Prepare for a decent read.
Disclaimer: This isn't a list to combat any certain meta. It's more of a guideline. However, the identity of Pure Traptrix has evolved to be Anti-Meta choice. The date is to account for the cardpool at the time of writing and not specifically for the metagame in mind. Traptrixgoodstuff.dek
This is the sample list as seen in the Traptrix Discord with over 2.4k users for people to get introduced to. (Not needed at all but could provide additional context if you want.)
https://discord.com/invite/zXMVH5FZTC
Ratio Justifications
If this is Anti-Meta, where's Droll?
If Droll is good to main, do it. Traptrix loves stun handtraps. If at any point in time they aren't good to main, side them instead. This list can be more compact that exchanges part of the Traptrix core cards for generic cards and keeps the deck size to 40. Wouldn't recommend going past 42 in deck size.
Engine cards that could be cut: If you are cutting down engine cards to fit more non-engine, you can make these choices. These were the cuts made that were the least to the most impactful cuts.
Holes (Reduce/remove the copies that aren't great in the current meta. Terrifying, bottomless, less copies of Floodgate or Gravedigger's, ect.)
Traptrix Arachnocampa 2>1 (less late game power and options.)
Traptrix Holeutea 3>2 (less grind that can come up.)
Traptrix Mantis 3>2 (Loss of a starter, decent topdeck.)
Add whatever seems to be preferable/essential choice at any given time. Ex: -1 Arachnocampa, -1 Holeutea, -1 Mantis, + 3 Droll.
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Pudica + Garden ratio: You can do a ratio of 2:2 copies if you need, but either that or 3:1 is perfectly fine. Do whatever works for you.
Main Deck choices and justifications
Dimension Shifter: Can single handedly win you games, but not by itself. You still need to open playable. So the main deck is catered to synergize with it but doesn't rely on opening it necessarily.
+ Also protects you from Effect Veiler and Droll. Keeps copies of Shade Brigandine live longer. S:P can help you get rid of multiples.
- The only conflictions are, Vesiculo and Raff can't send cards to GY. Turning off Droll doesn't matter that much. Holeutea getting banished is pretty annoying which is what saves you if/when you get hit by Super Poly.
Shade Brigandine: Pairs with Shifter very well yet doesn't rely on it to be useful. While still a non engine card, it interacts with the deck in many more ways than Parallel eXceed which is solely to be a simple extender in the short term or a lucky top deck.
+ In the midgame, it gives Atypus something to banish. In the long term, it's a manual Sera trigger or fodder for other plays. Plays around S:P and Bagooska which are common ways people play into D Shifter. Let's you make Redoer much more consistently. Why go for it? The removal effect is great, can avoid Nib if it comes up, doesn't play into Super Poly, and has recursion with Zeus always being potential factor.
- Not the best top deck all things considered. Shade does directly compete with Holeutea for triggering Sera turn 1 while eXceed doesn't have this issue. You can do Vesiculo lines to end on 2 Xyz boards but it's not as effortless as what eXceed offers.
Kashtira Fenrir: A very solid card for going first or second. An all-around option. Honestly a low priority generic card in the list but it works will enough to justify its inclusion. Could be cut for other cards possibly.
+ Thrives in situations where the game is more simplified. And is constant pressure until it is dealt with. Garden can switch it out for a level 4 if you need the option.
- Can make your board more vulnerable to Super Poly immediately. If your opponent steals the card via effect, it can end up hurting you.
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Options for alternative card choices. More handtraps catered to a specfic meta. Can play more generic Traps if you need to able to play less proactive. Torrential Tribute, Terrors of the Overroot, Solemn Strike.
Extra Deck justifications
Ptol Package: Tellarknight Ptolemaeus, Stellarknight Constellar Diamond, and Artifact Durendal.
Low investment "negate" with no bricks required that defends you against common side cards and doesn't play into things like TTTalents or Super Poly. And has many other bonuses that come with it.)
Ptolemaeus requires 2 level 4s minimum and can get you to Durendal or Diamond. Immediately dumps materials to GY turn 1 as a bonus. Use EP effect to attach Diamond to have 3 Xyz Mats. Use Quick effect detaching 2 to summon Durendal w/ 1 mat.
Durendal "negates" common threats like Evenly or Harpie's. And unlike Judgment, lets Lightning Storm resolve so you can't get hit by 2. Double Evenly still sucks but Sera can trigger after the 2nd one so you are still in a better position. Even if your opp doesn't see their side cards, it still has decent interruption. The "negate" is essentially free if you have Arachnocampa on field. Has a niche bonus with Droll that functions as handloop. Durendal CL1 and Droll as CL2.
Diamond is the most niche of the 3. Mostly serves as a material for Ptolemaeus but it has uses that can come up. Can overlay ontop of Ptol in MP2 to go for a 4 material Zeus. Otherwise it just has stun effects that are semi relevant ontop of a non Once Per Turn (nor Once Per chain) negate for Dark monsters.
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3 ED Flex spots: These choices are delegated for toolbox use and just happen to be the most usable of the ones around.
S:P is not at all mandatory. Situationally good. Don't go out and get a copy for this deck specfically. It's just very nice to have. If you have it, run it. Also an interruption that doesn't lose to Super Poly.
Ty-phon is a good control deck staple. Helps you come back into the game if fall back down. The situations are there.
Dweller works very well when you need it most. It's tried and true. *One of the very few ED monsters worth putting into the side* if the format is iffy on it.
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Other options for ED flex spots include...
Aussa (Charmer Link 2) to either steal opposing Fenrirs or to link climb easily.
Underworld Goddess of the Closed World. Traptrix struggles with some boss monsters. Good compliment that gets rid of a problem and puts out a threat in return.
Bagooska isn't as good as it used to be with the release of S:P but there's still matchups it's very useful for. Also can fold over to Super Poly.
You have space to run cards for Super Poly yourself as well. (Mudragon, Garuda ect.)
Exciton Knight can still have the potential to pop up.
Other Link-2s like the Knightmares or I:P. Can let you play through D-Barrier.
A 2nd copy of Pinguicula can come up in some cases actually.
Prosperity FAQ: What should I banish?
I will instead tell you what you should save.
When using Prosperity, never banish more than 1 copy of Sera, Pinguicula, Atypus, arguably Raff or Redoer but you can pick 1 of the 2 if needed. Everything else is fair game or hand/matchup dependent.
Side Deck Rationale
Keep going first cards to a minimum. You want cards to help you go second above anything else. Non engine and Extenders like Shade or Exceed do tend to be sided out.
Going First Cards: 3 maybe 6 going first cards depending on the format.
The tried and true staples are Solemn Judgment, Anti-Spell Fragrance, and Dimension Barrier. Pick from 1 of these and run 3.
Judgment is insurance at worst and good disruption at best. Very reliable.
Anti-Spell has more control of the game when it is good.
D Barrier lets you have an impact without committing much to the board and your opponent cant interact with this card much. (Could be used in tandem with 1 of the other 2 choices above but it's still iffy.)
Going Second Cards:
Nib pairs very well with Ash, and Imperm. Its for when you want ro see multiple handtraps essentially.
Some form of S/T removal. Cosmic has been historically good. But exchanging 1 copy for Harpie's can be considered. Skill Drain can be a auto lose card among other problematic S/Ts.
Evenly is good when the format calls for it but it could be used as fodder when going first if you choose to main it instead.
Main Droll if possible. If you shouldn't, it's fine here.
Other options:
Kaijus. Usually Gameciel. (Use Kumongous if giving your opp level 8s isn't good.)
Pankratops is great bc it trades for cards favorably.
Cards with steal effects like Change of Heart, Mind Control, TTTalents can be considered.
Any questions or clarifications would probably be best asked in the Traptrix Discord group linked above. I don't tend to frequent this site often.
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