Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel

Evilswarm Deck List & Card Guide

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Master Duel - Evilswarm

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!

Evilswarm Deck List

Main Deck: 40 cards
Evilswarm Heliotrope x3 Evilswarm Castor x3 Evilswarm Kerykeion x3 Evilswarm Mandragora x3 Ash Blossom & Joyous Spring x3
Maxx "C" x3 Rescue Rabbit x3 Dimension Shifter x2 Evilswarm Ketos x1 Dimensional Fissure x3
Called by the Grave x2 Dark Ruler No More x2 Necrovalley x2 Triple Tactics Talent x2 Infestation Pandemic x1
Reinforcement of the Army x1 Macro Cosmos x3 - - -
Extra Deck: 15 cards
Evilswarm Exciton Knight x2 Evilswarm Ophion x2 Steelswarm Roach x1 Abyss Dweller x1 Number 66: Master Key Beetle x1
Raider x1 Arc Rebellion Xyz Dragon x1 Divine Arsenal AA-ZEUS - Sky Thunder x1 Steelswarm Origin x1 Dharc the Dark Charmer, Gloomy x1
Knightmare Phoenix x1 Knightmare Unicorn x1 Accesscode Talker x1 - -

Evilswarm Breakdown

Evilswarm Deck Guide: How to Play

Playstyle and Win Condition

Master Duel - Evilswarm Banner

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.

Rescue Rabbit into Arc Rebellion

Cards Needed On Hand
Rescue Rabbit
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.

Rescue Rabbit into Xyz Monster

Cards Needed On Hand
Rescue Rabbit
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

Evilswarm Double Summon into Xyz Monster

Cards Needed On Hand
Evilswarm Castor
+ 1 other "Evilswarm" monster
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
Evilswarm Castor
+ 1 other "Evilswarm" monster
Monster Reborn Spright Elf Destiny HERO - Destroyer Phoenix Enforcer Called by the Grave

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.

Main Deck Monster

Evilswarm Heliotrope Rescue Rabbit

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.

Evilswarm Castor Evilswarm Mandragora Evilswarm Kerykeion Evilswarm Ketos

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.

Ash Blossom & Joyous Spring Maxx "C" Dimension Shifter

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

Spell and Trap Cards

Called by the Grave Dimensional Fissure Triple Tactics Talent Necrovalley Macro Cosmos

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.

Infestation Pandemic

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.

Extra Deck Monsters

Evilswarm Exciton Knight Evilswarm Ophion Steelswarm Roach Steelswarm Origin

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.

Abyss Dweller Raider Arc Rebellion Xyz Dragon Number 66: Master Key Beetle Divine Arsenal AA-ZEUS - Sky Thunder

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.

Dharc the Dark Charmer, Gloomy Knightmare Phoenix Knightmare Unicorn Accesscode Talker

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.

Core Combos and Interactions

Master Duel - Evilswarm Banner

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.

Rescue Rabbit into Arc Rebellion

Cards Needed On Hand
Rescue Rabbit
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.

Rescue Rabbit into Xyz Monster

Cards Needed On Hand
Rescue Rabbit
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

Evilswarm Double Summon into Xyz Monster

## Boss Monsters
Cards Needed On Hand
Evilswarm Castor
+ 1 other "Evilswarm" monster
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
Evilswarm Exciton Knight
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 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 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
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.

Evilswarm Counters: How to Beat

Best Decks to Use Against Evilswarm

Ishizu Tearlaments

Master Duel - Ishizu Tearlaments

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 Control

Runick Top Image

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
Master Duel - Runick Partial BannerPure Runick Master Duel - Spright Riunick Partial BannerSpright Runick
Master Duel - Ishizu Runick Partial BannerIshizu Runick Master Duel - Naturia Runick Partial Banner.pngNaturia Runick

Floowandereeze

Master Duel - Floowandereeze

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

Best Cards to Tech Against Evilswarm

Summon Limit
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
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 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
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.

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Cosmic Mechanical Entities Forgotten City Dwellers
Legacy Pack Master Pack
Soldiers from the Storm Yearning Evil Body

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