Forum:Institute for Proper Deck Building Skills

General Information/Mission Statement
I, Dark Ace SP, have retired from being a deckbuilder for Decks for Free! and this new forum page is something I've come to the conclusion that we need. The purpose of this forum page is 2 pronged, while I like making decks for people, I noticed that people just can't seem to build a proper deck, and that's why they would ask us to do it. While I love the service Lappyzard is now continuing, I think it's also important to help people actually get better at deckbuilding, rather than just being given a deck. Proper deckbuilding is a skill that every duelist should have.

The second reason for this page is that some people won't want to work at getting better and will just continue to use Decks for Free!, the only problem is all the deckbuilders will eventually have to leave for one reason or another, so Decks for Free! will always need more staff. So, if this forum page can help you get better at making real decks that work, then you would feel more comfortable making decks for others, and you might apply to become a Decks for Free! staff member.

This page is mostly like the deck help forum, the only difference is that I will reply and give you my thoughts, and won't let your request go unanswered. I've had the experience to make decks for almost 2 years for deck ideas that were odd or really just out of the mainstream, so what I tell you is based on that. Take in mind, that doesn't mean all duelists are bad or horrible deckbuilders, but some people do feel like they need help to get better, and that's what this page is for, to help you on a personal level, with someone who has gained experience from working with talented people, and would like to pass that on.

General Procedure
Much like how Decks for Free! works, I'd like the people who want help to make a new section, then I can start to help you get better at deckbuilding. Please make a new request by using this link. Just remember to have a user account and know how to sign your posts. You should also know how to use the Template:Decklist. You should know that you will make the deck, and I will give you feedback, but I hope you can get better, that's the end goal.

How would I help you get better?
I would help you make a deck of your own choosing, but I'd only give you my own thoughts and what I think can be changed to give the deck as much focus as possible. I won't make your deck for you, but I will try to guide you to a deck that you think works for you. I'll only take a few people at a time, and I do want to help people who want a hands on experience at getting better.

-- - Dark Ace SP ( Talk )

General Deckbuilding Guidelines

 * Deck Building 101

= Requests =

Mist Valley Help
First of all, great initiative. I'm a not so great deckbuilder, but i think deckbuilding is what yugioh makes a great game. so thanks for this :)

then, the deck

I'm making a mist valley synchro deck. focussing on divine wind of wind vally to quickly sychro summon, and cards like mist valley thunder lord to reuse cards like swords of revealing light (permanent att block) and call of the haunted (freem monster reuse)

so, this is what i got this far. I've tested it. it's a occasional deck till now excpesialy in the long game, becouse it's important to have 2 monsters on the field (targets for falcon, shaman and thunderlord). I have a few cards in mind wich i have'nt added to the deck yet, but from wich i think it maybe could be a addition. but i'm not sure: Silpheed, twin-headed behemoth, unibird, reed butterfly and garuda the wind spirit. here's the current deck:

The Extra deck isn't ready yet, becouse at first i used Dragunity Phalanx in this deck, for the synhro summon to lvl 6 and 8, but i later took him off. The extra space in the Extra deck are the Dragunity monsters, but i don't use them anymore. I make this deck for the new banlist (sept 2012) but i'm not sure if i want to ad a extra SoRL. Thanks in advance for your help! --InvictaNL (talk • contribs) 20:47, August 25, 2012 (UTC)

Feedback:
 * The Monster line-up needs some polishing, and your using some Mist Valley cards that aren't really that great. The 3 Falcon are totally needed, but Thunderbird, Condor, Shield Wing and Kamakiri aren't needed, and they don't add anything to the deck. A better card over those would be 3 Mist Valley Soldier, and remember since Divine Wind of Mist Valley only needs you to bounce WIND monsters, you don't need to have a bunch of Mist Valley monsters. You can keep maybe 1 Condor if you want, but it's not that amazing. You can also drop Shaman.
 * The Extra Deck isn't perfect and I get why you max out on Thunder Lord, but you'll only really need 1, I'd make the extra deck more diverse, add in other Level 7 Synchros, like Black Rose Dragon and maybe a 2nd Ancient Fairy Dragon. Also, Flamvell Uruquizas has an effect, so you may want it over Gaia. Also, I'd MAX out the extra deck later on, but I know you dropped a few cards.
 * The Spell line-up needs more Staples, like Dark Hole and Heavy Storm, Book of Moon, and either Forbidden Lance or MST. You can also probably drop the Avarice, as it's fairly a situational card in Mist Valley, it might help, but I don't think it's needed, and you'll probably win before you really need it. Some more Staples in the Spells is what you'll really need.
 * The Traps aren't bad, but you're lacking Solemn Warning or at the very least Bottomless Trap Hole. Those cards are just good at what they do, they take out big monsters before they become a problem for you, and it's pretty painful when a well used Bottomless Trap Hole or Solemn Warning lets your 2000 ATK Falcon inflict massive damage with Divine Wind on the field. Compulsory can work too, but you might want to use that on yourself at times, so having at least 2 Bottomless is good, Warning is better, but Bottomless can work as a sub. Also, Lappyzard has lately been dropping Torrential Tribute from his decks, as he hates using it when he loses a great monster field, so maybe drop the 1 Torrential for a Mirror Force, or even a Dimensional Prison or 2. I'd also add in 2 Safe Zone/Fiendish Chain, those cards are just pure Falcon abuse that really hurt a lot of decks right now.

Think about it, and post up your next and updated version. -- - Dark Ace SP ( Talk )  14:45, August 26, 2012 (UTC)

Thanks for the feedback. i will work on it and post the next version soon --InvictaNL (talk • contribs) 16:05, August 26, 2012 (UTC)

I'm not sure about the Dragunity Knight - Trident. Will it be a good choice? or are the minusses not worth it? Blood Mefist is to add a choise for effect damage against a staller, or a finisher. I've kept 2 Thunder Lords, becouse i feel I otherwise won't have enough returners.


 * This looks a little better, but I'd drop the Watcher, Normal Monsters are just bad, and only a few decks can really use them. Mist Valley isn't one of them. I'd drop Delta Flyer for 3 Mist Valley Soldier (High ATK and can bounce certain monsters), the only reason I say this, is because Birdman can act as your Level 3 Tuner, and he gives you so much more than Delta Flyer in terms of utility and synergy. You need to ADD in Dark Hole, it's a Torrential Tribute you can use on your turn, on your terms, and it is a staple that must be used in a deck. I'd also drop the 1 Torrential Tribute for either another Compulsory Evacuation Device, it offers more in this deck, since you already have 2 Mirror Force and hopefully 1 Dark Hole (Seriously add Dark Hole), you could also add in that 2nd Swords of Revealing Light, it works. You can make room by dropping Garuda the Wind Spirit. I would drop the Dragunity Knight - Trident and Flyer, seriously Trident is just minus all around, think about it, your burning your cards for opponent's cards that aren't even in play yet, if your that afraid of a Wind-Up Zenmaines or Stardust Dragon, just run Dimensional Prison in the main deck, it gets around both of them. Also, you'll probably never summon 2 Arcanite (You can do that, but you'll probably not need too), so your probably using up an extra deck space for nothing, if you want a Level 7 for pure attack power, think Scrap Archfiend. -- - Dark Ace SP ( Talk )  00:55, August 27, 2012 (UTC)


 * If you need to see one of my older deck versions of this kinda of deck, then use the Forum search function, and type in my user name. It's probably titled Harpie Valley or something, but it has no Harpie Lady 1. -- - Dark Ace SP ( Talk )  00:58, August 27, 2012 (UTC)

quick question before i post my updated version: I want to add in Escape from the Dark Dimension so i can recycle Birdman (he's banished very often of course:P) but i don't know wich card i will let out. this is my trap line-up right now:
 * call of the haunted 1x
 * compulsory evacuation device 3x
 * mirror forcce 2x
 * safe zone 2x
 * solemn trio

I personally think you don't need Escape, if it's only for Birdman, it's kinda pointless, if you included Soldier, you can Synchro Summon Level 8 Synchros, and personally, you'll use maybe 1 or 2 Birdman every duel. If you want to include 1 card for a 1 card combo, it's probably pointless, because Escape will probably be dead more than not. I would just give up the idea and include Mist Valley Soldier if you can. -- - Dark Ace SP ( Talk )  00:35, August 29, 2012 (UTC)

I left Judgment out, i Don't like the high cost. The safe Zone is working pretty well. mostly becouse i can get a Thunderlord when i want it. I do use the 3 birman every duel. mostly becouse when i use birdman's eff, i can special summon genex blastfan, get a birdman to my hand, and tune in a level 7 synchro, next turn, repeat prces. I Return the second sword, as advised. It's a nice card, excpessialy when i need some time to get the right cards. I brought in a zenmaines. I can eassily summon it by using thunderbird and birdman. I left it out at first, but i've encountered some situations when i wished i put him in. so i did --InvictaNL (talk • contribs) 13:41, August 29, 2012 (UTC)


 * Your short 1 card, also, the cost for Solemn Judgment isn't really important, plus it only has a high cost if your winning, or you foolishly use Judgment too early (It's a card which should be used to cover for big pushes). I would add back in Solemn and Dark Hole. 41 cards isn't a bad thing. So after you add those 2 in, it should be fairly good and if you like it that should be fine for you. Also, Shaman isn't bad either, you could drop Thunderbird for it. -- - Dark Ace SP ( Talk )  22:59, August 30, 2012 (UTC)

Need help with a Bounzer deck.
I've been a big fan of making decks for a long while, especially using odd and unused archetypes or playtypes. My issue is trying to break out of sticking to the continuity of the theme; in this case, I'm trying to stick to a strict Bounzer deck, but the T.G. monsters are the only ones I can think of to make the deck more consistent, but with only Striker as the card I can use to get Warwolf out consistently, that's not saying much. I got in the mind of using Manticore of Darkness as a reusable Rank 6 fodder monster, but again, the consistency thing. I've got some ideas, but I'm too timid to work them out, because of the consistency thing. Got any advice? Vorpal Storm Pony (talk • contribs) 00:51, August 29, 2012 (UTC)

Prophecy
OK so this deck is for the September 2012 format. I've had a bit of a hard time with the monster line up to spell ratio in this deck and I think it needs a bit more then the solemn bigaid but I can't fit anything els in and keep it at 40. This is just a starting point at the minute and the deck will be getting revampt when abys rising comes out. So with that being said hear it is. :)

User:Taylor ace

Help With My Dragon Deck
I am new at building decks and would like help improving my current dragon deck. I would also appreciate pointers to help with beck building in the future. The cards I currently have in this deck are as follows;

I find the deck to be fairly decent but my main problem is drawing the cards I need at the right time. Any assistance that you could provide in improving this deck and how to make strong decks in the future would be greatly appreciated. I am really into Yu-Gi-Oh again and I would love to know how to create a good strong deck. Thanks a lot, JewBoy93 (talk • contribs) 03:51, August 30, 2012 (UTC)