Editing Mermail

{{Infobox archetype
| image   = Abysssquall.png
| caption = "[[Mermail Abysshilde]]", "[[Mermail Abyssgunde]]" and "[[Mermail Abysslinde]]".
| ja_name = {{Ruby|水精鱗|マーメイル}}
| romaji  = Māmeiru
| fr_name = Sirènemure
| de_name = Nixenrüstung
| it_name = Sirenide
| ko_name = 머메일
| ko_romanized = Meomeil
| pt_name = Sirena
| es_name = Sirenarmada
| sets    = 
* [[Abyss Rising]]
* [[Cosmo Blazer]]
* [[Lord of the Tachyon Galaxy]]
* [[Extra Pack: Sword of Knights]]
* [[Battle Pack 2: War of the Giants]]
| anime = [[Yu-Gi-Oh! ZEXAL]]
| manga = [[Yu-Gi-Oh! D Team ZEXAL]]
}}

"'''Mermail'''" ({{Ruby|水精鱗|マーメイル}} ''Māmeiru'') is an [[archetype]] of [[WATER]]-[[Attribute]] and [[Aqua]], [[Fish]] and [[Sea Serpent]]-[[Type]] [[Monster Card|monsters]], used by [[Brooke Walker]] in the past, introduced in the ''[[Abyss Rising]]''. They are based on [[wikipedia:Mermaid|mermaids]] outfitted with armor, hence "mail". They are intimately related to the "[[Abyss-]]" archetype, as they all belong to the archetype. Level 3 "Mermail" are all Aqua-Type [[List of female cards|female]] monsters, Level 4 "Mermail" are all Fish-Type male monsters, and Level 7 "Mermail" are all Sea Serpent-Type monsters, except for "[[Mermail Abyssteus]]" and "[[Mermail Abyssbalaen]]", which are Aqua-Type monsters.

Each "Mermail" monster is based on a real life aquatic animal. The original three female "Mermail" monsters released in ''Abyss Rising'', "[[Mermail Abysslinde]]", "[[Mermail Abyssgunde]]" and "[[Mermail Abysshilde]]", have names coming from the Rhinemaidens (Woglinde, Wellgunde, Flosshilde) in the German opera ''[[wikipedia:Der Ring des Nibelungen|Der Ring des Nibelungen]] (The Ring of the Nibelung)'' by [[wikipedia:Richard Wagner|Richard Wagner]]. The Level 7 "Mermail" monsters (excluding "[[Mermail Abyssbalaen]])", "[[Mermail Abyssmegalo]]", "[[Mermail Abyssleed]]" and "[[Mermail Abyssteus]]" take inspiration from [[wikipedia:extinct species|extinct aquatic species]]. The Xyz Monsters, "[[Mermail Abyssgaios]]" and "[[Mermail Abysstrite]]" take inspiration from [[wikipedia:Twelve Olympians|Ancient Greek deities]].

{| class="wikitable"
! Mermail !! Inspiration
|-
| [[Mermail Abyssdine|Abyssdine]] || [[wikipedia:Sea angel|Sea angel]]
|-
| [[Mermail Abyssbalaen|Abyssbalaen]] || [[wikipedia:Balaenoptera|Balaenoptera]]
|-
| [[Mermail Abyssgaios|Abyssgaios]] || [[wikipedia:Poseidon|Poseidon]]
|-
| [[Mermail Abyssgunde|Abyssgunde]] || [[wikipedia:Clown fish|Clown fish]]
|-
| [[Mermail Abysshilde|Abysshilde]] || [[wikipedia:Eel|Eel]]
|- 
| [[Mermail Abyssleed|Abyssleed]] || [[wikipedia:Leedsichthys|Leedsichthys]]
|- 
| [[Mermail Abysslinde|Abysslinde]] || [[wikipedia:Koi|Koi]]
|-
| [[Mermail Abysslung|Abysslung]] || [[wikipedia:Lungfish|Lungfish]]
|-
| [[Mermail Abyssmander|Abyssmander]] || [[wikipedia:Salamander|Salamander]]
|-
| [[Mermail Abyssmegalo|Abyssmegalo]] || [[wikipedia:Megalodon|Megalodon]]
|-
| [[Mermail Abyssnose|Abyssnose]] || [[wikipedia:Peters' elephantnose fish|Elephantnose fish]]
|-
| [[Mermail Abysspike|Abysspike]] || [[wikipedia:Northern pike|Pike]]
|-
| [[Mermail Abyssteus|Abyssteus]] || [[wikipedia:Dunkleosteus|Dunkleosteus]]
|-
| [[Mermail Abysstrite|Abysstrite]] || [[wikipedia:Amphitrite|Amphitrite]] / [[wikipedia:Dolphin|Dolphin]]
|-
| [[Mermail Abyssturge|Abyssturge]] || [[wikipedia:Sturgeon|Sturgeon]]
|-
| [[Mermail Abyssocea|Abyssocea]] || [[wikipedia:Oceanid|Oceanid]] / [[wikipedia:Flying fish|Flying Fish]]
|}

== Playing Style ==
[[Level]] 3 "Mermail" monsters all share a similar [[Card effect|effect]] when they get [[send|sent]] to the [[Graveyard]] - they Special Summon another "Mermail", letting them swarm the field. The Level 4 "Mermail" monsters can activate their effects when they are Normal or Special Summoned by discarding a WATER monster from your Hand, which will trigger the effect of the previous monster's effect, and the Level 4 monsters help to either search the Deck or Graveyard for a Level 3 [[WATER]] monster. The higher-Level "Mermails" can [[Special Summon]] themselves with relative-ease by sending other "Mermails" to the Graveyard, which will also trigger their effects. The "boss" monster of the archetype, "[[Mermail Abyssgaios]]", is a powerful control card, with 2 effects that forces your opponent into a corner, either by preventing their most powerful monsters from attacking and/or by negating their weaker monsters' effects.

They have a small relation to the "Umi" series since one of their support cards, "[[Abyss-strom]]", uses "Umi" for its effect. This is also evident in the new [[Field Spell]] introduced in their debut set of ''[[Abyss Rising]]'' (which, name wise, partially refers to them as well) whose effect treats it as "Umi." The Field Spell, "[[Lemuria, the Forgotten City]]", helps them Xyz for a higher [[Rank]] [[Xyz Monsters]], and partially supports the Summoning of "Abyssgaios". Combining the original "Umi" cards with these newer cards is not a good option since there are much better options available for this task which outclass the "Umi" cards. The "Umi" cards only have 1 connection in which they function properly, and their effects are generally weaker than those of the "Mermail". Another possibility for a field spell is "[[Clear World]]". It causes the user of a water monster to discard at the end of their phase, facilitating their effects while possibly hindering the other player.

Swarming and Xyz Summon are thus their main style of play, and with all the recent support for WATER-attribute monsters, can do a decent job of Summoning Xyz Monsters. By utilizing support they can reach from [[Rank 3 Monster Cards|Rank 3]] ("[[Number 17: Leviathan Dragon]]" and "[[Black Ray Lancer]]") to [[Rank 9 Monster Cards|Rank 9]] ("[[Number 9: Dyson Sphere]]"). With 2 "[[Mermail Abyssmegalo]]" and "Lemuria" they can make Rank 9 fairly easily. Rank 4 is accessible with just the Level 4 monsters themselves. Rank 5 is created with "Lemuria" and 2 Level 3 monsters, while 6 is reached with 2 Level 4 monsters and Lemuria. Rank 7 is reached plainly by 2 "Abyssmegalo" without help from "Lemuria". Rank 8 is impossible without 3 Level 5 monsters, 4 Level 4 monsters or 5 Level 3 Monsters, all of which seem like a waste of cards to spend on what's currently available at this Rank.

Another strategy is to lock the attacks and effects of strong opponent monsters with "Abyssgaios", using his effect to negate the effect of face-up enemy monsters, as his effect can be activated in any player's turn. To Summon him, one can Special Summon "Abyssmegalo's" effect, and then adding "[[Abyss-sphere]]" to your hand, letting you Summon another "Abyssmegalo" in your next turn. This can also be done with "[[Mermail Abysslinde]]'s" effect to Summon "Abyssmegalo" from your Deck. Using the effect of "Lemuria" and the swarming power of "Mermails" can help as well, needing 3 face-up Level 4 "Mermails" or 4 face-up Level 3 "Mermails".

"Abysslinde" is one of the Deck's most important Summoning cards. It acts as a "[[Mother Grizzly]]" for "Mermails" that also works upon being destroyed by card effects.

"Mermails" also go hand-in-hand with the "[[Atlantean]]" archetype since their effects are activated when sent to the graveyard to activate a WATER monsters effect. By discarding "[[Atlantean Heavy Infantry]]", "[[Atlantean Marksman]]" or "[[Atlantean Dragoons]]", to activate the "Mermails" effects you can destroy a card on the field ("Heavy Infantry" and "Marksman") or search your Deck for any [[Sea Serpent]]-Type monster ("Dragoons"), such as "Abyssmegalo", while also gaining the "Mermail's" effects.

== Story ==
{{See also|[[Gagaga Academy Tospedia card storylines#"The Mermails and Atlanteans" Edition|Gagaga Academy Tospedia card storylines]]}}
The "Mermails" used to peacefully live in their underwater city, "[[Lemuria, the Forgotten City|Lemuria]]", and albeit good in the arts of fighting, they would rarely use this ability. However, sudden changes in the earth's crust made "Lemuria" rise above the ocean, leaving the "Mermails" homeless. In that moment, the Emperor of the "[[Atlantean]]" army, "[[Poseidra, the Atlantean Dragon|Poseidra]]", choose to let the "Mermails" live under his protection, but they would have to obey his orders. Using the great treasure of the "Mermails", the [[Abyss-squall|Golden Ring]], to control the weather, "Poseidra" ordered an all-out attack against their archenemies, the "[[Fire King]]s". Unfortunately, “Poseidra’s” body was taken over by [[Mermail Abyssgaios|the king]] residing in the Ring. The king eliminated the “Atlantean” army with ease. It appears that “Abysstrite” sealed the Ring away because the advent of the king required a sacrifice.

==Recommended cards==
{{Decklist|Deck
|effect monsters =
* [[Mermail Abyssdine]]
* [[Mermail Abysslinde]]
* [[Mermail Abysspike]]
* [[Mermail Abyssturge]]
* [[Mermail Abyssgunde]]
* [[Mermail Abysshilde]]
* [[Mermail Abyssmegalo]]
* [[Atlantean Dragoons]]
* [[Atlantean Marksman]]
* [[Atlantean Heavy Infantry]]
* [[Mermail Abyssteus]]
* [[Abyss Soldier]]
* [[Abyss Warrior]]
|xyz monsters =
* [[Abyss Dweller]]
* [[Bahamut Shark]]
* [[Mermail Abysstrite]]
* [[Mermail Abyssgaios]]
* [[Mecha Phantom Beast Dracossack]]
* [[Number 11: Big Eye]]
* [[Number 17: Leviathan Dragon]]
* [[Number 74: Master of Blades]]
* [[Number 32: Shark Drake]] (use Abyssquall to Special Summon 3 Level 4 Mermails)
* [[Number C32: Shark Drake Veiss]]
* [[Snowdust Giant]]
* [[Number 16: Shock Master]] (use Abyssquall to Special Summon 3 Level 4 Mermails)
|spells =
* [[Lemuria, the Forgotten City]]
* [[Mystical Space Typhoon]]
* [[Aqua Jet]]
* [[Salvage]]
|traps =
* [[Bubble Bringer]]
* [[Abyss-squall]]
* [[Abyss-sphere]]
* [[Mirror Force]]

}}

===Merlantean===
{{main|Merlantean}}
<!-- This is not an exact Decklist. Do not add multiples or staples.-->
{{Decklist|Merlantean
|effect monsters =
* [[Atlantean Dragoons]]
* [[Atlantean Marksman]]
* [[Atlantean Heavy Infantry]]
* [[Mermail Abysslinde]]
* [[Mermail Abysspike]]
* [[Mermail Abyssmegalo]]
* [[Mermail Abyssturge]]
* [[Genex Undine]]
* [[Genex Controller]]
* [[Deep Sea Diva]]
* [[Moulinglace the Elemental Lord]]
* [[Tragoedia]]
|synchro monsters =
* [[Armory Arm]]
* [[Ally of Justice Catastor]]
* [[T.G. Hyper Librarian]]
* [[Dewloren, Tiger King of the Ice Barrier]]
* [[Gungnir, Dragon of the Ice Barrier]]
* [[Black Rose Dragon]]
* [[Stardust Dragon]]
|xyz monsters =
* [[Number 17: Leviathan Dragon]]
* [[Gachi Gachi Gantetsu]]
* [[Evigishki Merrowgeist]]
* [[Maestroke the Symphony Djinn]]
* [[Mecha Phantom Beast Dracossack]]
* [[Mermail Abysstrite]]
* [[Mermail Abyssgaios]]
* [[Number 11: Big Eye]]
* [[Number 74: Master of Blades]]
|spells=
* [[Salvage]]
* [[Pot of Avarice]]
* [[Allure of Darkness]] (If using Genex Controller)
|traps =
*[[Abyss-sphere]]
*[[Abyss-squall]]
*[[Royal Decree]]
}}

===Mermail Barriers===
<!-- This is not an exact Decklist. Do not add multiples or staples.-->
{{Decklist|Mermail Barriers
|effect monsters =
* [[Snowman Eater]]
* [[Debris Dragon]]
* [[Summoner Monk]]
* [[Junk Synchron]]
* [[Mermail Abysspike]]
* [[Mermail Abyssturge]]
* [[Prior of the Ice Barrier]]
* [[Strategist of the Ice Barrier]]
* [[Defender of the Ice Barrier]]
* [[General Gantala of the Ice Barrier]]
* [[General Raiho of the Ice Barrier]]
|synchro monsters =
* [[Mist Wurm]]
* [[Stardust Dragon]]
* [[Ancient Fairy Dragon]]
* [[Gungnir, Dragon of the Ice Barrier]]
* [[Dewloren, Tiger King of the Ice Barrier]]
* [[Black Rose Dragon]]
* [[Ally of Justice Catastor]]
* [[T.G. Hyper Librarian]]
|xyz monsters =
* [[Lavalval Chain]]
* [[Number 39: Utopia]]
|spells=
* [[Salvage]]
* [[Surface]]
* [[Lemuria, the Forgotten City]]
* [[Medallion of the Ice Barrier]]
* [[Terraforming]]
* [[Monster Reincarnation]]
* [[Card Destruction]]
|traps =
* [[Threatening Roar]]
}}

===Tidal Monomermail===
{{Decklist|Tidal Monomermail
|effect monsters =
* [[Mermail Abyssgunde]]
* [[Mermail Abysslinde]]
* [[Mermail Abysspike]]
* [[Mermail Abyssturge]]
* [[Mermail Abyssteus]]
* [[Mermail Abyssleed]]
* [[Mermail Abyssmegalo]]
* [[Deep Sea Diva]]
* [[Atlantean Heavy Infantry]]
* [[Atlantean Dragoons]]
* [[Atlantean Marksman]]
* [[Fishborg Archer]]
* [[Tidal, Dragon Ruler of Waterfalls]]
|synchro monsters =
* [[Stardust Dragon]]
* [[Sea Dragon Lord Gishilnodon]]
* [[Gungnir, Dragon of the Ice Barrier]]
* [[Black Rose Dragon]]
* [[Ally of Justice Catastor]]
* [[T.G. Hyper Librarian]]
* [[Armory Arm]]
|xyz monsters =
* [[Bahamut Shark]]
* [[Mecha Phantom Beast Dracossack]]
* [[Mermail Abyssgaios]]
* [[Mermail Abysstrite]]
* [[Number 11: Big Eye]]
* [[Number 17: Leviathan Dragon]]
* [[Number 74: Master of Blades]]
* [[Gachi Gachi Gantetsu]]
* [[Armored Kappa]]
* [[Wind-Up Zenmaines]]
|spells=
* [[Salvage]]
* [[Pot of Avarice]]
* [[Abyss-scale of the Mizuchi]]
|traps =
* [[Abyssphere]]
* [[Abyssquall]]
}}

===From [http://www.yugioh-card.com/japan/topics/?20121212 "Atlantean" & "Mermail" Deck recipes sample]/[http://www.yugioh-card.com/japan/topics/images/ygdeck1212_2.pdf Deck recipe PDF version (December 2012)]===

{{Decklist|Atlantean Mermail Deck (Ver. 1)<br />海皇水精鱗デッキ
<!-- This is a Decklist made by Yugioh-card(jp). Do not remove any multiples or staples.-->
|effect monsters =
* [[Atlantean Dragoons]] x2
* [[Atlantean Marksman]] x2
* [[Atlantean Heavy Infantry]]
* [[Atlantean Attack Squad]]
* [[Deep Sea Diva]] x2
* [[Mermail Abyssleed]]
* [[Mermail Abyssdine]]
* [[Mermail Abyssmegalo]] x2
* [[Mermail Abysspike]] x3
* [[Mermail Abyssturge]]
* [[Mermail Abysshilde]] x3
* [[Mermail Abyssgunde]]
|synchro monsters =
* [[Ally of Justice Catastor]]
* [[Gungnir, Dragon of the Ice Barrier]]
|xyz monsters =
* [[Mermail Abysstrite]]
* [[Mermail Abyssgaios]]
* [[Snowdust Giant]]
* [[Gagagigo the Risen]]
* [[Wind-Up Zenmaines]]
|spells =
* [[Salvage]] x2
* [[Moray of Greed]] x2
* [[Dark Hole]]
* [[Pot of Duality]]
* [[Monster Reborn]]
* [[Mystical Space Typhoon]]
* [[Heavy Storm]]
|traps =
* [[Abyss-scorn]] x2
* [[Abyss-sphere]] x3
* [[Torrential Tribute]] x2
* [[Compulsory Evacuation Device]]
* [[Bottomless Trap Hole]]
* [[Dust Tornado]]
* [[Solemn Judgment]]
}}

{{Decklist|Atlantean Mermail Deck (Ver. 2)<br />海皇水精鱗デッキ<!-- This Decklist made a slight change by removing "Gungnir"  and arrange cards from the previous version.-->
<!-- This is a Decklist made by Yugioh-card(jp). Do not remove any multiples or staples.-->
|effect monsters =
* [[Atlantean Dragoons]] x2
* [[Atlantean Heavy Infantry]]
* [[Atlantean Marksman]] x2
* [[Atlantean Attack Squad]]
* [[Deep Sea Diva]] x2
* [[Mermail Abyssleed]]
* [[Mermail Abyssdine]]
* [[Mermail Abyssmegalo]] x2
* [[Mermail Abysspike]] x3
* [[Mermail Abysshilde]] x3
* [[Mermail Abyssgunde]]
* [[Mermail Abyssturge]]
|synchro monsters =
* [[Ally of Justice Catastor]]
|xyz monsters =
* [[Mermail Abysstrite]]
* [[Mermail Abyssgaios]]
* [[Snowdust Giant]]
* [[Gagagigo the Risen]]
* [[Wind-Up Zenmaines]]
|spells =
* [[Salvage]] x2
* [[Moray of Greed]] x2
* [[Dark Hole]]
* [[Pot of Duality]]
* [[Monster Reborn]]
* [[Mystical Space Typhoon]]
* [[Heavy Storm]]
|traps =
* [[Abyss-scorn]] x2
* [[Abyss-sphere]] x3
* [[Torrential Tribute]] x2
* [[Compulsory Evacuation Device]]
* [[Bottomless Trap Hole]]
* [[Solemn Judgment]]
* [[Dust Tornado]]
}}

===From [http://www.yugioh-card.com/japan/topics/images/ygdeck1302_5.pdf Deck recipe PDF version (February 2013)]===

{{Decklist|New Atlantean Mermail Deck<br />新・海皇水精鱗デッキ
<!-- This is a Decklist made by Yugioh-card(jp). Do not remove any multiples or staples.-->
|effect monsters =
* [[Mermail Abyssocea]] x3
* [[Mermail Abyssleed]]
* [[Mermail Abyssdine]]
* [[Mermail Abyssmegalo]] x2
* [[Mermail Abysspike]] x2
* [[Mermail Abysshilde]] x3
* [[Mermail Abyssturge]]
* [[Atlantean Dragoons]] x2
* [[Atlantean Heavy Infantry]]
* [[Atlantean Marksman]] x2
* [[Atlantean Attack Squad]]
* [[Deep Sea Diva]] x2
|synchro monsters =
* [[Black Rose Dragon]]
* [[Ally of Justice Catastor]]
* [[Gungnir, Dragon of the Ice Barrier]]
|xyz monsters =
* [[Mermail Abysstrite]]
* [[Mermail Abyssgaios]]
* [[Snowdust Giant]]
* [[Gagagigo the Risen]]
* [[Wind-Up Zenmaines]]
|spells =
* [[Abyss-scale of the Mizuchi]]
* [[Salvage]] x2
* [[Moray of Greed]]
* [[Mystical Space Typhoon]]
* [[Monster Reborn]]
* [[Heavy Storm]]
* [[Dark Hole]]
* [[Pot of Duality]]
|traps =
* [[Abyss-scorn]]
* [[Abyss-sphere]] x3
* [[Torrential Tribute]] x2
* [[Mirror Force]]
* [[Bottomless Trap Hole]]
* [[Dust Tornado]]
* [[Solemn Judgment]]
}}

==Weaknesses==
"[[Thunder King Rai-Oh]]" and "[[Mistake]]" severely slows down this Deck theme as it halts all of the searching effects of "Mermail" monsters while also being a higher ATK than most of them as well. "[[Deck Lockdown]]" also works and stops Special Summoning from the Main Deck too, but can be more easily countered so it is more useful as an early disruption tactic and for Tribute-themed and/or Synchro/XYZ monster focused Decks that have no need to Special Summon from the Main Deck at all.

"[[Debunk]]", "[[Forbidden Graveyard]]", "[[Necrovalley]]", "[[The End of Anubis]]" and "[[Soul Drain]]" also halts many of the key monster effects of a "Mermail" Deck as well to slow it down, but it does not affect the [[Xyz Summon]] options available unlike "Thunder King Rai-Oh". "[[Skill Drain]]" also affects the speed of this Deck and can assist in slowing it down too, but without "Debunk" or "Soul Drain" (or other similar Graveyard negation effect cards) their Graveyard activating effects are not affected and can result in its destruction.

[[Banish]] effect cards can cause havoc on "Mermail" and "Mermail"/"Abyss-" Decks because they lose their Graveyard activating effects, so "[[Macro Cosmos]]" and "[[Dimensional Fissure]]" are worth consideration. It also can prevent "[[Moulinglacia the Elemental Lord]]" from being Summoned through a lack of WATER monsters in the Graveyard.

"[[Bottomless Trap Hole]]" is also a good option for removing dangerous support, such as "Moulinglacia", "[[Mermail Abyssmegalo]]" and "[[Mermail Abysslinde]]". And while "[[King Tiger Wanghu]]" can disrupt a "Mermail" or "Mermail"/"Abyss-" Deck, its continuous destruction effect will trigger their own effects normally, so cautious use is required: "[[Fossil Dyna Pachycephalo]]" the "Vanity's" monsters, "[[Vanity's Emptiness]]" and "[[Jowgen the Spiritualist]]" may be a more effective option in countering "Mermails".

One major problem a "Mermail" user might face is "over-extending". Because so many "Mermail" effects rely on discarding or being discarded, a Duelist using the archetype might spend all but a couple of cards in their hand on swarming the field with monsters. Despite the many searchers of the archetype, a player might exhaust all of the options they built with a large hand and fall victim to a well-timed "[[Gorz the Emissary of Darkness]]".

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