Drop salvages are great and all; however, in the early game and even parts of the late game, all that needed stock can be quite important so you may opt to find an alternative way to salvage. One of the solutions is the so-called “Helmet” profile.
Helmet, aptly named for the popular card shown above, is a self-sacrifice and discard outlet that lets you perform a salvage ability for a character without using stock. Essentially, it’s an alternative form of a drop salvage that costs field. It’s a relatively simple profile that comes with the bonus of filling your waiting room should you wish to for other cards.
RZ/S46-035S-SR 木漏れ日の下で レム&ラム (center)
SMP/W82-104PR “ウシの恩返し”静久 (right)
Helmet isn’t the first card that this effect was featured on. The effect is relatively new and has seen an increase in popularity of usage for its alternative salvage costs. Given how decks can potentially net themselves absurd amounts of hand due to modern combos and other hand saving abilities, Helmet can be a cheap way to turn that excessive hand into more valuable pieces.
A drop salvage is still a very useful tool, coupled with the fact that most drop salvages nowadays also do a bit of extra duty in pumping power. Helmet effects mitigate the stock cost, but remember, the drop salvage can pay out a trigger and salvage that whereas the Helmet profile can only ever get whatever is in your waiting room. However, if you do have a combo that can net you a mass amount of hand, do consider running one or two Helmet profiles as a way to recycle your combo.