Many Yugioh players went crazy when the link monsters were released, the game had completely changed and these new monsters were considered unnecessary. Now though, Yugioh is still going strong and the community is accepting of Link Monsters.
This new card type was expected to slow down the game a bit, giving players more options when it comes to deck building and allowing duels to last more than a few turns. It didn’t turn out this way though, the Link Monsters just made it easier to execute your combos!
Over time, Link’s best monsters became extremely expensive. This meant that you needed to empty your wallet to even think about going to tournaments, never mind winning them. Now, however, many more have been released, and many of them are relatively cheap.
Disclaimer: Archetype/Type/Attribute-specific Link Monsters have been avoided from the top 10 list. I’ll list them below, however, in case you need them!
If any types/attributes are missing, there is no dedicated link monster for them (however, there are in the OCG that haven’t been released in the West yet)
attributes
Types
10. Topological Bomber Dragon
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Capable of bombarding all major zones with monsters, Topologic Bomber Dragon is an excellent choice for clearing pesky boards. 3 Link Arrows grants a lot of zones to activate its nuke effect, so your opponent has reduced options when it comes to countering this card.
In addition to a powerful destruction effect, this Link Monster is a powerful 3000 ATK beater that can also deal significant effect damage.
9) Fearsome Saryuja Skull
Once the mainstay of all extra competitive decks, Saryuja is still an amazing Link monster that every player should have in their arsenal.
With those 3 link arrows at the bottom, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to bring out even more additional monsters if necessary. However, requiring 4 monsters to take full advantage of its effect is a slightly detrimental trait.
Considered the most reliable and versatile Link 4 monster, players keep coming back to Saryuja for its flexibility in a wide variety of decks.
8) Borreload Dragon
Another epic looking card, you have to appreciate the awesomeness of these Link monsters. Borreload Dragon lives up to the expectations given by its art with some amazing effects.
All types of monsters have all kinds of effects nowadays, having immunity to such effects is huge.
Used to take on huge and annoying boss monsters, Borreload can simply take control of any monster, regardless of whether they are immune to target effects or not.
Since it has been consistently released in large copies, Borreload is available for a cheap price and should be the boss monster for any beginning player.
7) knight mares
If I were to include Knightmares individually, at least half the list would be filled with them. As a complete package, or by choosing 2 or 3, Knightmares has been incorporated into almost every meta deck out there today.
Each Knightmare Link monster allows you to discard a card, activate a powerful effect, and then draw a card. With so many cards having recycling effects when sent to the Graveyard, this series of Link monsters has given a lot of other archetypes a boost.
Every competitive player needs 1 of each Knightmare, they expand combos and strategies considerably, as well as having the potential to knock your opponent out of their extra deck (occupying all available extra monster zones)!
6) Linkuriboh
Working well in literally every deck that contains a level 1 monster, Linkuriboh is a must-have staple. Not only does it offer a link down arrow, but it also provides battle protection to the table and the ability to send level 1 monsters to the graveyard if necessary.
Most decks have a level 1 monster that they can use as fodder, or the space to include a few. Linkuriboh is excellent for creating combos and strategies.
5) Crystalron Halqifibrax
Known for changing the rules of the game since its release under the nickname “Needlefiber”.
Halqifibrax is a great starting Link monster to flood the field with fodder for more Link Summons.
With a few tuners in your deck, an average hand could end up with 3 or more big Link monsters on the field!
Unfortunately, it is not cheap at all and still comes with a high price.
4) Apollousa, Bow of the Goddess
Tons of power and versatility, Apollousa is a staple of Link monsters in the current Yu-Gi-Oh scene. Plenty of ATK backed up some good link arrows and multiple monster effect negations per turn.
She’s not particularly good at ending a game, but due to how easy she is to summon, you can rely on her to hold the line until you can move on to a more offensive strategy.
3) I:P Masquerena
One of the best extenders in the entire game, I:P is an exceptional Link Monster for creating large boards and giving Link Monsters some protection from destruction.
As a Link 2 monster with diagonal down arrows, I:P is packed with versatility and can fit into just about any add-on deck in the game, as long as it contains Link monsters!
2) Borrelsword Dragon
You’d think a monster without built-in effect protection would be too vulnerable to be competitively viable. However, the players are smart, they recognize the strengths of Borrelsword Dragon.
Mainly used for OTK, this Link Monster can deal heavy damage and clear the field of your opponent’s boss monsters.
Also, Borrelsword’s quick effect can be used to stop your opponent from using spell/trap cards during the battle step. During your turn, you can activate its quick effect immediately after declaring an attack since you have turn priority.
Your opponent won’t be able to chain anything back, so the attack passes and they can’t do anything!
1) Passcode Talker
Currently the most used Link monster in the game, Accesscode Talker is an essential OTK card to end a duel.
Its banish to destroy effect is not once per turn, so you can spam as much as you want to get rid of your opponent’s cards. With some good link combos, you’ll have a lot of different attributes to banish.
If I:P Masquerena is used as a link material, it will even be immune to destruction effects. In general, no other Link monster is as useful and mandatory as Accesscode Talker!