(Note: There may be another copy of this article here. It was sent accidentally and it nowhere near complete.)

Okay, I'm finding that people have no idea how good (or how bad) some decks really CAN be. I am here to rate nearly every deck that can be found in the tournament environment, and even some that aren't very good at all, just for the sake of being thorough. And for those who think this whole article is BS, consder these two things:

1) I am one of less than 10 featured writers on the #1 Yu-Gi-Oh site on the net, Yu-Gi-Oh Dungeon (Note to Pojo: this is fact, not advertising. It is #1 on the official Yu-Gi-Oh Topsites). If you think you can top that, send a sample article (500+ words) to the co-webmaster at homeboyje@yahoo.com. He's still accepting 4 more writers.

2) I am the local champion, and I run an original deck, one I call the Turtle Burner.

Now, on to the article. Here are some REAL decks to look out for. Each one has a detailed strategy explanation, a list of strengths and weakness, and a rating out of 10, for each type of deck, and overall. The score against each deck is multiplied by a given number based on how commonly it is used. These numbers are:

Exodia (turbo): 1.5

Burner (turbo): 1.5

Beatdown (any): 3.5

Disruption/Discard (any): 1

Removal/Denial (slightly offensive): 2.5

Note that, in total, they add up to 10, making the total possible score for any deck 100. Here are the deck analyses. I promise that this article will be well worth your time, especially if you are thinking about building a new deck.

I start with the Exodia decks because they are very dominant. Only a VERY good Burner (or another Exodia deck) can stand up to a well-made and well-used Exodia deck.

1) Turbo Exodia

This is THE most powerful deck in the tournament environment. The goal is simple; the deck is not. This deck focuses on getting Exodia within a few turns, and it usually has no problem doing that. It uses Witch of the Black Forest and Sangan, mainly, to search for Exodia parts. Mystic Tomato is often added to get out Witches and Sangans. Also, you will occasionally see some Ultimate Offering and Cannon Soldier in there, with the purpose of getting out and getting rid of Witches and Sangans. Backup Soldier is essential, picking up lost Exodia pieces (except for the head. If the head gets discarded, you're screwed). It also combos well with Painful Choice (pick up 3 limbs and bring them back when the opponent discards them) and Card Destruction (discard a few limbs, bring them back, and hopefully draw another few pieces). This deck, in an average game, can easily win within 5 turns.

Strengths: Beatdown (10x3.5=35), Exodia (10x1.5=15)

OK Against: Removal/Denial (8x2.5=20)

Weaknesses: Burner (3x1.5=4.5), Disruption/Discard (2x1=2)

TOTAL SCORE: 76.5

2) Defensive/Denial

This deck is much slower than Turbo Exodia, and rather prefers to defend and use Life Point gaining techniques while trying to draw Exodia pieces.. It often uses Enchanted Javelin, Kisetai, Imperial Order, Magic Jammer, Seven Tools of the Bandit, Gravity Bind, Messenger of Peace, high DEF monsters, and other defensive cards.

Strengths: Beatdown (8x3.5=28)

OK Against: Removal/Denial (6x2.5=15)

Weaknesses: Burner (1x1.5=1.5), Disruption/Discard (1x1=1), Exodia (1x1.5=1.5)

TOTAL SCORE: 47

3) Offensive Exodia

This deck uses offensive tactics and beatdown monsters in case Exodia pieces are lost. This deck has the weaknesses of both Exodia and Beatdown decks, making it rather poor.

Strengths: None

OK Against: Beatdown (5x3.5=17.5), Disruption/Discard (5x1=5)

Weaknesses: Burner (3x1.5=4.5), Exodia (1x1.5=1.5), Removal/Denial (2x2.5=5)

TOTAL SCORE: 33.5

 

Each deck in this section will be scored for Turbo ONLY. Defensive Burners are quite weak, and would all score well below 50.

Decks in this class of Burner are built for speed, using 40-45 cards and next to nothing besides burner cards. These decks are very fast, often winning within 3-5 turns. They may not even use all of the staples!

These decks sit behing a defensive wall of cards such as Gravity Bind and Messenger of Peace while whittling away at the opponent's Life Points wkith Direct Damage Magic cards.

1) Weenie Burner

Uses many Magic and Trap cards that do Direct Damage, along with Direct Damge attackers such as Jinzo #7, which, when combined with powerup Equip Magic cards, can be devastating and actually quite strong, to wipe out the opponent's Life Points.

Strengths: Exodia (8x1.5=12), Beatdown (9x3.5=31.5), Disruption/Discard (10x1=10)

OK: None

Weaknesses: Burner (4x1.5=6), Removal/Denial (2x2.5=5)

TOTAL: 54.5

2) Turtle Burner

This is my deck, so I know it well. It alo uses mant DD M/T's, and it also plays Catapult Turtle and many strong low-level monsters, such as Goblin Attack Force and Jirai Gumo. These monsters can be used with the Turtle to do extensive damage. This deck also uses a lot of monster revival, and it also plays Soul Exchange, which allows it to fling the OPPONENT'S monsters.

Strengths: Exodia (10x1.5=15), Disruption/Discard (8x1=8), Burner (8x1.5=12)

OK: Removal/Denial (6x2.5=15)

Weaknesses: Beatdown (3x3.5=10.5)

TOTAL: 60.5

3) Toon Terror

This isn't a true burner, but it does do many of the same things. It uses Toon monsters, along with cards to protect them for the one turn before they can attack, such as Dimensionhole and Swords of Revealing Light. It also uses many Equip Magic cards and the DNA Surgery/Limiter Removal combo to boost the Toons' ATK. This deck is quite fast, especially since Toon monsters are Special Summons (although they still require Tribute).

Strengths: Exodia (8x1.5=12), Beatdown (7x3.5=24.5), Disruption/Discard (10x1=10)

OK: Burner (6x1.5=9)

Weaknesses: Removal/Denial (2x2.5=5)

TOTAL: 60.5

 

1) Weenie Rush

Simple. Uses a rush of low-level monsters (La Jinn, etc.) with Equip Magic cards to overwhelm the opponent's defenses. It's that simple. Note that this is the only beatdown that will do well against a Removal/Denial deck.

Strengths: Removal/Denial (8x2.5=20), Beatdown (8x3.5=28), Disruption/Discard (10x1=10)

OK: None

Weaknesses: Burner (4x1.5=6), Exodia (2x1.5=3)

TOTAL: 67

2) Big Gun

Uses powerful Tribute monsters to beat down the opponent's defenses.

Strengths: None

OK: Beatdown (5x3.5=17.5), Disruption/Discard (4x1=4), Burner (6x1.5=9)

Weaknesses: Removal/Denial (1x2.5=2.5), Exodia (3x1.5=4.5)

TOTAL: 37.5

3) Lord of D.

I classify this as a beatdown because it uses an offensive assault against the opponent. It can Summon many powerful monsters quickly with Flute of Summoning Dragon and can be hard to stop once it gets going.

Strengths: Beatdown (7x3.5=24.5), Disruption/Discard (7x1=7)

OK: Burner (7x1.5=10.5)

Weaknesses: Removal/Denial (4x2.5=10), Exodia (3x1.5=4.5)

TOTAL: 56.5

 

1) Offensive

Uses cards to destroy opponent's monsters and negate their Magic/Trap cards, leaving their Life Points open to attack. Often uses numerous high-level monsters.

Strengths: Beatdown (8x3.5=28), Disruption/Discard (7x1=7)

OK: Burner (6x1.5=9), Exodia (4x1.5=6), Removal/Denial (5x2.5=12.5)

TOTAL: 62.5

2) Defensive

(No Information Available, as I know nothing about this deck)

No Score Can Be Given

 

1) Disruption/Discard

Keeps the opponent's options limited by discarding from their hand with Magic, Trap, and Effect Monster cards. Victory with this deck depends largely on whether you go first or second.

Strengths: Exodia (10x1.5=15), Disruption/Discard (7x1=7)

OK: Burner (5x1.5=7.5), Removal/Denial (4x2.5=10)

Weaknesses: Beatdown (2x3.5=7)

TOTAL: 46.5

2) Depletion

Uses stall and deck depletion tactics, such as the Bistro Butcher and Card Destruction. This deck is currently quite weak, but it will get a big boost upon the release of Needle Worm.

Strengths: None

OK: Exodia (7x1.5=10.5)

Weaknesses: Disruption/Discard (4x1=4), Removal/Denial (1x2.5=2.5), Beatdown (1x3.5=3.5), Burner (1x1.5=1.5)

TOTAL: 22 (I know that this is VERY weak; however, it will gain power in the future.

 

TOP DECKS:

Turbo Exodia 76.5

Weenie Rush 67

Offensive Removal/Denial 62.5

Turtle Burner 60.5

Toon Terror 60.5

 

Top Decks Against EXODIA

Turbo Exodia 10

Turtle Burner 10

Disruption/Discard 10

Weenie Burner 8

Toon Terror 8

Although these decks are quite strong against Exodia, they are all rather rare, so Exodia is still the champ!

 

Top Decks Against BURNER

Turtle Burner 8

Lord of D. 7

Offensive Removal/Denial 6

Toon Terror 6

Big Gun Beatdown 6

Many common decks are ood against the burner. However, they don't do that well, so Burner still stands tall!

 

Top Decks Against BEATDOWN

Turbo Exodia 10

Weenie Burner 9

Defensive Exodia 8

Offensive Removal/Denial 8

Weenie Rush 8

There are decks all across the board that can beat on a Beatdown, but few are very common, so Beatdown still works!

 

Top Decks Against REMOVAL/DENIAL

Turbo Exodia 8

Weenie Rush 8

Defensive Exodia 6

Turtle Burner 6

Lord of D. 5

There are a lot of popular decks up there, but the scores are low, so Removal/Denial is still an excellent deck!

 

Top Decks Against DISRUPTION/DISCARD

Weenie Burner 10

Toon Terror 10

Weenie Rush 10

Turtle Burner 8

Lord of D. 7

Offensive Removal/Denial 7

Disruption/Discard 7

Ouch. Many good decks beat this, but it still beats Exodia, so rock on with Disruption!

 

There's my detailed summary. Any comments can be sent to barreldragon126@hotmail.com, but remember to read the top again before sending negative ones! If you want to chat with me, my AIM SN is barreldragon126. Later!

~Barreldragon126