YuGiOh Master Duel just came out, and fans are incredibly excited to play it. It is an in-depth card game that requires a lot of strategy and skill. However, if you are a new player, worry not because this guide will help you understand everything about YuGiOh Master Duel.
There are tons of factors to consider when playing the game. So much so that any new player will be overwhelmed due to the sheer amount of things you need to remember. With that said, let’s dive right in and take a look at the YuGiOh Master Duel beginners guide.
Master Duel Beginners Tips
This guide will show you all of the basic mechanics you need to learn. If you know these mechanics, you will instantly become a better player. The rest is dependent on how much you play and practice. Almost everyone has a different playstyle, so no one is wrong.
Key Terms
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Life Points (LP) | The amount of “health” a Dueler has. The main goal would be to reduce the opponent LP to zero while preventing one’s LP from hitting that mark. |
| Turn | Refers to which player on the field will have the opportunity to make their play. |
| Phases | Refers to the “opportunity” of a player to perform actions within their turn. Players are given two Main Phases to set their cards on the field and one Battle Phase to attack an enemy, along with two other phases that automatically occur. |
| Draw Phase | Refers to the mandatory action in certain phases where each player will draw a card from their deck. |
| Monster Cards | The primary cards that players use to deal damage against enemies – during opponent attacks, they can also help prevent the player from taking any direct damage to their Life Points. |
| Spell/Trap Cards | Special cards with unique effects. Effects can differ, ranging from taking out an opponent’s card to reviving or activating a card from the Graveyard, amongst other effects. |
| Hand | The players draw cards from their deck and are ready to be used on the field. |
| Deck | Refers to the “inventory” of cards that a player has. Players can pull a random card from their deck during a Draw Phase, adding to their Hand. |
| Graveyard | Also referred to as GY, this refers to the player’s discard pile where spent cards are sent to after being used. |
Preparing a Deck
Preparing your deck is the most critical part of YuGiOh. An excellent and strategic deck can win you every game. If you are a starter, preparing a deck might be quite overwhelming for you since there are hundreds of cards to choose from. Worry not, because we have made a decks tier list for you. After successfully selecting/crafting your deck, you can begin the battle.
Main Objective
The main objective is to reduce your opponent’s Life Points (LP) to zero. This can be done via the cards in your deck. You can use monsters, trap cards, and spell cards to attack or counter your foe.
Attacking Enemy LP
In sporadic instances, you will get a chance to attack the enemy’s LP. You should make the most out of those moments. This opportunity arises when the enemy does not have any card on the field that can block your attacks. You can also attack the opponent if your card has a higher attack (ATK) than your foe’s defense.
Match Phases
| Phase | Effect |
|---|---|
| Draw Phase | The beginning phase in each player’s turn, where players can draw 1 card from their deck. |
| Standby | The phase where players will have to wait while the opponent completes their turn. |
| Main Phase One | First active phase in a player’s turn where they will be able to set or activate card effects on the field. |
| Battle Phase | The phase where players can actively try to assault an opponent’s LP or cards. |
| Main Phase Two | Similar to effects to Main Phase One. |
Summoning Monsters
During your Main Phase, you can summon a monster card. You have the option to summon it either face down or on the field. However, if you summon a monster, your turn will progress to Main Phase 2. You cannot summon any monsters during that phase if you have already done so.
Using Spell/Trap Cards
Similarly, you can summon Trap/Spell cards in one of the phases. You can use the effects of these cards in any phase, not just the battle phase like monster cards. Spell and Trap cards are essential and can win the game by countering your enemy. A good deck will have a wide variety of these cards.
That is everything you need to know about the YuGiOh Master Duel beginners guide. Let us know in the comments below if you understand the basics of the game. We would love to know your thoughts about the game so far.
