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Dark Paladin's Yu-Gi-Oh! Dimension
PSYCH dueling Part I
4.5.05

Hello again to Pojo and Yugioh fans one and all!

Today I'm bringing you the first installment of what I call PSYCH dueling. In this article, I'll tell you what PSYCH stands for and how it can be an effective dueling strategy.

P--Psychology

This one is simple. For those of you who watch the anime remember when Yugi dueled Panik in Duelist Kingdom? Mai said "Psychology is HALF the game."
Panik kept trying to intimidate Yugi, and anyone else he dueled with threats and insults. Using fear to paralyze his opponents. This is a good idea, and fun tactic to use. Now, don't misinterpret me. I'm NOT saying to be like attack me and I'll grab my shot gun. Not at all. Be boastful and confident, perhaps a little over-confident. Just don't be rude. Players get better at this with the more experience they get. Brag a little bit and try and convince your opponent that you have the upper hand, even if you don't.

S--Stalling

This one may seem evil, but I know there are people out there that have done it before. I'm not talking about people who run stall decks, I'm talking about those of you who know you're ahead, so you stall to win on time. You aren't entirely sure if you can win, but you KNOW the match ends in five minutes. So, you think...if I draw this out...stare at my hand, talk a little slower, etc.
time will be called and I'll win. I've done this, and had it done to be many a time. As I said, this may not be "proper" but many people have done, still do, and will continue to do this. It can be known as the duelist last resort.

Y--Yourself

This goes along with the Psychology a bit but have faith in yourself. Have faith in your cards. I'm not trying to preach "Heart of the Cards" from the anime or anything, but some beliefe and confidence in yourself never hurts. If you don't believe that you can, regardless of the condition, you probably won't.
Obviously, you need more than confidence and belief to win, but it's a good place to start. Some well placed faith never hurt anyone, and faith to believe in yourself and your deck helps establish more confidence in yourself. Win or lose you know you did your best :)

C--Countering

This one may seem like a no-brainer, but countering is a very essential and important part of dueling. Countering is the purpose of the side deck. You duel your opponent and are slaughtered by __________ card or cards. That's why whenever you duel you should not only keep a side deck, but your binder or binders of other cards. Maybe what you needed to win wasn't in your side deck, but you know you had it in your binder. By being able to stop your opponent, you will have the upper hand. Just be able to make sure he or she doesn't stop all your moves as well.

H--Have Fun

Granted, fun doesn't start with H, but you get my point. I believe having fun to be the single most important thing about dueling. Unless of course, you're dueling to save the world or save your mind from the Shadow Realm, but we'll save that for another day. Of course we all like to win, but everybody loses sometimes, even Yugi :) Seriously though, I can walk away from a win, or a loss and know it was all worthwhile just because I had fun. Don't get so caught up in the game, that you forget to have fun, you'll end up a miserable wreck.

So, as you can see, by successfully utilizing these five dueling strategies and techniques, it will help you improve as a duelist. Next time, I'll bring PSYCH dueling Part II, where I'll talk about the different levels of PSYCH and which players are involved in those respective levels.

Now, as I promised, time for that Spirit Deck! Here it is, and I may add Yata will not be found.

Monsters x17

Cyber Jar
Jinzo
Inaba White Rabbit x3
Susa Soldier x2
Otohime x3
Yamata Dragon
Hino Kagu Tsuchi
Asura Priest
Fusi No Tori x2
Tsukuyomi x2

I realize 17 monsters is a lot, but it shouldn't be a huge problem. Cyber Jar helps add speed and draw power to the deck, and Jinzo's place is obvious.
Three Inaba White Rabbit because 700 direct each turn is cool, just protect yourself. Susa Soldier is a 2000 attack level 4, but his battle damaged is halved, no biggie. Otohime is a gem being able to switch monsters battle posistions making them easier to kill. Yamata Dragon is powerful and allows you to draw if he does damage. Hino Kagu Tsuchi is also powerful and hurts your opponent by forcing them to discard their hand. Asura Priest being able to attack everything can be GREAT. Fusi No Tori only has 1200 attack but can help heal you and Tsukuyomi can help keep your spirits on the field in defense mode.

Spells x16

Spring of Rebirth x2
Spiritual Energy Settlement Machine x3
Pot of Greed
Graceful Charity
Mystical Space Typhoon
Heavy Storm
Swords of Revealing Light
Axe of Despair
Big Bang Shot (a little trample never hurts) Monster Reincarnation A Feather of the Phoenix Scapegoat x2

The spells are quite self-explanitory :)

Traps x7

Ring of Destruction
Mirror Force
Waboku x2
Magic Cylinder
Ceasefire
Torrential Tribute

As with the spells, these should be pretty straight-forward also.

There you go, I'm not taking submissions again for decks you'd like to see done!
No options, just ask, and we'll see what happens.

Until next time, please feel free to contact me with anything @ tsearcy@lssu.edu

You stay classy, Planet Earth :)

~Dark Paladin~