So instead of reserving your key card, Chain Material, for the OTK like the deck is meant to run you would rather waste it on regular fusions for battle?

Sure. Run it however you desire, however I question its success rate against top tier decks.

It will work just fine.
Its wise to fight with many ways to win incase one doesnt succed.
If Chain Material gets desroyed prematurly it would be a good idea to fusion summon rampart to defend until you get another.

In the mean time keep hitting them for 1k.