Konami has released many archetypes, each with a unique playing style or gimmick, or similar playstyle but with a unique spin to it (e.g. Nepythys, True King and Fire King Avatar). Archetypes enable Konami to create supports aimed at a particular playstyle. However, not all cards in the archetype actually facilitate the playstyle of their archetype. In fact, some of them downright conflict with their archetype’s playstyle or do not support it at all. They’re the “black sheep” of the family. This article will look at monsters in an archetype that do not really mesh well within their archetype.

Heraldic Beast

Black Sheep: Heraldic Beast Berners Falcon

Heraldic Beast is an archetype that focuses on Xyz Summoning Rank 4 Xyz Monsters. Most of the members in the archetype have effects that activate from the grave, enabling the player to swarm, replenish their hand or provide Xyz material. The archetype debuted in the Zexal anime used by Tron (Vetrix). The black sheep in this archetype is Heraldic Beast Berners Falcon.

Heraldic Beast Berners Falcon is a Level 4 Wind-Attribute monster. Its effect turns all Level 5 or higher monsters you control into Level 4. The problem is the effect doesn't benefit the archetype. All Heraldic Beast monsters are Level 4, meaning to use this card, you have to either play a Level 5 or higher non-archetype monster in your deck. Interestingly, the anime version is a little more valuable as it turns Xyz Ranks into Level 4. 

Galaxy

Black Sheep: Galaxy Worm and Galaxy Serpent 

Galaxy is an archetype consisting of Light-Attribute monsters ranging from Level 4-8, focusing on quickly Xyz Summoning Rank 8 Galaxy monsters. Members of this archetype usually have effects that change the levels of their monsters. The archetype has a strong synergy with the Photon and Cipher archetypes, which references the fact that all three archetypes were used by Kaito (Kite) from the Zexal anime. The black sheep in this archetype has to be Galaxy Worm and Galaxy Serpent. 

Galaxy Worm is a Level 3 Light-Attribute monster that Special Summons a Level 3 or lower Galaxy monster from the Deck, however, there isn't any Rank 3 Galaxy Xyz Monster. Furthermore, there are ONLY four targets, Galaxy Serpent (more on that later), Galaxy Mirror Sage, Galaxy-Eyes Cloudragon and Galaxy Worm itself. Both Galaxy Mirror Sage and Galaxy-Eyes Cloudragon are also Level 3 or lower monsters, but they have effects that help their archetype. 

Galaxy Serpent is another black sheep of the archetype. It's a Level 1 Light-Attribute Tuner normal monster. Being a Level 1 monster in an archetype focused on Xyz Summoning Rank 8 monster isn't that helpful. Furthermore, it's also a Tuner monster in an archetype with no Synchro monsters at all. 

Elemental HERO

Black Sheep: Elemental HERO Knospe, Neo Wiseman

Elemental HERO is an archetype that debuted in the GX/Fusion era. It is part of the biggest archetype in the game, known as HERO, consisting of Elemental HERO, Destiny HERO, Vision HERO, Evil HERO, etc. The archetype is known for its ability to swarm the field with Fusion Monsters. Being a part of a big archetype, several cards stick out like a black sheep. 

Elemental HERO Knospe is a Level 3 Plant Monster that supports the Elemental HERO archetype, but its design doesn't match any other Elemental HERO monsters. Its design resembles that of a Naturia monster. 

Neo Wiseman is a Level 10 Effect monster that can only be summoned by sending a face-up Yubel or Elemental Hero monster to the grave. This monster sticks out because it's not actually named as an Elemental HERO monster. It's also not a Fusion Monster, which is strange because it was originally a Fusion monster in the anime. Years later, Konami would eventually fix these two issues by creating Elemental HERO Neos Kluger.

Salamangreat

Black Sheep: Salamangreat Pyro Phoenix

Salamangreat is an archetype that debuted in the Vrains/Link era. Its ability to summon high Link monster without depleting the player's hand, combined with excellent removals and traps, made this deck very popular. The archetype also featured a gimmick known as Reincarnation Summon. This involves Link/Xyz/Ritual Summoning a monster again using the same monster as a base, unlocking more powerful effects. The black sheep in this archetype is Salamangreat Pyro Phoenix. 

Design-wise, Pyro Phoenix looks way too human and has a sleek design compared to the other Salamngreat monsters. The other Salamangreat monsters look mechanical. 

Blackwing

Blacksheep: Black Winged Dragon

The Blackwing archetype debuted in the 5D/Synchro era. Its debut quickly took over the competitive scene thanks to its ability to swarm the field with monsters with powerful effects and search out key cards easily. The deck was popular and has received supports over the years. The archetype is also very capable of Synchro Summoning strong monsters. They also played around with the counter mechanics (black feather counters). The anime character, who used this archetype, is Crow. When Crow became a Signer, he was given a Signer Dragon known as Black Winged Dragon, the family's black sheep. 

Despite resembling a Blackwing monster and is related to the archetype, Black Wing Dragon is not actually part of the archetype. Its name is spelt as "Black Wing," not "Blackwing." It's also not a Winged Beast-Type monster. Despite using the Black Feather counter that Blackwing archetypes played around with, Black Wing Dragon doesn't contribute to the win condition of the archetype at all. 

Metaphys

Blacksheep: Metaphys Armed Dragon

Metaphys is an archetype of Light Wyrm monsters with powerful effects that trigger when banished or summoned by the effect of Metaphys. Designwise, they are based on existing monsters from the DM and GX eras. Metaphys Armed Dragon is the black sheep of this archetype. 

Designwise, Metaphys Armed Dragon is based on Armed Dragon from the GX Anime, which matches the archetype's design choice. However, it's also the only Normal Metaphys monster, which doesn't benefit from the archetype's playstyle. Being a Level 7 monster also prevents it from being used to Synchro Summon Metaphys Horus and take advantage of Horus' effect that requires a Normal Monster as synchro material. 

Alien

Blacksheep: Alien Shocktrooper, Alien Kid and Alien Dog

Alien debuted near the end of the GX era. It's an archetype consisted of Reptile-Type monsters with the ability to distribute and taking advantage of A-Counters. Like many early Reptile-Archetypes, Alien's strategy focuses more on tactics that reward patience and strategy over swarming the field with strong monsters. How effective is this strategy is debatable. Design-wise, all Alien monsters have colour gems that match their attribute. There are three black sheep in this archetype. They are Alien Shocktrooper, Alien Kid and Alien Dog.

Alien Shocktrooper is the only Normal-Type monster in the archetype. It doesn't distribute A-Counters or use A-Counters or have any effects that benefit its archetype. Interestingly, it will eventually gets a rework as a Link Monster, Alien Shocktrooper M-Frame, which does all that. Its gems also don't match its attribute.

Alien Kid and Alien Dog are black sheep because their gems don't match their attributes compared to the other Alien monsters. 

Raidraptor

Blacksheep: Raidraptor - Wild Vulture, Raidraptor - Skull Eagle and Raidraptor - Heel Eagle. 

Raidraptor made its debut in Yu-Gi-Oh! Arc-V. It's an archetype of Dark Winged Beast monsters that focus on swarming the field to Xyz Summon. Due to its similar playing style and design based on birds, Raidraptor is often said to be the Xyz version of Blackwing. The archetype focuses on Xyz Summoning Rank 4 monsters and then ranking the monsters up with Rank-Up-Magic spells. Due to their focus on Rank 4 Xyz, there are three black sheep in this archetype. 

Raidraptor - Wild Vulture, Skull Eagle and Heel Eagle are the only non-Level 4 monsters in the archetype. Sure, there are Rank 3 or Rank 6 Raidraptors, but in an archetype that focuses mainly on Xyz Summoning Rank 4 monster and then ranking up with Rank-Up-Magic, these three cards clash with the playstyle. However, with Konami combining both the Phantom Knights and Raidraptor archetype, Skull Eagle and Heel Eagle saw some play. 

Gravekeeper's

Blacksheep: Gravekeeper's Vassal

Gravekeeper's is an archetype that has existed for a long time now. They consist of Dark Attribute monsters that take advantage of the fact that they aren't affected by their very powerful field spell, Necrovalley. Necrovalley is a powerful card that has received so many errata that I'm sure it'll probably receive another one by the time this article comes out. Necrovalley is basically a card that prevents the movement of cards from the graveyard. Gravekeeper's Vassal is a monster that really doesn't seem to belong to the archetype at all.

Gravekeeper's Vassal's effect converts battle damage into effect damage. Its effect doesn't help the archetype win the game. In fact, its effect doesn't help any archetypes win any games. At least, it's great in Duel Links.

SPYRAL

Blacksheep: SPYGAL Misty and Charming Resort Staff

SPYRAL is an archetype based around the concept of spies. For a long time, the archetype's swarming capability was impressive. It enabled SPYRAL players to swarmed out monsters. However, it just didn't really do anything with that many monsters. That was until the release of Link Monsters and SPYRAL Double Helix. 

SPYGAL Misty and Charming Resort Staff support the archetype but aren't part of the archetypes. Therefore, these two are the black sheep.

D/D/D

Blacksheep: D/D/D Dragon King Pendragon

D/D/D is an archetype consisting of Fiend-Type monsters that focuses on multiple Extra Deck summoning. It debuted in the Arc-V anime. Unfortunately for the TCG, this archetype never really became successful due to the poor timing of their support.

D/D/D Dragon King Pendragon is the black sheep of this archetype. It's a high-level effect monster that requires the player to tribute both a dragon and fiend to summon it. The problem is that D/D/D don't have any Dragon-Type monsters.

Orcust

Blacksheep: Longirsu, the Orcust Orchestrator

Orcust is an archetype consisting of DARK Machine-Type monsters. Designwise, each monster is based on musical elements with instruments incorporated into their design. Most of the Orcust monsters have effects that banish themselves from the Graveyard to Special Summon other Orcust monsters from different locations. 

The black sheep of this archetype is the creator of the Orcust monsters, Longirsu, the Orcust Orchestrator. Its effects and its role in the lore links to the archetype. However, it's also the only archetype member that doesn't have any musical elementals in its artwork.

Trickstar

Blacksheep: Dark Angel

Trickstar is an archetype of LIGHT Fairy-Type monsters that focus on inflicting burning damage to the opponent and Link Summoning. The archetype debuted in the Vrains anime, where it was used by the character, Blue Angel. The archetype design is based on Japanese idols and is named after various flowers. 

The black sheep of this archetype is Dark Angel. Despite not actually being a part of the archetype, its effect somewhat supports the archetype, and it has the same design motif. In fact, this monster was actually used by Blue Angel in the anime when the Knights of Hanoi corrupted her.

Lightsworn

Blacksheep: Jenis, Lightsworn Mender and Rinyan, Lightsworn Rogue and Judgment Dragon. 

Lightsworn is an archetype consisting of LIGHT attribute monsters that focuses on milling their Deck. Most of the archetype members benefit from this milling. The boss monster for this archetype is Judgment Dragon, which destroys all other cards on the field by paying 1000 LP. 

The black sheep of this archetype are Jenis, Rinyan and Judgment Dragon. 

Jenis and Rinyan are the archetype's two members that don't have any effects that mill the Deck. In fact, Rinyan does the opposite by returning a card from the Graveyard to the Deck instead. Judgement Dragon is the boss monster of this archetype, but it's not actually a Lightsworn monster. 

Batteryman

Blacksheep: Batteryman C

Like its name suggested, each member of the archetype is based on batteries. Most Batteryman monsters are weak monsters with powerful effects that raise their Attack power. This enables the archetype to OTK quite easily if the opponent isn't careful.  

This archetype's black sheep is Batteryman C. It can boost the ATK of ALL Machine-Type monsters you control by 500 for each Batteryman C you control. The effect certainly fits the archetype, but there's one big problem. None of the Batteryman monsters is a Machine-Type. 

Frog

Blacksheep: Submarine Frog

Frog is an archetype debuted in Cybernetic Revolution. It consists of WATER Aqua monsters that are clearly based around frogs. Although most of the members have weak stats, they are very versatile and have competitive uses. Substitoad was part of the infamous FTK deck. Monarch used Treeborn Frog as tribute fodder to climb up the ladder. Toadally Awesome is still one of the better Xyz Monsters out there for being an easily summoned Omni-negate card. 

In saying that, Submarine Frog is the black sheep of this series/archetype. Its effect doesn't fit in any frog variant deck, except maybe Wetland beatdown decks. Most Frog monsters generate advantages by drawing, summoning or searching additional cards, or swarming the field to summon stronger monsters (e.g. Toadally Awesome). Its piercing damage effect doesn't really fit with the rest of its family at all.