The following suggestions go for both Customs (which have become my main format in the last 2 banlists) and the TCG, including cards that are overlooked for no apparent reason but, in my opinion, can still determine games. Just to be clear, we are talking about unpopular cards, not all techs. You don't need me to tell you that "forehead-chan" is a near staple in every deck.
Imperial Iron Wall
Those who have read my other articles know my opinion on banishing, but unfortunately this seems to be the direction Konami is steadily turning towards. Even Decks that don't strictly rely on it will still run cards like "Pot of Desires", "Pot of Extravagance", or whatever new "Pot" comes next. Moreover, most archetypal Spells/Traps have some kind of GY banish effect, whether that be a protection or an activated effect like a search. "Imperial Iron Wall" blocks all of that for Decks that have a minimal relation to banishing, and completely f@cks those that require it as a main mechanic. Personally I often run it X3 in every Deck that is not itself affected by it (for example my "Altergeists", which only lose "Manifestation"'s GY banish effect).
World Legacy Clash
Somewhat diminished in power because "Dragoon" is made of stupid, but "World Legacy Clash" remains an amazing dodge, as well as a powerful boss nerfer. Since "Clash" banishes your monster as a cost, no matter what the opponent chains to it (even a negate for example), your monster will still immediately leave the field on activation, not resolution, for a single turn, returning unharmed in the End Phase. Keep in mind the ATK reduction it causes is permanent.
MST
Honestly I am buffled by how much people seem to scorn "Mystical Space Typhoon", even when it is directly responsible for their loss. For all of Konami's faults (and there are a lot of them), one thing they definitely do right is to never make strictly better cards than already existing ones. "Twin Twisters", "Heavy Storm Duster", "Galaxy Cyclone" and the rest are all great alternatives to "MST", they are not its upgrades. Depending on the format and the Deck you run, you might prefer to play one or the other (for example during the "True Draco" format I was strictly running "Cosmic Cyclone" instead), but the basic "MST" never got bad. For me, "MST"'s foremost role nowadays is destroying Field/Continuous Spells that have effects on activation upon said activation, keeping "Ash Blossom" in my hand for more demanding situations.
D.D. Crow
Unlike other cards listed here, "D.D. Crow" is not exactly overlooked, just needlessly underutilized. An instant GY removal will never lose its value, and personally, I see "D.D. Crow" as more versatile than "Called by the Grave".
Now we're entering some of the more niche stuff. For me, there is no Zombie Deck out there that should not run at least 1 copy of "Fraulein". "Shiranui"? Check. "Balerdroch"? Check. "Vampires"? Check. "Mayakashi"? Ok, no, because they have a stupid archetype lock on their basic Tuner, but you get what I'm saying. "Fraulein" has the extremely simple summoning condition of a monster declaring an attack to be Special Summoned from your hand. It can be a direct attack aimed at you, your Zombie monster's attack aimed at an opponent's monster (technically it doesn't even have to be a Zombie monster) etc. "Fraulein" will be Summoned and can then immediately boost a battling Zombie monster (including herself) by up to 3000 ATK/DEF. Setting aside that bloody "Spirit Reaper" could get over almost anything with a 3k boost, her effect is not even once per turn, just once per battle. You can give her full boost at about twice per duel, and the opponent is likely to have lost by the first time. If you have heard of how amazing "Injection Fairy Lily" was in the past and wonder what a more modern counterpart would be like, look no further than "Fraulein".
Sangan
It's a Ghost Girl searcher Link Material that is in turn searchable by "Tour Guide", essentially turning her into a +2. I sincerely do not understand why people do not appreciate him more. Yes, with the errata his versatility was somewhat limited, but he can still search almost every handtrap in the game, which you wouldn't want to use on your turn anyway. Most people run "Ash Blossom", why not run her free searcher?
Bad Aim
People have greatly overestimated how difficult it is to trigger this thing. It's a versatile removal. Nothing gamebreaking, but perfectly servicable in most Decks.
Pendulum Switch
Feel free to quote me on this: There is no Pendulum Deck out there that should not run "Pendulum Switch" at least X1. The versatility this thing offers is amazing. Your monster is targeted for an effect? Move it to a Pendulum Zone. Your opponent still has LP left? Special Summon one of your Pendulum Scales in the Battle Phase and attack. Pendulum Monster still clogging the Extra Monster Zone when your turn comes? With almost zero setup from the last turn, free it and keep going. With no monsters left on the field the opponent Summons Dark Magician and attacks directly? Get an immediate shield from the Pendulum Zones. Those familiar with my customs know that I heavily use either the original or an archetypal version of it in all my Pendulum Decks.
Black Horn of Heaven
Want a "Solemn Strike" without the 1500 LP cost and pretty much zero other practical difference? There ye go.
World Carrotweight Champion
In the same manner that all Zombie decks should run "Vampire Fraulein" and all Pendulum Decks should run "Pendulum Switch", there is no excuse for a Plant deck not running at least a copy of this guy. He is simple, he is versatile, and he has carrots for fists.
Marincess Coral Anemone
Essentially a free climb from Link 2 to Link 3, all WATER Decks should run a copy of this. She's been reprinted recently so she's dirt cheap now, so go for it.
Sky Striker Mecha - Hornet Drones
This + a single copy of "Kagari" in your Extra. It's a free Link 2 for every Deck out there without wasting your Normal Summon. I get that "Engage" was overpowered garbage that had the ban coming a great card and banning it hurt the pure Deck, but running a single copy of "Hornet Drones" into any random Deck does not require more setup than that.
If your deck is using either Beasts/Beast-Warriors or Winged Beasts you HAVE to run this and the Ominous Omen of Ominousness X1. I know, it's a Trap, therefore slow, but I find it depressing how such a card passed by practically unnoticed because the format is so sh!t. One moment the opponent is playing against level 2 beavers and bunnies that bounce themselves and don't attack at all, the next he suffers a free non-targeting banish and a 3k beatstick with zero resources invested, that will probably continue its free pops into next turn.
Generic Normal Traps of the Last 3-4 Years
I know, being Traps means that they're slow, and yeah yeah, handtraps can be used immediately, but the sheer amount of game-deciding traps to be released lately has been staggering. You can see my guide to making customs for more details, but basically Konami knows that Traps are slow, and for that reason they've been making traps more and more powerful as time goes by. We have "Gravedigger's Trap Hole", "Get Out!", "Titanocider", "Ice Dragon's Prison", "Warning Point", "Revenge Rally", "Jelly Cannon" and in general a lot of fun stuff.
Unchained Abomination
-Well, I thought I'd show you Unchained Abomination's effect, seeing as how you are already as good as done for.
-Heh?
-Unchained Abomination's special ability, is that it can turn anything it touches into a bomb... Anything... Even a 2 cent Abaki.
-THROW AWAY THAT 2 CENT ABAKI, DUELINGBO~
One of my 2 favourite cards for a reason. What's not to love? The super generic materials, that can even include Tokens? The 3 different targeted destructions that are extraordinarily nice, fastidious and precise? The 3000 ATK on a DARK Fiend? The perfect synergy with objectively the best Link 2 in the game, "Knightmare Phoenix"? The badass art that I'm certain was designed by the same guy who made "Draco Berserker of the Tenyi"? The fact that he also has f@ckall to do with his own archetype? He's perfect.
-Unchained Abomination has already touched that ragequit button.
Megalith Promotion
The latest addition to this article. I don't think people have understood just how diabolical this thing can be with proper abusing. Once again, maximum versatility.
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