| Let's start from scratch. We all know that a basic | | | | building in the best chances into your yugioh deck. |
| deck must contain at least 40 yugioh cards. Although | | | | The next key item is to find out any additional |
| the rules allow you to have more than 40, | | | | banned or restricted yugioh card list that the |
| tournament worthy decks are 99% made up of | | | | tournament has listed. Some tournaments restrict |
| exactly 40 yugioh cards. In some cases, experts do | | | | some rare yugioh cards to 1 copy per deck. The |
| play with 41 or 42 instead of 40. However, they | | | | reason for any banning or restriction is because the |
| usually have a very good reason for doing so. That is | | | | card is too strong and/or easily exploited. What we're |
| an advanced topic and will probably be best suited | | | | going to focus on is the restricted list. If a restricted |
| for another article altogether. Any new deck starts | | | | yugioh card fits the theme or goal that your deck is |
| with 40. | | | | trying to accomplish, then you definitely want it in |
| The best reason for building a core of just 40 yugioh | | | | your deck. If you know of yugioh cards that will |
| cards is simple mathematics. Yugioh decks are | | | | eventually be banned or restricted, it's best to work |
| allowed no more than 3 copies of any one yugioh | | | | those cards into your current tournament deck. If |
| card. It doesn't matter if it's common or an ultra rare. | | | | you can and if it makes sense, include 3 copies. |
| No more than 3 -- that's all you get. So basic | | | | The final aspect of core deck-buidling is the |
| arithmetic shows that the chances of drawing a | | | | metagame. The metagame is simply the breakdown |
| particular card from your deck is 7.5% (3 divided by | | | | of the types of decks your competition uses. A |
| 40). Compared to a 50 card deck, your chances | | | | good estimate of the current metagame will allow |
| decrease to 6.0% (3 divided by 50). The 1.5% | | | | you to build your deck to properly counter your |
| difference may seem small now, but that only applies | | | | competition. Let say that you estimate the current |
| at the start of the game, when you're drawing your | | | | metagame in your area to be 40% beatdown decks, |
| opening hand. | | | | 40% turbo-combo decks, 5% dragon decks, 5% |
| When you find yourself needing that one spell or trap | | | | gadget decks, 5% spellcaster decks, 5% other. Most |
| card to win the game, the difference actually | | | | metagames lean towards 1-2 winning deck types |
| increases. Compare the edge mid-game with 15 cards | | | | from previous tournaments or a winning list published |
| already drawn from your deck. Assuming that you | | | | in a recent magazine. In this example, you will most |
| haven't drawn any of the 3 copies of your key | | | | likely run into a beatdown deck or turbo-combo deck. |
| cards, the difference is apparent. 12% (3 divided by | | | | With this in mind, you can begin building your deck |
| 25 cards left) versus 8.6% (3 divided by 35 cards | | | | with specific yugioh cards that will help you against |
| left). Imagine if you and your opponent are racing for | | | | these types of decks. You will most likely end up |
| a specific yugioh card in your respective decks. I've | | | | building an antithesis of these decks or simply a |
| seen games like these. Whoever draws their key | | | | better version of the decks because you will fare |
| card first usually locks up the game. Sure there's luck, | | | | better in a mirror-match. |
| but you also have to sway luck towards you by | | | | |