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{{Infobox archetype
+
{{Infobox archseries
| image = Mat-OrdealTraveler-BurningAbyss.png
+
| image = Mat-OrdealTraveler-BurningAbyss.png
| caption = From left to right: "[[Scarm, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss|Scarm]]", "[[Dante, Traveler of the Burning Abyss|Dante]]" and "[[Graff, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss|Graff]]"
+
| caption = From left to right: "[[Scarm, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss|Scarm]]", "[[Dante, Traveler of the Burning Abyss|Dante]]" and "[[Graff, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss|Graff]]"
| ja_name = {{Ruby|彼|ひ}}{{Ruby|岸|がん}}
+
| ja_name = {{Ruby|彼|ひ}}{{Ruby|岸|がん}}
| romaji = Higan
+
| romaji = Higan
| trans = Afterlife
+
| trans = Afterlife
| fr_name = Abysses Ardents
+
| fr_name = Abysses Ardents
| fr_trans= Ardent Abysses
+
| fr_trans = Ardent Abysses
| de_name = Brennenden Abgrund
+
| de_name = Brennenden Abgrund
| it_name = Abisso Bruciante
+
| it_name = Abisso Bruciante
| ko_name = 피안
+
| ko_name = 피안
| ko_hanja= 彼岸
+
| ko_hanja = 彼岸
| ko_trans= Afterlife
+
| ko_trans = Afterlife
| ko_romanized=Pian
+
| ko_romanized = Pian
| pt_name = Abismo Ardente
+
| pt_name = Abismo Ardente
| pt_trans= Ardent Abyss
+
| pt_trans = Ardent Abyss
 
| es_name = Abismo Ardiente
| es_trans= Ardent Abyss
+
| es_trans = Ardent Abyss
| es_name = Abismo Ardiente
 
| tcg =
+
| tcg =
* ''[[Duelist Alliance]]''
+
* [[Duelist Alliance]]
* ''[[The New Challengers]]''
+
* [[The New Challengers]]
  +
* [[The New Challengers: Super Edition]]
* ''[[Secrets of Eternity]]''
 
* ''[[Crossed Souls]]''
+
* [[Secrets of Eternity]]
 
* [[Secrets of Eternity: Super Edition]]
| ocg =
 
* ''[[Extra Pack 2015]]''
+
* [[Crossed Souls]]
* ''[[LINK VRAINS Pack]]''
+
* [[Astral Pack Seven]]
  +
* [[2015 Mega-Tin Mega Pack]]
  +
* [[Astral Pack Eight]]
  +
* [[Premium Gold: Infinite Gold]]
  +
* [[Legendary Hero Decks]]
  +
* [[Dark Neostorm]]
  +
* [[2020 Tin of Lost Memories]]
 
| ocg =
  +
* [[Extra Pack 2015]]
  +
* [[LINK VRAINS Pack]]
  +
* [[Structure Deck: Sacred Beasts of Chaos]]
  +
| korea =
  +
* [[Advanced Event Pack 2017 Vol.1]]
  +
* [[Advanced Event Pack 2018 Vol.1]]
 
}}
 
}}
   
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==Design==
 
==Design==
  +
The Japanese name of the archetype is the word for a [[wikipedia:Buddhism in Japan|Japanese Buddhist]] concept literally known as "the other bank" of the [[wikipedia:Sanzu River|Sanzu River]], in other words, the boundary of the world of the dead. Once a soul leaves "this bank" (此岸 (''shigan'')), the very outer edge of the world of the living, and crosses the river to "that bank" (彼岸 (''higan'')), they can never come back.
  +
 
The archetype is based on [[wikipedia:Inferno (Dante)|''Inferno'']], the first part of [[wikipedia:Dante Alighieri|Dante Alighieri]]'s 14th-century epic poem [[wikipedia:Divine Comedy|''Divine Comedy'']].
 
The archetype is based on [[wikipedia:Inferno (Dante)|''Inferno'']], the first part of [[wikipedia:Dante Alighieri|Dante Alighieri]]'s 14th-century epic poem [[wikipedia:Divine Comedy|''Divine Comedy'']].
   
 
The "Malebranche of the Burning Abyss" are named after the [[wikipedia:Malebranche (Divine Comedy)|Malebranche]], the demons who guard the fifth Bolgia of [[wikipedia:Malebolge|Malebolge]] (the Eighth Circle of Hell), known for their ruthless cruelty and responsible for the punishment of corrupt politicians by holding them under a boiling lake of pitch. Their English names are truncations of the original Italian names of the Malebranche. Most of their Japanese names are the English names of the Malebranche used in [[wikipedia:Dorothy L. Sayers|Dorothy L. Sayers]]' translation of ''Inferno'', although "[[Alich, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss|Alich]]", "[[Barbar, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss|Barbar]]", and "[[Libic, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss|Libic]]" use their original Italian names instead. They are all [[Level]] [[Level 3 Monster Cards|3]] [[DARK]] [[Fiend]] [[Effect Monster]]s.
===Malebranche===
 
The "Malebranche of the Burning Abyss" are named after the [[wikipedia:Malebranche (Divine Comedy)|Malebranche]], the demons who guard the fifth Bolgia of [[wikipedia:Malebolge|Malebolge]] (the Eighth Circle of Hell), known for their ruthless cruelty and responsible for the punishment of corrupt politicians by holding them under a boiling lake of pitch. Their English names are truncations of the original Italian names of the Malebranche. Most of their Japanese names are the English names of the Malebranche used in [[wikipedia:Dorothy L. Sayers|Dorothy L. Sayers]]' translation of ''Inferno'', although "[[Alich, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss|Alich]]", "[[Barbar, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss|Barbar]]", and "[[Libic, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss|Libic]]" use their original Italian names instead. They are all [[Level]] [[Level 3 Monster Cards|3]] [[DARK]] [[Fiend]] [[Effect Monsters]].
 
   
 
"[[Malacoda, Netherlord of the Burning Abyss]]", as the leader of the "Malebranche", instead uses the title "Netherlord of the Burning Abyss" (he is still a member of the "Malebranche" in the source material). In English, unlike the "Malebranche of the Burning Abyss", "Malacoda's" name exactly matches its original Italian name. In Japanese, its name is Sayers' English name for the Malebranche as a whole, "Hellraker" (Sayers translates "Malacoda" as "Belzecue", which is not used in the card's name). It is a [[Level 6 Monster Cards|Level 6]] DARK Fiend [[Ritual Monster]].
 
"[[Malacoda, Netherlord of the Burning Abyss]]", as the leader of the "Malebranche", instead uses the title "Netherlord of the Burning Abyss" (he is still a member of the "Malebranche" in the source material). In English, unlike the "Malebranche of the Burning Abyss", "Malacoda's" name exactly matches its original Italian name. In Japanese, its name is Sayers' English name for the Malebranche as a whole, "Hellraker" (Sayers translates "Malacoda" as "Belzecue", which is not used in the card's name). It is a [[Level 6 Monster Cards|Level 6]] DARK Fiend [[Ritual Monster]].
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==Members==
 
==Members==
 
===[[Main Deck]]===
 
===[[Main Deck]]===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
+
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: center"
 
! colspan="2" | Burning Abyss
 
! colspan="2" | Burning Abyss
! rowspan="2" | Origin
 
 
! rowspan="2" | Unique effect
 
! rowspan="2" | Unique effect
 
! rowspan="2" | Origin
 
|-
 
|-
 
! English
 
! English
 
! Japanese
 
! Japanese
 
|-
 
|-
| [[Alich, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss|Alich]] || Alichino || [[wikipedia:Alichino (devil)|Alichino, the "Harlequin"]] || Negates the effects of a targeted face-up monster on the field until the end of the turn.
+
| [[Alich, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss|Alich]] || Alichino || Negates the effects of a targeted face-up monster on the field until the end of the turn. || [[wikipedia:Alichino (devil)|Alichino, the "Harlequin"]]
 
|-
 
|-
| [[Barbar, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss|Barbar]] || Barbariccia || [[wikipedia:Barbariccia|Barbariccia, the "Curly Beard"]] || Banishes up to 3 targeted "Burning Abyss" cards in the controller's Graveyard, except "Barbar", then inflicts 300 damage to the opponent for each banished card.
+
| [[Barbar, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss|Barbar]] || Barbariccia || Banishes up to 3 targeted "Burning Abyss" cards in the controller's Graveyard, except "Barbar", then inflicts 300 damage to the opponent for each banished card. || [[wikipedia:Barbariccia|Barbariccia, the "Curly Beard"]]
 
|-
 
|-
| [[Cagna, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss|Cagna]] || Harrowhound || [[wikipedia:Malebranche (Divine Comedy)#In The Divine Comedy|Cagnazzo, the "Nasty Dog"]] || Sends a "Burning Abyss" Spell/Trap Card from the controller's Deck to the Graveyard.
+
| [[Cagna, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss|Cagna]] || Harrowhound || Sends a "Burning Abyss" Spell/Trap Card from the controller's Deck to the Graveyard. || [[wikipedia:Malebranche (Divine Comedy)#In The Divine Comedy|Cagnazzo, the "Nasty Dog"]]
 
|-
 
|-
| [[Calcab, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss|Calcab]] || Hacklespur || [[wikipedia:Malebranche (Divine Comedy)#In The Divine Comedy|Calcabrina, the "Grace Stomper"]] || Returns a targeted Set Spell/Trap Card on the field to the hand.
+
| [[Calcab, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss|Calcab]] || Hacklespur || Returns a targeted Set Spell/Trap Card on the field to the hand. || [[wikipedia:Malebranche (Divine Comedy)#In The Divine Comedy|Calcabrina, the "Grace Stomper"]]
 
|-
 
|-
| [[Cir, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss|Cir]] || Guttlehog || [[wikipedia:Malebranche (Divine Comedy)#In The Divine Comedy|Ciriatto, the "Wild Hog"]] || Special Summons a targeted "Burning Abyss" monster in the controller's Graveyard, except "Cir".
+
| [[Cir, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss|Cir]] || Guttlehog || Special Summons a targeted "Burning Abyss" monster in the controller's Graveyard, except "Cir". || [[wikipedia:Malebranche (Divine Comedy)#In The Divine Comedy|Ciriatto, the "Wild Hog"]]
 
|-
 
|-
| [[Draghig, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss|Draghig]] || Dragonel || [[wikipedia:Malebranche (Divine Comedy)#In The Divine Comedy|Draghignazzo, the "Big Nasty Dragon"]] || The controller chooses and places a "Burning Abyss" card from their Deck on top of the Deck.
+
| [[Draghig, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss|Draghig]] || Dragonel || The controller chooses and places a "Burning Abyss" card from their Deck on top of the Deck. || [[wikipedia:Malebranche (Divine Comedy)#In The Divine Comedy|Draghignazzo, the "Nasty Sneering Dragon"]]
 
|-
 
|-
| [[Farfa, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss|Farfa]] || Farfarel || [[wikipedia:Malebranche (Divine Comedy)#In The Divine Comedy|Farfarello, the "Goblin"]] || Banishes a targeted monster on the field until the End Phase.
+
| [[Farfa, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss|Farfa]] || Farfarel || Banishes a targeted monster on the field until the End Phase. || [[wikipedia:Malebranche (Divine Comedy)#In The Divine Comedy|Farfarello, the "Goblin"]]
 
|-
 
|-
| [[Graff, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss|Graff]] || Grabbersnitch || [[wikipedia:Malebranche (Divine Comedy)#In The Divine Comedy|Graffiacane, the "Dog-Scratcher"]] || Special Summons a "Burning Abyss" monster from the controller's Deck, except "Graff".
+
| [[Graff, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss|Graff]] || Grabbersnitch || Special Summons a "Burning Abyss" monster from the controller's Deck, except "Graff". || [[wikipedia:Malebranche (Divine Comedy)#In The Divine Comedy|Graffiacane, the "Dog-Scratcher"]]
 
|-
 
|-
| [[Libic, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss|Libic]] || Libbiocco || [[wikipedia:Malebranche (Divine Comedy)#In The Divine Comedy|Libicocco, the "Libyan Hothead"]] || The controller Special Summons 1 Level 3 DARK Fiend monster from their hand with its effects negated.
+
| [[Libic, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss|Libic]] || Libbiocco || The controller Special Summons 1 Level 3 DARK Fiend monster from their hand with its effects negated. || [[wikipedia:Malebranche (Divine Comedy)#In The Divine Comedy|Libicocco, the "Libyan Hothead"]]
 
|-
 
|-
| [[Malacoda, Netherlord of the Burning Abyss|Malacoda]] || Hellraker || [[wikipedia:Malacoda|Malacoda, the "Evil Tail"]] || Sends 1 "Burning Abyss" monster from your hand to the Graveyard to decrease the ATK and DEF of an opponent's monster by that sent monster's. If sent from the field to the Graveyard, sends 1 card on the field to the Graveyard.
+
| [[Malacoda, Netherlord of the Burning Abyss|Malacoda]] || Hellraker || Sends 1 "Burning Abyss" monster from your hand to the Graveyard to decrease the ATK and DEF of an opponent's monster by that sent monster's. If sent from the field to the Graveyard, sends 1 card on the field to the Graveyard. || [[wikipedia:Malacoda|Malacoda, the "Evil Tail"]]
 
|-
 
|-
| [[Rubic, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss|Rubic]] || Rubicant || [[wikipedia:Malebranche (Divine Comedy)#In The Divine Comedy|Rubicante, the "Red-Faced Terror"]] || [[Tuner monster]]
+
| [[Rubic, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss|Rubic]] || Rubicant || [[Tuner monster|Tuner]] || [[wikipedia:Malebranche (Divine Comedy)#In The Divine Comedy|Rubicante, the "Red-Faced Terror"]]
 
|-
 
|-
| [[Scarm, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss|Scarm]] || Scaramallion || [[wikipedia:Scarmiglione|Scarmiglione, the "Troublemaker"]] || The controller adds a Level 3 DARK Fiend monster from their Deck to their hand during the End Phase of the turn "Scarm" was sent to the Graveyard.
+
| [[Scarm, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss|Scarm]] || Scaramallion || The controller adds a Level 3 DARK Fiend monster from their Deck to their hand during the End Phase of the turn "Scarm" was sent to the Graveyard. || [[wikipedia:Scarmiglione|Scarmiglione, the "Troublemaker"]]
 
|}
 
|}
   
 
===[[Extra Deck]]===
 
===[[Extra Deck]]===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
+
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: center"
 
! Monster !! Origin
 
! Monster !! Origin
 
|-
 
|-
 
| [[Beatrice, Lady of the Eternal]] || [[wikipedia:Beatrice Portinari|Beatrice Portinari]]
 
| [[Beatrice, Lady of the Eternal]] || [[wikipedia:Beatrice Portinari|Beatrice Portinari]]
 
|-
 
|-
| [[Cherubini, Black Angel of the Burning Abyss]] || [[wikipedia:Guido I da Montefeltro#Role in Dante's Inferno|The Black Cherub]]
+
| [[Cherubini, Ebon Angel of the Burning Abyss]] || [[wikipedia:Guido I da Montefeltro#Role in Dante's Inferno|The Black Cherub]]
 
|-
 
|-
 
| [[Dante, Pilgrim of the Burning Abyss]] || rowspan="2" | [[wikipedia:Dante Alighieri|Dante Alighieri]]
 
| [[Dante, Pilgrim of the Burning Abyss]] || rowspan="2" | [[wikipedia:Dante Alighieri|Dante Alighieri]]
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| [[Dante, Traveler of the Burning Abyss]]
 
| [[Dante, Traveler of the Burning Abyss]]
 
|-
 
|-
| [[Virgil, Rock Star of the Burning Abyss]] || [[wikipedia:Virgil|Publius Vergilius Maro "Virgil"]]
+
| [[Virgil, Rock Star of the Burning Abyss]] || [[wikipedia:Virgil|Publius "Virgil" Vergilius Maro]]
 
|}
 
|}
   
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At the end of 2015, with the "[[Nekroz]]" format drawing to a close, the top decks of the last year were all banned into obscurity on the [[November 2015 Lists]]. This included several hits for Burning Abyss, with "[[Mathematician]]" and "[[Graff, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss]]" being Limited and "Cir" being Semi-Limited. But as so often happened throughout this Deck's existence, "Burning Abyss" simply adapted and evolved to be one of the top Decks of 2016. The Deck grew even stronger with the inclusion of "[[Twin Twisters]]" to bust backrow and "[[Fiendish Rhino Warrior]]" to allow "Burning Abyss" monsters to coexist with other monsters while giving a free "[[Foolish Burial]]". Most importantly, the extremely powerful "[[Beatrice, Lady of the Eternal]]" provided a mighty boss monster that could send "Burning Abyss" monsters to the [[Graveyard|GY]] during either player's turn. Once "[[Downerd Magician]]" was used to make sure "Dante"'s floating effect triggered, now the Deck had an on-archetype version that floated into "[[Dante, Pilgrim of the Burning Abyss]]". This turned "Burning Abyss" into a much more aggressive, explosive strategy, seeking to shut down combos if playing first with "Farfa" and similar cards, while [[OTK]]ing with terrifying speed and consistency. This was helped even further by the introduction of "[[Speedroid Terrortop]]" and "[[The Phantom Knights]]", making the Deck's Rank 3 plays even faster and more varied. Eventually, the [[August 2016 Lists]] Limited "Cir" and "Beatrice". This did not stop the Deck topping, but hurt its consistency further.
 
At the end of 2015, with the "[[Nekroz]]" format drawing to a close, the top decks of the last year were all banned into obscurity on the [[November 2015 Lists]]. This included several hits for Burning Abyss, with "[[Mathematician]]" and "[[Graff, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss]]" being Limited and "Cir" being Semi-Limited. But as so often happened throughout this Deck's existence, "Burning Abyss" simply adapted and evolved to be one of the top Decks of 2016. The Deck grew even stronger with the inclusion of "[[Twin Twisters]]" to bust backrow and "[[Fiendish Rhino Warrior]]" to allow "Burning Abyss" monsters to coexist with other monsters while giving a free "[[Foolish Burial]]". Most importantly, the extremely powerful "[[Beatrice, Lady of the Eternal]]" provided a mighty boss monster that could send "Burning Abyss" monsters to the [[Graveyard|GY]] during either player's turn. Once "[[Downerd Magician]]" was used to make sure "Dante"'s floating effect triggered, now the Deck had an on-archetype version that floated into "[[Dante, Pilgrim of the Burning Abyss]]". This turned "Burning Abyss" into a much more aggressive, explosive strategy, seeking to shut down combos if playing first with "Farfa" and similar cards, while [[OTK]]ing with terrifying speed and consistency. This was helped even further by the introduction of "[[Speedroid Terrortop]]" and "[[The Phantom Knights]]", making the Deck's Rank 3 plays even faster and more varied. Eventually, the [[August 2016 Lists]] Limited "Cir" and "Beatrice". This did not stop the Deck topping, but hurt its consistency further.
   
The Deck flew under the radar in 2017, though by this Deck's standards, relatively speaking. It still topped, but the "[[Zoodiac]]" decks ruling the format were too strong on the whole for the Deck, and Burning Abyss had little synergy with the "Zoo" engine. By the time the format ended, "Terrortop" was Limited, and [[Link Summon|Link Summoning]] was introduced. Many thought this would finally be the end of the Deck, due their incompatibility effect and the lack of a "Burning Abyss" [[Link Monster]]. ([[Cherubini, Black Angel of the Burning Abyss|In the TCG at least]]). Instead, the Deck simply adapted and evolved yet again. One "Dante" and one "Beatrice" was all the Deck needed to execute its strategy. Minimal early Link Monsters like "[[Decode Talker]]" in combination with "Rhino Warrior" allowed the Deck to land finishing blows with lethal consistency. The Deck became more and more aggressive, with fewer and fewer of the Deck's classic Trap lineups being played, and even Spell cards being cut back for heavier monster lineups.
+
The Deck flew under the radar in 2017, though by this Deck's standards, relatively speaking. It still topped, but the "[[Zoodiac]]" decks ruling the format were too strong on the whole for the Deck, and Burning Abyss had little synergy with the "Zoo" engine. By the time the format ended, "Terrortop" was Limited, and [[Link Summon|Link Summoning]] was introduced. Many thought this would finally be the end of the Deck, due their incompatibility effect and the lack of a "Burning Abyss" [[Link Monster]]. ([[Cherubini, Ebon Angel of the Burning Abyss|In the TCG at least]]). Instead, the Deck simply adapted and evolved yet again. One "Dante" and one "Beatrice" was all the Deck needed to execute its strategy. Minimal early Link Monsters like "[[Decode Talker]]" in combination with "Rhino Warrior" allowed the Deck to land finishing blows with lethal consistency. The Deck became more and more aggressive, with fewer and fewer of the Deck's classic Trap lineups being played, and even Spell cards being cut back for heavier monster lineups.
   
 
The current incarnation of the Deck came about from the release of "[[Sekka's Light]]", a better "[[Pot of Greed]]" that locked the player out of their other Spell/Trap cards. This allowed the Deck's heavy monster lineups to be taken to their logical conclusion, with 37-40 monsters and 3 "Sekka's Light" becoming the norm for most Decks. The release of the "[[Knightmare]]" and "[[Borrel]]" Link Monsters provided powerful discard effects and extra OTK force to allow this Deck to wipe its opponents out with explosive consistency. The inclusion of "[[Orbital Hydralander]]", a large beatstick with powerful self-summoning and mill/removal if the player has no monsters in your GY with the same name pushed the Deck into a heavy toolbox style, with minimal 3-ofs and mostly 2- and 1-ofs, with cards like "[[Fairy Tail - Snow]]", "[[Black Luster Soldier - Envoy of the Beginning]]" and "[[Barbar, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss]]" to control the GY. "Rhino Warrior", "[[Scarm, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss]]", "Farfa" and handtraps are viewed as the most acceptable 3-of monsters (besides "[[Orbital Hydralander|Hydralander]]" itself). "Fabled Soulkius" and "[[Destiny HERO - Malicious]]" can be used to Xyz Summon Beatrice with its "Foolish Burial" effect ready that turn. Despite yet [[December 2018 Lists|more]] [[January 2019 Lists (TCG)|hits]] to "Malicious" and "Snow", the Deck has [[Danger!|continued]] [[Dinowrestler Pankratops|to]] [[Kaiju|evolve]], and remains a solid choice at any event at any level, its now legendary resilience and explosive firepower continuing to claim wins against all comers.
 
The current incarnation of the Deck came about from the release of "[[Sekka's Light]]", a better "[[Pot of Greed]]" that locked the player out of their other Spell/Trap cards. This allowed the Deck's heavy monster lineups to be taken to their logical conclusion, with 37-40 monsters and 3 "Sekka's Light" becoming the norm for most Decks. The release of the "[[Knightmare]]" and "[[Borrel]]" Link Monsters provided powerful discard effects and extra OTK force to allow this Deck to wipe its opponents out with explosive consistency. The inclusion of "[[Orbital Hydralander]]", a large beatstick with powerful self-summoning and mill/removal if the player has no monsters in your GY with the same name pushed the Deck into a heavy toolbox style, with minimal 3-ofs and mostly 2- and 1-ofs, with cards like "[[Fairy Tail - Snow]]", "[[Black Luster Soldier - Envoy of the Beginning]]" and "[[Barbar, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss]]" to control the GY. "Rhino Warrior", "[[Scarm, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss]]", "Farfa" and handtraps are viewed as the most acceptable 3-of monsters (besides "[[Orbital Hydralander|Hydralander]]" itself). "Fabled Soulkius" and "[[Destiny HERO - Malicious]]" can be used to Xyz Summon Beatrice with its "Foolish Burial" effect ready that turn. Despite yet [[December 2018 Lists|more]] [[January 2019 Lists (TCG)|hits]] to "Malicious" and "Snow", the Deck has [[Danger!|continued]] [[Dinowrestler Pankratops|to]] [[Kaiju|evolve]], and remains a solid choice at any event at any level, its now legendary resilience and explosive firepower continuing to claim wins against all comers.
   
{{Decklist|Recommended cards (Classic build)|effect monsters =
+
==Recommended cards==
  +
{{Decklist|Recommended cards (Classic build)
  +
|effect monsters =
 
* [[Alich, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss]]
 
* [[Alich, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss]]
 
* [[Barbar, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss]]
 
* [[Barbar, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss]]
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|link monsters =
 
|link monsters =
* [[Cherubini, Black Angel of the Burning Abyss]]
+
* [[Cherubini, Ebon Angel of the Burning Abyss]]
   
 
|spells =
 
|spells =
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* [[Phoenix Wing Wind Blast]]
 
* [[Phoenix Wing Wind Blast]]
 
* [[Skill Drain]]
 
* [[Skill Drain]]
* [[Solemn]] [[Counter Traps|Counter Trap]]
+
* [[Solemn]] [[Counter Trap Card|Counter Traps]]
 
* [[Torrential Tribute]]
 
* [[Torrential Tribute]]
  +
* [[Treasure Map]]
 
* [[Vanity's Emptiness]] (Traditional Format)
 
* [[Vanity's Emptiness]] (Traditional Format)
  +
}}
}}{{Decklist|Recommended cards (Hydralander/Sekka)|effect monsters = * [[Alich, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss]]
 
  +
 
{{Decklist|Recommended cards (Hydralander/Sekka)
  +
|effect monsters =
  +
* [[Alich, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss]]
 
* [[Barbar, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss]]
 
* [[Barbar, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss]]
 
* [[Cagna, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss]]
 
* [[Cagna, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss]]
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* [[Power Giant]]
 
* [[Power Giant]]
 
* [[Rescue Cat]]
 
* [[Rescue Cat]]
  +
* [[Tour Guide From the Underworld]]
* [[Tour Guide From the Underworld]]|tuner monsters = * [[Rubic, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss]]|ritual monsters = |fusion monsters = * [[Dante, Pilgrim of the Burning Abyss]]|synchro monsters = * [[Virgil, Rock Star of the Burning Abyss]]
 
  +
|tuner monsters =
* [[Yazi, Evil of the Yang Zing]]|xyz monsters = * [[Dante, Traveler of the Burning Abyss]]
 
  +
* [[Rubic, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss]]
  +
|ritual monsters =
  +
  +
|fusion monsters =
  +
* [[Dante, Pilgrim of the Burning Abyss]]
  +
|synchro monsters =
  +
* [[Virgil, Rock Star of the Burning Abyss]]
  +
* [[Yazi, Evil of the Yang Zing]]
  +
|xyz monsters =
 
* [[Dante, Traveler of the Burning Abyss]]
 
* [[Beatrice, Lady of the Eternal]]
 
* [[Beatrice, Lady of the Eternal]]
 
* [[D/D/D Stone King Darius]]
 
* [[D/D/D Stone King Darius]]
 
* [[Leviair the Sea Dragon]]
 
* [[Leviair the Sea Dragon]]
 
* [[Number 47: Nightmare Shark]]
 
* [[Number 47: Nightmare Shark]]
* [[The Phantom Knights of Break Sword]]|link monsters = * [[Cherubini, Black Angel of the Burning Abyss]]
+
* [[The Phantom Knights of Break Sword]]
  +
|link monsters =
  +
* [[Cherubini, Ebon Angel of the Burning Abyss]]
 
* [[Borrel]] Link-4 monsters
 
* [[Borrel]] Link-4 monsters
 
* [[Decode Talker]]
 
* [[Decode Talker]]
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==Weaknesses==
 
==Weaknesses==
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[[Category:TCG and OCG archetypes]]
 
[[Category:Archetypes with Ritual Monster(s)]]
 

Revision as of 09:19, 1 October 2020

"Burning Abyss", known as "Afterlife" ( () (がん) Higan) in Japan, is one of two TCG exclusive archetypes that debuted in Duelist Alliance, alongside the "U.A." archetype.

Design

The Japanese name of the archetype is the word for a Japanese Buddhist concept literally known as "the other bank" of the Sanzu River, in other words, the boundary of the world of the dead. Once a soul leaves "this bank" (此岸 (shigan)), the very outer edge of the world of the living, and crosses the river to "that bank" (彼岸 (higan)), they can never come back.

The archetype is based on Inferno, the first part of Dante Alighieri's 14th-century epic poem Divine Comedy.

The "Malebranche of the Burning Abyss" are named after the Malebranche, the demons who guard the fifth Bolgia of Malebolge (the Eighth Circle of Hell), known for their ruthless cruelty and responsible for the punishment of corrupt politicians by holding them under a boiling lake of pitch. Their English names are truncations of the original Italian names of the Malebranche. Most of their Japanese names are the English names of the Malebranche used in Dorothy L. Sayers' translation of Inferno, although "Alich", "Barbar", and "Libic" use their original Italian names instead. They are all Level 3 DARK Fiend Effect Monsters.

"Malacoda, Netherlord of the Burning Abyss", as the leader of the "Malebranche", instead uses the title "Netherlord of the Burning Abyss" (he is still a member of the "Malebranche" in the source material). In English, unlike the "Malebranche of the Burning Abyss", "Malacoda's" name exactly matches its original Italian name. In Japanese, its name is Sayers' English name for the Malebranche as a whole, "Hellraker" (Sayers translates "Malacoda" as "Belzecue", which is not used in the card's name). It is a Level 6 DARK Fiend Ritual Monster.

Members

Main Deck

Burning Abyss Unique effect Origin
English Japanese
Alich Alichino Negates the effects of a targeted face-up monster on the field until the end of the turn. Alichino, the "Harlequin"
Barbar Barbariccia Banishes up to 3 targeted "Burning Abyss" cards in the controller's Graveyard, except "Barbar", then inflicts 300 damage to the opponent for each banished card. Barbariccia, the "Curly Beard"
Cagna Harrowhound Sends a "Burning Abyss" Spell/Trap Card from the controller's Deck to the Graveyard. Cagnazzo, the "Nasty Dog"
Calcab Hacklespur Returns a targeted Set Spell/Trap Card on the field to the hand. Calcabrina, the "Grace Stomper"
Cir Guttlehog Special Summons a targeted "Burning Abyss" monster in the controller's Graveyard, except "Cir". Ciriatto, the "Wild Hog"
Draghig Dragonel The controller chooses and places a "Burning Abyss" card from their Deck on top of the Deck. Draghignazzo, the "Nasty Sneering Dragon"
Farfa Farfarel Banishes a targeted monster on the field until the End Phase. Farfarello, the "Goblin"
Graff Grabbersnitch Special Summons a "Burning Abyss" monster from the controller's Deck, except "Graff". Graffiacane, the "Dog-Scratcher"
Libic Libbiocco The controller Special Summons 1 Level 3 DARK Fiend monster from their hand with its effects negated. Libicocco, the "Libyan Hothead"
Malacoda Hellraker Sends 1 "Burning Abyss" monster from your hand to the Graveyard to decrease the ATK and DEF of an opponent's monster by that sent monster's. If sent from the field to the Graveyard, sends 1 card on the field to the Graveyard. Malacoda, the "Evil Tail"
Rubic Rubicant Tuner Rubicante, the "Red-Faced Terror"
Scarm Scaramallion The controller adds a Level 3 DARK Fiend monster from their Deck to their hand during the End Phase of the turn "Scarm" was sent to the Graveyard. Scarmiglione, the "Troublemaker"

Extra Deck

Monster Origin
Beatrice, Lady of the Eternal Beatrice Portinari
Cherubini, Ebon Angel of the Burning Abyss The Black Cherub
Dante, Pilgrim of the Burning Abyss Dante Alighieri
Dante, Traveler of the Burning Abyss
Virgil, Rock Star of the Burning Abyss Publius "Virgil" Vergilius Maro

Playing style

All Main Deck "Burning Abyss" monsters, with the exception of the Level 6 Ritual Monster "Malacoda", are Level 3 DARK Fiend monsters, and share three effects: they are destroyed if the player controls a monster other than a "Burning Abyss" monster, can be Special Summoned from the hand if the player controls no Spell/Trap Cards, and have a unique effect that is activated when it is sent to the Graveyard (except "Rubic, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss", which instead is a Tuner monster[1]).

The deck is probably one of the most powerful and resilient Decks in Yu-Gi-Oh!'s history, being competitively viable for nearly its entire existence, a staggering 4 and a half years of near-continuous use at top events. It was one of the best Decks of the "Duelist Alliance" format, famous for the power of its floating effects. The combination of "Dante, Traveler of the Burning Abyss" and "Cir, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss" meant few Decks could hope to breach the defences of such a Deck. It soon evolved into a Trap-focussed control strategy, using cards with discard effects like "Phoenix Wing Wind Blast" and "Karma Cut" to get extra value out of the "Burning Abyss" monsters in the player's hand. As time went on, more offensive and disruptive monsters like "Virgil, Rock Star of the Burning Abyss" and "Farfa, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss" were added to the Deck's arsenal. With such power and rapid-fire attacking force, "Tour Guide from the Underworld" was soon Limited, the first of many attempts to break the Deck's power.

At the end of 2015, with the "Nekroz" format drawing to a close, the top decks of the last year were all banned into obscurity on the November 2015 Lists. This included several hits for Burning Abyss, with "Mathematician" and "Graff, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss" being Limited and "Cir" being Semi-Limited. But as so often happened throughout this Deck's existence, "Burning Abyss" simply adapted and evolved to be one of the top Decks of 2016. The Deck grew even stronger with the inclusion of "Twin Twisters" to bust backrow and "Fiendish Rhino Warrior" to allow "Burning Abyss" monsters to coexist with other monsters while giving a free "Foolish Burial". Most importantly, the extremely powerful "Beatrice, Lady of the Eternal" provided a mighty boss monster that could send "Burning Abyss" monsters to the GY during either player's turn. Once "Downerd Magician" was used to make sure "Dante"'s floating effect triggered, now the Deck had an on-archetype version that floated into "Dante, Pilgrim of the Burning Abyss". This turned "Burning Abyss" into a much more aggressive, explosive strategy, seeking to shut down combos if playing first with "Farfa" and similar cards, while OTKing with terrifying speed and consistency. This was helped even further by the introduction of "Speedroid Terrortop" and "The Phantom Knights", making the Deck's Rank 3 plays even faster and more varied. Eventually, the August 2016 Lists Limited "Cir" and "Beatrice". This did not stop the Deck topping, but hurt its consistency further.

The Deck flew under the radar in 2017, though by this Deck's standards, relatively speaking. It still topped, but the "Zoodiac" decks ruling the format were too strong on the whole for the Deck, and Burning Abyss had little synergy with the "Zoo" engine. By the time the format ended, "Terrortop" was Limited, and Link Summoning was introduced. Many thought this would finally be the end of the Deck, due their incompatibility effect and the lack of a "Burning Abyss" Link Monster. (In the TCG at least). Instead, the Deck simply adapted and evolved yet again. One "Dante" and one "Beatrice" was all the Deck needed to execute its strategy. Minimal early Link Monsters like "Decode Talker" in combination with "Rhino Warrior" allowed the Deck to land finishing blows with lethal consistency. The Deck became more and more aggressive, with fewer and fewer of the Deck's classic Trap lineups being played, and even Spell cards being cut back for heavier monster lineups.

The current incarnation of the Deck came about from the release of "Sekka's Light", a better "Pot of Greed" that locked the player out of their other Spell/Trap cards. This allowed the Deck's heavy monster lineups to be taken to their logical conclusion, with 37-40 monsters and 3 "Sekka's Light" becoming the norm for most Decks. The release of the "Knightmare" and "Borrel" Link Monsters provided powerful discard effects and extra OTK force to allow this Deck to wipe its opponents out with explosive consistency. The inclusion of "Orbital Hydralander", a large beatstick with powerful self-summoning and mill/removal if the player has no monsters in your GY with the same name pushed the Deck into a heavy toolbox style, with minimal 3-ofs and mostly 2- and 1-ofs, with cards like "Fairy Tail - Snow", "Black Luster Soldier - Envoy of the Beginning" and "Barbar, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss" to control the GY. "Rhino Warrior", "Scarm, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss", "Farfa" and handtraps are viewed as the most acceptable 3-of monsters (besides "Hydralander" itself). "Fabled Soulkius" and "Destiny HERO - Malicious" can be used to Xyz Summon Beatrice with its "Foolish Burial" effect ready that turn. Despite yet more hits to "Malicious" and "Snow", the Deck has continued to evolve, and remains a solid choice at any event at any level, its now legendary resilience and explosive firepower continuing to claim wins against all comers.

Recommended cards

Recommended cards (Classic build)



Weaknesses

  • The Level 3 "Burning Abyss" monsters destroy themselves if their controller controls a non-"Burning Abyss" monster, so the opponent might disrupt the player with cards/effects that give them monsters, such as "Ojama Trio", "Santa Claws", "Creature Swap", "Flying "C"", etc., although "Libic" and "Farfa" can help maneuver around such strategies.
  • Since face-down monsters are not treated as "Burning Abyss" monsters, "Quaking Mirror Force" can make it very difficult for "Burning Abyss" Decks, since any "Malebranche of the Burning Abyss" Summoned while there is a face-down monster will destroy itself.
  • Like all decks that function as rapid-fire Summon engines, the deck can be very specific in terms of content. As such, the archetype can have a steep learning curve. It is advisable to limit the number of non-archetype Monsters in the traditional forms of the deck to the barest minimum - "Fiendish Rhino Warrior" and "Tour Guide From the Underworld" are generally regarded as the most acceptable options.

References