Forum:Deck Guide/Sphinx (Rock)

Sphinx Guide

By BF2

The "Sphinx" monsters premiered in Pharaonic Guardian with "Guardian Sphinx", while "Criosphinx" and "Hieracosphinx" arrived shortly after. Later on, a Structure Deck built around defensive Rock-Type monsters was released, with "Exxod, Master of The Guard", a variation of "Exodia" that relied on "Sphinx" monsters. While the deck isn't as potent in a fast metagame, in a slower one it can be very powerful.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Sphinx decks have good defense: Many Rock-Type monsters have more defense than offense.

Cons

Sphinx monsters require tributes: They're essentially dead in your hand.

Sphinx decks are slow: They require a setup, so a field-clearing card can set them back to square one.

Main Cards

Monsters

• Criosphinx: "Criosphinx" only has 1200 ATK although its 2400 DEF IS passable. Whenever a monster is returned to its owner's hand, they have to discard a card.
• Exxod, Master of The Guard: "Exxod" has 4000 DEF but since you have to tribute a Tribute Monster to Special Summon him he's worse than he could be. His effect inflicts 1000 points of damage every time an EARTH monster is flipped face-up (supporting "Guardian Sphinx")
• Guardian Sphinx: Currently the best "Sphinx" monster, "Guardian Sphinx" has a passable 2400 DEF and returns all monsters your opponent controls to their hand when it's Flip Summoned. The best part is that it can flip itself face-down once per turn-this means that you will be able to attack directly and then re-set it, slowing your opponent greatly.
• Hieracosphinx: "Hieracosphinx" has 2400 ATK, which falls just short of "the ATK score to beat (2500)". It protects your set monsters.

Other Cards

Monsters

• Des Lacooda: Used in defensive Flip Effect builds.
• Gigantes: Provides tribute fodder for "Sphinx" monsters.
• Medusa Worm: Used in defensive Flip Effect builds.
• Stone Statue of the Aztecs: Used in defensive "Sphinx" builds.
• Swarm of Locusts: Used in defensive Flip Effect builds.
• Swarm of Scarabs: Used in defensive Flip Effect builds.

Spells

• Canyon: Doubles all Battle Damage inflicted by Defense Position Rock-Type monsters.

Variants

Flip Effect Deck

A Flip Effect Deck has ample card removal, allowing you to destroy many cards, and draw power, but is vulnerable to cards such as "Heavy Storm" and "Mystical Space Typhoon". Cards like "Gravity Bind" and "Messenger of Peace" protect your monsters while you use their abilities to slowly gain advantage.

Flip Effect Deck Core
Monster Cards Des Lacooda x3 Guardian Sphinx x1-3 Hieracosphinx x0-3 Medusa Worm x0-3 Swarm of Locusts x3 Swarm of Scarabs x3 Spell Cards Forbidden Lance x0-3 Trap Cards Gravity Bind x0-3 Messenger of Peace x2-3

Defensive Rock Deck

Defensive Rock Decks use "Sphinx" monsters and "Canyon" to deal massive damage when your opponent attacks them.