Sky Strikers is a Control deck in Yu-Gi-Oh Master Duel, which specializes in using various Spell Cards to take control of the Duel as a Toolbox Deck. Check out the core deck list and key combos, as well as tips on how to play, alternate cards and counters against this Deck!

Sky Strikers Deck List

Main Deck: 40 cards
x3	x3	x3	x3	x1
x1	x1	x3	x3	x3
x3	x2	x1	x1	x1
x1	x1	x1	x1	x1
x3	-	-	-	-
Extra Deck: 15 cards
x3	x2	x2	x1	x1
x1	x1	x1	x1	x1
x1	-	-	-	-

Sky Strikers Breakdown

Tier Evaluation

Tier Ranking
Tier 1
Deck Archetype		Deck Difficulty
Control		Easy
Deck Evaluation
One of the very few "Toolbox Decks" due to small number of monsters and high count of Spell Cards Has one of the best search effect Spell Cards in the entire game, and gets stronger with every Spell in the GY Specializes in Link Monsters, and having only one monster on the Extra Monster Zone

Sky Strikers Deck Guide: How to Play

Work in Progress - Revamp Coming Soon!

Playstyle and Win Condition

A Sky Striker Deck is what players call a Toolbox Deck--a Deck that has multiple ways of searching out key cards that can fit in any given situation. Having the capacity to deal with nearly everything the opponent throws is an essential part in any Duel, and Sky Strikers are one of the more prolific examples.

The Deck is easy to learn for players to familiarize themselves about different game states, but has a very high skill-cap in terms of timing and Spell Card utilization, and is a very potent Deck in the hands of an experienced Duelist.

Key Monsters

There are only three Main Deck "Sky Striker" monsters in the entire archetype, and the key one between them is Sky Striker Ace - Raye. Its Quick Effect to Special Summon a "Sky Striker" Link Monster to the Extra Monster Zone can be either a clutch save from targeted effects, or an aggressive transition combo that lets players Summon one of the archetype Link Monsters right after this card attacks. It also can be brought back to the field from the GY if said "Sky Striker" Link Monster leaves the field by battle or an opponent's card effect.

Sky Striker Ace - Roze can be Special Summoned from the hand if a "Sky Striker Ace" monster gets Special Summoned, or from the GY if an opponent's monster leaves the Extra Monster Zone, then negate a monster they control afterwards. Surgical Striker - H.A.M.P. counts as a "Sky Striker" monster, and has a Kaiju-like effect in summoning this monster on which side of the field it uses a tribute for.

The classic staples in the current meta are going to help with the Deck stand up against other powerhouses in the current meta. Ash Blossom & Joyous Spring, Called by the Grave, and Maxx C are just about mandatory if a Deck wants to stand a chance to complete their win conditions. Effect Veiler is an honorary mention for must-have staples, especially against important Effect Monsters that could be the start of a winding combo.

Prioritize Using Spellcards

Sky Strikers value Spell Cards above all else, and all of the archetype Spell Cards have a secondary effect if there are at least three Spell Cards in the Graveyard. They also value not having any monsters in the Main Monster Zones, which is why this Deck has such a low number of monsters, and low Link Numbers for the Link Monsters.

Among the Spell Cards, the one with more than one copy are the Deck's bread and butter, each one serving a different purpose, and gaining an additional effect if there are are at least three Spell Cards in the Graveyard. Maneuver - Afterburners! deals with destroying monsters, as well as a possible one Spell/Trap in tandem, while Mecha - Widow Anchor takes advantage of it being a Quick-Play Spell, targeting and negating monsters' effects. If it gets its additional effect, it also steals the monster for the rest of the turn.

Sky Striker Mobilize - Linkage! is the newest addition to the archetype after the update to the Singular Strike Overthrow Secret Pack, and is more of an all-or-nothing card that locks the user out of non-quot;Sky Striker Ace" monsters, Special Summons one of them to the Extra Monster Zone after sending another card from the field to the GY, and can potentially grant an ATK boost if conditions are met.

Sky Striker Mobilize - Engage! is one of the strongest searchers in the entire game, so much so that it is currently Semi-Limited in the banlist. Only usable if there are no monsters in the Main Monster Zones, it searches out any "Sky Striker" card from the Deck. It also provides an additional draw if it meets the Spell Card quota in the Graveyard.

The rest of the "Sky Striker" Spell Cards are for the player to adjust as they see fit, but the following are often seen as the most optimal additions. Sky Striker Airspace - Area Zero is an amazing Field Spell that provides resource management with an excavation effect and a Special Summon effect if sent from the field to the GY.

Mecha - Hornet Drones summons a Token that can be used to Link Summon most of the "Sky Striker" Link Monsters, Maneuver - Jamming Waves! has the inverse effect of Maneuver - Afterburners!, and Mecha - Shark Cannon can either banish a monster from the opponent's GY--or Special Summon them to your side of the field if it meets the requirement.

The most crucial of the cards is Mecha Modules - Multirole. By sending a card you control to the GY, the opponent cannot respond to any Spell Card activation for the rest of the turn. Its second effect is what makes "Sky Strikers"; the ability to Set Spell Cards with different names at the end of the turn, up to the number of times "Sky Striker" Spell Cards were used during the turn.

Ace Monsters

Each of the Sky Striker Ace monsters have their purpose, and it would not be hyperbole to say they can all be summoned once each in a turn, taking each other's place to utilize them fully. Kagari is Semi-Limited in the current banlist because of her ability to grab Spell Cards from the GY just after being Special Summoned. Kaina provides a small heal to your Life Points for every Spell Card activated, and can stop an opponent's monster from attacking.

Hayate can deal direct damage even with monsters blocking the way, and can send any "Sky Striker" card from the Deck straight to the GY, which helps with the Spell Cards requirement. Zeke is usually summoned as a transition to clear up the Main Monster Zones, and can banish a face-up monster on the field upon being Link Summoned.

At the end of the turn, you always want to end the turn with Shizuku as the "Sky Striker Ace" on the field. For each Spell Card in your GY, it drains the stats of the opponent's monsters, and at the end of the turn lets you search out a "Sky Striker" Spell Card fropm the Deck that's different among those in the GY.

Core Combos and Interactions

The two important things to keep in mind for running Sky Strikers is to use as many Spell Cards as possible, and keep the Main Monster Zones open. Keep this in mind whenever you're opening a combo with Sky Strikers.

Basic Search Combo - Shizuku

Sky Strikers do better when going second so it can respond to various effects, so let's assume it's you go Second, and it's turn on Turn 2...

1	Activate Sky Striker Mecha Modules - Multirole.
2	Normal Summon Sky Striker Ace - Raye, and immediately activate its effect; tribute itself, and Special Summon from the Extra Deck Sky Striker Ace - Hayate.
3	Enter Battle Phase, and attack. Due to Sky Striker Ace - Hayate's effect, you can attack directly, even if the opponent has monsters.
4	Go into Main Phase 2, use Sky Striker Ace - Hayate as Link Material to Link Summon Sky Striker Ace - Kagari.
5	Upon being Special Summoned through Link Summon, it triggers Sky Striker Ace - Kagari''s effect, and you can retrieve a "Sky Striker"Spell Card of your choosing from the Graveyard back to your hand.
6	Use Sky Striker Ace - Kagari as Link Material to Link Summon Sky Striker Ace - Shizuku.
7	On your End Phase, Sky Striker Ace - Shizuku's effect activates, and you can search out a "Sky Striker"Spell Card from the Deck with a name different to the other "Sky Striker" Spell Cards in the Graveyard.
8	Automatically triggering on your End Phase, Sky Striker Mecha Modules - Multirole activates, and lets you Set as many "Sky Strikers" Spell Cards with different names from the Graveyard to your Field.

Kagari into Shizuku

If you want the highest damage possible to attack using a "Sky Striker" monster, go with Sky Striker Ace - Kagari with her ATK boost for every Spell Card in the Graveyard.

1	Normal Summon Sky Striker Ace - Raye, and immediately activate its effect; tribute itself, and Special Summon from the Extra Deck Sky Striker Ace - Hayate.
2	Activate as many Spell Cards as you can. To help clear the board, use Sky Striker Maneuver - Jamming Signal! and Sky Striker Maneuver - Afterburner! as your Spell Cards. If you need more cards in hand, use Sky Striker Mobilize - Engage!
3	After clearing the field as much as possible, use Sky Striker Ace - Hayate as Material, and Link Summon Sky Striker Ace - Kagari.
4	Upon Sky Striker Ace - Kagari being Link Summoned, activate its effect, and retrieve one of the Spell Cards you used earlier. If you can use Jamming Signal!, Afterburner!, or Engage! one more time, those can be used.
5	Enter the Battle Phase, and launch an attack with Sky Striker Ace - Kagari.
6	Go into Main Phase 2, use Sky Striker Ace - Kagari as Link Material to Link Summon Sky Striker Ace - Shizuku.
7	On your End Phase, Sky Striker Ace - Shizuku's effect activates, and you can search out a "Sky Striker"Spell Card from the Deck with a name different to the other "Sky Striker" Spell Cards in the Graveyard.

Modified Accesscode Package

Accesscode Talker is a powerful late-game monster that can sometimes singlehandedly win the game, and it is key to bring the monster out when the opponent least expects it.

Key cards for this combo include: Sky Striker Ace - Roze, Sky Striker Mecha - Hornet Drones, Effect Veiler, Knightmare Unicorn, and Accesscode Talker. This is a different version of the Accesscode Package, as Crystron Halqifibrax--one of the original pieces for this Engine--has been banned since September 30th, 2022.

Card(s) Needed on Hand
1	Activate the effect of Sky Striker Mecha - Hornet Drones and Special Summon a "Sky Striker Ace" Token onto the Main Monster Zone (Warrior/DARK/ATK 0/DEF 0).
2	As a "Sky Striker Ace" monster is summoned onto the field, Special Summon Sky Striker Ace - Roze from the hand.
3	Using the "Sky Striker Ace Token" and Sky Striker Ace - Roze as material, Link Summon Dharc the Dark Charmer, Gloomy.
4	Normal Summon Effect Veiler. Then, using Effect Veiler and Dharc the Dark Charmer, Gloomy as materials, Link Summon Selene, Queen of the Master Magicians. There should be at least three Spell Cards in the field and/or Graveyard when Link Summoning Selene for the next step.
5	As Selene is Link Summoned, three Spell Counters will be put on the card. Activate its effect, spend those three Spell Counters, and Special Summon Effect Veiler back from the Graveyard.
6	Using Selene, Queen of the Master Magicians and Effect Veiler as material, Link Summon Accesscode Talker.
7	Activate the effect of Accesscode Talker upon being Link Summoned; target Selene from your Graveyard, and gain ATK equal to Selene's Link Rating (LINK-3) x 1000. Accesscode Talker's ATK should be at 5300.
8	An optional step if there aren't any cards on the opponent's side of the field: Activate the second effect of Accesscode Talker; banish a Link Monster in your GY, and destroy one card on the field. The opponent cannot respond to this card's effect activation. Repeat this step if there is anotther Link Monster in the GY with a different Attribute.

Boss Monsters

	Sky Striker Ace - Kagari
	Sky Striker Ace - Kagari is one of the Deck's signature monsters, and is restricted as a Limited card for good reason. Upon being Special Summoned, this card automatically refreshes a "Sky Striker" Spell Card from the Graveyard to the hand. It also gets stronger the more Spell Cards there are in the GY.
	Sky Striker Ace - Shizuku
	If the Special Summon chain ends with Sky Striker Ace - Shizuku, the card enables searching a "Sky Striker" Spell Card straight from the Deck during the End Phase. Great as an early game scout.
	Sky Striker Ace - Hayate
	Sky Striker Ace - Hayate has the ability to directly attack the opponent, even if there are monsters on their side. Hayate embodies what the Sky Strikers embody: speed and evasiveness.
	Sky Striker Ace - Zeke
	Sky Striker Ace - Zeke is a special case among Sky Strikers, being the only LINK-2 in the archetype. It more than makes up for it in worth by being able to banish a monster the opponent controls until the very end of the opponent's next turn. It essentially forces an opening the player can use for the current turn and the next.

Budget Sky Strikers: F2P Friendly

Lower Rarity Replacements

	The Warrior Returning Alive
	If either Raye or Roze end up in the Graveyard without having the chance to use their effects, a low-rarity card to fish them out of there is The Warrior Returning Alive. Both Roze and Raye count as Warrior-type monsters, thus this should work for the Deck.
	Artifact Lancea
	Artifact Lancea can act as a bait of sorts, because of its ability to be able to be Set on the field as if it were a Spell or Trap card. Should the opponent take the bait, destroy the card and send them to the Graveyard, it gets Special Summoned back onto the field as a proper Monster.
	Progleo
	Progleo may need to banish a monster being pointed at by one of its Link Markers, but the effect is well worth the price to bring back a Link Monster from the Graveyard. This card can be a clutch play, especially if Kagiri gets sent to the Graveyard too early.
	Dueltaining
	For a Link-based Deck, Dueltaining might seem like a questionable effect, but being able to draw two cards by reaching Chain Link 5 in card effect is something Sky Strikers are able to do. There are quite a number of Quick-Play Spells and Monster effects that can reach this requirement.
	Mage Power
	Sky Strikers heavily use Spell Cards, and with Multirole active, you can Set certain Spell Cards at the End Phase the turn they were activated. Mage Power gives more stats to its equipped monster the more cards there are on the Spell and Trap Zones, easily taking advantage of this particular card advantage.

Sky Strikers Counters: How to Beat

Best Decks to Use Against Sky Strikers

Gravekeeper's

Gravekeeper's punish the Sky Strikers' usage of the Graveyard, using it as a secondary resource. As soon as Necrovalley is on the field, the effect of Sky Striker Mecha Modules - Multirole to set Sky Striker Spell Cards to the player's field is essentially negated.

Gravekeepers Deck List & Card Guide

Virtual World

Virtual World is arguably one of the best Aggro Decks in the game, as it can chain a number of Special Summons to bring out their boss monsters that are definitely stronger that most of the monsters in this Deck. Viritual World Kyubi - Shenshen makes it even worse, as any card sent to the Graveyard is now Banished instead--and that includes Sky Striker Spell Cards.

[:btn:Virtual World Deck List & Card Guide:(/games/Yu-Gi-Oh-Master-Duel/archives/354624)]

Dragonmaid

Dragonmaid thrive in swarming the field with high-powered monsters, and are even immune to card destruction effects if the opponent controls a Fusion Monster. Dragonmaid Sheou gets a special mention for being able to negate card effects as a Quick Effect.

Dragonmaid Deck List & Card Guide

Eldlitch Control

While Eldlitch Control has a powerful boss monster in Eldlitch the Golden Lord that can overpower most of the monsters in the Deck, its true danger lies in having Skill Drain active, making it impossible for your Sky Striker Link Monsters from using their effects.

All Eldlich Deck Lists
Eldlich Control	Budget Eldlich

Best Cards to Tech Against Sky Strikers

	Anti-Spell Fragrance
	As long as Anti-Spell Fragrance is on the field, Spell Cards cannot be activated outright, and have to be set first. This essentially turns Spell Cards into slower Trap Cards that cannot be activated until the opponent's turn is over (the next immediate turn for Quick-Play Spells).
	Mistaken Arrest
	Sky Strikers search out their key Spell Cards very often, and Mistaken Arrest can stop that combo in the middle of the chain. It may punish the player that uses this card with the same effect, but leveling the playing field is much better than giving Sky Strikers more card advantage.
	Macro Cosmos
	The Deck benefits from having as many Spell Cards in the Graveyard as possible, whether used or not. Macro Cosmos players do not have to deal with that problem as all cards meant to be sent to the Graveyard are Banished instead.
	Droll & Lock Bird
	Droll & Lock Bird esssentially fulfills the same roles as Mistaken Arrest, but it is a little more expensive being an SR Card. Still a very good card, and one worth running against a Sky Strikers Deck.
	Imperial Order
	Imperial Order essentially bans the use of Spell Cards so long as it remains active face-up on the field. Having to pay 700 Life Points every turn to keep it on the field is a worthwhile price to pay to stop Sky Strikers.
	Necrovalley
	Necrovalley stops the Sky Strikers' pesky effect of being able to Set their used Spell Cards, by locking down the Graveyard so that no effects or the card themselves leave there.
	Naturia Beast
	For Mill Decks, Naturia Beast provides both card advantage and a means to negate all Spell Cards in one monster. Even better is the fact the effect can be used multiple times, up until the owner's Deck cannot send cards from the Deck to the Graveyard.

Related Packs to Sky Strikers

Legacy Pack	Master Pack
Singular Strike Overthrow	Soldiers from the Storm

Yu-Gi-Oh Master Duel Related Guides

Yu-Gi-Oh Master Duel Deck Archetypes

Yu-Gi-Oh Master Duel Decks

Deck Tier List: Best Decks for Season 35

List of All Covered Decks

World Champion Decks

2024 World Champions: Team 7
Horus Tearlaments	Yubel	Fire King Snake-Eyes
Salamangreat	Purrely	Vanquish Soul

Decks Used in Worlds 2024

Decks Used By All Teams in Worlds 2024
snipehunters	CER	Hero's Future
BOTB	MYYGO	Thank Love
CER 2 x FCG	BRAZ IL	Maxx “Yee”
Double Noir	Rogue Ruler

Aggro Decks

List of All Aggro Decks
D/D/D Aggro	Code Talker / Prank Kids	Zoodiac
Blue-Eyes	Virtual World	SPYRAL Control
Toon Kingdom	Red-Eyes	Blue-Eyes
Zoodiac	Prank-Kids	Zoodiac Tri-Brigade
Pure Tri-Brigade	Ancient Gear	Dragonmaid
Tri-Brigade Lyrilusc (Bird Up)	Dinosaur	Raidraptor
HERO	Dragon Link	Despia
Magikey	Adamancipator	Black Luster Soldier
Pendulum Magician	Stardust Dragon	Tenyi Swordsoul
Cyberdark	@Ignister	Cyber Dragon
The Winged Dragon of Ra	Despian Predaplant	Despia Darklord
Odd-Eyes Performapal	Numeron FTK	Six Samurai
ABC	Trickstar Windwitch	Blackwings
Fluffal	Cupid Pitch Turbo	Lunalight
Vampire	Ultra Athletes	Thunder Dragon
Z-ARC Pendulum Magician	Adventurer Rose Dragon Tenyi	Adventurer P.U.N.K.
Suship	Pure D/D/D	Numeron Egyptian Gods
Galaxy Eyes OTK	Borrelend Dragon Link	Vaylantz
Beetrooper	Icejade Ra	Therion ABC
Libromancer	Mathmech	Spright Evil☆Twin
Spright Tri-Brigade	Ishizu Chaos	Slifer Arcana Knights
Gaia OTK	Vernusylph	Ancient Warriors
Ghoti	Springans	8-Axis Gizmek Orochi
Danger! Dark World	Mikanko	Scareclaw Kashtira
Zombie World P.U.N.K.	Hungry Burger Nouvelles	Obelisk the Tormentor
Mannadium	Gate Guardian	Gold Pride P.U.N.K.
Superheavy Samurai	Nemleria	Dragon Rulers
Snake-Eye	T.G. Diabellstar	Skull Servant
Kaiju	Resonators	Earthbound
Malefic	Kozmo	Armored Xyz Shark
Unchained	Battlin' Boxer	Chimera Illusion
Fire King Snake-Eyes	Vaalmonica	Memento
Horus Tearlaments	Centur-Ion	Dragon Master Magia
Ice Barrier	Infernoid	Lightsworn
Ogdoadic Ragnaraika	Genex	Tenpai Dragon
Goblin Biker	Infernoble	Armed Dragon
Flame Swordsman	Melodious

Control Decks

List of All Control Decks
Invoked Shaddoll	Eldlich Control	Drytron Fairy
True Draco	Dark Magician	Traptrix
Phantom Knights	Madolche	Relinquished
P.U.N.K.	DPE Scythe	Evil★Twin
Paleozoic Frog	Salamangreat	Gravekeepers
Monarch	Tellarknight	Agent
Exosisters	Darklord	Plunder Patrol
Rikka	Floowandereeze	Adventurer Phantom Knights
Dinomoprhia	Tri-Brigade Gladiator Beast	Adventurer Witchcrafter
Dark Magician Gravekeeper	Branded Tri-Brigade	Branded Despia
Zombie Vampire	Blue-Eyes Jet Dragon	Spellbook
Branded Cyber Dragon	Branded Zombies	Pure Scareclaw
Dinomorphia	Runick	Labrynth
Harpies	Buster Blader	Umi Control
Endymion	Nekroz	Spright
Spright Runick	Ishizu Runick	Branded Ishizu
Crystal Beasts	Orcust	Altergeist
Witchcrafter	Subterror Krawler	Mayakashi
Ishizu Tearlaments	Evilswarm	Melffy Spright
Bystial Branded	Dogmatika Bystial	Naturia Runick
Generaiders	Kashtira	Purrely
Ninja	Rescue-ACE	Gishki Spright
Prediction Princess	Vanquish Soul	Jinzo
Egyptian God	Ojama Control	Aromage
Ghostrick	Kuriboh	Anti-Meta Stun
Runick Spright Fur Hire	Horus Control	Toy Box Dark Magician
Yubel	Voiceless Voice	Rikka Ragnraika
Ritual Beast	Shining Sarcophagus

Burn Decks

List of All Burn Decks
Red-Eyes Burn	Timelord Burn	Chain Burn
D.D. Dynamite	Igknight OTK	Cubic
Dinosaur Bishbaalkin FTK	Volcanic Snake-Eyes	Transaction Rollback Burn

Alt-Win Decks

List of All Alternate Win Decks
Crooked Cook Exodia	Flower Cardian Exodia	Treasure Panda Exodia
Suicide	Defense OTK

All Budget Decks

List of All Budget Deck Guides
Budget Shark Xyz	Budget Eldlich	Budget Hippo Turbo
Budget Despia	Budget F.A. Metalfoes	Budget Blue-Eyes White Dragon
Budget Chain Burn	Budget Majespecter	Budget Yosenju
Budget Flower Cardian	Budget True Draco	Budget Amorphage
Budget Ishizu Tearlaments

Best Cards for Decks

Lists of Best Cards for Deck Building
Best Staple Cards		Best Searchers		Best Hand Traps
Best Board Wipes		Best Negates		Best Fusion Monsters
Best Synchro Monsters		Best Xyz Monsters		Best Link Monsters
Best Structure Decks			Best Decks to Go 1st or 2nd