Notes & Combos

Synopsis

Rescue-Ace is still good. This format is not. I swapped some things out and put some things in so I could get to Rated. Currently, I'm sitting within the top 5% at 1600 rating points. My changes are as follows.

Overview

What's new is that I've upped the count slightly due to how important it was to not see cards like Driver, Contain, or Extinguish in the opener. 43 cards, while a number I'm somewhat hesitant on, is still highly consistent, and over a long series of games, you're likely to see your power cards consistently and at convenient times.

Throughout my climb through Master, I oscillated frequently on card counts and tech choices. This brew actually isn't what I got to Master 1 with, but it's what has so far brought me the most success in Rated duels. Cards like Triple Tactics Talent and Subversion are a must for problem matchups, and have frequently won me games against powerful boards. The low card count also benefits R-Ace thanks to how, instead of hand traps, going 2nd is now much more expansive thanks to the less-reactive nature of Subversion, Talents, and how what few HTs we can fit can insulate powerful counterattacks rather than just going 1st plays.

Other power cards that this deck benefits greatly from are Durendal and Heavy Storm. Up until yesterday, both were in this brew up until I began to fall, and the sheer power of Gamma both protecting my plays and providing advantage was too much to ignore. Heavy Storm actually has a unique interaction with this deck's Spell/Traps, as on turn 1 they can be destroyed so that, if you opened Turbulence, it can be summoned despite the lack of regular starters. Durendal, of course, acts as a 2nd copy of ROTA for going 2nd, but can also be equipped to a SS'd Diabellstar or Poplar if you haven't NS'd yet.

As for Fire Attacker, you could easily side it in in lieu of HT options alongside a 3rd copy of Impulse. If you're on board breakers, it's very much viable, and personally I'd encourage it given this deck's occasional utterly heartbreaking bricks, as well has having another Emergency target available.

Regarding Linguriboh, I sided it in to deal with the Iblee lock that Yubel decks are now attempting (it also deals with any set Unchained traps, too).

Conclusion

R-Ace is still good. This format is not. Sometimes matches on the ladder can be extremely zero-sum losses with no way out. With the help of powerful, board-breaking non-engine, however, this deck still contends.