Notes & Combos

With Yubel coming to shake up the Snake-Eyes meta, I wanted to explore variants that were both unique and powerful since we do not have Varudras.

Although I do have a basic Apollousa build that I am also frequently testing, this deck variant is one that I've been preferring these past few days and I wanted to share it, so here's the Gryphon variant.

What makes the Gryphon variant so special?

Knightmare Gryphon is a Link-4 monster that prevents the activation of Special Summoned monsters unless they are linked. Due to the endboard that Yubel produces at the end of the combo, it is nearly impossible for the opponent to activate their monster effects unless they Link Summon monsters of their own, to which we can use both Escape, Rage, and S:P to remove those Link Monsters from the field, denying them of monster effects.

This is a game-winning effect against most decks, especially when backed by Nightmare Pain and to a lesser extent, Muckraker, who either deny destruction of Gryphon through card effects or outing it by battle.

While it might seem weaker to boardbreakers like Droplet, Evenly, or Talents, Yama can revive either after Escape pops both monsters.

One of the few flaws of the Gryphon variant are the constant discards which can sap follow-up or handtraps. However, it can be mitigated through careful play and Gryphon draw, which can actually get you some important handtraps like Ash Blossom or Maxx "C".

Overall, the Gryphon variant is a much more combo-oriented variant of Yubel compared to Apollousa, one where the pilot can make liberal use of the deck's vast amounts of link materials to assemble an oppressive Fiend Link board.

What are some important tech choices for this deck?

Unlike some other Gryphon variants which use Spright Elf or Evolzar Lars, I decided to go for a deck that makes the Gryphon Lock more consistent while also having the ED options to go second and even OTK on an empty board.

• 3x Gruesome Squirmer: Squirmer is a godly extender for virtually every starter, even 1C DBB or Gate through its hand and GY effect. It can even act as a pseudo-Sharvara if the opponent is foolish enough to Imperm or Veiler Spirit of Yubel.
• 3x Sharvara: Opening Sharvara is even more broken since it can help dodge critical chokepoints like DBB NS for Opening of the Spirit Gates access. It's also helpful in popping Yubels to advance your combo, even under Droll (which will make Yama's search fizzle).
• 2x DBB & 3x Gate: While 3x Gate is 100% optimal, 2x DBB is something that I'm more apprehensive about since 3x DBB would increase the consistency of the deck. Combined with 3x Sharvara making it more likely to open, it's possible that it would be more optimal to run 3x DBB.
• 1x CSB: Chaos Summoning Beast is a brick but arguably important in this deck in making Gate into a 1C starter into Gryphon thanks to Beatrice. For Apollousa I'd rather skip CSB in favor of the third DBB or a non-engine piece.
• 1x Shyama: Shyama, while it is a brick to open, is critical in making Gryphon lines more consistent with every starter, as it helps turn Gate, 1C DBB, and Lotus, into full combo.
• 1x Chaos Angel: Chaos Angel is helpful in breaking boards due to its non-OPT banish effect. Combined with Accesscode, it is an OTK.
• 1x Super Producer: Super Producer is critical in enabling Beatrice which bridges 1C DBB or Gate with the rest of the Yubel engine. It is also helpful in extension as it can generate additional bodies after popping Yubel or some other face-up card to trigger Yama.
• 1x Anguish 1x Accesscode: I genuinely think that both are optimal to run due to their ability to break boards and enable an empty board OTK alongside Chaos Angel, which is one of the main weaknesses of the deck.

What's next for this deck?

Personally, I'm looking forward towards playing with the Apollousa variant, since it's the one that carries the least bricks and the most non-engine / utility links.

Also, there's the Gryphon variant that uses Lars and Elf to make a stronger Turn 1 endboard at the cost of OTK potential.

Either way, Yubel has a bright future ahead with Varudras and Fiendsmith which will complete the Fiend Link deck, a strong top deck contender in the metagame.