Shapesnatch ———————————————— 'A bow tie with horrible power, it attacks an opponent by controlling others.' ———————————————— Can Be Found In: Pharaonic Guardian (PGD-002)
Not every card becomes popular for either its efficiency in the competitive scene or having an important role in one of the series. In some circumstances, a card with poor stats or effects becomes its biggest feature, often turning into a running joke among the community. However, it reaches a point where these cards becomes the core of its own Decks, not like "Skull Servant" that became an archetype of its own but rather trying to make the worst cards able to confront more powerful strategies in comparison.
"Shapesnatch" is not that different to many other Normal Monsters of the past, yet became the running joke of the TCG when comes to one of the most terrible cards in the game ("Morinphen" in the case of the OCG community). Arriving during a time when the OCG didn't had the Tribute Summon clause, "Shapesnatch" gradually became an expensive summon yet with pitiful stats worth the investment. Fortunately like many other Normal Monsters it recovered by working as material for better summons, but in the case of "Shapesnatch" it encouraged players to create entire Decks arround its pressence including OTK results. These Decks and setups aren't that different if we focus on a different Normal Monster even if are easier to play or stronger, but "Shapesnatch" is the prime example of creating an efficient Deck arround a funny premise.
Although treated as one of the worst monsters in the card game, "Shapesnatch" gained a lot of support over the years and improving many Normal Monsters in the same situation. With the activation of "Summoner's Art" of the battle effect of "Dragoons of Draconia", "Shapesnatch" will be immediately in our hand ready for any use. We don't even need to wait for be in our hand however, as can be is summoned by "Chaos-End Master" or "Machina Armored Unit" depending of how favorable is the Battle Phase. Obviously nothing stop us from Tribute Summoning "Shapesnatch" if ends in our hand, with Pendulum Summons or Nimble monsters easily gathering materials as well "The Monarchs Stormforth" using a stronger monster from the opponent for its arrival. When comes to the Graveyard "Shapesnatch" obtains plenty of revival effects to work with, ranging from "Swing of Memories" and "Silent Doom" to Traps like "Birthright" and "Oasis of Dragon Souls" reviving it even during the opponent's turn. With these many ways to Special Summon "Shapesnatch", is quite likely to time its arrival with "Inferno Reckless Summon" to bring all its copies at once.
Despite its popularity, "Shapesnatch" is not that different compared to many obsolete Normal Monsters from back in the day. With many summoning options available as well cards like "Advanced Ritual Art" and "Overload Fusion", "Shapesnatch" easily becomes a reliable material for all kinds of bigger summons ranging from Tribute Summons to Xyz Summons. And with the addition of cards like "Skill Drain" and "Heat Wave", "Shapesnatch" and the rest of our Normal Monsters will have the advantage against the popularity of Effect Monsters nowadays. However, creating lethal setups arround "Shapesnatch" became a punchline worth a Deck of its own, and with cards like "United We Stand" and "Limiter Removal" working together is quite possible to achieve an OTK with this Normal Monster. But if that strategy crumbles we can still take advantage of its low stats, as cards like "Messenger of Peace" will stall the opponent while letting "Shapesnatch" to attack, or trading it using "Creature Swap" to gain a stronger monster.
High Level Normal Monsters are divided in various roles depending of their stats, and "Shapesnatch" is among those often working as materials of stronger creatures. However, while "Shapesnatch" can be simply played like any other of its kind thanks to the many supporting cards nowadays, is the first monster to come to mind when comes creating unorthodox OTK strategies. Piling several stat boosts or taking advantage of summoning options like "Inferno Reckless Summon" is not that different if we focus on another Normal Monster, but "Shapesnatch" gained a reputation in the TCG and still keeps that tradition after all these many years.
Personal Rating: C+
+ Highly supported from early to late game specially as material + The main Normal Monster to create unusual Decks arround it including OTKs
- Poor stats - Depends on other cards and effects - Not that different from other Normal Monsters even when comes to OTK setups