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Evilswarm is a Control deck in Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel, known for having a multitude of Monster types with the DARK Affinity. Check out the core deck list, key combos, as well as how to play & counters!
List of Contents
Main Deck: 40 cards | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
x3 | x3 | x3 | x3 | x3 |
x3 | x3 | x2 | x1 | x3 |
x2 | x2 | x2 | x2 | x1 |
x1 | x3 | - | - | - |
Extra Deck: 15 cards | ||||
x2 | x2 | x1 | x1 | x1 |
x1 | x1 | x1 | x1 | x1 |
x1 | x1 | x1 | - | - |
Rarity | Name | Qty |
---|---|---|
Maxx "C" | 3 | |
Rescue Rabbit | 3 | |
Dimension Shifter | 2 | |
Ash Blossom & Joyous Spring | 3 | |
Evilswarm Kerykeion | 3 | |
Evilswarm Heliotrope | 3 | |
Evilswarm Mandragora | 3 | |
Evilswarm Castor | 3 | |
Evilswarm Ketos | 1 |
Rarity | Name | Qty |
---|---|---|
Reinforcement of the Army | 1 | |
Dark Ruler No More | 2 | |
Called by the Grave | 2 | |
Triple Tactics Talent | 2 | |
Necrovalley | 2 | |
Infestation Pandemic | 1 | |
Dimensional Fissure | 3 |
Rarity | Name | Qty |
---|---|---|
Macro Cosmos | 3 |
The combos in this Evilswarm Deck are pretty simple, being a Level 4 turbo Deck that doubles as a Control Deck. You're almost always going to Xyz Summon in this Deck, so follow these simple combos to get a feel for the Deck.
Cards Needed On Hand | |
---|---|
Step | Description |
1 | Normal Summon Rescue Rabbit, and activate its effect afterwards; send it to the GY, and then Special Summon [red]two copies[red] of Evilswarm Heliotrope. |
2 | Using the two copies of Evilswarm Heliotrope as materials, Xyz Summon Raider's Knight. |
3 | Activate the effect of Raider's Knight; detach one material from it, and use the remaining material and the Xyz Monster itself as material to Xyz Summon Arc Rebellion Xyz Dragon. |
4 | Activate the effect of Arc Rebellion Xyz Dragon; negate the effects of all other monsters on the field, and this monster gains ATK based on the ATK of all monsters on the field upon resolution. |
Cards Needed On Hand | |
---|---|
Step | Description |
1 | Normal Summon Rescue Rabbit, and activate its effect afterwards; send it to the GY, and then Special Summon [red]two copies[red] of Evilswarm Heliotrope. |
2 | Using the two copies of Evilswarm Heliotrope as materials, Xyz Summon an Evilswarm Xyz Monster. Example Options: Steelswarm Roach - Special Summon negates Evilswarm Exciton Knight - field wipe of monsters Evilswarm Ophion - "Infestation" Spell/Trap search |
Cards Needed On Hand | |
---|---|
Step | Description |
1 | Normal Summon Evilswarm Castor, and activate its effect afterwards; this allows you to Normal Summon another "Evilswarm" monster from your hand. |
2 | Using Evilswarm Castor and the other "Evilswarm" monster that was Normal Summoned as material, Xyz Summon an Rank 4 Xyz Monster. Example Options: Steelswarm Roach - Special Summon negates Evilswarm Exciton Knight - field wipe of monsters Evilswarm Ophion - "Infestation" Spell/Trap search Abyss Dweller - Graveyard effect denial |
+ 1 other "Evilswarm" monster |
→ |
Cards being moved out of the Graveyard via effects is a crucial part of strategies in the current meta of Yu-Gi-Oh. With it becoming a popular place to pool resources in, the best way to deny the opponent would be to shuffle those cards back to the Deck before they can take advantage.
For example, you can decide to shuffle back Destiny HERO - Destroyer Phoenix Enforcer before it can Special Summon itself from the GY through its own effect. The same can also be done against Spright Elf and Monster Reborn, just before it's about to Special Summon a monster from the GY.
Players can also use the shuffle effect against Called by the Grave, returning the targeted card from the GY to the Deck and preventing its effect from being negated.
It's not often that an archetype has a dedicated Normal Monster that they can intergrate into the Deck's gameplay, and for the Evilswarm archetype that responsibility goes to Evilswarm Heliotrope, with a nice 1950 ATK for a Level 4 monster.
With the help of Rescue Rabbit, the player can bring out two copies of Heliotrope instantely, which provides an easy path into a Rank 4 Xyz Monster Summon.
The other "Evilswarm" monsters generate advantage when they can. Evilswarm Castor is immediately notable for being able to provide a Double Summon effect, while Evilswarm Mandragora can be Special Summoned from the hand if the opponent has more monsters than you do.
Evilswarm Kerykeion can provide an additional Normal Summon to another "Evilswarm" monster by banishing a monster from the "lswarm" archetype umbrella, while Evilswarm Ketos provides control on the field, being able to destroy a Spell or Trap the opponent controls by tributing itself on the field.
The usual hand traps are mandatory as per usual--always start building a Deck with three copies each of Maxx"C" and Ash Blossom & Joyous Spring. The addition of Dimension Shifter is to deal with the plethora of Decks that use the Graveyard as a secondary resource, like Branded Despia or Ishizu Tearlaments
Most of the Spell and Trap Cards in this Deck are added to hinder the opponent as much as possible, especially with the current meta. Called by the Grave deals with hand traps and Graveyard effects by banishing and negating their effects, while Triple Tactics Talent punishes the usage of effects during your turn.
Dimensional Fissure and Macro Cosmos banishes monsters that were supposed to go to the GY instead, and unless the monsters benefit from being banished it is a dangerous effect. Meanwhile, Necrovalley locks down both players' Graveyards and preventing any cards from being moved in and out of there.
While being the only "Infestation" Spell Card in the Deck, it might be the most valuable. Infestation Pandemic provides certain monsters immunity from other Spells and Traps for the rest of the turn--and that includes the opponent's Spells and Traps.
The most common Xyz Monster you will be summoning in this Deck are Evilswarm Exciton Knight, which has a Quick Effect that destroys all monsters the opponent controls, at the cost of not being able to deal damage for the rest of the turn. Evilswarm Ophion comes at a close second, locking the opponent out of Special Summoning monsters that are Level 5 or higher, and provides a search effect for Infestation Pandemic.
Steelswarm Roach is a distant cousing from a very similar archetype, and its effect negates Special Summons from monsters Level 5 or higher.
Steelswarm Origin forces a floodgate--Extra Deck Monsters are forced to be summoned to the Zones its Link Markers are pointing towards. However, said monsters cannot be targeted by card effects nor can be destoyed. On top of that, it can Special Summon "lswarm" monsters straight from the Deck depending on how many were destroyed during the turn.
The rest of the Extra Deck is up to the player on what they can play given circumstances. Adding more control or a hint of firepower through powerful boss monsters will be up to the discretion of the Duelist.
Classic choices are Abyss Dweller to deal with Graveyard Effects, Raider's Knight making it easy to OTK with Arc Rebellion Xyz Dragon, and a full field wipe Quick Effect with Divine Arsenal AA-ZEUS - Sky Thunder after you attack with an Xyz Monster. Meanwhile, Number 66: Master Key Beetle provides immunity from battle destruction.
Some of the most common Link Monsters can work well with this Deck as well! Dharc the Dark Charmer, Gloomy can steal DARK monsters from the opponent's Graveyard, while players can always expect the usual trifecta of Knightmare Phoenix, Knightmare Unicorn and Accesscode Talker if they have the ability to Link Summon at any point.
The combos in this Evilswarm Deck are pretty simple, being a Level 4 turbo Deck that doubles as a Control Deck. You're almost always going to Xyz Summon in this Deck, so follow these simple combos to get a feel for the Deck.
Cards Needed On Hand | |
---|---|
Step | Description |
1 | Normal Summon Rescue Rabbit, and activate its effect afterwards; send it to the GY, and then Special Summon [red]two copies[red] of Evilswarm Heliotrope. |
2 | Using the two copies of Evilswarm Heliotrope as materials, Xyz Summon Raider's Knight. |
3 | Activate the effect of Raider's Knight; detach one material from it, and use the remaining material and the Xyz Monster itself as material to Xyz Summon Arc Rebellion Xyz Dragon. |
4 | Activate the effect of Arc Rebellion Xyz Dragon; negate the effects of all other monsters on the field, and this monster gains ATK based on the ATK of all monsters on the field upon resolution. |
Cards Needed On Hand | |
---|---|
Step | Description |
1 | Normal Summon Rescue Rabbit, and activate its effect afterwards; send it to the GY, and then Special Summon [red]two copies[red] of Evilswarm Heliotrope. |
2 | Using the two copies of Evilswarm Heliotrope as materials, Xyz Summon an Evilswarm Xyz Monster. Example Options: Steelswarm Roach - Special Summon negates Evilswarm Exciton Knight - field wipe of monsters Evilswarm Ophion - "Infestation" Spell/Trap search |
Cards Needed On Hand | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Step | Description | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1 | Normal Summon Evilswarm Castor, and activate its effect afterwards; this allows you to Normal Summon another "Evilswarm" monster from your hand. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2 | Using Evilswarm Castor and the other "Evilswarm" monster that was Normal Summoned as material, Xyz Summon an Rank 4 Xyz Monster. Example Options: Steelswarm Roach - Special Summon negates Evilswarm Exciton Knight - field wipe of monsters Evilswarm Ophion - "Infestation" Spell/Trap search Abyss Dweller - Graveyard effect denial |
## Boss Monsters
Evilswarm Exciton Knight | |
---|---|
Evilswarm Exciton Knight can wipe the opponent's monsters off the field with a card destruction Quick Effect, at the cost of not being able to deal damage until the end of the turn. Great for punishing the opponent from doing multiple Summons. | |
Evilswarm Ophion | |
Evilswarm Ophion serves as a floodgate that prevents the opponent from Special Summoning monsters that are Level 5 or higher, which is a very strong effect against Fusion and Synchro-centric Decks. It can also search out an "Infestation" Spell Card once per turn to support the Deck. | |
Abyss Dweller | |
Abyss Dweller is now a threat again due to the rampage caused by Ishizu Tearlament Decks and others by preventing any Graveyard effects from triggering. It helps that its material requirements are any Level 4 monsters, making it extremely easy to bring out. | |
Accesscode Talker | |
As with all Decks that can Link Summon, Accesscode Talker is a great late-game monster to bring out with its ATK boost and uninterruptable card destruction effect. It is almost always a package deal to bring this card if the Extra Deck also has cards like Knightmare Phoenix and Knightmare Unicorn as options. |
As of writing, there is no better Deck in the game than Ishizu Tearlaments. Their ability to Fusion Summon powerful monsters at any point is unmatched, and their control on the field once properly set up is extremely hard to break. Even more dangerous are variants that run Super Polymerization, which can use your own monsters as Fusion Material.
Ishizu Tearlaments Deck List & Card Guide
Runick Decks are still going strong even after multiple hits on their main cards and supports, especially with multiple floodgates being hit into the banlist. This Deck will deny and punish any chance for plays or even presence on the field. Unless you have an answer for their collection of Quick-Play Spells, this will be an extremely hard match-up.
Runick Deck Lists | |
---|---|
Pure Runick | Spright Runick |
Ishizu Runick | Naturia Runick |
Floowandereeze is the best Deck in the game when it comes to using Normal Summons; their ability to chain them into even stronger monsters while keeping resource management strong is what makes them a top-tier Deck even against the strongest meta-defining Decks.
Floowandereeze Deck List & Card Guide
Summon Limit | |
---|---|
Depending on how the Deck starts, they can get quite a number of Summons going. Summon Limit prevents that, and slows down the pace of the Duel to a more manageable speed with both players limited to two Summons per turn. | |
Ash Blossom & Joyous Spring | |
There are quite a number of effects in Ash Blossom & Joyous Spring that the Deck specifically runs, like Special Summoning straight from the Deck or adding cards from there. If you end up with a bad hand when this card is activated against you, the Duel is as good as over. | |
Super Polymerization | |
Super Polymerization is very dangerous against this Deck as the Evilswarm monsters are DARK monsters--and they can be susceptible to be Fusion Material for monsters like Mudragon of the Swamp or Starving Venom Fusion Dragon. | |
Lava Golem | |
The Extra Deck Monsters do not have a lot of staying power, nor do they have floating effects that trigger if they leave the field. Lava Golem, alongside other Kaiju-like monsters, can immediately clear the Deck's monsters without using a lot of resources. |
Cosmic Mechanical Entities | Forgotten City Dwellers |
Legacy Pack | Master Pack |
Soldiers from the Storm | Yearning Evil Body |
Yu-Gi-Oh Master Duel Deck Archetypes
Deck Tier List: Best Decks for Season 35
2024 World Champions: Team 7 | ||
---|---|---|
Horus Tearlaments | Yubel | Fire King Snake-Eyes |
Salamangreat | Purrely | Vanquish Soul |
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 |
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 |
List of All Alternate Win Decks | ||
---|---|---|
Crooked Cook Exodia | Flower Cardian Exodia | Treasure Panda Exodia |
Suicide | Defense OTK |
Evilswarm Deck List & Card Guide
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