Notes & Combos

I wanted to play a version of Crystal Beasts this season that focuses more on the in-archetype engines more than have other engines do much of the heavy lifting. I was originally running the deck without any of the Kashtira cards (literally just take out all of the Kashtira cards and that was the deck), but the CB engine alone wasn't enough to consistently play through multiple disruptions. With the Kashtiras in the deck, the CBs are still doing most of the work, while the Kashtiras bait the disruptions so you can make your real plays. To no surprise, the power ceiling of the deck going first is much lower to builds that use more external engines. The typical end board is Bagooska backed up by Spright Elf protection with I:P in the GY ready to be revived, and hopefully Crystal Miracle or some non-engine. However, the goal of the deck isn't to make your opponents scoop by not letting them play the game. It is to weaken their setup so you can OTK with Overdrive on turn 3. As such, accessing Heart and saving fuel for its search effect for follow-up is very important going first. I was originally running Silouhatte Rabbit + Azurune, but I didn't like drawing the brick so I ended up cutting that for Spright Elf. Phantom Knights of Break Sword and Underworld Goddess are flex spots. They didn't really come up during my climb. Break Sword is to be able to make Zeus when you only have a lv 3 CB and Golden Rule, and to free your CBs from the backrow for Overdrive in niche scenarios. Not going to lie, the deck was a little difficult to climb with, but is definitely satisfying to have the CB engine be more in the spotlight. The final score from D5 to M1 is 148W-134L (52.5% WR).