Raggedy Series: Come At Me, BRO!

[ragda]

Well... let's finally get on posting decks once again! I'm starting off with a personal creation, affectionately called "DEF.dek".

It was built on the premise of DEF OTK, and it can be adapted to set that up, but the direction has changed several times, and each flavour has their pros and cons. As of right now, it's a control build, less emphasis on winning on one turn. Main difference between such a build and the OTK variant is that it can survive with the minimal amount of cards, and can become rather insurmountable if given too much time to rebuild the defenses. As a result, the games can last rather long, but it gives me the consistency that I longed for the deck.

That said, I do miss just surprising the opponent with an OTK he did himself in. Maybe some of that variant's elements will be worked back into the Main/Side Deck, who knows?



Come @ Me Bro [DEF.dek] (45 Cards):

Monsters:
3 Revival Golem
3 Tackle Crusader
3 Stronghold Guardian
3 Legendary Jujitsu Master
2 Gagaga Gardna
1 Junk Gardna
1 Block Golem
1 Redox, Dragon Ruler of Boulders
1 Exodius, the Ultimate Forbidden Lord
1 Morphing Jar #2

Spells:
2 Catapult Zone
1 Dark Hole
1 Book of Moon
1 Foolish Burial

Traps:
3 D2 Shield
3 Dark Bribe
3 Metal Reflect Slime
3 Skill Drain
2 Imperial Custom
2 Fake Trap
2 Imperial Iron Wall

Extra Deck:
1 Evilswarm Exciton Knight
1 Daigusto Emeral
1 Number 85: Crazy Box
1 Skypalace Gangaridai
1 Superdreadnought Rail Cannon Gustav Max
1 Maestroke the Symphony Djinn
1 Giant Soldier of Steel
1 Soul of Silvermountain
1 Number 101: Silent Honor ARK
1 Lavalval Chain
1 Ghostrick Alucard
1 Gagaga Cowboy
1 Number 50: Blackship of Corn
1 Gorgonic Guardian
1 Number 30: Acid Golem of Destruction

Ignore the Side Deck, it's one of those "toolbox" of cards to consider, which includes artifacts of other variants like DEF OTK.

Yes, that's 45 cards. There are reasons why it is usually that, but I can also spin it to have less cards. Though the early game can be a bit weaker because of the general inconsistencies that deck count brings, it makes for a stronger mid and late game. Not only will I typically deck people out if it ever goes that far, I also have plenty of redundancies to make it rather difficult to let the opponent do what they want freely. Usually the deck can rely on its multitudinous backrow, but with just the right cards, the monsters too can shine.

As some of you may know from before, the deck preys on the surprise factor this deck brings. The level of annoyance that some cards in the deck some people already know, like Skill Drain or Imperial Iron Wall, but couple that with monsters that are hard to break, or layers upon layers of backrow defense can be rather frustrating to an impatient opponent.

Of course, the deck isn't perfect, it has its fair share of wins and losses, so I always work on improving it. Whether it be to tweak ratios, what cards to keep in the main/extra to better fit the general trend of matchups, what variant works best with what cards and vice versa, etc., there is always room for improvement. The Extra Deck for example has decent variety for the right amount of utility and flexibility for when the need to use Xyz Monsters arises. As well, the deck count is mainly a consequence of trying out new cards and seeing what it changes for the deck. When the deck becomes more focused, it can change in card count, or at the very least, certain ratios will be tweaked.

Comment below, suggest fixes, ask any questions about the deck, even request some games to see it in action.

BONUS: Pics of notable wins with the deck

[Ursiel]

This would definitely fall into the category of annoying. Catapult Zone and Revival Golem is nothing but that.

[ragda]

And now you will have another card to add on to that list: Tackle Crusader. Effectively makes copies of Rock Bombardment into Book of Moons or backrow (temporary) removal, Catapult Zone can either summon or prevent another attack altogether, and even just setting the guy can stop two attacks or slow down the opponent by picking off the backrow or shutting off annoying effects. It's got decently average stats too, which is just icing on the cake.

[Ursiel]

Bolox. I forgot about that in this.

[Yoh Komori]

Romero, can you post up a pic of just the bare bones of the defense deck? (essential parts only.)

I think I see a way to improve it but I need to know what you feel is absolutely needed.

[ragda]

There's sort of two parts to the deck, both complement each other.

One focuses on the DEF stat as a way to keep field presence, which is then compounded upon with relevant effects of the monsters of such high stats. Either it's through boosts or having inherently high DEF. This can also provide a win condition through battle damage from such high DEF. Alternatively, manipulating the attacks and/or ATK stat of the opposing monsters is similarly effective. Even making use of the DEF stat when forced into the ATK position is in itself fulfilling the same role: use that giant stat to beat your opponent down with.

The other focuses on survivability through card effects like Catapult Zone or backrow that limits the opponent's momentum and choices, as well as providing other means of nullifying any attack from the opponent, with cards like Junk Defender and Gagaga Gardna coming out of the blue, providing their own flavour of attack negation while becoming worthy DEF buffs and potential Xyz Materials.

Here are generally the cards each part is exemplified by:

DEF-oriented:
- Stronghold Guardian (DEF Honest huehuehue)
- D2 Shield (BAM! You just slammed hard into a brick wall face first)
- Stone Statue of the Aztecs (OTK maker right here)
- Big Shield Gardna (Skill Drain doesn't negate its face-down effect and keeps it from becoming a liability)
- Destiny Hero - Defender (Skill Drain again)
- Metal Reflect Slime
- (other big DEF guys, even such as Labyrinth Wall or Millenium Shield)
- Mirror Wall (I'm living this turn, and can use this during the Damage Step for a big surprise)
- Inverse Universe (Big Shield Gardna likes this, and Papilloperative hates it)
- Battle Mania (+Ojama Trio)
- Reverse Glasses (similar to Mirror Wall, less permanence, higher chance of success)
- Redox, Dragon Ruler of Boulders (high DEF, 1-use Monster Reborn, Skill Drain keeps it on the field)

Sustainability/survivability:
- Skill Drain (Denied)
- Imperial Custom (Hold it right there, criminal scum)
- Dark Bribe (OBJECTION!)
- Fake Trap (trololol)
- Catapult Zone (a rather annoying field spell that is mainly used defensively but also applicable on the offense)
- Revival Golem (must construct additional pylons)
- Tackle Crusader (part Book of Moon, part mini-Vulcan, all awesome)
- Rock Bombardment, and by extension, Foolish Burial (versatile with the Rock monsters that trigger this way)
- Junk Defender (LV3 hand trap that can be a massive wall if left unchecked, if it isn't negated)
- Gagaga Gardna (LV4 hand trap with survivability)
- Exodius the Ultimate Forbidden Lord (refuel deck, make Rank 10s with other Exodius or MRS)
- Legendary Jujitsu Master (powerful effect, survivability ensures further protection)
- Morphing Jar #2 (trollmaster, he even grins to represent his glee at the opponent's misfortune)
- Burst Rebirth (revive strong DEF monsters in a pinch)
- Pinpoint Guard (less chainable, no LP but otherwise similar role as Burst Rebirth)

Other notable mentions:
- Imperial Iron Wall (great preventative measure)
- Anti-Spell Fragrance (slow the opponent down even further, no instant MST means more mileage out of more cards)
- DDV/EEV (viruses that can be easily paid for using Xyz Monsters like Number 85: Crazy Box)
- Block Golem (provided the graveyard doesn't contain Exodius, this often creates an Xyz & renews your defense line)
- Needle Ceiling (once you've set up the idea that it's not a good idea to run into your monsters, they will hardly come after your face-down monsters)
- Malefic monsters (provide Virus fodder, ATK power, increase DARK count for such builds, etc.)
- Lava Golem (with the right set-up, you can easily take care of troublesome monsters without risking much in terms of card or LP loss)
- Volcanic Queen (similar idea, but if the deck usually sits on 1 monster most of the time, like Bujins, also weaker so you can defend against it more easily)

[ragda]

New picture in the OP exemplifying one of the common ways the deck wins by.

[ragda]

I just need to work on getting the Rank 4s I would want IRL now (don't think I will before an upcoming Regionals).

[Yoh Komori]

Feb 21, 2014 0:28:59 GMT -6 ragda said:

I just need to work on getting the Rank 4s I would want IRL now (don't think I will before an upcoming Regionals).

what are you shorts thats not 101 or a light type ilswarm...

[ragda]

Feb 21, 2014 14:05:45 GMT -6 Yoh Komori said:

Feb 21, 2014 0:28:59 GMT -6 ragda said:

I just need to work on getting the Rank 4s I would want IRL now (don't think I will before an upcoming Regionals).

what are you shorts thats not 101 or a light type ilswarm...

I got everything else, those are the only thing remaining. Granted, EEK rarely sees use since I usually like my board set-up (unless I got a Customs covering my backrow) and I make more use out of S.H.Ark online. So I'll probably hunt the latter first, worry about the former if a deal comes along.

[Yoh Komori]

Darn, was hoping to spark a trade with you ^^

[ragda]

Heh, I usually get all the small stuff I need. Anything new/recent and has a decent price tag is usually out of my reach, unless I pull it.

[Yoh Komori]

Feb 24, 2014 23:47:49 GMT -6 ragda said:

Heh, I usually get all the small stuff I need. Anything new/recent and has a decent price tag is usually out of my reach, unless I pull it.

I'll keep that in mind, it seems the general trend has changed for how  should set up my trading to cater to online.

[ragda]

Well I don't necessarily represent the average case, though it's kinda logical to have a similar situation. Then again, I'm kinda like you (at least my impression of this) and have the kind of access to small stuff and have acquired or can acquire them easily enough, especially if they're old, cheap, or even reprinted stuff (which most of the extra deck of this one is).

That said, I also realize I do not yet have an Alucard, though that's low on the priority list as well, seeing as I barely crank out Rank 3s in general. I'll be tweaking the build to know where to go from here, because I do like having Rank 3s, but they're not as common as my Rank 4s of course, and even then, Xyz Summoning is not a main goal for me, it's more of a consolidation tactic depending if I have Skill Drain up, need room for more monsters, want to start attacking, etc.

[Yoh Komori]

Feb 25, 2014 12:06:39 GMT -6 ragda said:

Well I don't necessarily represent the average case, though it's kinda logical to have a similar situation. Then again, I'm kinda like you (at least my impression of this) and have the kind of access to small stuff and have acquired or can acquire them easily enough, especially if they're old, cheap, or even reprinted stuff (which most of the extra deck of this one is).

That said, I also realize I do not yet have an Alucard, though that's low on the priority list as well, seeing as I barely crank out Rank 3s in general. I'll be tweaking the build to know where to go from here, because I do like having Rank 3s, but they're not as common as my Rank 4s of course, and even then, Xyz Summoning is not a main goal for me, it's more of a consolidation tactic depending if I have Skill Drain up, need room for more monsters, want to start attacking, etc.

No I mean the trend has changed, my collection used to be good cause I had all the small/mid level stuff people needed to max X/Y/Z decks viable at all/competition level. now it seems I lack that, so consolidating my "meh" holos into bulk deals for more recent deck cores and foil version of old favorites may be a better idea (as that's what the online communities generally want from what I'd seen).