Charmer

Charmer is an archetype of Spellcaster-Type monsters in HCCG. Along with Familiar-Possessed, with which it is closely related, it is the only archetype created in the TCG and later carried over to HCCG. Its members are included in Light Beginnings, Collection of Memories, Signal from the Depths, and Embryonic Revival.

The "Charmers" were originally comprised of four Level 3 Flip Effect Monsters, each of a different Attribute, who all had 500 ATK, 1500 DEF, and an effect that allowed the player to take control of 1 opponent's monster the same Attribute as itself. For each "Charmer", there was also a Familiar-Possessed monster that shares its name and appearance, but is noticeably stronger and can be Special Summoned by Tributing its respective "Charmer" and 1 other monster of the same Attribute. The last two "Charmer" cards in the TCG, Dharc the Dark Charmer and Lyna the Light Charmer, were created later to fare better against the metagame as well as to supplement the missing Attributes, DARK and LIGHT respectively. In HCCG, there are other "Charmer" monsters that add Synchro summoning to the archetype, and various Spell and Trap Cards that support them all.

"Charmers" typically go hand-in-hand with Familiar-Possessed decks, but they can also function as powerful side deck cards against decks of a single Attribute. However, they are somewhat hindered by their requirement to remain face-up to keep their effect active. The following is a list of various "Charmer" deck strategies used in the metagame.

Charmer Control Deck
This deck revolves around using DNA Transplant to alter the Attribute of the opponent's monsters and then take control of them with the corresponding "Charmer". It is heavily reliant on stalling.

Familiar Beatdown
Also known as Aggro Charmers, this deck revolves around quickly summoning the Familiar-Possessed monsters and, through the effects of the - Familiar monsters, beat down the opponent by battle. It also uses Tuner the Synchro Charmer to gain access to Synchro Monsters like Familiar-Possessed - Doriado.

Charmer Synchro Deck
This deck revolves around summoning "Charmer" Synchro Monsters, like Crystal the Charmer Pathfinder and Charmer Priestess, to then manipulate the opponent's monsters and swarm with the "Charmers" themselves.

Gliasco Beach
While not a "Charmer" deck per se, this deck can use Eria the Water Charmer and Gliasco the Ice Devil to summon Familiar-Possessed - Eria, and have ample targets for the cost of Beach Girl's effect through Eria's two forms and Gagagigo - Familiar.

Trivia

 * The original six "Charmers", as well as the five Familiar-Possessed monsters from the TCG, all have artwork drawn by Akina Fujiwara, who draws many other cards in the TCG as well.
 * To learn more about Charmers in the TCG, as well as interact with many fans of the Charmers, visit Charmers Forum, an excellent website.
 * So far, Underworld's Balance is the only HCCG booster set that does not contain at least one "Charmer" card.
 * So far, every "Charmer" monster not originally made for the TCG is of the LIGHT Attribute.