Forum:Normal/Ritual Deck

This is a modified version of a deck I built a while ago, to exploit the byplay between Advanced Ritual Art and Lycanthrope. I'd love to find out whether I've actually improved, or messed it up completely.

Thanks in advance.

Anonymous By Choice (talk • contribs) 02:06, April 6, 2013 (UTC)

I'm going to assume this is some sort of self-imposed challenge, because there's a ridiculous number of single copy cards.

If it's not, you know what to do: Find more copies of the good cards and add them in. I'm sure you can start by doing without Javelin Beetle and Javelin Beetle Pact, and go with more copies of Lycanthrope and Advanced Ritual Art. Maybe even Synthesis Spell. --Gadjiltron (talk • contribs) 02:43, April 6, 2013 (UTC)

Add "Rescue Rabbit" and "Enchanting Fitting Room" to summon the Normal Monsters and "Preparation of Rites" to search the Lync. --Missign0 (talk • contribs) 02:55, April 6, 2013 (UTC)

Let me put it this way: I'm flat broke, and this is just about all I have to work with (also, isn't Advanced Ritual Art Limited?). I could definitely remove Javelin Beetle (maybe replace it with Magician of Black Chaos or Divine Grace - Northwemko). Also, I want to keep as many Level 2 Normal monsters as possible for Human-Wave Tactics, so stronger monsters are hard to come by.

If you could offer some advice about the general strategy of the deck, that'd be much appreciated.

Anonymous By Choice (talk • contribs) 02:59, April 6, 2013 (UTC)

Advanced Ritual Art is actually Semi-Limited, so you can squeeze in a second one.

You can try experimenting with a Gemini Monster or two in the Deck. They count as Normal Monsters in the Grave, fueling Lycanthrope's effect. They can also help supply the offensive power your other monsters would be lacking.

Darkworld Shackles seems like a good choice too. You can lock out the opponent's monsters from attacking when you're on the defensive, and shrink an opponent's monster to allow Lycanthrope to trump anything in battle if you're on the offensive. In case you're attempting to turn the tables with it, it also prevents the opponent from putting a monster to Defense Position so that Lycanthrope will get a guaranteed window for damage at a later turn.

A few additional Creature Seizures would be good too, since it lets you snatch the opponent's monsters for your own use, while also letting you artificially create windows for inflicting Battle Damage with Lycanthrope.

Hope this helps. --Gadjiltron (talk • contribs) 13:38, April 6, 2013 (UTC)

Okay, so I took note of your suggestions--and looked through all my Spells and Traps--and made some changes.

Additionally, these are some other cards I could (re-)add, if you think any of them would fit better than what I already have:

I can't seem to get my hands on another Advanced Ritual Art, so I added Magical Stone Excavation to get it back (could also add Spell Reclamation).

I've replaced Creature Seizure with Creature Swap, so that I can use my Ritual Card searchers once they use their effect.

Do remember that I'm trying to keep as many Lv 2 or lower Normals, else I can't use Human-Wave Tactics and Law of the Normal. I've decided I can't have less than ten of them, so that kinda limits room for stronger cards.

Anonymous By Choice (talk • contribs) 02:39, April 7, 2013 (UTC)

I'd personally keep the Normal Monsters strictly to LV2 so that you can properly summon Lycanthrope with ARA by simply pitching 3 of them from the Deck, and so that you can keep a healthy amount of Normal Monsters in the Deck without being forced to keep too many of them. This will create more space for cards that can better support your strategy.

Very surprisingly, the LV2 Normal Monsters tend to have shabby stats. I can name some LV1 ones with a good 2000 DEF to hide behind, but the highest number you're getting off the LV2 Normals is 1400 ATK (Atlantean Pikeman) and 1000 DEF (Ojamas). Though the shabby stats would mean that you can get more swarm out of Human Wave Tactics. Hmm... an Ojama Lycanthrope hybrid...?

If you do put the focus on LV2 Normal Monsters, Gachi Gachi Gantetsu will work nicely, being a stubborn wall that pumps stats and resists destruction. Also, once Shape Sister gets released, she can count as a Tuner for Synchro purposes, and a LV2 Normal Monster for Human Wave Tactics. White Elephant's Gift can also function as draw power if you can keep up the monster count with Human Wave Tactics. Also consider Pot of Avarice. Nothing sucks more than finally drawing your ARA only to have your Deck thinned out too much by Human Wave Tactics. --Gadjiltron (talk • contribs) 15:22, April 8, 2013 (UTC)

An alternative is to scrap the whole LV2 strategy and use LV3 Normal Monsters exclusively. Swarm with Enchanting Fitting Room instead of Human-Wave Tactics so that you can make Rank 3 Xyzs or LV6 Synchros. Most notably, Genex Controller meshes well with Sonic Duck and Mad Lobster to make Genex Ally Triarm, and Triarm can enforce a means of control by messing with the opponent's hand or clearing away S/Ts. You also get some monsters with excellent stats to hide behind, including Giant Soldier of Stone. In exchange, you won't really get a load of damage from Lycanthrope's effect off the bat, but the Wolf is meant to function best mid-late game. --Gadjiltron (talk • contribs) 00:33, April 10, 2013 (UTC)