How Powerful Was Summoned Skull? | Yu-Gi-Oh!

[@zawardoll]

Fun fact summon skull was Yugi's original Ace monster in the manga. Dark Magician was his grandfather's Ace monster.

[@BmanTheChamp]

Is that why he used it over Dark Magician in the final duel?

[@zawardoll]

@@BmanTheChamp very likely but at that point Dark Magician had become Atem's ace monster, with grandpa now more associated with exodia.

[@silvertipstudio9622]

I mean summoned skull was just straight up better with that since dark magician had no archetype

[@Neo0311]

Nerd! Wait I knew that.

[@InvaderWeezle]

@@BmanTheChamp Yugi only used Summoned Skull in the anime's version of the final duel, so it's maybe a reference to how in the manga it was his original ace but it's hard to say. In the manga version of the final duel the only monsters Yugi uses are the Silent Swordsmen, Silent Magicians, Marshmallon, Gandora, Blockman, and the Gadgets.

[@roshango125ab]

When you were 7 years old and saw this badass looking skeleton demon, and then it fused with red eyes to make an even more badass looking black dragon skeleton demon

[@greedow]

and then joey took summoned skull to his side of the field, and used grave robber to get poly from yugi's graveyard. *chefs kiss

[@christopherb501]

@@greedow And then it returns from its demise a thousand years ago to destroy the "fool" that dared summon it to begin with.

[@Raycroissant]

When I first saw B. Skull Dragon I just lost my fucking mind and I didn't even play the game.

[@ducky36F]

@@greedow was so pumped seeing Joey pull that one off 😂

[@mohammadsaddam4560]

I remember the first time i summoned black skull dragon. i scream the fuck out of my throat and my brother got involved in the hype

[@ThatguyLouis-mc4dt]

props to Dzeef for not going straight into Dark Magician or Blue Eyes Summon Skull doesn't get enough spotlight as an OG card

[@annedrieck7316]

What about dark magician girl?

[@christopherb501]

We're probably going to have to go thru Dark Magician first before Otes or whomever plays it as a Legend in Sevens. They could surprise us - Red-Eyes _did_ come up first - but I'm not optimistic.

[@TheArchfiendGuy]

Yeah you're right! I'm glad Summoned Skull has that recent wave of support and it gives me hope to see more in the future

[@nasis18]

My favorite card.

[@jameszetterman4487]

I'm still waiting for "Summoned Skull Servant" (This monster is always treated as an Archfiend) (This monster is always treated as a Wight)

[@breadeater1194]

Demon no Waito

[@Minastir1]

"demon wight" aka "summoned skull servant", let's cross the bad translations

[@Bkindmonk]

On the field it’s name is summoned skull, still treated as an arch fiend. In GY it’s treated as Skull Servant. Love it! I want a play set now

[@BrodinYT]

@@Bkindmonk Archfiend Skull Servant Tier 1 Deck When?

[@skullservant8486]

I'd play it

[@Himothy_Wayne]

Really cool series. A Flame Swordsman episode needs to come at some point. The awkwardness that it wasn’t originally a fusion monster, then became one, but then one of the main characters just nonchalantly played it like it was a regular monster. Weird history for such an iconic card.

[@Rioluman10]

Weirdly enough, Flame Swordsman isn't the only one of Joey's monsters to get this treatment. Giltia the D. Knight was also a normal monster.

[@christopherb501]

And for some reason, never became an archetype.

[@JorgeLuiz487]

man i wish a flame swordsman archetype or a new new retrain that mayyyybe is part of red eyes cuz JOEY USES YOU GET IT

[@JorgeLuiz487]

@@AxisChurchDevotee yeah but cmon lets get some gx and 5ds nostalgia now please or maybe a new gate guardian retrain and arquetype

[@koalafromtomorrow5656]

Actually it csuee Japanese didn't want 4 kid to use card

[@geossi]

Fun Fact: Summoned Skull is based on the Magic the Gathering card Lord of the Pit. The Japanese name Daemon Summon comes from the old magic card's typeline which read Summon Demon

[@ScrilboBaggins]

Summoned skull + axe of despair was my go to power combo back in the day. 💀 🪓

[@Trekkie46]

Or Malevolent Nuzzler for us poor kids that couldn't get our hands on many fancy ultra rares back then.

[@rolkflameraven1483]

@@Trekkie46 why not both? Or way back when we were stupid and horn of the unicorn.

[@TheArchfiendGuy]

I remember Summoned Skull Beatdown being a thing. If only we knew about it being an Archfiend card all those years ago, could have made Pandemonium work with him too!

[@nasis18]

I used it with metalmorph. Such a great combo.

[@barakbrooks9288]

The "this card is always treated as an archfiend card" duo

[@rainbowdragon168]

Summoned Skull a unique icon of the Archfiend archetype

[@Ramsey276one]

Fully agree

[@christopherb501]

Considering it was one of the first cards Yugi ever used, may very well have been up for being 'the ace' instead of Dark Magician given the Attribute and ATK, was one of the best Normal Monsters of the original sets, and was literally the first ever 'Demon' in the game, it bloody well better be.

[@TheArchfiendGuy]

Yeah he's awesome!

[@CD-Gaming]

The origin of it, even as Demon Skull! There's been a new Archfiend/Demon card in each Animé series, pretty much! Counts for somert, right?

[@christopherb501]

@@CD-Gaming "Summoned Demon", actually; the "skull" emphasis is entirely wrought from translation and avoidance of the specific word "demon".

[@cyberguardragon7291]

While everyone was a fan of Dark Magician and Blue-Eyes, Summoned Skull and Red-Eyes were the ones I was into.

[@justinlewis1248]

I loved all of these cards. (Also, I hate to be that guy but *Blue-Eyes not White-Eyes lol)

[@TheArchfiendGuy]

Yeah Summoned Skull is the best, hoping for more support!

[@cyberguardragon7291]

@@justinlewis1248 Wasn't me, it was the autocorrect. :P Thanks for pointing that out. Appreciate it. Don't know what I was thinking of when I posted. lol :D

[@afroman5160]

Me too lol

[@JorgeLuiz487]

lets be honest a fucking demon and a black dragon that is really black not a cyan WHITE dragon in anime is a lot more interesting

[@pkwytv]

The first generic boss monster

[@jamg25]

That was the Hitotsu-Me Giant in the OCG.

[@TheArchfiendGuy]

I remember Summoned Skull Beatdown being the top deck back in the day

[@nabkill0134]

@@TheArchfiendGuyyeah i believe they used it for 1 or 2 pack before they move to jinzo.

[@thatguy8607]

Well yeah it’s dark magician without as many tributes needed

[@mkrudesign4036]

Really like this new series. Anything yugioh history related is fascinating to me, especially since I've been in and out of the game for its whole existence.

[@Triforce9426]

Even as kids we had the sensibility of "Why would I pay two tributes for a Dark Magician when I can pay ONE tribute for an equally as strong Summoned Skull?"

[@trueblueryu5713]

This is somewhat a shot in the dark based on how the franchise’s themes were meant to work, but because it started without being focused solely on the card game, and the rules developed along with the original manga, Summoned Skull being underused after Duelist Kingdom compared to Dark Magician was more about thematic essence rather than competitive viability. Both are dark monsters but Summoned Skull is a creepy fiend while Dark Magician is an intelligent sorcerer. Dark Magician is a better representation of the balance going on between Yugi/Atem and being able to use the darkness existing within, but still not going into evil tendencies (YGO does that with light/dark not always equating to good/evil). He runs a lot of dark monsters, some being as harmless as Kuriboh, so it works to highlight how he doesn’t lose control to the evil. Having Summoned Skull for any large chunk of Battle City would have invalidated Dark Magician, and that doesn’t really work, especially since he rarely used most of his above 4 star monsters at that point, and they wanted to keep the iconic character. Summoned Skull is an interesting card and has an important place in YGO history, but it was more brushed aside for the sake of the show.

[@breadeater1194]

Funny enough, at least in the anime, Yugi uses Summoned Skull against Atem.

[@jacobtamminga5560]

Keep up the great yu gi oh vids man. Great to watch authentic creators

[@Sealbinder]

Really good series idea. These old cards are the ones i know best. I played 2003 to 2005 while in college and only returned to the game again in 2020. Have good memories with these old cards.

[@nickharper8682]

Using makiu to wet the field to conduct summon skulls lighting is busted.

[@TheArchfiendGuy]

Just like destroying Castle of Dark Illusion's floatation ring to crush all the monsters below it XD

[@luantib]

Fun trivia: here in Brazil they also misstranslate the card name to Skull King so the card is even cooler in the anime dub

[@greedow]

Atem - REI CAVEIRA!

[@afroman5160]

That is a dope name.

[@jayclearmen411]

we need a wight/wyte retrain.. make it a pseudo-gemini… that is both zombie an fiend.. archfiend and zombie.

[@fapuloes]

Starter Deck Yugi was my first deck and summoned skull my favorite card. I always loved when they were seen in the anime and I drew them so many times as a kid. Such an iconic and striking design.

[@acsu96]

Fun idea for a series! It's nice to look back at a bunch of forgotten cards that used to be really popular. Interesting that despite the DM retrains and overhauls we've gotten over the years, Summoned Skull is still pretty far from the most popular ones like DM, Blue Eyes, harpies

[@JuIioBarriga]

I remember the first time I saw Summoned Skull card at primary school. It was Xmas eve and when I saw it I really felt in love with the artwork. I can say I started playing Yugioh because of him.

[@seda_11]

I remember summoned skull being a beast in the early yugioh video games. Specifically I remember using him a lot in stairway to the destined duel.

[@TheArchfiendGuy]

I invested way too many hours into that game XD one of the best Yugioh games in my opinion

[@nasis18]

My favorite card. This card won me a lot of duels back in the day.

[@noahpeace7253]

This is such an awesome idea for a series! I think the big anime protagonist monsters they used before they got their Ace monsters would be a perfect fit. Cards like Flame Wingman, Junk Warrior etc would be awesome to hear you discuss. Always great to see the awesome content you come out with man :)

[@TheArchfiendGuy]

Summoned Skull is one of the coolest monsters that's also one of the oldest. With Archfiends being one of the very first archetypes, I fell in love with them and their art style, to the point where I want to make the best Archfiends decks possible. Skull Archfiend of Lightning is probably my favourite variant looks-wise! The new Summoned Skull retrains look awesome and I hope for new support in the future! Archfiend's Manifestation can help replenish your resources in an Archfiend deck, being able to use Fusion Recycling Plant to recycle your Heiress for additional searches for example, or more spot removal with Archfiend Emperor

[@danaltamirano2546]

Patiently waiting for Jinzo, my favorite card.

[@MichaelSD91]

Will never forget seeing Yugi summon this monster against Weevil and saying these iconic words "Summoned Skull lightning strike!" I used to have a secret rare summoned skull from one of the first tins from back in the day. In the manga Summoned Skull was level 7 and it's a good thing the anime changed the level. Seeing Celtic Guardian or Gaia the Fierce Knight would be real cool.

[@Moshuun]

Could’ve sworn I had a secret summoned skull. 🤔🤔🤔

[@jacob7436]

2002 collector's tin

[@kylegonewild]

Yooo I remember having one of them too

[@BigHoffa]

Mine’s a bit beat up, but I still love it

[@adamvalero8605]

All of the Duel Links players: Umm...Archfiend's Call is really really good in Duel Links!

[@mateosalas2057]

I was about to comment that, but you did it first

[@cp_M14]

Is not that good, but is used in some OTK win fast, lose fast KOG worthy decks, actually in competitive duel links the zombie version of Summoned Skull was the most used variant from all, mostly due to shirastaples (Shiranui) decks

[@Mario-xh1lq]

I use it to synchro summon Hundred Eyes and Infernity doom dragon lol

[@ub_2001]

Fun fact: of these 4, we only miss the ritual Fusion : Jaden/Yubel farm Synchro : Kalin farm Xyz : SR ranked duels ticket

[@TheArchfiendGuy]

Yeah! Keeping the Archfiend cards alive in some shape or form XD Book of Moon? Pft!

[@0000m00]

Great start to a new series, Doug!

[@reychappell]

The anniversary pack version on Celtic Guardian is one of my favorite artworks. He looks so badass.

[@greedow]

3:17 - Also, when it appeared in the anime, it meant business! took down weevil, the paradox brothers... almost took down pegasus in episode 2, but the time ran out. and it looks really fucking cool! summoned skull is such a boss

[@TheArchfiendGuy]

No one messes with Summoned Skull and gets away with it!

[@Snargglecraft]

Summoned Skull Servant support when?

[@zigadox]

that's a cursed idea

[@bruno0518]

I..I would really like that

[@snowboundwhale6860]

He's a Summoned Skull on the field, but an Skull Servant in the GY But still treated as an Archfiend card at all times. I guess it's still a Fiend though, maybe it's also a Zombie in the GY along with being a Skull Servant? Or we just splash Zombie World

[@christopherb501]

What would that OCG name even be? "Summoned Wight Demon"?

[@puregino]

@@snowboundwhale6860 Like Skelesaurus? Gemini monster that's a zombie treated as dinosaur when gemini summoned.

[@Saber_234]

Excited to see more of this series

[@felipehernandez8884]

This was my favorite boss monster in my deck back when I was a kid and still have my original starter deck copy to this day, I would love a dedicated summoned skull archetype one day.

[@TheRoyalPharaoh23]

They screwed us over on that, they made Extra deck support of him, but no monsters. However for some reason Seiyaryu got his own deck before him, Annoying.

[@bbrodriguez33]

Summoned skull was always my favourite of the OG boss monsters along with Jinzo.

[@colemanholth3740]

So hype about this new series! I don't know much about the past 15 years of the TCG, but I'd love to see Gemini Elf or Gate Guardian videos, as those are some of the most iconic cards of my childhood.

[@mythplatypuspwned]

8:50 Those cards were also released in Duel Links at about the same time, so they were mostly played there instead of the physical TCG.

[@heartless2147]

I really hope you do more videos like this, even if a lot of original Yugioh monsters aren't competitive these days, no one can deny that a lot of those cards are iconic. I'm surprised Konami doesn't make more decks based around monsters from the original series, even they have to know that the original series is largely beloved by the fans despite it's flaws. Of course ace cards like Blue Eyes, Red Eyes, Dark Magician, Black Luster Soldier and Gaia the Fierce Knight got theirs, but what about Jinzo or even Castle of Dark Illusion? Jinzo got some support over the years, but I doubt they would make a campaign to modernize Panik's deck.

[@RealDerekDean]

This man makes so many good video styles

[@roldy2157]

I used to think Vorse Raider is what Summoned Skull looked like before he died and turned into a skull or something. Random lore you make up as a kid

[@xSacrollyd]

Thank you for teaching the new school players (if they even watch this series) where we come from. Well yes, i was there when it all started in the TCG, and yes, i am still playing the game to this date, and yes, i play current Meta or Tier 2 decks, BUT i will always remember how we played our 1st Edtion SDY, SDK, LOB, yada yada cards without sleeves and later sell all of our cards or gift them away because "it's a kids game and i'm too old for this".

[@kelvsyc8676]

This needed the Rush Duel Legend Card version of Summoned Skull. Being immortalized as a Legend Card in the new format probably means something, no matter how unplayable it may be in that format.

[@christopherb501]

Considering how quickly they printed Jinzo as a Legend, it sure won't be for high-ATK utility for 1 Tribute, at any rate.

[@TheArchfiendGuy]

Summoned Skull as a legend card is super swol XD you seen his neck?

[@MexicanNamedBrandon]

I always wanted too see petit dragon turn into a badass dragon that’s hard to summon but the effect is crazy worth it

[@jayclearmen411]

I think you mean contrary to your thoughts it rather easy.. really Ranryu Lv 4 Wind Atk 1500 Def 200 Dragon/Effect You can only control 1 "Ranryu". If you control a Spellcaster monster, you can Special Summon this card (from your hand). If this card is destroyed by battle or card effect and sent to the GY: You can target 1 monster with 1500 ATK/200 DEF in your GY, except "Ranryu"; Special Summon it.

[@jayclearmen411]

i think so too it should be like the Gagagigo Archtype..with various versions at levels..kinda like level monster with the LV up effect. Petite dragon starts at level 2 an it goes on an so forth. LV 4 ATK 1850 Def 1100 LV 6 ATK 2650 Def 1600 LV 8 ATK 2950 Def 2900

[@paulgrillo4153]

Yeah in Duel links I used magical mist with my Thunder Dragons and Summoned Skull. It was a good combo for my deck.

[@justinnoble6393]

There's so many good options for this series, you have buster blader, gia/curse of dragon, black luster soldier and many more. Can't wait for the new content. :)

[@InvaderWeezle]

For anyone who doesn't know, the Archfiend archetype in Japanese was called "Daemon", a word that the TCG has always been unwilling to keep for censorship reasons. Before Dark Crisis came out Daemons weren't an archetype yet so every card with Daemon in its name got censored into wildly different names, which is how you get stuff like "Summoned Daemon" becoming "Summoned Skull" and "Daemon's Axe" becoming "Axe of Despair". But then the Chess Archfiends in Dark Crisis also used the word "Daemon" which caused all those earlier cards to retroactively become part of the archetype.

[@TheArchfiendGuy]

And the archetype with the coolest art style was born! XD

[@SaulGMV]

Really looking forward to this series. Cheers!

[@iBenjamin1000]

Summoned skull is at the very least my favorite normal monsters and probably my favorite duel monsters card. It's the perfect rep of old school monsters, along with the other monsters with the archfiend skeleton look. Black skull dragon is one of my favorite fusion monsters. I'm pretty happy with the amount of summoned skull shout related cards but a whole archetype? Sign me up!

[@TheArchfiendGuy]

Black Skull Dragon is very cool, I agree. It's also treated as an Archfiend card which is nice. The Archfiend art style is one of the reasons why I like the archetype so much!

[@disasterarchfiend9638]

Honestly, I like Red Eyes Archfiend Lord of Lightning. The built in Makiu effect has honestly come through for me a load in Duel Links vs every day Blue Eyes Players, and considering my adornment for vanilla monsters, the ease of use due to the red eyes support and all, I feel like that's a path that should be taken into consideration for future summoned skull "support." Makiu has also had a couple of other effects, including a "Forbidden Droplet" effect, as well as the effect to power Thunder type monsters. I'd like to see Konami put out a dual typed Summoned with a stun effect akin to Destiny Hero Plasma. "This card is also treated as Thunder Type while face up on the field and in graveyard. While this monster card is face up on the field, Your opponent can not activate monster effects that would target a card(s) you control."

[@emanuelmoreno2272]

You are an icon on this game

[@okaykoolaid49]

Why did this card and Dark Magician have the same ATK, even though Dark Magician was supposed to be the better one?

[@rainbowdragon168]

Because they both have 2500 ATK

[@ducky36F]

I always wondered why yugi favoured Dark Magician in season 1 when I was a kid when Summoned Skull was just as strong 😂

[@noukan42]

Because in duelist kingdom the summoning rules where mhewhatever and so Dark Magician was better. Later on DM had a lot of support cards and was not used as just a beater.

[@trueblueryu5713]

This is somewhat a shot in the dark based on how the franchise’s themes were meant to work, but because it started without being focused solely on the card game, and the rules developed along with the original manga, it was more about thematic essence rather than competitive viability. Both are dark monsters but Summoned Skull is a creepy fiend while Dark Magician is an intelligent sorcerer. Dark Magician is a better representation of the balance going on between Yugi/Atem and being able to use the darkness existing within, but still not going into evil tendencies (YGO does that with light/dark not always equating to good/evil). He runs a lot of dark monsters, some being as harmless as Kuriboh, so it works to highlight how he doesn’t lose control to the evil.

[@erickjr9]

Being fair, the original manga put Exodia as Yugi's icon card on the OG Kaiba vs Yugi duel, during Duelist Kingdom you can see that with Exodia out of the play, the cards that took the spotlight were DM, SK, Gaia and then BLS and the Magician of Black Chaos as the powerhouses, but once we got to Battle City, Yugi's deck had this "rework", with cards like DMG and more DM support, so BLS, Gaia and SK dissapeared, having less spotlight than even Kuriboh, but the biggest spotlight for DM was the duel against Arkana, with that duel Takahashi actually created a relationship with Yugi and the Pharaoh, thing that didn't happen with most of his cards, and then having all of this support and the focus on the Gods, most of the older cards on his deck were completely forgotten. Then you have the last arc, Mahad's story and all that, so DM acquires real plot relevance and throws everything else out of the box.

[@anarchist135]

Cool series would love to see more

[@johncrews7750]

Hype! My favorite card, and we just got Archfiend's Ascent in Duel Links! I'd love to see Icons videos for Buster Blader and Dark Magician

[@TheArchfiendGuy]

Archfiends for tier 0! XD

[@johncrews7750]

@@TheArchfiendGuy Lol I wish! The chess archfiends are awesome looking but not so powerful

[@thethinlinebetweenloveandh4101]

This was more of a history of summoned skull. But definitely a good idea to create a series reflecting these classic iconic monsters.

[@magic_cardboard]

The next could be for Jinzo and his new support last year !!!!

[@nexidal9656legacy]

I can see summoned skull as a new D/D/D archetype. We have SS ritual, fusion, synchro and xyz. All we need are proper tuners and a link. (Archfiend's Vow, or something like that). And some S&T support.

[@M4nj0]

I Build recently a summoned skull archfiend deck....love it,and i love him more than blue eyes and dark magician.

[@kinnundo6434]

Deadass this is my favourite yugioh card of all time, I love it so much and I'm so glad its getting some acknowledgement, thanks Dzeeff!

[@TheArchfiendGuy]

Yeah Summoned Skull is awesome and deserves more support!

[@Slayerthecrow]

It would be cool if they make summoned skull a deck, if they ever make support for that idea I think that we can use some of the Jinzo Idea of making the support revolve around cards that list Summoned Skull as a way to work around the fact that they aren't an archetype technically, the boss monster I think should be a Link 5 (Pentagram Style arrows) with an effect similar to monsters like Red-Eyes Dark Dragoon combined with Apollousa by getting more power depending of how many Summoned Skull you used as materials.

[@TheArchfiendGuy]

Summoned Skull already works fairly well in a pure Archfiend deck, but I agree with you there needs to be more support. We need way more spell/trap support. Maybe a Makiu the Magical Mist retrain that becomes searchable through Heiress or something

[@Slayerthecrow]

@@TheArchfiendGuy It would be cool if they make level 3 fiends with designs that make reference to Overlord, and providing quick swarming of all the other summoned skull to make the end goal quicker, an archfiend fusion with a neos fusion kind of effect but restricting your specials just to fiend type, and some link 1 to make 1 card combos quicker.

[@TheArchfiendGuy]

@@Slayerthecrow the archetype definitely needs an "Archfiend Fusion" perhaps as a quickplay. I made a custom fusion spell once that let you also destroy Archfiends if fusing for an Archfiend monster. That way you'd also get their destruction effects

[@Slayerthecrow]

@@TheArchfiendGuy I like your idea, it could be "fusion summon an archifiend fusion monster by destroying archifiend monsters in your field or hand as fusion materials listed in the card. if you fusion summon and fusion monster that lists "Summoned skull" as it's material you can destroy archfiends in your deck as fusion materials" So that way it won't be abused by other archetypes not to mention the clause of once per turn only..

[@TheArchfiendGuy]

@@Slayerthecrow sending from the deck could be great actually. Sending Heiress for a free search for example

[@hughman9975]

My favourite monster, probably a factor in my lifelong habit of doodling skeletal demons on any piece of paper available

[@TheArchfiendGuy]

One of my favourites too!

[@LunarWingCloud]

Summoned Skull was a really good card for its time. Its time is long gone, but damn if it wasn't a go-to Tribute Summoned early in

[@phillipwhite7850]

Great video Doug. Love the idea of this series

[@HerrNossie]

A summoned skull deck would be so cool!

[@Kellomania]

Good looking and worth to summon just with 1 monster sacrifice 2500LP! i still have this guy in my Deck even nowdays! 😇

[@riicky83]

I still remember back in the good old PS1 days with Forbidden memories and fusing Summoned Skull with Red-eye black Dragon to make Red-eyes black skull dragon and this was before I ever saw the episodes where Yugi and Joey teamed up to make this epic combo.

[@TheArchfiendGuy]

Forbidden Memories is such an amazing game

[@JJMomoida]

Apologies for the long post. Summoned Skull was iconic to me, not only for how it was a staple of sorts in Yugi's deck throughout the series, but how emblematic the card was of the ART at the time. One of the things that stood out to me about YGO, as a 12-year-old kid just kinda getting into the game, was the general *dark* theme a lot of the cards had going for them at the time. What I mean to say is, it felt like there was a whole lot of just generally dark imagery associated with the game. You had demons, spirits, zombies, rituals, torture devices, etc etc... and of course, the most basic mechanic that is SUMMONING. While I scoffed at it, I could SEE why some heavily-conservative parents would look at something like that and think their child was summoning the devil... lol. Regardless... it gave this sort of "edge" to the game. Like, you'd look at it and think "oh now *that's* cool-looking." I'd be lying if I said I didn't join the game cause the art of the cards is what drew me to it haha Now, full disclosure: I kinda fell off actively playing the game back in like... 2008, but I've kept up with the new card types, rules, etc just kinda on the periphery. I can't say I've taken a look at every new card that has come out ever since I stopped playing, of course, but I get a distinct feeling that the game's sorta... lost some of its edgy aspects? Don't get me wrong, I know full well that the game had plenty of cute shit "back in the day" but I get the feeling that the ratio has been tilted in favor of all that cute stuff... Not that I have a problem with it (would love to make a madolche deck cause those cards are cute af) but I think it has lost some of its art appeal...

[@TheArchfiendGuy]

The art style of Archfiends appealed to me quite a bit when I saw them for the first time. Cards like Terrorking Archfiend always looked really cool. Pretty much from Dark Crisis, Archfiends have always been my favourite archetype, and a big factor is the art style I wonder what new cards they'll make in the future!?

[@mohammadsaddam4560]

If you want some edge play D/D/D. you probably going to have some cuts bcoz their artwork

[@Acecard-jl2py]

I could imagine Summoned Skull having this insane ability to pull off different extra deck variants of itself. Like it can switch on the fly. Fuse it, Ritual it, Xzy it out or Synchro it out to make some interesting variants. It probably wouldn't be very practical but it could be fun.

[@TheArchfiendGuy]

And retrain Makiu the Magical Mist into some crazy field spell that let's him lightning strike everything

[@drewmantheoriginal]

Bro if they gave summoned skull the thunder dragon treatment, that would be insane!

[@TheArchfiendGuy]

Here's hoping for more support!

[@SEMIA123]

I've run blue eyes almost exclusively in Duel Links for 3ish years now but I think summoned skull is probably one of the only archtypes I'd switch to.

[@clairequartzzygo]

YESSS Summoned Skull!! Heheh. He is such a badass. I JUST uploaded a video yesterday showing my 1st edition mrd Summoned Skull and action figure :O

[@Bluestar899TCG]

Interesting concept. I think a monster series to eventually talk about is Black Luster Soldier and his many forms. People know about Envoy of the Beginning and the original but there’s like 3-4 other BLS retrains out there that aren’t as talked about.

[@avariceseven9443]

Duel Links Trivia : Archfiend Zombie-Skull was quite popular in Duel Links back when shiranui was still tier 0. It can be summoned easily by shiranui spectral sword using only 2 material including the tuner.

[@Luminousplayer]

Summoned skull then randomly became an archfiend card alongside axe of despair for some reason

[@TheArchfiendGuy]

If Axe of Despair became an Archfiend card when I was younger, I could have used Falling Down to take monsters all day in my locals. Was a shame not to get those updates until later

[@shadoweagle2432]

A summoned skull deck to the same level as blue-eyes/dark magician would be super cool. While I'm not apposed to it being like meta defining or anything I do hope they don't treat it like thunder dragon where the original card wasn't very important and was arguably better to play without it.

[@TheArchfiendGuy]

I agree with this! I'd love for enough support where it focuses on the card and the main deck for its power. It wouldn't be great if it just became an engine to link climb into Borrelsword or something

[@ButFirstHeLitItOnFire]

I had a fun idea for another SS retrain, by bleeding it into the Wight/Skull-Servant archetype: _Archfiend Skull Servant_ (DARK Level 6 Zombie/pendulum/tuner/effect Pendulum scale: 0 Pendulum effect: Each time a card(s) is sent to the Graveyard, inflict 300 damage to its owner for each card sent. Once per turn, you may banish one “zombie” or “fiend” type monster from your field or GY; destroy all monsters your opponent controls with DEF less than or equal to the ATK of that monster. You cannot conduct your Battle Phase the turn you activate this card. If this card you control is removed from the field by an opponent's card: You can Special Summon 1 "Summoned Skull" or 1 “skull servant” from your hand, Deck, or GY. Monster effect: This cards original name is treated as “Skull Servant” and “Summoned Skull” while in your hand, field or GY. This card cannot be used as material for an extra deck monster unless you control one “king of the skull servants” on your side of the field. Once per turn (quick effect), you can change this cards (in your hand, field, or GY) original type to either “fiend” or “zombie”. This monster gains 300 ATK for every “skull servant”, “King of Skull Servants”, and “Archfiend” monster(s) on the field or in the GY, and deals piercing battle damage. If this card you control is removed from the field by an opponent's card: You can Special Summon 1 "Summoned Skull" or 1 “skull servant” from your hand, Deck, or GY. ATK/2500 DEF/1200

[@lotgc]

I had a deck of only normal monsters, and I ran 3 of these lmaoo. It was actually really good. My friends couldn't beat me, and they had actual decks

[@randomuchiha6126]

6:53 dzeeff : archefiend zombie skull is hard to summon Shiranui spectralsword : hold my beer

[@inkyno1]

I always liked the fact that the Yugi, the protagonist, had all the Dark Fiend/Spellcaster and otherwise stereotypically "evil" monsters, while Seto, the anti-hero, had all the Light Warrior/Dragon and otherwise "good" monsters.

[@christopherb501]

It _is_ a curious thing, that; we don't normally see people consistently using cards _that_ far off the mark with their real personalities. It's one thing when it's a reveal, like with Sora and his Frightfurs, but they never really have that kind of twist for either Yugi.

[@MEGASTRIX]

Wow this is such an interesting insight. Also really ironic considering Kaiba was really crazy before.

[@Shay96]

They kept up with that theme in GX, too. Not so much in decks, but the fact that Supreme King was referred to as the gentle darkness, brought about to prevent the Light of Destruction from wiping out everything.

[@Asterx5]

blue eyes smiling : hello my true OG rival

[@Shay96]

It's funny to think Summoned Skull used to be a better choice for beat down decks before characters' ace monsters started getting more support around them. Having a solid 2500atk beatstick that only required 1 tribute instead of 2 was huge.

[@bluemew22]

The very first format, Yugi-Kaiba Format, was dominated by Summoned Skull because the -F-u-s-i-o-n- Extra Deck wasn't a thing yet and Summoned Skull was the strongest 1 Tribute monster in the game. Blue-Eyes could beat over it, if it was allowed to hit the field, but that required Skull allowing Tribute fodder to live.

[@TeamGentlementlemen]

I didn't even know about the Asia Championship version of Summoned Skull that only had one copy in existence. That'd be a cool video series, if he hasn't already done it.

[@alduinodahviing8215]

Honestly Summoned Skull deserves an upgrade which is going to make it become a staple extra deck monster.

[@TheArchfiendGuy]

I'd love to see some sort of rank 8 retrain considering there's no rank 8 fiends other than D/D/D monsters

[@afroman5160]

Summoned Skull was always my favorite Yugi monster. As a little kid his presence was awesome still is. Dissapointed Yugi did not use it in battle city.

[@abstraction6212]

It's the same ATK as Darth Magician and costs 1 less sacrifice

[@m7in]

cant wait for more

[@thor22ify]

Some of my own other iconic Yugioh cards are Number 1 Dark Magician Girl of course the Jinzo, The Ledgendary Fisherman, Insect Queen, Rocket Warrior, Panther Warrior, Gilford The Lightening, Valkyrion the Magna Warrior, Buster Blader, Magician Valkyria, and Archfiend of Gilfer!

[@5ShadesGaming]

I love Summoned Skull

[@BmanTheChamp]

I hope you plan to cover DMG at some point.

[@BDAShadow1]

Genuinely took me 15 years to realize the brown above his head is the background and not hair. You will never unsee it.

[@primepikachu5]

He's a skull. Why would he have hair

[@andrewyp6724]

@@primepikachu5 Dzeeff didn't mention this when he talked about the mistranslation, but original name of the card is not 'Skull' so. It's more close to 'Summoned Demon', which is why its an archfiend monster to begin with. That said, I watched the TV show first, so was never confused about its looks.

[@BDAShadow1]

@@primepikachu5 Well considering I was 8 when this came out, and it's a game of made up creatures...

[@SleepinGriffin]

Yugi had a lot of evil looking cards for a protag.

[@bigwingedkuriboh]

Does anyone remember how much play this got back in the day? It’s a strong beat stick for those early days

[@bramvaessen1576]

I always remember Summoned Skull for that famous meme, if for nothing else!

[@Blazzardd]

one day this man will have his own archetype (and no im not counting archfiends cause they will never be good)

[@TheArchfiendGuy]

Sad Vilepawn noises

[@tetsushinjou6456]

Okay I knew about everything except the hot wheels thing lol that took me for a loop

[@GunnarWahl]

Summon skull’s synchro monster actually sees some play in duel links being a fairly large body your opponent can’t target

[@Bomberman204]

Lol my Brother and I basically started Yugioh with his Kaiba Starter Deck and my Yugi Starter Deck. Later on down the line we were given a Yugi starter deck to split and we went through and called one card each back and forth through the whole deck; His first choice was Monster Reborn, I called Change of Heart, he picked Dark Hole, I Picked SUMMONED SKULL BABY! Lol Gaia was my favorite Monster in my deck, but Skull was always my best win condition, my Change of Heart/Soul Exchange usually paved the way, hehe the second Card Destruction helping me get to those cards was great too, and oh man when I got Witch of the Black Forest later; it was all over bra... I miss the good old days lol

[@princenoreally]

Summon skull is better then dark magician only taking one tribute instead of 2

[@nikola4107]

I remember wanting to play Summoned skull based deck, and when i searched for cards.. There were like just couple of versions of him, non of them were spells or traps. I was really surprised that such a iconic card was just mostly ignored by Konami.

[@TheArchfiendGuy]

He's pretty decent if you run him in an Archfiend deck because you can then take advantage of cards like Empress to revive and protect. Also cards like Archfiend Heiress to search if used as a fusion material

[@nikola4107]

@@TheArchfiendGuy Yes, but those are fundamentally Archfiend support. Which i get it, he's apart of Archfiend archetype. But i was hoping to see some direct Summoned skull support. Like Red eyes dragon or something like that.

[@TheArchfiendGuy]

@@nikola4107 yeah I agree, would be cool to see more pure Summoned Skull support

[@acemanmkiii]

Ah, Summoned Skull. The OG budget boss monster.

[@cybermax12]

Hmm still have my secret rare version of the tins. I understand mistakes happen but at least you're aware of it now :)

[@JoordyDreaming]

My casual ass back then ,summoned skull was my boss monster xD