Crystal Beast Guide

Overview

The Crystal Beasts debuted in Master Duel on release through the Crystal Septenary Secret Pack. While it did not accomplish anything notable on release, everything changed with the Selection Pack, Strong Will, where the archetype received the support that legitimately took it to a rogue level. With multiple tops by multiple duelists in multiple Master Duel tournaments, this previously overlooked deck has proven that it has what it takes to take on the tiered threats. As a bonus, the Selection Pack, Inherited Unity, offers a new Crystal Beast support piece that undoubtedly bolsters the beasts.

Introduction

Crystal Beast is an archetype that aims to place monster cards in the Spell & Trap Zone as Continuous Spell Cards in order to activate powerful effects. By playing a control game, they can survive long enough to gather all 7 “Crystal Beast” names on the field or in the GY to summon their main boss monster, Loading... . While the monsters themselves generally carry underwhelming effects, the “Crystal” and "Rainbow Bridge" Spells & Traps are some of the most powerful cards in the game. Crystal Beast has high versatility, meaning it can mix well with other archetypes.

There are two main paths to take when building Crystal Beasts: Overdrive Combo and Conclave Control; this guide will be covering the latter as it has competitive results, with DL, TCG, and MD tournament tops. Conclave Control, despite its name, is more of a midrange Deck. This playstyle is designed to utilize the inherent advantage engine Crystal Beasts have in crystallization. By controlling the game with Loading... , Loading... , and Loading... , the crystallization accumulates advantage as crystals are lined up in the backrow. This is brought to its climax when either Loading... or Loading... summons Loading... to call together the conclave and OTK. This deck can also search any Field Spell and use Xyz/Link monsters as a toolbox to supplement their strategy, meaning they will only get better as new Field, Xyz, and Link options are released.

If you're interested in the Overdrive Combo variant, check out the Sample Decks and Additional Resources sections.

Core Cards

Archetypal

Crystal Beast Sapphire Pegasus

The core of the deck. Sapphire Pegasus is a non-once per turn, +1 starter that can access beasts from the hand, Deck, or GY. Placing any CB into your S/T Zone to either get fuel for your other cards or just to get a name out of your deck is what get this deck started in any duel. Early in the duel, you're looking to crystallize Loading... (Zenith) off of this effect. As a one-card Rank 4 Xyz, Sapphire Pegasus can break boards going second by providing easy access to Loading... . Cards that negate and destroy, such as Loading... , are actually somewhat resisted by Sapphire Pegasus as he will simply crystallize to the backrow, enabling other cards like Loading... and Loading... . Just be aware that he is a “When” Card, so he can miss Timing.

Zenith / Crystal Beast Rainbow Dragon

The boss monster of Conclave Control. For simplicity, this card will be referred to as “Zenith” due to the original name in Japanese. In the early game of a duel, Zenith is your main crystallization target off of Loading... and Loading... . This is the only Crystal Beast to have an effect as a crystal, and it turns Sapphire Pegasus into a one-card Link-2 or Rank 4 Xyz. Zenith is also your access to Loading... , enabling one of the most important cards in Loading... . To top it all off, it’s the strongest Crystal Beast clocking in at a Loading... level of attack. Zenith is your main way of closing out games, and it helps that it summons itself from the hand, comboing nicely with Loading... . Adding Rainbow Dragon from the Deck to the hand is mandatory in order to activate the second Effect.

Crystal Beast Ruby Carbuncle

Ruby is an archetypal Pendulum Summon on legs that’s not once per turn. She prefers to stay out of the hand, so playing one is preferred. Some of the deck’s skill lies in the ability to determine when to unleash Ruby’s special effect for the OTK. With Loading... in hand, Sapphire Pegasus in the backrow, and Ruby in the hand or GY, you're able to OTK by crystallizing two Zeniths and special summoning Ruby in hand, triggering the Ruby Rampage with 8100 damage. With Loading... being a quick effect, use it to summon Ruby during the Battle Phase to play around opposing Loading... and Loading... , as they can only be activated in the Main Phase. Just be aware that she is a “When” Card, so she can miss Timing.

Crystal Beast Cobalt Eagle

"Sapphire Pegasus at home.” Cobalt Eagle’s typing allows the deck to play under Loading... . He also helps with making Rank 4 Xyz, including Loading... , but there’s not much utility outside of that. Other options for this slot include the third Zenith or Loading... for an alternate attribute and a known fighter.