DespiteYu-Gi-Oh!having been around for over two decades, there are still plenty of fans who have just started playing the popular trading card game. Because of all the different kinds of cards, various types of summoning methods, and the vast amount of different strategies, modern Yu-Gi-Oh! can be intimidating to both new and returning players.
RELATED:Yu-Gi-Oh!: The Must Have Cards For Every Beginners Deck
But because of how long the game has been around and the abundance of different cards, there are plenty of ways to learn how to play modern Yu-Gi-Oh!, even if it is a bit more complex than it was back in the early aughts.
10Dinosaur
One of the original 20 monster types, Dinosaur decks can help you learn all the basic mechanics first introduced in Konami’s card game, with the Extra Deck being optional since there areDinosaur-type monsters of every kindof Monster card featured in the Extra Deck.
Dinosaur decks focus on getting high-level monsters out on the field as fast as possible as a way to overpower the opponent easily. Because Dinosaur-type monsters have various effects, they can lend themselves to several different strategies, usually focusing on summoning powerful monsters with high attack points and effects that cause additional life point damage.
9Monarch
Theolder Monarch archetypehas stood the test of time due to relatively recent support. Members of this archetype usually have effects revolving around removing other cards from the field. In addition to the Monarch Effect Monster cards, there are Monarch Spell and Trap cards and upgraded Mega Monarch monsters.
Even in modern Yu-Gi-Oh!, Monarch decks are still known for their strength and aggression, easily destroying the opponent’s cards. Still, they aren’t invincible since summon prevention is one of their biggest weaknesses. They also have their own gate in the Solo mode of Master Duel if you want an easier way to learn how to play them and are interested in the corresponding lore.
8HERO
Debuting with theElemental Hero archetypeJaden Yuki uses in Yu-Gi-Oh! GX, the larger HERO archetype is made up of five additional archetypes: Destiny Heroes, Evil Heroes, Masked Heroes, Vision Heroes, and Xtra Heroes, the last of which consists of only a few Link Monsters.
Elemental Heroes focus on fusing into more powerful heroes with advantageous effects for various situations;Destiny Heroesfocus on sending cards from the deck to the Graveyard,Evil Heroesrely on Elemental Heroes and Fusion Summoning using the Dark Fusion Spell card,Masked Heroesrely on Hero monsters of the same attribute and the Mask Change Spell card, andVision Heroessummon and support each other.
7Synchron
The Synchron archetype, primarily known for being used by Yusei Fudo in Yu-Gi-Oh! 5Ds, are a group of mostly low-level Machine-type tuner monsters meant for swarming the field to allow foreasier Synchro Summoning. Many Synchron monsters also have “Warrior” Synchro Monster counterparts, such as Junk Synchron and Junk Warrior, synergizing well with each other.
RELATED:Yu-Gi-Oh! Monsters That Should Fuse Together But Don’t
Unfortunately, the archetype is updated infrequently, so a deck based around the Synchron archetype can have many weaknesses, including anti-summoning effects, effects that work against low levels and low attack and defense points, and various negation effects. However, it still provides an easy way to learn about Synchro Summoning.
6Naturia
The Naturia archetypeconsists primarily of low-level Plant-Type, Insect-Type, and Rock-type monsters, with a few higher-level Beast-type and Dragon-type monsters. While they aren’t the most powerful monsters around, a well-balanced Naturia deck can respond to nearly any effect your opponent throws at you, letting you control the field and possibly stun your opponent.
There aren’t many Naturia monsters that reside in the Extra Deck, but those that do are Synchro Monsters, and Naturia decks can be useful for low-level summoning from the Extra Deck. Naturia decks are slower compared to more modern decks, but they’re still helpful in learning the previously mentioned strategies.
5Onomat/Utopia
The Onomat and Utopia archetypes used by Yuma Tsukumo in Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal are a great way to learn howXyz Summoning works, as well as how to use effects that require Xyz Materials. The Onomat archetype features many level four or lower monsters that allow for easier summoning of Xyz monsters, as many of their effects can change their own or another monster’s level.
The Utopia archetype consists of Xyz Monsters with effects that focus on increasing attack points or dealing with the opponent’s monster’s attack points in some way. While later Utopia cards may be somewhat advanced, they can be helpful in learning about Chaos or cXyz monsters with more powerful effects.
4Performapal/Odd-Eyes
The Performapal and Odd-Eyes archetypes used by Yuya Sakaki in Yu-Gi-Oh! Arc V synergize well and are one of the best ways to learn aboutPendulum Monsters and Pendulum Summoning, given that they were the first archetype to utilize the mechanic. Due to their strategy,many Performapal monstershave both regular and pendulum effects that can only be activated when they’re in one of the Pendulum Zones.
RELATED:Yu-Gi-Oh! Monsters That Look Like Pokemon
The Odd-Eyes archetype, which is made up of powerful Dragon-type monsters, works well in conjunction with the Performapal archetype, especially when considering most Performapal monsters don’t have high attack or defense points to protect themselves.
3Code Talker
The Code Talker archetype used by Playmaker in Yu-Gi-Oh! Vrains is a great way to learn aboutLink Summoning and Link Monsters, which may have been introduced to help slow down Pendulum Summoning. Monsters of the Code Talker archetype use link arrows to their advantage to strengthen themselves or other monsters.
The Code Talker archetype is also the first to consist of only Cyberse-type monsters, so other Cyberse-type monsters can fit into Code Talker decks quite well. There aren’t any Fusion, Synchro, Xyz, or Pendulum Monsters within the archetype, so it would be less helpful for learning those summoning methods.
2World Chalice
TheWorld Chalice archetyperevolves around Link Summoning, specifically rapidly performing multiple Link Summons and supporting that strategy. This archetype is also interesting because it uses several Normal Monsters as Link Material. World Chalice Link Monsters also have effects that Special Summon other World Chalice monsters when said Link Monsters are sent to the Graveyard.
One of the weaknesses of the World Chalice archetype and other Link Monster-focused decks are Mekk Knights, which have column-related effects utilizing different spaces on the field. Master Duel also has a Solo gate for the archetype that includes related archetypes like Mekk Knights if you want to learn more about their lore and how to use them.
1Blue-Eyes/Eyes Of Blue
Seto Kaiba’s go-to monster from the original series, the Blue-Eyes White Dragon, has expanded to becomea larger archetype, with the Eyes of Blue archetype supporting the mighty dragons. Since modern Yu-Gi-Oh! is fast-paced, especially compared to when Blue-Eyes first debuted, a modern Blue-Eyes deck could help you become accustomed to how often monsters are Special Summoned.
Plenty of Fusion Monsters, Synchro Monsters, and Xyz Monsters synergize well with Blue-Eyes cards too, as there are several Blue-Eyes Fusion Monsters, a couple of related Synchro Monsters, and plenty of rank eight Xyz Monsters that can be easily summoned with this deck. Unfortunately, they aren’t the best for learning newer mechanics like Pendulum and Link Summoning.
