Sunday, December 25, 2022

No More 'Tears' Left to Cry?' | The January 2023 OCG Forbidden and Limited List Review

 Hey everyone! It's been a week or so after the announcement of the newest OCG Forbidden and Limited List and today, I'm going to share the quarterly banned list review for January 2023 OCG Banned List. 

Before we dive in, let's have a quick recap of what happened recently.

Monday, November 28, 2022

Duel Connect 2022 | OCG Metagame Report + Decklists

Hey RespectYGOers! Arcknight here. Today, I'm going to share the metagame report of the recently held meet-up event in partnership with Toy Shogun and FT Duel Groundz called Duel Connect 2022. 

Below are the deck distribution, top 8 decklists as well as exciting things that happened in this event!

Event: Duel Connect 2022
Date: 11/27/22
Venue: Toy Shogun (Forest Hills, Novaliches, QC, PH)
Format: Swiss OCG (Cut to top 8)
Players: 23

Deck Distribution

Monday, September 12, 2022

Will the new October 2022 OCG Forbidden & Limited List make a HUGE impact? Here's what you NEED to know....

It's that time of the year where we all gather on the second Sunday of the month before the new quarter starts. In one single snap, we witnessed the newest October 2022 Forbidden and Limited list

This article will cover a recap of the newest October 2022 Forbidden and Limited List in OCG and how we think this will impact the current meta game. (or will it?)

The last ride - October 2022 Forbidden & Limited List

Let's have a quick recap on the October 2022 Forbidden and Limited List!

Tuesday, August 16, 2022

The Surprising Truth about "Mikanko" | An In-Depth Archetype Review + Combos/Decklist

Heya! Today, I'm back with another article featuring a new archetype which surprised me on the last minute. Yes, I'm talking about the new Mikanko archetype. I was literally waiting for something to inspire me to write about the archetype and the last card which was revealed last Monday didn't disappoint!

"Mikanko"


Today, we're going to do another archetype review and for a change, I also came up with a sample decklist. Let's get down to business!

Sunday, August 14, 2022

"The Embodiment of Light, Now Descend!" | First look at the new "Galaxy" and "Photon" cards in Photon Hypernova (PHHY)

"Galaxy, shining in the darkness! Become a ray of hope and live within my servant! Descend to me! Incarnation of Light!! Come forth, Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon!!" -Kite

Hey everyone! We're back once again to talk about new cards revealed in the upcoming main booster pack: Photon Hypernova with a set code of PHHY. 


The October's main box just confirmed 8 new cards related to the Galaxy and Photon archetypes which were introduced in Photon Shockwave (PHSW) way back 2011! Let's discuss the new cards in detail shall we? 

Tuesday, August 9, 2022

"Gotta Catch 'em All!" - New Archetype "Purery" | Guide and Review

 Heya! How's it going? Today, I'm going to do another review of a new archetype revealed in Deck Build Pack: Amazing Defenders and it is no other than Purery!

New Archetype - Purery debuting in DBAD

Like the usual, we will have a short introduction, card spoiler, tech card suggestions and overall review. Join me as we enter the world of Purery! Purrrrrrrrrr.

Sunday, July 31, 2022

Is "Kshatri-La Fenrir" worth the hype? Here's what we think.

 Hello everyone! I'm back with another article as we start the month of August. Today, I'm going to discuss an interesting tech card that debuted in the latest OCG booster pack called Darkwing Blast which was released in July 16th.

Is Kshatrila Fenrir the new Dinowrestler Pankratops?

It's been 2 weeks since the release of Darkwing Blast main booster pack and while there are a lot of interesting cards that shone in today's meta game, there is one rare card that has the brightest star in OCG and that is Kshatri-La Fenrir. Why did it become so popular? Let's dive in!

Wednesday, July 27, 2022

What's the best way to counter "Tearlaments"?

 Hey there! Today, I'm going to share some strategies that I do to counter one of the decks to beat this format which is no other than Tearlaments. I hope that this compilation article help in a way especially now that it has arrived in TCG.

Tearlaments happens to be one of my go to decks this format due to its versatility and ability to bring out overwhelming boards that normally starts with a 1 card combo. Playing the deck allows you to be familiar with its strengths and also weaknesses so I'll try to share what I have learned after piloting this deck since its release in OCG.


Overview

Tearlaments is a new archetype released in Power of the Elements that focuses on spamming fusion monsters when Tearlaments are sent to the GY by card effect. While the strategy involves a little bit of RNG factor (unless you are successful in using Tearlaments Reinoheart), this is not an issue if you are using the EARTH Fairy engine also known as the Ishizu Engine. 

While fusion summoning is almost free if you milled Tearlament cards, it is also one of its major weaknesses as the three fusion enablers namely Tearlaments Merrli, Tearlaments Havnis and Tearlaments Scheiren need to hit the GY and also use itself as one of the materials to perform the fusion summoning. Hence, you would want to prevent that from happening as much as possible.

Here are some strategies that you can do to tame this deck:

Limit their Graveyard access


Dimensional Shifter became popular than ever due to its versatility of being played going first or second....if your deck can also handle it of course. It ensures that you can stun a grave-reliant deck for at least two turns which is pretty game breaking in today's metagame. Abyss Dweller is also a good rank 4 that can instantly shut down graveyard effects of the opponent which gives you an upperhand especially on mirror matches.

Decks like Spright, Exosister and Floowandereeze can easily main or side this card with ease which is bad news against Tearlaments player. Dimensional Fissure is also a good card going first and even second to prevent Tearlaments from doing their plays on your turn. This also helps you avoid popular hand traps like Effect Veiler, Maxx "C" and Ghost Ogre and Snow Rabbit from standing in your way. 

Prevent the fusion enablers


If your deck can't handle losing your GY or you want something that is more interactive, you would want to prevent the fusion enablers instead. Remember, Tearlaments MerrliTearlaments Havnis and Tearlaments Scheiren need to return themselves to the bottom of the deck in order to perform the fusion summon so if you can prevent that from happening then you can easily control thIS deck. 

Necrovalley can shutdown their fusion strategy as it it negates any effect that would move cards from the GY to a different place. Silent Graveyard on the other hand is a quick play spell card that negates effect that activates in the GY for the turn. This also prevents the Ishizu engine from milling further. 

Cards like D.D Crow, Skull Meister and Called by the Grave can banish or negate the enablers that can fusion summon. 

Play decks that can counter Tearlaments

Floowandereeze has Barrier Statue of Stormwinds that prevents special summon of non-WIND monsters. Exosisters as an archetype interacts everytime a card is moved to a different place from the GY. Byssted is designed to counter the Tearlaments fusion enablers. Heroes got access to Masked Hero Dark Law as a walking Macro Cosmos. Spright received a new trap called Spright Double Cross that can mess with your opponent's GY. Lastly, the Ishizu engine itself has ways to control the opponent's GY. 

Prevent the fusion summoning


There are also cards that prevents access to extra deck or the ability to fusion summon at all. Shadow Imprisoning Mirror works like a Skill Drain for DARK monsters that can work on the field or in the GY. Artifact Scythe paired with Artifact Sanctum can halt a player's Extra Deck summon for the entire turn. 

Dimensional Barrier prevents Fusion Summon and negates Fusion monster effects on the field for that turn. Ghost Reaper and Winter Cherries can banish Tearlaments Kitkallos which is already a good move to slow down a Tearlaments player. Non-Fusion Area prevents fusion summoning. Different Dimension Ground is a harder to counter Macro Cosmos that works for the entire turn. 

Summary

As you can see, there's a myriad of ways to counter Tearalaments and it all boils down to which strategy is the most consistent. Of course, you don't want to over side as you still want to see your combo pieces in your first five. When siding, always consider if you're going first or second because there are side deck strategy that works best on the turn you are on. What about you? What do you think is the best way to counter Tearlaments?

Arcknight



Wednesday, July 13, 2022

Did "Dark World" get what they deserve or we are missing something?

Dark World has been my go to deck when it was released many years back. Sadly, I never had a chance to own an entire core in real life that's why it excites me when I found that the Structured Deck will finally get a revamp. This really brought back memories way back when I was still an avid fan of Dueling Network (Now Dueling Book). 

Yesterday, we finally got the wave 2 reveals of the upcoming Structured Deck R: Devil's Gate. Like the previous Structured Deck R, we are anticipating 8 new cards for Dark World. Majority of the Dark World fans like me are hyped about this since the beginning but did this second wave of support meet the expectations? That's something that I will share in my article for today. 

Tuesday, July 12, 2022

"Turn 0 is the new Turn 1?" - "Rescue-Ace" archetype review

 Heya! I'm back with a new archetype review and this time, I'll feature the newest archetype in the zone - Rescue-Ace which will be released on August 20 in Deck Build Pack: Amazing Defenders which happens to have the set code DBAD. 


Rescue-Ace ãƒ¬ã‚¹ã‚­ãƒ¥ãƒ¼・エース is an archetype which consists of FIRE Machine and FIRE Warrior type monster that aims to provide control and overwhelming card advantage even on your opponent's turn. Why did I say so? Let's find out by reading their effects!

Tuesday, July 5, 2022

"Things are getting out of hand!" - The rise of "Splight - Brigade Darkwing Blast (DABL) review

 Hey everyone! Today, we just received an updated here about the two new Splight ã‚¹ãƒ—ライト cards in Darkwing Blast and I figured to make a quick review based on what I have researched.

Things are getting out of hand!

 I have been waiting for them to reveal these cards yesterday in the stream and they didn't reveal it but finally they are here! The question is, are they worth the wait? How does it help Splights? Is this their comeback to Tier 0 status? Let's find out.

Friday, July 1, 2022

"The Final Arc?" - This is why "Byssted" is a THREAT to the META

 "If you can't beat them, powercreep them"

Welcome to our newest blog! For today's article, we'll feature the newly announced Byssted or Beasted archetype, the new archetype debuting in July 2022's main OCG booster pack Darkwing Blast

Byssted Archetype in DABL

Byssted is an all Dragon archetype that focuses on swarming the field by banishing a LIGHT or DARK monster and also aims to manipulate the graveyard with their D.D Crow like quick effects for as long as the opponent controls a monster. Like the usual, we'll do an archetype review and tech card review. For a change, I'll be also including a sample decklist to show how I envision Byssted to be built so far. Let's get started!

Sunday, June 19, 2022

"The Last Croak" - What's next for "Splights"? | July 2022 OCG Banlist Review

"Konmai, I don't feel so good" - Toadally Awesome 2016-2022

Toadally Awesome exits after more than 6 years in OCG


Exactly one week since the July 2022 OCG Forbidden & Limited List was released, the world was shocked again with the changes that will soon take effect. Three very powerful cards namely Toadally Awesome, Crystron Halqifibrax and Vanity's Emptiness ended their reign. Today, I'm going to do a quick review on the latest OCG Banlist as well as provide some insights on how the archetype Splights adapt after the changes in a span of a week.

Saturday, June 11, 2022

What's NEXT for "Vernalizer"? | DABL Support Review

"Vernalizer, are we there yet?"

Yesterday, we have received several news and that includes the wave 2 of the Vernalizer archetype. Three cards have been revealed which includes one boss monster, one main deck monster and one field spell. 
Vernalizer Archetype

Today, I'm going to do card reviews for the three new Vernalizer cards in Darkwing Blast (DABL) and if they successfully delivered what the archetype needs. Let's get started!

Thursday, June 9, 2022

Surprising Tech Cards that will Work with new "Kshatri-La" | Archetype Review クシャトリラ

Few hours ago, a new archetype named Kshatri-La was revealed being the third iteration of the Visas Starfrost universe. Kshatri-La is an archetype of Psychic-type monsters with multiple attributes that can special summon themselves aiming to punish the opponent by using monster effects. 

Kshatari-la Archetype


Eight cards were revealed but only 6 works directly with the theme. Since the Kshatri-La archetype is a small group at the moment, I'm going to share some of the surprising tech cards that will work with the theme. Before that, lets have an archetype review.

Sunday, June 5, 2022

Here's WHY you have to take the new "Doodle" cards SERIOUSLY! | New 1-Card Combo

 Just today, we have received a new update from the upcoming Animation Chronicle (AC02) that will be released on OCG this June 11, 2022 and the buzz of the moment are the new Doodle cards! Aside from their cute and peculiar artworks, there's actually a deeper story behind them and that's what we're going to talk about in this exclusive article.


Origin

Doodle is an archetype used in Yu-Gi-Oh! Arc-V by anime character Frederick also known as Futoshi Harada. As a theme, they are composed of EARTH monsters which look like crayon hand-drawings made by a child using awkward lines or hand-made painting with the addition of white border around the drawing. 

Friday, May 27, 2022

10 Yu-Gi-Oh! Decks you need to try that aren't Maxx "C" magnet

In the meta most especially in OCG and Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel, we anticipate that you'll play against a myriad of handtraps you can ever imagine and in today's Metagame, going second without any disruptions against opponent plays could mean game over. Clearly, determining who goes first and second in the first game may predict your fate. 



While handtraps are our go to cards to control the pace of opponent's plays, you wouldn't want to experience the same destiny especially when your opponent would gain card advantage and that is through Maxx "C"

Similar to Nibiru, the Primal Being, Maxx "C" puts pressure the moment it's used. Looking at the effect, it doesn't do anything to affect the field you are trying to establish but the creepy part is if you do, the player who resolved it would gain a lot of card advantage which would eventually make your established field futile. We always have a choice though either you take the challenge or you end your special summoning. Most of the time, it's always the latter choice....until I discovered, choosing decks that do not instantly get affected by Maxx "C". 

You saw that right! Today, we're going to list 10 decks/archetypes that can stand a chance even with roaches around. (And we'll sort it backwards 'cause why not) 

Sunday, May 15, 2022

Is "Pure P.U.N.K" now viable? | Power of the Elements (POTE)

 Hey RespectYGOers! Arcknight here and today, we're going to cover the underdog of Deck Build Pack: Grand Creators (DBGC) which is P.U.N.K who received new support cards in Power of the Elements(POTE). Let's get started!


Sunday, April 3, 2022

Will PH finally have its own ‘Card Con?’ Here’s our answer.

With the advent of Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel, it really brought some light in encouraging new and returning players to play the game we love. Ranking tournaments are also becoming more consistent and active as ever. 

YCS Japan 2022 Yokohama - YuGiOh_OCG_Info

In fact, last March, the recent YCS Japan 2022 - Yokohama with a total of 3000 participants concluded which showcased a lot of interesting decks. That's huge!

Monday, February 28, 2022

Why these 7 Yu-Gi-Oh! cards need to be reprinted ASAP?

(Rumbling) Do you hear that sound? (What sound?) That's the sound of people crafting their cards! Look, there's one dismantling their royal finish Obelisk!


In the advent of Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel, your imagination (and patience) is your limit: Imagination as you can build whatever deck you desire and patience as you grind for gems so you can buy packs and get random URs and SRs which you can dismantle to generate almost any card that exists in Master Duel database. None of these can happen in real life but while we couldn't dismantle our card stashes and absolutely get any card we need, we can make these accessible. As a duelist on a budget myself, it's music in the ears when you hear the word REPRINT. Why though? Let's get started.

Saturday, February 19, 2022

Here are the Top 10 MUST-HAVE cards in Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel!

Hey everyone! Welcome to our very first article in February. Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel has been a very popular game since its release and it really caught the attention of existing, returning and new playerbase. While Master Duel has a great feature to dismantle unwanted cards and craft the cards you need with ease, with less exposure to the current OCG/TCG metagame, there's high probability that the crafted SRs and URs will turn into waste by getting cards that either doesn't benefit your deck's strategy or has little to no impact in the competitive scene. Which is why today, we're going to share the top 10 must-have cards whether you are just starting to play the game we love or if you want a baseline to build almost any deck!

Ash Blossom & Joyous Spring, Maxx "C", Infinite Impermanence, Called by the Grave

Here are the top 10 cards (In no particular order)

Wednesday, January 26, 2022

Deck Analysis: Scareclaw "Isn't scary yet" because..

Hey everyone! Arcknight here. Today, we're going to deep dive on one of the newest archetype who debuted on Dimension Force (DIFO) and it's no other than Scareclaw. The deck has an interesting concept of swarming monsters to summon their boss monster Scareclaw Trich Heart where even Red-Eyes Dragoon will bow down. They also have their own level 4 monster that can instantly turn into a +2 in terms of overall card advantage when you have 3 or more defense position monsters. It really does prey on the weak but is it strong enough to face the current meta? That's what we're going to find out in this exclusive article!


In this article, we'll divide the analysis into 3: What worked, What didn't Work, What will work. As we anticipate a possible 2nd wave on the next sets, we expect that the supports they got are just the beginning. Let's dive in on the cards and strategies that worked for them.

Tuesday, January 25, 2022

"Rex Rampage!" - Week 3 Jan 2022 Metagame Report

Hey everyone! Arcknight here and I'm back after a very long break. We'll cover the 21 topping lists out of 40 participants in our chart. This week is the official release (arrival) of Dimension Force in the Philippines and a lot of interesting cards have been tried as well. 

Last week is also the official release of Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel in all platforms except iOS and Android and this is exciting as this ignites a lot of seasoned, new and even returning players to play the game we love. We'll have a separate discussion on what I think of Master Duel and hopefully, I can also do some quick gameplay recaps and deck list discussion soon. 

For now, here is our chart: 

New Product: Dimension Force (DIFO)


Let's go!

Wednesday, January 5, 2022

Here's why "Therions" is the Next Best Deck in the Meta

Hey everyone! Arcknight here and today we'll talk about the newest archetype in town called Therions that will be released next week on Dimension Force (DIFO). This archetype was revealed on the official website here

"The King has arrived!"

Let's begin!

Saturday, January 1, 2022

Is "Dinorphia" finally Meta? Here's why

 Hey everyone! Arcknight here and Happy New Year everyone! It's now 2022 and this is our very first article for this year! Today is the first day of the month and you know what that means? It's time for our countdown of the next main box Dimension Force! 

So what is exciting about this box? Let's find out!