Melodious Propaedeutics
Welcome, aspirant composers! This Primer serves as an introduction to the pure Melodious Archetype, with a focus on Master Duel, but with most tips applying to any format. It will succinctly explain the identity of the archetype as it is today as well as what you can do with it. Unlike my other guides, this one aims to be purely focused on the competitive aspect without any of the bloat or chaff so people won't get lost, as well as a more "freestyle" approach to the lines that build the endboards so you don't purely rely on memorizing what's optimal, rather you refine your playstyle as you perform on the Master Duel stage!
For a fuller version of this guide on the affiliated site, you can consult YGO Meta's Melodious Guide endorsed by DKayed, with the full album of combos and techs being in its associated Google Doc, which contains all the other resources posted by the Melodious Community. Be mindful not to get lost and feel free to ask for help if you need it!
What is Melodious?
Melodious is a purely LIGHT attribute, Fairy type Deck piloted by Yuzu Hiiragi/Zuzu Boyle from Yu-Gi-Oh! ARC-V. The Deck's gameplan is to bring out their Members via many types of Special Summoning, bringing Fusion Summoning as the core of their combo lines and endboards, which have low power, but high protection, with Link Summoning working in a pinch. All the Monsters benefit from being Special Summoned, as it enables their effects, especially in regards to the Divas' Field effects aiding the whole chorus.
Strengths:
Impressive consistency: Melodious has an easy time developing their own endboard thanks to 9 starters, various safe 2 card combos, having an answer to Loading... , as well as another way to extend should the main route be disrupted.
Strong protection: Thanks to one Level 4, the whole board can be protected from targeting effects as well as battle destruction. A level 5 also protects from Effect Destruction such as Loading... or Loading... , but she’s not as seen. The Boss’ effect also allows you to weave the Melodious Monsters out of danger so they can return safely and perform for the next turn.
Versatile disruption: The two disruptions you have access to are a non-targeting “return to hand” effect, and a triple “Banish from GY” effect, each hitting a wide variety of decks decently.
Weaknesses:
Loading... : Melodious requires several Special Summons to access that disruption, thus playing very poorly into Maxx “C”.
Non-targeting mass negation: Melodious’ board is only on the Field, so Cards such as Loading... and Loading... will shut it down especially because you can't respond to them in most cases. While there are floating effects, they don’t lead to you presenting a threat most of the time.
Inflexibility: Melodious as an archetype struggles to work with other cards and certain staples, due to their various “xenolocks” (Loading... and Loading... only allow you to Summon Melodious Monsters, for example). Each will be explained later.
Without further ado, let us introduce the Melodious Members who will accompany you on the Master Duel Stage! Each Monster will have their “ratios”, or rather amount of copies recommended to put in a deck!