Japanese manga) is a "HERO" sub-archetype used by Jaden Yuki in the Yu-Gi-Oh! GX manga. Jaden started using this archetype after the tournament to Duel the Kaiser, when he decided to build an "all-his Deck", which would eventually grow into his ultimate Deck (since the "Elemental HERO" monsters he used previously were from Koyo Hibiki's Deck).

Only the Fusion Monsters of this archetype were released into the OCG (and subsequently TCG). The Transformation Summon method is utilized by this archetype.

Design[]

While the "Elemental HERO" archetype is said to be based off of American superheroes, it can also be assumed that the "Masked HERO" archetype is a salute to the Japanese Tokusatsu series Kamen Rider. In addition to "Kamen" meaning "Masked", there are several similarities between the two, such the recurring "form changing" and transformations of Kamen Riders. The Double Attacks are also similar to the original Kamen Riders' (1 and 2) "Rider Double" techniques. These are also related to the "Inzektor" since their designs are only related to only one Kamen Rider except for Hopper & Ladybug.

Members[]

Attribute Masked HERO Origin
English Japanese
DARK Anki 闇鬼 Kamen Rider Shin/Kamen Rider Hibiki
Dark Law ダーク・ロウ Kamen Rider Tiger/Kamen Rider OOO (Latorartar Combo)/Kamen Rider Beast
EARTH Dian ダイアン Kamen Rider Knight/Kamen Rider Femme/Kamen Rider Wizard
FIRE Goka 剛火 Kamen Rider Kuuga (Mighty Form)/Kamen Rider Agito (Burning Form)
LIGHT Koga 光牙 Kamen Rider Blade (King Form)/Kamen Rider Nishiki
WATER Acid アシッド Kamen Rider Garren/Kamen Rider Ibuki/Kamen Rider Diend
Vapor ヴェイパー Kamen Rider Kuuga (Dragon Form)/Kamen Rider Den-O (Rod Form)
WIND Blast ブラスト Kamen Rider 1/Kamen Rider 2/Skyrider
Divine Wind カミカゼ Kamen Rider Double/Kamen Rider Wizard (Hurricane Dragon)

Playing style[]

Rather than Fusion Summoning like most Fusion Monsters do, "Masked HERO" monsters use cards like "Mask Change" to be Special Summoned from the Extra Deck. In the manga, Chazz Princeton was amazed seeing how "Masked HERO" monsters could use the same effect of "Fusion" using one single material rather than 2 or more.

This archetype favors a fairly straight-forward beatdown strategy. Their "transforming" cards being Quick-Play Spell Cards allows them to be transformed at any time, including during the Battle Phase, for multiple attacks, or in response to an opponent's effect or attack.

While "Masked HERO" is an independent archetype in the manga, in the TCG/OCG they were revamped to be a general "HERO" support, making them splashable options for any "HERO" Deck (though they essentially work well only with "Elemental HERO" monsters, due to their varied Attributes). "Mask Change II" takes this even further by allowing "Masked HERO" monsters to be splashable in any Deck, as long as one can handle the increased cost and Extra Deck real estate.

An efficient build can consist of running a few "Elemental HERO" monsters that help conduct Fusion Summons (Like "Elemental HERO Blazeman" and "Elemental Hero Woodsman") to Fusion Summon "Elemental HERO Absolute Zero" ("King of the Swamp" help this even further) which has 2 advantages: it can be Fusion Summoned using even "Masked Hero" monsters, and when combined with "Mask Change" or "Form Change", lets you get a WATER or high Leveled "Masked HERO" while destroying the opponent's monsters. In particular, "Masked HERO Acid", who will destroy the opponent's Spells/Traps as well, leaving them open for at least 2600 damage if used on the player's turn, or stopping their turn.

The most powerful and popular Masked HERO in competitive play has been "Masked HERO Dark Law", with his one-sided Macro Cosmos-type effect capable of shutting down certain Decks by itself. Its other effect can also be useful for depleting the opponent's resources while they try and find a way around him. His popularity is also helped by his Attribute, as he is Summonable with the ever-important "Elemental HERO Shadow Mist", and splashable with Mask Change II in many important meta Decks.


Weaknesses[]

  • With their reliance on "Mask Change", Decks built around Masked HEROs can be shut down by "Cursed Seal of the Forbidden Spell", like many other Fusion Decks. However, having "Polymerization" and the Omni-HERO Fusions available to them as well makes a total lockdown less likely.
  • With much of the Deck's firepower down to Dark Law, his splashablity makes it easy to use him with "Ghost Reaper & Winter Cherries".
  • During New Master Rules, due to the Extra Monster Zone and its restrictions on summoning, it was not possible to summon multiple Fusion Monsters from the Extra Deck without the use of Link Monsters. This made it difficult for the Masked HERO decks to be played without outside support, due to their focus on using small amounts of Main Deck Monsters to facilitate their game plans.


Six Attributes
DARK DARK EARTH EARTH FIRE FIRE LIGHT LIGHT WATER WATER WIND WIND
/Assault Modes Red Dragon Archfiend / Colossal Fighter Hyper Psychic Blaster / T.G. Halberd Cannon Doomkaiser Dragon Arcanite Magician n/a Stardust Dragon
@Ignisters
Base forms
Evolved forms
Doyon
Dark Templar
Doshin
Earth Golem
Achichi
Fire Phoenix
Pikari
Light Dragon
Hiyari
Water Leviathan
Bururu
Wind Pegasus
Alchemy Beasts
Summoners
(Normal Spell Cards)
Moonface the Silver
Silver Key
Leon the Lead
Lead Compass
Salamandra the Steel
Steel Lamp
Ouroboros the Bronze
Bronze Scale
Ekenas the Mercury
Mercury Hourglass
Aretos the Tin
Tin Spell Circle
Aliens Overlord / Mother / Psychic Shocktrooper / Infiltrator / Warrior Mars / Telepath Ammonite / Dog / Grey / Kid / Shocktrooper M-Frame Hunter / Hypno Skull
Altergeists Primebanshee / Multifaker / Kidolga / Fifinellag / Dragvirion / Memorygant / Pookuery Kunquery Hexstia Marionetter Meluseek / Fijialert Silquitous / Pixiel
Aromages Marjoram Cananga Bergamot Jasmine Rosemary Laurel
Attribute Boosters (500 ATK▲/400 DEF▼)
Link Monsters
(500 ATK▲/500 DEF▲)
Field Spells
(500 ATK▲/400 DEF▼)
Equip Spells
(400 ATK▲/200 DEF▼)
Witch's Apprentice
Wee Witch's Apprentice
Mystic Plasma Zone
Sword of Dark Destruction
Milus Radiant
Missus Radiant
Gaia Power
Invigoration
Little Chimera
Duelittle Chimera
Molten Destruction
Burning Spear
Hoshiningen
Hip Hoshiningen
Luminous Spark
Elf's Light
Star Boy
Mistar Boy
Umiiruka
Steel Shell
Bladefly
Greatfly
Rising Air Current
Gust Fan
Attribute Knights Armageddon Dust Brushfire Dawn Shore Altitude
Attribute Reptiles Umbral Soul Raging Earth Firestorm Prominence Radiant Spirit Silent Abyss Destruction Cyclone
Attribute Sorcerers
(4/1500/0/Spellcasters)
Dark n/a Fire Light Aqua n/a
Attribute Spirits Luna the Dark Spirit The Rock Spirit Spirit of Flames Diana the Light Spirit Aqua Spirit Garuda the Wind Spirit
Attribute Summoners Mystic Tomato Giant Rat UFO Turtle Shining Angel Mother Grizzly Flying Kamakiri #1
B.E.S. Big Core Covered Core / Blaster Cannon Core Big Core MK-2 Big Core MK-3 Crystal Core Tetran
Barrier Statues Abyss Drought Inferno Heavens Torrent Stormwinds
Beast Gear World Catapult Devilkong Motor Wolf / Trike Fox / King Convoy Ligeon Buggy Dog n/a n/a Gyro Jackal
Charmers
Familiar-Possessed
Cataclysmic Charmers
Spiritual Arts
Familiar
Possessed Familiars
Dharc
Dharc
n/a
Greed
Meda Bat
n/a
Aussa
Aussa
Avalanching Aussa
Kurogane
Marmot
Nefarious
Hiita
Hiita
Blazing Hiita
Kurenai
Fox Fire
Inari Fire
Lyna
Lyna
n/a
Hijiri
Happy Lover
n/a
Eria
Eria
Raging Eria
Aoi
Gigobyte
Jigabyte
Wynn
Wynn
Storming Wynn
Miyabi
Petit Dragon
Ranryu
Chrysalis
Neo-Spacians
Evolved forms
Contact Fusions
Evolved forms
Advanced Contact Fusions
Pantail
Dark Panther
n/a
Dark Neos
n/a
Chaos Neos
Mole
Grand Mole
n/a
Grand Neos
n/a
Nebula Neos
Larva
Flare Scarab
n/a
Flare Neos
n/a
Magma Neos
Pinny
Glow Moss
Twinkle Moss
Glow Neos
n/a
Cosmo Neos
Dolphin
Aqua Dolphin
Marine Dolphin
Aqua Neos
Marine Neos
n/a
Chicky
Air Hummingbird
n/a
Air Neos
n/a
Storm Neos
Code Talkers
(Link-3)
Decode
(Extended)
Transcode Powercode Encode Shootingcode Excode
Color Ninjas
Dragon Ninjas
Strike
Black
Senior Silver
n/a
n/a
Red
White
White
n/a
Blue
Yellow
Yellow
Cubic Vijam / Crimson Nova (Trinity) Dark Garnex Blade Garoodia Duza / Buster Gundil / Indiora Doom Volt n/a Geira Guile
CXyz Dark Fairy Cheer Girl / Mechquipped Djinn Angeneral Comics Hero Legend Arthur / Battleship Cherry Blossom / Zubaba Saikyo General Coach Lord Ultimatrainer Simon the Great Moral Leader / Barian Hope N.As.Ch. Knight Skypalace Babylon
Dice Roll Archfiends Terrorking / Masterking Vilepawn Infernalqueen Desrook Darkbishop Shadowknight
Double Tributers
Effigies
Double Coston
Dark
The Trojan Horse
Earth
Flame Ruler
n/a
Kaiser Sea Horse
Light
Unshaven Angler
n/a
Whirlwind Prodigy
Wind
Dragonmaids
Human forms
Dragon forms
Chamber
n/a
Nurse
Ernus
Kitchen
Tinkhec
House
Sheou
Laundry
Nudyarl
Parlor
Lorpar
Dustons
(1/0/1000/Fiends)
Star Yellow Red House / White Blue Green
Elemental HERO
Fusion Monsters
(1 "HERO" + 1 matching Attribute)
Escuridao Gaia Nova Master The Shining Absolute Zero Great Tornado
Elemental Lords
Elementsabers
Umbramirage
Molehu
Grandsoil
Aina
Pyrorex
Malo
Phosphorage
Lapauila (Mana)
Moulinglacia
Nalu
Windrose
Makani
Empowered Warriors
Summoners
Dragonox
n/a
Terratiger
White Tiger
Arnis
Red Sparrow
Dragodies
Golden Dragon
Hydrortoise
Green Turtle
Ventdra
Blue Dragon
Endymion Master Magician / Mighty Master of Magic Magister Rogue Crusader / Reflection Magistus of Mastery Servant
Entities Azathot Nyarla Cthugua N'tss Norden Hastorr
Fortune Fairies
Fortune Ladies
Ann
Dark / Past
Chee
Earth
En
Fire
Hikari
Light / Every
Swee
Water
Hu
Wind
Fur Hire Seal / Folgo Beat / Dyna Bravo Rafale Helmer / Wiz Donpa / Recon / Sagitta
Generaiders Hela / Harr Dovelgus / Jormungandr Naglfar / Loptr Mardel / Utgarda Nidhogg Frodi
Gizmek Orochi Uka Kaku Yata Okami Mikoto
Guardians
Weapons
(Equip Spell Cards)
Baou / Dreadscythe
Wicked-Breaking Flamberge / Reaper Scythe
Grarl
Gravity Axe
Ceal
Shooting Star Bow
Tryce
Twin Swords of Flashing Light
Kay'est
Rod of Silence
Elma / Eatos
Buttefly Dagger / Celestial Sword
Invoked
(1 "Aleister the Invoker" + 1 matching Attribute)
Caliga Magellanica Purgatrio Mechaba Cocytus Raidjin
Kaiju Radian Kumongous Dogoran Jizukiru / Mecha-Dogoran / Thunder King / Mecha-Thunder-King Gameciel Gadarla
Knightmare Iblee / Unicorn / Orcust / Idlee Cerberus Phoenix Gryphon Mermaid Goblin
Legendary Planets Sun / Jupiter / Saturn / Pluto Terra Firma Mars Venus / Uranus Mercury / Neptune n/a
Masked HEROes Dark Law / Anki Dian Goka Koga Vapor / Acid Divine Wind / Blast
Magician Girls (Toon)
Dark
(Dragon Knight)
Berry Apple Lemon Chocolate Kiwi
Magikey Clavkiys / Batosbuster / Ansyalabolas Garesglasser Transfurlmine Mafteal Vepartu Andrabime
Magistus Grimoire Crowley Goddess Ninaruru Flame Zoroa / Dragon Vafram Verre Cendrillon / Maiden Artemis Master Endymion Saint Aiwass
Mirror Force Dark Quaking Blazing Radiant Drowning Storming
Monarchs
Mega Monarchs
Related "Monarch" Spell/Trap Cards
Vassals
Caius / Erebus
Caius the Mega
Tenacity / The First
Lucius / Eidos
Granmarg
Granmarg the Mega
Return
Landrobe / Samsara Kaiser
Thestalos
Thestalos the Mega
Erupt
Berlineth
Zaborg / Ehther
Zaborg the Mega
Strike / The Prime
Mithra / Edea
Mobius
Mobius the Mega
Awaken
Escher
Raiza
Raiza the Mega
Stormforth
Garum
Musical Djinns Maestroke Temtempo n/a Melomelody Humhumming Muzurhythm
Mythyrian Numbers Djinn Buster Lion Heart / Ronin Raccoon Sandayu n/a Sky Pegasus / Dragluon Abyss Splash / Crystalzero n/a
Nemeses Protos Keystone Flag Eschatos Umbrella Corridor
Number 10X
Number C10X
n/a
Umbral Horror Masquerade
Giant Hand
Giant Red Hand
Battlin' Boxer Star Cestus
Battlin' Boxer Comet Cestus
Star Seraph Sentry / Masquerade / Galaxy-Eyes Tachyon Dragon
Archfiend Seraph / Neo Galaxy-Eyes Tachyon Dragon
Silent Honor ARK / Ragnazero
Silent Honor DARK / Ragnafinity
n/a
n/a
Odd-Eyes Dragons Odd-Eyes / Pendulum / Rebellion (Overlord) / Persona / Phantom / Mirage / Performapal Metal Claw / Raging / Supreme King / Wing / Venom / Arc Pendulum / Advance / Wizard Gravity Meteorburst Saber / Lancer / Revolution / Pendulumgraph Absolute Vortex
Pendulum Magicians Stargazer / Timegazer / Xiangke / Timebreaker / Acrobatic / Dragoncaller / Harmonizing / Double Iris / Black Fang / Purple Poison / Performapal Celestial Dragonpulse Nobledragon Wisdom-Eye / Xiangsheng / Dharma-Eye / Performapal Five-Rainbow Dragonpit Oafdragon / White Wing
Prediction Princesses Astromorrigan / Tarotreith Coinorma / Petalelf / Bibliomuse n/a Tarotrei Crystaldine Arrowsylph
Resonators Dark / Synkron / Crimson / Vision Clock Flare / Red / Double / Net / Soul Barrier / Chain / Mirror Force Creation
Road Magic N/A Diastrophism Explosion Rays Alter Backflow Tempest
El Shaddoll
Fusion Monsters
(1 "Shaddoll" + 1 matching Attribute)
Winda Shekhinaga Grysta Construct Anoyatyllis Wendigo
Signer Dragons Red Archfiend / Black-Winged Life Stream Black Rose Ancient Fairy n/a Stardust
Six Samurai
Legendary Six Samurai
Secret Six Samurai
Irou
Shi En
Doji
Yariza
Kizan
Kizaru
Kamon
Mizuho
Genba
Zanji
Enishi
Rihan
Yaichi
Shinai
Hatsume
Nisashi
Kageki
Fuma
Sky Striker Ace Raye / Zeke Kaina Kagari Roze Shizuku Hayate
Sushi Angels Spider Roll Monkey Roll n/a Garibel / Agaribel Tiger Roll Dragon Roll
Synchro Warriors
Tuner Synchrons
Junk / Satellite
Junk / Satellite
Drill
Drill
Nitro / Jet
Nitro / Jet
Road
Road
n/a
Steam
Turbo
Turbo
Tenyi Spirits Vishuda Adhara Mapura Ashuna / Sahasrara Sthana Nahata
The Weathers
Canvas
(Continuous Spell/Trap Cards)
Aurora / Moonbow
Auroral
Snow
Snowy
Sun
Sunny
Thunder / Rainbow
Thundery / Rainbowed
Rain
Rainy
Cloud
Cloudy
Timelords Vorpgate Kamion / Hailon Metaion / Lazion / Michion Sephylon / Sandaion Zaphion / Gabrion Sadion / Raphion
True Draco and True King All Calamities Lithosazim / Dreiath III Agnimazud / Ignis Heat Master Peace (King) / Metaltron XII Bahrstos / Dinomight Knight Majesty Maiden / Mariamne
Witchcrafters Haine Potterie Schmitta Edel / Madame Verre / Golem Aruru Pittore Genni
World Chalice World Legacy Beckoned / Ningirsu Chosen / Auram Lee Crowned / Ib (Priestess/Justiciar) Guardragon / Imduk / Almarduke
Yang Zing Taotie / Jiaotu / Yazi Bi'an / Zefraxi / Zefraniu Suanni Chiwen / Baxia / Chaofeng / Denglong Bixi Pulao
Yo-kai Girls Ghost Reaper & Winter Cherries Ghost Belle & Haunted Mansion Ash Blossom & Joyous Spring Ghost Ogre & Snow Rabbit Ghost Sister & Spooky Dogwood Ghost Mourner & Moonlit Chill
ZW - Chimera Clad / Dragonic Halberd Ultimate Shield Phoenix Bow / Asura Strike Unicorn Spear / Lightning Blade / Leo Arms / Sleipnir Mail / Fenrir Sword / Pegasus Twin Saber / Sylphid Wing n/a Tornado Bringer / Eagle Claw
Advertisement