Snake-Eyes

In the winning decklist of The China City Tour 2023 Special Event Shanghai Station, notable changes are observed.

In the main deck, the absence of the synchron package is noteworthy, replaced by Parallel eXceed/Snake-Eye Birch with Infernal Flame Banshee in the extra deck.
They serve as a pseudo extender to add Snake-Eyes Poplar if Snake-Eyes Ash is interrupted.
It also helps establish boards under Shifter’s effect, which has seen a resurgence due to Tenpai Dragon.
Sinful Spoils of Betrayal – Silvera is included for conservative plays under the effect of Maxx “C”.

In the extra deck, Salamangreat Sunlight Wolf and Decode Talker Heatsoul/Underworld Goddess of the Closed World replace the synchro package, and Dharc the Dark Charmer, Gloomy is absent to make room for Infernal Flame Banshee.

Regarding the side deck, besides playing hand traps to cover different matchups and flood gates for going first, the presence of an unusual card like Lyrilusc – Assembled Nightingale for Tenpai Dragon stands out.
It’s game-changing due to its effect that prevents Tenpai Dragon from initiating an OTK.
The only out for Tenpai against Lyrilusc – Assembled Nightingale seems to be Forbidden Droplet, played in singleton for Crossout Designator in the main deck.

Winner of The China City Tour 2023 Special Event Shanghai Station piloted by 群青@DUT :

Voiceless Voice

In the following list, there are no notable changes from previous weeks regarding the main deck.
Odd-Eyes Pendulumgraph Dragon is an option that many players are skipping, as it is deemed unnecessary.

As for the extra deck, Secure Gardna is included to facilitate the combo with Blessing of the Voiceless Voice.
Odd-Eyes Wing Dragon is typically the chosen card to summon for the effect of Odd-Eyes Pendulumgraph Dragon.
However, some players are opting to play Odd-Eyes Meteorburst Dragon instead, for its effect that prevents the opponent from activating monster effects during the Battle Phase.

In the side deck, floodgates such as Dimensional Barrier and Different Dimension Ground, along with Appointer of the Red Lotus and Triple Tactics Thrust, are notable inclusions to cover various matchups when going first.
Barrier, in particular, proves very effective against Tenpai Dragon to prevent OTKs.

Runner-up of The China City Tour 2023 Special Event Shanghai Station piloted by xL@ooo:

Fire King

In the proposed list, no notable changes are observed in the main deck. However, in the extra deck, Lyrilusc – Assembled Nightingale is included for the Tenpai match-up, and a second copy of S:P Little Knight replaces Dharc the Dark Charmer, Gloomy.

In the side deck, a strategy shared by several players is evident, with the inclusion of Triple Tactics Thrust for The Black Goat Laughs and Dimensional Barrier to cover Snake-Eyes and Tenpai match-ups.

Reached Top 8 at The China City Tour 2023 Special Event Shanghai Station piloted by 奶味蓝:

Tenpai Dragon

In the proposed Tenpai Dragon list, a notable change appears in the main deck with the inclusion of Santa Claws and Forbidden Droplet to counter Lyrilusc – Assembled Nightingale.

The extra deck features Odd-Eyes Meteorburst Dragon for the mirror match, which synergizes with Hieratic Seal of the Heavenly Sphere.
This combo allows for the summoning of Tenpai Dragon Fedora during the Battle Phase, enabling the graveyard summon of another Fire dragon to then Synchro summon Odd-Eyes Meteorburst Dragon, preventing the opponent from activating monster effects during the Battle Phase.

Ancient Fairy Dragon is typically used to add a Field Spell from the deck to the hand, in this case, Necrovalley from the side deck.
Additionally, through its second effect, it can special summon Tenpai Dragon Fedora from the graveyard, which then summons another Fire monster from the graveyard, followed by Synchro summoning Sangen Risedragon Bident Dragion.
Subsequently, Ultimaya Tzolkin is summoned using Ancient Fairy Dragon and Sangen Risedragon Bident Dragion, setting Necrovalley, which triggers Tzolkin to special summon Crystal Wing Synchro Dragon. Then, Hieratic Seal of the Heavenly Spheres is specially summoned using Tzolkin and the monster revived by Sangen.

As for the side deck, Heat Wave proves particularly effective post-side if the opponent chooses to go second, and Rivalry of Warlords stands out as one of the best floodgates currently against Snake-Eyes.

Reached Top 16 at The China City Tour 2023 Special Event Shanghai Station piloted by 三流决斗者:

Honorable mention:

Ritual Beast

Ritual Beast, thanks to the support from Terminal World, can establish a board using just one card.
Spiritual Beast Tamer Lara and Ritual Beast Ulti-Nochiudrago enable Spiritual Beast Cannahawk and Spiritual Beast Rampengu to set up a board independently.
Ritual Beast is the deck that best utilizes Dimensional Shifter and Dimensional Fissure.
Moreover, cards like Infinite Impermanence and Effect Veiler prove to be less effective against it. (click here for the ruling about Ritual Beast Tamer Elder)
As a predominantly control-oriented deck, it performs well under the influence of Maxx “C”, adapting its play-style accordingly.

The main endboard consists of Ritual Beast Ulti-Reirautari with Ritual Beast Steeds and I:P Masquerena, alongside Ritual Beast Ulti-Kimunfalco, which is accessible by resolving only the effect of Spiritual Beast Cannahawk.

(Click here for the main combo) – (click here for the Spreadsheet).

Ritual Beast Ulti-Gaiapelio proves to be an effective omni-negation, easy to summon for the deck. Since it’s not once per turn, it’s possible to establish an endboard with multiple Ritual Beasts in hand, allowing for the negation of the activation and effect of several cards.

The side deck appears to be quite generic, covering matchups like Tenpai Dragon by using Dimensional Barrier and There Can Be Only One, considering its archetype synergy.

Reached Top 4 at The China City Tour 2023 Special Event Shanghai Station piloted by 落华城:

Conclusion

The tournament has witnessed significant changes in several deck archetypes.
In Snake-Eyes decks, we observed the absence of the synchron package in favor of Parallel eXceed/Snake-Eye Birch and Infernal Flame Banshee, altering the deck’s extender options.
Additionally, the inclusion of Sinful Spoils of Betrayal – Silvera showcases a shift towards more conservative plays under Maxx “C”.
Fire King strategies have notably introduced Lyrilusc – Assembled Nightingale in the extra deck for the Tenpai matchup, replacing Dharc the Dark Charmer, Gloomy.

Tenpai Dragon decks have adapted by including Santa Claws and Forbidden Droplet in the main deck to counter Lyrilusc – Assembled Nightingale, with Odd-Eyes Meteorburst Dragon finding utility for mirror matchups.

Ritual Beast proves to be a versatile and resilient contender, establishing strong boards with minimal setup. Its adept utilization of support cards like Dimensional Shifter and Dimensional Fissure renders traditional disruptions less effective. With a focus on control and adaptability, Ritual Beast demonstrates its competitive prowess, boasting a formidable main endboard featuring Ritual Beast Ulti-Reirautari, Ritual Beast Steeds, I:P Masquerena, and Ritual Beast Ulti-Kimunfalco.

Stay tuned for more insights and updates on the evolving Yu-Gi-Oh! competitive scene!

The Sources to each Event have been posted on our Website under “OCG Tournament Reports” Category.