Number 30: Acid Golem is one of several rank 3 monsters that has found its way into most Extra Decks. With 3000 attack and the ability to be summoned with one card (Tour Guide), it is just too big and too strong to not include in your Extra Deck. Yes it has the unfortunate side effects of costing you 2000 life points per stand-by phase if it has no Xyz material and you can not special summon monsters, but who cares; you have quite possibly the biggest monster on the field that can run over anything.
 
The bad effects of Number 30: Acid Golem can be overcome if you are running Skill Drain or Creature Swap. The latter card is a personal favorite of mine, as you wait until you have no Xyz material attached and then Creature Swap it with one of your opponent’s monsters. Then on their turn, they loose 2000 LP, can not attack with it, and can not special summon monsters. Ouch!!
 
Acid Golem is best played towards the end of a duel when life points are low and your opponent is top decking as it will be harder for your opponent to be able to deal with your powerful beastie, thus giving you control of the field and hopefully the game. It is very important for a player to know when to play this card as if played at the wrong time; it could mean doom and gloom.
 
Traditional: 3/5
Advanced: 4/5

Golem is a card that screams for abuse is some ways. A Rank 3 WATER/Rock type, needing 2 level 3 monsters, and here's what it does: During your standby phase, detach 1 Xyz material from this card or take 2000 damage, you cannot special summon any monsters. While this card has no Xyz materials, it cannot attack. Sometimes, all you need is a 3000 to get your point across. But if you are planning on using this card in advance, then Oni-Gami Combo should be in your hand as well as something like...oh say, Creature Swap. There are not that many ways your opponent can get rid of your Acid Golem on their side of the field. Tributing it, wasting something like Dark Hole or Torrential Tribute, or even Book of Moon. but if you catch them off guard, they are taking 2000 whether they like it or not. Best used in Burn decks that use Lava Golem.....man...taking 3000 damage in one turn, that's gotta hurt.
 
Traditional: 1.5
Advanced: 3

Friday:

Number 30: Acid Golem of Destruction
Rk. 3/WATER/Rock/3000A/3000D
"2 Level 3 monsters
During your Standby Phase: Detach 1 Xyz Material from this card or take 2000 damage. You cannot Special Summon any monsters. While this card has no Xyz Materials, it cannot attack."

AGoD is meant to be a game ender and is one of the easiest beatsticks to get out in the game, as well as being one of the most powerful XYZs that exist. Unfortunately, he has some major downsides to him in that you cannot Special Summon ANY monsters while he's out and once his Material is gone, he's essencially useless except as a defense wall that hurts you heavily each Standby Phase. Do note that his effect to remove a material is OPTIONAL! You can let him keep a Material if you're willing to eat some major effect damage. Also, you MUST remove him from the field BEFORE or AFTER the Standby Phase if Skill Drain is in play as if he's removed during that phase, Skill Drain cannot negate his effect and you take the damage anyways.

I've tried using him in a speed XYZ deck and have learned a few things about him. First, if you use him, make sure to have lots of monster-killing effects such as Smashing Ground or Nobleman of Crossout as you really want to be able to attack with him directly. Second, have ways to get him off the field once his Material is used up, such as Compulsory Evacuation Device, tribute him, or have Skill Drain in play. Also, try to wait to use him until you really have to or you are fairly sure he can end the game that turn as his Special Summon restriction can be a real handicap for you. He's a useful card in the right circumstances, but needs some support to be used correctly.

Traditional: 2.75
Advanced: 2.75