How to Create a Beginner's Yu-Gi-Oh Deck

With so many cards to choose from, a beginner to the Yu-Gi-Oh game can be overwhelmed trying to assemble a deck that can win duels. But even if you are a beginner, you can take steps to build a deck that could one day take on Yugi Moto himself--or at least give you a chance at your local Yu-Gi-Oh tournament.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Avoid keeping more than the minimum 40 cards in your deck. The more cards you have, the less chance you'll have of drawing the right card at the right time.

2. Store as many monster cards in the deck as magic and trap cards combined. Monsters are your primary attack and defense. You want a hand with monsters to play and defend your life points.

3. Keep only a few high-level monsters. If you stock a lot of them, you'll deplete your total monsters by having to tribute them or have a hand with all monsters that you can't play.

4. Put in cards that will allow you to draw an extra card on a turn. This will increase your chances of getting the card you need on a turn.

5. Stock plenty of effect monsters, especially ones that can negatively affect your opponent when you attack. When you play these face down, you can lure them into a trap.

6. Decide on a theme for your deck and include cards that will work together. For example, a dragon deck will benefit from Stamping Destruction, Dragon's Rage and Mountain cards.

Tips & Warnings

• Magic and trap cards that will instantly destroy an opponent's cards work in any deck. These include Dust Tornado, Trap Hole, Mystical Space Typhoon and Hammer Shot.
• Be sure you know which cards are limited or forbidden by the official tournament rules. This won't be needed for casual duels with friends, but you don't want to get caught in an official duel with cards you can't use.

Resources

• Official home of the Yu-Gi-Oh trading card game