TCG Meta Deck Representation & Breakdown

Deck Breakdown (Top 32 – January 2022 EU Remote Duel YCS):

• 10 Tri-Brigade Variants (8 Lyrilusc, 2 Destiny HERO Zoodiac)
• 9 Swordsoul Variants 8 Tenyi, 1 Crystron Halqifibrax)
• 3 Drytron
• 2 Destiny HERO Sky Striker
• 2 Floowandereeze
• 2 Destiny HERO Beetrooper
• 1 Invoked Dogmatika Destiny HERO
• 1 Dragon Link
• 1 Phantom Knights
• 1 Prank-Kids

Deck Highlights

Tenyi Swordsoul

Simon He won the EU Remote Duel YCS playing Tenyi Swordsoul.

For this event, Simon chose to play a Tenyi Swordsoul list that's a bit different from the standard builds. Like Walter Jule from NA's Remote Duel YCS, Simon also chose to play Vessel for the Dragon Cycle over Heavenly Dragon Circle. In his deck profile, Simon mentions that he likes how Vessel with a Tenyi monster helps you summon a Synchro without committing your normal summon. Furthermore, this also helps bait out your opponent's hand traps and disruptions before committing into a play.

Simon also chose to play 3 copies of Forbidden Droplet in his Main Deck. This gives him an easier time going 2nd against the plethora of combo decks in the meta. Droplet is also a strong defensive card going 1st, as it can use excess Vessels or Pot of Desires. Additionally, it can also remove monsters from your field to clear your own Token Collector or make space for your Tenyi monsters and Incredible Ecclesia, the Virtuous.

We also see Light Dragon @Ignister and Divine Arsenal AA-Zeus - Sky Thunder in the Extra Deck. This XYZ package is a trend that's growing amongst Tenyi Swordsoul decks as a way to remove Token Collector from your field while also being able to immediately detach it off to the GY. Although there are a few Rank 4s that can be used for this, Light Dragon offers solid utility by having both protection and removal. 

Lyrilusc Tri-Brigade

Alessandro Boniolo came 2nd place at the EU Remote Duel YCS playing Lyrilusc Tri-Brigade.

For this event, Alessandro chose to play a Lyrilusc Tri-Brigade list that's very different from the lists that we're used to. Unlike standard builds, Alessandro's build forfeits a majority of the Lyrilusc engine in favor of more hand traps and utility. This gives him space to not only play popular hand traps like Infinite Impermanence, but also a slew of utility cards such as Called by the Grave, Forbidden Chalice and even Cosmic Cyclone. 

Alessandro also chose to play Pot of Prosperity over the more popular Pot of Desires. This works well with Alessandro's build as he chose to play many 1 and 2 ofs; giving him a higher chance of seeing a wider variety of cards off Prosperity's effect. Furthermore, with a smaller Lyrilusc engine, the Extra Deck also has more space for cards you wouldn't be able to play in a more standard list. This synergizes with Prosperity; making it easier to banish cards for its cost. 

We also see an interesting tech card in the Side Deck; Alpha, the Master of Beasts. Alpha is strong as it can beat over popular monsters such as Swordsoul Grandmaster - Chixiao and crash with Baronne de Fleur. It's also great for forcing a response with its high ATK points and non-targeting removal effect. This lets it pressure powerful monsters such as Destiny HERO - Destroyer Phoenix Enforcer and Red-Eyes Dark Dragoon. Additionally, this makes it a great going 2nd card, as it can bait multiple disruptions before you start your play.

Drytron

Jordi Wang came 3rd place at the EU Remote Duel YCS playing Drytron. 

For this event, Jordi chose to play Drytron featuring the Red-Eyes package and 3 copies of Artifact Lancea. Lancea is a searchable disruption in Drytron that locks out many cards in this meta. Not only is it great against popular engines such as Tenyi and Tri-Brigade, it's also good against cards found everywhere such as Pot of Desires and Pot of Prosperity. This lets Jordi slow down his opponent's development so he can quickly take over the game on the following turn.

Jordi also chose to play the Red-Eyes Dark Dragoon package over the more popular Destiny HERO package. Dragoon is a powerful card that is both great for OTKs and controlling the board. It's also strong against Tenyi Swordsoul where it can burn for large amounts of damage after baiting their disruptions and then attack for game. This makes Dragoon not only a good backup plan but also a solid win condition. Mecha Phantom Beast Auroradon is also played as a way to access any trap in your deck alongside Beatrice, Lady of the Eternal. This lets Jordi add Imperial Order to the already strong Drytron end board. 

We can also see Lava Golem, Mystic Mine and a few traps in Jordi's Side Deck. Lava Golem serves as sufficient removal that does not conflict with the Drytron restrictions. It's also a good Dragoon target to burn the opponent for heavy damage. Mystic Mine while controversial, remains a powerful card that assists in both stalling and breaking boards. Jordi mentions commonly using it after baiting his opponent's disruptions and then using Zeus to wipe the board during his opponent's End Phase. And finally, Gozen Match, Royal Decree, and Skill Drain are all traps that can be very oppressive in the right matchups. They can also all be salvaged through the Auroradon combo giving you access to them despite only playing 1 of each.

Floowandereeze

Andrea V. placed Top 32 at the EU Remote Duel YCS playing Floowandereeze.

For this event, Andrea chose to run fairly standard Floowandereeze list featuring Crossout Designator and a bunch of tech cards. Crossout is a strong utility card that helps ensure your combos resolve. Since Floowandereeze is a deck that gets hit heavily by Ash Blossom & Joyous Spring and Infinite Impermanence, Crossout is great for making sure you don't get stopped in your tracks. We can also see 1 copy of Mystic Mine, Dark Ruler No More, and Harpie's Feather Duster in the Main Deck. These cards are all high impact 1-ofs that can help turn the game if you happen to draw them or see them off Pot of Prosperity. They also serve as potential Crossout targets if the opponent happens to be Main Decking them too.

In the Extra Deck, Andrea plays a bunch of different monsters that can come in handy in various situations. While most of these choices are obvious, Ancient Gear Howitzer is a choice that is not. Howitzer's presence lets you punish Dogmatika Maximus by having a way to deal uncontestable burn. While 1000 damage may not seem like much, it can definitely come in handy during longer games.

Conclusion

Just like NA's Remote Duel YCS, Swordsoul and Lyrilusc Tri-Brigade continue to be dominant; having great top cut representation and also placing 1st and 2nd. While Tenyi Swordsoul won EU's YCS with Lyrilusc Tri-Brigade getting 2nd, it was the opposite for NA. 

Destiny HERO - Destroyer Phoenix Enforcer continues to persist as an engine in almost every deck outside of the top 2. One minor exception to this is Jordi's Drytron list that chose to play the Red-Eyes package instead. 

Beetrooper also continues to have good showings topping every event since its YCS debut back in last month's EU Remote Duel YCS. This cements it as a solid Tier 3 deck and a serious contender.

Dimensional Barrier has also greatly risen in popularity as a staple in many Side Decks. It offers great utility against non-Link decks and is a difficult card to play around.