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Discover the Ancient Secrets of “Shining Sarcophagus”! | Archetype Starter Guide
“Descend with wrath that consumes all and obliterates our foes! Emerge from brilliance, Gandora-G the Dragon of Destruction!”
Shining Sarcophagus is a new archetype in the Legacy of Destruction Asian English Edition. Imagine an ancient tomb filled with hidden power waiting to be unleashed! This theme revolves around the card Shining Sarcophagus, a retrain of the classic Gold Sarcophagus, which offers protection and deck-searching abilities. Whether you’re a seasoned duelist or a curious beginner, Shining Sarcophagus invites you to explore its secrets and wield its unique abilities on the battlefield. Are you ready to delve into the mysteries of this ancient artifact?
- Archetype Overview
- Introducing the “Shining Sarcophagus” Key Cards
- Sample Decklists
- Summary
- Archetype Overview
Shining Sarcophagus is a new theme introduced in Legacy of Destruction (OCG, TCG, and Asian English), which received further support from Infinite Forbidden and Valuable EX-4. The deck revolves around their key spell card, Shining Sarcophagus, with related cards that provide the deck consistency, removal, and control.
These cards are modernized versions of the ones Yugi Muto used in his Duels, but this time without Yami Yugi’s influence in the Yu-Gi-Oh! Manga and anime series. As a theme, the deck can function on its own and doesn’t require the intervention of an extra deck that much. The deck’s unique playstyle makes it a perfect choice for new or seasoned players who want to try something different!
- Introducing the “Shining Sarcophagus” key cards
Gadget Trio is one of the key searchers of the theme. Upon being Normal or Special summoned, it can add 1 Shining Sarcophagus or any 1 Spell/Trap that mentions it from your Deck to your hand. It can also set 1 Stronghold, the Hidden Fortress, from your Deck when destroyed, making it a perfect match when resolving the effect of Gandora-G, the Dragon of Destruction.
Ratio: Run 3 copies.
Silent Magician Zero is one of the key monster defenses of the theme. It grows from “Zero” to “Hero” as it increases its level every time the opponent draws a card, which also increases its ATK. It can also negate the activation of a Spell Card or Effect while you control a Shining Sarcophagus, which also increases its level by 1 in return.
Run 1-2 copies.
Silent Swordsman Zero is your key card to protect your Shining Sarcophagus or a monster that mentions it from card effects. It also gains ATK depending on its level via the Standby Phase or when it successfully negates a targeting effect.
Ratio: Run 1-2
An interesting take from the classic Marshmallon is that this new monster ensures your other monsters are protected from attacks, and it can surprise the opponent trying to finish you off by summoning from your hand during your opponent’s turn if you control Shining Sarcophagus. As this card cannot be destroyed by battle while controlling Shining Sarcophagus, your opponent’s only out are non-targeting effects or destruction. When destroyed by a card effect, you can special summon another copy of Moremarshmallon from your hand, Deck GY, or banishment, and inflict 1000 damage.
Ratio: Run 0-2 copies.
Gandora-G the Dragon of Destruction
Gandora-G the Dragon of Destruction is the retrain of the classic Gandora the Dragon of Destruction. This monster gets bigger for every banished card x300, and it can special summon itself for free when you control a Shining Sarcophagus. By paying half of your LP, you can destroy as many other cards on the field as possible and banish them. In addition, you can special summon 1 level 7 or lower monster that mentions Shining Sarcophagus from your deck with a bonus effect to increase the summoned monster’s level by the number of cards destroyed by this card’s effect.
One thing to note is that Shining Sarcophagus has a continuous effect that protects it from being destroyed by monster effects, so you wouldn’t worry about destroying your key card.
Ratio: Run 2-3 copies.
Dark Magician the Ebon Sorcerer
The newest addition from INFINITE FORBIDDEN (INFO). Aside from gaining the original Dark Magician name while in the monster zone, it can also summon itself for free from your hand while you control Shining Sarcophagus. When destroyed by a card effect and you control a level 5 or higher monster on the field (most likely Gandora-G the Dragon of Destruction), it can special summon itself back, and then you can set 1 Spell/Trap from your deck to your field that mentions Dark Magician.
Ratio: Run 1-2.
Archfiend’s Arrival appears to be the retrain of Summoned Skull, and it has the effect to take control of 1 monster from your opponent’s field when summoned. It also provides an attack boost on your turn for your other monsters while you control this card.
Ratio: Run 0-1
The retrain of the classic Gold Sarcophagus is back with extra abilities! It protects itself from being destroyed by monster effects, making it immune to Ghost Ogre and Snow Rabbit or your own Gandora-G! During your main phase, you can add 1 card that mentions its name from the texts from your deck to your hand. It also has a bonus effect: you can send an opponent’s monster special summoned from the Graveyard at a cost of 1 Spell card from your hand when that opponent’s monster is special summoned!
Ratio: Run 3, no exceptions.
Future Silence lets you search for any monster that mentions Shining Sarcophagus from your deck to your hand. It is also a quick play spell, which makes it versatile as you can bypass a possible Droll & Lock Bird from the opponent when you activate this card during your draw phase.
When you use this card during the battle phase while you control Shining Sarcophagus, you can also allow both players to draw cards until both have 6 cards in their hand helping you regain enough card advantage to complete your set-up. Use it wisely, as it could be risky and give your opponent a free card advantage, too.
Ratio: Run 3 copies.
Turn Silence provides a potential attack boost to your Silent monsters, and a possible monster negate when activated in response, and you control Shining Sarcophagus. It also has a bonus Graveyard effect to end the battle phase when your monster that mentions Shining Sarcophagus battles by banishing this spell card from your Graveyard, making it a nice counter against Tenpai Dragon.
Ratio: Run 2-3.
Ties that Bind helps bring up to 2 additional level 4 or lower monsters with different names that mention Shining Sarcophagus from your hand and/ or Deck, allowing you to search for the monster you need or bring out the Silent monsters for protection. It has the downside of preventing you from special summoning from your Extra Deck for the rest of the turn this card resolves, but who needs an extra deck if you….already have the friends you made along from Ties that Bind :v
Ratio: Run 1-3 copies.
Stronghold the Hidden Fortress
Stronghold the Hidden Fortress is your go-to search when Gadget Trio is destroyed. It protects you from attacks and gets bigger depending on the number of Shining Sarcophagus and monsters that mention it.
Ratio: Run 0-1.
The retrain of the classic Mirror Force. This new trap card is searchable in the theme, and it protects you from battle or your monsters from being destroyed by battle or card effects. In return, it can destroy all attack position monsters your opponent controls and can inflict an additional 500 damage for each monster destroyed by this trap effect when you control Dark Magician.
Ratio: 0-1.
- Additional Tech Cards
The play style of the Shining Sarcophagus deck is control and beatdown. It isn’t grave reliant, and Gandora-G also benefits from banishing. Below are the cards that could work with this deck:
- Pot of Extravagance
- Pot of Prosperity
- Dimension Shifter
- Dimensional Fissure
- Macro Cosmos
- Destined Rivals
- Secrets of Dark Magic (for a possible Guardian Chimera)
- Sample Deck Lists
Below are two sample deck lists constructed for Asian English format (Nov 2023) with cards until Legacy of Destruction Asian English Edition (LEDE-AE) in mind.
- Shining Sarcophagus (Pure Version) – This build is focused on bringing out the Shining Sarcophagus monsters and ensuring that you are protected from battle with the help of Moremashmallon and Stronghold the Hidden Fortress. While your Silent monsters are protected, they’ll have a chance to get bigger each turn, making them a potential threat.
- Horus Shining Sarcophagus – This incorporates the Horus engine, helping you dig for additional draw power or additional offense and defense with the Horus The Shining Sarcophagus aids in providing the deck an additional negate via Turn Silence or an additional rank 8 XYZ material via Gandora-G Dragon of Destruction.
- Summary
The Shining Sarcophagus deck stands out for its impressive control capabilities, thanks to cards that manipulate the game state and hinder the opponent’s strategies. Despite being new to the scene, the deck remains consistent and flexible, offering a unique playstyle.
If you enjoy control-oriented strategies, this deck might be a great choice! Are you ready to uncover the ancient secrets of the Shining Sarcophagus?
This has been ArcKnight of RespectYGO. Thanks for reading until the end.