Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Links have two primary options when it comes to buying cards at the Store: traditional Boxes and Structure Decks. While Boxes come with advantages, Structure Decks can be very useful for both new and experienced Duel Links players. These special boxes typically have items that are not in regular Boxes, and in some cases, these cards can have a decisive effect on the metagame.
With all of that said, let’s go over which Structure Decks you should take a hard look at in Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Links.
Tales of the Noble Knights
As one of the most recent Structure Decks to launch, Tales of the Noble Knights is (as if the name isn’t obvious) a Noble Knights-themed deck. This set comes with a slew of Noble Knight staples that have launched in other Boxes, including Noble Knight Drystan, Noble Knight Medraut, and several Equip Spell Cards that are the engine of this archetype.
Additionally, Tales of the Noble Knights also comes with two new Xyz monsters: Sacred Noble Knight of King Artorigus and Artorigus, King of the Noble Knights. Artorigus can be a force when it comes to clearing the Spell & Trap Zone, while the Sacred Noble Knight does the same with the Monster Zone.
Gagaga XYZ
Centered around the Gagaga archetype that was used by Yuma from the Yu-Gi-Oh! ZEXAL series, Gagaga XYZ has a few nifty weapons that can helpful for both new and experienced players. As far as Monster cards go, Zubababancho Gagagacoat can be Special Summoned if you have a Zubaba or Gagaga monster on the field. Bacon Saver, on the other hand, can help players avoid any LP damage if that card is banished from the Graveyard during the Battle Step.
Though arguably the most valuable card from this Structure Deck is Gagaga Cowboy. A four-star Xyz monster, Gagaga Cowboy can inflict 400 LP of damage to the opposition once per turn if in Defense Position. If in Attack Position, the Cowboy can gain 1000 ATK during the Damage Step while also dropping the attack target’s ATK by 500.
Hero Generation
HERO cards have been around in the Yu-Gi-Oh! card game for over 15 years, and both the Elemental HERO and Destiny HERO archetypes have mostly remained relevant in the TCG ever since. HERO monsters have also very much been relevant in the game of Duel Links, and the Hero Generation deck has made running the Elemental/Destiny/Masked HERO archetypes much easier.
Hero Generation comes with various cards that are in the Hero Rising deck, plus Mask Change, which is the very valuable Quick-Play Spell Card. Mask Change allows players to tribute off a HERO monster, and in turn, Special Summon a Masked HERO Fusion Monster from the Extra Deck that has the same attribute as the tributed target. Masked HERO Koga, which has 2500 ATK and can lower opposing monsters’ ATK points, is also included in Hero Generation.
While you will still need some Destiny HERO monsters and three copies of Masked HERO Anki to successfully run this archetype in Duel Links, Hero Generation is a good building block for those who want to go with a HERO-themed deck.
Masters of Chaos
The Dark Magician archetype has been the target of several Banlist updates, but it can still be a decent option if built correctly. While the Masters of Chaos Structure Deck doesn’t have too much to do with the Dark Magician archetype, it does have one card that’s incredibly handy for any build that revolves around’s Yami Yugi’s ace monster: Dark Cavalry.
Dark Cavalry, which can typically be Special Summoned from the Extra Deck with the Eye of Timaeus, can be used as both a high-ATK beater, as well as a negate machine. As part of Dark Cavalry’s effect, duelists can discard one card when it’s on the field to negate the activation and resolution of an opponent’s Monster or Spell/Trap card effect.
Other cards that could also be of use from this deck include the Magician of Chaos Ritual Monster and the Advanced Ritual Art Ritual Spell Card.
The White Dragon of Legend
The Blue-Eyes archetype is one of the most popular ones in Duel Links, so it makes sense that the fifth and final Structure Decks we’re profiling includes support cards for Seto Kaiba’s ace monster. The White Dragon comes with several useful cards, including Cosmo Brain, which can help Special Summon the Blue-Eyes White Dragon, and Dragon Spirit of White.
Dragon Spirit of White is treated as a Normal Monster in the Graveyard or hand, meaning that it can be Special Summoned with Cosmo Brain’s effect. Additionally, Dragon Spirit of White can banish one Spell or Trap card from the field upon it being Normal or Special Summoned. What’s even better about this card is that Dragon Spirit of White can also be tributed during either player’s turn, and in return, the owner of Spirit of White can Special Summon a Blue-Eyes White Dragon.
Yes, you will need other cards to make the Blue-Eyes archetype pop. But, if you plan on rolling with a Blue-Eyes White Dragon-themed deck, this Structure Deck is essential.
Note: This list is as of January 8, 2021.
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Chris Studley
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