Stardust (archetype)

"Stardust" (スターダスト Sutādasuto) is an archetype of cards used by Yusei Fudo in the Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's anime and manga. They focus on Synchro Summoning and Special Summoning "Stardust Dragon" and "Stardust Warrior".

"Stardust Shimmer" is not a "Stardust" card because it does not have 「スターダスト」 in its Japanese name.

Playing style

In the competitive scene, aside from archetype specific combos, "Plaguespreader Zombie" and "Destiny Hero - Malicious" was the only Synchro Summon combo used for Level 8s fast and reliable for any deck with an "Armageddon Knight"-like effect. More recently "Uni-Zombie" and "Mezuki".

"Starlight Road" makes "Stardust Dragon" simple to Main Deck. Although it does not Synchro Summon so "Stardust" cannot revive itself; but two charges of this effect is enough to counter "Raigeki" or "Mystical Space Typhoon"-like effects.

Released after the 5D's TV series, in the Manga retelling, was "Stardust Spark Dragon": which was often combo'd with "Scrap Dragon" or "Vanity's Emptiness" when it was first released.

Other than "Stardust Spark Dragon", "Scarlight Red Dragon Archfiend", and "Black Rose Moonlight Dragon" gained new retrained versions,, with effects that removed the "When Synchro Summoned" claus, to be compatible with "Ultimaya Tzolkin"s Special Summon effect.

"Tzolkin" is easiest to Synchro Summon with the Level Modulation effect of "Accel Synchron" or the "Hieratic" archetype, when run with the Level 6 Tuner Monster "Labradorite Dragon". "Stardust Warrior" and "Stardust Chronicle Spark Dragon" have a simple combination of 2 Level 4 Monsters and a 1 Level Tuner monster that can revive itself from the Graveyard like "Jet Synchron" or "Glow-Up Bulb".

The more complex requirement of "Stardust Sifr Divine Dragon" will likely involve a "Soul Charge"-like effect and the culmination of a few turns of Synchro Summoning other Monsters.