Forum:Deck Guide/Gladiator Beasts

= Basic Gladiator Beasts = by Blue-Eyes White Kid

Mechanics
A Gladiator Beast deck, also known as a GB deck, operates on a strategy called 'Toolboxing'; the deck has a card for almost any situation that can be easily searched out. The deck can also be Beatdown- and Control-typed. When a GB attacks or is attacked, and survives the battle, they can 'tag-out' - they return to the deck for a different Gladiator Beast. The key to the deck is to trigger that reaction either by attacking or by a card effect preventing their destruction. Once they Special Summon themselves from the deck, they will gain a special effect. Previously weak monsters now have devastating effects that can easily turn the tide of a game. Some destroy cards, others gain ATK and DEF, some even recycle and search out cards! Each GB is like a miniature Monarch in that way. But the driving force of the GBs is their fusions. There are only two mentionable ones, Gladiator Beast Gyzarus and Heraklinos. Gyzarus destroys two cards when it is summoned, and Heraklinos can negate a spell of trap's effect at the cost of one discard! And those are only the monsters. GB spell and trap cards are used to control the opponent, or gain card advantage. Gladiator Beast War Chariot is one of the most powerful of them, able to negate a monsters effect and destroy it for free. Gladiator Proving Ground is similar to a themed Reinforcement of the Army, and helps create consistency in the deck. Indomitable Gladiator Beast is used to help 'tag-out', and can recycle fallen Gladiator Beast monsters.

Rank in General Meta
Gladiator Beasts are currently around second in the world-wide Metagame, only beaten by Lightsworn. The thing it holds over the other decks is consistancy - there are very few Dead Draws in a good GB build. While Lightsworn mill away the cards they need, Gladiators can add them to their hands through a number of card effects. Another reason they are nearing the top is because of Card Advantage. Every time one is summoned, you gain a free effect. Cards like Rescue Cat and their fusions only add to this advantage. Gyzarus is easy to get out, it can destroy any two cards, and once it attacks, you can get antoher two Gladiator Beasts. Because of the two free Gladiator Beasts, Gyzarus usually causes the summon of Gladiator Beast Heraklinos. And, while Gyzarus is the work horse of the deck, Heraklinos might as well be a win condition for the Gladiator Beast archetype.

Cost/Return
Competitive Gladiator Beast decks are a fairly cheap to make, compared to others. Most of the cards are less than $1, except for a few, including Gladiator Beast Murmillo, Gladiator Beast Laquari, Test Tiger, and Gladiator Beast War Chariot. Expect to pay aprox. $120-$150 for a competitive GB deck with their fusions. The return is huge, though. A proper build paired with a favorable play-style will make the deck very hard to beat.

Deck oddities
When playing GBs, expect to have a high trap card count; probably around 9-12 in total. Most GB decks have less than or equal to 20 monster cards in the main deck.

Themed Cards
'''This is NOT a deck list! The un-starred cards are essential in the deck. You will need at least one of them. Feel free to add Staple cards as you please.'''

Monsters:
Test Tiger. Tagging-out without attacking is a great asset in this deck, and it can also be summoned with Rescue Cat. This card is also key in many combos, and can return unwanted Gladitor Beasts from your field to your deck. This makes this card essential, so use as many as you can.

Gladiator Beast Laquari. You must have this in the creation of Heraklinos, and he is a nice beatstick too. You should play him in multiples, just in case he gets removed from play or sent to the graveyard.

Gladiator Beast Samnite. This guy rocketed the GB archetype to number two. He has a great effect which allows him to add a GB card from your deck to your hand when he destroys a monster. Use him in conjunction with Book of Moon to help him destroy more monsters.

Gladiator Beast Equeste. This will be the wierdest bird you will ever want to use, but he is a huge contributor to the deck. Gladiator Beasts should never be left in the graveyard for long periods of time, because they are much more helpful in your hand or deck. This monster doesn't limit himself to fetching only monsters, he can get back a spell or trap with Gladiator Beast in its name! That includes all of the equip spells, Gladiator Beast's Respite, and even Gladiator Beast War Chariot.

Gladiator Beast Darius. This is the main reason you can get out your fusion monsters. Use multiple if you have Elemental Hero Prisma in your deck, because you will need to be reviving lots of monsters to utilize Prisma, and you can't do that if your only reviver is in your hand or graveyard.

Gladiator Beast Bestiari. This ugly bird is a must in the making of Gyzarus, and can also destroy a spell or trap while it is at it. Definitely use this card. Sadly, it is limited, so use it with caution, because if it gets removed from play, you have just lost a major tool and powerhouse.

Gladiator Beast Murmillo. Free, reusable monster removal makes a great monster. You should only play 1 of this, though, because he is good only in the deck, where you have access to it. If you draw him, he will be hard to get back in the deck because of his low attack.

Gladiator Beast Hoplomus. Set this guy, and it is almost a free tag-out. Your opponent will fear having another GB on the field, leaving him no choice but to attack it. If they don't, you can still use him to help create a fusion monster. He is a powerful force when combined with War Chariot too, and can stall until you draw the right card.

Gladiator Beast Dimacari.* This guy can be used, and works sometimes, but other times, he can be a waste of space. And, with so many good cards, you will find a hard time finding room for him. If you can find room, you can use this monster.

Gladiator Beast Alexander.* He is hard to get out, and can be dead in your hand. He has a so-so effect as well. He is definitely not the best GB. Most people don't use him, but he can still be very good at some times.

Gladiator Beast Spartacus.* Only use this if you use the themed equip spells en masse. But, he is hard to get out, and Can be a dead draw. He is not the best GB.

Gladiator Beast Octavius.* Discarding in a GB deck can be detrimental to the decks strategy. GBs, by nature, have a low hand count, so decreasing your hand count is never good. I would use him with caution, because leaving him out can hurt your chances of winning.

Gladiator Beast Retiari. I don't know about this guy, he can be good in most duels, but he is not a good card to draw because of his low attack. And, he is only good against a select number of decks. You can main deck him, but side-decking him can be better.

Test Ape.* This guy is okay, but not the best because it will take time to activate it's effect. Use him if you want to, but most people don't.

Extra Deck
Gladiator Beast Heraklinos. When you get this card out, most duelists give up. That is how powerful he is. With a simple discard, you can negate a spell or traps effect. Once you get him out, you should back him up with a War Chariot This card is a must have in your extra deck. If you use Synchro monsters, use only two of him to make room for more Synchros.

Gladiator Beast Gyzarus. By returning Bestiari and another GB to the deck, you can get out this beast. it destroys two cards on impact, and can tag out to the extra deck for two more Gladiator Beasts! You must have at least 1 in your GB extra deck. He is an indispensable tool.

Spells:
Gladiator Proving Ground. Use this to add a Hoplomus to your hand in a pinch, or Bestiari for quick field-clearing. Laquari is also a good choice. This card helps the deck run smoothly. Try it out in multiples.

Indomitable Gladiator Beast.* Use this if you want. It is okay because it can return two GBs from your grave to your deck to recycle itself, but that is not always good. Some people don't because it becomes a dead draw if you don't have any monsters out on the field.

Gladiator Beast's Respite.* Most people really dislike this spell because it requires too much from your hand. I would only use this card if you also use Spartacus or Alexander, because you do not want those two cards stuck in your hand. Besides, GBs are a control deck, and contol decks don't need draw power.

Gladiator Beast's Battle Halberd.* Use this only if you use Spartacus; otherwise, it is a waste. Equip spells become dead draws if you have no monsters, and monster removal cards are common in today's meta.

Gladiator Beast's Battle Archfiend Shield.* It's the same as the above.

Traps:
Gladiator Beast War Chariot. It can be searched via Samnite, and it is free! It is a must-have, so use it at three.

Defensive Tactics.* Waboku is better, but this is still useable. Waboku doesn't require you to have a GB on the field, or even a monster; while this card does. The only thing it holds over Waboku is that it returns to your deck after use, which is also not always good.

Double Tag Team.* This is slow, and isn't chainable. I am on the fence with this card. * Optional/discouraged cards

Teched Cards
'''The following cards are completely optional. They are not needed, but can help out the deck alot.'''

Monsters:
Elemental Hero Prisma. A powerful combo involves this card and Test Tiger: normal summon this, and use its effect to reveal Gladiator Beast Gyzarus in your Extra deck. Then, by effect, send Gladiator Beast Bestiari to the graveyard. Next, special summon Test Tiger through its own effect, and trbute it to return Prisma - that is now know as Gladiator Beast Bestiari - to the deck to summon Gladiator Beast Darius. Darius' effect revives the Bestiari, and they can then fusion summon Gladiator Beast Gyzarus. This card should be used with Reinforcement of the Army or E - Emergency Call.

Elemental Hero Stratos. This card is used in decks that use Elemental Hero Prisma to search it out. This card should also be used with either Reinforcement of the Army or E - Emergency Call

Rescue Cat. This is used to search out Gladiator Beast Samnite and Test Tiger, or any combination of the two. You can then tribute Test Tiger to tag-out Samnite, and get a free GB. This is a +1 card, but is limited, so I would recommend the use of the maximum amount: 1.

Spells:
Cold Wave. This is used to prevent spells or traps from destroying your GBs.

Book of Moon, Enemy Controller. These card can stop Honest and Kalut from ruining your attacks, and can create a tag-out. They can also prevent attacks. Book of Moon can also negate effects! These are highly flexible cards.

Reinforcement of the Army, E - Emergency Call. These cards are used in decks that use Elemental Hero Prisma to search it out.

Smashing Ground, Fissure. Basic monster removal. They are all 1 for 1, which means they replace themselves through card advantage and field advantage.

My Body as a Shield. This is like a toned-down Solemn Judgment, and can be useful in todays meta. Cards like Judgment Dragon and Dark Armed Dragon are seen all the time in these days.

Traps:
Waboku. This card is better than Defensive Tactics in almost every way, because it doesn't require the control of a GBs, or even monsters at all. It is used because it triggers the GBs need to battle and survive it. I would use this in multiples.

Bottomless Trap Hole, Compulsory Evacuation Device. Basic monster removal. They are all 1 for 1, which means they replace themselves through card advantage and field advantage.

Trap Stun. This is used to prevent spells or traps from destroying your GBs.

Example Deck
'''Here at Yu-Gi-Oh! Wikia, we like to encourage creativity. Please do not copy this deck exactly, for Netdecking is bad for the Yu-Gi-Oh! community. Use this as an example to base your own deck off of, and not to use as your own deck.'''

= Fissure Gladiator Beasts =

Mechanics
Rather than follow the Metagame, this deck chose to stand against it. Meet Dimensional Fissure GBs. It uses the power of the Different Dimension to stop other meta decks in thier tracks. Lightsworns, Blackwings, other GBs, Plants, and Zombies are dependent on the grave. Take it away and they can't do anything. This is a Anti-Meta build. Its other names are OCG-inspired GBs and D.D. GBs.

Rank in General Meta
Anti-Meta builds usually don't make it far in the meta, and this holds true for this deck. It is probably placed around 7th to 10th in the general Metagame.

Cost/Return
Expect to pay around $200 for this deck. It has many expensive counter traps, and all the basic GB cards. In return, you have a very annoying to deck to duel against. I won't guaranty you'll top your local tournament weekly with this deck, but it will still be very powerful. It should only be used by experienced duelist, and is not a good starter deck.

Deck oddities
Unlike other GB decks, this deck doesn't use Elemental Hero Prisma, Rescue Cat, or even Test Tiger. It barely even special summons. Expect to use a ton of traps, and very few monsters and spells.

Themed Cards
'''This is NOT a deck list! The un-starred cards are essential in the deck. You will need at least one of them. Feel free to add Staple cards as you please.'''

Monsters:
Gladiator Beast Andal. This guy has high attack, and is good in an Anti-Meta build like this.

Gladiator Beast Laquari. You must have this in the creation of Heraklinos, and he is a nice beatstick too. You should play him in multiples, just in case he gets removed from play or sent to the graveyard.

Gladiator Beast Samnite. This guy rocketed the GB archetype to number two. He has a great effect which allows him to add a GB card from your deck to your hand when he destroys a monster. Use him in conjunction with Book of Moon to help him destroy more monsters.

Gladiator Beast Equeste. This will be the wierdest bird you will ever want to use, but he is a huge contributor to the deck. Gladiator Beasts should never be left in the graveyard for long periods of time, because they are much more helpful in your hand or deck. This monster doesn't limit himself to fetching only monsters, he can get back a spell or trap with Gladiator Beast in its name! That includes all of the equip spells, Gladiator Beast's Respite, and even Gladiator Beast War Chariot. THis card can work in a Dimensional GB deck because Dimensional Fissure doesn't remove spells and traps from play; only monsters.

Gladiator Beast Darius. This is the main reason you can get out your fusion monsters. Use multiple if you have Elemental Hero Prisma in your deck, because you will need to be reviving lots of monsters to utilize Prisma, and you can't do that if your only reviver is in your hand or graveyard.

Gladiator Beast Bestiari. This ugly bird is a must in the making of Gyzarus, and can also destroy a spell or trap while it is at it. Definitely use this card. Sadly, it is limited, so use it with caution, because if it gets removed from play, you have just lost a major tool and powerhouse.

Gladiator Beast Murmillo. Free, reusable monster removal makes a great monster. You should only play 1 of this, though, because he is good only in the deck, where you have access to it. If you draw him, he will be hard to get back in the deck because of his low attack.

Gladiator Beast Hoplomus. Set this guy, and it is almost a free tag-out. Your opponent will fear having another GB on the field, leaving him no choice but to attack it. If they don't, you can still use him to help create a fusion monster. He is a powerful force when combined with War Chariot too, and can stall until you draw the right card.

Doomcaliber Knight. This guy is straight-out anti-meta. I love this guy's effect in every way, except for the part where he must be tributed. This card otherwise is very useful almost all the time in todays meta.

Spells:
Dimensional Fissure. This is the card this deck is named after, and should be ran at three in this particular deck. It kills the one thing that all major decks love - the grave. No monsters in the grave means no Lightsworn, no Vayu Turbo, no DAD variants, no Plants, no Zombies, no Rescue GBs, no Prisma GBs, and no anything else. It is the all in one anti-everything card that makes this deck so good.

Gladiator Proving Ground. Use this to add a Hoplomus to your hand in a pinch, or Bestiari for quick field-clearing. Laquari is also a good choice. This helps the deck run smoothly. Try it out in multiples.

Book of Moon, Enemy Controller. These card can stop Honest and Kalut from ruining your attacks, and can create a tag-out. They can also prevent attacks. Book of Moon can also negate effects! These are highly flexible cards.

Smashing Ground, Fissure. Basic monster removal. They are all 1 for 1, which means they replace themselves through card advantage and field advantage.

My Body as a Shield. This is like a toned-down Solemn Judgment, and can be useful in todays meta.

Traps:
Gladiator Beast War Chariot. It can be searched via Samnite, and it is free! It is a must-have, so use it at three.

Solemn Judgment, Dark Bribe. These cards protect the all-important Dimensional Fissure. They can also disrupt your opponent's moves, causing their strategy to fall apart even more. Really any disruptive Counter Trap will work.

Bottomless Trap Hole, Dimensional Prison, Compulsory Evacuation Device. Simple monster removal. They are also 1 for 1, which means they replace themselves in terms of card advantage.

Sample Deck
'''Here at Yu-Gi-Oh! Wikia, we like to encourage creativity. Please do not copy this deck exactly, for Netdecking is bad for the Yu-Gi-Oh! community. Use this as an example to base your own deck off of, and not to use as your own deck.'''