Metallicdramon VS Examon!! | Digimon Card Game: EX-03 Dragon's Roar Arena (ROUND 3)

This is Round 3 of the Dragon's Roar Arena, a tournament featuring 8 decks from the 3rd theme booster of the Digimon Card Game: Dragon's Roar. The next two decks to clash are Metallicdramon/Volcanicdramon and Examon. The Black/Red Metallic/Volcanic deck is an ultra control deck that has the interesting mechanic of abusing powerful [On Play] effects as [On Evolve] effects. Combining destruction, de-digivolve and preventing the opponent from even playing or evolving their Digimon, it secures victory by slowly but certainly driving the opponent into a corner. On the other hand, the Green/Blue Examon deck is also an ultra control deck, but one based around DNA/Jogress evolution and battle-based tactics such as forcing the opponent to attack and squashing their Digimon with powerful Blockers that freely suspend and unsuspend. Which side will prove to be the new conquerors of both earth and sky!?
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[@rustmarrow]

I got really lucky with this match. Both decks high-rolled on the very first take, though it took A LOT of time playtesting before I was confident enough to pilot them effectively, especially Examon. Ultimately, I believe the fact is that while both decks have quite explosive potential if you can draw the match out, both are rendered inconsistent by their over-reliance on specific cards. For the Linkz gang, you can't play without Hina. For Exa, anything short of a full Exa play (e.g., shortcut DNAing from Groundra + Wingdra while having Slayerdra & Breakdra in hand) doesn't feel as powerful as what other current decks can achieve. To make matters worse, I feel like Exa has an extremely high skill requirement. I don't claim to have mastered the deck. In my playtesting, I replayed many matches multiples times, trying out different plays at different moments but it still feels like the deck's best play for key situations is extremely difficult to predict. Do I bait an attack or no? Do I go to Lv6 or force a Jogress at 5? When I Exa, do I want Slayer or Break as the hard play? Personally, I am looking forward to see what future support might do for the deck but I have no idea how feasible Examon X would be. For it to enhance the deck's current mechanics, the way I'd imagine it is as a card that can X-evolve on top of Exa at the end of your turn (or even during your opponent's turn when your Exa suspends/unsuspends) and provide an extra unsuspend. It would be nice to gain more resistances such as to bounce or DP minus as well.

[@OvrlrdGaia]

I have seen this Match múltiple times and I have to say it; the first time examon Strikes on the field, for him to not use the mandatory battle and just wait for the links gang to attack felt completly forced and the worst choice; since examon can control the field with that skill and to not use it... I just belive that was the missplay that allowed the links gang to overrun examon.... I has to Take this out of my chest, good content anyway

[@rustmarrow]

@@OvrlrdGaia You mean when it was still Slayerdra right?

[@OvrlrdGaia]

@@rustmarrow yup, right there If You forced an attack, You still could guard ando still save exa with evade once, or Even allow 1 attack to pass i'm order to save examon from 2 deletions since any of the rookies didnt have security+1 or more. Also You know that if the links gang tries to attack twice it would have been a trap since You could easily stop 2 attacks.

[@rustmarrow]

@@OvrlrdGaia Nope, I think you have the wrong impression. If Slayerdra blocks, it cant evade. It cant do both bcos its 1/turn unsuspend is alrdy used to reset it after forcing the battle (cos suspending is the cost). So if it forced the attack, it wouldnt be able to block twice or evade twice either. I get where ur coming from tho, cos this is a play I spent a lot of time debating within myself as well. Its a very difficult call. But heres the reality: after filming this match, I actually replayed it multiple times to try different decisions in that situation to make sure I didnt make a horrible misplay. The result: if Slayerdra had forced the attack then like you suggested, Exa would have lost harder and faster. I think it just goes to show how complex this mechanics strategy is. It is not always a good idea to force an attack.

[@SheruMuko]

I am new to the Digimon TCG and I am wanting to build my very first deck. I am struggling to decide on what to get. Dragon Linkz, D-Brigade, Four Great Dragons, Imperialdramon, Galacticmon, Alphamon Oryuken, Jesmon, and Examon. I want to chose from one of these but I don’t know which to go for. I have seen them used before and I know that they are strong but I don’t know which to go for. Any advice? And just for reference, I am not a beginner level player. Skill level doesn’t matter for me. So if that was a determining factor just throw that aside. I like using hard to use decks in card games. I play Yu-Gi-Oh, Magic the Gathering, and Cardfight Vanguard and in all of them I use a lot of difficult to use decks. Deletors, @Ignister, That one fungi monster that gains 1/1 for every monster in your drop zone, etc. If I listed them all I would be here for another few hours. Over a decade of experience of testing different decks causes that list to rapidly increase. But that is besides the point. If there are any other decks you would recommend please inform me of them. I am sorry for making you read all of this. I have been a Digimon fan since I was very little. In fact it was the very first anime I ever watched. And now I can afford to play their TCG as well. So I am just excited.

[@christopherbennett5858]

Okay, you got me with the Dorbickmon play. Stellar decks, honestly. Really makes this all dragons set feel special. Although wow, three heavy hitters are already gone.

[@rustmarrow]

Dorbickmon is such a fun card, might make 1 or 2 vids dedicated to him after this tournament is over. Too many builds I wanna try haha

[@gododoof]

@@rustmarrow Such a spicy digi-xros.

[@rgfang3359]

Dorbickmon: You may have risen far beyond the Trial of the 4 Great Dragons, but you wont survive this ordeal, Royal Knight! This was a really good battle

[@TheSuperdave800]

So I was a bit upset when Dorbickmon was not given its own slot, even if I realized it might be a bit difficult for it to be on its own due to the sheer variety you can do, but this.... This put a smile on my face.

[@TheTyson98566]

This is by far my favorite fight on the channel so far. Both decks got to show off their play style and effect, no overpressured snowball, nail biting conclusion. I wasnt excited for the lava/steel deck but now i'm hyped and building it once we get the set. Masterclass my friend.

[@rustmarrow]

Thanks! I really get what you mean tho. In the earlier sets, the power level was such that most decks could go toe to toe with each other like this. Lately however, the power level has increased such that the deck with the better hand overwhelming the other has become the norm rather than exception

[@mrzima723]

Very intensive duel, at the end I was screaming "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" because the Digimon I was cheering for lost. So close, yet so far ;/

[@bryansuminski7543]

That was amazing. I just about gave up with how overwhelming Examon seemed when he first showed up but I'm glad I stuck through till the end. Side note, it would be awesome when/ if Linkz gang get a jogress of their own.

[@rustmarrow]

RIGHT? Dorbick kind of can be if you DigiXros with Metallic and Volcanic haha but would love to see them get an official one. It could have an [On Play] effect that is basically impossible to use normally unless you DNA into it with Hina on your field

[@animeandrice9664]

U could play ragnalord

[@bryansuminski7543]

@@animeandrice9664 I meant like an a way like Gracenovamon is from Apollomon and Dianamon, Chaosmon is from BanchoLeomon and Darkdramon, and Mastemon is from Angewomon and Ladydevimon.

[@animeandrice9664]

@@bryansuminski7543 I understand u want to for lore but I still like ragna in the deck

[@duffboy502]

Man, fighting against Examon will be such a pain, with the opponent suspending and forcing you to make dumb attack plays. I know Examon it's one of the favorites alongside Black Imperial in EX-03, but the Volcanic/Metallicdramon deck here got a more than well-deserved victory

[@jennadiah]

this was such a cool match!! feels great seeing both decks just pop off like this

[@Shiouro]

The more cards they add the crazier the matches get that was awesome 🤩

[@CodenameJD]

That game was incredible, as much as the conclusion devastates me, with the Examon deck being the deck I've found most exciting in the game. When Examon started to come back, it was beautiful devastation... de-digivolve is just so brutal against it specifically as it skips level 6... and Hina is ridiculous. Definitely looks like the deck would suffer immensely if you don't have one- and you managed to get all 4 out.

[@rustmarrow]

Yea man, I never achieved 4 in all my playtesting so I was honestly amazed by how stacked they were on camera. In a way, the 1st Hina is the greatest hurdle. But once you have her, she can fuel cheap searches and free plays of additional copies - and it just explodes from there. Having her in your starting hand is a godsend.

[@davikyu1274]

OMG, I had no idea that Hina could be used that way, I feel silly for not realizing it, great video and great decks!!!

[@DEG99Y]

Wow that comeback was so hype. When I started hearing Xros Heart music I had that same sort confused excitement as the RVB Warthog scene from all those years ago. #RIPMontyOum

[@footbag8402]

I'm confused where the digivolution materials came from for the Dorbickmon. Did they come from trash, hand, or what? Can you do that?

[@DragonsSoul00]

Do you have any recommendations as to what cards could be used in place of the 2 bulucomon? I have all other cards, but that one I don't believe is available yet. Or at least if it is, I can't see what set it's from to look for it.

[@rustmarrow]

Stunners like Syakomon/ModokiBetamon should do fine, or even just BT1 Gabumon for one-off draws

[@vietdragon5174]

bro that was wild the music was perfectly intense for the vibe and setting too

[@rustmarrow]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@PeterSnores]

When I see you pulling out all those digimon on metallicdramon's field: "This man is cheating" When I realize it's an Xros play: "This man is cheating!" lol naw but was a fun match to watch

[@simplething9164]

Both decks did amazing and I can't wait to see what the linkz gang will handle their next match

[@shapeoffour2319]

I had no idea who to root for because I love them both SO MUCH, but watching them fight until the very end made me really happy! Also, correct me if I'm wrong, but is the new Metalgreymon X low-key a good card for Alphamon to use?

[@gododoof]

Absolutely insane game.

[@dreheart5854]

So many cool decks coming out ex3 am an NA players so gotta see what happens when xros coming out. Was also curious what are each of the music you use for the BGM? Been trying to search for em cant find them.

[@rustmarrow]

Mainly OST from the PS1 Digimon World games

[@MobileUP]

DUELOOOO INSANO

[@andyderrick7713]

Question how come u didn’t attack with slaydramon again when u in suspend him at 2 :41 game play

[@rustmarrow]

Cos if you end turn with Slayerdra suspended he just dies to removal, but if unsuspended he can survive 2 removals

[@greenking9124]

“One dragon of the earth and one of the sky fuse together to become the dragon emperor *Exemon*”

[@tristanwilson1186]

So how did you Play Dorbickmon? I'm unfamiliar with the DigiXros effect.

[@rustmarrow]

When a DigiXros card is played, you may put materials specified by its DigiXros conditions from your hand/field as its evolution cards. For each card placed, the cost is reduced. Since Dorbickmon is [DigiXros -2], his Play Cost is reduced by 2 for each material

[@tristanwilson1186]

@@rustmarrow sweet thank you!

[@Droidking13]

I was going to ask about doing a Dorbickmon deck, this answered it. Might want to make this deck irl.

[@rustmarrow]

He's really handy esp when you brick on no Hinas with Linkz Gang. In fact, I might even suggest trying to run 3 or 4 (but in that case, might be good to swap Agumon out for a dragon or saur

[@sharktenko267]

I'm planning on building hina dragons

[@ZephyrBW]

HOLY CRAP!!!! Examon THE GUYS A FUSION!!!

[@arifsubkhi]

Lesgo dragons 🔥

[@jorge126790]

Don´t you have more videos to shown Examon?

[@rustmarrow]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/apLWZmqogLtjrLc

[@theohfiles8619]

The was intense.

[@CodenameJD]

Been thinking: did you consider Mimi & Joe for Examon? Being able to force your opponent to attack into your blockers is one of the easiest ways you can get the draw effect, and the deck can suspend both players' Digimon plenty for memory gain.

[@rustmarrow]

I don't think there's space for them, and I think Davis & Ken might still be a better option for a dual-colour Tamer? In a situation where you are suspending both sides, you likely have both Blue and Green mons on your field so the memory gain is still there, even when you kill the opp's suspended Digimon by blocking. The draw effect can indeed be helpful for pulling into your combo pieces, but my main intent in running Davis & Ken is to give the deck an alternate win condition when you brick. Let's say you have Slayer on field and G/B Draco in raising. Davis + Davis & Ken will give you 5 Memory, but you don't have Groundramon or a Lv.4 to evolve Draco and make an Exa DNA play. Slayer can attack twice, then hard evolve into Exa for 5 cost so it's still your turn. Exa unsuspends with Davis & Ken and attacks twice. Add Draco and that's 5 damage, almost an OTK - managed to clinch this combo during playtesting. Some would argue to forego all these alternate strategies and just run 4 Davis to max out the consistency of the Exa DNA play tho

[@davivictor2471]

This was an AMAZING fight Im very happy with it, even thou I was cheering for the other side (I say like this to avoid people getting spoiled)

[@rustmarrow]

Appreciate it haha

[@vanguardjossu5317]

They did it. I thought Examon would win but I'm glad the Linkz Duo won. Gg

[@noahgelman4923]

At 8:20, why not suspend both Hina's to kill both Breakdramon and Examon?

[@rustmarrow]

You cant, Examon has Evade

[@noahgelman4923]

@@rustmarrow Ah right, that makes a lot of sense. Thank you.

[@ZephyrBW]

That was unbelievable that last minute comeback both 0

[@pkturtle6275]

How do yoy set this up on table top sim?

[@rustmarrow]

Just using the normal import features? You can probably find tutorials on it around

[@OrukaBlanca]

Which program is it?

[@rustmarrow]

Tabletop Simulator

[@zeroanimation3956]

I thought when you jogress the order of combined Digimon is based on their Level?

[@rustmarrow]

That's not possible because a Jogress is always between 2 Digimon of the same Level. It follows the colour order on the Jogress card (Examon specifies Green Lv.6 + Blue Lv.6). Also, Groundramon's effect treats it as Lv.6 so it's the same Level as Slayerdramon when combining

[@zeroanimation3956]

@@rustmarrow for example, paildaramon, did you put whole Ex-vmon line on top Stingmon line or you put them by order of lv(Ex-vmon>Stingmon>lv3 exvmon line>lv3 stingmon line etc....)

[@rustmarrow]

@@zeroanimation3956 Paildras condition is Blue Lv.4 + Green Lv.4. So you put the entire ExVee line on top of the entire Sting line, you do not mix them. This is in the official rules!

[@GiftOfKnowledge-np9vg]

Darn, I war rooting for Examon.

[@shapeoffour2319]

Yeah😁😎

[@raptorman8969]

what are they playing it on?

[@rustmarrow]

Tabletop Simulator

[@acnologia7771]

does anyone know if this is really cgi or is it a website they ran this off of??

[@rustmarrow]

It's Tabletop Simulator

[@acnologia7771]

@@rustmarrow website?? or an app?

[@savijdafuq6776]

@@acnologia7771 its a steam game you can simulate all kinds of tabletop games

[@alephozone9341]

Aww, I was rooting for Examon!! On the other hand, yay Dorbickmon!!

[@psloo35]

Hi, what's the app?

[@rustmarrow]

Tabletop Simulator

[@AminOverlord15]

@@rustmarrow which workshop ya sir?you're using this one seems very nice

[@PS-th9jc]

The jogress sequence totally got me

[@zoofan1232]

Ah man I really wanted the Examon deck to win too bad

[@XeroScheneider]

How are the players playing digitally?

[@rustmarrow]

Tabletop Simulator

[@sharktenko267]

You could have deleted exermon with volcanicdramons on play, you can use the on play as many times as you have unsuspended hinas

[@rasukes3579]

YES! LINKZ GANG!!!

[@Digiheart400]

Where's the sound?

[@rustmarrow]

It's there for me! Maybe try refreshing?

[@Digiheart400]

@@rustmarrow that's better

[@Digiheart400]

@@rustmarrow thanks

[@kurodracovalladares8823]

So Exodiamon

[@anthonythomas305]

No commentary?

[@rustmarrow]

It's there for me! Maybe try refreshing?

[@anthonythomas305]

@@rustmarrow OK, it's alright now

[@vanguardtrainer924]

I definitely want to build both of these decks when EX3 comes to english.

[@rustmarrow]

Both are pretty fun, and I'd highly recommend them for fans of hard control decks. Examon is a pain to learn but very rewarding

[@kurodracovalladares8823]

So Exodiamon