Last time, I conducted a poll in X and our RespectYGO Broadcast Channel on Facebook and it shows that you're interested to see what support could "Dragonmaid" have in the future.
Well, today is the day we will analyze the theme and figure out some concepts that can make or break "Dragonmaid"! Please proceed to the lobby!
---------------
I. Theme Overview
II. Analysis
III. Concept Cards
IV. Summary
--------------
I. Theme Overview
"Dragonmaid" is a Dragon-themed deck that revolves around gaining resources when the lower level "Dragonmaid" monsters are summoned and providing protection or control through the higher level "Dragonmaid" monsters. It has the ability to bring out powerful "Dragonmaid" fusion monsters in the form of "House of Dragonmaid" and "Dragonmaid Sheou".
Aside from being used as an engine in Dragon Link deck, one of the main goals of "Dragonmaid" as a theme is to bring out "Dragonmaid Sheou" which can negate card effects backed-up by "Dragonmaid" Spell/Traps for additional control aspect.
In some cases, an omni-negate board with a 3500 ATK is tough to deal with but you can usually escape it as most people main "Forbidden Droplets" or "Infinite Impermanence".
II. Analysis
I owned a "Dragonmaid" deck in real life and have used it in various local events so I can say that I have some experience in piloting this deck. I usually combine it with "Bystial" and use them as the high level Dragon requirement for "Sheou" or "House" while acting as a hand trap or generate advantage.
Below are some of the things I feel "Dragonmaid" is lacking to get back in the scene:
1. Consistency issues/ No one card combo - While "Chamber Dragonmaid" is a +1 on its own, there are no Spell/Trap in the theme that can forward a high level "Dragonmaid" monster straight from your Deck. The combo usually requires hard drawing high-level Dragon monsters to bring out "Dragonmaid Sheou" yet a single "Sheou" couldn't even secure your end board.
2. The basic 1.5 to 2 card combo do not bring enough interruptions
3. Prone to bricking (which is why you don't usually main a lot of the high level "Dragonmaid" or resort to "Bystial)
4. Lower level "Dragonmaid" monsters compete with your single normal summon
There may be more reasons but here are some of the glaring issues I found after testing.
III. Concept Cards
"Dragonmaid", when it's able to set-up and replenish resources every turn could be overwhelming at times and this is usually how I win with "Dragonmaid" - Control and Card advantage. I feel that the theme lacks some important engines to make the deck even more consistent and solid and below are some ideas in mind:
1. Chamber Dragonmaid "Dragon" form
Quite long overdue honestly.
In the recent OCG Card Game Artworks, a silhouette was revealed depicting the possible "Dragon" upgrade of "Chamber Dragonmaid". If it'll be released as an actual card in the future, I hope it has an effect that can bring consistency to the table. Something to the effect of being able to special summon a level 4 or lower "Dragonmaid" monster by discarding itself (or another card then add a xeno lock so it couldn't be abused as an engine xD) or add a "Dragonmaid" Spell/Trap when discarded or summoned. Just imagine the possibilities.
2. A Field Spell (I know what you're thinking)
"Dragonmaid" basically serves their master in a certain place and I wonder why "Dragonmaid" doesn't have any field spell at all. I feel a field spell that has the following effects (or multiple) could be ideal:
A. When activated: Sends a "Dragonmaid" Spell/Trap from Deck to the GY to add a "Dragonmaid" monster from your Deck to your Hand. (Imagine sending "Dragonmaid Changeover" to add your desired "Dragonmaid" monster depending on the situation.
B. Returns 1 "Dragonmaid" monster from your Field to your Hand to Special Summon a "Dragonmaid" monster from your Deck with a different level. This could help tutor a different "Dragonmaid" monster that suits your situation on that turn.
C. Has a way that can recycle itself from GY back to hand so "Parlor Dragonmaid" could act as another "Chamber Dragonmaid".
3. A Spell that can protect your "Dragonmaid" monsters
A continuous spell that when activated, can search a "Dragonmaid" Spell/Trap and has a continuous effect that protects your "Dragonmaid" monsters from being interrupted when it activated its effect or provide a targeting protection. This can help solve one of the major weakness of "Dragonmaid" which is getting interrupted by a single Ash Blossom or Infinite Impermanence.
4. A generic spell searcher
This could range from a normal spell or quick play spell that when activated, can either add a "Dragonmaid" monster or special summon it directly from your deck (for free or if you meet a certain condition).
Of course, it'll be nice if it'll have some sort of xeno restriction so it won't be an engine to other decks that could endanger it from the banlist. (See Wanted: Sinful Spoils Hunter)
5. A counter trap that interrupts
To complete the entire arsenal, a "Dragonmaid" counter trap card that can negate a card or effect would be nice. "Dragonmaid" as a theme is focused on making things in order based on their artworks so if the opponent does something nasty, I feel it's just right to have another way to negate aside from "Dragonmaid Sheou".
IV. Summary
While we can only hope (and cope) for new useful "Dragonmaid" support cards, there's no hiding that "Dragonmaid" has a great potential, if served right. It's always a nice feeling if the deck that you like gets supported the right way and as you know, not all archetypes get the justice that they deserve right away.
What kind of "Tidying" does "Dragonmaid" require to have a proper send-off in the meta? Share your thoughts and thanks for reading until the end. :)
~ArcKnight~
Dmaid need a support that allows to directly special summon from the deck. Maybe the Dragon form of chamber can discard itself to special summon a Dmaid monster from the deck.
ReplyDeleteDmaid has great grind game but it is really slow and requires lots of setup and can only produce sub-par boards unless they open the miraculous 3-card combo.
Which is why the most successful Dmaid decks have other engines (Bystial, Rokkets, BMD, etc.) with them because it's not strong playing it pure.
Another card they could print out is a counter trap, somewhere along the lines of tribute 1 dragon monster then negate spell/trap activation or summon of a monster.
Perhaps another one would be a ROTA for the deck, maybe a spell. Kitchen going -1 for a search is not that great in 2024. Maybe a card that says discard 1 dragon or dmaid card then search up to 2 Dmaid cards (similar to Traptrix Tantalizing Tune).
The deck is strong if it survived the grind game, but starting its engine is too slow so it doesn't need but link cards, it just needs some consistency support cards to get enough bodies to the field.
Great insights! ~Arc
DeleteThe only effect monsters i use in my deck is the Chamberlain, parlor, the fusions and lorpar for the rest i really don't see any use in them when a side engine goes harder. They need a good dark dragon form of chamberlain with a good graveyard effect. 2 new fusion cards but dark that have the same synergie as the light ones. A field Card that searches and more. A light 4 star dragonmaid that is a extender and the dragon form has a graveyard effect. This should really give this archtype a boost
ReplyDelete