As one of the old-guard TCG titles,Yu-Gi-Oh!is a game that many people have at least tried once upon a time. Whether they were drawn in by the anime back in the day or got sucked in through titles like Duel Links, new players try and break into the core game rather frequently using platforms like EDOPro or Dueling Book. It’s no surprise if they then bounce off, becauseYu-Gi-Ohhas a brick wall for a learning curve.
Despite this,Master Duelquickly became the biggest release fora modern title in the series, and has attracted players new and old back into the game. There aren’t too many obvious places to start learning, and the in-game tutorials aren’t the most amazing at teaching the intricacies of the game. For those that want to get intoMaster Duelfrom scratch, here are some things to consider.
Updated Febuary 12, 2023, by Rain Egan: In the time sinceMaster Duel(and this article) was released, it hasn’t become any less complicated. It has, however, remained at the top spot for modernYu-Gi-Oh!titles,even with the more recent release ofCross Duel.Since this article was published,Master Duelhas also received mobile support, making it more accessible than ever.
Master Duelis still receiving updates, and it doesn’t look likely that it’ll stop being supported any time soon. While it’s a different game with a different meta from the original TCG, it’s also the most similar, making it the most appealing for new players and old. With so much attention on the game, a lot has been discovered, and more tips have emerged to help beginner players on the road to ranked success.
12Set Up Data Transfer
This might seem like a small thing, but it’s more important than it seems.With support across so many platforms, players can accessMaster Duelin just about whatever form they choose - but progress won’t save unless data transfer is enabled. To enable it, players should:
It’s also important that players set up data transfer in the event of a hardware malfunction. Regardless of device, as long as data transfer is enabled, progress can be restored from any device thatMaster Duelis available on. Brave players that use only their phones would have to start fresh if they upgrade their device, which can be a frustrating and tedious experience.
11Buy the Duel Pass
New players might find themselves asking if the Duel Pass is worth it, and the answer is an unequivocal yes.The Duel Pass is a featureofMaster Duelthat provides additional rewards based on event progress and ranked duels. These rewards include gems, Craft Points, exclusive cards, and monster art.
The regular Duel Pass is 600 gems, while the Gold Duel Pass (which provides higher rewards) is 800. Players in it for the long haul will find that it pays off big time to invest in the Gold Duel Pass, but as a beginner, the standard one is also a good investment. As the game progresses, players will naturally collect Duel Pass points without even trying.
10Invest Gems Into Bundles
When shopping for cards, beginner players should take advantage of bundle deals. This is one of the best ways to build a solid pool of meta staples, which can be used in most strong meta decks. The important thing about staples is that they’re versatile, so they won’t limit newer players into choosing a specific deck right away.
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There are currently five bundle deals available, and they’re all worth investing free gems into. Buying all five sets guarantees the player five staple URs that will take them far. And it’s not too steep of an investment for newer players, asMaster Duelprovides a lot of free gems at the start of the game.
9Take Advantage Of The Solo Mode
While in-game tutorials on their own aren’t the most detailed, the solo mode, as a whole, works as a great teaching tool for the game. The mode throws different decks and play styles at the player, allowing them to get used to the modern game in a controlled environment. Unlikethe old days, the modern game is loaded with tons of different summoning mechanics and interactions. It’s good for players to get acclimated to the experience from the shallow end.
Aside from teaching players, the solo mode also serves as a great sandbox for testing new decks. The AI decks in higher-level duels will contain staple hand traps like Called By The Grave, Infinite Impermanence, and others, but mostly give the player room. Plus, the rewards aren’t bad, so it makes the time spent going through worthwhile.
8Find a Personal Playstyle
It may seem at first glance that there are an overwhelming number of possibilities for decks. That’s technically true, buta constructed deck with a specific game planand win condition will end up more similar to other decks than one would initially think. The first step in getting started with constructed play is finding a style of play that fits one’s individual vibe, and building decks that fit that style.
Yu-Gi-Ohdecks tend to fall under the umbrella of the big three: Control, Midrange, and Aggro.
Admittedly, Control decks are the best in the modern meta, but Midrange combo decks can easily compete. New players should use the solo mode to try out different styles, then research one that works for them.
7Utilize Online Resources
The game can be an okay teacher in playing through experience, but it can’t cover everything. Fortunately, the game’s popularity online and booming growth during the pandemic led to a surge in the creation ofonline resources. Now, even the most obscure decks have guides and videos.
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When starting fresh, picking a deck and sticking with it is the best option. Building that deck, on the other hand, is going to be tough for a new player. Netdecking is perfectly fine and — despite the complaints of some hardcore players in Twitch chat rooms — actually a great tool for old and new players alike. Resources for various ruling and mechanics can also help to demystify the cryptic laws of this ancient game.
6Use The Spectate Feature To The Fullest
Finding a deck and getting the theory behind it is great, but with so many cards in the game, it’s a challenge to learn what every single deck is capable of doing. A TCG player needs to be able to pilot their own deck while understanding how to play around their opponents. It can be hard to learn certain chokepoints and timings without a ton of hours invested. Fortunately, the spectator tool is a great way to see more decks at play.
Master Duelallows players to view a random match pulled from its system, typically from higher-ranked players. As this match happened in the past, viewers are free to pause, read cards and duel logs, and watch interactions play out in real time without playing it themselves. It’s fun to watch these duels, but they’re great for making those mental connections and getting exposed to decks one might not see in solo mode or in casual matches.
5Focus Free Gems On Relevant Secret Packs
As a free-to-play game, a divide is created between those willing to whale and those who are looking to play for free.Master Duelis pretty good in this respect, as building one’s first deck is feasible for new players. Smart spending is the best way to create a free-to-play deck, and Secret Packs are the key.
Secret Packs are special packs unlockedby obtaining an SR or UR card of an archetype or theme. Pulling Dark Magician, for example, unlocks a whole pack focused on Dark Spellcaster support. While they are hidden at first, crafting an SR or UR card in the archetype also unlocks the pack. From there, dumping free gems into the pack will eventually pull either the cards a build needs, or can be converted into resources to fill in the gaps in a decklist.
4Save Craft Points For Staple Cards
Craft points can be obtained through progressing through missions, the battle pass, or through dismantling cards a deck doesn’t need. The conversion rate is simple: three cards of a rarity need to be dismantled to craft one card of the same rarity. Craft points are great for filling in those gaps in a deck list that’s missing one or cards. However, if those cards can be obtained more easily through other means, consider saving craft points to get staple cards.
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Staple cards inYu-Gi-Ohare cards that can be slotted into any deck. A classic example is Pot of Greed. Modern staples are incredibly powerful and allonly available at the highest rarity. Staple cards tend to revolve around countering the meta decks, so make sure to do some research to figure out which ones are the best. Once the player gets those staples, they can be used in every other deck they build in the future.
3Don’t Be Afraid To Lose
Competitive games likeYu-Gi-Ohare the most fun in PvP matches. However, there’s a distinct lack of a queue for casual players in the game. It’s a strange exclusion, especially since a casual queue exists in Duel Links, and one that may make a casual player feel left out. Ranked anxiety, as strange as it might seem to some, is daunting to overcome for many players.
Fortunately,Master Duelis a very low-stakes game. In lower tiers of play, there are many others who are just getting started or are playing with decks found in the bottom of a well. It’s very likely new players will get blown out in matches against other constructed decks. Use those blowouts to better learn how other players do their combos or discover what adjustments could be made to a decklist. Losing isn’t fun, but nothing is lost in the process — other than maybe fifteen minutes of time.
