Number 12: Crimson Shadow Armor Ninja ———————————————— 2 Level 5 monsters Once per turn, during either player's turn: You can detach 1 Xyz Material from this card; this turn, face-up "Ninja" monsters you control cannot be destroyed by battle or by card effects. ———————————————— Can Be Found In: Order of Chaos (ORCS-EN042), Star Pack 2013 (SP13-EN030)
With current Decks having all sorts of methods and routes to quickly summon powerful monsters and prepare strong setups, the same can be said to counter them by one or two options. This is nothing different compared to the old days, as the card game provides all sorts of methods to achieve our goals but also to counter them. That's why is often recommended to have some options to protect our cards from the many threats lurking at any moment, not only with the staple countermeasures every Deck can run but also more unique options exclusive to a theme or archetype.
"Number 12: Crimson Shadow Armor Ninja" is a monster that can go from evading all sorts of dangers on its own, to protecting entire fields by the use of its effect. During any turn, "Crimson Shadow" can detach one of its materials to protect all Ninja cards from any destructive sources for a whole turn. This clearly means that a lonely "Crimson Shadow" is able to survive all sorts of battles and effects at any turn is present on our field, but by working along its own archetype can keep our board pressence strong against the many threats menacing not only this monster but the rest of Ninjas.
While a Rank 5 monster isn't that tough to summon, the archetype "Crimson Shadow" belongs unfortunately lacks in options to do so in a consistent way. There are scarce members that can assist on its Xyz Summon with their abilities, ranging from "Earth Armor Ninja" own Special Summon to "Flame Armor Ninja" increasing a Ninja's Level. However, given "Crimson Shadow" doesn't ask for any specific materials, the best option is to mix some cards outside its theme to make its arrival and other potential Rank 5 monsters we can work with more smooth. Monsters like "Cyber Dragon" and "Solar Wind Jammer" will come out from our hand if our field is empty, while effects like "Instant Fusion" and "Brilliant Fusion" will summon Fusion Monsters ready to be used as materials.
The results of "Crimson Shadow" will vary of our field, as can go from a sturdy attacker to protecting entire fields with its ability. The attacks of "Crimson Shadow" will have a fail-safe in case the opponent has a way to turn the battle in their favor, while also working as a sturdy defense by tanking all attacks despite the potential damage we might take in return. But the best situation is when working along the rest of Ninjas, as some valuable members like "Ninja Grandmaster Saizo" and "Yellow Dragon Ninja" will welcome the protection. From avoiding dangerous effects like "Raigeki" to assuring any battles won't ruin our field, "Crimson Shadow" won't take long to activate its effect in good use.
While "Number 12: Crimson Shadow Armor Ninja" has a solid ability to defend itself and the rest of Ninjas, it suffers of several shortcomings that makes it not as important compared to other monsters of its kind. Being a Rank 5 monster in an archetype focused on Level 4 monsters and high Level creatures they can summon with their Ninjitsu Arts, the Deck barely has any chances to Xyz Summon it unless they mix along off-theme options just to assure its arrival. While its effect is undoubtly reliable against all sorts of threats, nowadays there are various options to bypass it by using non-destructive effects. Lastly, the archetype can keep the opponent under control as Ninjitsu Arts along some of their lead monsters work together to achieve a strong board, easily accesible given the many searching options arround them. And even if "Crimson Shadow" has the chance to stand out on its own outside the archetype, is easily overshadowed by other Rank 5 monsters with more dependable and/or powerful abilities. Overall, while far from useless, "Crimson Shadow" is a powerful monster that lost any chances to become a staple pick due the many alternatives surrounding its archetype.
Personal Rating: B+
+ Protects itself and other Ninjas from destructive effects and battles + Chainable effect
- Its archetype lacks in resources for its Xyz Summon - Easily overshadowed by other Ninja and Xyz options














