Branded Ishizu Deck List & Card Guide

The Branded Despia Deck is one of the many Decks that can take advantage of the Ishizu Cards, being able to mill the Deck repeatedly. Check out the core deck list for this Branded Ishizu Deck, along with key combos, as well as how to play & counters!

Branded Ishizu Deck List

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

Branded Ishizu Breakdown

Branded Ishizu Deck Guide: How to Play

Playstyle and Win Condition

The Deck is composed of two halves, having momentary synergy once the opportunity aligns. Both of them use the Graveyard as a secondary resource pool, and is where most of their ability to play with each other well happens.

Branded Despia

First is the Branded Despia half of the Deck, which has a Control playstyle, stopping the opponent from playing the game normally with debilitating effects, numerous hand traps, and powerful Fusion Monsters on the field.

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. It might lock the player into only being able to use Fusion Monsters in the Extra Deck, but being able to use materials straight from the Main Deck makes the boss monsters very accessible.

This easily combos into a new Fusion Monster also added from the Selection Pack: Lubellion the Searing Dragon. Being able to Fusion Summon using this card's effect after being Fusion Summoned itself makes it very strong, but then shuffling the monster materials from the Graveyard and even face-up Banished Cards back to the Deck simply provides even more resources in the long run, allowing the player to use Aluber's and Albaz's effects trigger once they have it again.

Despian Comedy and Despian Tragedy are perfect Fusion fodder to use Branded Fusion on. Tragedy in particular has two separate effects that lets it search out a card either from the Deck or from the Graveyard. Comedy on the other hand acts as a hand trap to protect your Despia cards, and can Special Summon itself from the Graveyard by tributing a Fusion Monster you control.

Branded Retirbution is a Counter Trap that stops the oponent from Special Summoning. Ideally, the cost for activating this card is shuffling back two Fusion Monsters in your GY. It can also banish itself from the GY to get back a "Branded" Spell or Trap from the GY for you to use.

The Fusion Monster options are incredibly potent from the Branded archetype. Masquerade the Blazing Dragon is a very popular choice due to the pressure it provides to the opponent with its unique burn ability, while Titaniklad has both impressive stats and a floating effect.

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--especially against the DPE Engine.

Mirrorjade the Iceblade Dragon can be considered the Deck's Ace Monster, having a very powerful effect of banishing a monster from the field by sending a Fusion Monster from the Extra Deck monster to the Graveyard. This 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.

Despian Quaeritis can be considered a fallback plan or an opening Fusion Monster to bait the opponent. The moment it leaves the field thanks to the opponent's monster battling or card effect, it can Special Summon Fallen of Albaz, and subsequently, that monster can use its effect to Fusion Summon using itself and the opponent's monsters as mateirals if it matches.

The rest of the Fusion Monsters are no slouches eitther. Guardian Chimera generates card advantage and field control depending on where its Fusion Materials come from--from the hand, it's a draw for each one; from the field, the player can destroy a card for each one.

The other two targets are great monsters to summon when using Super Polymerization. Mudragon of the Swamp is the card of choice to Fusion Summon if the opponent controls multiple types of monsters.

Earth Golem @Ignister is a specific counter against a Spright Deck, whenever it manages to put a full combo with the Spright Engine with I:P Masquerena.

Ishizu Cards Engine

Agido the Ancient Sentinel and Kelbek the Ancient Vanguard can mill cards from both players' Decks to the GY. This gives them quite the synergy with the Runick archetype, which loves having their Spells in there to be recycled later.

With Keldo the Sacred Protector and Mudora the Sword Oracle having their recycle effects as Quick Effects, players can use this effect proactively and defensively.

Diviner of the Herald's effect makes it easier to get Agido or Kelbek to the Graveyard, while increasing its Level for a potential Synchro Summon. And with it being a Fairy-type monster, Herald of Orange Light can be added in as an additional hand trap against monster effects.

Maxx "C" and Ash Blossom & Joyous Spring are the classic hand traps that are basically mandatory in the current Special Summon-heavy meta in Master Duel.

Core Combos and Interactions

Despian Comedy and Theater of the Branded

This simple once-per-turn loop provides protection to your Fusion Monsters from battle or card destruction effects, and Special Summons them right back to the field once Despian Comedy is removed from the field via opponent's card effect or battle. This loop works best with Mirrorjade the Iceblade Dragon.

Cards Needed
NOTE: Despian Comedy has to be in the GY, while Mirrorjade and Theater of the Branded must be active on the field.
Step	Description
1	If Mirrorjade the Iceblade Dragon is targeted, either for battle (ideally) or for a card effect, activate Despian Comedy in the GY; tribute Mirrorjade, then Special Summon itself in the Fusion Monster's place.
2	If Despian Comedy leaves the field due to the opponent's card effect, or by battle, activate the effect of Despia, Theater of the Branded, and Special Summon back to the field Mirrorjade the Iceblade Dragon
3	With it back on the field, Mirrorjade the Iceblade Dragon's effect has been refreshed, and can be used again.

Branded Fusion + Ishizu Card

This is the most basic combo to take advantage of both the Branded Despia's strength alongside the Ishizu Card's milling ability.

Cards Needed On Hand
| OR
Step	Description
1	Activate Branded Fusion; using Fallen of Albaz and Despian Tragedy as Fusion Materials from the Deck, Fusion Sumon Lubellion the Searing Dragon.
2	Activate the effect of Lubellion the Searing Dragon, and discard either Agido the Ancient Sentinel or Kelbek the Ancient Vanguard to the GY; using Lubellion and Fallen of Albaz in the GY as Fusion Mateirals; shuffle them back to the Deck & Extra Deck, and Fusion Summon Mirrorjade the Iceblade Dragon.
3	Activate the effect of Agido the Ancioent Sentinel or Kelbek the Ancent Vanguard in the GY; mill 5 cards from the top of both players' Decks.
4	OPTIONAL If the other Ishizu mill Card is sent to the GY due to Agido or Kelbek's effect, activate the other's effect, and send 5 more cards from the top of both players' Decks to the GY.
5	OPTIONAL If Despian Tragedy was milled to the GY with one of their effects, activate its effect; search out a copy of Branded in Red from the Deck to the hand.

Boss Monsters

	Mirrorjade the Iceblade Dragon
	Mirrorjade the Iceblade Dragon is the main Fusion Monster a usual Branded Despia usually runs, having a free banish for a Quick Effect and a floating effect that destroys all the opponent's monsters. It can be cheated out with Fallen of Albaz and using a Fusion, Synchro, Xyz or Link Monster the opponent controls as the other Fusion material.
	Masquerade the Blazing Dragon
	For every effect the opponent triggers when Masquerade the Blazing Dragon is on the field after being Fusion Summoned, it burns them with Effect Damage. The damage stacks if there are multiple Fusion Summoned Masquerades, so players would ofen try to get two of this monster on the field.
	Guardian Chimera
	Just by Fusion Summoning Guardian Chimera it already provides card advantage. For every material it used from the hand, it provides a draw; for every material it used that was on the field, it destroys a card on the field.
	Predaplant Dragostapelia
	Predaplant Dragostapelia has a Quick Effect that can keep multiple Effect Monsters negated once it plants a Predator Counter on them, and this Fusion Monster is active on the field. This card is a very popular target for Super Polymerization, especially if the opponent's mosnters on the field already fulfills this card's Fusion material requrirements.

Branded Ishizu Counters: How to Beat

Best Decks to Use Against Branded Ishizu

Sprights

Spright Decks are consistent enough to be able to play through a Branded Despia variant's disruptions, and when played right can go through even the strongest monsters this Deck has. It gets worse if the Spright Deck goes first, being able to set up a field with multiple negates.

Spright Deck Lists
Pure		Runick		Evil★Twin
Tri-Brigade		Melffy		Gishki

Umi Control

Umi Control has a really oppressive field once it manages to properly set up, that the Branded monsters will be having difficulty breaking through. Especially once it gets its various floodgates on the field and it has a lot of negates to protect effects to endanger them.

Umi Control Deck List & Card Guide

Labrynth Control

Labrynth Decks run some of the most disruptive Trap Cards in the game, and more often than not this Deck does not run a lot of cards that can deal with the opponent's Spells or Traps. If they manage to get their core loop combo on the field, especially revolving around Lovely Labrynth of the Silver Castle, the Duel gets a lot harder.

Labrynth Control Deck List & Control Guide

Runick Control

Runick's core cards is splashable with a lot of Decks, and provides disruption after disruption that this Deck cannot answer most of the time. While some of the Branded Despia cards can benefit from being banished like Depsian Tragedy, this Deck will be uplayable if the Runick cards manage to banish too many card from the Deck.

Runick Control Deck List & Card Guide

Best Cards to Tech Against Branded Ishizu

	D.D. Crow
	D.D. Crow is actually more of a counter for the Ishizu Cards, but it can work for the rest of the Deck. As soon as a card is placed in the Graveyard, trigger this card's effect from the hand and banish it before the opponent can trigger its effect. Just make sure the banished card doesn't have an effect that triggers when banished.
	Maxx "C"
	Depending on how committed the Branded Ishizu player is, Maxx "C" can punish the Deck's penchant for Fusion Sumons. Time it right to get at least one free draw, and make sure to protect it with other hand traps when available, like Called by the Grave or Nobleman Crossout.
	Called by the Grave
	There are quite a number of cards that trigger their effects in the GY, like Albion, Despian Tragedy, Despian Quaritis and the hand traps. Called by the Grave can banish them and negate their effects simultaneously, rendering their advantage useless.
	Anti-Spell Fragrance
	Anti-Spell Fragrance denies this Deck the ability to immediately use their powerful Spells, and some of the monsters are dependent on them like the various Fusion Monsters. It also gives you the chance to destroy them with non-Spell effects before they can get a chance to activate them on their next turn.
	Skill Drain
	Most of the monsters in this Deck, especially the Branded Despia half, trigger their effects while they are on the field. Skill Drain saps them of their effects, and is a staple for a lot of Control Decks that deny some of the strongest effects in the game.

Related Packs to Branded Ishizu

AI Omniscience	Alba Abyss
Legacy Pack	Master Pack
Miraculous Advent	Natural Selection
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