Duelist's Advance: A New Era Begins in Yu-Gi-Oh!
Set for release in July 2025, Duelist’s Advance marks a new cycle for the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG. This core set introduces a wide mix of archetypes, mechanics, and support options to suit many decks.
Notably, three brand-new archetypes make their debut. First is Artmage, a mystical series that focuses on Fusion Summoning and controlling the board. Next is Power Patron, an alternative name for Artmage. Lastly, R.B. joins the line-up as a Machine-based series with destructive synergy and Link-focused plays.
Moreover, the set offers support for existing strategies, including Regenesis, introduced recently. Psychic monsters also receive notable enhancements—both in Life Point manipulation and banish-heavy tactics.
Altogether, the set contains 101 cards, broken down as follows:
1 Starlight Rare
10 Secret Rares
14 Ultra Rares
26 Super Rares
50 Commons
While the set lacks a strong unifying theme, it clearly favours Xyz mechanics. In particular, Utopia and Onomat decks gain notable support. Additionally, players will find new options for Link Machines and Normal Monster strategies, especially Blue-Eyes and the fresh Primite cards.
Furthermore, Fusion Spells and Fusion Monsters are prominent, offering new tools. As a bonus, returning decks like Lunalight and Monarch gain support—inviting old favourites back into competitive play.
Duelist's Advance Highlights
Artmage
Artmage is arguably the most anticipated archetype in Duelist’s Advance. I’ve already written a post about it (click here). The names of the cards and the archetype may differ slightly, but the core remains intact. Unfortunately, the archetype is quite pricey due to its higher rarity slots.
The strategy centres around Fusion Summoning, diverse monster Types, and steady resource generation. Medius the Pure acts as the central engine. It searches or summons Power Patron monsters and returns from the Graveyard with minimal cost.
Each Main Deck Artmage monster supports utility, presence, or disruption. For example, Finmel and Graflare shine when three or more different Types are on your field. This condition recurs across the deck and fuels many effects.
Moreover, the Fusion monsters—Diactorus and Nerva—serve as the deck’s heavy-hitters. Diactorus offers board control and floatability, while Nerva clears the field and gains immunity under set conditions.
Additionally, the supporting Spells and Traps focus on setup and consistency. They also protect key monsters and often restrict you to archetype-exclusive plays for balance.
In the end, Artmage rewards careful management of Types, tempo, and board state. It’s not an explosive archetype. Instead, it thrives through layered interactions and resilient fields.
Introducing the “R.B.” Archetype
The R.B. archetype debuts in Duelist’s Advance, offering a Machine-based strategy with a musical motif and a focus on tempo control. It features monsters named after tools—such as Driller, Cutter, and Rocket—that rely on synergy and removal effects.
The main mechanic revolves around self-destruction for advantage. Each R.B. monster can Special Summon itself if your field is empty or contains only other R.B. cards. Additionally, when co-linked to an R.B. Link Monster, they gain Quick Effects with disruptive potential.
These effects include destroying monsters, negating Spell Cards, or removing multiple targets. In most cases, they activate by destroying the monster itself and paying Life Points. As a result, players must weigh aggression against long-term stability.
The Link Monsters tie the deck together. R.B. VALCan Booster helps by searching Spells and reviving allies. Meanwhile, R.B. The Brute Blues serves as a boss card, gaining attack boosts, protection, and the ability to attack twice under specific conditions.
Psychic Monsters
Duelist’s Advance expands the identity of Psychic monsters with new support focused on Life Point control and banish synergy. These cards revisit classic mechanics while offering modern consistency tools for both older builds and hybrid decks.
In particular, many effects involve paying Life Points for value or interacting with banished monsters to maintain pressure. Moreover, several cards improve deck flow, making Psychic strategies more viable in the current format.
This support doesn’t drastically change the playstyle. However, it strengthens key interactions and opens up new combinations with recent engine cards.
We’ve already covered some of these cards. If you’d like a detailed breakdown, click here.
Archetype Boosters
As I said before, it brings support for several Decks and I highlighted some of the main and most relevant ones:
Utopia
Let’s begin with Utopia, Onomat, and Utopic, which take centre stage on the collection’s cover. This set introduces new Onomat cards: Zubababa Knight, Gagaga Ganbara Knight, Gogogo Goblindbergh, Dodododo Warrior, and Gagagaga Girl—a true tongue-twister lineup.
One of the key cards is Number F0: Utopic Future Zexal, a Rank 0 Xyz Monster that builds power over time. It gains ATK and DEF based on the total Ranks of all Xyz Monsters you control and those in your opponent’s Graveyard (×500).
Furthermore, it forces opponents to target only it for attacks and effects. This defensive pressure helps protect your other cards. Once per turn, as a Quick Effect, it can detach one material to take control of an opponent’s monster. It also gains temporary immunity from destruction by battle or effects until the end of the turn.
Unbreakable Xyz Barrier is a Counter Trap tailored for Xyz decks. When your opponent activates a Spell, Trap, or monster effect, this card can negate that activation. Then, by detaching two materials from your Xyz Monsters, you can destroy a card on the field.
Moreover, you can banish Unbreakable Xyz Barrier from your Graveyard. Doing so lets you attach a LIGHT Utopia or Utopic Xyz Monster from your Graveyard as material to one of your Xyz Monsters.
Vanquish Soul
Vanquish Soul Hollie Sue is a versatile monster that Special Summons itself by revealing another “Vanquish Soul” monster from your hand. It also features two Quick Effects, depending on the revealed Attributes.
If you reveal EARTH and DARK, you take control of your opponent’s weakest monster. However, revealing FIRE and DARK lets you Special Summon a non-Psychic “Vanquish Soul” monster directly from the Deck. Each effect is once per turn, and only one can be activated per Chain.
Vanquish Soul, Start! improves the deck’s consistency considerably. It targets one “Vanquish Soul” monster you control, then adds another with a different Attribute from your Deck to your hand.
Moreover, if your “Vanquish Soul” monster would be destroyed, you may reveal a “Vanquish Soul” card in hand to protect it. During your End Phase, if you control two or more “Vanquish Soul” monsters, you can Set a “Vanquish Soul” Trap directly from your Deck.
This combo cards is unbelievable.
Dragons and Normal Monster Boosters
Kaibaman the Legend fits well into Blue-Eyes decks as a thematic and practical card. Beyond being a searcher, it is a Level 1 Tuner Monster. When Normal or Special Summoned, you can reveal three “Blue-Eyes White Dragon” cards from your hand, Deck, field, or Graveyard to Special Summon one from any of those zones(It’s a free Spirit Dragon). While in the Graveyard, if a “Blue-Eyes White Dragon” is Special Summoned (except during the Damage Step), you can banish Kaibaman to search for any Blue-Eyes monster from your Deck. Unfortunately, it is a Warrior-Type, which slightly limits its synergy compared to being Dragon or Spellcaster.
Primite Dragon Nether Berzelius is a Fusion Monster tailored for Normal Monster-focused decks. It gains 1000 ATK for each Normal Monster used as Fusion Material. Additionally, it can negate effects from opposing monsters whose Level, Rank, or Link Rating is less than or equal to the total number of Normal Monsters you control and have in your Graveyard. Its standout effect activates when it is sent from the field to the Graveyard, Special Summoning a Normal Monster from your Deck in Defence Position.
Secreterion Dragon is a Fusion Monster requiring a Dragon and a Spellcaster. It loses 100 ATK for each banished card you have, so it performs best when the banished zone remains small. While Fusion Summoned and on the field, it prevents your opponent from activating effects of their Special Summoned Dragons and Spellcasters. Notably, once per turn, it can target a Dragon and a Spellcaster in your Graveyard—Special Summoning one and returning the other to the bottom of your Deck.
First of the Dragonlords is a Fusion Monster requiring three Normal Monsters and is limited to one on the field. It cannot be destroyed by battle and is unaffected by other monsters’ effects, providing excellent durability. Once per turn, as a Quick Effect, it can destroy all Spell and Trap cards on the field when a Spell, Trap, or effect activates.
Primite Fusion allows you to Fusion Summon a Dragon Fusion Monster by shuffling its materials—including a Normal Monster—from your field, Graveyard, or banished zone back into the Deck. Additionally, you can banish this card from your Graveyard to add a Level 5 or higher Primite monster from your Deck or Graveyard to your hand. This Fusion Spell is an excellent asset to Normal and Dragon decks alike.
Sky Striker
Sky Striker Ace = Zero is a Link-2 monster that requires two Sky Striker Ace monsters as material. It cannot be used as Link Material itself, and you may only Special Summon one per turn. When Special Summoned, it lets you add a “Sky Striker” Spell from your Deck or Graveyard to your hand.
As a Quick Effect, you can Tribute it to Special Summon both “Sky Striker Ace – Raye” and “Sky Striker Ace – Roze” from your Deck or Graveyard. After that, you may destroy one card on the field. Note that only one effect of Sky Striker Ace = Zero can be used each turn.
Sky Striker Special Maneuver – Lemnisgate! allows you to target an equal number of “Sky Striker Ace” monsters and “Sky Striker” Spells in your Graveyard and shuffle them back into your Deck. For every three cards shuffled this way, you may return up to one card on the field to the hand.
Additionally, if a “Sky Striker” monster is Special Summoned to your field while Lemnisgate! is in your Graveyard (except during the Damage Step), you can banish it to immediately Link Summon a Sky Striker Ace Link Monster.
New Monarch and Lunalight
Eidos, the Underworld Monarch offers versatile support for Monarch decks. When Normal or Special Summoned, it lets you add either a “Monarch” Spell/Trap or a monster with exactly 2800 ATK and 1000 DEF from your Deck or Graveyard to your hand.
Moreover, it allows you to declare one Attribute and change a face-up monster’s Attribute on the field accordingly. Additionally, if you Tribute Summon a monster with 2400 or more ATK and 1000 DEF while Eidos is in your Graveyard, you can add it back to your hand or Special Summon it.
Lunalight Gold Leo is a new key combo piece for Lunalight decks, providing both search and recovery. When Normal or Special Summoned, you can search any “Lunalight” monster from your Deck—except itself—and then discard a card, functioning as a new Tenki for the archetype.
Furthermore, while Gold Leo is on the field, if any “Lunalight” monster is sent to your Graveyard—even during the Damage Step—you can target one and return it to your hand, enabling extended plays.
Standout Cards
Vallon, the Super Psy Skyblaster is a Rank 5 Xyz Monster, similar to Castell. During your Main Phase, you can detach 1 material to target an opponent’s face-up monster and change it to face-down Defence Position, enabling disruption and control. If Vallon is sent to the Graveyard, it can destroy one face-down card on the field. Each effect is once per turn.
Gorgon of Zilofthonia is a Link-3 monster requiring two or more Effect Monsters. Monsters it points to—up to three—cannot attack and have their effects negated. Its ATK increases by the combined original ATK of those monsters. Furthermore, it cannot be destroyed by battle or monster effects as long as it points to no monsters. Generic Link monsters like Gorgon are particularly valuable.
Mutiny in the Sky is a new Fusion Spell focusing on Fiend and Fairy monsters. It lets you Fusion Summon a Fiend or Fairy Fusion Monster by shuffling appropriate monsters from your Graveyard back into the Deck as materials. While in your Graveyard, you can send a Fiend or Fairy from your hand or face-up field to the Graveyard to add this card back to your hand.
ASHLAN U1000 is a generic Link-2 monster supporting Ritual decks. It requires two monsters with different Types and Attributes. When a Ritual Monster this card points to attacks a Defence Position monster, it inflicts piercing battle damage. Once per turn, you can reveal a Ritual Monster in your hand to add another Ritual Monster with a different Type and Attribute from your Deck to your hand. Additionally, when you Ritual Summon (except during the Damage Step), you can target and return one face-up card your opponent controls to their hand. Each effect is once per turn.
Galaxy War Drake supports Galaxy-Eyes and Photon decks by enabling Rank 8 Xyz Summons. When a Level 4 LIGHT monster is Special Summoned to your field (except during the Damage Step), you can Special Summon Galaxy War Drake from your hand or Graveyard. You may also target another Level 4 LIGHT monster you control and make both monsters Level 8 until the end of the turn.
Priority Pulls
These priorities reflect my personal view, based on each card’s competitive potential, deck synergy, and overall utility. Naturally, your priorities may differ depending on your playstyle, favourite archetypes, or deck-building preferences.
That said, Duelist’s Advance offers a wide range of options for various strategies. Whether you enjoy classic themes like Blue-Eyes—which pairs well with Primite—or prefer modern staples like Sky Striker, the set provides strong support. Moreover, if you’re aiming to try something entirely new, archetypes such as R.B. or Artmage can be your choice.
However, several key cards—especially from Artmage and Lunalight—appear as Secret or Ultra Rares, making them more expensive. This might limit accessibility and could deter players from fully committing without extra investment.
High Priority Pulls
Artmage – It’s hard not to place Artmage as a top priority. The archetype feels pushed and full of potential. All of its monsters contribute directly to the strategy, and the theme has strong flavour with a clear design direction.
Sky Striker Ace = Zero and Sky Striker Special Maneuver – Lemnisgate! – Both are immediate staples. They offer consistency, recursion, and field control, strengthening modern Sky Striker lines.
Primite Fusion – A powerful Fusion Spell. It recycles Dragons and Normal Monsters from multiple zones, boosting many builds with minimal loss.
Number F0: Utopic Future Zexal – A boss monster for Utopia and other Xyz strategies. Offers protection, control, and versatility.
Unbreakable Xyz Barrier – A strong generic Counter Trap. Especially valuable in Utopia, but useful in any Xyz-heavy deck.
Vanquish Soul Hollie Sue and Vanquish Soul, Start! – Core tools for Vanquish Soul. They offer a broken combo potential, flexibility, and efficient resource handling.
Lunalight Gold Leo – A vital extender. It improves consistency, fuels the Graveyard, and allows key recovery. Mandatory in Lunalight builds.
Average and Low Priority Pulls
Onomat cards – Zubababa Knight, Gagaga Ganbara Knight, Gogogo Goblindbergh, Dodododo Warrior, and Gagagaga Girl. Personally, I’m not a fan of Utopia. However, if you’re building that deck, 2–3 copies of most are useful.
Eidos, the Underworld Monarch – Great for testing a fresh take on Monarchs. The deck lacks flexible engines, but this card adds options.
Mutiny in the Sky – Niche but useful. Works best in dedicated Fiend or Fairy Fusion strategies.
ASHLAN U1000 – A Ritual-focused Link that supports multiple engines. Ritual Summoning has gained real support lately, so this is worth noting.
Galaxy War Drake – A solid extender for Galaxy-Eyes/Photon. Enables Rank 8 plays with minimal cost.
Kaibaman the Legend – Strong Blue-Eyes synergy. Its Graveyard effect pairs nicely with Primite tools in Dragon builds. I always fall flat when talking about Blue-Eyes. I once called it a so-so deck—just passable, nothing more. However, things have changed. With the right support, Blue-Eyes now has real potential and can hold its own in a competitive setting.
First of the Dragonlords – Speaking of Dragons, this new Fusion fits into Blue-Eyes/Primite decks. Offers durability and board wipe potential.
R.B. archetype – New Machines with interesting effects. However, no cards in the archetype are Common, which may make it hard to complete the set. The pay-off remains uncertain.
Gorgon of Zilofthonia – Creative but reliant on specific setups. It struggles to compete with more efficient generic Links.
Vallon, the Super Psy Skyblaster – A simple disruption tool. It’s playable, but doesn’t offer much beyond that.
Secreterion Dragon – Has a unique fusion condition and useful effects. Still, it appears weaker than other options in most cases.
Wrapping Up
Duelist’s Advance introduces a solid range of new cards and support for both established and emerging strategies. While some options—such as Artmage—may be difficult to access due to rarity, the set as a whole offers useful tools for players with different deck preferences.
From generic utility cards to archetype-specific pieces, there is a noticeable effort to balance variety with structure. However, Vanquish seems to gain a couple of broken cards.
Ultimately, pull value will depend on individual interest, but Duelist’s Advance offers enough flexibility to justify attention.
