Throwing Counters Not Blind Punches

Side-decking has always been a big part of this card game. A major factor if you are aiming to win a tournament or merely learning how to deal with other decks. One of the biggest issues players face in Yugioh, other then broken Meta, is side-decking. Probably the most neglected aspect of the game by a majority of players. Many find it unnecessary to analyze one of the strongest advantages a player can get in this game. I was one of those. I do not find it surprising to be honest. The idea of your main deck is effective enough to deal with every problem or difficulty you face is horrendous least to say.  If you still believe in such idealism this post is not for you. 

Everyone knows the main role of a side-deck is to counter what your opponents have prepared for you in Game 2 and 3. Given that we live in an era where information comes easy, its never hard to find out what you need. In this case, information on how to side-deck against a particular deck. The question is how well would another person’s side-deck options work for you? The constant need to ask ‘why’ or simply to question a choice is important when it comes to this part of Yugioh. Top players are successful for a reason. Apart from all the commitment and effort they spend into making their decks work and reducing the amount of misplays they make, the ability to question every choice of tech or side option and foreseeing possible threats is key to why top players constantly top in tournaments. 

Perhaps what I am suggesting is the element of surprise when planning your side-deck. It may sound stupid and abstract however given  an amount of consideration you will find it is actually pretty damn simple. Throwing in obvious choices against meta or side-decking according to the deck you are playing can be devastating at times. I am not stating that it does not work i am merely suggesting a better way to utilize your side-deck. Creativity comes into this aspect, the main contributor. When siding, think of more effective ways that can throw your opponents off guard instead of going with the flow. An Inzektors player expects to deal with D.D Crows or more Veilers in Game 2 and 3. In OCG, Overworked as well. Instead of obeying their inner thoughts, why not find a better way to deal with Hornet or their never-ending Call of the Haunted Dragonflys? In this case, Autonomous Action Unit, Dust Tornado or maybe even Mischief of the Yokai can disrupt their plays and strategies. By doing so, you not only present yourself with a better chance of closing the match early but you have also accomplish breaking their support which is their side-deck.

 

Another example, running Skill Drain in a Hieroglyphs deck. This is ridiculous but it works when you think of it. Seeing that you still get Hieroglyphs’ effect when tribute even if Skill Drain is on the field and the deck runs a lot of huge beaters. Normal summoning an Aset immediately gives you a 1900 beater with Skill Drain activated. You not only lock opponents’ plays, they are forced to waste resources to deal with extra problems giving you time to setup and execute your main plan. One can even be as crazy to consider Victoria as a tech. When facing a mirror match, your opponent is more likely to side-in Dragos and Macro. If you do the same, it'll become a contest of good hand and who has what first. Why bet on that when you can play around with better odds?

This is a theory I apply a lot. It works for me and maybe it could work for you. The key is to constantly question the choices you make when constructing your side-deck. Play-test them and re-think again when you already have your answers from there you might find more possible or effective methods. Believing in conventional or unconventional ways, that is up to you but I do hope that my article has provided you with something new. Though some side choices are played constantly because they work and i understand that. The cards mentioned above are only examples. Thank you for reading!