March 2007
The Main Deck's Side-kick - DaFrog
Hello all.
This is DaFrog, giving you an explanation of the
side deck and how to make good use of it. In my
opinion, there are 2 types of side-decks. The first
type is for being able to shift from 2 or more main
strategies, so that way you are not using up extra
deck space for 12 or so cards. The second type is
for deck-type defense. What I mean is that you
select a few cards to help you against a deck that
you have a good chance of facing. That way, if those
cards would be a dead draw in most other duels, you
don't have to waste deck space for them. I for one
do not favor side-decking for different strategies.
It can be quite confusing if you are not exactly
sure what you're going to put in and what you're
going to take out. However, if you want to do this
kind of side-decking, just remember to take out all
the cards that could only work for the first
strategy as you're replacing them. It might be a
good idea to keep a little note-pad with all the
cards you need for each strategy on it, so then
you're not wasting your time deciding what goes
where in what deck and why.
Anyway, one of the most important things about the
side-deck is knowing how and when it can be used.
Believe it or not, I once thought you could draw
from the side-deck instead of a normal draw each
turn if you wish. Do that in a tournament, you'd get
disqualified with a READ YOUR RULE-BOOK stamp on
your forehead before you could say Dark Magician.
The way the side deck works is that at the start of
each duel (not the match, the duel) before you draw,
you have the option to switch cards with your
side-deck. You can switch any amount of cards
(ranging to 15, of course) as long as your deck has
the original card count before you switched, as well
as your side-deck having 15 cards. (It must have 15
cards at all time) Basically, if I put 6 cards in my
deck from my side-deck, I have to put 6 cards in the
side-deck from the deck. Can't get much simpler than
that folks.
Now, to make good use of the side deck (for
deck-type defense) is to first find out what the
most popular decks are right now. Also, I find it to
be a good idea to also include cards from the 2 most
popular decks in the last tournament. There's a good
chance there will be duelers sticking with their
strategy. As an example, I currently have a
side-deck for support against Monarchs, Gadgets,
Dark World, and Cyber-Dragon decks. (The reason I
put in Dark-World is because it's been getting
popular) The next step is to find cards to stop this
type of deck. 3 for each type can really make a
difference if you have a 40 card deck. If you don't
know what other cards to fill up those last 3 spaces
of your side-deck, add some cards that could help
your deck strategy move faster, in case you find an
opponent who specializes in otk decks. Now that you
have your side-deck made, there are just a few
things you have to do.
At the beginning of any match, kindly ask your
opponent what kind of deck they run. If they tell
you and it falls into one of your defense
strategies, put that strategy in. (Also, don't say
"I have a strategy to cope with any deck you throw
at me" for they will almost never tell you their
deck type, and might end up throwing a deck at you
literally out of annoyance) If they don't tell you,
don't harp on them. Find their strategy in the first
duel, then side-deck for the next 2 duels. (If it
matches one of your defense strategies, that is)
Also, as I said before, know what cards you will
take out for your defense strategies, as well as
replace, so that you can speed of the time in which
you switch cards, as to give yourself enough time to
duel and not annoy your opponent. Again, write a
list if you aren't good at remembering, it's that
simple.
So just remember these tips when making a side-deck.
I'm very sure that they will help.
Live and learn,
DaFrog
