JAELOVE's Smooth Journey

Article 28: Constructing the Dark Paladin Deck
February 24, 2005

It’s been almost a month since we checked in last, constructing the Dark Magician deck. Some may wonder, what’s taken so long? Isn’t the Dark Paladin Deck just like the Dark Magician Deck with Polymerizations thrown in?

As you all know, I try to get rounds of heavy playtesting in with each deck I try to build; this one hit particularly close to home because Dark Paladin is one of my favorite monsters, and the deck has been one of my favorite casual-play decks from the Magician’s Force era onward. Sharing my favorite build of the deck is almost like sharing my Dark Paladin deck itself, something I’m glad to do for all those fans out there of Spellcasters and whatnot. But before I begin, your (foolish) writer would like to apologize for my boldfaced (literally and figuratively) statement last week in my Shonen Jump Article.

In it, I remarked that every Trap Dustshoot/Mind Crush card should just be signed by me, which actually diverted from what I was really trying to say. Due to frustration at certain nameless websites that lifted the idea from Pojo.com and myself (this message was not directed at people on our message boards or whatnot), I undermined my own message. My original point was that originality is so lacking these days that each unusual deck that does well in top-tier play should be recognized, and its creator cheered for battling the masses. Instead of cutting each other down and stealing each others ideas, the Yu-Gi-Oh community, especially here on pojo.com, should respect one another.

I’m sure there are plenty of players who have used the Dustshoot/Crush combination in casual play and whatnot; my aim wasn’t to belittle you all or disrespect anyone. I was just a bit frustrated and blowing off steam; my goal here is always to help those in need of helping and I’d like to apologize to the select few I may have offended.

With yet another blunder of mine out of the way (I think that makes three or four), it’s time to construct the Dark Paladin Deck in the best, and most competitive, manner possible known to me.

To Be (Dark Magician) or Not To Be:

The immediate question of the Dark Paladin Deck is whether to choose Dark Magician or Buster Blader. Because both are high level tribute monsters, and require complex synergies to have searchability (the Spellcaster build will want 3 Skilled Dark, a few Apprentice, the Buster Blader build will require Emblem of Dragon Destroyer), fusion substitutes in the form of King of the Swamp and Goddess with the Third Eye are essential. Long ago I chose to go the Buster Blader route because it’s far more searchable and wastes less deck space (which is at a premium in this clogged deck). Besides, all you Dark Magician fans can take the Dark Magician Deck and have some fun!

PURPOSE OF THE DARK PALADIN DECK:

Now remember, the goal isn’t to necessarily dump out Dark Paladin immediately, where he’ll be prone to Traps, Monster Effects, and such. Rather, the goal is to steadily dwindle your opponent’s resources and then lash out with a 2900 attack powerhouse. Notice, I said 2900 attack. There’s no need to boost him any higher with extraneous Dragons; the only thing that would be able to kill a 2900 attack monster is Black Luster Soldier and Injection Fairy Lily. BLS will remove anything above 3000 anyways, so there’s no point in using Dragons. If you MUST use Dragons, the only viable options are Spear Dragon and Mirage Dragon.

The purpose of the deck is threefold; limit traps, limit monster effects, and manage face-down monsters. If the Dark Paladin deck can handle those responsibilities, its win condition is already set.

STRENGTHS OF THE DARK PALADIN DECK:

Dark Paladin is unquestionably one of the best monsters in the game, if not the best. Compared directly to Horus LV 8, we can see that both cost 3 resources (Horus 6 + Level Up + Tribute for Horus 6) and (Polymerization + Fusion Sub + Buster Blader). However, in certain aspects Dark Paladin is superior, namely because you can search out his requisite parts far speedier than Horus 8’s.

Being able to negate every Spell in your opponent’s deck is a monstrous advantage; once he hits the field, you should win, provided the necessary precautions were in place.

WEAKNESSES OF THE DARK PALADIN DECK:

If you didn’t account for an Exiled Force, or Tribe-Infecting Virus, or even D.D Warrior Lady, you’ll have lost 3 cards in one fell swoop. Losing the Dark Paladin is tantamount to a catastrophe.

NOTABLE MONSTERS:

Here is a list of monsters that the deck should be running.

King of the Swamp
Aqua/Water/3/500/1100
You can substitute this card for any 1 Fusion-Material Monster. When you do this, the other Fusion-Material Monster(s) must be the correct one(s). Discard this card from your hand to the Graveyard to add a "Polymerization" Spell Card from your Deck to your hand. The Deck is then shuffled.

+ Provides Resource Management
-  Weakens On-Field Presence (You’ll have to keep it in your hand)

The history of Fusion decks can be divided into the Pre-King of the Swamp and Post-King of the Swamp eras. King of the Swamp, like his cousin Manju of the Ten Thousand Hands, has revolutionized his respective field. By serving as both a Fusion substitute and a copy of Polymerization, King of the Swamp forms the glue of any solid polymerization deck.

Buster Blader
Warrior/Earth/2600/2300
The ATK of this card increases by 500 points for every Dragon-Type monster on your opponent’s side of the field and Graveyard.

+  Provides Field Control
-   Weakens from On-Field Presence, Resource Management 

This is probably the worst two tribute effect monster in existence, but it will have to do. It’ll be rare indeed for you to actually summon Buster Blader onto the field; mostly he’ll be in hand waiting to be Polymerized.

Thunder Dragon
Thunder/Light/1500/1600 

+ Provides Resource Management
-  Weakens On-Field Presence

In this deck, you’ll either want to run Thunder Dragons or Night Assailants; I chose Thunder Dragons because it is a LIGHT type, it thins the deck out, and if you have a Thunder Dragon in your opening hand, all you need is a Polymerization or a King of the Swamp (that’s 6 cards possible) to have a 2800 attack monster on the field. Paying two cards (Polymerization+Thunder Dragon) for a 2800 attack monster is solid if it’s a special summon. Too bad he’s not a Dragon! (for the stat boost). 

With the rest of the “staple” monsters (that I hope to see banned), the Dark Paladin’s lineup is pretty much set. Let’s move onward to the Spell/Traps.

Spells

-- We’ll always begin with Pot of Greed and Painful Choice (which will dump extra tributes and Sinister to the graveyard).

-- Next is three copies of Polymerization for obvious reasons. Also, we’ll add a copy of Emblem of Dragon Destroyer to search out Buster Blader.

-- Spell/Trap removal is a must, so add Heavy Storm and Mystical Space Typhoon.

-- Ways of managing our tributes is a must as well, so Snatch Steal and Change of Heart are great additions, along with Premature Burial.

-- Next our entire defensive lineup will feature excellent synergy. As a means of mixing with our weaker one star monsters, two Creature Swap and two Metamorphosis will be added, along with three Scapegoat. This allows us to conserve our resources for turns on end until the finishing assault preparations can be started.

-- For this purpose, add a Swords of Revealing Light, which also doubles as a face-down monster scout once the heavy hitters are on the field.

-- Finally, The Forceful Sentry will be our form of uncosted disruption.

Traps

­-- Traps will be sparse because of lack of space. The main addition is Ring of Destruction for those pesky D.D Warrior Ladies and such that might threaten your Paladin.

-- Next is a copy of Call of the Haunted for graveyard manipulation.

-- Finally, we’ll add two copies of Dust Tornado for preemptive threat negation.

Let’s hope you all enjoy this build of Dark Paladin; it’s my personal (best) attempt to make the most out of the monster.

FORCE PRESENTS THE DARK PALADIN DECK:

Here is a legend of the elements that are referenced.

F- Field Control                        f- Flip-Effect Management
O- On-field Removal                o- On-field Presence
R- Removal (Spell/Trap)          r- Resource Management                                            

C- Counter-Defense                  c- Counter-Disruption
E- Enemy Disruption                e- Energy

Submit your Dark Paladin decks this week!

1. Black Luster Soldier                         + F f O o E e     - o C
2. Buster Blader                                   + F                   - o r
3. Thunder Dragon                               + r                     - o
1. Jinzo                                                + F R c             - o C E
3. King of the Swamp                           + r                                - o
2. Apprentice Magician                         + f o r C                      - F                   
2. Magician of Faith                             + r                                - F o                            
1. Magical Scientist                             + f O c E           - o C e
1. Tribe Infecting Virus                       + F O E             - r
1. Sinister Serpent                               + o r C              - F
1. Breaker the Magical Warrior            + F R c
1. Pot of Greed                                     + r
1. Painful Choice                                + r
1. Change of Heart                               + f c E e           - r s
1. Snatch Steal                                     + F O o E                      - e
1. Heavy Storm                                     + R c E
1. Mystical Space Typhoon                  + R c E
1. Premature Burial                            + F o                            - e
1. Swords of Revealing Light               + f o C c
1. The Forceful Sentry                         + F f O R c E      
3. Scapegoat                                       + o C e             - r
2. Metamorphosis                                + F f O o           - r
2. Creature Swap                                 + F E                - r
3. Polymerization                                + F o E             - r
1. Call of the Haunted                          + F o
1. Ring of Destruction                          + F O C E e                  - e
2. Dust Tornado                                   + R c E 

Thanks for tuning in this week, to all those who wanted to gain a glimpse of one of the best monsters in the game, Dark Paladin. Send all e-mails to JAELOVE@gmail.com.

We’ll construct a lucky fan’s Dark Paladin deck next week and also I’ll be writing an advanced guide to spell/trap construction in your deck.