Previously, I neglected to elaborate on Chain Summoning.

This quick-play spell card actually has more potential and utility in Trickstars. It deserves more credit than most players give it.

Chain Summoning

Quick-Play Spell

Activate only as Chain Link 3 or higher. You can Normal Summon or Set up to 3 times this turn. You cannot activate this card if multiple cards/effects with the same name are in that Chain.

Combo 1: One-Turn Kill

The following play involve having these cards in hand

Chain Summoning

Trickstar Candina

Trickstar Lycorissica

Normal Summon and activate Trickstar Candina‘s effect. Activate Trickstar Lycorissica‘s effect, from hand, in response to that. Activate Chain Summoning in response to Trickstar Lycorissica‘s effect, targeting Trickstar Candina. Chain 1: Trickstar Candina

Chain 2: Trickstar Lycorissica ‘s effect.

‘s effect. Chain 3: Chain Summoning Search Trickstar Lycorissica using Trickstar Candina‘s effect. Trickstar Candina returns to hand via Trickstar Lycorissica‘s effect. Normal Summon and activate Trickstar Candina‘s effect. (Second Normal Summon of the turn). Search for a second Trickstar Candina. Normal Summon and activate the second Trickstar Candina‘s effect (Third Normal Summon of the turn). Search for a second Trickstar Lycorissica. Battle Phase:

Trickstar Lycorissica attacks → 1600 damage

attacks → 1600 damage Two Trickstar Candina attacks → 1800 x 2 = 3600 damage.

attacks → 1800 x 2 = 3600 damage. Activate the effect of both Trickstar Lycorissica in hand to Special summon, targeting the two Trickstar Candina on the field. Both Trickstar Lycorissica attacks → 1600 x 2 = 3200 damage

Total damage output = 1600 + 3600 + 3200 = 8400 damage.

With three cards in hand, Trickstars can launch into a merciless OTK by just dealing Battle Damage. Even if your opponent survives this onslaught, there will be three Trickstar Lycorissica on the field that can deal a total of 600 burn damage during the following Draw Phase.

Combo 2: Trickstar Lightstage

The following play involves having these cards in hand:

Chain Summoning

Trickstar Candina

Trickstar Lycorissica

Trickstar Lightstage

Field Spell Card

When this card is activated: You can add 1 “Trickstar” monster from your Deck to your hand. Once per turn: You can target 1 Set card in your opponent’s Spell & Trap Zone; while this card is face-up on the field, that Set card cannot be activated until the End Phase, also during that End Phase, your opponent must activate it or send it to the Graveyard. Each time a “Trickstar” monster you control inflicts battle or effect damage to your opponent, inflict 200 damage to your opponent.

This is an extension of the Combo 1.

For a larger damage output, at Step 4, search for Trickstar Lightstage using Trickstar Candina‘s effect instead. Then, use Trickstar Lightstage to search Trickstar Lycorissica and continue.

The addition of Trickstar Lightstage can contribute another 1000 damage. That is five intervals of 200 damage since a total of five Trickstar monsters attacked.

Trickstar Lycorissica 1600 (+200)

+ Trickstar Candina 1800 (+200) + Trickstar Candina 1800 (+200)

+ Trickstar Lycorissica 1600 (+200) + Trickstar Lycorissica 1600 (+200)

⇒ 9400damage.

The following turn, the draw from your opponent’s Draw Phase will cause each copy of Trickstar Lycorissica to deal 200 damage.

Trickstar Lycorissica 200 (+200)

+ Trickstar Lycorissica 200 (+200)

+ Trickstar Lycorissica 200 (+200)

⇒ 1200damage

With 9400 + 1200, that is a total of 10600damage.

This means that even if you were to use Upstart Goblin thrice before engaging this play, your opponent will only be left with 400 Lifepoints, at the mercy of your Trickstar monsters.

Any single search or Spell/Trap activation will wipe the remaining 400 Lifepoints away in a 200 (+200) fashion.

When leading first, without a Battle Phase, players can perform a different play involving the same three cards.

Combo 3: Going first → 6400 Damage

The following play involves having these cards in hand:

Chain Summoning

Trickstar Candina

Trickstar Lycorissica

Normal Summon and activate Trickstar Candina‘s effect. Activate Trickstar Lycorissica‘s effect, from hand, in response to that, targeting Trickstar Candina. Activate Chain Summoning in response to Trickstar Lycorissica‘s effect. Chain 1: Trickstar Candina

Chain 2: Trickstar Lycorissica ‘s effect

‘s effect Chain 3: Chain Summoning Search Trickstar Reincarnation using Trickstar Candina‘s effect. Trickstar Candina returns to hand via Trickstar Lycorissica‘s effect. Normal Summon and activate Trickstar Candina‘s effect. (Second Normal Summon of the turn). Search for Trickstar Lightstage. Activate Trickstar Lightstage. Use its effect to search for a second Trickstar Lycorissica. Activate the second Trickstar Lycorissica‘s effect, from hand, targeting Trickstar Candina. Trickstar Candina returns to hand via the second’s Trickstar Lycorissica’s effect. Normal Summon and activate Trickstar Candina‘s effect (Third Normal Summon of the turn). Search for a second copy of Trickstar Reincarnation. Set both Trickstar Reincarnation.

During the Draw Phase, your opponent’s draw will cause both Trickstar Lycorissica to inflict 2 x [200 (+200)] damage. After that, follow up by activating two copies of Trickstar Reincarnation.

Trickstar Reincarnation will let them draw 6 cards twice. A total of 12 cards drawn will elicit 2400 damage from each Trickstar Lycorissica. Each Trickstar Lycorissica activates its effect twice. That is a total of four activations, allowing Trickstar Lightstage to chip in 800 damage.

That adds up to (2400 x 2) + 800 = 5600 damage.

Total damage output → 800 + 5600 = 6400 damage.

Shaving off more than half your opponent’s initial lifepoints, this play will leave your opponent with only 1600 lifepoints. You will have one copy of Trickstar Candina and two copies of Trickstar Lycorissica on the field to pressure your opponent, limiting their ability to activate Spells/Traps or search.

Combo 4: Going first → 5400 Damage

The following play involves having these cards in hand

Chain Summoning

Trickstar Candina

Trickstar Lycorissica

Normal Summon and activate Trickstar Candina‘s effect. Activate Trickstar Lycorissica‘s effect, from hand, in response to that, targeting Trickstar Candina. Activate Chain Summoning in response to Trickstar Lycorissica‘s effect. Chain 1: Trickstar Candina

Chain 2: Trickstar Lycorissica ‘s effect

‘s effect Chain 3: Chain Summoning Search Trickstar Reincarnation using Trickstar Candina‘s effect. Trickstar Candina returns to hand via Trickstar Lycorissica‘s effect. Normal Summon and activate Trickstar Candina‘s effect. (Second Normal Summon of the turn). Search for Trickstar Lightstage. Activate Trickstar Lightstage. Use its effect to search for a second Trickstar Lycorissica. Activate the second Trickstar Lycorissica‘s effect, from hand, targeting Trickstar Candina. Trickstar Candina returns to hand via the second’s Trickstar Lycorissica’s effect. Normal Summon and activate Trickstar Candina‘s effect (Third Normal Summon of the turn). Search for the third copy of Trickstar Lycorissica. Activate the third Trickstar Lycorissica‘s effect, from hand, targeting Trickstar Candina. Trickstar Candina returns to hand via the third’s Trickstar Lycorissica’s effect. Set Trickstar Reincarnation.

During your opponent’s Draw Phase, the three Trickstar Lycorissica along with Trickstar Lightstage will deal a total of 3 x [200 (+200)] = 1200damage.

Trickstar Reincarnation triggers a total of [6 x 200 (+200)] x 3 = 4200damage.

That is a total of 5400damage when your opponent’s turn begins, leaving them with 2600 Lifepoints.

This play defers from the previous one by prioritising the summon of Trickstar Lycorissica over the search and activation of the second copy of Trickstar Reincarnation. With three Trickstar Lycorissica on the field, it stresses your opponent more whenever a card is added to their hand via searching or drawing.

This makes it potent against True Draco decks, especially Card of Demise variants.

Combo 5: ‘First’-Turn Kill

While not technically a First Turn Kill, Trickstars have the ability to end the Duel during the opponent’s Standby Phase. This optimal opening requires an additional card – Trickstar Reincarnation or Trickstar Lightstage/Terraforming.

+ Trickstar Reincarnation

The following play involves having these cards in hand:

Chain Summoning

Trickstar Candina

Trickstar Lycorissica

Trickstar Reincarnation

With an additional Trickstar Reincarnation in hand, perform the play listed as Combo 4. Trickstar Reincarnation adds another 4200damage to the opponent with three Trickstar Lycorissica on the field.

With three Trickstar Lycorissica and two Trickstar Reincarnation on the field, the total damage inflicted when the opponent’s turn arrives is as follow:

Draw Phase → [200 (+200)] x 3 = 1200.

Standby Phase → Trickstar Reincarnation #1 → [6 x 200 (+200)] x 3 = 4200.

Standby Phase → Trickstar Reincarnation #2 → [6 x 200 (+200)] x 3 = 4200.

This play overkills with Burn Damage of 9600 lifepoints.

+ Trickstar Lightstage

The following play involves having these cards in hand:

Chain Summoning

Trickstar Candina

Trickstar Lycorissica

Trickstar Lightstage

Normal Summon and activate Trickstar Candina‘s effect. Activate Trickstar Lycorissica‘s effect, from hand, in response to that, targeting Trickstar Candina. Activate Chain Summoning in response to Trickstar Lycorissica‘s effect. Chain 1: Trickstar Candina

Chain 2: Trickstar Lycorissica ‘s effect

‘s effect Chain 3: Chain Summoning Search Trickstar Reincarnation using Trickstar Candina‘s effect. Trickstar Candina returns to hand via Trickstar Lycorissica‘s effect. Normal Summon and activate Trickstar Candina‘s effect. (Second Normal Summon of the turn). Search a second Trickstar Lycorissica. Activate the second Trickstar Lycorissica‘s effect, from hand, targeting Trickstar Candina. Trickstar Candina returns to hand via the second’s Trickstar Lycorissica’s effect. Normal Summon and activate Trickstar Candina‘s effect (Third Normal Summon of the turn). Search for the second copy of ◊ Trickstar Reincarnation◊. ◊Activate Trickstar Lightstage, searching the third Trickstar Lycorissica. ◊ Activate the third Trickstar Lycorissica‘s effect, from hand, targeting Trickstar Candina. Trickstar Candina returns to hand via the third’s Trickstar Lycorissica’s effect. Set both copies of Trickstar Reincarnation.

Similarly to the previous play, this version accounts for an additional copy of Trickstar Lightstage instead of Trickstar Reincarnation. The main difference between the two is in Step 7 and 8, indicated by the ◊ symbol.

With Trickstar Lightstage, you can search for your third copy of Trickstar Lycorissica, allowing you to use Trickstar Candina‘s final search for the second copy of Trickstar Reincarnation.

The end result is the same, with Trickstar Lightstage active, two copies of Trickstar Reincarnation and three Trickstar Lycorissica on the field, ready to deal 9600 damage to your opponent before his Main Phase 1 even begins.

Combo 6: Optimal OTK

With the optimal hand, you can also OTK, without the need to rely on Burn Damage,

The following play involves having these cards in hand:

Chain Summoning

Trickstar Candina

Trickstar Lycorissica

Trickstar Lightstage

Normal Summon and activate Trickstar Candina‘s effect. Activate Trickstar Lycorissica‘s effect, from hand, in response to that. Activate Chain Summoning in response to Trickstar Lycorissica‘s effect, targeting Trickstar Candina. Chain 1: Trickstar Candina

Chain 2: Trickstar Lycorissica ‘s effect.

‘s effect. Chain 3: Chain Summoning Search Trickstar Lycorissica using Trickstar Candina‘s effect. Trickstar Candina returns to hand via Trickstar Lycorissica‘s effect. Normal Summon and activate Trickstar Candina‘s effect. (Second Normal Summon of the turn). Search Trickstar Candina. Normal Summon and activate Trickstar Candina‘s effect (Third Normal Summon of the turn). Search Trickstar Lycorissica. Activate Trickstar Lightstage, adding Trickstar Lilybell to your hand. Trickstar Lilybell‘s effect activates, special summoning itself onto the field. Battle Phase:

Trickstar Lycorissica attacks → 1600 damage

attacks → 1600 damage Two Trickstar Candina attacks → 1800 x 2 = 3600 damage.

attacks → 1800 x 2 = 3600 damage. Trickstar Lilybell attacks → 800 damage

attacks → 800 damage Activate the effect of both Trickstar Lycorissica in hand to special summon, targeting the two Trickstar Candina on the field. Both Trickstar Lycorissica attacks → 1600 x 2 = 3200damage

Total damage output =

Trickstar Lycorissica 1600 (+200)

+ Trickstar Candina 1800 (+200) + Trickstar Candina 1800 (+200)

+ Trickstar Lycorissica 1600 (+200) + Trickstar Lycorissica 1600 (+200)

+ Trickstar Lilybell 800 (+200)

⇒ 10400damage.

For the final play of this article I have for you, we use the additional Trickstar Lightstage to bring out Trickstar Lilybell. Trickstar Lilybell can be special summoned once it is added to hand (except by drawing). This makes use of the search by Trickstar Lightstage to bring another monster onto the field, to burst for another 1000 Battle Damage.

Any remaining lifepoints will likely be wiped out by the three Trickstar Lycorissica during your opponent’s next Draw Phase. (1200 Burn Damage).

This unforgiving play finishes your opponent even if three copies of Upstart Goblin was previously used. The additional 3000 Lifepoints will not be able to save your opponent from the barrage of attacks.

Evaluation

The Trickstar archetype can dish out tonnes of damage. Their main issue lies with their low attack monsters. Battle Damage OTKs are achieved via multiple intervals of damage. While OTKs can still be achieved with a monster on your opponent’s field, once the opposing monster’s stat is on par or higher than Trickstar Candina, it gets harder to finish the opponent off during that turn.

Thankfully, Honest helps in these type of situations, by overpowering a monster with higher Attack points than Trickstar Candina.

The above plays depict Trickstar Lightstage being used in the later stages of the Combo to simplify the play and better highlight the difference between the various plays. In reality, Trickstar Lightstage should be used right off the bat in the face of an unknown backrow card that your opponent has. The Field Spell has a useful effect to answer backrow threats.

Once per turn: You can target 1 Set card in your opponent’s Spell & Trap Zone; while this card is face-up on the field, that Set card cannot be activated until the End Phase, also during that End Phase, your opponent must activate it or send it to the Graveyard.

Quick Numbers

The below numbers assumes the damage taken up to the opponent’s first Standby Phase of the game. Hence, your opponent would have drawn one card from the regular Draw Phase and the resolution of Trickstar Reincarnation will cause them to draw 6 cards.

Trickstar Lycorissica + Trickstar Reincarnation ⇒ 1400 Burn Damage Trickstar Lycorissica + Trickstar Reincarnation + Trickstar Lightstage ⇒ 1800 Burn Damage Two Trickstar Lycorissica + Trickstar Reincarnation ⇒ 2800 Burn Damage Two Trickstar Lycorissica + Trickstar Reincarnation + Trickstar Lightstage ⇒ 3600 Burn Damage Three Trickstar Lycorissica + Trickstar Reincarnation ⇒ 4200 Burn Damage Three Trickstar Lycorissica + Trickstar Reincarnation + Trickstar Lightstage ⇒ 5400 Burn Damage Trickstar Lycorissica + Two Trickstar Reincarnation ⇒ 2600 Burn Damage Trickstar Lycorissica + Two Trickstar Reincarnation + Trickstar Lightstage ⇒ 3200 Burn Damage Trickstar Lycorissica + Three Trickstar Reincarnation ⇒ 3600 Burn Damage Trickstar Lycorissica + Three Trickstar Reincarnation + Trickstar Lightstage ⇒ 4400 Burn Damage Two Trickstar Lycorissica + Two Trickstar Reincarnation ⇒ 5200 Burn Damage Two Trickstar Lycorissica + Two Trickstar Reincarnation + Trickstar Lightstage ⇒ 6400 Burn Damage Two Trickstar Lycorissica + Three Trickstar Reincarnation ⇒ 7600 Burn Damage Two Trickstar Lycorissica + Three Trickstar Reincarnation + Trickstar Lightstage ⇒ 9200 Burn Damage

Additionally:

Trickstar Lilybell on field (not special summoned this turn) + Trickstar Lycorissica in graveyard ⇒ 2000 Direct Attack Damage

Conclusion

Chain Summoning allows for explosive plays that may catch some opponent off-guard. By bringing more monsters onto the field, you can launch into Link Summoning and Xyz Summoning plays too. It is a card worthy of fear and respect.

It helps that the two of the key cards needed for the combo to work can be easily searched. Being Trickstar monsters, they can be searched by Trickstar Lightstage and by extension Terraforming.

This greatly increases the consistency of the Trickstar deck. However, the entire game plan remains vulnerable to Ash Blossom & Joyous Spring.

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