The Wonders of Wood...

[AcselOfDarkness]

So, this is my final Karakuri deck of the format, build 5.1. Before you comment, keep in mind, this is a budget deck. Don't flame just because I'm doing something differently to how you'd expect.
Overall, it is pretty similar to the last build but with a few minor changes.


Monsters – 20

3 Cyber Dragon
1 Karakuri Muso mdl 818 "Haipa"
3 Karakuri Ninja mdl 919 "Kuick"
2 Karakuri Soldier mdl 236 "Nisamu"
3 Karakuri Merchant mdl 177 "Inashichi"
2 Karakuri Watchdog mdl 313 "Saizan"
3 Karakuri Komachi mdl 224 "Ninishi"
1 Karakuri Strategist mdl 248 "Nishipachi"
2 Gigantes

Spells – 14

2 Karakuri Showdown Castle
3 Karakuri Cash Cache
2 Mystical Space Typhoon
1 Limiter Removal
1 Mind Control
1 Heavy Storm
1 Dark Hole
1 Book of Moon
1 Monster Reborn
1 Pot of Avarice

Traps – 8

2 Compulsory Evacuation Device
2 Dimensional Prison
2 Solemn Warning
1 Mirror Force
1 Solemn Judgment

Extra Deck –15

1 Naturia Beast
1 Iron Chain Dragon
1 Naturia Landoise
2 Karakuri Shogun mdl 00 "Burei"
2 Karakuri Steel Shogun mdl 00X "Bureido"
1 Scrap Dragon
1 Ally of Justice Decisive Armor
1 Ancient Fairy Dragon
1 Black Rose Dragon
1 Stardust Dragon
1 Chimeratech Fortress Dragon
1 Number 17: Leviathan Dragon
1 Number 39: Utopia

Changes from the last build are:
-1 Nisamu
-1 Showdown Castle
-1 Bottomless Trap Hole
+1 Muso
+1 Limiter Removal
+1 Mind Control
and
-1 Leviair
+1 Leviathan

After my mate pulled a Muso, I immediately paid him for it and added it. Has worked fine and I haven't noticed having one less Nisamu. The Showdown Castle was occasionally becoming a dead draw and I intended to add a Limiter Removal for testing. It worked and it stayed. After my 5th attempt to test Mind Control, it actually started working so it stayed in place of Bottomless.

Stuff I still want to change:
Ideally, I'd have 2 Smashing Ground in there somewhere but space is very limited. Brionac/Barkion would replace Iron Chain Dragon and Zenmaines would replace Leviathan. I'd probably replace Decisive Armor and Ancient Fairy Dragon if I had something worth replacing them with.

This'll be my last decklist before the March 2012 banlist, should be interesting to see how the Kuris are affected this time. It'll be my third format running Karakuri as my main deck and I fully intend to be using them next format.

Anyway, enough from me, comments and changes are encouraged, thanks for looking.

[LightGem&Blade]

I absolutely Love this theme! Different, but has vast potential.

-2 Karakuri Showdown Castle
+2 Smashing Ground

The reason for this is because sometimes opponents will resort to summoning monsters in defense position against Karakuris until they synchro summon. Also, the equips will slow down the deck and if you add Monster removal the Deck can only become more enhanced.

[AcselOfDarkness]

That would be my first choice for adding smashing but I don't understand the reasoning. Showdown castle means I can switch those defence position monsters to attack as long as they are face up. Burei usually deals with that though. Also, what equips?

Additional Comment:

Currently testing:
-2 Gigantes
-1 Saizan
-1 Merchant
-1 Cash Cache
-2 Showdown Castle
+2 Effect Veiler
+1 Gorz
+2 PoD
+2 Smashing Ground

I don't expect everything to work but I felt like something different. Hopefully later today I'll know how much of that is staying.

[Deckcollins]

De-Synchro?
When it works, it works

[AcselOfDarkness]

I'be tried De-Synchro before, it was dead or a horrible topdeck more often than not. I think I see it once in about 10 matches. Thanks for the suggestion though.

[nightblade420]

-2 showdown castle

+ 2 Instant Fusion

+2 Cyber Saurus

-2 from extra
gives you free lvl 8 synchros and helps to get you main combos off with the level 8 synchro ( can never remember which one it is lol)

[AcselOfDarkness]

I have Cyber Dragon for my Level 8 spamming. Besides, Showdown castle is currently out for testing purposes and the extra deck is soon to be pretty full (I intend to get the remaining card soon). Finding stuff to take out for Cyber Saurus would be tricky. Overall, I have found Cyber Dragon to be enough for combos with Level 8's. With Cyber Saurus as well, I'd need another level 3 tuner and space in the main deck is worse than the extra. Thanks for the suggestion though.

[Andryx]

This deck gave me wood. But seriously, I really like it. Nice concept.

[AcselOfDarkness]

Current decklist with changes I'm testing.

Monsters – 19

3 Cyber Dragon
1 Karakuri Muso mdl 818 "Haipa"
3 Karakuri Ninja mdl 919 "Kuick"
2 Karakuri Soldier mdl 236 "Nisamu"
2 Karakuri Merchant mdl 177 "Inashichi"
1 Karakuri Watchdog mdl 313 "Saizan"
3 Karakuri Komachi mdl 224 "Ninishi"
1 Karakuri Strategist mdl 248 "Nishipachi"
2 Effect Veiler
1 Gorz the Emissary of Darkness

Spells – 15

2 Smashing Ground
2 Pot of Duality
2 Karakuri Cash Cache
2 Mystical Space Typhoon
1 Limiter Removal
1 Mind Control
1 Heavy Storm
1 Dark Hole
1 Book of Moon
1 Monster Reborn
1 Pot of Avarice

Traps – 8

2 Compulsory Evacuation Device
2 Dimensional Prison
2 Solemn Warning
1 Mirror Force
1 Solemn Judgment

Additional Comment:

This deck gave me wood. But seriously, I really like it. Nice concept.

Lol, thanks.

[CLCards]

Your new build looks good. As you said a Barkion instead of Iron Chain Dragon would be nice.

Do you find yourself running into trouble with Avarice and the recycling that Kuick provides in contrast?

[AcselOfDarkness]

Thanks, I intend to get a Barkion soon, will replace it with the Brionac reprint when I can get one and look for a Barkion as well. As for Kuick and Avarice, I've never been in a situation where they conflict. I don't get to use Kuick as often as I'd like but if I do, I save Avarice for when it is really necessary. Usually, I have more than 5 monsters at the time, 6 seems the most common so if I use Avarice, I leave whatever Kuick would be best using. Other times, I'll use Kuick, bring something back, Synchro and then use Avarice. It has pretty wide capabilities overall.

[mezbaha]

You can try out -1 Evacuation Device for +1 CotH, I guess.

With Naturias, Ninishis and other stuff around, I don't think you'll regret.

[AcselOfDarkness]

Ah yes. Completely forget CotH. Should be quite useful in theory. I'll try it out and see how it goes. Thanks.

[RuGCo]

I like this. This seems fresh :)
Why did you remove 1 Merchant out of your second build?
And maybe you could use Gaia Knight instead of Iron Chain until you get your Barkion or Brio. He gets over a lot more stuff than Chain and doesn't help Inzektors.

[AcselOfDarkness]

I like this. This seems fresh :)
Why did you remove 1 Merchant out of your second build?
And maybe you could use Gaia Knight instead of Iron Chain until you get your Barkion or Brio. He gets over a lot more stuff than Chain and doesn't help Inzektors.

Tbh, out of everything I could have taken out, Merchant seemed like the one I'd be able to do with out. Since I replaced it with PoD, it doesn't hamper the searching too much. As for Gaia, if I owned one, I'd be using it. Unfortunately, I traded it away a long time ago and haven't had a chance to get another one in its place. I believe Iron Chain is the only generic level 6 I own.

[RuGCo]

Oh I was the one struggling to get a Iron Chain Dragon a while ago.
Ok I guess Merchant is a bit weak sometimes and with Trish gone he is less help with the synchro-ing, but sometimes you really need that 1st turn Beast, and having 3 just increases those chances.
I don't like PoD that much only in the first turn but 2 is a good number.

[AcselOfDarkness]

I completely agree on Merchant, I get the feeling that I'm going to want it but not have it sometimes in testing, particularly for Beast. Tbh, I'm not a huge fan of PoD either but I thought I should really test it. If it works better than that's good, if not I'll take them back out. 2:2 seems the obvious ratio to run so hopefully, it'll work. Thanks for the comments.

[Asterisk]

Why Gorz?
I mean, how many times with this deck you had the field clear?

[RuGCo]

Why Gorz?
I mean, how many times with this deck you had the field clear?

Inzektor's and stuff like that.

[AcselOfDarkness]

Why Gorz?
I mean, how many times with this deck you had the field clear?

It doesn't go off very often but it is insurance. Gorz is never a card I try to play, its's there in case something happens. Some random nuke from a Black Rose, Judgment Dragon, etc, or stuff like Inzektors that can easily chip away means it can be really helpful to have something in hand just in case. I'd rather have Gorz in my hand the entire game and not use it than need it and not have it. I very occasionally get a synchro out of it too.

[Asterisk]

Oh, OK.
Inzektors pop everything, forgot them.
However...Black Rose is rarely seen...
Im the only one who thinks Brio/BRose or Stardust will be the next ones in ate the bullet?

[AcselOfDarkness]

Oh, OK.
Inzektors pop everything, forgot them.
However...Black Rose is rarely seen...
Im the only one who thinks Brio/BRose or Stardust will be the next ones in ate the bullet?

Doesn't matter if they are rarely seen, they can still be a threat. I haven't seen Black Rose played in a long time, nor have I used it myself but it can still have problems if dropped at the right time. Brionac is another way to clear the field and won't be stopped by anti destruction. With the reprint looming, it could see more play than it used to. Stardust is still seen regularly, maybe not at higher levels but it does still see play. Negating destruction is great and Starlight Road is picking up more steam, making Stardust viable, even in non-synchro decks.
There are still plenty of decks that use Synchros, I don't think they're finished just yet.

Additional Comment:

So far, all my changes have been testing pretty well. Only thing that seems to happen is a lack of searching ability. Personally, I'd like to put the third merchant and possibly the third cash cache back in. I'd also like to test Scapegoat at some point for the extra defence and easy tokens for Naturia plays. Any suggestions and what to swap for the? I'm thinking 2 traps but most of them are really helpful and actually help win games very frequently. The monster and spell line up is pretty cramped as well.

Additional Comment:

I also dropped Decisive Armor from the extra deck in favour of Colossal Fighter, it's easier to make and chances are I'll see more warrior decks at locals. Since it is easier to make, I'll be able to drop it more efficiently. It'll probably get dropped when I get Barkion, Brionac, Catastor or something else worth putting in and I run out of room.

Additional Comment:

The current build that I'll be taking to locals this Sunday. Any last minute improvements (realistic, it's a budget build, kinda) would be appreciated.

Monsters – 19

3 Cyber Dragon
1 Karakuri Muso mdl 818 "Haipa"
3 Karakuri Ninja mdl 919 "Kuick"
2 Karakuri Soldier mdl 236 "Nisamu"
2 Karakuri Merchant mdl 177 "Inashichi"
1 Karakuri Watchdog mdl 313 "Saizan"
3 Karakuri Komachi mdl 224 "Ninishi"
1 Karakuri Strategist mdl 248 "Nishipachi"
2 Effect Veiler
1 Gorz the Emissary of Darkness

Spells – 15

2 Smashing Ground
2 Pot of Duality
2 Karakuri Cash Cache
2 Mystical Space Typhoon
1 Limiter Removal
1 Mind Control
1 Heavy Storm
1 Dark Hole
1 Book of Moon
1 Monster Reborn
1 Pot of Avarice

Traps – 8

2 Compulsory Evacuation Device
2 Dimensional Prison
2 Solemn Warning
1 Mirror Force
1 Solemn Judgment

[RuGCo]

Those are a lot of spells. I would try to max MST, but idk what you would want to take out.
How does your side look like? Be aware of Heroes, DW and Rabbit.
The rest is basic stuff that Gozen and SIM take care of.
Overall looks pretty nice and clean (consistent).

[AcselOfDarkness]

Not much to the side really, I don't have enough good cards to make a decent side deck and this'll be the first time I've even bothered using a side for a tournament.

2 TKRO
1 D.D. Crow
1 MST
1 Merchant
1 Cash Cache
2 Showdown Castle
1 Dim Prison
1 Bottomless
2 Torrential
2 Gozen
1 Black Winged Dragon (really helped when I played against burn decks at my past locals).

That's pretty much the best I can do in terms of a side. I'm kinda debating taking Dim Prison out of the side, siding the 2 I have mained and putting something like Merchant/Cash Cache/MST back in the main. Not really sure though, the extra defence is nice but I kinda want a bit more speed.

[RuGCo]

Not much to the side really, I don't have enough good cards to make a decent side deck and this'll be the first time I've even bothered using a side for a tournament.

2 TKRO
1 D.D. Crow
1 MST
1 Merchant
1 Cash Cache
2 Showdown Castle
1 Dim Prison
1 Bottomless
2 Torrential
2 Gozen
1 Black Winged Dragon (really helped when I played against burn decks at my past locals).

That's pretty much the best I can do in terms of a side. I'm kinda debating taking Dim Prison out of the side, siding the 2 I have mained and putting something like Merchant/Cash Cache/MST back in the main. Not really sure though, the extra defence is nice but I kinda want a bit more speed.

As long as you have Gozen you have a side. And TKRO is also still very good.
You can also use the 2 torrential against decks that summon to much and fast. IMO MST is a card that helps decide when your about to go off.

[AcselOfDarkness]

Very true. I have found times when I want the extra MST but I tend to just grind out advantage rather than exploding. It's the sort of card I'd probably be siding in game 2.

[RuGCo]

Yes you could do that.
But you can't always wait and hide behind advantage.

[AcselOfDarkness]

I suppose it is kinda dependent on what deck I'm facing and what I have at the time. I might have MST but no options to explode. I enjoy going off and making big plays but usually end up with no way of protecting them should things go wrong. I guess that is just personal preference but I'll definitely try out another mained MST and see how it runs.

Additional Comment:

I've decided to side the 2 Dim Prisons, maining a merchant and MST in their place. I removed the third Dim Prison from the side along with Bottomless to add 2 Macro Cosmos.