What are Starter and Structure Decks?
In Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duels, the game presents us with pre-made decks that are catered to those who have started their journey in Master Duels. Though each is great for their own reasons, some of these decks have better performance than the others.
Starter Decks
Starter decks are decks given to the player at the start of the game, after they finish the tutorial. The game will prompt the player to pick between three different choices these are:
Power of Dragons - A deck that has great synergy with Dragon type units and features the very iconic card Blue-Eyes White Dragon at three copies. Has great emphasis on both Fusion and Tribute Summoning. Though their boss monster, Five-Headed Dragon, lacks protection outside of battle and is quite difficult to summon.
Synchro of Unity - A deck that has a great focus on Synchro Summoning, a way of special summoning cards from the Extra Deck. This deck has a greatt balance between Tuner Cards and Effect Monsters to ensure consistent Synchro summoning. The boss monster is Junk Warrior, which can have its ATK stat go out of hand by gaining all the total ATK of all level 2 monsters in the field. Outside of that, this deck will have a hard time protecting this boss monster out of battle.
Link Generation - A deck that focuses on Link Summoning Monsters, which is the most recent Extra Deck summoning method introduced. Cyberse Cards comprises most of the deck which all support the Link Summon archetype. The boss monster Decode Talker has effects that increase its attack and protect itself from destruction outside of battle, making this the easiest boss monster amongst the starter deck to have.
But do not be hard pressed if you felt like you picked the wrong starter deck, you can get the other unchosen decks from quests. In terms of Strength and Consistency of the Starter decks, it would be Link Generation > Synchro of Unity > Power of Dragons. This also is the same on the difficulty of the deck with Link Generation being the hardest one to pilot.
Structure Decks
Structure Decks are pre-made decks full of cards varying in rarity, which the player can pull from legacy packs. These pre-made decks all cost 500 Gems in the store, and have a varying number of URs, SRs, Rs, and Ns in the deck. The Structure Decks are built with an engine and an archetype to focus on making it easy to upgrade as the direction is not as vague as the Starter Decks.
The current available Structure Decks are:
Re-Contract Universe - This deck utilises XYZ summoning in tandem with Zeal Weapon Engine to XYZ summon Utopia and Rank it up to other Utopia Ray boss monsters for a very versatile playstyle. It is composed of 4 UR Cards, 9 SR Cards, 14 R Cards, and 18 N Cards.
Magicians of Pendulum - This deck focuses on Pendulum Summoning through the use of the Magician Cards as their Engine, and combines Fusion, Synchro and XYZ summoning to the mix. Their boss monsters, Beast-Eyes Pendulum Dragon, and Rune-Eyes Pendulum Dragon, are quite strong but lack protection. It is composed of 4 UR Cards, 12 SR Cards, 13 R Cards, and 16 N Cards. This is the deck with the most value because of the high amount of SR Cards in this deck.
Rage of Cipher - Is another deck that focuses on XYZ summoning and is the most recently released Structure Deck in the Store. The engines this deck runs are The Cipher Engine and Galaxy support all in the effort to XYZ summon Galaxy-Eyes Cipher X Dragon, and it offers a slew of innate protection for the boss monster. It is composed of 3 UR Cards, 10 SR Cards, 12 R Cards, and 20 N Cards. This deck has the least value amongst the other Structure Decks offered in the shop.
5. Power of Dragons
BIG STRONG DRAGON!!
Do you like enormous dragons floating across the sky, burning down all your enemies? Do you want to live out Seto Kaiba fantasy? Then the Power of the Dragons is for you!
Focusing greatly on the Monster Type: Dragons, the player will have access to target prevention with the Monster Lord of D. and targeted spell/trap card removal with Stamping Destruction. The deck has ways to special summon Dragons from the hand and GY, allowing for easy Tribute Summons and Fusion Summons to happen.
Pros of the Deck
- Easy to use and is the most Newbie friendly of all the Starter Decks.
- Does not need that much strategy to bring out Blue Eyes White Dragon.
- A very nostalgic Deck.
- It has plenty of ways to be upgraded because of its very general nature.
Cons of the Deck
- Very weak.
- Requires having specific hard to summon cards to protect The Boss Monsters.
- The Boss Monster Five-Headed Dragon is very hard to summon and the pay–off isn’t really worth it.
- Outside of the Dragon summoning gimmick, the deck has nothing to offer and is easily counterable.
Card List
Monsters - 21
3x Luster Dragon
2x Divine Dragon Ragnarok
2x Blue-Eyes White Dragon
1x Twin-Headed Behemoth
2x Dark-Hex-Sealed Fusion
2x Kidmodo Dragon
2x Lord of D.
2x Lancer Dragonute
2x Axe Dragonute
2x Kaiser Glider
1x Strong Wind Dragon
Spells - 13
2x The Flute of Summoning Dragon
3x Stamping Destruction
2x Back to Square One
2x Fusion Substitute
2x Rush Recklessly
2x Silver’s Cry
Traps - 6
2x Ring of Destruction
2x Threatening Roar
2x Defense Draw
Extra - 5
3x King Dragun
2x Five-Headed Dragon
4. Link Generation
I Link Summon, Decode Talker!!
Imagine you are floating in the endless abyss of the Cyber-net. Numbers and codes float through the air as you swim around the surrounding space. If you like powerful plays and cyber monsters, then this deck is for you!
Link Summons are the focus of the deck, linking monsters into a stronger form. This is the best of the Starter Decks in terms of performance, but the hardest one to pilot because of its complicated nature. The deck’s boss monster is Decode Talker and has an innate way of protecting itself from removal.
Pros of the Deck
- This deck is very consistent.
- Link Summons are very strong
- Has a clear direction on where it can be upgraded
- Boss Monster can be easily protected
Cons of the Deck
- Timing of negate is very unintuitive at times
- Very gimmicky and complicated for newcomers
- Might brick when the hand is missing some key cards
Card List
Monsters - 22
2x Protron
2x Digitron
2x Suppression Collider
3x Texchanger
1x Backlinker
3x Launcher Commander
2x Bitrooper
2x Link Streamer
3x Bravedrive
2x Dual Assembwurm
Spells - 12
2x Share the Pain
2x Blustering Winds
2x Parallel Twister
2x Cynet Universe
2x Link Bound
2x Spool Code
Traps - 6
2x Cyberse Beacon
2x Cynet Cascade
2x Jelly Cannon
Extra Deck - 5
1x Link Spider
1x LANphorhynchus
1x Progleo
1x Decode Talker
1x Rasterliger
3. Magician of Pendulum
Do you feel the magic?
These monsters will tip the scales to your favor, as dragons and magicians rush to your side. Summon your monsters through Pendulum Summon and win with this deck!
The deck focuses on Pendulum Summoning Cards to the field to beatdown your opponents and create your boss monster. This deck has access to Magicians, Performapals Engine to support the Pendulum Summons this deck wants to bring out.
Pros of the Deck
- Easier to use than the other Structure Decks
- Has very synergistic cards
- Has a strong field card to protect their cards
- Has clear direction in which parts to upgrade or to focus on
- Consistent Monster Presence
Cons of the Deck
- The removal protection of the deck is not tied to the Boss Monster. It is otherwise tied to a field spell.
- If upgrading towards the direction of Odd Eyes, then it would require the player to get 3 copies of Odd-eyes, which might mean having to buy this structure deck three times.
- The overall concept of Pendulum Summon is quite confusing, even more for newcomers..
- Has a whole slew of different Extra Deck summons ranging from Synchro, Fusion, and XYZ, which might confuse newcomers.
- This is clear in all the Structure Decks. All cards are one-of making it quite inconsistent.
Card List
Monsters - 24
1x Dragonpulse Magician
1x Dragonpit Magician
1x Tuning Magician
1x Performapal Odd-Eyes Unicorn
1x Performapal Odd-Eyes Synchron
1x Timegazer Magician
1x Odd-Eyes Mirage Dragon
1x Performapal Silver Claw
1x Performapal Pendulum Sorcerer
1x Wisdom-Eye Magician
1x Performapal Skullcrobat Joker
1x Performapal Secondonkey
1x Performapal Gold Fang
1x Harmonizing Magician
1x Performapal Odd-Eyes MInitaurus
1x Stargazer Magician
1x Performapal Odd-Eyes Light Pheonix
1x Odd-Eyes Persona Dragon
1x Oafdragon Magician
1x Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon
1x Dharma-Eye Magician
1x Odd-Eyes Phantom Dragon
1x Dragoncaller Magician
1x Performapal Odd-Eyes Dissolver
Spells - 11
1x Pendulum Call
1x Amazing Pendulum
1x Pendulum Fusion
1x Duelist Alliance
1x Spiral Flame Strike
1x Pendulum Paradox
1x Pendulum Halt
1x Sky Iris
1x Soul Pendulum
1x Pendulum Impenetrable
1x Wavering Eyes
Traps - 5
1x Pendulum Back
1x Pendulum Reborn
1x Heavy Storm Duster
1x Unwavering Bond
1x Pendulum Switch
Extra Deck - 5
1x Beast-Eyes Pendulum Dragon
1x Rune-Eyes Pendulum Dragon
1x Enlightenment Paladin
1x Nirvana High Paladin
1x Timestar Magician
2. Re-Contract Universe
Transformers Ro- I mean, I summon Utopia!
Large warriors clad in gleaming armor descend from the sky and smite your enemies! Want to defeat your enemies with powerful warriors holding legendary weapons? Then this deck might be for you!
The deck focuses on the ability to XYZ summon XYZ Creatures from the Extra deck, which requires a specific number of cards at the same level. This deck runs the ZW and ZS engine to equip Utopia to handle specific situations that may arise during the battle. Supported by the Gogogo and Gagaga engine to help facilitate the XYZ summoning.
Pros of the Deck
- The Deck is very consistent in its plays.
- The Boss Monster Utopia is a good card that can easily negate attacks.
- The cards can consistently combo off
- Can easily recur and revive XYZ monsters from the GY
- Has a clear destination on how to upgrade this Structure Deck
- Has 3 Boss Monsters in the Deck
- Most Value amongst the Structure Deck
Cons of the Deck
- The combos can be very convoluted and may confuse for first-timers
- Some better Utopia decks require two or more Utopias in the deck, which might require the player to buy a second or third copy of the structure deck.
- Protection is tied to spell cards rather than the Boss Cards in the Deck
- This is clear in all the Structure Decks. All cards are one-of making it quite inconsistent.
Card List
Monsters - 21
1x DZW - Chimera Clad
1x ZS - Vanish Sage
1x ZW - Phoenix Bow
1x ZS - Ouroboros Sage
1x Gagaga Magician
1x Gogogo Golem
1x Gogogo Giant
1x ZW - Unicorn Spear
1x ZW - Ultimate Shield
1x ZW - Sleipnir Mail
1x ZW - Asura Strike
1x Zubababancho Gagagacoat
1x Dodododwarf Gogogoglove
1x ZS - Armed Sage
1x ZS - Ascended Sage
1x ZW - Sylphid Wing
1x Astraltopia
1x ZW - Lightning Blade
1x ZW - Tornado Bringer
1x ZW - Eagle Claw
1x ZW - Pegasus Twin Saber
Spells - 13
1x Pot of Avarice
1x Utopia Buster
1x Shining Draw
1x Rank-Up-Magic Zexal Force
1x Zexal Construction
1x Zexal Entrust
1x Zexal Catapult
1x Reverse Breaker
1x Rising Sun Slash
1x Zexal Field
1x XYZ Change Tactics
1x Double or Nothing!
1x Light Wing Shield
Traps - 6
1x XYZ Reborn
1x Halfway to Forever
1x Zexal Alliance
1x Numbers Protection
1x The Door of Destiny
1x The Deal of Destiny
Extra Deck - 5
1x Number 39:Utopia
1x ZW - Leo Arms
1x Ultimate Dragonic Utopia Ray
1x ZW - Dragonic Halberd
1x Ultimate Leo Utopia Ray
1. Rage of Cipher
Look into their eyes...
With the light of The Galaxy shining on their eyes, the dragons come forth. Another XYZ structure deck graces the shop, but this time the boss monsters are a different caliber.
This deck focuses on XYZ summoning Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon and ranking it up to an enhanced form for all situations. The boss monsters have protection, removal or outright stealing of your opponent’s monster. If you like these, then this deck might be for you!
Pros of the Deck
- Boss Monsters can have their materials replenished and can keep on using their abilities to mess with your opponents.
- Support cards in the deck allow for Level Manipulation and Special Summoning of high-level cards to facilitate the XYZ Summon of their boss monsters.
- The Boss Monsters have innate protection.
- Has 3 Boss Monsters on the deck.
- One of the Boss Monsters has an overall blanket of protection for Light monsters, which is basically all the monsters on the deck.
Cons of the Deck
- Some of the support cards require your opponent to make specific plays, which may appear inconsistent.
- Some of the Cipher Cards block off Special Summoning except for other Cipher Cards, which might brick some combos and might take some getting used to
- This is clear in all the Structure Decks, all of the cards are one-of making it quite inconsistent.
- Least value of all the Structure Decks.
Card List
Monsters - 21
1x Cipher Etranger
1x Cipher Soldier
1x Galaxy Mirror Sage
1x Honest
1x Galaxy Wizard
1x Radius, the Half-Moons Dragon
1x Galaxy Dragon
1x Heliosphere Dragon
2x Cipher Wing
1x Cipher Twin Raptor
1x Cipher Mirror Knight
1x Storm Cipher
1x Galaxy Cleric
1x Starliege Seyfert
1x Cipher Biplane
1x Parsec, the Interstellar Dragon
1x Schwarzschild Limit Dragon
1x Swordsman of Revealing Light
1x Nebula Dragon
1x Galactic Spiral Dragon
Spells - 13
1x Draconnection
1x Galaxy Queen’s Light
1x Galactic Charity
1x Galaxy Cyclone
1x XYZ Unit
1x Dragon Shield
1x Galaxy Wave
1x Constellar Belt
1x Cipher Interference
1x Double Exposure
1x Shrink
1x Galaxy Storm
1x Rank-Up-Magic Cipher Ascension
Traps - 6
1x XYZ Reborn
1x Dimension Slice
1x Double Cipher
1x Cipher Bit
1x Cipher Spectrum
1x Back to the Front
Extra Deck - 5
2x Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon
1x Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Blade Dragon
1x Neo Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon
1x Galaxy-Eyes Cipher X Dragon