Heya! ArcKnight here and I'm back with another article featuring one of the topics you voted for in the poll which is the best way to counter "Centur-Ion." "Centur-Ion" has just been released in Valiant Smashers in TCG too and I feel this is the perfect timing to revisit the counter strategy against them.
Without further ado, let's get started!
Introduction:
"Centur-Ion" is a new theme in Valiant Smashers which focuses on placing their theme monsters as a continuous trap to bring out powerful Synchro monsters. The Calamity-Lock is a popular end goal of "Centur-Ion" which utilizes "Crimson Dragon" to bring out "Hot Red Dragon Archfiend King Calamity" for an instant field card and effect lock the rest of that turn. In some cases, fulfilling this could be an auto-win as you can probably OTK (One-Turn Kill) next turn.
Weakness:
While "Centur-Ion" looks very consistent with its 1.5 card combo, it comes with various choke points where if interrupted, can mess the entire combo line. Hence, it is very important to get familiar with its basic combo line (and if possible, have a chance to play the deck by yourself) to get the feel of what areas the "Centur-Ion" user will be afraid of when doing their combo.
Because of this, below are some of the tips I can share to counter "Centur-Ion". Note that the things I will mention below are also based on my experience piloting and playing against this deck in ranking tournaments. (Feel free to choose whichever strategy will best apply depending on your deck)
1. Prevent the Synchro summon
"Centur-Ion" is a Synchro-centric deck and preventing this type of summon will help you gain the upper-hand advantage. Going first, cards like "Dimensional Barrier", "Summon Limit", "Rivalry of Warlords" or "Gozen Match" can prevent the combo from happening considering "Centur-Ion" is a multi-type and attribute theme.
You can also play "Unending Nightmare" to keep destroying "Centur-Ion Primera" or "Centur-Ion Trudea" if they attempt to special summon them as a continuous trap card.
2. Remove the threat in response
"Stand Up Centurion" and "Centur-Ion Primera" are the heart and soul of the theme. Hence, getting rid of them is a must. "Stand Up Centur-Ion" has an in-built protection wherein it cannot be destroyed by card effects so long as they control a "Centur-Ion" monster card hence using "Ghost Ogre & Snow Rabbit" isn't a good way to disrupt it if they already control a "Centur-Ion" monster card. Mind you, they can also chain "Emblema Oath" to place a "Centur-Ion" monster card straight from their deck making Ghost ogre useless.
If you have "Ghost Ogre & Snow Rabbit", it would be better to use it when a "Centur-Ion" would be special summoned from their Spell/Trap Zone instead. Going second, you can use "Cosmic Cyclone" in response to the field spell's attempt to synchro summon. Be careful as "Centur-Ion True Awakening" might be one of their set card which can negate "Cosmic Cyclone". To bypass this, you can chain "Cosmic Cyclone even before "Centur-Ion Primera" is summoned from the Spell/Trap Zone. Remember, the field spell is useless if there's no tuner to synchro summon with.
3. Fuse them away!
"Super Polymerization" is the ultimate counter against many decks including "Centur-Ion". Normally, they will attempt to synchro summon "Crimson Dragon" which will target "Centur-Ion Legatia" to special summon "Hot Red Archfiend King Calamity" from their Extra Deck. Since both "Centur-Ion Legatia" and "Crimson Dragon" are LIGHT monsters with different types, you can use "Super Polymerization" to fusion summon "Mudragon of the Swamp".
"Mudragon of the Swamp" also has a great effect where you can change its attribute and prevent all monsters you have with the similar attribute be targeted by effects which means if they have a set "Centur-Ion Phalanx", it's either they are forced to use it to remove Mudragon or be useless the rest of the turn against you (especially if you play a Single Attribute deck).
4. Remove the enabler
"Crimson Dragon" requires targeting another monster before it can bring out a synchro with a similar level. "Kaiju" can instantly tribute "Centur-Ion Legatia" to save you from a possible Calamity lock. Sadly, they can still summon another "Centur-Ion Legatia" which can hinder your plays. "Book of Moon" and "Book of Eclipse" can also be used when they are about to use "Crimson Dragon" to bring out a synchro as it needs the synchro monster to stay face-up so it can validate its level and turning the monsters face-down will prevent Crimson's effect from landing.
5. Believe in the power of XYZ!
If you don't draw your side deck options from items 1-4, your best bet is to rely on your Extra Deck. The Calamity Lock only prevents card activation or effect ON THE FIELD, meaning, hand and GY effects can still be used!
If you have a way to push for "Divine Arsenal AA-Zeus - Sky Thunder", do so. After getting Calamity locked, Legatia and Calamity wouldnt do anything much the following turn.
Since the opponent would have probably committed a lot of resources, wiping everything with Zeus back on their turn would cause a lot of field advantage since they need to set up both the field and have access to "Centur-Ion Primera".
You can also XYZ summon "Number 16: Bagooska" to prevent them from going further next turn. Be careful though as they can just link summon "S:P Little Night" to banish Bagooska but at least, you are safe from direct attacks (which means you live another day :D)
Additional Tip:
When using "Effect Veiler" or "Infinite Impermanence" and it's only my hand trap, I would use it either on "Centur-Ion Legatia" or "Centur-Ion' primera. Negating "Centur-Ion Legatia" would prevent them from drawing 1 card and bringing back "Centur-Ion Primera" from GY back to their S/T zone.
"Centur-Ion" also doesn't die against "Droll & Lock Bird" or "Nibiru, the Primal Being". They have different ways that can bait your hand traps that's why I normally prefer to just deal with the threat when it's on my turn by using "Cosmic Cyclone" or "Super Polymerization".
Summary:
"Centur-Ion" is definitely a great contender in the meta which can steal games if their strategies have successfully materialized. The deck is pretty solid considering it's just their first wave in Valiant Smashers. Getting familiar with their playstyle and their weaknesses can surely help you "Stand Up" against Centur-Ion.
Thanks for reading 'til the end!
~ArcKnight
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