XYZ monsters are incredibly versatile options for your extra deck. They are summoned by stacking two monsters of the same level on top of each other. With rank 4 monsters, this is even easier since most decks already include level 4 monsters. Even decks focused on big beat-stick monsters like Blue Eyes White Dragon still run enough level 4 monsters to make rank 4 XYZ monsters viable. But with so many amazing choices available, how do you decide which ones to include?
To help you make that decision, let’s take a look at some of the best rank 4 XYZ monsters in the game.
15. Number 50: Blackship of Corn
This card excels at removing monsters with powerful effects. By detaching one material from Number 50, you can target and send a monster on the field to the graveyard, as long as that monster’s attack is less than or equal to Number 50’s attack. The beauty of this card lies in the fact that sending a monster to the graveyard does not count as destroying it. Therefore, any effects that would normally activate when a card is destroyed are bypassed. And if the 2100 attack limit isn’t sufficient, you can boost this card’s attack with an equip spell to take down even larger monsters.
14. Gagaga Cowboy
Gagaga Cowboy offers versatility by providing two effects based on its position. In attack position, you can boost its attack to 2500 while reducing your opponent’s monster’s attack by 500. This allows you to defeat monsters with up to 3000 attack. The defense position effect is even more advantageous: you can detach one XYZ material to inflict 800 LP damage to your opponent. Regardless of your opponent’s defenses, this effect can be a game-changer when their LP is low.
13. Number 82: Heartlandraco
In a meta game filled with field spells, Number 82: Heartlandraco becomes an essential card. While a face-up spell is on the field, this card becomes untargetable for attacks, allowing it to remain on the field for as long as needed. Furthermore, you can detach one XYZ material from this card to attack directly. With two XYZ materials, you can unleash a devastating 4000 damage. Combining this card with other support cards like XYZ Import can amplify its attacking power.
12. Diamond Dire Wolf
Diamond Dire Wolf may seem like a staple for Beast decks, but it is a fantastic Rank 4 monster for any deck. By detaching an XYZ material, you can target one Beast, Beast-Warrior, or Winged-Beast monster, as well as any other card on the field, and destroy them both. This versatility allows you to remove any threats your opponent presents, be they monsters, spells, or traps, for the cost of two level 4 monsters.
11. Time Thief Redoer
Time Thief Redoer lives up to its name as a thief. It allows you to steal the top card of your opponent’s deck every single turn. By detaching a monster, spell, or trap from this card’s XYZ materials, you can choose from three different abilities. The most valuable abilities arise from detaching a spell card to draw a card or detaching a trap card to place any of your opponent’s cards on the top of their deck. The trap ability provides valuable information for planning your moves and executing the perfect Yu-Gi-Oh! heist.
10. Evolzar Dolkka
Evolzar Dolkka is a monster limited to dinosaur decks, but its power is undeniable. It offers two quick play negates on monster effects at the cost of two dinosaur monsters. Yu-Gi-Oh has always revolved around using powerful monster effects to disrupt your opponent, and Evolzar Dolkka’s effect makes it an incredibly valuable addition to any dinosaur deck.
9. Dark Rebellion XYZ Dragon
Dark Rebellion XYZ Dragon, one of my favorite Dimension Dragons from ARC-V, takes your opponent’s biggest monsters and demonstrates its superiority. By detaching 2 XYZ materials from this card, you can halve the attack of any monster on the field while gaining the attack lost. This effectively allows you to attack your opponent directly with 2500 attack. The permanent attack gain ensures you have a formidable monster on the field, enabling you to make comebacks and steamroll your opponent’s strategies.
8. Daigusto Emeral
Daigusto Emeral shines in any deck, particularly in those centered around normal monsters. By detaching one XYZ material from this card, you can shuffle back 3 monsters from your graveyard into the deck and then draw a card. This allows you to recycle your most potent monsters repeatedly. Additionally, drawing a card instantly enhances your chances of utilizing those monsters effectively. In decks with normal monsters, you have the alternative option of special summoning one normal monster from your graveyard. This can be a game-changer, especially in decks like Blue Eyes where you can summon a free BEWD whenever needed.
7. Number 39: Utopia
When you think of XYZ monsters, Number 39: Utopia comes to mind. Many duelists, including myself, were introduced to XYZ summoning through the Number 39: Utopia starter deck. Despite its humble origins, Number 39: Utopia is a formidable card. By detaching one material, you can negate an attack from your opponent or even your own attacks in niche strategies like Double or Nothing beatdown. The card has plenty of support as well. Number S39: Utopia the Lightning, for instance, can be summoned using Number 39: Utopia as the entire material, transforming the card into a 5000 attack powerhouse.
6. Number 106: Giant Hand
No modern Yu-Gi-Oh list would be complete without at least one negate card. Number 106 allows you to completely negate a monster’s effect while it remains face up on the field, rendering your opponent’s monsters useless. Additionally, the targeted monster cannot change its battle position, meaning that if it has a low original attack, you can easily inflict significant damage by attacking it. Unlike most negate cards, which generally provide temporary effect negation, Number 106 offers multiple turns of protection from powerful monster effects, allowing you to safely execute your strategies.
5. Traptrix Rafflesia
Traptrix Rafflesia takes the popular Bottomless Trap Hole to a whole new level. By detaching one XYZ material, this card allows you to activate any “Trap Hole” card from your deck, provided its activation condition has been met. This means you can deploy cards like Bottomless Trap Hole or Floodgate Trap Hole at any time, effectively countering your opponent’s summoning attempts. With Traptrix Rafflesia at your disposal, you can negate almost any summon whenever necessary.
4. Tornado Dragon
Tornado Dragon is an excellent rank 4 monster to conclude your turn with. When I started playing Yu-Gi-Oh!, I often struggled with deciding which extra deck monsters to summon and which ones would provide the best ending for my turn. Tornado Dragon’s quick effect ability to destroy any spell or trap on the field helps you disrupt your opponent’s strategies before they even begin. It also leaves you with proactive defense options during your opponent’s turn. I recommend utilizing this effect to remove field spells, which often enable your opponents to search for their key combo pieces every turn.
3. Castel, the Skyblaster Musketeer
Castel combines the power of two of Yu-Gi-Oh’s most influential cards: Compulsory Evacuation Device and Book of Moon. With Castel, you have the option to detach one or two XYZ materials, each granting a different effect. Detaching one material flips any monster on the field face-down, providing an effective way to remove your opponent’s powerful attacking monsters, especially those with low defense. This effect also allows you to reuse your own flip effects, giving you an opportunity to capitalize on your most potent abilities once again.
2. Number 101: Silent Honor Ark
Destroying your opponent’s monsters is great, but it becomes pointless if they bring them right back with Monster Reborn. Number 101 takes monster removal to a whole new level by absorbing monsters as XYZ materials. This means that if your opponent wants their monster back, they will have to destroy Number 101 first and then have the right cards to revive their monster. Destroying Number 101 itself isn’t an easy task either. You can detach one XYZ material from this card to prevent it from being destroyed by battle or card effects. Your opponent will have to destroy this card three times to regain control of their monster.
1. Evilswarm Exciton Knight
Evilswarm Exciton Knight, the ultimate comeback king, can turn the tides of any game. As long as your opponent has more cards on their hand and field than you do, you can detach one material from this card to destroy every other card on the field. This effect is akin to Black Rose Dragon, but with a significant advantage—it leaves you with a monster to defend with. The best part is that this effect costs only one material, allowing you to activate it again on your next turn. Evilswarm Exciton Knight is a must-have rank 4 monster in any deck. It ensures that even with unfavorable draws, you won’t be out of the game just yet.
