Meklords - Failed Cards, Archetypes, and Sometimes Mechanics in Yu-Gi-Oh

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I didn’t know that people needed an explanation on why Meklords failed, but here we are. If Meklords gameplay isn’t a dead giveaway on why this deck is in the 5D’s garbage can, nothing will. Being focused on the sole aspect of ruining Synchro monsters' lives doesn’t scream terror to anybody unless you really hate Baronne de Fleur, or your locals are just full of Synchron players. They did receive a boost, but that was for it to become a weak OTK machine that was easily interruptible. However, the archetype had a few cards played in the 5D’s format spotlight and were made as solid tech choices. It's too bad they didn’t make a solid deck, and we’ll explain why Meklords should’ve stayed an anime deck instead of a real one.
Script by Victor Guildford
Edited by Iason Autica
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#yugioh #top10 #YGOtop10
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[@bdablader95]

I remember when this archetype was releasing, Konami was going balls to the wall trying to promote them as the "Anti-Synchro Archetype" that was going to change the game. I don't think I ever saw a single Meklord card in a deck or game, but the high rarity versions were always decent trade bait in the back of everyone's binder they'd throw in to seal a deal.

[@caellanmurphy4751]

i remember them being the bane in wc 2010 over the nexus if you MO was synchros they were just rough so basically a videogame boss

[@easylemon2547]

I mean makes sense, I kinda stopped buying cards in general at that point, because of the same reasoning. It was blatantly obvious, that they were trying to sell the maximum of cards at that time period, first by releasing overpowered card types (synchro) and then afterwards by releasing an archetype that is supposed to counter them all and that’s all they do… such cheap upselling tactics destroyed the game for me

[@CD-Gaming]

And that was the time I was starting to take competitive play more serious! A couple of months back, I ran into a guy who was building a primarily Lv 1 Monster Deck and I reccommended Wisel to him, solely for the Spell Negate! The 2500 ATK was little more than a bonus, plus the ability to go "ooh, nice Synchro!" *nom*!

[@terryliliana]

The anti synchro archetype was, for a while, Monarchs, thanks to shutting down the extra deck. Even then it did not last THAT long, and it wasn't that bad of a matchup.

[@CD-Gaming]

@@terryliliana If anything, it still is, jus now it's expanded to Anti-Fusion, Anti-Xyz and Anti-Link and Anti-Returning-Pendulum, all cuz of that ONE Field Spell! Little wonder then that Monarchs barely ever went below "okay"! Hell, I run Mobius in my Goat Format Deck, pretty much because "Monarch"! I never said my reasoning was deep!

[@theannilators7479]

In the anime they worked very differently They had “cores” that when destroyed by card effect would summon all five parts of the monster, which would then combine like a power rangers megazord, and any of the five parts could be replaced with a stronger version. The five pieces couldn’t attack independently and sometimes could be attacked independently (it was inconsistent with how that worked) only the main core could attack. So basically, you’d run a core as a three of, pray that you opened with it, and then run 5 garnets. And also you’d be clapped if Yusei ever remembered that fusion monster he summoned that one time

[@jamesiewalters2360]

I remain surprised and disappointed that they weren't adapted as LV monsters.

[@TruongNguyen-vy7rw]

Not just anime In YugiOh arcv tag force special( the PSP game) you can actually play those card with the same mechanic in the anime

[@garianarnold3754]

If I’d were me I’d Make the 5 meal order pieces as fusion monsters so they weren’t bricks

[@teddyhaines6613]

Yusei would've also clowned on them with Turbo Warrior since it's immune to the effects of level 1 monsters, which includes all the Meklords besides Aporia's.

[@arlangunadi8674]

The anime version will be less competitive due to how many brick the deck will have to bring, but far more cool due to "Combining" gimmick. The RL was less cool but more playable. But since in the end the RL version is bad anyway, I prefer we get the Anime version instead.

[@granmastersword]

There's irony knowing that Meklord Emperor Wisel was the first Meklord Emperor to debut in the anime, and yet was the last Emperor of the trio to be printed in the OCG and TCG

[@MarioMastar]

They seem to do that a lot. Pivotal cards appearing in early anime not appearing until 5 SERIES later. and then there's the cards that appear in Duel Links but not in the TCG until many months later...if ever (I had no idea Kiteroid was duel Links exclusive, but here we are). But it makes sense to have different balances, and it's far easier to update the cards virtually than physically for obvious reasons. Took them FOREVER to fix the whole "Frog the Jam" thing, but in Duel LInks, it was always Slime Toad from the start.

[@dokuganryu1565]

The reason the emperors are called like that is cause they were summoned using Wise Core, Grand Core and Sky Core. They just add "el" at the end. Wise to Wisel Grand to Granel Sky to Skiel

[@rebornjm]

i was like it seemed like he pronounced the names wrong

[@dokuganryu1565]

@@rebornjm That's because he is.

[@Netsaver]

@@rebornjmI cringed each time he did it.

[@VinTheDirector]

Ah, the Duel Logs classic 😁

[@autobotstarscream765]

The "-el" suffix is for angel names, and Meklords are basically angels of destruction.

[@easylemon2547]

Makes sense now, why those villains from the anime came from the future to a specific point in time when their tactics at least seem relevant…

[@voltingmaster5458]

The Very Archetype that put an end to the Genex Uprising with a 10K Limiter Removal Overkill.

[@soukenmarufwt5224]

Lol thumbs up for war of the Worthless reference

[@moh.syafrianabie8899]

The most hypest anime moment

[@gmradio2436]

Meklords, defender of Blue Eyes.

[@Heroism4499]

It is funny that Branded and its associated archetypes like Despia, Virtuous, Bystial, and Dogmatica are all better at being "Anti Extra Deck, Anti Light/Dark" than Mekklords and Allies of Justice ever could.

[@AndresGarcia-hv4ix]

How You compare that Modern decks with this and Ally of justice? Meklords Are from the sincro era and have it reason to be like that, and they have to follow the anime thing too, Ally of justice is a phase 1 duel terminal deck all decks from that phase sucks without support and they was a lore deck to work against worms (being both pure only versions) all decks You have mentioned don't have this restrictions, sorry for My english

[@asafesseidonsapphire]

​@@AndresGarcia-hv4ix And in-Lore the Allies were bad as well, the only one that really worked was Catastor and the level 10 Synchro.

[@terryliliana]

Monarchs also worked better as anti extra deck for a while.

[@AndresGarcia-hv4ix]

Yeah, they struggle in all the worm war even with catastor

[@MarioMastar]

@@AndresGarcia-hv4ix The thing is, most of these decks are compared with how they were at the time as well as if they still hold up today. Ally of Justice and Mekklords were never good even when they debuted because their effects relied on your opponent playing a particular deck and even IF they played that deck, they weren't much of a threat (no light player was afraid of Ally of Justice. the reduction in attack was abysmal). So though comparing modern to past seems unfair. It's not like Blue eyes which was really strong back then or Level monsters who had thier niche in some formats. You simply couldn't win with these archetypes even at their best. and they only got worse from there.

[@fawkes6352]

I remember back during the late 5D's era, some of the people in my high school CCG club used Granel as a hand trap to deter removal effects (and also steal opposing Synchros). I imagine that the big reason Granel saw some play, but Wisel didn't (even in spite of its spell negation effect), is because the latter was bogged down by its "other monsters you control cannot attack" clause.

[@Nerobyrne]

it does make sense in-universe. Like, "Synchro hate" in a setting where Synchros are the ONLY extra deck monsters makes a ton of sense. Doesn't make a lot of sense in a setting where it's entirely optional.

[@applecatnyango]

Wasn't Synchro summoning supposed to be exceptional at generating energy? If so, I would understand why other summoning methods were shelved.

[@israeldelarosa5461]

They weren’t even. Yusei and Jack AND Sherry all used Fusion monsters too.

[@quisejones7106]

Nah I legit just finished S2 of 5Ds and Yusei legit busted out a fusion monster of his own in the final duel against Team Unicorn so the fact that the Meklords just loathed Synchro Monsters specifically and not ALL duel cards instead legit still makes no sense to me bruh lol

[@VinTheDirector]

They were all exceptional duelists, and even then they were more like situational tools, not the main powerhouses of their decks. Every other duelist, at least the good ones, relied on Synchro monsters to win the game.

[@justsightseeing1]

master duel should give us synchro meklord event..

[@luisfilipe2747]

I played meklords on the synchro festival on master duel, it was really fun, and I really felt like an anime villain, but that was the only time I actually managed to play and win consistently with this archetype

[@Anonymice]

When will we get a series on how you could improve failed archetypes? Theorcraft for us, Logs!

[@juksleo6257]

Tbh, a lot of these just have the issue of being too clunky to even bother fixing. They won't stand a chance against any coherent archetype by default

[@Tori-cv5fq]

meklord circular, meklord double helix

[@StrategicLemon]

What makes you think these failed archetypes can be improved? They failed for a reason.

[@hishamshakdam8718]

Bro got me chuckling fr

[@jshtng78]

@StrategicLemon Field spell, sets and activates at the start of your Main Phase 1 from hand, deck, graveyard or banish zone for zero cost. Cannot be destroyed, negated or chained to. Effect: [100 words of effect text that gives the archetype all its missing meta functions]. Retrain once every arbitrary number of sets. Done.

[@buglifesmatter]

My guy went extra hard on the villain deck of the season in which our rose queen got sidelined 😂

[@MarioMastar]

As Peak as the first season of 5Ds was, I do hear it fell off after that (barring Leo getting to be a signer which was a huge highlight). Not as far as Arc V, but it certainly didn't get better like Zexal did. Yeah I think it's just cause while the anime writers wanted to tone down the writing that kids wouldn't understand, they turned it into a kind of generic hero story and thus, all the character and emotions and relations built up (even with Leo and Luna) in the first season kind of felt lost and thus pointless. But Yusei and his allies are still adults, so it's really hard to watch grown ups scream "We're TEAM 5Ds!" in prep for a tournament. Probably could've shifted Yusei and Jack to being mentor like characters and let Leo, Luna and a younger Crow kind of take the mantle as the main protags to let the story hit a little harder. Yusei really was better written when it was a social commentary.

[@siphemanana2551]

@@MarioMastaryeah but hindsight is kind of a b**ch

[@benplocica3790]

Meklords are so much fun in tengu plant format! they are such a good archtype to pair with scraps and makes some really crazy synergies that are so funny so it is nice to see them get talked about because they are easily one of the more interesting archtypes from the late synchro era. (Edit: Im so glad scrap dragon was mentioned! I am truly joyful for this!)

[@ricardobarragan8258]

When I was playing back in high school, I was wondering why Zexal never had an Anti-XYZ archetype. The. I tried making a Meklord deck. I'll always hold a special place in my heart for them, but I'm not going to top any events with them.

[@jugemujugemu4690]

the anti XYZ thing was Kaito's Galaxy Photon stuff for a sense. its just that all of the best of those cards also had other useful effects.

[@ZEDEX252]

Wasn't heraldic beast an anti xyz deck?

[@GoneRampant]

The first waves of Galaxy support tried to be anti-XYZ with GPED's ability to banish XYZ monsters to steal their materials and Neo-GEPD stealing materials and negating the board, but soon after they pivoted Galaxy to being a Rank 8 deck.

[@DexLeroy]

I wished they worked on SPECIAL SUMMONED monsters. I love Mek-Lords.

[@gmradio2436]

I like them hating synchro monsters, but their main deck needs help. Make plays without breaking your own legs.

[@DexLeroy]

@@gmradio2436 I agree. They seemed so cool in 5DS. Maybe in the future they get better broken support.

[@ich3730]

Would be unique if they could somehow force the opponent to synchro summon. Maybe have a kind of decoy synchro in the archetype that can be summoned to the opponents board and gives you advantage for popping it/equipping it with the meks

[@TheRedGauntlet]

They saved Rata's Blue Eyes so they win at something

[@thatman666]

The unsung heroes of War of the Worthless.

[@ButFirstHeLitItOnFire]

You know, I always thought that cards that equip monsters to themselves (Relinquished, Eyes-Restrict, Swordhunter, etc…) could do for some Xyz retrains, and The Emperors are no different; _X-aulted Meklord Emperor Granel_ (EARTH) Rank 1 Machine/XYZ/Effect 2+ level 1 monsters _If your opponent would destroy or send to the GY any number of face-up monsters monsters you control (except during the damage step), (Quick effect) you can Xyz summon this card using those monsters as material. Once Per Turn (quick effect), you can target 1 extra deck monster your opponent controls; attach that target (and any cards equipped/attached to it) to this card. You can detach 1 card (quick effect); you gain LP equal to that detached cards ATK/DEF. This card gains ATK/DEF equal to half your LP and ATK equal to the combined ATK of the monsters attached to it. You can target 1 of these attached monsters; Special Summon that target to your field in Defense Position._ ATK/0 DEF/0 _X-aulted Meklord Emperor Skiel_ (WIND) Rank 1 Machine/XYZ/Effect 2+ level 1 monsters _If your opponent would destroy or send to the GY any number of face-up monsters monsters you control (except during the damage step),(Quick effect) you can Xyz summon this card using those monsters as material. Once Per Turn (quick effect), you can target 1 extra deck monster your opponent controls; attach that target (and any cards equipped/attached to it) to this card. You can detach 1 card, then target 1 monster on the field (quick effect); that targeted card can attack again in a row. This card gains ATK/DEF equal to half your LP and ATK equal to the combined ATK of the monsters attached to it. You can detach 1 card, then target 1 monster on the field, that targeted card can attack directly this turn._ ATK/0 DEF/0 _X-aulted Meklord Emperor Wisel_ (DARK) Rank 1 Machine/XYZ/Effect 2+ level 1 monsters _If your opponent would destroy or send to the GY any number of face-up monsters monsters you control (except during the damage step),(quick effect) you can Xyz summon this card using those monsters as material. Once Per Turn (quick effect), you can target 1 extra deck monster your opponent controls; attach that target (and any cards equipped/attached to it) to this card. You can detach 1 card (quick effect); add 1 card that mentions “Meklord” in its name or text to your hand from your deck or GY. This card gains ATK/DEF equal to half your LP and ATK equal to the combined ATK of the monsters attached to it. Once Per Turn, if your opponent activates a spell or trap card (Quick effect): You can negate the activation, and if you do, attach it to this card._ ATK/0 DEF/0

[@Ramsey276one]

NICE Job!

[@dudono1744]

Let me get this straight. They're big bodies that yoink ED monsters as quick effects, can summon themselves from extra also as quick effect and have additionnal effects ? That's stupidly OP. Skiel is basically Liebe with better effects and easier to summon.

[@ButFirstHeLitItOnFire]

@@dudono1744 Well these are older ideas of mine I had reminded myself of when this video came out, and I believe my logic at the time was to modify and improve the existing effects of each emperor to make them better.

[@ButFirstHeLitItOnFire]

@@dudono1744 HERE, I made some adjustments to bring the cards to a more “reasonable” level (Cleaned up the effects, made them unable to be summoned by conventional Xyz summoning, hard OTP’s, etc…)… Let me know if these better tickle your fancy: _X-aulted Meklord Emperor Granel_ (EARTH) Rank 1 Machine/Xyz/Effect _This card must be Xyz summoned by its own effect. If your opponent would destroy or send to the GY any number of face-up monsters you control (Quick effect), you can Xyz summon this card using those monsters as material (Transfer their materials to this card). This card Gains ATK/DEF equal to half your LP, and ATK equal to the combined ATK of it’s attached materials. You can target 1 extra deck monster your opponent controls (Quick Effect); attach that target and all cards equipped/attached, to it to this card. You can detach 1 material (Quick Effect); You gain LP equal to that detached material’s total ATK/DEF. (Quick Effect) You can detach and Special Summon 1 of the card’s attached monster materials to your field in Defense Position. You can only use each effect of “X-aulted Meklord Emperor Granel” once per turn._ ATK/0 DEF/0 _X-aulted Meklord Emperor Skiel_ (WIND) Rank 1 Machine/Xyz/Effect _This card must be Xyz summoned by its own effect. If your opponent would destroy or send to the GY any number of face-up monsters monsters you control (Quick effect), you can Xyz summon this card using those monsters as material (transfer their materials to this card). This card Gains ATK/DEF equal to half your LP, and ATK equal to the combined ATK of it’s attached materials. You can target 1 extra deck monster your opponent controls (Quick Effect); attach that target, and all cards equipped/attached to it, to this card. You can detach 1 card, then target 1 monster on the field (Quick Effect); that target can attack again in a row. You can detach 1 card, then target 1 monster on the field (Quick Effect): That target can attack directly this turn. You can only use each effect of “X-aulted Meklord Emperor Skiel” once per turn._ ATK/0 DEF/0 _X-aulted Meklord Emperor Wisel_ (DARK) Rank 1 Machine/Xyz/Effect _This card must be Xyz summoned by it’s own effect. If your opponent would destroy or send to the GY any number of face-up monsters monsters you control (quick effect), you can Xyz summon this card using those monsters as material (transfer their materials to this card). This card Gains ATK/DEF equal to half your LP, and ATK equal to the combined ATK of it’s attached materials. You can target 1 extra deck monster your opponent controls (Quick effect); attach that target, and all cards equipped/attached to it, to this card. You can detach 1 card (quick effect); Add 1 card that mentions “Meklord” in its name or effects to your hand from your deck or GY. If your opponent activates a spell/trap card (Quick effect): You can negate the activation, and if you do, attach it to this card. You can only use each effect of “X-aulted Meklord Emperor Wisel” once per turn._ ATK/0 DEF/0

[@dudono1744]

@@ButFirstHeLitItOnFire Much better

[@rezthemediaruler3768]

I play a pure Version of it for fun and an optimized Version in Master Duel and in real life. The Deck is very hard to pilot, but can have many nasty surprises if you are not prepared for them. I still like it and was able to snatch some Victories by using Asterisk and Mekanikle. I even got off Mekanikle‘s Effect to burn my Opponent and Win off of that a few times. Army of Wisel or Emperor Skiel often helped me coming through against Monsters like Crooked Cook and similar Walls. The Deck has it’s issues, but it is still fun and with enough practice and a few other Cards it works well. Another Deck I am trying my best to make it work better is the Heraldry/Heraldic Beast Archetype, which specializes on being an Anti-XYZ Strategy. I am sure we will see them in a Video on this Channel as well and I‘m looking forward to it.^^

[@naijal2761]

I wish there were synchro monsters that could act like kaijus so that the Meklords could absorb them.

[@lesterwilliamsjr649]

I still love this archetype, I wish someone found way to make there anime gimmick work in real life. Also I think its funny that in the anime the heros don't think about building fusion based decks. Yusei even has a new fusion monster that doesn't even use against the main against.

[@soukenmarufwt5224]

You forget. The writers don't know how to play ygo that isn't just beatdown and bad burn cards. The Meklord have no protection and die to hammer shot. Even with Speed World limitation. Speed Spell Hammer Shot has almost no cost. All this does is prove the anime doesn't know what removal is besides battle.

[@leetri]

@@soukenmarufwt5224 To be fair, if the anime played out like the actual game it would be ridiculously boring and anticlimactic to watch.

[@freman007]

@@soukenmarufwt5224 As I understand it, the writer for the 5Ds series did actually play, which is why the card battles are more "realistic" compared to the other series.

[@HazeEmry]

The one where you gotta destroy the core and 5 pieces come out? The tag force games got it at least. Played tag force 5 on the psp back in the day and it was neat.

[@Zanmu]

@@leetriprobably have to dedicate an entire episode to turn 1

[@Boom-fs2ny]

I remember the mek lords from one of the yu gi oh ds games. The duel started with a meklord on the field and it was the hardest duel. To be fair, I didn’t know how to build a deck/play as well, but it’s always a fond memory

[@lewisspring35]

They shouldve just printed Meklords as those core-and-part monsters from the anime. It wouldve made them MUCH harder to fully get rid of, and you could swap out parts for different effects you needed. They could still do this, simply by adding "Infinity" to the end of the card's names, like they were called in the anime.

[@mekklord]

wow, rude. :(

[@rainbowdragon168]

The Meklords were really cool in the anime but obviously they’ll be different than their anime counterparts for sure. Maybe if they had some protection then it could be an improvement. You should cover the Vehicroid archetype for this series next

[@MarioMastar]

Duel Logs did cover Vehicroids already. it was one of the previous episodes. Pretty much the fact that they weren't ALL "Vehicroids" is why they failed, cause you couldn't use thier own effects with half of their boss monsters. and yeah, the cards are so cool in the anime mostly cause of the card art and optimal play. It's a shame the cards only give us a glimpse of the lores drawn on them in that tiny box, but the anime really brings some of these to life, especially GX with the Dark Scorpions and the Crystal beasts. As is, Yubel is the only one who's a monster AND a duelist. as sadly, after that, Ancient Fairy Dragon is the only monster to speak from then on and the rest are just mindless mutes who occasionally emote to the duelist using them.

[@rainbowdragon168]

@@MarioMastar They didn’t cover it for this series. It’s not in the playlist

[@sinjoh53]

Meklord did shine a bit in duel link alongside side a good skill and even did get a way to the top when Triskelion was release but did get quickly nerf after that then was denerf and fall back again into obscurity.

[@whiteeclipse5426]

I like the concept of Meklords being anti-synchro, but I think if they had a greater amount of support that made them anti-extra deck then they would be leagues better. Obviously such a thing would change the whole archetype to either being next level bulk with no actual proper synergy or next level power that they would be a solid meta choice for years to come. Imagine a Meklord Emperor that was anti-fusion and one that was anti-link and so on.

[@jaydenyang7931]

That’s insane, I found this video during my week of testing out this deck. It’s no surprise it’s bad because it has many effects that hardly ever show up and is format dependent because it relies on your opponent. Cards like that are normally horrible. But this one has a pleasant landing for me. It’s got the “modern day 1-card starter Normal Summon”, but there are much better things to play if you’d want that. But I could easily see myself recommending this deck to a new player. It’s easy to understand, exciting to play- and has a lot of room for archetype mixing. I’ll always love Boss Monsters in the Main Deck! Will it win the top tournaments? No. But you’re sure to make a friend once you show them how good Nucleus Core is. That card itself is literally busted. And yes- it’s the funniest Snake-Eye extender.

[@gaaraofthedesert801]

Its the same failing as the Ally of Justice monsters who are anti-light attribute and anti-flip effect because thet hate Worms. At least Meklords hate a wider arrangement of cards, cause Ally of Justice are stuck to fighting ONE archetype pretty much. And while worms aren't bad, they aren't dominant enough to warrant an archetype dedicated to their death so the Allt of Justice are VERY irrelevant.

[@Technizor]

The first three trap cards is literally how the anime antagonists played the cards, where they popped their own Core cards to summon all of the parts of the Meklord monster (which were 5 separate cards, insane brick deck list) Every monster other than main emperors are useless, and the spell cards didn't do much to help you get to any of the emperors. If all of the main emperor monsters had any competent original Atk, they could have been useful even after non-Synchro extra deck monsters became playable.

[@infernalryo2740]

Excuse me. Slander against the winner of the War of the Worthless 2 champion vs the Genex menace? Realistically Meklords continued problem is being proactive and converting disadvantage into advantage. Like, it depends too much on your opponent and there’s too many dead cards in the archetype that you run because name. Most good plays with meklord are based on secondary things and serve as fodder in machine piles

[@ajietuta539]

Just a shame that Meklord doesn't use any extra deck summon, like Link, Xyz, or ironically Synchro, just Galaxy Eyes did. I think if they have Synchro monsters that can either equip itself to other Meklord or equip opponent's monster to itself or other Meklord, Meklord could be better

[@sharpfegamer]

Slight correction in regards to meklord deflection, your monster can inflict damage with its boosted stats just not the turn the spell was activated.

[@aaronlaluzerne6639]

What this archtype needs is a field spell card that would allow you to equip any of your opponent's extra deck monsters to your meklord monsters.

[@sonicgen20]

Or maybe a field or spell card that allows you to treat all extra deck monsters as synchros.

[@blackdragonwtf]

I think this deck saw decently thanks to a good play when triskelion came out, using union carrier to equip buster dragon sword to triskelion, summon wisel and set up some negates really locked your opponent out of playing

[@stitches4714]

I remember when masterduel had it's synchro festival started. For the first two, I used a mecklord deck with some control (like skill drain and summon limit) to kill in those events... good times. Good times

[@filipvadas7602]

While it makes sense in lore, making an entire archetype around countering a specific monster type was always going to be a bit of a mess. Even worse when you consider that the Meklords were released when Synchros were on their way out of being the "hot new mechanic" Which is why I honestly love their modern support. It fixed most of their problems while shifting them from just countering Synchros to countering the Extra Deck as a whole, while keeping that additional hate boner for Synchros to keep it lore accurate. Now, this archetype genuinely feels like it could be incredibly dangerous, due to how many players RELY on the Extra Deck, with just another wave of support (We need new emperors and their armies or the old ones need full on retrains, more good spells/traps, new Astro monsters that follow Triskellion's general focus and some actual protection against non-destruction effects)

[@revdrianinvian1841]

Maybe I missed it on other videos but this is the first one that I noticed a sponsorship. If so, congratulations. You finally made it!

[@MarioMastar]

Some of the top 10/bottom 10 videos have sponsers, done with this blue character. It's just rare though.

[@Realdeal958]

Always found it funny and ironic that the Meklords can get clapped bg the same monsters they were made to counter. Synchros like Crystal Wing, Icejade Gymir, Ghoti and Baronne would make quick work of them so fast, especially if they were in the anime. Sad to see they aren't better i think the designs and ideas are cool

[@soukenmarufwt5224]

Brionac, Trishula, Gungnier, Black Rose, to even the terrible Landoise naturia monster all stop Meklords.

[@Realdeal958]

@@soukenmarufwt5224 even the Naturia Tortoise? Lol damn

[@darkapostle1749]

Good to see another video on the (failed) Mechanics!

[@rezthemediaruler3768]

Almost forgot to mention: I think what does hurt the Archetype most is that the Emperor’s and Mekanikle’s Synchro Absorption Abilities aren’t Quick Effects. But this would have let them become almost unbeatable for the earlier Synchromonsters in the Anime I guess…

[@SexyMrNibbles]

This archtype may have flopped in the physical game, but man does it slap when Master Duel runs a Synchro event

[@GoofyCombat]

Should have made a field spell to treat all extra deck monsters as synchros for only mekklord cards.💀💀

[@syntax6321]

Would be Interesting to see Fossil Fusion or Vaylantz as they are pretty interesting mechanics which made me love them but didn't really see play

[@soukenmarufwt5224]

Meklords are the prime example how archetypes were made back in the day. Its all here: Big underwhelming beat sticks. Battle oriented effects. Monsters that don't do anything Dies to Hammer Shot or other cheap removal cards. Super hard to summon boss monsters. Big big sticks, no protection, burn damage. Spell and traps that don't help in anyway and terrible game plan.

[@KesslerVTuber]

If they got a card that treated your opponents entire extra deck or monsters they summon from the extra deck as synchro monsters they might be slightly better

[@dudono1744]

A continuous spell that says "all monsters on the field are treated as Synchro monsters" (and pray your opponent doesn't hit you with a Shooting Quasar Dragon)

[@yushouji8952]

​@@dudono1744they should have a text that says they can't be used for synchro summon or it's going to be banned until forever

[@Keyguin]

Meklords do work incredibly well in Master Duel Synchro events lol. I even splash them in with Mannadiums

[@Cross-kd5xb]

The best part about the anime Meklords is that they were 5 monsters united as one big megazord. Not only any fusion pretty much obliterates them, but that means canonically Ojamas are an invinsible, god-tier counter with divine powers above and beyond fate and time lorewise because you just need to block 1 space on the field (pretty much EVERYTHING Ojamas do), and that's just funny lmao

[@dDeckon]

I remember when I had my Generic anything Deck, I ran Wisel for fun! I also remember the 5Ds ds games using Playful Possum because it Pop'd itself

[@BlazeCon97]

Good review as always! Their draw spell isn't consistent as you can only activate it if the only monsters on the field are two Meklords, so if you go second or your opponent summons somethimg in your turn (which many of the most played decks do now) you won't be able to activate it. Also unfortunately theyll be many hands in this deck not able to summon a second monster, which is just yet another reason theg weren't reliable

[@MutantsInDisguise]

Cubic cards are next!

[@AntiKira20]

I like looking up recipes and learning how to cook. Still learning though.

[@neroneroren6788]

Dogmatika is the good Meklords since are anti Extra Deck in general

[@turtle-bot3049]

Id love to see this done for cyber dragons, that archetype had so much potential and so many good cards, being based around one of the arguably most broken cards of its time (OG cydra), but its never had results on its own merit (it was an orcust variant in toss format that put up results).

[@Ninja_Geek]

At this point, I'm surprised that they didn't get a couple random pendulum monsters that could pop themselves, but they obviously could never be used to summon the emperors since they all specify that the monsters need to be sent to the graveyard.

[@siftheadsdude]

Please do one on naturia! And also on the seal of orichalcos arc cards!

[@voidwalker3591]

I was waiting for the "... but in Duel Links" because it was tiered there for a time lol

[@youwayo]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="235">3:55</a> Skip sponsor

[@Zangamarth]

Doing the Lord's work.

[@Cross-kd5xb]

Your opponent plays Meklords: - In literally any context: 🫵😂 - In synchro-specific gamemodes in Master Duel/Duel Links: 💀

[@blacklady6098]

Meklords are commonly are used in masterduel during scynro festival only duels.

[@lesterwilliamsjr649]

Also (1) I think this MLE could have been saved if they had effect that allowd to steal an extra deck monster on the field or in the extra deck. (2) The MLEs as well as the characters who use them have great designs.

[@counciloftheholymicrowaves5364]

Easily one of my favourite decks

[@btttmeehan]

The last time I remember these guys being meta was when black rose dragon was tier 1 back in February of 2023 in duel links. They actually became tier 3 because of it

[@PeacefulZealot]

At least they’ll always have that War of the Worthless win. Rata’s Blue-Eyes thanks you, Meklords.

[@sonicgen20]

It makes sense using them in 5D’s where everyone rely’s on synchros as their bosses. Not so much in the real world where it’ll likely be facing fusion, Xyz, or link monsters as well. Maybe if Meklords could absorb any extra deck monster types they could have been somewhat more reliable.

[@vegferd3366]

Man, I love Meklord. One of my favourite archetype

[@lanterns_glow]

Galaxy Eyes Dragon succeeded where they failed- it banishes and if the vanish was Xyz, it'll get a buff when they both return to play. This doesn't stick through the line, allows you to remove some problem monsters if allowed to pop, has a fun special summon gimmick within the deck itself... It synergizes where Mekklord juat. Shit's it's pants.

[@Magna_Dragon]

They're bad because they didn't print their "non-OPT" Once per chain omni-negate trap, Convert Ghost. It was a pain in the PSP Tag force games since the effects IRL are condensed in 1 card, making it weaker (Tag Force 6 has the anime card and IRL version in the same deck) Here's the effect in the anime: Wise/ Sky/ Grand Core: OPT, can't be destroyed by battle. If this card is destroyed by card effect (don't know if banishing didn't count), SS Machine Emperor Wisel/Skiel/Granel ∞ and the other corresponding parts (their IRL effects didn't change much) Wisel/Skiel ∞: Gain attack to the total attack cards equipped to it and the total attack of Wisel, Skiel, or Granel cards on your field except itself. OPT, can target 1 Synchro Monster your opponent controls, equip it to this card. Other monsters you control can't attack Wisel Top 3: can negate spell cards (forgot if OPT or not) Wisel Guard: redirect attack target to this card. Guard 3 has battle protection Wisel Carrier: has effect destruction protection Wisel Attack 3: has piercing Wisel Attack 5: Double all Battle Damage a "∞" monster you control inflicts to your opponent. Also, during battle between an attacking "∞" monster you control and a Defense Position monster whose DEF is lower than the ATK of the attacking monster, inflict the difference as Battle Damage to your opponent. Once per turn, when an "∞" monster declares an attack, you can negate the activation of an opponent's Trap Card and destroy it. Skiel Attack 3: Once per turn, you can select 1 face-up monster you control. Until the End Phase, that monster's ATK is halved, and it can attack your opponent directly. Skiel Carrier 3: Once per turn, when a monster you control is selected as an attack target, you can negate the attack. Skiel Carrier 5: Once per turn, when a monster you control is selected as an attack target, you can negate the attack. When a monster you control destroys an opponent's monster by battle and sends it to the Graveyard, inflict 300 damage to your opponent. Skiel Guard: Once per turn, when a monster you control is selected as an attack target, you can negate the attack. Granel ∞: This card gains ATK/DEF equal to your LP and ATK equal to the combined ATK of the monsters equipped to it by this effect. You can target 1 of these equipped monsters; Special Summon that target to your field in Defense Position. (Other monsters still can't attack Granel Attack: If a "∞" monster you control attacks a Defense Position monster, it can attack once again in a row. Granel Attack 3: Once per turn, if a "∞" monster you control destroys an opponent's Synchro Monster by battle, you can equip that monster to a face-up "∞" monster you control. During your Battle Phase only, you can treat Synchro Monsters equipped to a "∞" monster you control as monsters you control in the Spell & Trap Card Zone, but they cannot attack directly. If you do, during battle between those attacking monsters and a Defense Position monster whose DEF is lower than the ATK of the attacking monster, inflict the difference as Battle Damage to your opponent. Granel Carrier :Once per turn, if a monster you control would be destroyed by battle, it is not destroyed. Granel Guard: When a monster you control is selected as an attack target, you can change the attack target to this card instead. Granel Guard 3: When a "Meklord Emperor" monster you control equipped with a Synchro Monster is selected as an attack target, you can select 1 Synchro Monster equipped to that monster. Until the end of the Damage Step, treat it as an Attack Position monster you control in the Spell & Trap Card Zone, and change the target to it. Once per turn, when your opponent activates the effect of an Effect Monster, you can negate that effect. (Treat ∞ as Meklord Emperor) Granel Top: Once per turn, select 1 face-up monster your opponent controls and its effect(s) is negated until the End Phase. Granel Top 5: Once per turn, you can equip 1 face-up Synchro Monster your opponent controls to a face-up "∞" monster you control. Mekanikle's summon requirement was "banish Wise, Sky, and Grand Core from GY" In the Tag Force 5 and 6, they just use that "Solidarity" card and the Meklord Emeperors gain 4k attack instantly

[@StiGMaTicKNiGHt]

Do you have a video about “how to side” board? I know decks and sideboard cards revolve around the meta. But how does one side properly and consider what to side out?

[@chrisofthehoovers4055]

I had a friend build Mechlords just to fight me in a local tournament. I was both flattered and enraged at the same time lol.

[@BoredWeazul]

what if they changed the "synchro monster" from the meklord effects to "extra deck monster"? how would the archetype be if they made that one change?

[@pnx073]

Back in the day, I only ever played Tag Force 5 when it comes to yugioh and I was very confused when I looked up meklords in Master Duel.

[@landonstrong9686]

At <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="413">6:53</a>, it says in the screen text that Asterisk has 3000 ATK, when it actually has 0 by default.

[@asura48]

The name isn't pronounced "weasel" it "WISE-L"

[@totenkopf8814]

Meklords were meta in duel links at one point 💀 IYKYK

[@MarioMastar]

Even in Duel Links I was genuinely confused why there are TWO Meklord characters playable. I had no idea who Primo was and thought he was Yusei's father reborn as an android, only to realize he was just a pawn of some bigger bad who...uses the same deck but with more threatening names... Shooting star dragon swept that raid boss without a thought. Even the level 2000 ones if I was lucky enough for auto play to remember I have the monster. XD Shame, but yeah...any archetype that's a "Hard counter" RPS card is gonna have nothing but "Commons" as their end board pieces. Even if your opponent is playing Syncros (You see a Yusei or Jack pop up). They're gonna get out their heavy hitters way more easily than you will (seriously get 3 monsters in the hand discarded? I've never had a game where "If I just played my cards my opponent wouldn't have destroyed me turn 2." That only happens when you BRICK. XD) Yeah... but hey. they kind of look cool I guess? I mean I think the Aliens cards look cool but Aliens have SOME niche you can play around (in Duel LInks due to pacing). Relying on your opponent to play a particular deck as your PRIMARY strategy though.... you might as well ask your opponent "Hey can you not do your battle phase if you go second? Gentleman's game." and having them actually say "Yeah no problem" and do it. I'm NOT telling you what i'm playing!

[@henriquebecker4453]

They should have some sort of Kaiju like monster that special summon a synchro from your extra deck to your opponents side of the field.

[@knightmareAlpha]

to quote a famous Magic card: "Hatred outlives the hateful."

[@subata000]

They could definitely release a new variant of them that hates ALL extra deck monsters and feature ways to punish excessive special summoning

[@sonicgen20]

Another thing they could do is make different meklords that focus on different extra deck types. One for fusions, one for Xyz’s, one for Links.

[@faroman6]

I still love playing meklords in Duel Links, it is one of my favourite decks, even if it is a little bit too bad

[@nickd6303]

It'd be interesting if they made new meklord emperors for the other extra deck mechanics.

[@ragnaricstudios5888]

I know rata already covered Earthbound immortals, but I am interested in your take especially with the new support, and the weird Inca tie in

[@selectivepontification8766]

Obligatory mention that these guys were _Tier 1_ in Duel Links just before the VRAINS launch

[@Aja-OP1]

The anime versions of these monsters were even more unplayable. To summon the emperrors, you need five garnets in your deck and one spefic monster to be destroyed by a card effect; so that's 6 cards for one monster.

[@notinthemoodfornames8033]

Of course this was no chance this archetype could have worked in any competitive format at all, but damn if this isn't one of the coolest archtype concetually and in the anime. All of these look amazing and I for one am happier they exist as real cards than if they didn't.

[@lukemacinnes5124]

I think Boon of the Meklord Emperor can't evn be used if your opponent controls a monster making it completely useless other than turn 1

[@leojamesquiambao1047]

Top 10 Worst classic cards 7: Ancient Sanctuary, or Top 10 Worst Warrior type monsters For the non top 10 list: The Unknown side of Yu-Gi-Oh: Beasts of the Colliseum featuring Gladiator Beasts

[@jamestran3035]

“Team New World” would be destroyed by Jack only if he summoned Red Demon/Assault Mode lol

[@bluebearie7230]

tbf, season 4 was a stretch rather than an actual continuation it just got so elaborated to the point where it could become somewhat a season the cards were just plot devices not a surprise that the archetype and the characters didn't work

[@lykonasher5439]

Can you cover the "Evil Eye" Deck please? 🙏🏾

[@animegx45]

I remember back when they made armor monsters, and am stil lsad they didn't become a real thing. I am still mad that they did it yet again with Meklords, which were basically armor 2.0, and instead made em 1 big card. I don't care if it would've sucked, it would've been awesome.

[@nintendolife25]

I really can’t fathom why anyone would play this deck unless they REALLY hate synchros and the fact they are no longer required a link arrow to be summoned.

[@RodrigoKC]

Merklord Emperor Granel is useful and works very well in Yubel deck (The actual Meta too), can be search for Piri Reis Map the same card that seach Yubel starters cards like D Lotus, Squirmer, Spirit and Yubel LV 10, 11, 12. Failed? No Way.

[@kuniosolis]

Thats what happens when you first have a manga / anime, and second you make a game out of it. I don't mind that Yu gi oh has so many non-tournament cards, i do enjoy a lot the fact that the game is more fun than competitive in many ways. That allows for fun limitations to be installed that enables different cards to shine. The most fun i have playing master duels is with obscure archetypes.

[@IliasAngel22]

You should do specific fusion materials next

[@maxmustermann9503]

Imagine them getting a field spell that has something like "Monsters your opponent controls are treated as Synchro Monsters."

[@antonionatale6473]

So the individual pieces are Duel Links exclusive?

[@DarkCT]

one of the two 5'ds archetypes I really wish had been better designed, but unlike the other it got later support that hardly did much... it's revival selection could have at least done an effect alteration backrow like Malefics got where perhaps they could at least attack in turn, and/or they could absorb a wider range of cards than just synchros. but nope.

[@benjystrauss2524]

I believe it's pronounced "Wise-el" not "Weasel". In my experience, Wisel was actually really good because it was a free negate for a spell card. The battle restriction was a big drawback though, but could be still worth it.

[@buchiklop110]

Surprised you didn't mention the Wisel Attack monsters. No, they technically aren't Meklords, but if a Meklord wasn't on the field, they were automatically destroyed, which you can use to summon all those Meklord Emperors easily.