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Despite this, Master Duel quickly became the biggest release for a modern title in the series, and has attracted players new and old back into the game. There aren’t too many obvious places to start learning, and the in-game tutorials aren’t the most amazing at teaching the intricacies of the game. For those that want to get into Master Duel from scratch, here are some things to consider.
9 Take Advantage Of The Solo Mode
While in-game tutorials on their own aren’t the most detailed, the solo mode, as a whole, works as a great teaching tool for the game. The mode throws different decks and playstyles at the player, allowing them to get used to the modern game in a controlled environment. Unlike the old days, the modern game is loaded with tons of different summoning mechanics and interactions. It’s good for players to get acclimated to the experience from the shallow end.
Aside from teaching players, the solo mode also serves as a great sandbox for testing new decks. The AI decks in higher-level duels will contain staple hand traps like Called By The Grave, Infinite Impermanence, and others, but mostly give you room. Plus, the rewards aren’t bad, so it makes the time spent going through worthwhile.
8 Find Your Playstyle
It may seem at first glance that there are an overwhelming number of possibilities for decks in Master Duel. That’s technically true, but a constructed deck with a specific game plan and win condition will end up more similar to other decks than one would initially think. The first step in getting started with constructed play is finding a style of play that fits one’s individual vibe, and building decks that fit that style.
Yu-Gi-Oh decks tend to fall under the umbrella of the big three: Control, Midrange, and Aggro.
Control decks choke the opponent out by controlling resources and forcing sub-optimal play. Midrange decks require multiple turns to get going, but quickly snowball out of control. Aggro decks hit fast and hit hard, but tend to struggle to recover when the tank is empty.
Admittedly, Control decks are the best in the modern meta, but Midrange combo decks can easily compete with the top of the table. New players should use the solo mode to try out different styles, then research one that works for them.
7 Utilize Online Resources
The game can be an okay teacher in playing through experience, but it can’t cover everything. Fortunately, the game’s popularity online and booming growth during the pandemic have led to a surge in the creation of online resources. There are so many quality resources at this point in the game’s life that even the most obscure decks have guides and videos about them.
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When starting fresh and learning, picking a deck and sticking with it is the best thing one can do. Building that deck, on the other hand, is going to be tough for a new player. Netdecking is perfectly fine and — despite the complaints of some hardcore players in Twitch chatrooms — actually a great tool for old and new players alike. Resources for various ruling and mechanics can also help to demystify the cryptic laws of this ancient game.
6 Use The Spectate Feature To The Fullest
Finding a deck and getting the theory behind it is great, but with so many cards in the game, it’s a challenge to learn what every single deck is capable of doing. A TCG player needs to be able to pilot their own deck while understanding how to play around their opponents. It can be hard to learn certain chokepoints and timings without a ton of hours invested. Fortunately, the spectator tool is a great way to see more decks at play.
Master Duel allows players to view a random match pulled from its system, typically from higher-ranked players. As this match happened in the past, viewers are free to pause, read cards and duel logs, and watch interactions play out in real time without playing it themselves. It’s fun to watch these duels, but they’re great for making those mental connections and getting exposed to decks one might not see in solo mode or in casual matches.
5 Focus Free Gems On Relevant Secret Packs
As a free-to-play game, a divide is created between those willing to whale and those who are looking to play for free. Master Duel is actually pretty good in this respect, as building one’s first deck is easily feasible for new players. Smart spending is the best way to create a free-to-play deck, and Secret Packs are the key.
Secret Packs are special packs unlocked by obtaining an SR or UR card of an archetype or theme. Pulling Dark Magician, for example, unlocks a whole pack focused on Dark Spellcaster support. While they are hidden at first, crafting an SR or UR card in the archetype also unlocks the pack. From there, dumping free gems into the pack will eventually pull either the cards a build needs, or can be converted into resources to fill in the gaps in a decklist.
4 Save Craft Points For Staple Cards When You Can
Craft points can be obtained through progressing through missions, the battle pass, or through dismantling cards one’s deck doesn’t need. The conversion rate is simple: three cards of a rarity need to be dismantled to craft one card of the same rarity. Craft points are great for filling in those gaps in a deck list that’s missing one or cards. However, if those cards can be obtained more easily through other means, consider saving craft points to get staple cards.
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Staple cards in Yu-Gi-Oh are cards that can be slotted into any deck. A classic example of a staple card is Pot of Greed, since it’s generically good in every deck. Modern staples are incredibly powerful and all only available at the highest rarity. Staple cards tend to revolve around countering the meta decks, so make sure to do some research to figure out which ones are the best. Once the player gets those staples, they can be used in every other deck they build in the future.
3 Don’t Be Afraid To Lose
Competitive games like Yu-Gi-Oh are the most fun in PvP matches. However, there’s a distinct lack of a queue for casual players in the game. It’s a strange exclusion, especially since a casual queue exists in Duel Links, and one that may make a casual player feel left out. Ranked anxiety, as strange as it might seem to some, is daunting to overcome for many players.
Fortunately, Master Duel is a very low-stakes game. In lower tiers of play, there are many others who are just getting started or are playing with decks found in the bottom of a well. It’s very likely new players will get blown out in matches against other constructed decks. Use those blowouts to better learn how other players do their combos or discover what adjustments could be made to a decklist. Losing isn’t fun, but nothing is lost in the process — other than maybe fifteen minutes of one’s time.
2 Take Your Time To Make Plays
After one has learned the game and built a deck, jumping into ranked matches can seem daunting. This is further exacerbated by the in-game timer. Traditional Yu-Gi-Oh! matches are timed as well, and it makes sense for the flow of the game to have those timers. Don’t let the timer be stressful; it’s much more forgiving than it seems.
Each turn, the player is given eight full minutes to make their plays. Even for newer players, it is plenty of time to think through lines of play. Most players who are interested in playing the game competitively understand that games are going to take some time to play out. The second most important thing one can do in the game is to think about plays before making them.
1 Read The Cards On The Field
Here’s the most powerful Yu-Gi-Oh! technique that even the most skilled players often forget about: reading the cards. On paper, the excuse is that it can be annoying to have to actually physically pick up and read the opponent’s cards, but there’s no limitation in a digital format. The game is designed in a way that any information a player could need is readily accessible, either on the field or in the duel log.
Through the power of reading, it’s easier to understand why certain interactions play out the way they do. If a play comes as a surprise at some point, reading the card is a great way to make sure to be prepared for it next time. Plus, after getting sacked by an absurd card, it’s possible to personally understand the depths of how strange these cards can be.
Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duelis available on Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC. A mobile version is set to be released at a currently unknown date.
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