Xyz Monsters are a huge part of Battle Pack Sealed.  With ATK that can rival the power of Level 5 and Level 6 monsters (and even some Level 7’s!), Xyz Monsters can stomp Level 3’s and 4’s, and go toe-to-toe with plenty of your opponents’ Tribute Summons.  Each commands a powerful effect, and some – like Number 39: Utopia and Wind-Up Zenmaister – can combo with other monsters to make them even better.  Xyz monsters are easier to bust out than high-level Tribute Summons, because you don’t need to draw into a specific card you only found one copy of in your Battle Packs. They’re also 1 turn faster than Level 7+ monsters since you don’t need to wait a turn to Tribute.  Xyz Monsters stay in your Extra Deck, where they’re always available.  Since your Main Deck will always have lots of monsters to combine, Xyz Monsters are fast and reliable.

You’ll only get a few Xyz Monsters out of your Battle Packs, so you have to make the most of them.  Don’t Xyz Summon just because you can: try to save your Xyz to beat a big monster your opponent’s relying on, or for when they can do big damage.  Let’s talk about how you can make the biggest impact possible with your Xyz Monsters.

Xyz With Ease!

One of the best things about Xyz Monsters is that they’re really easy to Summon in Sealed.  All you need are two monsters of the same Level, and there are lots of different ways to make that happen.

Some monsters have Special Summon effects.  Level Warrior, Cyber Dragon, The Tricky, Power Giant, and Hardened Armed Dragon are just some of the monsters that let you gather both of your Xyz Materials in one turn.

If you can keep a Defense Position monster on the field, you can Normal Summon a Level-matched monster on your next turn to stack them for an Xyz Summon.  Monsters like Dark Resonator and Gogogo Golem have effects that save them from being destroyed in battle, so they tend to stick around.  Don’t underestimate the power of your monsters’ Defense Points, either: even simple defenders like Giant Soldier of Stone and Botanical Lion can go the distance, thanks to their 2000 DEF.

Winning battles to control the field can help you keep monsters around for an Xyz Summon, but playing defensive Spells and Traps can help you keep a monster out just long enough, as well.  No matter what monsters you’re trying to combine, controlling the field can lead to game-winning Xyz Summons.  Sometimes it’s less about specific monsters, and more about tactics.

So Materialistic!

It’s easy to make an Xyz Summon, but tougher to do it well.  There’s always a risk when you combine two monsters into one: if your opponent can eliminate your Xyz Monster, it’s like losing two monsters at once.  But one of the best ways to play around that risk in Battle Pack Sealed, is to Xyz Summon with monsters that have valuable effects before or after you turn them into Materials.  For example…

Greenkappa and Snowman Eater both have one-shot effects that destroy opposing cards.  DUCKER Mobile Cannon won’t destroy anything, but it will get you a free monster from your Graveyard.  If you Xyz Summon with monsters like these, it won’t hurt as much if your opponent destroys your Xyz Monster.  You’ll still lose your two Xyz Materials, but they already got to make an impact with their effects.  Here are some more Level 3’s that make great Xyz Materials:

–Mysterious Guard sends a monster back to the top of your opponent’s Deck, forcing them to draw it again.  You can bounce another monster back to their hand if you control a Warrior, too.

–Vortex Trooper’s ability lets you trade cards you don’t need, for a shot at drawing the cards you do need.  Grab two draws and go straight in for an Xyz Summon.

–Worm Barses can turn a big Defense Position monster to Attack Position, so you can Xyz Summon and then run it over.

-Use Shield Warrior as an Xyz Material, and after it’s sent to the Graveyard you can banish it to save one of your monsters from destruction by battle.

There aren’t as many Level 4 monsters that work like this, but the ones that do exist are great!

Breaker the Magical Warrior can destroy an opposing Spell or Trap, balancing its own loss when you use it as an Xyz Material.  At the same time, it clears the way for your Summon and attack.  Dekoichi the Battlechanted Locomotive nabs you a free draw with its Flip Effect, and Blackwing – Zephyros the Elite can be Special Summoned back from the Graveyard by returning one of your face-up cards to your hand.  You can use Zephyros for two different Xyz Summons over the course of a Duel, or use it to attack, and then when it’s destroyed, reuse it for a comeback play later.

Understanding when and how to make Xyz Summons is a huge skill in Battle Pack Sealed.  Master it, and you’ll be able to dominate your opponent’s monsters; mount big comebacks; and outplay far bigger threats!