Theory-Oh: Magicians vs Performapals vs Draco

Magicians have been the premier pendulum engine since they've been announced. However with Breakers of Shadows on the horizon, a new pendulum  engine is here to challenge for the title. In this post I will discuss the two engine and let you decide which will suit your deck better.

Magicians

Core cards - 12

x3 Dragonpit Magician
x1 Dragonpulse Magician
x3 Insight Magician
x2 Peasant dragon Magician
x3 Pendulum Call

Things the engine does well:

• Very wide scales
• Very good deck searching/ thinning
• Can recycle magicians
• Strong pendulum effects
• Mono type

Things the engine does poorly:

• Weak / no monster effects
• Weak monster stats
• Large engine
• Can clogg hands
• Poor extra deck plays, different levels
• Very Dragonpit magician centric

Decks that can use it well:

• High level monster decks - Apex Avian control, Odd-eyes, Hazy Flame

Performapals

Core cards - 10

x3 Performapal Skullcrobat Joker
x3 Performapal Pendulum Wizard
x2 Performapal Monkeyboard
x2 Performapal Lizardraw
x1 Performapal Silver Claw

Things the engine does well:

• 1 card, no cost pendulum scale
• Can provide wide scales
• Good extra deck plays, Mainly lvl 4
• Many searching effects
• Decent monster effects

Things the engine does poorly:

• Pendulum pairing restrictions
• Decent pendulum effects
• Weak monster stats

Deck that use it well:

• Low level extra deck centric deck - Performage, Gadgets

 

Draco

Core cards - 8

x3 Luster pendulum, the dracoslayer
x2 Dracoruler vector pendulum
x3 Clash of Dracorivals
x2 Ignister Prominence, the blasting dracoslayer
x1 Majespecter paladin the rising dracoslayer

 

Things the engine does well:

• Disruptive pendulum effects
• Good search out/ deck thinning
• Decent monster stats
• Mono type
• Mono level
• Synchro potential

Things the engine does poorly:

• 1 level pendulum scale
• No monster effects
• Summoning restriction for extra deck monsters

Deck that use it well: Lvl 4 Pendulum extra deck centric decks - Majespecter

With my analysis, you'll be able to decide which pendulum engine would be best suited for your deck. There is nothing stopping you from running them together either. I've found good success running Performapals and Draco engine in a performage deck. Test them all out so you can play them optimally and therefore beat them.

New post when ojama become tier 1.  

Theory-Oh: The Online Meta and You Part.1

What is Theory-Oh? 

Theory-Oh are posts that I create to just discuss idea and concepts that can be applied to every duel. They don't focus on single decks or cards but more theories that can apply to every deck.

The Online Meta and You

Online dueling is a reflection of the internet, and therefore real life. You can get paired with a 10 year Yu-Gi-Oh vet or a 10 day anime watcher. You can face any kind of person with any kind of deck. Applying Murphy's Law to this, you will face every kind of deck from every kind of person. From Performapals to Penguins, Monarchs to Macrosworn, Yosenju to Yubel. How can you prepare for such a wide variety of decks?

1. Play top decks

Pretty straight forward. Top deck have the consistency and power to stop what your opponent is trying to do or just blow through it regardless.

2. Never main deck for a specific match-up

You will play a lot of decks online but rarely the ones you prepare for. Hurting your decks consistency to potentially shut down a specific match-up is rarely worth it. Don't run counters without them being able to further your decks own plays.

3. Always keep to date with new cards

Once cards are announced they are usually online within two weeks. That means that a new top deck can potentially be made every week. With such high turnover of decks you can afford to be out of date. New cards can also strengthen your current decks and breath new life into them.

I later posts I will go further into each of these points and give you understanding to make your own decisions. Stay Tuned.