The Bystial engine exploded in popularity over recent months as duelists realized its immense power. Built around recursion, disruption, and advantage generation, this series of Dragon monsters can devastate opponents when combined with the right support cards.
In this expert-level guide, we’ll break down everything competitive players need to dominate with Bystials, including ideal ratios, meta matchups, niche tech options, and how to play around common side deck counters. Expect meticulous explanations from a tournament-tested pilot ready to unlock your full potential with this game-winning engine!
Bystial Archetype Explained
Let’s quickly recap the key Bystial monsters that enable their formidable engine:
Lubellion the Searing Dragon fetches any Bystial card when summoned. This unmatched consistency earns its spot as 3x staple. Lubellion also sets Spells/Traps directly from deck, pivotal for disruption.
Magma Drago tutors any Dragon when summoned, fueling creative combos with Borrelsword, Quadborrel etc. Run 1x alongside your Dimension Shifters as its GY effect maintains hand size.
Sarinir, Dragon of the Bystial sends Equip Spells with graveyard effects, synergizing with Artifact Dagda and Scythe for Extra Deck locking. Useful for breaking established boards as a Level 8 body. Run 1x.
With those Main Deck essentials covered, let’s examine ideal tech options to mix in:
Artifacts (1-5 cards): Scythe, Dagda and Sanctum have seen widespread adoption recently. Shutting down the Extra Deck can win games outright against combo and ensures you safely setup the above Bystials. This does increase the chance of drawing bricks, so keep your count low if including.
Branded/Despia Engine (5-12 cards): Branded Fusion kicks off explosive plays by summoning Mirrorjade using Lubellion. Regain and Lost provide disruption and draw power. This is almost mandatory for accessing full Bystial strength.
Adventurer Package (5-9 cards): Lubellion and Rite of Aramesir share Dragon typing for Gryphon Rider summons. Negating and protection from the Gryphon/Fateful Adventure combo integrates nicely with the above.
Now let’s examine why topping players have adopted Bystials over other options.
Comparing Bystials to the Meta
Recent months saw Bystials explode from rogue pick to major meta threat. But how do they fare against the most popular competition?
Vs Adventurer (15% tournament share) – Both engines boast negation but Bystials enable more disruption (Mirrorjade, banishes). Most importantly, Lubellion helps play through hand traps better via tutoring. This resiliency pushes Bystials above.
Vs DPE (25% share) – DPE provides a recurring omni-negate but lacks the advantage generation of Bystial recycling. Magma Drago also outclasses Verte Anaconda’s restrictions. Another win for Bystials.
Vs Tearlaments (35% share) – Bystial banishing wrecks Tears graveyard reliance. Lubellion and Reinoheart compete for Normal Summon priority though, creating conflict that lowers consistency when mixed. I’d run pure builds of each.
Based on these comparisons, Bystials compete favorably against all top decks, explaining their emergence. The ideal ratio seems to be 20-30% of your Main Deck enabling their powerful effects. With that context covered, let’s examine advanced combos!
Unlocking Full Bystial Potential
While the standard Lubellion combos provide a sturdy baseline…
- Branded Fusion send Albaz + Lubellion
- Lubellion equip set Branded Spell/Trap
- Mirrorjade floats if destroyed…truly mastering this engine requires nuance around extending with recursive revival effects. For example:
Branded Regain Extender
- Activate Branded Regain, target Lubellion to revive itself
- Regain 2nd effect draws 1 card
- Link Lubellion into Relinquished Anima
- Anima steals opponent’s monster
As you can see, a single Lubellion nets you three additional cards worth of advantage here. Keep this example in mind – your end goal is continuously looping Bystial effects through recursion. Don’t overextend early without support to bring them back later!
While Negation and Mirrorjade protection end boards are strong, opponents may main deck counters like Forbidden Droplet ready to break those.
That’s where creative tech options like Artifact Scythe truly shine. Let’s examine an Extra Lock setup:
- Normal Summon Dragodies
- Special Lubellion, use effect to fetch Scythe
- Make Dagda with Lubellion + Dragodies
- Dagda set Scythe from deck
- Scythe summon locking opponent’s Extra Deck
Dagda recycles Artifacts, so Scythe persists all duel. Without Extra Deck access, today’s meta struggles tremendously. This flexibility to pivot gameplans makes Bystials so deadly.
Siding Against Bystials
Of course, no strategy is unbeatable. Let‘s discuss common side deck options you may face after game 1 and how to counter.
Artifact Lancea – Banishing is critical for Bystials, so Lancea on the field or properly-timed in grave ruins momentum. Run 3x Called by the Grave to banish Lancea before activation. Alternatively, set Judgment/Strike for negation if you lack Called By.
DD Crow – Similar to Lancea, well-timed banish from DD Crow disrupts key combo pieces. Called By and set Solemn cards are your main protection. Be aggressive with Branded Fusions/Regains to overextend through a possible Crow.
Macro Cosmos – This continuous Spell banishes all cards that would be sent to grave. Devastating against Bystial reliance on recursion. Royal Decree works well against these floodgates, or Emergency Teleport > Into the Void to draw/discard needed Spells in response.
As you can see, hand traps and banish floodgates counter Bystials most effectively. Keep these weaknesses in mind when building your decklist and side strategies. With the right tools and awareness though, you can play through nearly any board breakers.
The effort is well worth it – between resilient combos, powerful disruption tailored to today‘s meta, and flexible tech options enabling pivot plays as needed, Bystials represent the most formidable current engine in YuGiOh. I hope this guide has armed you with the knowledge needed to harness their immense power!