Simorgh

"Simorgh" is an archetype of Winged-Beast monsters, used by Strong Jukyu in Yu-Gi-Oh! OCG Structures and by Sky Scout in the Yu-Gi-Oh! GX anime. They are based on the bird of legend known as Simurgh, a benevolent deity from Persian mythology. All members of this archetype are WIND monsters, except for two DARK monsters whose effects allow them to also be treated as WIND monsters while on the field. Their first member was introduced in Structure Deck - Lord of the Storm, while their first support was introduced in Rising Rampage.

Members[]

Member	Effect when Normal Summoned
Beginning	During your Main Phase this turn, you can Normal Summon 1 "Simorgh" monster in addition to your Normal Summon/Set.
Bringing	You can add 1 "Simorgh" card from your Deck to your hand, except "Simorgh, Bird of Bringing".
Calamity	You can send 1 "Simorgh" card from your Deck to your GY, except "Simorgh, Bird of Calamity".
Perfection	You can send 1 "Simorgh" monster from your Deck to your GY; add 1 "Simorgh" Spell/Trap from your Deck to your hand.
Protection	You can target 1 card in your opponent's Spell & Trap Zone; return it to the hand.

Playing style[]

"Simorgh, Bird of Divinity" and "Dark Simorgh" both wreak havoc on an opponent's Spells and Traps and when combined can cause a devastating effect to the opponent, "Dark Simorgh" preventing the opponent from setting cards, and "Simorgh, Bird of Divinity" causing continuous Burn Damage as a result. "Anti-Spell Fragrance" is usually a staple in Dark Simorgh Lockdown Decks; when used with "Dark Simorgh", it prevents the opponent from being able to use Spells, Traps or Flip Monster Effects at all.

"Simorgh, Bird of Ancestry" helps the combo by making more "Simorgh" monsters easier to summon with its effect that decreases Tribute costs (though not for "Dark Simorgh"-it only counts as a WIND monster while it is on the field). It also carries the unique distinction of being treated as a Normal Monster while in the hand, as opposed to on the field or in the Graveyard. This makes it possible to be summoned with "Wind Effigy" or other effects that benefit Normal Monsters like Common Charity.

"Simorgh" monsters benefit greatly from being used with WIND monsters. "Simorgh, Bird of Divinity" requires WIND monsters as Tributes, "Dark Simorgh" uses WIND and DARK monsters to Special Summon itself, and "Simorgh, Bird of Ancestry" gains the additional effect of returning cards to the opponent's Hand when it is Tribute Summoned with only WIND monsters.

The obvious problem with "Simorgh" monsters is that they are difficult to Summon due to the Tribute cost even with the benefit of the effect of "Simorgh, Bird of Ancestry" and have a hard time protecting themselves once they come out. "Dark Simorgh" is an exception, thanks to its ability to Special Summon itself and prevent your opponent from using Trap Cards. A way to speed this up is to use cards that count as two Tributes such as "Whirlwind Prodigy" and "Wind Effigy" or monsters that Special Summon themselves like "Garuda the Wind Spirit" and "Silpheed" or Swarm like "Harpie" monsters or even "Blackwing" monsters to an extent. Afterwards, protect them with cards like "My Body as a Shield" and "Guard Mines". With your opponent's Spells and Traps effectively locked down, you should focus on stopping your opponent's Effect Monsters to protect your side of the field.

With the release of Simorgh's support cards from Rising Rampage and the archetype Link Monster "Simorgh, Bird of Sovereignty", Simorgh becomes a force to be reckon with due to their ability to easy set up various lock-down while also swarming the field with powerful monsters. The lower levels Simorgh monsters swarms the field and prepare for the Link Summon of "Simorgh, Bird of Sovereignty", who can then Special Summons "Simorgh, Lord of the Storm", "Simorgh of Darkness", and "Dark Simorgh" to lock-down your opponent, with the former two's effects easily fulfilled as the lower levels Simorgh can Special Summons themselves from the Graveyard once each, providing your opponent doesn't control any Spell/Trap card, something easily achieved through "Simorgh Repulsion". "Barrier Statue of the Stormwinds" can be used to further restrict your opponent and can be easily summoned through "Simorgh, Bird of Sovereignty".