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I've looked and researched most of what's known about Karakuri in the TCG and the OCG thus far, and the problem with it becoming competitive is, the major aspect of the game hasn't been the Battle Phase since Zaborg the Thunder Monarch was released. Now, in the Synchro age, major plays of the game taking place in the Main Phase have revolutionized how the game is decided.

Not only has releasing them as Machine-type devastated them for how versatile and destructive Chimeratech Fortress Dragon is by summoning it alone, it's built on a mechanic that completely revolves itself around the Battle Phase, which aside from Gorz has all been decided by the turn's Main Phase play is set. This is the same reason why Gladiator Beasts couldn't gain their proper footing on the meta until Gyzarus was released, because it gave them all dictation over the field to open their utility in the Main Phase. And it's why they're now falling back out, because as the Synchro age continues, Gyzarus isn't enough.

That aside, looking at their support, they can't afford to do anything without their Synchros, or else the entire archetype falls apart. The easiest method I see for them to get their Synchros to the table is through Showdown Castle and 919 "Kuikku". That would require getting them to the Graveyard, which is currently matched by none other than Lightsworn, still. To aide "Kuikku" and the effect of their Lv8 Synchro Bureido, Book of Moon is staple at 3, and A/D Changer to take advantage in the Graveyard.

This is a proxy list. I cannot guarantee it working well.

3 Karakuri Ninja MDL 919 "Kuikku"
3 Ryko, Lightsworn Hunter
3 A/D Changer
2 Karakuri Guard MDL 313 "Saizan"
2 Karakuri Soldier MDL 236 "Nisamu"
2 Karakuri Strategist MDL 248 "Nishipachi"
1 Super-Nimble Mega Hamster
1 Card Trooper
1 Sangan

3 Karakuri Showdown Castle
3 Book of Moon
2 Terraforming
2 Mystical Space Typhoon
1 Giant Trunade
1 Dark Hole
1 Monster Reborn
1 Foolish Burial
1 Pot of Avarice

2 Solemn Warning
2 Bottomless Trap Hole
1Torrential Tribute
1 Mirror Force
1 Solemn Judgment

Those aren't big plays, at all. Those are technical cards that you feel you need because the Karakuri themselves can't get themselves to work at the time you need them to, and some of it you don't really need at all, because there's already universal support that's far better.

The problem is, the universal support used in this game to smack your opponent down and control the field as your big play is made, can't be used to support the Karakuri at the appropriate time. There's a difference between switching a monster to destroy a card, and destroying a card, and transforming the mill from that card into a Synchro that turn.

Threatening Roar is no longer played because it is no longer an issue to decks that it can stop. Lightsworn decreased, so Threatening Roar's probability of stalling them into decking out disappeared. Gladiator Beasts are tumbling, and so there's no need to stop effects that go through battle. Now they can simply wait a turn to destroy your field, or destroy your field and wait on Threatening Roar to attack.

Compulsory Evacuation Device, I won't lie, it's pretty nice. The problem of that is, as always, bait and priority. Both can hit it or something else before it resolves the way you want it to, but it does stay handy as a live card compared to Dimensional Prison. The big thing about it is it's never a permanent answer. The biggest thing you'll want to nail is a Synchro or a Tuner.

Not gonna lie, their RotA spell seems awesome :v

thinking -1 no entry for a third trap stun or mirror force/torrential tribute