Qli

Qli
The original 10 "Qli" monsters
Japanese	クリフォート Kurifōto (romanized) Qliphort (translated)
Simplified Chinese	机壳 machine husk (translated)
French	Qli
German	Qli
Italian	Qli
Korean	클리포트 Keullipoteu (romanized) Qliphort (translated)
Portuguese	Qli
Spanish	Qli
Sets The New Challengers Secrets of Eternity Invasion: Vengeance TCG The New Challengers: Super Edition Secrets of Eternity: Super Edition 2015 Mega-Tin Mega Pack Pendulum Evolution Extreme Force OCG 20th Anniversary Pack 2nd Wave LINK VRAINS Pack Korean Advanced Event Pack 2015 Vol.1
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Allow C:\tierra\qliphort.exe ? <Y/N>...[Y]
Booting in Autonomy Mode...

— Flavor text of "Qliphort Scout"

"Qli", known as "Qliphort" (クリフォート Kurifōto) in the OCG, is an archetype of EARTH Machine monsters introduced in The New Challengers that are designed to take advantage of the Pendulum Summon mechanic. This is reflected in the eye-shaped motifs visible in their appearances; these motifs are flanked by two crystals, one blue and another red, that are identical to the indicators of a Pendulum Scale.

In the TCG, "Qli" monsters all contain the term "Qliphort" in their names, despite card texts using the more general "Qli" name.

Design

"Qliphort" is a portmanteau of Qliphoth (קְלִיפּוֹת, lit. "husks", the representation of evil or impure spiritual forces in Jewish mysticism) and "fort". The Japanese names of several Spell/Traps use the corresponding kanji of 機殻 (lit. "machine husk") for their readings of "Qliphort" (クリフォート Kurifōto), referencing the literal meaning of the word "qliphoth".

The Qliphoth is documented in some texts of Kabbalah, a set of teachings originating in Judaism. The ten emanations of the Qliphoth form the Kabbalistic Tree of Death, and each Qliphah is the polar opposite of a corresponding Sefirah on the Kabbalistic Tree of Life.

The majority of the names of the "Qli" monsters are related to computing. "Genome" (OCG name of "Qliphort Helix") refers to the genomes of biological organisms, as they bear resemblance with how computers store their data.

Each name also references each emanation of the Qliphoth, specifically the interpretation of the Qliphoth from William G. Gray's The Tree of Evil.

#	Pyroxene	Qliphort			Qliphah		Corresponding "Infernoid"	Opposing "Zefra"
		TCG	OCG		Rōmaji	English
			Rōmaji	English
1	White	Skybase	Kāneru	Kernel	Bachikaru	Bacikal	Pirmais	Zefrasaber
2	Gray	Stealth	Eiriasu	Alias	Ēīrī	Iweleth	Antra	Zefraxciton
3	Black	Shell	Sheru	Shell	Sheridā	Sheriruth	Harmadik	Zefraniu
4	Blue	Disk	Disuku	Disk	Adishesu	Adyeshach	Patrulea	Zefraxi
5	Red	Cephalopod	Akusesu	Access	Akuzeryusu	Akzeriyyuth	Piaty	Zefrathuban
6	Yellow	Scout	Tsūru	Tool	Kaitsūru	Kaitul	Sjette	Zeframpilica
7	Green	Carrier	Ākaibu	Archive	Tsākabu	Shakah	Seitsemas	Zefrawendi
8	Orange	Helix	Genomu	Genome	Kemudā	Chemdah	Attondel	Zefraxa
9	Purple	Monolith	Asenbura	Assembler	Ayīatsubusu	Aiyatsbus	Devyaty	Zefranaga
10	Rainbow	Towers	Kirā	Killer	Kimuranūto	Qimranut	Onuncu	Zefracore

"Qliphort Genius" doesn't follow this pattern, being a reference to the genii of Roman mythology instead.

Lore

Main articles: Master Guide 5 card storylines and Master Duel card storylines § The Colossal Mechanical Conch

Playing style

"Qlis" focus on Pendulum Summoning monsters to fuel Tribute Summons, with effects that activate when Tributed or when Summoned by Tributing members of the archetype.

All "Qli" Pendulum Monsters have 2400/2800 ATK and 1000 DEF (except "Scout", who has 1000 ATK and 2800 DEF), like the "Monarchs", and possess the following effects:

• Pendulum Effect: You cannot Special Summon monsters, except "Qli" monsters. This effect cannot be negated.
• Monster Effect: You can Normal Summon this card without Tributing. If this card is Normal Summoned without Tributing, or is Special Summoned, its Level becomes 4 and its original ATK becomes 1800. If this card is Normal Summoned/Set, it is unaffected by activated effects from any monster whose original Level/Rank is lower than this card's current Level.

In addition, the "Qli" Effect Pendulum Monsters can manipulate the ATK of monsters on the field; those with a Pendulum Scale of 1 boost the ATK of your "Qli" monsters by 300, while those with a Scale of 9 reduce your opponent's monsters' ATK by 300.

Finally, each "Qli" Pendulum Monster is a unique combination of a Level from 5 to 8, and a Scale of 1 or 9, with the Level 5 ones being Normal Monsters with Pendulum Effects that provide card advantage for its owner, the Level 6 ones activating effects whenever they are Tributed and serving as spot removal, and the Level 7 and 8 triggering their effects when they are Tribute Summoned. The Level 9 and 10 are not Pendulum Monsters and each of them require 3 "Qli" monsters to be tributed for their Normal Summon.

	Level 5	Level 6	Level 7	Level 8	Level 9	Level 10
Scale 1	Monolith	Carrier	Disk	Stealth	—	—
Scale 9	Scout	Helix	Cephalopod	Shell	—	—
No Scale	—	—	—	—	Skybase	Towers

Strategy

The main strategy is to use "Qliphort Scout" to gain card advantage, allowing Pendulum Summoning a number of "Qli" monsters. The effects of "Qliphort Carrier" and "Qliphort Helix" trigger when being Tributed, so by using them to Tribute Summon "Qliphort Disk", "Qliphort Shell" or the aces of the archetype: "Apoqliphort Towers" and "Apoqliphort Skybase", which resist card effects of any kind (with the exception of Continuous Effects), can generate further Field Advantage.

"Qli" Decks support Tribute Summon, therefore they can put to use the "Monarch" series, which, depending on which Monarchs are used, can cripple the opponent in various ways. The Egyptian God Cards can also prove useful in this deck under certain situations, due to the tribute fodder provided. However, a Normal Summon can only be conducted once per turn. Hence to avoid potential Dead draws, "Monarch" monsters are rarely seen in decks for competitive plays. "Performapal Trampolynx" is a very good support for "Qliphort Scout". Its ability allows an extra search per turn and access to Special Summon non-"Qli" monsters like "Abyss Dweller" to grant extra powers against the opponent.

Spell Cards such as "Summoner's Art", "Saqlifice" and "Pot of Duality" contribute to searching the key card "Qliphort Scout". "Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon" is capable of searching either "Qliphort Scout" or "Performapal Trampolynx" with a drawback of one-turn delay. The defense line mainly consists Trap Cards that either wipe off opponents' monsters or prevent them from expanding. "Skill Drain" can dramatically increase the Damage output from "Qli" monsters and lockdown opponent's field monster effects. "Laser Qlip" is also worth including, as not only does it allow you to Normal Summon another "Qli" monster in addition to your regular Normal Summon each turn, it also prevents your opponent from negating the Normal Summons of your "Qli" monsters. Other powerful Trap Cards like "Vanity's Emptiness" and "Torrential Tribute" are suggested as well since "Qli" monsters have a fairly high ATK with the support of "Saqlifice" and returns to the Extra Deck when sent to the Graveyard, thus can be brought back to the field by Pendulum Summoning.

A useful two card combination in any Deck that can destroy it's own Pendulum Scales with effects like "Sky Iris", "Performapal Pendulum Sorcerer" or any of the "Metalfoes" Monster Scale-effects after using the search effect "Qliphort Scout" for "Qliphort Monolith" for defensive Wall or a Rank 5 Xyz Monster, usually "Cyber Dragon Nova" into "Cyber Dragon Infinity". Especially if running "Summoner's Art".

Weaknesses

Due to the fact that "Qli" Decks rely heavily on "Qliphort Scout", backrow removal cards like "Mystical Space Typhoon" or "Cosmic Cyclone" can cause the Deck to lose a lot of momentum very quickly. These same backrow removal cards can deal with the Qli Deck's floodgates like "Skill Drain" or "Lose 1 Turn."

Cards that prohibit Tribute Summons like "Mask of Restrict" or "Zombie World" can halt the Qli game plan provided they haven't already established a board.

"Dimensional Barrier" calling Pendulum Monsters can prevent the Qli player from Pendulum Summoning their Tribute fodder. Do not use this on an already-established Qli field, though, because this will revert the stats of any Special Summoned or Normal Summoned-without-Tribute Qli monsters.

When playing a "Qli" Deck, be aware of threats such as "Mystical Space Typhoon" and "Bottomless Trap Hole". It is suggested that before extending, clear the opponent's backrow as many as possible by using cards like "Night Beam", which counters free-chain cards such as "Mystical Space Typhoon" and "Sinister Shadow Games". You could also use "Hey, Trunade!" to temporarily clear your opponent's face-down Spells and Traps. "Qlimate Change" (can be searched by "Qliphort Scout") returns up to 3 face-up "Qli" monsters in the Extra Deck to hand and can be fairly effective when the opponent is focusing on destroying cards in Pendulum Zones.

While "Towers" and "Skybase" are the trump cards of this deck, owing to their immunity to almost all card effects, they are still vulnerable to Continuous Effects. Monsters such as "Destiny HERO - Plasma" can shut these cards down completely, as it not only negates opposing Monster Effects, it can also equip an opponent's monster to itself, providing it with an ample ATK boost. Link monsters can also bypass the immunity of the "Apoqliphort" monsters, such as "Firewall Dragon" by simply returning them to the hand. Kaijus also serve as an omnipresent answer to invulnerable monsters like the Apoqliphort monsters. It is also interesting to note that usual Machine counters like "Chimeratech Fortress Dragon", while ineffective against most of the deck, can still be used against the "Apoqliphort" monsters because they are not Pendulum Monsters.

"Crimson Blader" is also a major threat, because when it destroys a monster, the opponent cannot Normal or Special Summon Level 5 or higher monsters that turn.

As per New Master Rules, this deck suffers from losing its Tribute fodder provided by Pendulum Summoning as only one Tribute (two with "Qliphort Genius") can be recovered from the Extra Deck at a time, and activating cards in the Pendulum Zones limits the use of Spell & Trap Zones. This can be mitigated somewhat with "Qlimate Change," which can treat itself as three Tributes for an Apoqliphort monster to shortcut the Summoning process.

Recommended cards

Recommended cards

Main Deck Monster Cards Effect Monsters Apoqliphort Skybase Apoqliphort Towers Beast King Barbaros Division Machina Metalcruncher Pendulum Monsters Qliphort Carrier Qliphort Cephalopod Qliphort Disk Qliphort Helix Qliphort Monolith Qliphort Scout Qliphort Shell Qliphort Stealth Han-Shi Kyudo Spirit Kai-Den Kendo Spirit Kuro-Obi Karate Spirit Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon Performapal Trampolynx Yoko-Zuna Sumo Spirit Spell Cards Normal Spells Extra Pendulum Foolish Burial Goods Pendulum Paradox Spell Card: "Soul Exchange" Summoner's Art Tenacity of the Monarchs Terraforming Equip Spells Saqlifice Field Spells Laser Qlip Domain of the True Monarchs Continuous Spells Clockwork Night Precious Cards from Beyond Quick-Play Spells Enemy Controller Forbidden Chalice Limiter Removal The Monarchs Stormforth Swords at Dawn Wavering Eyes Trap Cards Normal Traps Qlife's End Qlimate Change Qlipper Launch Magnet Force E.M.R. Counter Traps Madolche Nights Overwhelm Continuous Traps Re-qliate Escalation of the Monarchs Lose 1 Turn Skill Drain Soul Drain Gozen Match Extra Deck Link Monsters Qliphort Genius Aussa the Earth Charmer, Immovable Missus Radiant Platinum Gadget