How to Build a Yu-Gi-Oh! Beatdown Deck
In the parlance of Yu-Gi-Oh! players, a beatdown deck is a deck which relies on a devastating attack by a few very powerful monsters to attain victory. The player needs to get these monsters out quickly to keep his opponent from developing a counter-strategy. He also needs to protect his monster and keep it on the field for as long as possible to inflict the maximum amount of damage. The specifics change with the release of each new Yu-Gi-Oh! card deck, but a few basics apply to all beatdown decks.
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Instructions
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1
Determine the monsters you want to use as your “beatsticks.” They should have a high ATK rating--at least 2,400--and possess some extra effect to strengthen its own abilities or the abilities of other monsters on the field. Look for level 5 or 6 monsters such as Prime Material Dragon, Cyber Dragon or Dark Ruler Ha Des. If you can get a higher level monster card which doesn’t have more than one tribute, then do so.
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2
Decide how to bring your beatstick monsters onto the field. Any card which lets you search through the deck and put the monster in your hand is ideal, as are cards which you can use to tribute for the monster. Trap Monsters make excellent tributes for beatstick monsters.
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3
Select Trap and Spell cards which clear the field of the opponents’ monsters. In order for a beatdown deck to work, you want your monster to go right for the player without having to wade through his ranks of defenders. Cards like Torrential Tribute and Mirror Force work very well at getting rid of opposing monsters, while Royal Decree or similar cards prevent opponents’ traps from affecting you. Avoid protective or defensive cards except for a few instances. You need to be on the offensive all the time if a beatdown deck is to work.
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Find cards which freeze or “lockdown” the field, such as Chain Burst. You can then attack without worrying about traps or spells which your opponent may deploy against you.
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5
Place Equip cards that increase your monsters’ ATK scores. United We Stand, Axe of Despair and the like help you pile even more damage onto your opponent and bring the game to a swift conclusion.
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6
Count the number of cards in your deck. Every Yu-Gi-Oh! deck needs at least 40 cards, but you don’t want to go too much higher than that, or you’ll have a tougher time getting your beatstick monsters into play. Set an upper limit of 45 cards (balanced evenly between Monster cards and Spell/Trap cards) and stick to it.
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Playtest your beatdown deck with friends to see how it works. Most Yu-Gi-Oh! decks require some fine tuning before they can be played, and playtesting will give you a good idea of where the weak spots are.
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