Forum:Need Advise on Format and Decks

Hey, I haven't played much outside of controlled format duels (2 duel decks each with same cards) in a long time. Recently, while working with some cards, I thought it would be nice to make a couple/few real decks again in case I get the chance to play. I wanted to try to make some older decks I'd be familiar with that would also be decent to use against modern decks (while not being likely to shift a lot with ban lists or having a high price tag). After some thinking, I came up with 6 deck ideas, but I doubt I'll use them all. Anyway, I am looking for some help with the decks in general. My main problem is that I have no idea what to expect these days. I have no idea how effective any of the decks would be against modern decks. There are probably newer cards for the decks I am unaware of, so it would be helpful to mention those. I also don't know how to play in term of defense, offensive, and removal (based on current metagame). So below are the decks I am considering, in order of likelihood, with some notes.


 * Exodia- This deck is one of most challenging. Since I got rid of it before, there has been a lot more support and upcoming support (Shard of Greed, Card Car D, and ban list changes). The main thing I need to know for this deck is where the focus should be. Should I focus on quick drawing, defensive monster for drawing/searching, or lock down spell and trap like gravity bind and swords of revealing light? Or at least how much would be advised to put in main deck with the rest going in the side deck where possible.
 * Gravekeeper- This one seems rather straight forward. I already got a nice list of cards in the archtype with suggested support, so it really is knowing which are worth playing and which aren’t against the decks of today. Also, I am not really sure what to side deck here.
 * Gadget- I am going more for a Xyz/Machina deck here. I think I got the main deck idea pretty solid for now, with several cards I wish I had room for. So I mainly need side deck ideas.
 * Dark World- I saw a semi-recent deck list on this one, so I got a good idea how to do the main deck. The side deck is main concern here.
 * Lightsworn- This one is a bit more iffy. I sold it before, but now the prices are very low, and the upcoming Lightray seem very useful, so I am considering it. However, it still runs a higher cost than rest, so how powerful it would be is important. And as with the rest, side deck help would be useful.
 * Gladiator Beasts- This deck doesn’t seem to have changed much at all in the past couple years. I got a nice list of all the GBs and suggested support cards, so it is really just that side deck here too (although I do have a suggestion already).

So to recap, here are the main things I am looking for. So if anyone could help with that, it would be appreciated. Bio (talk • contribs) 15:15, April 17, 2012 (UTC)
 * 1- Some info on the current format and decks so I can have an idea of how quick they are and what to expect in terms of monsters, spell and trap, monster removal, spell and trap, and so on.
 * 2- Suggestions of cards for the 6 decks above, mostly for side decks based on current format.
 * 3- An idea on how effective the 6 decks above would be against the top decks these days.
 * 4- An idea of how I should try to play decks above, mainly for exodia and such, in terms of using defensive monsters, defensive spell/trap, or such.
 * 5- Suggestions on what extra deck cards to consider for each or more so what cards are no longer worth using in the extra deck.