Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel

Decks That Go First or Second in a Duel

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Master Duel - Going First or Second

Sometimes, the Duel is almost decided depedning if the player can play either the first or second turn of the game. However, there are some Decks that work far better if they can get its usually preferred turn. Read on to learn which Decks work better if they go first or second in a Duel!

Best Decks that Should Go First

Eldlich Control

Master Duel - Eldlich Control

Eldlich Control''s signature playstyle slows down the game considerably, having to deel with various Trap Cards and floodgates that most aggressive Decks have trouble dealing with.

For the most part, the Deck doesn't even need to use the Extra Deck, but has access to it depending on the player's preference.

Cards to Watch Out For

Key Cards for Eldlich Control
Eldlich the Golden Lord Cursed Eldland Skill Drain Anti-Spell Fragrance Eldlixir of Scarlet Sanguine

Eldlich Control Deck List & Card Guide

Labrynth

Master Duel - Labrynth

Much like Eldlich Decks, Labrynth Decks slow down the pace of the game with their Traps, but this one focuses on having Normal Trap Cards set on the field at all times.

The more it uses Normal Traps, the more it gains control over the field; from destroying cards from the hand to being able to Set Traps even on the opponent's turn.

Cards to Watch Out For

Key Cards for Labrynth Control
Lovely Labrynth of the Silver Castle Arianna the Labrynth Servant Labrynth Labyrinth Welcome Labrynth Compulsory Evacuation Device

Labrynth Deck List & Card Guide

Branded Despia

Master Duel - Branded Despia

Even in the current meta in Master Duel, Branded Despia Decks can hang with the very best, and has the flexibility to adopt a number of Deck Engines to give some variety into the Deck.

It usually likes to go first to be able to set up uninterrupted, and get key Fusion Monsters out on the field as soon as possible.

Cards to Watch Out For

Key Cards for Branded Despia
Fallen of Albaz Aluber the Jester of Despia Mirrorjade the Iceblade Dragon Branded Fusion Branded in Red
Branded Fusion Decks
Branded Tri-Brigade Branded Despia
Branded Cyber Dragon Branded Zombies
Branded Ishizu Branded Dragonmaids

Tenyi Swordsoul

Master Duel - Tenyi Swordsoul

While Tenyi Swordsoul can technically be played on either side of the coin toss, this Deck works better going first due to its simple yet powerful combo openings to get at least two boss Synchro Monsters out on the field.

It has plays to go around anything that tries to stop it, and at the end of the turn can end up having a card advantage.

Cards to Watch Out For

Key Cards for Tenyi Swordsoul
Archnemeses Protos Swordsoul of Taia Swordsoul Grandmaster - Chixiao Baronne de Fleur Swordsoul Blackout

Tenyi Swordsoul Deck List & Card Guide

Sprights

Master Duel - Spright

Sprights are known for taking low-level monsters into powerhouses, being able to Special Summon monsters one after another to create a near-unbreakable field that can stop multiple interruptions.

What makes them even more dangerous is their flexibility with archetypes, being able to support multiple other Decks by using its most important cards into a Deck Engine.

Cards to Watch Out For

Key Cards for Tenyi Swordsoul
Spright Carrot Gigantic Spright Spright Elf Spright Smashers Swordsoul Blackout
Spright Deck Lists
Pure SprightPure Runick SprightRunick Evil★Twin Spright PartialEvil★Twin
Tri-Brigade SprightTri-Brigade Master Duel - Melffy SprightMelffy Master Duel - Gishki SprightGishki

Mathmech

Master Duel - Mathmech

Mathmech is incredibly consistent with its combos, being able to bring out powerful Link Monsters with relative ease, and maintaining card advantage.

If it goes first and manages to complete one of its many combos it can branch off into, the opponent will have to deal with mutiple disruptions on their turn.

Cards to Watch Out For

Key Cards for Mathmech
Mathmech Circular Primathmech Alembertian Primathmech Laplacian Small World Mathmech Superfactorial

Mathmech Deck List & Card Guide

Marincess

Master Duel - Marincess

Marincess Decks are one of the most underrated Link-centric Decks in the game, and they have gotten more and more support over time, directly or indirectly.

Their ability to push through and continue Link Climbing to their key boss monsters that are rather hard to get rid off the field is more consistent than Duelists realize most of the time.

Cards to Watch Out For

Key Cards for Marincess
Marincess Crystal Heart Marincess Aqua Argonaut Worldsea Dragon Zealantis Marincess Battle Ocean Marincess Wave

Best Decks that Should Go Second

Floowandereeze

Master Duel - Floowandereeze

In a meta defined by multiple Special Summons in a single turn, Floowandereeze breaks the trend by focusing on chaining Normal Summons one after another to get monsters.

The Extra Deck is merely an afterthought to them, and this Deck one of the few that takes advantage of being banished instead of being sent to the Graveyard.

Cards to Watch Out For

Key Cards for Floowandereeze
Floowandereeze & Robina Floowandereeze & Empen Floowandereeze and the Magnificent Map Dimensional Fissure Floowandereeze and the Dreaming Town

Floowandereeze Deck List & Card Guide

Exosisters

Master Duel - Exosisters

Exosister Decks are very strong against Decks that use the Graveyard as a secondary resource pool, especially if they move cards out of the pile for whatever reason.

Their ability to punish that makes them great for going second, as one wrong move by the opponent can lead to multiple Xyz Summons, cards being banished, and locking out the GY.

Cards to Watch Out For

Key Cards for Exosisters
Exosister Martha Exosister Mikailis Exosister Pax Exosister Vadis Exosister Returnia

Exosisters Deck List & Card Guide

Sky Strikers

Master Duel - Sky Strikers

What makes Sky Strikers dangerous is their numerous Quick-Play Spell Cards, and their ability to constantly refresh their Spell Cards back from the GY.

The ace monsters of the Deck can be easily summoned through Quick Effects, and they get stronger for every Spell Card that the player used.

Cards to Watch Out For

Key Cards for Sky Strikers
Sky Striker Ace - Kagari Sky Striker Ace - Shizuku Sky Striker Mobilize - Engage! Sky Striker Mecha - Widow Anchor Sky Striker Mobilize - Linkage!

Sky Strikers Deck List & Card Guide

Ancient Warriors

Master Duel - Ancient Warriors Top Image.png

Ancient Warriors benefit from going second, as the archetype likes having the opponent control more monsters than you do. This works in their favor, and allows them to generate plays despite the disadvantage.

Their Main Deck monsters are strong on their own, so players can run cards in the Extra Deck to their own discretion and can add quite a lot of options if they so choose.

Cards to Watch Out For

Key Cards for Ancient Warriors
Ancient Warriors - Rebellious Lu Feng Ancient Warriors - Masterful Sun Mou Ancient Warriors Oath - Double Dragon Lords Ancient Warriors Saga - Deception and Betrayal Ancient Warriors Saga - Three Visits

Ancient Warriors Deck List & Card Guide

Decks that Can Go First or Second

Ishizu Tearlaments

Master Duel - Ishizu Tearlaments

As of writing, Ishizu Tearlaments is the definitve most played Deck in the current meta, and is heavily considered the strongest due to being a good matchuip against any Deck--regardless of going first or second.

Its ability to create and deny plays through shuffling cards, milling the Deck, Fusion Summoning monsters and having so many varieties in Deck Recipes, makes this Deck a dangerously responsive opponent.

Ishizu Tearlaments Deck List & Card Guide

Cards to Watch Out For

Key Cards for Ishizu Tearlaments
Mudora the Sword Oracle Tearlaments Havnis Tearlaments Kitkallos Abyss Dweller Primeval Planet Perlereino

Ghoti

Master Duel - Ghoti

Ghoti Decks set themselves apart from other Synchro Decks by not only being fine having their materials be banished, but they are Special Summoned the turn after they were banished, and can conduct Synchro Summons afterwards.

This allows the Deck to use what usually are punishing effects that banish cards into their own advantage, and can summon stronger monsters as the Duel progresses.

Cards to Watch Out For

Key Cards for Ghoti
Dimension Shifter Paces, Light of the Ghoti Arionpos, Serpent of the Ghoti Adamancipator Risen - Dragite Ghoti of the Deep Beyond

Runick

Master Duel - Runick

Runick Decks punish the opponent for having any kind of presence on the field, through Quick-Play Spells that banish cards from the top of the opponent's Deck.

They can work regardless if the Deck goes first or second, so long as they can set up their ability to slow down the game, and punish the opponent until they completely Deck Out.

Cards to Watch Out For

Key Cards for Runick
Hugin the Runick Wings Runick Fountain Runick Tip There Can Be Only One Skill Drain
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

Adamancipator

Master Duel - Adamancipator

Adamancipators rely on Monster effects to be able to continue their combos, and they can go on for a very long time due to multiple Graveyard and Special Summon effects, even against hand traps and disruptions.

They rarely rely on Spell and Trap Cards, and are extremely efficient in using their Extra Deck to bring out the strongest field possible.

Cards to Watch Out For

Key Cards for Runick
Block Dragon Adamancipator Researcher Adamancipator Risen - Dragite Koa Skill Drain

Adamancipator Deck List & Card Guide

HERO

Master Duel - HERO

HERO Decks are known for their prowess in Fusion Summoning monsters, comprised of different sub-archetypes that while effective on their own, together they have surprising synergy.

They can surprise people with Fusion Monsters that have both powerful stats and debilitating effects, and a field full of them will be really hard to break.

Cards to Watch Out For

Key Cards for Runick
Vision HERO Faris Elemental HERO Shadow Mist Masked HERO Dark Law Elemental HERO Sunrise Mask Change

HERO Deck List & Card Guide

Related Guides

Deck Pages Banner.png

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

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

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

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