A Taste of Heaven (Nouvelles - Post DUAD)

Intro (Setting the Table)

They say the quickest way to one's heart is through the stomach. They also say Ritual is a doomed Summoning mechanic.

Then they got 2-in-1 Dark Ruler'd and Nibiru'd.

I don't claim to necessarily be a world-class Duelist nor cook, but let's just say pulling that one Nouvelles Restaurant set me down a pipeline. One full of cute food demons, a funny monster sandwich, and maybe a shockingly-attractive chef or two or three.

My preferred way to play is with a somewhat simple LIGHT Fairy engine that doesn't necessarily lock one out of the Extra Deck, all because of one Link-2 not named "Little Knight" I feel really and truly does so much more for the Deck than one would initially think. Plus like they say in the kitchen, "Keep It Simple, Stupid". But I'll let you read the recipe below and decide whether or not I've stayed true to that mantra.

Non-Ritual Monsters (Meet the Kitchen Staff)

Hard to get food to hungry mouths - or funny food demons to unsuspecting opponents - without a talented chefs' brigade. Thankfully the Main Deck monsters without blue borders are more than capable of keeping service under wraps.

The suspense appearing in the art of both Chef's Special and Meat Recipes has paid off, because Chef de Nouvelles is an undisputed 3-of starter (but not the appetizer kind, that comes later). You'll want to place him into your Pendulum Zone rather than Normal Summon him, as the turn he's put straight into the former he'll let you search any non-Pendulum "Nouvelles" card from Deck. He doesn't necessarily have to stay long, as when a monster(s) is Special Summoned to your opponent's field he can do the same for himself to your field. There he can target a monster on field as a Quick Effect to modulate its Level (a blessing in disguise as later effect conventions will hopefully show), or copy a "Recipe" Ritual Spell's activation effect.

Sous-chef Poissonniere de Nouvelles plays an equally-important role, despite being only a 2-of due to an upcoming Monster and Spell each able to act as additional copies of her. Between the two tribal Pendulum Monsters, she's your preferred Normal Summon as on-Summon she'll search either a Level 1 Ritual Monster or a "Recipe" card, helping tie your setup all together. In the Pendulum Zone she targets a monster on field to then Summon herself and change the target's battle position whilst you control a Ritual Monster, the word "target" being the key for later.

Like Chef, she'll place herself in the Pendulum Zone on-Tribute, so it's preferred to use her on-field for the aforementioned Level 1 Ritual Monster you'll be gunning for with her search effect.

Though not a chef herself (more akin to a local priest who will bless your meal), Diviner of the Herald still helps you "cook", as the cool kids may say. On Summon she'll send a Fairy monster from Deck or Extra Deck to GY to gain its Levels; more often than not Herald of the Arc Light for its effect to search either a Ritual Monster or Ritual Spell to get combos going. She's equally as great for Ritual fodder, as on-Tribute she'll tutor a Level 2 or lower Fairy monster from hand or Deck, making her the aforementioned additional Poissonniere copy.

It may look like a mascot on a kid's menu, but Eva has earned its place across multiple Ritual Decks over the years, this one included. Another option for a Tributed Diviner to Summon, upon being sent to the GY it can banish up to two fellow LIGHT Fairy monsters from hand or GY to search the same number of differently-named Level 2 or lower LIGHT Fairies from Deck, essentially reading as Herald of Orange Light and its discard fodder to extend your end boards.

Ritual Monsters (Signature Dishes)

Don't be discouraged by the blue borders; the Ritual Monsters have multiple nifty ways of interacting with your opponent. Since they're easy to tutor and recycle with numerous effects, lower numbers of names can be run to make room for extra engines and techs. Not sure what the fact I know each of the Ritual names on a first-name basis says about me, though.

Whether you call upon this little fishie with Poissonniere or Pre-Prep, Buerillabaisse de Nouvelles fills the role of a potential search and placing Poissonniere in the Pendulum Zone with its Summon. Equally as important is the potential Summon of its own, as when it's targeted for an effect or attack it and an Attack Position monster anywhere can be Tributed to tag in a "Nouvelles" Ritual 1 to 2 Levels higher from hand or Deck, a trait shared amongst most all the names that thankfully builds up to a meaningful main course.

It's run at 2 due to both the importance of enabling Poissonniere and the fact it's a Pre-Preparation of Rites target, and any Ritual Deck with a Pre-Prep target is done plenty of favors.

Poeltis de Nouvelles is generally preferred over Confiras de Nouvelles due to the advantage it produces in hand and route to a strong end piece. On Summon it draws a card, potentially recouping on the minus of its Ritual Summon. Like Buerillabaisse it can Summon its fellow tribal Ritual Monsters 1 to 2 Levels higher, exception here being it can be applied when any monster on field is targeted or attacked - not necessarily itself - and Tribute any "Nouvelles" monster of yours for cost - also not necessarily itself - a distinction that can potentially catch an unsuspecting or unaware opponent off-guard with removal and/or some strong effects on its future Rituals.

Though not necessarily an end piece, Foie Glasya de Nouvelles acts as an additional route to one of your aces and an additional interaction option. On Summon it can target a total of five cards in either GY to shuffle into the Deck, an asset as a D.D. Crow -like effect and/or recycling of your expended resources (especially given it's a Ritual Deck). It shares Poeltis' on-attack/target effect as well, more lenient clauses and all. But rest assured regardless of whether turn you Summon him on he shan't disappoint.

Truly the "main course" in terms of your end boards, Balameuniere de Nouvelles commands your opponent's attention, hunger, and reading. On Summon he can add a "Nouvelles" or "Recipe" card from Deck to hand to top off your setup, but more important is his effect to target and Tribute an opponent's Attack Position monster to Summon the final "Nouvelles" name at Level 6. It's absoulutely vital you Summon it with the effect of either Poeltis or Foie Glasya, as the aforementioned removal/tutor effect becomes a Quick Effect should it have been Summoned by its fellow names. And rest assured both the timing and Summoning target for this effect make all. The. Difference.

This isn't just a pretty face for Wild Survivors' pack art, Baelgrill de Nouvelles turns up the heat in more ways than one. On-Summon (i.e. by Balameuniere), it negates the effects of all your opponent's face-up cards - monsters AND backrow - then afterward Tributes as many possible monsters of theirs. Think of it as a walking Dark Ruler and Nibiru, as the intro briefly mentioned. If your opponent dares to rebuild, it can also target and Tribute one of their Attack Position monsters as an innate Quick Effect - no Summon off a name necessary despite Balameuniere's utility - to bring out the one and only Hungry Burger , not just removal but its own reward in a sense.

As previously mentioned, timing with Baelgrill's Summoning is everything. Try and time it whenever your opponent's preparing to Summon one or more various monsters - either with materials on field or in general - and/or they have multiple cards on field whose effects have yet to be activated or resolved that turn. Make sure your opponent gets a mouthful of this one.

Duelist Advance gave Nouvelles the deluxe treatment alright, if the appearance of Angry Burger is anything to go off of. An additional/preferred target for Baelgrill's Quick Effect, on field it bears effects to "rage" opposing monsters towards it (potentially fueling your fellow Ritual Monster's effects), but more importantly a Quick Effect of its own to Tribute another Attack Position monster anywhere to bring out the original Hungry Burger for extra removal. It's not the end of the world if you draw into it as well, as it can search a "Nouvelles" monster to return to the Deck, so an unexpected draw into it or Preparation of Rites can be easily spun into value.

Another 1-of for the sake of keeping the Deck and its contents concise, and especially for being a Baelgrill target.

Not a name yet still a Ritual, Cyber Angel Benten acts as Ritual fodder due to its ability to search a fellow LIGHT Fairy on Tribute, more often than not Diviner to get your plays started up. Whether you nab her with Arc Light or Preparation, she won't disappoint.

Spells & Traps (Tools of the Trade)

Ritual Monsters tend to live and die by their backrow, and thankfully Nouvelles isn't short on good ones, Recipe or no.

More than a hospitable saying, Voici la Carte (Today's Menu) acts as an additional Pre-Prep for the Deck by searching a "Nouvelles" monster of your choice and your opponent's confirmation - much like a wait staff exchange - plus a "Recipe" Ritual Spell should your searched monster be a Ritual. Essentially reading as a Buerillabaisse and Poeltis search 9 times out of 10. Reliant on your opponent to a degree, sure, but does wonders for the Deck's consistency.

Continuing the trend of cards featuring Poissonniere turning the archetype live, Concours de Cuisine (Culinary Confrontation) is a Quick-Play Spell that tutors a "Nouvelles" and "Patissciel" Pendulum Monster each from anywhere but GY, one to each field. Effectively reading as giving you a Poissonniere for her searching and Pendulum Effect and your opponent a Patissciel Couverture to act as Tribute fodder for your Ritual Monsters' effects, something that should NOT be taken for granted especially going first. In GY it can banish itself to target a monster on-field to buff its ATK scaling with the "Recipe" Spells in GY, the "target" portion being far more important for your Ritual names.

The one caveat is it locks your materials for Extra Deck Summons into merely "Nouvelles" and "Patissciel" monsters, but rest easy knowing it's very much possible to work within that restriction. 

The de facto Ritual Spell for the Deck, Recette de Poisson (Fish Recipe) Summons any of your "Nouvelles" Rituals, but preferably Buerillabaisse so it can nab a Recette de Viande (Meat Recipe) from Deck or GY afterward to enable later Ritual Summons.

It's run at 2 due to the Pre-Prep and Menu potential, and essentially to guarantee a Ritual Summon as soon as possible.

Nouvelles Recipe Book "Recettes de Nouvellez" fills multiple roles. Not only does it Final Attack Orders your opponent's monsters while you control a "Nouvelles" Ritual to enable their Tribute effects, but when one such Ritual Monster is Summoned this Spell can target it to search a non-Continuous Spell "Nouvelles" or "Recipe" card from Deck, not just completing your combos but acting as another method of proactively triggering the Ritual Monsters' effects.

Between Poissonniere, Chef, and an upcoming Field Spell, it's run at 1 for ease of access and allowing room for other cards and staples.

Good food's enhanced by good atmosphere, something Nouvelles Restaurant "At Table" has and then some. On activation it can search a "Recipe" card similar to Poissonniere, afterwards allowing two ways of cycling your Ritual cards for extra advantage. During Main Phase it can place a Ritual Monster (one you may not necessarily want/be able to Summon) on bottom of Deck to draw one to de-brick, and during End Phase it places a "Recipe" Ritual Spell and any additional card from GY on bottom of Deck to draw one in much of the same fashion.

It's also run at 1 due to its multiple ways to search; between Chef, Buerillabaisse, and Balameuniere. But even at 1 it still can provide plenty of value.

Chef's Special Recipe is renowned for a reason, being an omni-negate Counter Trap while you control a "Nouvelles" Ritual Monster. Its spiciness doesn't end there, as if you Summon either of your Hungry Burgers it can banish itself from GY to mimic Baelgrill's Nibiru-like effect, effectively allowing for two in a turn.

Preferred to search at the end of the turn, by either Balameuniere or the Restaurant it can also search.

Extra Deck (Save Room for Dessert)

Nouvelles more often than not uses the Extra Deck as a toolbox. And while some like to slot a Dogmatika engine as a result, I personally can't imagine playing the Deck without one or two certain Link-2's.

Restaurant security's tight with Dyna Mondo is around. On-Summon it can target a card on field and Ritual Monster in GY to shuffle both into the Deck, providing simultaneous removal for your opponent and recycling for your monsters. This essentially allows it to fill the role of S:P Little Knight and/or Knightmare Unicorn whilst also supporting your main Summoning mechanic. Speaking of, as a Quick Effect it can be Tributed to target a Ritual Monster in GY to either add to your hand or - provided it was originally properly Ritual Summoned - Special Summon; a major asset as the "Nouvelles" Rituals' effects are all on-Special as opposed to on-Ritual, namely Poeltis' to draw or Foie Glasya's to shuffle.

It's also why I:P Masquerena is run, essentially making Dyna Mondo's on-Summon a Quick Effect during your opponent's turn whilst also imparting destruction immunity. Presumptuous as it may sound, it just may be an Eclipse Twins for Ritual. Though my experience running Ryzeal's a tad limited, so don't quote me on that.

A jokester would call it the roast beast, I'd call Nephthys, the Sacred Flame a heck of a cleaner. Due to the number of Ritual bodies on field you'll likely wind up with once your plays are said and done, this big birdie can help mitigate their modest ATK with some extra bells and whistles. With three Rituals as its material, it becomes a whopping 4800 ATK with both targeting and destruction immunity, letting you swing for game once the hatches are down on your opponent's side.

Play Tips (Recipe Notes)

Lord knows the Deck has a lot of finer points that could do with some clarification, so I'll happily place them here given all the experience I've accrued with these tasty devils.

• You can and should proactively activate your Ritual Monsters' on-target effects - Recipe Book and Chef on field, Poissonniere in Pendulum, and Confrontation in GY can all target your "Nouvelles" Rituals for their numerous effects during your turn. Make extensive use of these to make sure you end on Balameuniere - or at the very least Poeltis or Foie Glasya which can bring out Balameuniere themselves.
• Don't take your ability to Pendulum Summon for granted - Regardless of Pendulum's reputation, the 0- and 8-scales of Chef and Poissonniere can let you Pendulum Summon extra bodies in hand or Pendulum Monsters in Extra Deck for additional Tribute fodder or Extra Deck material to extend. So given you'll more than likely have both chefs in your Pendulum Zone at some point, take advantage of this built-in opportunity.
• Timing is everything with your Ritual Monsters' effects - Balameuniere into Baelgrill namely can completely clip the wings of opposing setups with just the right timing, as can your fellow Ritual Monsters to remove opposing monsters to bring out others. Same goes for Foie Glasya's on-Summon, since your opponent can't use what's no longer in their GY. This extends to Dyna Mondo's Quick Effect as well.