True Draco and True King

True Draco and True King
真竜 (Shinryū)
"Mariamne, the True Dracophoenix" and "True King of All Calamities"
Translation	True Dragon
Other names
French	Véritable Draco Roi Véritable
German	Wahre Dracho Wahrer König
Italian	Vero Draco Vero Re
Korean	진룡 眞龍 (Hanja) Jillyong (romanized) Translation: True Dragon
Portuguese	Verdadeiro(a) Draco Verdadeiro Rei
Spanish	Verdadero/a Draco Rey Verdadero
Sets
Sets	Shining Victories The Dark Illusion Invasion: Vengeance Raging Tempest Maximum Crisis
Sets	Shining Victories The Dark Illusion Invasion: Vengeance Raging Tempest Maximum Crisis
TCG Sets	Breakers of Shadow: Special Edition 2017 Mega-Tin Mega Pack OTS Tournament Pack 5 Battles of Legend: Relentless Revenge 2018 Mega-Tin Mega Pack OTS Tournament Pack 11 Fists of the Gadgets Toon Chaos Legendary Duelists: Synchro Storm
TCG Sets	Breakers of Shadow: Special Edition 2017 Mega-Tin Mega Pack OTS Tournament Pack 5 Battles of Legend: Relentless Revenge 2018 Mega-Tin Mega Pack OTS Tournament Pack 11 Fists of the Gadgets Toon Chaos Legendary Duelists: Synchro Storm
OCG Sets	Structure Deck: Soulburner Rarity Collection Premium Gold Edition
OCG Sets	Structure Deck: Soulburner Rarity Collection Premium Gold Edition
Korea-Only Sets	Advanced Event Pack 2017 Vol.2
Korea-Only Sets	Advanced Event Pack 2017 Vol.2
Lists
Members Support
Members Support

"True Draco" and "True King", known as "True Dragon" (真竜 Shinryū) in the OCG, is an archetype of Wyrm monsters with various Attributes (primarily LIGHT) they premiered in The Dark Illusion with its first support debuting in Maximum Crisis. It is composed of two sub-series, "True King" and "True Draco".

In the Italian version, the inclusion of "Disciples of the True Dracophoenix", "Dreiath III, the True Dracocavalry General", "Majesty Maiden, the True Dracocaster" and "Mariamne, the True Dracophoenix" seems to be implicit, because their names don't contain "Vero Draco".

Design

True King

The "True Kings" are Level 9 Wyrm monsters whose combined ATK and DEF equal 4800. They share some similarities with the "Dragon Rulers", such as the fact they are FIRE, WIND, WATER and EARTH-Attribute, share a combined sum of ATK and DEF among them, and have effects related to their Attributes:

• If this card is in your hand: You can destroy 2 other monsters in your hand and/or face-up on your field, including a(n) [its own Attribute] monster, and if you do, Special Summon this card, and if you do that, and both destroyed monsters were [its own Attribute], you can [...].

• If this card is destroyed by card effect: You can [add/Special Summon] 1 non-[its own Attribute] Wyrm-Type monster from your [Deck/Graveyard].

• You can only use each effect of "[card name]" once per turn.

Regarding their lore, each one is related to a same-Attribute Archetype released on the same set as themselves, except "Mariamne", as follows:

"True King"	Attribute	Corresponding "Dragon Ruler"	Rival Archetype	Battle
Agnimazud	FIRE	Blaster	Metalfoes	Metalfoes Combination
Bahrastos	WATER	Tidal	Crystron	Crystron Impact
Lithosagym	EARTH	Redox	Zoodiac	Zoodiac Combo
Mariamne	WIND	Tempest	None	None

Lore-wise, "Mariamne" seems to be somehow different from the other "True Kings", as hinted in the artwork and name of "Disciples of the True Dracophoenix" and in the artwork of "True Draco Heritage". Also, she does not have the same name pattern as the others ("True King [name], the [noun]"), and the appearance of "Master Peace, the True Dracoslaying King" (his wings and the symbol on his shield) hints that there is a relation between both of them.

Finally, it poses a benevolent mien, in contrast to the aggressive, destructive figure of the other "True Kings". She also is the only female member among the Level 9 monsters. However, while she was released along side a WIND archetype, "Lyrilusc", in vein of the earlier "True Kings" being released with an archetype matching their own attributes, there is no lore connection between "Mariamne" and "Lyrilusc" monsters.

True Draco

In terms of artwork, each True Draco is related to a Pendulum Archetype released in the OCG 9th Series sets and are focused on Tribute Summons:

"True Draco"	Attribute	Referenced Archetype	Special Summon Counterpart
Ignis Heat	FIRE	Igknight	Ignister Prominence
Dinomight Knight	WATER	Dinomist	Dinoster Power
Majesty Maiden	WIND	Majespecter	Majester Paladin
Dreiath III	EARTH	Amorphage	Amorphactor Pain
Master Peace	LIGHT	Dracoslayer	Master Peace
Metaltron XII	LIGHT	Metalfoes Crystron Zoodiac	Zefra Metaltron

Playing style

True King

Each one of the "True Kings" have a non-targeting banishing effect that is applied if the Attributes of both monsters destroyed for its Special Summon match its own Attribute. Additionally, they activate a different effect that triggers if they are destroyed by a card effect, interacting with a Wyrm monster with a different Attribute from its own.

"True King"	Attribute	Banishing effect	Destroyed effect
Agnimazud	FIRE	Banishes 1 monster from the opponent's field or Graveyard.	Adds a non-FIRE Wyrm monster from the Graveyard to the hand.
Bahrastos	WATER	Banishes up to 2 Spell/Trap Cards from the opponent's field or Graveyard.	Special Summons a non-WATER Wyrm monster from the Deck.
Lithosagym	EARTH	Banishes up to 3 different monsters from the opponent's Extra Deck.	Special Summons a non-EARTH Wyrm monster from the Graveyard.
Mariamne	WIND	Banishes 4 cards from the top of the opponent's Main Deck.	Adds a non-WIND Wyrm monster from the Deck to the hand.

Their boss monster is "True King of All Calamities", a DARK Rank 9 Xyz Monster whose effect turns the Attributes of all monsters on the field into a declared Attribute, while suppressing opposing monsters of that Attribute from activating their effects and attacking. It also allows its controller to destroy opposing monsters in the Summoning process of the "True King" monsters.

True Draco

The "True Draco" revolve around Tribute Summons and can be Tribute Summoned by Tributing a Continuous Spell or Trap Card. Their effects provide further support to the "True Draco" and "True King" monsters, either by searching for resources or protecting other monsters.

The aforementioned Spell Cards provide card advantage either by recycling "True King"/"Draco" monsters from the Graveyard or by providing draws according to the number of "True King"/"Draco" cards sent to the Graveyard that turn. The Trap Cards can either weaken opposing monsters or revive a "True King"/"Draco" as the last Special Summon of that turn. They also have in common an effect that allows its controller to Tribute Summon a "True King"/"Draco" monster during the opponent's Main Phase. Finally, if the Spell Cards are sent from the field to the Graveyard, they can destroy a Spell/Trap card, while the Trap Cards deal with monsters; this last effect can be triggered when they are Tributed for the Summon of a "True King"/"Draco", providing even trades in terms of card economy while disrupting the opponent's actions.

The ace monsters of this sub-archetype are "Master Peace, the True Dracoslaying King" and "Metaltron XII, the True Dracombatant". With Level 8 and 9, they can be Tribute Summoned by Tributing Continuous Spell/Trap Cards. Also, they are unaffected by cards with the same type of the cards Tributed. The former can destroy 1 card on the field at the cost of a Continuous Spell/Trap Card in the Graveyard while the latter, once destroyed, replaces itself with a Fusion, Synchro or Xyz Monster of one of the four elemental Attributes. "Master Peace, the True Dracoslayer" is also a "True Draco" monster, but it is related and has more synergy with the "Dracoslayer"/"Dracoverlord" archetypes than with "True Dracos" themselves.

Recommended cards

Recommended cards

Monsters

Effect Monsters

• Dinomight Knight, the True Dracofighter
• Dreiath III, the True Dracocavalry General
• Ignis Heat, the True Dracowarrior
• Majesty Maiden, the True Dracocaster
• Mariamne, the True Dracophoenix
• Metaltron XII, the True Dracombatant
• True King Agnimazud, the Vanisher
• True King Bahrastos, the Fathomer
• True King Lithosagym, the Disaster
• Hardened Armed Dragon
• Magma Dragon
• Night Dragolich
• Unmasked Dragon

Tuner monsters

• Mare Mare

Extra Deck

Xyz Monsters

• Mereologic Aggregator
• Number 9: Dyson Sphere
• Number 92: Heart-eartH Dragon
• Phantom Fortress Enterblathnir
• Sacred Tree Beast, Hyperyton

Spells & Traps

Spells

• Disciples of the True Dracophoenix
• Dragonic Diagram
• True Draco Heritage
• Magic Planter
• Precious Cards from Beyond
• Supply Squad
• Terraforming
• The Monarchs Stormforth

Traps

• True Draco Apocalypse
• True King's Return
• Call of the Haunted
• Escalation of the Monarchs
• Oasis of Dragon Souls
• Rivalry of Warlords
• Torrential Tribute
• Waterfall of Dragon Souls

Yang Zing True Kings

By combining the deck with "Yang Zing" monsters, it is possible to Summon powerful Synchro Monsters such as "Trishula, Dragon of the Ice Barrier", "Leo, the Keeper of the Sacred Tree", and "Shooting Quasar Dragon".

Recommended cards

Monsters

Effect Monsters

• True King Agnimazud, the Vanisher
• True King Bahrastos, the Fathomer
• True King Lithosagym, the Disaster
• Mariamne, the True Dracophoenix
• Suanni, Fire of the Yang Zing
• Bi'an, Earth of the Yang Zing
• Bixi, Water of the Yang Zing
• Pulao, Wind of the Yang Zing
• Night Dragolich

Tuner monsters

• Jiaotu, Darkness of the Yang Zing
• Chiwen, Light of the Yang Zing
• Mare Mare

Pendulum Monsters

• Zefraniu, Secret of the Yang Zing
• Zefraxi, Treasure of the Yang Zing

Extra Deck

Synchro Monsters

• Shooting Quasar Dragon
• Cosmic Blazar Dragon
• Leo, the Keeper of the Sacred Tree
• Crystal Wing Synchro Dragon
• Scarlight Red Dragon Archfiend
• Baxia, Brightness of the Yang Zing
• Yazi, Evil of the Yang Zing
• Denglong, First of the Yang Zing
• Chaofeng, Phantom of the Yang Zing
• Trishula, Dragon of the Ice Barrier
• Herald of the Arc Light
• Stardust Charge Warrior
• Formula Synchron
• Generic Level 5 Synchros ("Armades", "Librarian", etc.)

Xyz Monsters

• True King of All Calamities
• Phantom Fortress Enterblathnir
• Number 92: Heart-eartH Dragon
• Number C107: Neo Galaxy-Eyes Tachyon Dragon
• Number 38: Hope Harbinger Dragon Titanic Galaxy

Spells & Traps

Spells

• Solidarity (if using Wyrm only)
• Dragonic Diagram
• Disciples of the True Dracophoenix
• True Draco Heritage
• Yang Zing Path
• Supply Squad
• Terraforming
• One for One

Traps

• Waterfall of Dragon Souls
• True King's Return
• True Draco Apocalypse
• Call of the Haunted/Oasis of Dragon Souls
• Nine Pillars of Yang Zing
• Escalation of the Monarchs
• Rivalry of Warlords (if using Wyrm only)
• Torrential Tribute
• Fuh-Rin-Ka-Zan

True King Dinosaurs

This build's main goal is to explore the synergy of "Lithosagym" with the EARTH Dinosaur monsters, basically "Petiteranodon" and "Babycerasaurus", crippling the opponent's Extra Deck while Special Summoning Dinosaurs from the Deck in the process and setting up Xyz and Synchro Summons.

In the TCG, True King Dinosaur decks were left weaker following the September 2017 banlist leaving "True King Lithosagym, the Disaster" and "Denglong, First of the Yang Zing" forbidden and "Miscellaneousaurus" limited.

Recommended cards

Monsters

Normal Monsters

• Megalosmasher X

Effect Monsters

• True King Agnimazud, the Vanisher
• True King Bahrastos, the Fathomer
• True King Lithosagym, the Disaster
• Mariamne, the True Dracophoenix
• Ultimate Conductor Tyranno
• Dogoran, the Mad Flame Kaiju
• Souleating Oviraptor
• Petiteranodon
• Babycerasaurus
• Miscellaneousaurus
• Tyranno Infinity
• Giant Rex
• Rescue Rabbit

Tuner monsters

• Jurrac Aeolo

Extra Deck

Synchro Monsters

• Trishula, Dragon of the Ice Barrier
• Vermillion Dragon Mech
• Ultimaya Tzolkin
  • Crystal Wing Synchro Dragon
  • Odd-Eyes Meteorburst Dragon
  • Void Ogre Dragon
• Denglong, First of the Yang Zing
• Naturia Beast

Xyz Monsters

• True King of All Calamities
• Phantom Fortress Enterblathnir
• Number 92: Heart-eartH Dragon
• Number 9: Dyson Sphere
• Number 95: Galaxy-Eyes Dark Matter Dragon
• Evolzar Dolkka
• Evolzar Laggia
• Tornado Dragon

Spells & Traps

Spells

• Dragonic Diagram
• Double Evolution Pill
• Burial from a Different Dimension
• Pot of Acquisitiveness
• Book of Eclipse
• Lost World (optional)
• Terraforming
• Fossil Dig

Traps

• Jurrac Impact
• Survival of the Fittest
• True King's Return
• Nine Pillars of Yang Zing
• Quaking Mirror Force

Weaknesses

Due to the consistency of a dedicated "True King"/"Draco" Deck, it is not easy to build a effective, long-lasting counter-strategy to them. However, since the Deck is focused on Special Summoning the "True Kings", cards that prevent or negate monster effects (such as "Solemn Strike") can hinder the deck since the Level 9 monsters can only use their effects once per turn, even if negated. "Mind Drain" can lock the "True Kings" from activating their effects in the hand and "Ash Blossom & Joyous Spring" can negate such activated effects too. The variety of Attributes can make them vulnerable to cards like "Gozen Match" and "Battle of the Elements". "Zombie World" prevents the Tribute Summon of "True Draco" monsters. It also nullifies the effects of "Agnimazud" and "Lithosagym". "Zaphion, the Timelord" and "Evenly Matched" can also entirely board-wipe the "True Draco" field and unless the "True Draco" player has a decent hand, it may take them a long time to re-establish their field.

Although "Macro Cosmos" and "Masked HERO Dark Law" do not stop the "True Kings" and "Mariamne", and "Metaltron XII", from activating their effects when they are destroyed, they can make the Deck run out of resources by emptying the Graveyard of targets for "Disciples of the True Dracophoenix", "True King's Return", "Agnimazud", and "Lithosazim". They also prevent the first effect of "True Draco Heritage" from being activated, as well as the Graveyard effects of the all "True Draco" Continuous Spell/Trap Cards.

"Mask of Restrict" and "Fog King" can prevent the "True Dracos" from being Tribute Summoned, which also prevents disruption of its opponent's field caused by the "True Draco" Spell/Trap Cards. This Tributing disadvantage is ironically bad on the flip-side too, as "Metaltron XII" and 'Master Peace" are not immune from being Tributed themselves (namely by your opponent, via cards like the "Kaiju" archetype, "The Monarchs Stormforth", "Lava Golem" and "The Winged Dragon of Ra - Sphere Mode" .) Even if not, "Master Peace" specifically can't blanket safeguard itself against the three main types of cards. Specifically, cards like "Borreload Dragon", "Brain Control" and "Mind Control" are particularly egregious if "Master Peace" didn't Tribute a monster or Spell card for it, as the monster can be pillaged and then either Tributed itself or used as material for an Extra Deck monster. Cards such as "Forbidden Chalice", "Effect Veiler" and "Skill Drain" can also oust all of "Master Peace"'s immunities, leaving it vulnerable to every card effect.

Finally, being all Continuous in terms of card category, "True Draco" backrows don't have built-in protections for themselves. In addition to general Spell/Trap removal, cards like "Ghost Ogre & Snow Rabbit", "Abyss Dweller", "Anti-Spell Fragrance", "Imperial Order" and "Magic Deflector" can keep their effects in check.

The most recent banlists have also severely neutered their consistency, though the OCG and TCG went down different avenues to achieve this.

Trivia

• It might be possible that the "True King" and "True Draco" lore has parallels with biblical storylines.
  • "Mariamne" and her peaceful appearance would represent Jesus. The "True Dracos" serve as her disciples, as hinted by the artwork and name of "Disciples of the True Dracophoenix".
  • "True King of All Calamities" would represent the Beast, or the antichrist. Its Japanese name, "V.F.D.", could be an abbreviation of the Latin phrase Vicarius Filii Dei, meaning "representative of the son of God", and was constructed by opponents of the Pope to "prove" that he is the Beast.
    • Also, it is interesting to note that, considering the name pattern of the "True Kings", the Japanese name "V.F.D., the Beast" hints that this monster is an amalgamation of "Vanisher", "Fathomer" and "Disaster", but not "Mariamne", once she would represent the very opposite of the Antichrist and, thus, could not be a constituent part of him.
  • "Master Peace, the True Dracoslaying King", with his divine appearance, would represent God, father of Jesus, as its shield has the symbol present on the head of "Mariamne".
    • Alternatively, "Mariamne" would represent Mary, mother of Jesus and "Master Peace" would represent Jesus.