Jump to content

[WIP] Monarch - A Tribute


IQuitDolphin

Recommended Posts

Monarch - A Tribute
-------------
v1
 
Monarch is a Tribute-based archetype focused on control and card advantage without using the Extra Deck. The Monarchs have various effects which trigger on summon, such as shuffling a card into the deck or banishing a card on the field, and are generally very potent in maintaining hand and field advantage. Their Spell/Trap card lineup is composed with great variety; the support gives them draw power, disruption cards, and their own personal floodgate. To make the Monarchs easier to summon, the Vassals and Squires are a supportive "sub"-archetype monsters that ease the process of summoning a Monarch with their effects.
 
Although the deck has an impressive amount of control and disruption at its disposal, the deck is hindered by a lack of consistency. The lack of an Extra Deck decreases the amount of utility Monarchs have at their disposal, and they are forced to play off of their hand and Main Deck. Opening hands can be extremely mediocre due to the inherent nature of Tribute Summoning; if you do not open the right combination, you are unable to play.
 
In general, if you do draw a Monarch but no fodder, you are unable to do anything. If you draw tribute fodder but no Monarch, you are also in trouble. The Spell/Trap lineup does nothing to cure the issue, as most of the support is focused on searching Monarch Spell/Trap cards and player disruption. Although Pantheism is a good dose of draw power, it can only do so much. 
 
The deck is also extremely wide open to disruption: Veiler, Ghost Ogre and Snow Rabbit, traps; these cards can cripple the deck's momentum to the point of not being about to do anything for the turn.
 
Despite these shortcomings, Monarchs are an easy deck to learn and pick up, and are best suited for beginners or people getting back into the game. The deck is extremely simple and their lockdown and control strategies give them an edge that easily puts them in the high tier.
 
 
Monster Lineup
[spoiler=Monarchs]
[spoiler=Erebus, the Underworld Monarch]
Erebus, the Underworld Monarch | LEVEL 8
DARK | Zombie | Effect
2800 | 1000
----
1) You can Tribute Summon this card by Tributing 1 Tribute Summoned monster.
2) If this card is Tribute Summoned: You can send 2 "Monarch" Spell/Trap Cards with different names from your hand and/or Deck to the Graveyard, and if you do, shuffle 1 card from your opponent's hand (at random), field, or Graveyard into the Deck.
3) Once per turn, during either player's Main Phase, if this card is in your Graveyard: You can discard 1 "Monarch" Spell/Trap Card, then target 1 monster in your Graveyard with 2400 or more ATK and 1000 DEF; add it to your hand.
-----
 
One of your main Monarchs to summon. It's effect is essentially a more potent version of Castel, and the mills from its effect (usually Pantheism and the First Monarch) gives the deck a great setup for future plays. Sniping a card from the opponent's hand is powerful as well. Run 3.


[spoiler=Ehther, the Heaven Monarch]
Ether the Heaven Monarch | LEVEL 8
LIGHT | Fairy | Effect
2800 | 1000
----
1) You can Tribute Summon this card by Tributing 1 Tribute Summoned monster.
2) If this card is Tribute Summoned: You can send 2 "Monarch" Spell/Trap Cards with different names from your hand and/or Deck to the Graveyard, and if you do, Special Summon 1 monster with 2400 or more ATK and 1000 DEF from your Deck, but return it to the hand during the End Phase.
3) Once per Chain, during your opponent's Main Phase, if this card is in your hand: You can banish 1 "Monarch" Spell/Trap Card from your Graveyard; immediately after this effect resolves, Tribute Summon this card (this is a Quick Effect).
-----
 
Your second key Monarch. Ehther is pretty much the same thing as Erebus except that he gives you advantage rather than taking it away from your opponent. Even though most Monarchs don't have effects on Special Summons, it is an effective way to essentially "search" out Monarchs from your Deck. The last effect is extremely potent as it gives the deck strong interaction during either player's turn, and synergizes well with Kuraz and The Monarchs Stormforth. Run 3.


[spoiler=Caius, the Mega Monarch]
Caius, the Mega Monarch | LEVEL 8
DARK | Fiend | Effect
2800 | 1000
----

1) You can Tribute Summon this card by Tributing 1 Tribute Summoned monster.
2) If this card is Tribute Summoned: Target 1 card on the field; banish it, and if you do, inflict 1000 damage to your opponent, then, if it is a DARK Monster Card, banish all cards with that name from the hand, Main Deck, Extra Deck, and Graveyard of the player who controlled it.
3) If this card was Tribute Summoned by Tributing a DARK monster, add this additional effect.
● You can target 2 cards, instead.

-----
 
Basically a better version of the OG Caius we all know and love, this card is really good at what it does - removing threats on board. Tributing it with an Eidos gives you 2 banishes, and the Chain Destruction-esque effect can devastate decks such as Burning Abyss. Despite all this, this card does nothing to help set up the deck for future plays, so it is not essential. You generally don't want to see this if you go first, as it is a "dead card" with no targets. Run 0-1.


[spoiler=Thestalos, the Mega Monarch]
Thestalos, the Mega Monarch | LEVEL 8
FIRE | Pyro | Effect
2800 | 1000
----

1) You can Tribute Summon this card by Tributing 1 Tribute Summoned monster.
2) If this card is Tribute Summoned: Look at your opponent's hand and discard 1 card from their hand, then, if it was a Monster Card, inflict damage to your opponent equal to its original Level x 200.
3) If this card was Tributed Summoned by Tributing a FIRE monster, add this additional effect.
● Also, inflict 1000 damage to your opponent after that.

-----
 
A card that gives you hand knowledge and control, which is very important in the Pendulum era. Knowing what's in your opponent's hand is very useful for predicting your opponent's actions, and the discard can make a hand literally unplayable if the correct one is chosen. However, this card, again, does not help you setup, so it is not essential. It is a card to be considered once all other slots are taken up. This card is best used in the first and second turns, and dwindles in utility as the game continues. Run 0-1.


[spoiler=Zaborg, the Mega Monarch]
Zaborg, the Mega Monarch | LEVEL 8
LIGHT | Thunder | Effect
2800 | 1000
----

1) You can Tribute Summon this card by Tributing 1 Tribute Summoned monster.
2) If this card is Tribute Summoned: Target 1 monster on the field; destroy it, then, if it was a LIGHT monster, both players send as many cards as possible from their Extra Deck to the Graveyard, but not more than the original Level/Rank of that destroyed monster.
3) If this card was Tribute Summoned by Tributing a LIGHT monster, add this additional effect.
● You choose the cards your opponent sends to the Graveyard.

-----
 
An extremely potent card that rips apart your opponent's Extra Deck. Targeting itself leaves your opponent with 8 less cards in their Extra Deck, leaving them with much less options. Summoning this off of Edea is a great way to control the cards sent, and with the correct snipes your opponent will be extremely restricted in the plays available to them.
 
The only issue with this card is that it gives no board presence. The card is forced to destroy itself, leaving your board open. In addition, some decks can still pull off additional plays even with their now-restricted Extra Deck, making the play sub-optimal. In addition, some decks just don't care; Omega, Dante, Herald of the Arc Light, soon to be N'tss are numerous Extra Deck monsters that give the opponent a plus when they go to the Grave, making it counterproductive. It's even worse in the Monarch Mirror Match where your opponent doesn't run an Extra Deck to begin with. Run 0-1.


[spoiler=Kuraz, the Light Monarch]
Kuraz, the Light Monarch | LEVEL 6
LIGHT | Warrior | Effect
2400 | 1000
----

1) When this card is Normal or Special Summoned: You can target up to 2 cards on the field; destroy those targets, and if you do, each player can draw 1 card for each of the cards they controlled that was destroyed by this effect.
2) This card cannot attack during the turn it is Normal or Special Summoned.

-----
 
Once an extremely sub-par card, this card now fills in a strong role as an on-demand "Icarus Attack". Summoning this card off of Ehther is a great way to disrupt your opponent's plays, and even though your opponent draws 2, it is better than having to deal with the unknown rather than their current play. Another option is to destroy your own cards to thin your deck. It's also quite effective in the Mirror Match to keep your board clear to avoid The Monarchs Stormforth (it's like Nekroz all over again). Run 2-3.


[spoiler=Delg, the Dark Monarch]
Delg, the Dark Monarch | LEVEL 6
DARK | Warrior | Effect
2400 | 1000
----
1) When this card is Normal or Special Summoned: You can target up to 2 cards in your opponent's Graveyard; banish that target(s), then send the same number of cards from the top of their Deck to the Graveyard.
2) This card cannot attack during the turn it is Normal or Special Summoned.
-----
 
Kuraz's companion, this hasn't exactly gotten better with the new support. It's usage is limited when facing Pendulum Decks, and the extra mill can benefit the opponent more than hindering them. It could be used in the Mirror Match to get rid of their fodder in the Graveyard, but that's stretching this card's usefulness. Run 0, 1-2 if you want to experiment.


[spoiler=Majesty s Fiend']
Majesty's Fiend | LEVEL 6
LIGHT | Fiend | Effect
2400 | 1000
----

1) Cannot be Special Summoned.
2) Monster effects cannot be activated.

-----
 
Although this card is not exactly a Monarch, it fits into the stats of 2400/1000 found on the small Monarchs, so this card is open to Monarch support.
 
This card is literally a win condition. It's effect is one of the most potent this game has ever seen, shutting down many decks cold. The card has relatively few outs, and combined with March of the Monarchs you almost guaranteed yourself game. The only issue (if you can call it one) is that this card can't be summoned off of Ehther, so it has to be hard-drawn and summoned manually. You also lock yourself out of your own monster effects that would otherwise generate you advantage, so if they get past Majesty's Fiend you will have a hard time recovering.
 
Note that Peformapal Pendulum can get past this card easily thanks to Pendulum Sorcerer and (to a lesser extent) Partnaga and Mirror Conductor. Run 1-3, depending on preference.



[spoiler=The Peasants]
[spoiler=Edea the Heavenly Squire]
Edea the Heavenly Squire | LEVEL 1
800/1000

1) If this card is Normal or Special Summoned: You can Special Summon 1 monster with 800 ATK and 1000 DEF from your Deck, except "Idea the Heaven Squire", also you cannot Special Summon from the Extra Deck for the rest of this turn.
2)If this card is sent to the Graveyard: You can target 1 of your banished "Monarch" Spell/Trap Cards; add it to your hand.
3) You can only use each effect of "Idea the Heaven Squire" once per turn.
----
 
An integral part of the new tribute fodder engine (RIP Frogs), the deck's standard play involves summoning this card into Eidos, then proceeding to tribute both for a Monarch. This combo alone gives you a great deal of setup, as Edea can fetch a banished Spell/Trap card (Pantheism of the Monarchs) at this point, and Eidos is now in the Grave to do the same thing again next turn.
 
Even though this is one of the most efficient engines that Monarchs have ever acquired, it is very fragile. Effect Veiler puts a full stop to your combo, and Ghost Ogre and Snow Rabbit can be equally damaging if you don't have a Domain of the True Monarchs. Backrow is also an issue. A well-timed Effect Veiler can stop a Monarch player's turn cold, so it is imperative that you have backup plays in the case that your turn "ends" due to an unresolved Edea. Run 3 in Vassal Builds, 1 in Quantam Builds.


[spoiler=Eidos the Underworld Squire]
Eidos the Underworld Squire | LEVEL 2
DARK | Spellcaster | Effect
800 | 1000

1) If this card is Normal or Special Summoned: During your Main Phase this turn, you can Tribute Summon 1 monster, in addition to your Normal Summon/Set. (You can only gain this effect once per turn.)
2) You can banish this card from your Graveyard, then target 1 monster with 800 ATK and 1000 DEF in your Graveyard, except "Eidos the Underworld Squire"; Special Summon it in Defense Position, also you cannot Special Summon monsters from the Extra Deck for the rest of this turn.
3) You can only use this effect of "Eidos the Underworld Squire" once per turn.
----
 
The main target of Edea, this card gives you the Extra Tribute Summon you need to summon out the Monarch. It can be used standalone with Domain of the True Monarchs, but it's best used with Edea, as it forms a loop. Once you tribute both Edea and Eidos, this card's second effect lets you summon back Edea, which fetches another Eidos from your deck, letting you repeat the combo over again. Run 2-3 in Vassal Builds, 1 in Quantam Builds



[spoiler=Mithra the Thunder Vassal]
Mithra the Thunder Vassal | LEVEL 2
LIGHT | Thunder | Effect
800 | 1000

1) If this card is in your hand: You can activate this effect; you cannot Special Summon monsters from the Extra Deck for the rest of this turn, also Special Summon this card, and if you do, Special Summon 1 "Vassal Token" (Thunder-Type/LIGHT/Level 1/ATK 800/DEF 1000) to your opponent's side of the field in Defense Position.
2) If this card is Tributed for a Tribute Summon: You can activate this effect; you can Tribute Summon 1 monster during your Main Phase this turn, in addition to your Normal Summon/Set this turn. (You can only gain this effect once per turn.)
3) You can only use each effect of "Mithra the Thunder Vassal" once per turn.
----
 
Eidos and Edea are much more efficient at generating fodder for Tribute Summons, but Mithra is more resilient, as it can't be answered with Effect Veiler or Ghost Ogre & Snow Rabbit. Giving your opponent a token also makes The Monarchs Stormforth live so you can summon a Level 8 Monarch. You get an extra Tribute Summon when you tribute it, but it can't stack with Eidos, making it somewhat redundant, but it can be used for double Tribute Summons, which creates some neat interactions between cards. Run 0-3, depending on build.


[spoiler=Landrobe the Rock Vassal]
Landrobe the Rock Vassal | LEVEL 4
EARTH | Rock | Effect
800 | 1000

1) If this card is in your hand: You can target 1 face-up monster your opponent controls; you cannot Special Summon monsters from the Extra Deck for the rest of this turn, also Special Summon this card, and if you do, change that monster to face-down Defense Position.
2) If this card is Tributed for a Tribute Summon: You can target 1 monster with 800 ATK and 1000 DEF in your Graveyard, except "Landrobe the Rock Vassal"; add it to your hand. 
3) You can only use each effect of "Landrobe the Rock Vassal" once per turn.
----
 
Another option that is available is this guy. Landrobe is a great card for outing certain floodgates such as Fog King, and it doesn't take up your Normal Summon, which, again, makes it more resilient to Effect Veiler and Ghost Ogre & Snow Rabbit. The only issue with this card it's quite subpar going first, as your opponent has no monsters to enable this card. However, as the game progresses this card will become more and more useful as "spot-removal". The recycling eff is nice, but not essential. Small Note: Using this on Burning Abyss is quite hilarious. Run 0-1 in the Main/Side, depending on preference.



Spell Lineup
[spoiler=Search/Draw Power]
[spoiler=Pantheism of the Monarchs]
Pantheism of the Monarchs
Spell | Normal
----
1) Send 1 "Monarch" Spell/Trap Card from your hand to the Graveyard; draw 2 cards.
2) You can banish this card from your Graveyard; reveal 3 "Monarch" Spell/Trap Cards from your Deck, your opponent chooses 1 for you to add to your hand, and you shuffle the rest back into your Deck.
3) You can only use this effect [2] of "Pantheism of the Monarchs" once per turn.
----
 
The draw power of the deck, this card is an easy +1, and fixes the consistency issues that had plagued past Monarch builds. You can discard dead Spell/Trap cards for a quick -0, then use its effect to search almost any Monarch Spell/Trap card you want (ie. show all 3 copies). It's searchable, and the [1] effect isn't OPT so you can spam as many as you want in one turn. Note: This card is usually the one you want to recycle via Edea's effect. Run 3.


[spoiler=Tenacity of the Monarchs]
Tenacity of the Monarchs
Spell | Normal
----
1) Reveal 1 monster in your hand with 2400 ATK & 1000 DEF, or 2800 ATK & 1000 DEF; add 1 "Monarch" Spell/Trap Card from your Deck to your hand, except "Tenacity of the Monarchs".
2) You can only activate 1 "Tenacity of the Monarchs" per turn.
----
 
The Spell/Trap searcher of the Deck, this card when combined with Pantheism gives you free reign over the Spell/Trap you want to add. Despite this, it's dead without a Monarch/Majesty's Fiend, which makes this card Pantheism fodder at times. Regardless, this card is extremely useful to tutor cards like The Monarchs Stormforth or Pantheism. Run 3.


[spoiler=Return of the Monarchs]
Return of the Monarchs
Spell | Continuous
----

1) You cannot Special Summon monsters from the Extra Deck.
2) When you Tribute Summon a monster: You can activate 1 of these effects;
  ● Add, from your Deck to your hand, 1 monster with 2400 ATK and 1000 DEF with a different name from that Tribute Summoned monster.
  ● Add, from your Deck to your hand, 1 monster with 2800 ATK and 1000 DEF with a different name from that Tribute Summoned monster.
3) The Tribute Summoned monster must be face-up on the field to activate and to resolve this effect. 
4) You can only use this effect of "Return of the Monarchs" once per turn.

----
 
Return is quite mediocre, to be quite honest. It gives the deck the searcher they want, but it seems that Konami missed the mark. It's a good card to keep a steady stream of Monarchs to summon, but it's a terrible card to draw turn 1 without a Monarch and is usually going to be discarded for Pantheism. It can search Majesty's Fiend though, which is nice, and it has nice interactions with Escalation of the Monarchs. 

 

The card turns full circle in the Quantam Builds, however, since Blue into Red instantly makes Return live and sets up Ehther for next turn. Run 1 in Vassal Builds, 3 in Quantam Builds.

 



[spoiler=Control/Protection]
[spoiler=Domain of the True Monarchs]
Domain of the True Monarchs
Spell | Field
----
1) While you have no cards in your Extra Deck, if you control a Tribute Summoned monster and your opponent does not, your opponent cannot Special Summon monsters from the Extra Deck.
2) If a Tribute Summoned monster you control attacks an opponent's monster, it gains 800 ATK during damage calculation only.
3) Once per turn: You can reduce the Level of 1 monster in your hand that has 2800 ATK and 1000 DEF by 2 for the rest of this turn (even after it is Summoned/Set, and even if this card leaves the field)
----
 
The deck's personal floodgate, the [1] effect literally shits on almost every other deck out there, and it can lock down most decks if you have a Majesty's Fiend on board. The ATK buff gives the Monarchs an impressive ATK of 3600, letting them run over almost any monster. The [3] effect also has its uses, as it makes Eidos an easy Level 8 Monarch summon, which reduces the attack surface and reliance on Edea to get the combo going. Because of the potency of the [1] effect, many decks have elected to run Main Deck outs to deal with it. so do not think having it on board is an instant blowout. Run 3.


[spoiler=March of the Monarchs]
March of the Monarchs
Spell | Continuous
----
1) Tribute Summoned monsters you control cannot be targeted by, or destroyed by, card effects.
2) You cannot Special Summon monsters from your Extra Deck.
----

An extremely potent card that turns your Monarchs into formiddable beatsticks that can't be removed by convential methods. However, most decks can get around this quite easily, and this card can invalidate Kuraz in the mirror, decreasing this card's usefulness. Run 0-2, depending on preference.


[spoiler=The Monarchs Stormforth]
The Monarchs Stormforth
Spell | Quick-Play
----
1) Once during this turn, if you would Tribute a monster(s) for a Tribute Summon, you can Tribute 1 monster your opponent controls as if you controlled it.
2) You can only activate 1 "The Monarchs Stormforth" per turn.
3) During the turn you activate this card, you cannot Special Summon monsters from the Extra Deck.
----
Arguably the best removal card in the game, it bypassess most forms of protection, and due to its Quick-Spell nature, it synergizes well with Ehther and Escalation of the Monarchs. However, it can be dead turn 1 and little more than Pantheism fodder, so some people have opted to decrease the amount run due to its searchability. Run 2-3.


[spoiler=The Prime Monarch]
The Prime Monarch
Trap | Continuous
----
1) Once per turn: You can target 2 "Monarch" Spell/Trap Cards in your Graveyard; shuffle them into the Deck, then draw 1 card.
2) If this card is in your Graveyard: You can banish 1 other "Monarch" Spell/Trap Card from your Graveyard; Special Summon this card in Defense Position as a Normal Monster (Fairy-Type/LIGHT/Level 5/ATK 1000/DEF 2400). (This card is NOT treated as a Trap Card.)
3) You can only use this effect of "The Prime Monarch" once per turn.
----

The card usually sent to the Graveyard along with Pantheism by Ehther, this card gives the deck the staying power it needs to grind matches, as well as providing tribute fodder and OTK protection. The recylcing effect is quite useful in the Monarch mirror. Run 1-3, depending on preference.


 

 

Variants

[spoiler=Quantam Monarchs]

Quantam Monarchs utilize the Emergency Teleport >> Blue >> Red engine to generate infinite tribute fodder as well as de-bricking hands as long as you have a Return of the Monarchs. It is generally more consistent than the Vassal Builds, but is a bit weaker. It is also still vulnerable as you are reliant on cycling with your Quantam Blue, and if they manage to banish it you are severely crippled.

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...
  • 1 month later...
  • 1 month later...

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

×
×
  • Create New...