Digimon TCG Beginner's Deck Building Guide! (Deck types too!)

I'm back, just in time for my 1 year anniversary and this time it's deck types and deckbuilding! Hope you all enjoy and have a great new year!
0:00 Intro
0:45 Deck Types
3:01 Deckbuilding Intro
3:21 Card Types
5:24 Copies
6:49 Ratios
8:11 Deckbuilding tutorial
10:11 Playtesting
12:21 General tips
14:04 Outro
No I don't know why the emojis have weird outlines
Deckbuilding Resources:
Deckbuilding website: digimoncard.dev/deckBuilder
Decklists (reputable): egmanevents.com/digimon
Decklists (slightly sketchy): digimonmeta.com/deck-list/
Decklists (super sketchy, use for ideas only): digimoncard.io/deck-search/?&...
Useful Links:
Digimon TCG Colors Guide: • Digimon Card Game Colo...
Digimon TCG 2020 Discord: / discord
Digimon Card Game Tutorial App (Android): play.google.com/store/apps/de...
Digimon Card Game Tutorial App (Apple): apps.apple.com/us/app/digimon...

[@digivolutionenjoyer]

I forgot to mention that when evaluating a wincon, you have to look at the rest of the engine as well. It's not always obvious how a card works at first glance since there are other combo pieces involved. Once you've figured out how the combo is supposed to work, then ask yourself if you think you can wipe out the opponents security or wall them out of the game with that strategy.

[@TeamTrustfall]

Does your wincon have to be so specific? Kinda like building a deck that goes more wide than tall...? This would mean having a ratio that has more lv 3s and 4s like 16, 14, 4, 2...is this a bad idea?

[@digivolutionenjoyer]

@@TeamTrustfallThat strategy is called rookie rush or more generically rushdown. It's a player created archetype but some actual archetypes like D-Brigade and Poop basically check the same boxes. It's a viable strategy for sure.

[@imperadoraureo]

Babe wake up, digivolution enjoyer upploaded again

[@AodinValar]

I took that Justimon shade personally.

[@dexterseele5034]

Also maybe as a tip for beginners, I learned from playing Yu-Gi-Oh, is to identify if a card is just a normal card, a win more or loss less card. Digimon hardly has any, as far as I have seen. Still. Cards like that a bricky, a hit to consistency and are best swapped out for cards that actually bring consistency to the table.

[@Biz_God]

I just got a beelzemon and a metal garurumon decks for Christmas

[@Yous0147]

I don't play the TCG actively but I know the game quite well. This is the best deck building video I've seen so far, I especially appreciate your clear approach to presenting ratios, which is the part I found most difficult at first. The only thing I might think could be added would maybe be a concrete example of your deck building tutorial, but keeping the video concise and generally relevant might be worth that.

[@digivolutionenjoyer]

I originally had something like that in the script but quickly realized that if I was gonna do it right it would have to be its own video. It's on my list!

[@i8u2manytimes]

What perfect timing, I was just getting a friend into Digimon and trying to make a megazoo deck

[@VerdantMushroom]

This video popped up just as I was getting into the game, so that is some fantastic timing! Clear, concise, and informative, I can tell what I've learned is going to drastically increase my deck power and maybe even more importantly, my understanding of the game as a whole. Thanks for the video!

[@digivolutionenjoyer]

Glad to hear it dude, hope you have fun playing!

[@Lar_Ott]

Christmas is plentiful this year

[@wavesky7978]

Informative, clear visual examples, and small text jokes here and there. Love your presentation style and glad to see more excellent breakdowns of the game~

[@uberwow13]

OMG THE GOAT

[@TheTortillaMan]

So much knowledge condensed in a straightforward format. Great timing with my Christmas packs. Thank you!

[@Haxi_The_Jester]

🎉

[@DigiTism]

Needed this video. I’m newer to the game and trying to make a Yellow Vaccine deck with Tokomon (X Antibody) base. The idea is stacking DP reduction with a bit of adding DP to security.

[@draklord1234]

THE RETURN OF THE KING

[@UltraGreatsword]

I always like to see new resources for people to get into Digimon.

[@StellaEFZ]

Good video. "Play" decks can be absolutely wild, devas for example can barely run any level3-4 and still work out, or certain Xros decks can run from 4 to 8 rookies and still be perfectly viable, then there's Machinedramon which is also incredibly funny, and the recently released Dark Masters, etc, but imho they're the funniest decks in the game

[@PascalisNear]

The KING is HERE 🎉

[@thebattlecityboyzDIGIMON]

Great video! New players should really find this helpful! 🤙

[@MJ-oi6ul]

I feel ukkomon forces everyone to run 5 eggs now lol

[@thevantaxzone7910]

7:00 - In my case im playing with a digimon level ratio of 14/10/8/6/1 (3 to 7) 39 digimons 6 Options 5 Tamers

[@JoshuaPAMployee]

D-Brigade just goes by the simple rule of "Everything is a suggestion". 😂 You stack, you hard play, your boss monster needs support, your boss monster needs none.

[@IcarusOOT]

Digivolvution Enjoyer upload? Splendid. Ngl I think a good consistent upload you could do is archetype reviews

[@GunbladeKnight]

Only thing I would mention is to have a "Gaia Force" type card. These include, but are not limited to: Gaia Force, Chaos Degredation, Holy Judgment, Great Maelstrom, etc. I also like low cost kill spells to take care of any enemy floodgates you have trouble with.

[@digivolutionenjoyer]

Those are the cards I'm referring to when I talk about removal options

[@GunbladeKnight]

@@digivolutionenjoyer Sorry, I must have missed when you mentioned those.

[@digivolutionenjoyer]

Nah don't apologize, I should have been more clear about it. Thanks for the feedback!@@GunbladeKnight

[@paulokawanishi]

Great video! Just curious if there are official documents about deck building. I'm reading the material in the Discord you shared already, but I don't remember seeing the terminology you used (engine, for example) in the rulebook.

[@digivolutionenjoyer]

Engine isn't an official term, it's part of the player-created TCG lexicon. My next video will be covering tons of terms, both official and unofficial!

[@RaineBans]

what if i played 12 level 3s, 12 level 4s, 4 level 5s, 4 level 6s and 3 level 7s? i made a quartzmon stun deck with vegetation types and wendigomon/terriermon. i havent got to play it yet and i dunno if i should cut down on options to put some more level 5s. btw i play the game online with online friends so i dont get to play the game alot. also i built the deck with yugioh brain

[@digivolutionenjoyer]

How are you intending to go into Quartz? Digivolving from a level 5 will be tough because there's only 4 in the whole deck. Digivolving from a level 6 will be even tougher because you need to hit a 4-of level 5 AND a 4-of level 6. Unless you're trying to cheat out Quartz with Armor Texture I think the deck will be a consistency nightmare. If Quartz isn't the main wincon and you're trying to do some alliance rush thing, you still need more than 4 level 5s.

[@RaineBans]

@@digivolutionenjoyer what level 5s do you recommend? i had argomon, blossomon 2 bt10 cherrymon and now i added 4 bt14 lillymons. i dunno if i can fit more than 4 level 6s tho. i can show list if you would like to help but keep in mind that im inexperienced

[@digivolutionenjoyer]

Go ahead and post the list. Can't give an informed recommendation without it really. @@RaineBans

[@RaineBans]

i posted the list above. im thinking i could play the other level 6 argomon or bloomlord cant decide which tho@@digivolutionenjoyer

[@digivolutionenjoyer]

KZbin may have deleted your link. Export the text version and post that instead.@@RaineBans

[@istorm6887]

Do stack and hardplay decks come in a variety of types like aggro, control, midrange, ramp? most decks ive seen were otk style

[@kholdkhaos64ray11]

Yeah. Both there are multiple different stack and hard play decks that cover different playstyles. For example, the Amphimon example he was showing is not an otk deck and more midrange/control. Generally looking at color would indicate it but some archetypes blur the line a bit if not outright choose which playstyle to build because of their plethora of options. From my experience, Digimon tends to favor agression in some way shape or form, at least in terms of the cards it likes to release but that's from my pov.

[@digivolutionenjoyer]

Yes definitely, but most decks still have a significant aggro/combo/ramp component just because of how the game is designed. It's not like MTG or Yugioh where a whole swathe of decks are designed around stalling and disruption. There's only a handful of those in Digimon. Not an expert on other games tho so take this with a grain of salt. True OTK combos are relatively rare and a lot has to go right to pull them off. Most meta decks can reliably "OTK" from 4 security tho which is just as good most of the time.

[@BeWrong666]

This is the first time i heard of "stack" and "hard play" decks. This doesnt really explain deck types compared to architypes (control, aggro, mid range and combo). As digimon is mainly on stacking as a unique mechanic to the game compared to other tcgs. There are only a few "hard play" decks and mostly "hard play" cards are part of some decks. Nice tutorial but a bit off at the start due to this.

[@digivolutionenjoyer]

Thanks for the feedback. I plan to do another video covering gameplay types like aggro, control, etc.

[@Jerome616]

How do you playtest when you don’t have a game partner?

[@digivolutionenjoyer]

Honestly I'm not experienced with that so I'm hesitant to give any advice. My recommendation would be to try to find someone to play with online, either through webcam or TTS/Untap/etc.

[@Jerome616]

@@digivolutionenjoyerIt's dope you have people willing to help you out like that. Lets keep hoping for a online client soon.

[@tsohgallik]

Make 2 decks😂 and just play out cards in front of yourself 😂😂😂

[@Oops-All-Agumon]

What about tamer based decks? Hybrids and Hunters both fall under both categories shouldn't've it have been its own type of deck style? Also listing pros and cons to each style would have been nice as something else to go over. Hard play decks generally lack card draw because it isn't evolving to contently cycle and need alternative ways at fining its pieces. Then stack based decks have a hard time playing the game when you dont see the cards in the correct order or the works less efficiently when it sees the less optimal piece to its engine. I would have defined why players run cards at specific copies better based on math. 4 means you want to see it every game as much as possible, 3 is you only need to see it 1 per game but still want to see it. 2 is you sometimes want to see it but is not needed every game. then 1 is the awkward number that you are forced to or you have extra space for. Just another nit pick i would not have labeled removal/counter tech as support because they are not supporting the deck at all and are there to hose on the opponent. They are more counter tech and you could have talked counter tech more.

[@digivolutionenjoyer]

Tamer based decks are just hard play decks at the end of the day. I explained in the video that some hard play decks use tamers and option cards instead of digimon. 2nd point is valid, I just don't think having that knowledge changes how the game is played or how decks are built so I left it out. Idk what you're trying to say with your 3rd point. It's obvious that having more copies of a card means you will see it more often. I don't think tech needs its own category because not every deck uses tech/removal cards. That's why I emphasize playtesting to decide if your deck truly needs it.

[@Oops-All-Agumon]

@@digivolutionenjoyer But playing a tamer and then using it to start the stack is different than playing something like a blue flare metalgreymon. sure you have to play the tamer but you also are going up an evolutionary line. Most decks these days that are good have ways to set up their tamers so you also are not really hard playing tamers all the time. It is similar with hunters too as both decks NEED and do evolve. they have good success and performance on the meta game because of the difference in play style compared to the other 2 play style already listed and is different enough from both to deserve its own category. with point 2 having that knowledge helps players choose what deck type they want to lean more into and is only benefiting the view. If they say want to play a control deck well there is sec con a hard play deck and blackwargreymon a stack based one. a player might lean more towards one over the other because of the different deck styles knowing their pros and con. point 3 was just more and better clarification could have been used to help understand why player play more cards at different quantities better. yes not every deck needs tech and that is important to note but tech and support are very clearly different purposes on why a card is ran to begin with. like i mentioned earlier support is to help and tech is to hurt and knowing the difference is important.

[@atjantis5555]

Tamer based decks are more hard play decks then stack decks. Hybrids are more of a grey area but you can't convince me hunters isn't clearly a hard play deck. Having cards with sources is a core machanic of the game. Both Beelstar and Sec Con are clearly hard play deck but both do like to digivolve sometimes to benefit from that core mechanic as well. Tamer based decks are the same. Idk if new players need to keep this in mind as much as you think. Playing a deck around a digimon line you like regardless on how optimal it is is more important imo. And if they don't like the playstyle of those decks they can try something else. That's somthing you naturally will run into and idk if it needed to be spelled out like you wanted in this video. Thats exactly what he said in the segment with the ratios. You know the core engine at 4. Memory tamers at 3 to avoid redundancy. 2 for finishers like blitz omni for when you want it and 1 for those spicy tech cards and limited cards. Remember? But don't they support your deck in bad matchups? The more "Well actually" and "Here are a lot of exceptions" the worse new players will understand the fundamentals of how the game works.

[@Oops-All-Agumon]

@@atjantis5555 I guess the determinizing factor with tamer based decks is how much they evolve. evolving 1 main stage (eggs don't count) is clearly not enough but evolving 2 stages is a little more substantial needing that extra investment which is why some decks should have that 3rd category because he are breaking things down too broadly that is coming off as miss information as the core to my arguments. Not all new players as new to TCG's and some have plenty of other TCG experience. Some are looking for specific types of information to correlate it to what they already know which again is why i bring this up as i am in this camp too and that information would have helped me when i first started pick what decks i lean towards but it didn't. I guess to me it could have been worded differently is all. Again it just came off too vague. Hate cards and support cards are clearly 2 different things. Gazimon as an example is doing absolutely nothing to make my deck work better, it is there to hate on the other player as floodgates do and removal is in the same camp. They are bricks until they are put into specific situations when they are not vs support cards that are actually accelerating the deck. I can always play a memory boost to help my deck but i cannot always play a gaia force. the points that i am trying to make is there could have been more clarity and more useful information. I think the video was good but extremally vague at times when it didn't have to be along with just some information lacking or mislabeled. It isn't like these comments or going to change the video or likely get read by many others but i thought it was important to add just in case.

[@atjantis5555]

@@Oops-All-Agumon Idk if digivolving twice is a big deal and should make a deck fit into its own category. Red hybrid will evo into Aldamon all the time and that clearly is diffent from a WargreymonX stack. Same with new Beelstar using the GabuX line to cycle. They evo like 4 times in one stack but that doesn't make Beelstar a stack deck or something else intirely. If we go by this logic, you should agree with Jesmon and Shinegreymon getting their own catagory too. Which they really shouldn't. They are clearly stack decks but the value they gain by building that stack is board spam. But they still revolve around the stack machanic, when digivolving effects and inhereted effects. This video wasn't intended to define everything perfectly on an arctype level but to find a method to the madness by painting with big strokes on a core mechanical level. That's not miss information. And it should be expected that some decks fit these definitions better then others. But if you have this much TCG experience you should know that hearing how something is played and what it's pros and cons are is very different then actually playing with those styles of decks to see if you like them. So spelling it out like that is unnecessary and it's better to let people find this out on their own. But you can make a fully functional deck without hate cards as you call them. What he called the vanilla build during the playtesting bit. But you can't really make a similar fully functional deck if you leave any of the 3 catagories of cards he mentioned out. Hate cards are a core mechanic of the game as a whole but they don't play an as consistend of a role in every deck that they deserve their own spot for when you are thinking about deckbuilding from scratch. And you said support cards accelerate your deck. Hate cards are the flip side of that coin. slowing the opponent down and theirby effectivly accelerating your own by comparison. In the end they do the same in giving you that edge on your opponent.

[@KuroganeIDragon56]

The best advice for any beginner is don't play purple. Your best cards are gonna get restricted in the future. It's not worth investing time or money into.