This article was updated to include more archetypes and to meet CBR's editorial and formatting standards
The best part about Absorb is when opponents become afraid to cast a spell for fear that their opponent will gain life and use that valuable time to fight their way to a Wrath of God or other way to turn things around
Consequently, Xyz Monsters cannot normally be used as material for a Synchro or Xyz Summon (unless specifically permitted, such as with the Pendulum Effect of "Xiangke Magician", or by monsters that explicitely demand them as their material), and any effects that refer to, or modify, the Level of a monster (such as "Gravity Bind", most Ritual Spell Cards, or "Harmonic Waves") do not affect Xyz Monsters and cannot be applied to them
The purpose of the format is to do cool and flashy things instead of always doing the most powerful or correct thing, and that subjectivity to deckbuilding is what makes the format great
Nidoqueen's main appeal is that her Lovestrike attack can deal devastating damage in a single hit
Bristlebane Battler Bristlebane Battler starts as a 1/1, but each subsequent creature takes off a -1/-1 counter until its a 6/6, and for just 2 mana