As Shadowverse’s player count continues to grow over the years, so too does its play style for each class. In this article, I will discuss Shadowverse’s best-prebuilt (or temporary) decks for the current meta.
And as for the new guys, you’ll ask “What’s a prebuilt deck?”
Prebuilt decks are specialized decks made for new players. All prebuilt decks use some of the cards from the latest five sets, including the latest released set.
Prebuilt decks already started with the first two sets, Classic Card Set and Darkness Evolved.
The three of seven decks of the first pre-built decks
Prebuilt decks during that time featured decks from all seven classes until Portalcraft was introduced in Chronogenesis.
Shadowverse's first Portalcraft deck
These decks were very costly with prices ranging from $16 to $21 per deck. Unfortunately, prebuilt decks such as these were discontinued after the release of Verdant Conflict in 2019.
The last three sets that feature prebuilt decks are Rebirth of Glory, Ultimate Colosseum, and Verdant Conflict.
Although prebuilt decks are discontinued, Shadowverse has found another way to encourage new players to build decks that rely on spending as little money as possible. Those decks are called “Trial Decks”
Trial Decks are introduced as a means for players old and new to test out the latest decks for each new release. Currently, whenever a new set is released, three to seven temporary decks are given to all players whenever they want to use them as practice.
Current trial decks for Heroes of Shadowverse release
These decks are only available in Practice, Unranked, and Ranked, with the exemption of the Unlimited format.
After a player plays with these decks, they have the option of purchasing one of these decks with a Temporary Deck ticket. If a new player has completed the game’s tutorial and returned to the Home Screen before the next card set is released, they will receive the ticket. But, they only have two weeks to decide which trial deck that they want to purchase before the ticket expires.
With this ticket, players can purchase a Temporary Deck with all of its cards that are based on the latest cards of the latest five sets. But the problem is that the deck’s cards are only temporary.
Once a new set has been released, the previous trial decks will be replaced with the latest ones. The temporary deck that you purchased from the last set will disappear, except for the copies of the cards that you got from booster packs (Bronze to Legendary) and Temporary Cards that you bought from using Temporary Gems (Legendary only).
How Strong Are Prebuilt Decks?
While prebuilt decks are strong, it is best used in testing their potential. These decks are best suited for players who are interested in playing the latest decks. Once they’re familiar with it, they can customize those decks and see which customization has the best results.
A prebuilt deck is strong based on how it affects the meta. It also shows the player what cards are used in the deck and how efficient they are during a match. And that is where we’ll see the best-prebuilt decks the game has to offer from the past five sets!
10. Earth Rite Runecraft (Order Shift)
“Stupidity leads to stagnation” - Undying Witch
Released last year, Earth Rite Runecraft is a deck based on one of Runecraft’s interesting keyword effects known as Earth Rite.
Earth Rite is an effect where it destroys amulets that have the trait Earth Sigil. The effect is simplified with the introduction of the amulet, Magic Sediment.
Magic Sediment is a one-cost Bronze Runecraft Token Amulet with an effect known as Stack. Stack is an exclusive Runecraft effect that activates whenever it is increased or decreased by an effect.
A Magic Sediment’s Stack increases whenever a new allied Earth Sigil comes into play. When played, the oldest Earth Sigil in play will be banished and the new Earth Sigil will increase its Stack based on the old Earth Sigil’s Stack count.
Then, to decrease a Stack is playing cards that have Earth Rite as an effect. Only when the Stack reaches zero will the Earth Sigil with Stack be destroyed.
Earth Rite’s basic strategy is known as a tempo deck in disrupting the enemy while preparing for its signature cards. Earth Rite relies upon balancing the Stack that you gained and consumed. The player needs to be careful in spending too much.
Earth Rite Runecraft’s greatest strengths are as follows:
Stack ‘Em Up!
An Earth Rite deck is capable of utilizing the Magic Sediment’s Stack effect by increasing it. Like saving money, Earth Rite relies on increasing your Stack effect that will eventually be used in later turns. One such card is Gruinne, Leonardian Provost.Image
Image
Gruinne, Leonardian Provost is a two-cost Silver Runecraft Follower that summons a Magic Sediment. Then, if she evolved, she would decrease the attack and defense of all enemy followers by one. For both her forms, if the player has a Stack count of three or more at the start of the opponent’s turn, the player will add a Veridic Ritual to their hand.
Veridic Ritual is a two-cost Bronze Runecraft Spell that deals three damage to a chosen enemy. Then, if the allied Stack count is at least one, the player will activate its Earth Rite effect to draw a card.
Gruinne is an exceptional card in the early turns as it allows you to increase your Stack count while. Even though she would be destroyed on the opponent’s turn, she’ll be able to provide you with a Veridic Ritual that can be used as a removal or a burn spell to deal damage to the enemy player.Disruption……
Earth Rite is also known for disrupting the enemy player while reaping its benefits such as Gruinne. But for this example, it would be Binding Ritual.Image
Binding Ritual is a two-cost Silver Runecraft Earth Sigil Amulet that has a Stack count of two. When played, the player draws a card and gives an enemy follower that has two attack or less the ability to not attack until the end of the player’s turn.
Binding Ritual is mostly used to increase the Stack count and hand generation. But, that does not mean its Fanfare effect is useless since there will be enemy followers with two or fewer attacks.……. And Recovery
In the past, one of Earth Rite Runecraft’s greatest weaknesses is that it doesn’t have many cards that focus on restoring the player’s defense. But, in recent sets, Runecraft now has access to such cards. One of which is Sweet Defender Golem.Image
Sweet Defender Golem is a seven-cost Legendary Runecraft Follower that has Ward. If played for its Crystallize effect, it will become an Earth Sigil with a Stack count of three. It has an effect that if the Stack count is at least two, it will restore three defense to the player and perform Earth Rite.
Then, if played as itself, it will add five to an allied Stack in play. But, if the player has consumed seven stacked cards, it will deal seven damage to all enemy followers and restore seven defense to the player.
Sweet Defender Golem is one of those cards that can not only help in defense but also offense when played during the later stages of the match. Its Crystallize effect is very efficient whenever the player is damaged very early.Power of the Earth
After increasing your Stack, the player can now use Earth Rite effects that require two or more Stacks. A good example of this is Levi, Wizard of Ages.Image
Image
Levi, Wizard of Ages is a four-cost Legendary Runecraft Follower that deals damage to a chosen enemy follower equal to the current allied Stack count multiplied by two. The player will add a Crimson Sorcery and recover one evolution point if seven allied Stacked cards are consumed in a match.
Then, when it evolves, it will perform Earth Rite by consuming two Stacked cards to deal six damage to the enemy player.
Crimson Sorcery is a one-cost Bronze Runecraft Token Spell that simply deals three damage to a chosen enemy follower.
Levi’s ability to remove powerful followers is a testament to its Legendary status. If the player has at least five or six in their Stack count, they can deal ten damage to any follower.
It also helps that it also gives you Crimson Sorcery to either remove weak enemies or deal damage directly to the player. Its evolved form also deals direct damage to the enemy player, provided that the Stack count is at least two or more.A Successful Investment
Finally, the greatest strength Earth Rite Runecraft has is its ability to reward players for consuming Stacked cards. Before, the reward effect didn’t exist but with it, players were able to gain powerful effects if they consumed seven or more Stacked cards.
While Sweer Defender Golem and Levi are the best examples, there is another card that does the same which is Undying Witch.Image
Undying Witch is a one-cost Legendary Runecraft follower that when played will summon a Magic Sediment and draw a card if the player’s left-most card is the same type as a card played by the opponent during their previous turn. Then, if at least seven allied Stack cards have been consumed in this match, Undying Witch evolves.
Once it evolves, it will give the player the effect, once in your turn, whenever the player consumes Stacked cards, they will recover play points equal to the number of Stacked cards consumed.
Undying Witch is a powerful card that allows the player to restore their play points once whenever they perform Earth Rite. Cards such as Levi are important so that Undying Witch’s effect is utilized by the player efficiently.
Through these strengths, this prebuilt deck is used as an aggro deck, designed to quickly reach the seven-stack requirement of many cards such as Levi.
In today’s meta, Earth Rite decks run with Sweet Defender Golem to stave off aggressive attacks while building up seven stacks. Even though Earth Rite isn’t a part of the Top Twelve, it is still a deadly force to be reckoned with.
Other Notable Cards:
- Multielemental Neophyte
- Familiar’s Pact
- Pascale, Radiant Oracle
- Celestial Command
- Outdoorsmage
9. Artifact Portalcraft (Resurgent Legends)
“Mechanical Roar……” - Electric Rhino
Known as the eighth class, Portalcraft is known for its mid-range, control, and combo-based playstyles, especially in using followers such as Artifacts and Puppets.
For this prebuilt deck, it uses a sub-type known as Artifacts. Artifacts are followers that offer a plethora of effects ranging from drawing a card to dealing damage to the enemy player when it’s destroyed.
This version of an Artifact deck relies on adding copies of Artifacts to the player’s deck.
While it may seem bothersome, the deck also has cards that help support this type of deck, allowing the player to get the cards they want.
Artifact Portalcraft’s greatest strengths are as follows:
Artifacts…… Artifacts Everywhere!
One of the most well–known strengths of this Artifact deck is the fact that it can add Artifact followers with minimal cost. One of those cards is Jet-Powered Pugilist.Image
Image
Image
Jet-Powered Pugilist is a one-cost Bronze Portalcraft Follower that has Storm and adds four copies of Analyzing Artifact to your deck when summoned. Then, if at least six allied Artifacts with different names are destroyed in this match, it will add four copies of Airstrike Artifact to your deck and change their costs to one.
Analyzing Artifact is a one-cost Bronze Portalcraft Token Follower that when destroyed, will allow the player to draw a card.
Airstrike Artifact is a five-cost Bronze Portalcraft Token Follower that has Storm and deals two damage to the enemy player when also destroyed.
Jet-Powered Pugilist is a useful follower in adding copies of Analyzing Artifact at the start of your turn. Then, during the late phases of the game, he’ll be able to add Airstrike Artifact that’s either used as cannon fodder for its Last Words or to pressure the opponent in their turn after it attacked the enemy player.Call The Artifacts!
Another strength Artifact Portalcraft has is its ability to perform a combo effect whenever an Artifact is played. The best example of this is Agyll, Purelight Prototype.Image
Image
Agyll, Purelight Prototype is a two-cost Legendary Portalcraft that puts a random Artifact follower (excluding itself) to the player’s hand when summoned. It also has a fusion effect that whenever Portalcraft cards are fused to this card, it will put two copies of Analyzing Artifact into your deck.
But, if five or more Artifact followers are added to your deck by the time Agyll is fused, it will Transmute into Agyll, Purelight Examplar.
Agyll, Purelight Exemplar is a one-cost Legendary Portalcraft Follower that when it evolves, gives the player a powerful effect.
During the player’s turn, whenever an allied Artifact comes into play, if it’s the first, third, or fifth card, the player draws a card. Then, if it’s the second, fourth, or sixth, the player recovers a play point.
Agyll’s ability allows the player to maximize their deck that’s been added with Artifact followers. It also helps replenish the player’s play points so that they can play more cards.
Agyll’s Non-Transmuted self is also great after playing his Transmuted form to not spend too many play points.Adaptable Usage
Another strength Artifact Portalcraft has is that many of its cards are adaptable in any phase of the match. The best example of this strength is Retrafia, Divine Mother.Image
Retrafia, Divine Mother is a nine-cost Legendary Portalcraft follower that deals damage to all enemies equal to the number of different allied Artifact followers that were destroyed in this match when played from your hand.
It has an effect that whenever an allied Artifact follower comes into play, it gains Rush and Ward.
Retrafia also has a Crystallize effect that has a Countdown of ten turns. It has the effect that whenever an allied Artifact comes into play, it gains Rush and subtracts the amulet’s Countdown by one. Once the amulet is destroyed, a Retrafia will be summoned
Retrafia’s effect allows the player to turn their Artifact followers into battering rams. Be it her Crystallized amulet or her follower form, any Artifact will immediately be able to attack enemy followers without requiring it to evolve.
Finally, when played from hand, her damage output is powerful due to the numerous Artifact followers in your deck, including the ones added by an effect. A good example of this is Argyll. When he Transmutes into his alternate version, it is still considered as another Artifact follower with a different name due to his transmutation.Mass Production
Finally, Portal Artifact’s final strength is the ability to reproduce Artifacts at an alarming rate. Cards such as Jet-Powered Pugilist are a good example but none can compare to the Electric Rhino.Image
Image
Electric Rhino is a seven-cost Legendary Portalcraft follower that has an effect that reduces its play cost. When drawn from the deck, it will subtract its cost equal to the number of allied Artifact cards that were destroyed in this match. Then, whenever an allied Artifact card is destroyed and Electric Rhino is on your hand, its cost is reduced by one.
When played, it has Rush and adds three copies of Mechamagical Rhino into your deck.
Mechamagical Rhino is a one-cost Legendary Portalcraft Token Follower that has Rush and deals three damage to the enemy player when played. Then, when it’s destroyed, it will add three copies of itself to the deck.
Electric Rhino is a powerful card that summons its crash (i.e. a group of rhinos) of Mechamagical Rhinos that can trample enemy players with its Fanfare and Last Words effect. The only way to get rid of them is to banish the enemy follower and ensure that it can’t replicate more of them.
Overall, the prebuilt deck may look easy but its conditions are difficult to pull off. While all of the cards are still in rotation, not too many players are keen on using this archetype.
Even so, its effects complement each other and a smart player can turn the tide in their favor.
Other Notable Cards:
- Sisterly Bonds
- Laser Tyranny
- Reboot Button
- Carnelia, Amnesiac Attendant
- Lazuli, Gateway Liberator
8. Restoration Havencraft (Academy of Ages)
“Welcome to class I guess” - Verdilia, Rogue Professor
Hailing from the Academy of Ages, the Restoration Havencraft deck (popularly known as Heal Haven by players) is introduced as one of the most popular prebuilt decks upon its release.
Its trademark tactics include powerful buffs through healing and removal.
Although some of its cards are not allowed in Rotation, its most important cards are still used in top-tier decks such as Amulet Havencraft and improved versions of its archetype.
Restoration Havencraft’s greatest strengths are as follows:
Elegance of Healing
Restoration Havencraft’s greatest strength is its ability to increase its followers’ attack and defense whenever the player’s defense is restored. The best example of this is Elluvia.Image
Elluvia, Graceful Lady is a four-cost Legendary Havencraft follower that has Ward and the effect to restore one defense to the player at the end of the turn.
Then, when evolved, it adds a new effect to the player that will increase all allied followers’ attack and defense by one whenever the player’s defense is restored.
Elluvia is the most vital card in the deck mainly because of her evolving effect. It is the player’s most important card that must be played when he/she can evolve followers. Once the effect is gained, the player will be able to buff all allied followers by restoring his/her defense without any risk.Graceful Removals
With Elluvia’s evolve effect, many followers benefit from it as it allows them to combo with their effect. The best example of this is Lou.Image
Lou, Lady-in-Training is a one-cost Golden Havencraft Follower that will evolve and restore one defense to your leader if there are any followers whose attack or defense is increased by an effect in play.
When evolved, she gains an effect that deals damage to a random enemy follower equal to her current attack at the end of your turn.
Lou is one of the best removals in the prebuilt deck as it's cheap and efficient. Her evolved form allows her to deal with any enemy with a lower attribute than her through attacking. It also helps that at the end of each turn, she’ll be able to remove enemy followers whose defense is lower than her attack form.Adaptable Healing
Another strength that Restoration Havencraft has is its adaptable cards. While most decks in the list are adaptable, this deck always has multiple benefits in different situations. Look no further to Orchid’s Examination Hall.Image
Image
Image
Image
Orchid’s Examination Hall is a one-cost Golden Havencraft Amulet with a Countdown of one turn. The amulet recovers one defense to the leader when it is summoned and destroyed. But, if the player has at least two play points, he/she can play it as a different amulet.
Those three amulets are Bambeauty’s Examination Hall, Mum’s Examination Hall, and Plum’s Examination Hall.
These three amulets all cost two play points, have a Countdown of two turns, and activate their effects when played and destroyed. But, each of those amulets comes with a different effect.
Bambeauty’s restores one defense and draws a card when destroyed while Mum’s does the same except it will also deal three damage to a random enemy follower. Finally, Orchid’s effect restores three defense to the player.
Orchid’s Examination Hall is considered the Swiss army knife of the deck due to its adaptable effect. It can either be used as a removal, a card generation, or as a support card. But for all of its uniqueness, it can always restore the leader’s defense, adjacent to Elluvia’s evolve effect.Academic Support
Lastly, one of the best things about the deck is how each card supports each other through their traits. While Lainecrest Academy and Kira, Resilient Maiden are good examples in putting a random Academic follower to your hand, the best follower that does the best job is Verdillia.Image
Image
Verdilia, Rogue Professor is a two-cost Legendary Havencraft Follower that has a fusion effect with Academic cards. Whenever a card is fused to her, the player’s defense is restored by one.
Then, when it is played from your hand if at least one card is fused to it, it will add a Cyclical Guidance to the player’s hand.
She also has another effect that gives a chosen allied follower Rush. And if that follower is an Academic follower, its attack and defense are increased by one.
Then, when she evolves, she restores three defense to your leader.
Cyclical Guidance is a zero-cost Legendary Havencraft Token Spell that deals one damage to a random enemy follower four times. But, when played for its Enhance effect by paying ten play points, it will deal five damage to a random enemy four times instead.
Verdilia is another removal that shouldn’t be ignored. Without her, the deck will lack cards that rely on finishing a match.
Her spell token is also used as removal but only if the enemy has either one single follower with four defense or multiple enemies with one defense remaining. But, when the spell is played for its Enhanced effect, it’s sufficient enough to finish a match when the enemy player’s defense is ten or lower.
When this deck is released, it is the second-most used prebuilt deck in the game. While a few of its cards are gone due to rotation, the majority of it is still used in many versions of Heal Haven and Amulet Haven.
This deck has introduced many players to Heal Haven’s capabilities and to this day, Elluvia is still the most common card found in Heal Haven’s required card list.
Other Notable Cards:
- Lainecrest Academy
- Pureflower Maiden
- Kira, Resilient Maiden
- Pureflame Lady
7. Last Words Shadowcraft (Resurgent Legends)
“Welcome to the world of fantasy!” - Dark Alice, Foul Fairytale
From the dark corners of Shadowcraft is the Last Words deck. Utilizing its effects in destroying cards with Last Words, it is all about reaping the benefits of generating Shadows and making the most out of every card’s Last Words effects.
Last Words Shadowcraft’s greatest strengths are as follows:
Rest In Peace!
While this deck mostly requires cards that have Last Words, it all comes down to ensuring that the player does not get defeated by damage. One such card is Leeds.Image
Leeds, Pining Witch is a two-cost Silver Shadowcraft Follower that has Burial Rite that deals three damage to a random enemy follower. Then, at the end of your turn, if Burial Rite has been performed at least five times, Leeds will evolve.
Her evolved form grants her Ward and Last Words that when she’s destroyed, the player draws a card.
Leeds is an exceptional card that helps as a removal with the cost of sacrificing one of your followers. She also gains Ward if Burial Rite has been activated at least five times. Finally, her Last Words effect is also a must-have with the fact that opponents will have no other choice but to destroy her to attack directly.Destruction Upon Death
With the constant destruction of cards with Last Words, there’s always a reward for accomplishing it. One of those cards is Dark Alice.Image
Dark Alice, Foul Fairytale is a seven-cost Legendary Shadowcraft Follower that has Rush and the effect that it can’t evolve using evolution points. Then, when it’s destroyed, it will put another copy of it into the player’s hand.
She also has a Crystallize effect that costs two play points and a Countdown of three turns. It has an effect that whenever a Neutral card comes into play, it will subtract the Countdown by one. Its Last Words effect summons a Dark Alice into play.
When Dark Alice comes into play, if at least ten allied cards with Last Words have been destroyed, it will evolve.
Its evolved form grants Dark Alice Storm and Last Words that will summon its Crystallized version and subtract its Countdown by one.
Dark Alice is the deck’s signature card as an unkillable follower that always comes back in the later turns. Her Last Words will ensure that a copy of it will be available be it from your hand or in play.
The only way for the card to be removed is either banishing it or forcing the player to discard it if it reaches the maximum hand size.The Last Laugh
Finally, one of Shadowcraft’s greatest strengths is its capability of destroying enemy followers. Be it from damage or effects, Last Words Shadowcraft relies on this strength heavily. The best example of this is Istyndet.Image
Image
Istyndet, Soul Convict is a two-cost Legendary Shadowcraft Follower that grants the player three shadows when it’s destroyed. Its powerful effect however is the ability to destroy all other cards in play when summoned. To achieve this effect, the player must destroy ten allied cards that have Last Words.
Then, when evolved, it will summon a Skullfish in play.
Skullfish is a three-cost Bronze Shadowcraft Follower that has Rush and Last Words. Its Last Words is activated if the player has two or more Shadows. It will deal two damage to the enemy player when destroyed.
Istyndet, one of Shadowcraft’s most powerful followers, can remove the entire board of its cards. Players can play Istyndet in the early turns that’ll either reach the Last Words requirement or two clear the board of its followers.
When he evolves, his Skullfish is also used to remove followers by attacking them, with the bonus of dealing two damage to the enemy leader once he’s destroyed.
During Resurgent Legends’ release, this deck is the only card that contains a card from the set Eightfold Abyss: Azvaldt. It is one of the most played decks many Shadowcraft players use Istyndet’s powerful effects.
Unfortunately, when the Azvaldt set is rotated out, the deck archetype has stopped and only a few players play it. Luckily, with the release of the mini-expansion, it returned to the meta stronger than ever. Even so, it cannot be denied that this deck was once one of the strongest decks in the meta, and rightfully so.
Other Notable Cards:
- Poisoned Apple of Renewal
- Angel of War
- Evil Exhumer
- Ruler of Necropolis
- Aldis, Stylish Saint
6. Mysteria Runecraft (Resurgent Legends)
“This language speaks curses” - Ginger, Raging Word
The Runecraft class holds many archetypes such as Spellboost and Earth Rite. But, there’s another archetype that was inspired by Cygames’ other game, Rage of Bahamut. That archetype is called Mysteria.
Mysteria is an exclusive sub-class only found in Runecraft. It contains cards that are based on Mysteria Academy, a magic school dedicated to teaching magical prodigies.
Mysteria Runecraft relies on tuning with other Mysteria cards, ranging from reaching certain conditions to playing cheap spells that deal damage.
Mysteria Runecraft’s greatest strengths are as follows:
Class Is In Session!
One of Mysteria Runecraft’s best strengths is the ability to support each other. No matter their rarity, all Mysteria cards help one another. A good example of this is Hanna.Image
Hannah, Model Student is a three-cost Golden Runecraft Follower that puts a random Mysteria spell from your deck into your hand. Then, if the player has played ten other Mysteria cards this match, all Mysteria spells’ costs are subtracted by one and gain the effect of dealing one damage to the enemy leader.
Hanna’s effects are nothing short of strength because the majority of Mysteria spells can be added by follower effects. One such follower is Bell Witch who gives the player a choice in adding one of two Mysteria spells.
Hanna’s effect can also be stacked so that a single spell’s damage can be raised to three damage. This tactic is mostly used during the final phases of a match.Mysteria’s Brightest
Another great example of Mysteria Runecraft’s strength is its teamwork. Many Mysteria cards rely on other cards and combo effects are very common in this type of deck. Look no further than Mysteria’s greatest student, Anne.Image
Image
Anne, Brilliant Mage is a three-cost Legendary Runecraft Follower that has Ward and adds her follower token, Anne’s Summoning to the player’s hand. Then, if at least ten allied Mysteria cards were played, Anne’s Summoning gains Drain, an ability that restores the player’s health equal to the damage it deals.
Then, when Anne evolves, the player puts a random card with an Enhance effect from the deck and recovers one play point.
Anne’s Summoning is a two-cost Golden Runecraft Follower Token that has Rush and Ward. Then, it has the effect of banishing itself at the end of an opponent’s turn.
Anne is one of Shadowverse’s most notable characters who is from the Rage of Bahamut universe. Her defensive effects force the opponent to find a way to deal with her summoning or hold back from attacking the followers.
Her follower is also powerful and once it gains the Drain effect, will effectively reverse any damage the player received from the opponent.The Power of Traits
Mysteria Runecraft is notable for its cards as the majority of them contain the Mysteria trait. Unfortunately, the deck is limited as Mysteria cards tend to run out without the risk of playing safely. Luckily, one of the cards in the prebuilt deck has the solution to that weakness which is Ginger.Image
Image
Ginger, Raging Word is a nine-cost Legendary Runecraft Follower that gives the follower her spell token, Scorching Curse. She has an effect that reduces its cost by one whenever a card with a trait is played.
Then, when she evolves, she grants the player the effect that if there are no Scorching Curses in their hand, the player will add one copy of it in their hand.
Scorching Curse is a zero-cost Legendary Runecraft Spell Token that grants a chosen follower an effect. If the follower is Ginger, the spell deals three damage to all enemy followers and restores three defense to the player. Then, if the follower is an allied follower with a trait, it will add a copy of it to their hand and change their cost, attack, and defense to one.
Ginger is the most powerful and important card in the set, mainly because of how it can create duplicates of different followers. This card is mostly used on other Mysteria cards due to their effects such as Anne and Hanna.
The Scorching Curse is also a good removal spell if the opponent has a board full of their followers.
With Ginger’s introduction, the Mysteria deck has become even more powerful than before thanks to her duplication effect. Although Ginger is now used in Machina Runecraft, her effect dominated the early days of Resurgent Legends’ release as it pummeled players through the deck’s many combinations.
Other Notable Cards:
- Amaryllis, the Princess
- Grea, Crimson Promise
- Academy Wyrmist
- Bell Witch
- Dual Barrier
5. Wrath Bloodcraft (Academy of Ages)
“Kneel before the fist of the Empress” - Galom, Empress Fist
Known for its strategy of hurting one’s self, Wrath Bloodcraft has become a Bloodcraft staple since its introduction last 2019. It has also been used in many prebuilt decks and many players considered it a popular choice.
Wrath Bloodcraft is an easy deck where the player must simply hurt themselves during their turn. Once the player has dealt damage to themselves seven times, they will achieve the Wrath effect and all cards that have Wrath will grant its users their greatest effects.
Wrath Bloodcraft’s greatest strengths are as follows:
Learn Through Pain
One of the most common strengths Wrath Bloodcraft has is its ability to hurt the player. While there are no rewards in pain, sometimes, it’s worth the trouble. A good example of this is the Harmonic Wolf.Image
Harmonic Wolf is a one-cost Bronze Bloodcraft Follower that deals one damage to the player when summoned. Once it’s destroyed, the player draws a card.
Harmonic Wolf is a simple but effective follower that starts the player’s road to Wrath. While it would be killed in later turns, his Last Words allows the player to draw the cards he/she needs.Area Removal
Wrath Blood at the time is also notorious for its capability to destroy all enemy followers in play. One of those cards is Raging Commander.Image
Raging Commander is a three-cost Golden Bloodcraft Follower that deals one damage to the player and puts a random Condemned follower into your hand.
He also has the effect that whenever the player takes damage during their turn, he will deal one damage to all enemy followers in play. This effect activates up to eight times per turn.
His evolve effect is also the same as his Fanfare effect, allowing him to deal one damage to all enemy followers in play.
Raging Commander is one of Wrath’s most powerful cards, capable of clearing the field of enemy followers. Thanks to his effect, he can clear the board with enemy followers while the player can safely deal damage to him/herself.Vengeful Payback
Although the prebuilt deck’s main theme is Wrath, it doesn’t forget the roots of Bloodcraft’s most important effect, Vengeance. Vengeance is an effect that activates whenever the player’s defense reaches ten or lower.Image
It is also where Bloodcraft started, wherein the player’s main goal is to deal damage to him/herself and quickly reach Vengeance. Once the player reaches Vengeance, he/she can use their deck to counterattack the enemy player. The card that best represents this tactic is Galom.
Galom, Empress Fist is a four-cost Legendary Bloodcraft Follower that has Ward. When played, if Vengeance is activated for you, it deals six damage to all enemies. But, if it’s not active, it will deal two damage to all enemies and the player instead.
Galom is one of those cards that won’t reach its full potential if Vengeance is not active for you. But, once Vengeance is active, her Fanfare effect can destroy all enemy followers and possibly win the match.Wrath Unleashed
Finally, one of Wrath’s greatest strengths is each card’s full potential whenever Wrath is activated. The best card within this deck that attests to that is Garodeth.Image
Garodeth, Insurgent Convict is a four-cost Legendary Bloodcraft Follower that deals one damage to your leader and three damage to a chosen enemy. He has the effect that it can’t be evolved using evolution points.
The only way to evolve him is to deal damage to your leader at least four times or more. Once he’s evolved, he gains Storm.
Garodeth is one of Bloodcraft’s signature in the Azvaldt set. His Evolve condition is easy to achieve during the later phases of the game. In his evolved form, he can deal eight damage to the enemy player and is used as a means to end the game.
When Academy of Ages was released, Wrath Bloodcraft was one of the top-tier decks on the meta as it was the most used deck around the time.
Unfortunately, the majority of the cards within this prebuilt deck were phased out. Even so, Wrath Bloodcraft remained at the top, thanks to newer cards from the latest set.
Other Notable Cards:
- Scorching Grandiosity
- Enchanting Rhapsody
- Fell Transformation
4. Natura Dragoncraft (Heroes of Shadowverse)
“I am but a crystal counterfeit” - Crystalshard Dragonewt
One of the newly-released prebuilt decks, Natura Dragoncraft is one of the most played-out decks within the meta. Ranking third in the latest tier list, Natura Dragon is about utilizing their token, Naterran World Tree, in ramping their play point orbs and utilizing their effects to the fullest.
Natura Dragoncraft’s greatest strengths are as follows:
Reforestation
One of Natura Dragoncraft’s best strengths is through its token which is the Naterran World Tree. The card that shows an example of it is Eternal Thoughts.Image
Image
Eternal Thoughts is a one-cost Bronze Dragoncraft Spell that summons a World Tree. Then, if Overflow is active for you, the player adds a copy of the World Tree into their hand.
Naterran World Tree is a one-cost Bronze Neutral Amulet Token that when it comes into play, if there are other allied World Trees in play, it will destroy the one that’s the longest.
Eternal Thoughts is an effective card in generating World Trees thanks to its ability. When Overflow is active, it will add another copy which the player can use to generate more cards in their hand.
With its simple effect, Eternal Thoughts is one of the required spells for players who want to play Natura Dragoncraft.Supporting Nature
Another strength Natura Dragoncraft has is its ability to support the player in recovering their defense. An example of this is Motley Alliance.Image
Motley Alliance is a two-cost Silver Dragoncraft Spell that has a Fusion effect with Dragoncraft cards. If this card is fused for the first time in this match, the player adds a World Tree to their hand.
When played, it will restore three defense to your leader and summon a World Tree.
Motley Alliance is a spell that is used not just for defense recovery but also in card generation. Motley Alliance may seem like a cheap card but its effect of adding World Trees and restoring the player’s defense is great and efficient.Glorious Destruction
Finally, one of Natura Dragoncraft’s greatest strengths is its ability to benefit from the destruction of allied World Trees. The one who benefits from it the most is Crystalshard Dragonewt.Image
Crystalshard Dragonewt is a three-cost Legendary Dragoncraft Follower that has Ward and the ability to be immune from any effect that destroys her.
She has a unique effect that activates whenever another allied card is destroyed.
If it’s the first time, it destroys a random enemy follower. If it’s the second, it deals two damage to the enemy player and restores two defense to the player. Then, if it’s the third, this follower increases its attack and defense by three and recovers three play points.
Crystalshard Dragonewt is an exceptional Dragoncraft follower who benefits from the destruction of the World Trees. Her effects are easy to fulfill and the player can easily play three World Trees during the sixth or later turns.
As one of the latest decks in Shadowverse, the deck is most constantly used as a template by veteran players. The deck has always been played by top players and it remains as part of the Top 10 archetypes in Rotation.
With its simple effects and powerful synergy, Natura Dragoncraft remains one of the best decks a new or veteran player can have.
Other Notable Cards:
- Naterran Peace
- Desert Wanderer
- Waterwyrm’s Blessing
- Terminus Dragoon
- Valdain, Bound Shadow
3. Fairy Forestcraft (Academy of Ages)
“I’ll do my best Verdi!” - Castelle, Budding Mage
Fairy Forestcraft is one of the most classic archetypes since Shadowverse’s inception. The strategy involving Fairy Forestcraft is playing multiple cards in a single turn, be it from your deck or Forestcraft’s exclusive follower token, the Fairies.
The Fairy is a one-cost Bronze Forestcraft Follower Token that has no effects.
While the token is not that interesting, the majority of Forestcraft’s cards always have an effect that includes a Fairy.
Fairy Forestcraft tactics rely on the player to gain effects that affect Fairies. It also has card effects based on the number of cards played in a single turn.
Fairy Forestcraft’s greatest strengths are as follows:
- Summon The Fairies!
One of Fairy Forestcraft’s best strengths is its ability to summon Fairies at the right time. The best card that highlights this example is Fauna Handler.Image
Image
Fauna Handler is a one-cost Bronze Forestcraft Follower that gains Rush if at least ten allied Forestcraft followers have left play this match. When she’s destroyed, the player adds a Fairy Funfact to their hand.
Fairy Funfact is a one-cost Bronze Forestcraft Spell that summons a Fairy. Then, if at least five allied Forestcraft followers have left play this match, the Fairy evolves. And if it’s ten, the player draws a card.
Fauna Handler is an exceptional card that would give players a free spell. Fairy Funfact is a spell that must be played when conditions have been met.
The card can summon a free fairy that will evolve and be used a free removal. The bonus of drawing a card is also great during the middle phases of the match. Playing Your Cards Right
Another strength Fairy Forestcraft has is its ability to play multiple cards for free in a single turn if done correctly. The card that embodies this strength is Filly.Image
Image
Image
Image
Filly, Mythmaster is a five-cost Legendary Forestcraft Follower that has an effect that allows the player to recover one play point whenever they play a Fairy. Filly also has another effect based on the number of cards that were played during a single turn.
If it is the third card, it summons a Fairy Beast whose Fanfare effects are activated. Fairy Beast’s ability is it restores the player’s defense equal to the number of cards the player has in their hand.
If it’s the sixth card, it summons a Strix of the Wayward Wood whose Fanfare effects are also activated. The effect is that if at least two other cards were played this turn, the follower evolves.
In its evolved form, Strix of the Wayward Wood gains a Strike effect that allows the player to draw two cards when it attacks.
Finally, if it’s the ninth card, it summons a Sky Devouring Horror that has Storm.
Filly is an interesting card that will reward the player if they can play nine cards in a single turn. While it may seem impossible, it is possible to reach the nine-card threshold.
By playing low-cost cards and the Fairies in your hand, Filly can destroy them and summon even more powerful followers in their stead.
Fairy Beast and Strix are amazing cards in their own right for their defense recovery and card generation. Sky-Devouring Horror is a great card if the player manages to reach nine cards and if done correctly, that follower can deal high amounts of damage to the enemy player.Underdog Tactics
Finally, the best strength Fairy Forestcraft has is its unnatural buffs. This effect activates once there are ten or more Forestcraft followers left play during the match. The card in question is Castelle.Image
Image
Castelle, Budding Mage is a one-cost Legendary Forestcraft Follower that deals two damage to a chosen enemy follower. Then, if at least ten allied Forestcraft followers left play this match, the players add her token spell, Verdant Prayer, to their hand.
Verdant Prayer is a once-cost Legendary Forestcraft Spell Token that recovers one evolution point. Then, if twenty or more allied Forestcraft followers have left play this match, all one-cost or fewer followers increase their attack and defense by three, Ward, and the immunity from being destroyed by effects. After that, all allied followers that cost at least two play points have their attack and defense increased by one.
Castelle may look weak due to her attributes but her powerful effects are more than enough to give players a very good reason to add her to her deck.
Like most Forestcraft players, the important tactic for her is to immediately return her to their hand. Forestcraft has cards that can return their allied followers to their hands so that they may play her again in the later turns.
Verdant Player is an exceptional card that can turn the weakest of Fairies into impenetrable shields. This card is very important as it forces enemy players to waste their cards to destroy the Fairies with Ward.
Fairy Forestcraft at the time is the most used prebuilt deck out of the three. The deck is heavily used during Ranked matches and experienced players are the only ones who can play such a difficult deck.
While the archetype has not been played anymore, cards such as Castelle are still used in Forestcraft as support cards. Castelle’s role may have changed, but it can’t be denied that it is still a powerful card that can defend the player from deadly attacks.
Other Notable Cards:
- Windflower Tiger
- Salvia Panther
- Aqua Fairy
2. Machina Shadowcraft (Heroes of Shadowverse)
“I’m not useless. You’ll see!” - Aenea, Amethyst Creator
Much like Natura Dragoncraft, Machina Shadowcraft is one of the latest prebuilt decks in the Heroes of Shadowverse set. Machina Shadowcraft is known for its reliance on its Machina cards.
Machina cards are exceptional when played in tandem with each other, be it in offense or defense.
Machina Shadowcraft’s greatest strengths are as follows:
Cheap Additions
One of Machina Shadowcraft’s best strengths is its ability to add more Machina followers to your hand. An example of this is Succession of Balance.
Image
Succession of Balance is a two-cost Bronze Shadowcraft Spell that deals three damage to an enemy follower. Then, it will add an Assembly Droid and reduce its cost to zero.
While it may seem cheap, Succession of Balance is a great card if the enemy manages to summon their followers early on. It also adds an Assembly Droid that can be used in any way, be it as a Fusion material or as cannon fodder when played.Deadly Sacrifice
Another strength Machina Shadow has is its ability to summon cheap followers as removals. The best example of this is Zombodroid.Image
Zombodroid is a six-cost Silver Shadowcraft Follower that has Rush and Bane. It has an effect that reduces its cost by one whenever you play a Machina card.
Zombodroid is an exceptional follower that can reduce its cost as long as the player can play Machina cards during their turn. Zombodroid can be played as low as zero, allowing the player to use their play points for other important cards.
Finally, Zombodroid’s Rush and Bane will allow it to destroy any follower as long as that follower doesn’t have immunity from effects that instantly destroy it.Powerful Destruction
The next strength Machina Shadowcraft has is that most of its cards are useful removals. Cards such as Zombodroid are effective in destroying any follower while some can clear the board of enemy followers. A good example of this is Nicola.Image
Image
Nicola, Unauthorized Hope is a two-cost Golden Shadowcraft Follower that has immunity from being targeted by enemy effects, be it from spells or followers. When summoned, if there are at least three Machina cards in the player’s hand, Nicola gains Last Words that will add a copy of himself to the player’s hand when he’s destroyed.
And when Nicola evolves, the player adds his token spell, Forbidden Power, to their hand.
Forbidden Power is a one-cost Golden Shadowcraft Spell Token that has a Fusion effect that allows it to fuse with any Machina card.
The spell deals damage to all enemy followers equal to the number of allied Machina cards in play. Then, if the card is fused with at least one card, it will also deal damage to the enemy player.
Nicola is one of the most powerful Shadowcraft followers that when he evolves, will grant the player his signature spell card. His spell card is very useful and can deal up to five damage to all enemies, so long as the card is fused with at least one Machina card.
Let’s also not forget Nicola’s base effect that he can’t be targeted by any enemy spell or followers that target other followers. The only way to get past that is either with a spell that targets a random follower or a spell that targets all enemies.Defensive Renewal
Finally, Machina Shadowcraft’s best strength is its ability to be more defensive through the use of its spells and followers. The best example of this is Aenea.Image
Image
Image
Aenea, Amethyst Creator is a two-cost Legendary Shadowcraft Follower that summons a Roly-Poly Mark 1, Stalwart Protector. Then, if at least ten other Machina cards were played in this match, the player adds her token spell, Joy Secured to their hand, and gives all other Machina followers the effect to summon an Assembly Droid when they’re destroyed.
Roly-Poly Mark 1, Stalwart Protector is a one-cost Legendary Shadowcraft Follower Token that has Ward and the ability to not take more than two damage at a time. He also has Last Words and when destroyed, the player draws a card.
Joy Secured is a one-cost Legendary Shadowcraft Spell Token that gives all Machina followers (excluding Aenea) Ward and increases their attack by one & their defense by three. The spell also restores three defense to the player and gives the player the effect that the next damage dealt to them is reduced to zero.
Aenea is Shadowcraft’s only Legendary follower who focuses more on defense than offense which is a good thing. Her effects allow her to create a wall of followers that will ensure that no enemy follower can attack the player.
If the enemy can attack the player, their efforts would be in vain because of Joy Secured’s effect of reducing the next damage to zero.
With the deck’s release, Machina Shadowcraft returned as it now focuses on defense. The deck is still part of the top-tier decks as it now resides as the fourth-best archetype.
Machina Shadowcraft has evolved in many ways and although some of the prebuilt deck’s cards are not part of the latest decks, it goes to show how many players are capable of being adaptable in making unique decks on their own.
Other Notable Cards:
- Ruins of Aiolon
- Night Terrors
- Hellfire Stroke
- Friends Anywhere
- Technolord: Origin
1. Wrath Bloodcraft (Heroes of Shadowverse)
“<Lion’s Roar>” - Chaotic Chimera
After discussing the other top nine decks, it’s important to know that once again, Wrath Bloodcraft comes out on top.
As the number one prebuilt deck of the meta, Heroes of Shadowverse’s version of Wrath Bloodcraft has captivated the hearts of many players (including myself), of its card superiority and Wrath effects.
Wrath Bloodcraft is even more faster and deadly thanks to some cards that can quickly unleash the power of Wrath as early as turn four. Players who mastered the art of Wrath decks can easily find this deck appealing while new players will be able to learn quickly due to its powerful nature and simple mechanics.
Wrath Bloodcraft’s greatest strengths are as follows:
The Pain Train
While the Academy of Ages’ version is a bit slow, this version of Wrath Bloodcraft is faster in achieving the Wrath effect. Look no further than the follower, Weapon Tamer.Image
Image
Weapon Tamer is a one-cost Bronze Bloodcraft Follower that puts a Serpent into your hand and deals one damage to the player. It also has an effect that whenever an allied follower with an original defense of one comes into play, Weapon Tamer would give that follower Rush and deal one damage to the player.
Weapon Tamer is an exceptional card that quickens the pace of activating Wrath. With some followers in the prebuilt deck having one defense, allows the player to gain free removals and gain Wrath with minimal damage.
Weapon Tamer is an important follower that is a requirement for every player who wants to play a Wrath deck.Adapt Through Suffering
Another strength that this version of Wrath has is its ability to adapt to a match from start to finish. And the card chosen for it is How To Train Your Bat.Image
Image
How To Train Your Bat is a two-cost Golden Bloodcraft Spell that deals one damage to the player and draws a card. It also gives another effect that at the start of the player’s next turn, the player is dealt one damage and draws an additional card.
The spell also has a Fusion effect that can use any card as material but only if Wrath has been activated. Once fused, it will Transmute into How To Train Your Wolf.
How To Train Your Wolf is a one-cost Golden Bloodcraft Spell that recovers one evolution point. It will also give the player the effect of reducing any damage to zero during their turn.
How To Train Your Bat is another card that goes well with Wrath Bloodcraft due to it dealing two damage to the player and generating cards to your hand. Its Transmuted version is also something to not scoff at because it not only restores an evolution point but allows the player to be immune to their followers and spells that deal damage to the player.Wrath Awaits You!
Finally, the greatest strength Wrath Bloodcraft has is its ability to unleash its Wrath effect with deadly devastation. The card that symbolizes it is Chaotic Chimera.Image
Chaotic Chimera is a twelve-cost Legendary Bloodcraft Follower that has Ward. When played, it will deal six damage to all enemies, restore six defense to the player, and the player will draw three cards.
Chaotic Chimera also has a Fusion effect that only activates when Wrath is achieved. When the follower fuses with any other card, it will subtract its cost by three.
Chaotic Chimera may seem an impossible follower to play but with the deck’s capability to activate Wrath early is very easy to achieve. The follower is also powerful in restoring the player’s defense and dealing damage to the enemy player and its followers.
With these strengths, Wrath Blood in the latest set has cemented itself as the most powerful archetype in the game. While it remained number one, it doesn’t last as in the latest tournament, Natura Forestcraft became the number one deck.
Although Wrath Bloodcraft is not number one, this deck has withstood the test of time as one of the easiest and most powerful decks in the game’s history.
Other Notable Cards:
- Fear’s Disciple
- Garnet Rondo
- Rogue & Verte, Werekin
- Dice Devil
- Mastema, Dark Temptress
In Conclusion…..
While prebuilt decks are mostly used as a way to learn a deck’s playstyle, it is not meant to be the player’s final choice as their signature deck. It is all about exploring the myriad of possibilities and seeing how far they can grow their deck into something more powerful.
We, the players, must explore our horizons and see what other decks we can do to make them interesting to play with and be more proactive in making them better.
And maybe someday, you can build your deck by seeing the potential of every card in your collection.
