Instructions for playing Shaddolllll

By Ljkad Published Jan 24, 2024 Updated Feb 9, 2024

The deck was the most anticipated when it came out but it flopped.

Among the Tachyon pack, I would like to introduce this article that will help you understand more about Shaddoll and master it. Hopefully in the future there will be more cards to help this deck return.

Sections covered in this guide:

1/ Another bit of lore

2/ Main cores

3/ Skill

4/ Some Archetype cards can be played

5/ Notable Engine and Tech

6/ Sample deck

Another bit of lore

Briefly about Archetype: This is a short excerpt from Duel Terminal lore. I recommend you read it for yourself.

From the depths of darkness, a virus was born. This virus infiltrated one of the previous heroes of Duel Terminal lore, Gem-Knight Master Diamond . Master Diamond was revived from previous battles and blackened to become Cairngorgon, the Antiluminescent Knight. Defeating enemy after enemy, Cairngorgon finally gained enough power to transform into the first Shaddoll, Shaddoll Core .
Shaddoll Core returned the lives of the heroes who fell in the war. Small and large beasts, known from famous Archetypes. The Shaddolls have a mission and their goal is to return to the Naturia Sacred Tree . This tree is the source of life in the universe and will regenerate the Shaddolls to their original form. However, this path is not the right path. It destroys everyone and everything in their wake .

Shaddoll is an interesting choice for mid-range Control play. The deck focuses on Fusion, using their powerful fusion cards to control the game, while the deck has secondary Flip Effect gameplay to support. This deck quite needs GY, because almost all of its cards have effects that activate when they are sent there... So we can humorously think that Shadolls are Krawlers if Krawlers are based on on Fusion and is really good. =))

Shaddolls will be a force to be reckoned with in the future. Before the 2021 meta appeared, Shaddolls always found a suitable way to live with this meta. The strength of the deck depends on El Shaddoll Winda and the amazingly fun gameplay makes everyone want to try it. When combined with certain Engines, ehem Invoked and Dogmatika, this deck will have quite a few problems to solve. Because without Mechaba Invoked and the existence of Dogmatika... and also El Shaddoll Apkallone and other powerful Shaddolls in the Main Deck like Naelshaddoll Ariel or Shaddoll Beast that haven't been released yet, the shaddolls are really quite weak. Well, let's see how Shaddoll struggles in Format Speed Duel.

Main cores

Shaddoll monsters in the Main deck will have 2 effects of each type. 1 Flip effect and 1 effect when they are sent to the grave by CARD EFFECT. Both effects have one thing in common: they give you an advantage on the field with the number of cards. Note that it MUST be due to a Card effect, meaning that being destroyed in battle or discarded/sacrificed as a cost will not trigger their effects . Additionally, you can only use ONE of their effects per turn, meaning you cannot use both the Flip and GY effects in one turn.
Fusion cards also have some similar points. Has very powerful effects while on the field and gives Shaddoll Spell/Trap cards when going to the grave.

El Shaddoll Construct (x1-2)

Initial form: Gem-Knight Lapis

Construct is the best Fusion card to summon for advantage. It's a bit limited though since you have to use a LIGHT Beast to Fusion. The Shaddoll LIGHT Monster in the Main Deck is terrible, so we have to guard against some decent LIGHT Monsters like Effect Veiler or Artemis, Magistus Moon Maiden just to be able to guarantee the Construct summon.

When Fusion Summon, you can send ANY Shaddoll card from your Deck to the Graveyard. From there it allows you to activate any shaddoll's GY Effect. This will help you gain advantage by adding Monsters, Special Summoning, or destroying Backrow with your 3 best monsters. But most commonly, when starting out, you will send a Spell/Trap, mainly Shaddoll Schism, to the Graveyard. Thanks to the third effect of Gravity Controller and Construct, they can ensure that you can use the deck's best Trap card on the first turn.
The second effect is also quite good, it turns Construct into a rather annoying wall to overcome or becomes a removal effect during the attack turn.

Reeshaddoll Wendi (x2-3)

Initial form: Ritual Beast Tamer Zefrawendi

Wendi is probably the most effective Shaddoll in the Main Deck. Both her Flip Effect and the effect under her GY allow you to Special Summon a Shaddoll Monster from your Deck in face-down Defense Position. With a few taps, you can also choose to Special Summon it in face-up position if you use Flip Effect. This is a very powerful ability as it allows you to use any Shaddoll effect you want to use, while also giving you Link and Fusion Materials on the Field.

IMPORTANT NOTE : Wendi is Psychic and NOT a Spellcaster! This will affect the relevance of some cards such as Artemis, Magistus Moon Maiden.

Shaddoll Squamata (x2-3)

Initial form: Satellarknight Unukalhai

Play this card to easily use your other Shaddolls, and also has good removal ability when Flip.

When flipped: Squamata is the Man-eater Bug , allowing you to Target and Destroy a monster on the field. A fairly common but highly effective form of removal.
When sending to the Grave: You can send any Shaddoll card from your Deck to the Grave, somewhat similar to El Shaddoll Construct . However, the difference is that you will use this effect 90% of the time to send monsters down. Gives you the choice between sending Shadoll Dragon to remove Backrow, Hedgehog to add a Monster to your hand, or Wendi to summon a lump of meat onto the field to defend during your opponent's turn. I think there will also be more options with different effs, but that also means you will have to use more less optimal cards.

Shaddoll Hedgehog (x1-3)

Initial form: Neo Flamvell Hedgehog

One of your best advantage cards.

When flipped: You can add Shaddoll Spell/Trap from your Deck to your Hand. Gives you a way to Fusion Summon with both Shaddoll Fusion and El Shaddoll Fusion . You can also add Shaddoll Schism if you haven't summoned a Construct yet.
When sent to GY: You can add any Shaddoll Monster. The effect is very good because then you can choose the card whose effect you need, and also have a piece of meat to fuse. Or simply to do cost discard...

Shaddoll Dragon (x1-3)

Initial form: Suanni, Fire of the Yang Zing

This card gives you quite a few things to be able to deal with Opp's yard.

When flipped: You can return your opponent's card to your hand. A better CPE, although harder to activate.
When sent to GY: It becomes MST, allowing you to Destroy any Spell/Trap on the field.

El Shaddoll Fusion (x1-3)

Quick effect Poly. Because it is a Quick eff, this card will have a lot of meaning. As usual, you can use Fuse during your turn so you can gain advantage through El Shaddoll Construct . But being able to use it during your opponent's turn makes it a very effective form of harassment/opp disruption.

When your opponent activates an effect that includes a special summon, you can Chain it and Fusion Summon El Shaddoll Winda , which will lock the opponent and force no more special summons the turn there. (very effective with Tenyis)
With the LIGHT Beast, you can create a Construct to send any Shaddoll you need.
Hmmmm, I guess El Shaddoll Grysta and El Shaddoll Wendigo can also appear sometimes, but not as often as the other two cards.

Skill

Shadow-Weaving Power (Skill Card) (100%)

This skill adds El Shaddoll Winda to your Extra, even 3 copies of Shadoll Fusion and 1 Shaddol Schism to your main deck. All of the above cards are incredibly strong cards of Archetype and can completely bring us to the Top tier.... that's why they are locked into Skills.

The activation effect of this skill is also a heavenly effect. Although it may seem unrelated, you must understand that this allows you to add 1 copy of Winda back to the Extra deck, allowing you to recycle Winda for free if she is kicked from the Field in the first place. This also applies to any other Shaddoll Monsters. Assuming you only play 1 copy of Shaddoll Dragon and you need its effect, you can shuffle it back with Skill and send it with Squamata or Construct to remove the backrow!

El Shaddoll Winda (Skill)

Initial form: Winda, Priestess of Gusto + Pulao, Wind of the Yang Zing

El Shaddoll Winda is the victory condition of this deck. Winda is a FLOODGATE type card! Having Shaddoll and Dark Beast as fusion materials makes her very easy to summon as it usually means you only need to have 2 shaddolls in hand to Fusion Summon her normally.
As long as Winda is on the field, BOTH PLAYERS can only special summon once per turn . This includes you, don't forget! If your opponent is not lucky enough to draw a Book of Moon or Forbidden Chalice, Winda will help you win the game ez. You can't even use Dark Hole to get rid of Winda, because she has the ability to protect herself against card effects.

Usually you should summon Winda during your opponent's turn via Shaddoll Schism or El Shaddoll Fusion . A well-timed Winda will end opp's turn. For example: CL1: Normal Summon Live☆Twin Ki-sikil , CL2: Shaddoll Schism summons Winda. Your opponent summons Live☆Twin Lil-la from the deck… and then they can't do anything else this turn!

Shaddoll Fusion (Skill)

Based on: Brilliant Fusion

Shaddoll Fusion is one of the pioneer cards of “use monsters in your deck as fusion materials”, right after Brilliant Fusion . And as it turns out, giving up Yugioh's main Fusion summon mechanic by not having to use monsters in your Hand or Field is actually very nice.

It itself is just Poly but only within the scope of Shadolls. But as long as your opponent controls a special monster summoned from Extra, you will be able to use the monsters in your Deck. Shaddoll Fusion is actually quite OP, essentially giving you the ability to choose which Shaddoll Effect you want to use that turn, tailoring it perfectly to the situation at hand. You won't lose card advantage and will even gain up to +4 for yourself just by activating it.

Shaddoll Schism (Skill)

Shaddoll Schism is truly crazy. This is a Continuous Trap that allows you to Fusion Summon each turn using cards on the field or graveyard, though with the additional drawback that the summoned monster CANNOT attack directly. Using GY as a material is quite bogus, as it essentially means you will never run out of materials as long as you can continue to have a Yard or hand full of Shaddolls.

If you've played Invoked Dogmatika Shaddolls in TCG/OCG/MD before then you might be surprised to learn that Schism has another effect! After the Fusion Summon has been performed, you can also send a Monster your opponent controls that has the same attribute as the summoned Shaddoll to the Graveyard! That's right, Schism is just a disruption card!

This will usually be the card you send along with Construct to add to your Hand, as achieving Schism will be quite important.

However, Schism is also very easy to eliminate. Chaining one of these to Schism's effect will cause the Fusion Summon to not resolve, so you should Fusion Winda on your own turn.

Some Archetype cards can be played

Shaddoll Construct (x0-1)

Initial form: Gem-Knight Lapis

Shaddoll Construct , not to be confused with El Shaddoll Construct , is Archetype's Link-2 Monster. 1 Light-type Monster has an effect that allows you to Fusion Summon a Shaddoll Monster using materials from your Hand or from the field. It's worth noting that it doesn't need to give itself as material, so you can keep it on the field for Link Climbing and still be able to use the g effect . Because Shaddoll is in the name, you can do anything with it and most notably, it's Light type, which means the game tells us we should use it for El Shaddoll Construct .

Note that: Summoning Link does not activate the Shaddoll effect in the Main deck! Also the main material to summon this card is Flip Monster, which admittedly isn't really that good, but it means you can only use Shaddoll in your Main Deck to summon it... or something like Krawlers if you're interested.

Shaddoll Falco (x0-2)

Original form: Gusto Falco

Falco is... Level Tuner in a deck without any Synchro cards =)))))))! For those wondering, it's just a Tuner because it's a tuner as a "Gusto" Monster. What's interesting is that this is actually possible because it could give you a pretty interesting option for using the Synchro ToolBox in Extra.

When Flipped: You can target Shaddoll Monsters in your GY (except Falco) and special summon it in DEFENSE position. A good recovery effect for Archetype Flips.
When sent to the Graveyard: You can special summon Falco in face-down Defense position. Think of it as Reeshaddoll Wendi 's effect but you can only summon Falco. Gives you a super meat lump or more resources for Fusion Summoning. Or even just a Tuner to create Synchro if possible.

El Shaddoll Grysta (x0-1)

Negate Summon!!!... at the cost of needing a FIRE Monster to Fusion. Luckily, Shaddolls themselves have FIRE Monsters with Helshaddoll Hollow so you won't need to use an external engine to summon Grysta. Grysta's effect is quite good. If you have Shaddoll in hand, you can send it to the Graveyard to negate the special summoning of your opponent's monsters. Admittedly, it's not as good as El Shaddoll Winda , but it allows you to activate Shaddoll's eff in your hand. And it's "almost end game" if you get both Grysta and Winda on the field at the same time.

Helshaddoll Hollow (x0-1)

Original form:...... El Shaddoll Grysta

A Level 9 Face Flip Monster.... wow. But luckily, you can summon Reeshaddoll Wendi and Shaddoll Falco so you won't have to worry about having to Tribute Set this guy.

When Flip: The removal effect is quite strong. You can target your opponent's monster and send a Shaddoll Monster with the same attribute as that monster from your EXTRA DECK to the Graveyard to banish it. Up to now, this effect only works on Light, Dark, Wind and Fire systems, which means it will be difficult to face decks that use Earth and Water. This card also allows you to recycle Shaddoll Spell/Trap, thanks to the GY Effect of the Fusions.
When sent to the Graveyard: You can send cards from the top of your Deck to the Graveyard equal to the number of different attributes on the Field, including your opponent's field. In fact, you will get about 1-3 mill cards from this eff in 1 match, if you are lucky, you can mill a few cards with Shaddoll to use.

Qadshaddoll Keios (x0-1)

Initial form: Evilswarm Kerykeion

This is the only LIGHT Attribute Shaddoll available so there is a slight benefit to playing it so you can make El Shaddoll Construct but it is worthless in the remaining 90%. If you're bored, stop talking about eff =).

Shaddoll Hound (x0-1)

Initial form: Satellarknight Sirius

This card can help you activate your Shaddolls Flip effect

When flipped: You can add Shaddoll from the Graveyard to your Hand. After trying it a few times, I found the recycling effect to be quite good.
When sent to the Graveyard: You can change the battle position of monsters on the Field. You can use this to stop a battle turn, switching your opponent's attacking monster to Defense. But most notably, you can use this on face-down Shaddolls to Flip them up and activate their Flip effect.

El Shaddoll Wendigo (x0-2)

Original form: Ritual Beast Ulti-Pettlephin

Ughh... it just serves the same purpose as this card's original form, just to hinder opp by becoming a lump of meat. Although this is slightly worse because protection from Card Effects is usually more valuable than protection in battle… and this protection in battle only applies when your monster fights another summoned monster special summon so it will not work against their normal summon. But at least you can choose which monster to protect.

Sinister Shadow Games (x0-3)

Sinister Shadow Games is a pretty strong card for slower versions of the deck. This is one of the cards you will remove from the list if you mix with Engines. It's quite strong for a pure Shaddoll deck, but becomes slower and more brick-like with cards like Rilliona, Magistus of Verre or Aleister the Invoker in the deck.

As a normal trap, you can send a Shaddoll from your Deck to the GY while casting it so you can turn any of your face-down Shaddolls face up. This translates into a LOT of value created. Not only do you gain advantage from the sent monster's GY effect, but you can even cause Disruption if you place Shaddoll Squamata and/or Shaddoll Dragon on your field.

NOTE : This is NOT a "Shaddoll" card as it has no text in the name, making it unsearchable in Archetype! Also, pray that Shaddoll Beast is added soon so this card's value skyrockets.

Shaddoll Core (x0-1)

Original form: Cairngorgon,

Shaddoll Core is only played in the Shaddoll Extreme Mill strategy. Probably not worth looking at in this format

Notable Engine and Tech

Gravity Controller, Artemis and the Magistus Moon Maiden (Link)

The Gravity Controller is here, and here's how to get your Fusion down to the Graveyard as soon as possible. This allows Construct to get Shaddoll Schism on the first turn. It also has a powerful removal effect that is quite effective if it comes up, although admittedly it probably won't matter in most cases.

Artemis, the Magistus Moon Maiden , is a LIGHT Link-1 that can summon any low-level Spellcaster for her Link summon, which also happens to be the monster type of all DARK-type Shaddolls. This gives a LIGHT card for Construct summoning, so just 2 Shaddolls in hand and Fusion will ensure you have Construct right from turn 1. (Dear Artemis involves many decks in 3 consecutive boxes: v).

Super Polymerization (x0-1)

Super Polymerization is truly amazing, a lot of you have probably recognized this from Yubel Neos. Having the ability to use your opponent's monster to summon Fusion is one of the best forms of removal in the game. Not only do you eliminate a monster, you also get the chance to summon a monster of your own! Quite similar to how Yubel Neos works, you have a Fusion for each attribute (except EARTH and WATER). You just need to have a Shaddoll on the field and you will easily summon Construct or Winda.

Paleozoic Dinomischus (option)

Paleozoic Dinomischus is the BEST Trap card for the deck. As you can tell from rolling, cards like Karma Cut and Ballista Squad will not activate the effects of the Shaddolls in your Main Deck because the cost is paid, not to activate the effect.

But this is not the case with Dinomischus, because Dinomischus chooses the target to pay the cost and resolves to activate the effect. This sounds odd but means you will get full value from your Shaddolls compared to other Traps.

Spellbook of Knowledge (x0-1)

Normal Summon a Shaddoll, and send it to the Graveyard to draw 2 cards. It activates Shaddoll's effect, while also giving you card advantage. A pretty good card drawing tool for the deck.

Rilliona, the Magistus of Verre, Aiwass, the Magistus Spell Spirit and Magistus Invocation (Master)

Shesshhh omg, another form of the Magistus Engine! You've seen Endymion appear in decks that don't require Normal Summon, now it's Rilliona's turn to appear and bring support to Fusion Summon.

Magistus Invocation is Polymerization. Please ignore the side effect as it will not appear here as an Engine. Rilliona, the Magistus of Verre is a LIGHT Spellcaster Monster that can be added to your hand. This makes Rilliona a perfect Starter for the deck! A Shaddoll in hand and Rilliona will easily create El Shaddoll Construct. Aiwass, the Magistus Spell Spirit , is Magistus's Fusion monster, which can also be created with Rilliona (or Artemis) and a Shaddoll, providing excellent opponent potential on the Field.

Rilliona is probably the most stable one compared to other Engines, but lacks the power of the following Engines...

INVOKERRRR

Aleister the Invoker is back babyyyy! Luckily, we don't have Invoked Mechaba yet so he won't become too popular. When Normal or Flip Summoned, Aleister can add Invocation to your hand. The thing is that Invocation isn't actually a type of Polymerization, so if you want Fusion 1 that isn't Invoked then YOU MUST use the materials in your hand. You can't use cards on the Field or the GY, so you can't Normal Summon Aleister, Link Artemis, and create a Construct from it.

Of course, the Invoked archetype's main strength comes from its Fusions. When Fusion Summoning an Invoked Monster with Invocation , you can use monsters from the Field or GY as Materials... including your opponent's GY! Invoked Purgatri o requires Aleister and a FIRE Monster, which means you need to have Helshaddoll Hollow in your Decklist, and if you Summon Purgatrio then you can potentially OTK your opponent for free. Invoked Caliga is another strong Fusion, locking both players into only having 1 Monster Effect activated per turn and only being able to attack by 1 Monster. Combined with El Shaddoll Winda or El Shaddoll Grysta , it makes for a terrifying late-game piece.

And don't forget, Invocation can push itself back from the GY into the Deck to add a banned Aleister from play back to your hand. This means that once you have Aleister, you will keep him throughout the entire match. Unless you use Aleister's OTHER effect, because not only can Aleister call Invocation, this guy can also buff ATK/DEF. This is a quick effect, you can remove Aleister to increase the ATK/DEF of any of your Fusion Monsters by 1000 until the End Phase. Makes Winda and Purgatrio even more dangerous.

Charge of the Light Brigade, Needlebug Nest, Raiden and Hand of the Lightsworn (Mill)

Engine Lightsworn. They help us mill deck 👍

Charge of the Light Brigade sends the first two cards of your Deck to the Graveyard and also allows you to add a Lightsworn Monster from your Deck to your hand. Raiden, Hand of the Lightsworn would probably be the best choice as he can effectively mill 2 or 4 cards when Normal Summoned. He is also a level 4 Tuner, expanding the deck for the Synchro Toolbox pile. Needlebug Nest is a limited Trap card that conflicts with Super Polymerization, but it can mill up to 5 cards from your Deck, which can also be important.

Uhhhh nothing to say, these cards just help you. You can also play some other Lightsworns besides Raiden, I think.