With added support for the Branded archetype with the release of the new The Newborn Dragon Selection Pack, it now enjoys an even stronger synergy with Despia, creating a powerful Control Deck! Read on to heck out the core deck list, key combos, as well as how to play & counters!

Branded Fusion Decks
Branded Tri-Brigade	Branded Despia
Branded Cyber Dragon	Branded Zombies
Branded Ishizu	Branded Dragonmaids

Branded Despia Deck List

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

Branded Despia Breakdown

Tier Evaluation

Tier Ranking
God Tier
Deck Archetype		Deck Difficulty
Control		Medium
Deck Evaluation
One of the most consistent Decks due to synergy to Fusion Summon powerful monsters Extremely flexible options in the Extra Deck, allowing players to adjust and pivot Can be slotted in with other archetypes; brings both offense and defense

Branded Despia Deck Guide: How to Play

Playstyle and Win Condition

Branded Despia's playstyle has evolved from full Control to a balance between offense and defense. It can still stop the opponent from playing the game normally with debilitating effects, numerous hand traps, and powerful Fusion Monsters on the field, but it is now flexible enough to go for potential OTKs.

Despite a lack of variety in the Extra Deck, all the Fusion Monsters in there have dangerous monsters that contribute to controlling the flow of the game.

Aluber the Jester of Despia and Fallen of Albaz are classic staples for their respective archetypes that provide the combo necessary, with Aluber being able to search out any Branded card, which leads to Branded Fusion. Being able to use materials straight from the Main Deck allows almost the entirety of the Extra Deck very accessible.

This easily combos into Lubellion the Searing Dragon. Shuffling back Fusion Materials from the GY or the banished pile allows the Deck to gain back its resources easily, to be used again later in the Duel.

Despian Tragedy is an amazing monster to use as Fusion Material, as when sent to the GY or banished, it can search out a key

Dramaturge of Despia is an easy-to-summon monster that acts as an anti-Extra Deck Monster counter to negate their effects on summon. On top of that, when used as Fusion Material, this card can Special Summon itself.

Whenever you Fusion Summon using Branded in Red, the best material to use is always Ad Libitum of Despia; if it ends up banished or in the GY as Fusion Material, it can Special Summon either a "Despia" or a Level 8 Fusion Monster from either the same places.

The Fusion Monster options are incredibly potent from the Branded archetype. Masquerade is a very popular choice due to the pressure it provides to the opponent with its unique burn ability, while Rindbrumm can negate an Extra Deck Monster's effect, then bounce another monster back t othe hand.

Predaplant Dragostapelia is also a good floodgate Fusion Monster that cripples effect monsters, and was a popular choice of target to summon after using Super Polymerization. This is best used on targeting a single monster that's about to use its effects.

The main boss monster is Mirrorjade the Iceblade Dragon, which banishes monsters and sends an Extra Deck Monster from your own to the GY. This latter effect is the perfect use of Albion the Branded Dragon, which gives it a Branded Spell or Trap to be set the End Phase that this card was sent to the GY.

As with all Control Decks, there are a few additions that prevents the oopponent from making any proper plays. Searches get denied thanks to Ash Blossom & Joyous Spring, and Graveyard-based effects are threatened with Called by the Grave and Crossout Designator.

Super Polymerization fits in well as a way to conduct a Fusion Summon at any point in the Duel completely uncontested, not just being used to bring out Dragostapelia.

In the uncanny chance the Fusion Spells like Branded Fusion and Despia, Theater of the Branded leaves you short on resources to do Fusions, Frightfur Patchwork is an easy way to get some resources to use to Fusion Summon, especially Polymerization.

Super Polymerization can be run up to 3 copies if the player so wishes; they just have to take note that they can only activate this if the materials for a Fusion Summon are on the field--including the opponent's side.

There are three other cards to use in order to Fusion Summon--two Spells, and one Trap. Despia, Theater of the Branded is the archetype's signature Field Spell; on top of conduction Fusion Summons, it can revive your Fusion Monsters if certain monsters get destroyed by battle or opponent's card effect.

The other is Branded is Red, which banishes materials to Fusion Summon, but must first retrieve a "Despia" monster or a Fallen of Albaz from the Graveyard first as requirement.

Branded Banishment is a Trap Card that can conduct Fusion Summons, by first Special Summoning a "Despia" mosnter or a Level 8 or higher Fusion Monster from the GY. If the opponent has monsters that can be used as material, they can be selected.

Core Combos and Interactions

One-Card Combo: Aluber

Key Cards on Hand
Step	Description
1	Normal Summon Aluber the Jester of Despia, and activate its effect to search out Branded Fusion.
2	Activate Branded Fusion, using Fallen of Albaz and Despian Tragedy from the Deck as material, to Fusion Summon Lubellion the Searing Dragon.
3	Activate Lubellion as Chain Link 1, then activate Despian Tragedy as Chain Link 2. Chain Link 2: Through Despian Tragedy's Effect, discard Edge Imp Chain to search out Ad Libitum of Despia from the Deck to the hand. Chain Link 1: Through Lubellion's Effect, Fusion Summnon Mirrorjade the Iceblade Dragon using Lubellion the Searing Dragon and Fallen of Albaz from the Graveyard to be shuffled back into the Deck.
4	Activate the effect of Edge Imp Chain, and search out a copy of Frightfur Patchwork fromo the Deck to add to the hand. Activate it to search out Polymerization and another copy of Edge Imp Chain
5	Activate the effect of Mirrorjade the Iceblade Dragon; send a copy of Albion the Branded Dragon to the Graveyard, and banish a monster on the field of your choosing. Use this effect if there is a monster already on the opponent's field.
6	Activate Polymerization; using Edge Imp Chain and Aluber the Jester of Despia as materials, Fusion Summon Masquerade the Blazing Dragon.
7	Go into End Phase; this prompts the effect of Albion the Branded Dragon that was sent to the GY earlier. Activate it, and Set Branded in Red from the Deck straight to your Spell/Trap Zones.
Pass to Opponent's Turn
8	At your discretion during the opponent's turn, activate Branded in Red; bring back a copy of Despian Tragedy from the GY to the hand, then Fusion Summon Guardian Chimera using Mirrorjade, Ad Libitum of Despia and the Despian Tragedy you just retrieved.
9	Activate Guardian Chimera as Chain Link 1, then Despian Tragedy as Chain Link 2, and Ad Libitum of Despia as Chain Link 3. Chain Link 3: Using Ad Libitum's effect, Special Summon Mirrorjade the Iceblade Dragon back to the field Chain Link 2: Through Despian Tragedy's Effect, search out a copy of Aluber the Jester of Despia. Chain Link 1: With Guardian Chimera's effect, draw 2 cards, then destroy 1 card on the field.

Field by End Phase

No Field Spell Active
			X
(Set)	-	-	-	-

Tip!	Try not to activate Branded in Red during your turn, regardless of the game state on the field. Using this to Fusion Summon locks the monster out of attacking directly until the end of the turn that it was summoned.

Field after Branded in Red

No Field Spell Active
			X
	-	-	-	-

Boss Monsters

	Mirrorjade the Iceblade Dragon
	One of the more recent Branded Fusion monsters, Mirrorjade the Iceblade Dragon has the ability to banish a monster on the field by sending an Extra Deck Monster to the Graveyard, essentially a Foolish Burial effect for the Extra Deck. It also has an incredibly strong field clear effect if this card is removed from the field through a card effect from the opponent.
	Masquerade the Blazing Dragon
	Masquerade the Blazing Dragon is a staple among Despia decks. The ability to burn the oppnonent each time an effect is to be activated is unmatched, and has been subject to a popular lockdown combo featuring three copies of itself summoned on the field on other variations of Despia Decks.
	Lubellion the Searing Dragon
	Lubellion the Searing Dragon acts as a combo extender due to its effect allowing another Fusion Summon after this monster itself Fusion Summoned onto the field. It has higher DEF to its ATK, and is an excellent defensive option if need be.
	Predaplant Dragostapelia
	Usually a prime target for Super Polymerization if the opponent has even 1 DARK mosnter on the field, Predaplannt Dragostapelia is a great counter for pesky effect monsters by giving a token-based negate effect. On top of that, the negation effect is a Quick Effect, which has a faster Spell Speed than traditional monster effects.
	Guardian Chimera
	Guardian Chimera has a very powerful effect in comparison to the material requirement of three monsters with different names. If a Fusion Material is used from the hand, you can draw for each one used there. Likewise, you can destroy a number of cards on the field equal to the number of Fusion Material used that came from the field. On top of that, the opponent cannot target this card if a copy of Polymerization is in the Graveyard.

Branded Despia Counters: How to Beat

Best Decks to Use Against Branded Despia

Branded Despia

When a Deck is this strong and this consistent, sometimes it means players will have to fight fire with fire. Branded Despia Decks fighting in a mirror match all comes down to which player has the better starting hand and draws. This is a great way to learn if there are any adjustments to do to your Deck, like add an Engine tech in a couple of specific cards.

Floowandereeze

While Floowandereeze players dread the burn effect from Masquerade, it is still a very strong card in the current metagame. The fact that it can do Normal Summons instead of Special Summons during the opponent's turn means it could surprise any Branded Despia player with effects before they were even done setting up.

Floowandereeze Deck Guide

Tri-Brigade

Even the addition of more powerful archetypes, Deck engines and card combos in the game, Tri-Brigade Deck variants are still powerful Decks to run. Branded Despia even has a small synergy with a new card released in The Newborn Dragon with Tri-Brigade Mercourier.

Tri-Brigade Deck Lists
Pure Tri-Brigade	Zoodiac
Bird Up	Spright

Dragon Link

Dragon Link Decks also got a bit of a boost thanks in part to the addition of Borrelend Dragon, which ironically comes from the same Selection Pack in The Newborn Dragon. Going second as a Dragon Link player versus Branded Despia might require a bit more luck, but with the right set up this Deck can take on anything, even a full-power Branded Despia Deck.

Dragon Link Deck Guide

Best Cards to Tech Against Branded Despia

	Dark Ruler No More
	The main source of power for the Deck's Control playstyle is the myeriad of effects from its Fusion Monsters, especailly if it's anything as pesky as Masquerade's burn damage. While it might lock out the user from dealing any damage to the opponent, Dark Ruler No More effectively negates all the effects of the opponent's monsters for a turn.
	Gameciel, the Sea Turtle Kaiju
	Kaijus in general are a magnificent counter to the Fusion Monsters in a Branded Despia Deck, as tributing them does not trigger any kind of effect, even Masquerade's burn damage effect. Gameciel, the Sea Turtle Kaiju just so happens to have the lowest ATK among the Kaiju monsters.
	Forbidden Droplet
	At the cost of discarding cards equal to the number of Monster Cards targetted, not only will Forbidden Droplet drop their respective ATKs, it also negates their effects. The opponent also cannot respond to this Quick Spell using the type of cards that were discarded to activate.
	Skill Drain
	Costing 1000 LP to activate Skill Drain is a good trade off to negate all active effects on the field, even though it also affect your own monsters. This lockdown remains active so long as the Continuous Trap remains face-up on the field, so expect the Branded Despia Deck to find a way to destroy this card.

Related Packs to Branded Despia

Alba Abyss	Fiendish Playthings
Legacy Pack	Master Pack
Refined Blade	The Newborn Dragon
Transfigured Heroes

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