(March 2013 Advanced TCG/OCG Format)
Key Image:
About Necroswarms:
Necroswarms unite Evilswarms and Gravekeepers to create lockdown situations with Evilswarm Ophion and Necrovalley. If you want a deck that will make Dragon Rulers miserable, look no further!
Necroswarm Lockdown |
| Main Deck [40] | Side Deck [15] |
Monsters [17]
3 Evilswarm Castor
2 Evilswarm Mandragora
2 Evilswarm Thunderbird
1 Gravekeeper’s Assailant
3 Gravekeeper’s Commandant
2 Gravekeeper’s Descendant
3 Gravekeeper’s Spy
1 Maxx "C"
Spells [14]
1 Dark Hole
2 Gravekeeper’s Stele
3 Infestation Pandemic
3 Necrovalley
2 Pot of Duality
1 Reinforcement of the Army
2 Royal Tribute
Traps [9]
2 Bottomless Trap Hole
2 Compulsory Evacuation Device
2 Mirror Force
2 Safe Zone
1 Starlight Road
| 3 Effect Veiler
3 Eradicator Epidemic Virus
2 Light-Imprisoning Mirror
2 Maxx “C”
3 Mystical Space Typhoon
2 Soul Drain
|
| Extra Deck [15] |
1 Abyss Dweller
1 Evilswarm Bahamut
2 Evilswarm Ophion
1 Evilswarm Ouroboros
1 Gagaga Cowboy
1 Gem-Knight Pearl
1 Maestroke the Symphony Djinn
1 Number 16: Shock Master
1 Number 39: Utopia
1 Number 50: Blackship of Corn
2 Number 66: Master Key Beetle
1 Photon Papilloperative
1 Stardust Dragon |
How Necroswarms Work:
The Necroswarm strategy is pretty self-explanatory and revolves around summoning Evilswarm Ophion while Necrovalley is on the field. Depending on the hand given, the Necroswarms can behave like either pure Evilswarms or pure Gravekeepers. Cards like Gravekeeper's Spy and Number 66: Master Key Beetle link the two archetypes, which would in other situations conflict with each other.
At the heart of the Necroswarm strategy is searching, which can be conducted in at least 5 ways:
1. By using Gravekeeper’s Commandant to search for Necrovalley
2. By using Gravekeeper’s Spy to search for another Gravekeeper monster and then immediately summon it to your side of the field
3. By using Reinforcement of the Army to search for Evilswarm Castor
4. By using Evilswarm Ophion to search for Infestation Pandemic
5. By using Pot of Duality to add a card from the top of the deck to the hand
Swarming is the other crucial element that is largely achieved with summoning effects of Evilswarm Castor and Gravekeeper’s Spy. This leads to rapid Rank 4 XYZ summons of monsters like Abyss Dweller, Gagaga Cowboy, and Number 16: Shock Master. Because 14 of the 17 monsters in the Main Deck are Dark, this Necroswarm deck has access to the pivotal Number 66: Master Key Beetle, which can protect Necrovalley from card effects. When equipped with Safe Zone, Master Key Beetle becomes a win condition.
Necroswarms fare extremely well against Dragon Rulers because Evilswarm Ophion prevents Level 5 or higher monsters from being special summoned and Necrovalley prevents Graveyard manipulation. Royal Tribute discards all of the monsters in the Dragon Ruler’s hand once Necrovalley is active, effectively ending the duel.
Additionally, they side well against Prophecy because Evilswarm Ophion and Master Key Beetle can be tributed for Eradicator Epidemic Virus. Necrovalley provides insurance against the wretched Spellbook of Fate that would otherwise disrupt swarming efforts.
Main Deck Tech/Key Cards:
3 Evilswarm Castor – When I Normal Summon this card, I can Normal Summon another Evilswarm monster (Mandragora or Thunderbird, in this case) from my hand. This card, searchable by Reinforcement of the Army, gives me instant access to Evilswarm Ophion and my other Rank 4 XYZ monsters. Necroswarm cannot function without Castor.
3 Gravekeeper’s Commandant – a monster version of Terraforming that lets me add Necrovalley from the deck to the hand. This Level 4 monster (for Rank 4 XYZ summons) also has a decent 1600 ATK (2100 when Necrovalley is activated), making it a powerful beatstick when necessary. The Commandant can be recycled with Gravekeeper’s Stele.
3 Gravekeeper’s Spy – a Level 4 Dark monster with an original DEF of 2000 (2500 when Necrovalley is active) that special summons another Gravekeeper’s monster from the deck when it is flipped face-up. It can search for Assailant, Descendant, or even another Spy and, in turn, frequently creates situations that make one-turn Rank 4 XYZ summons possible. Because it is a Dark monster, I can use Gravekeeper’s Spy to summon Number 66: Master Key Beetle. Because it is a Gravekeeper monster, I can also recycle it with Gravekeeper’s Stele.
2 Gravekeeper’s Stele – I can add 2 Gravekeeper’s monsters from the Graveyard to my hand. This card gives Necroswarms pronounced staying power.
2 Royal Tribute – When Necrovalley is active, I can activate this spell to discard all monsters in both players’ hands. Extremely useful against Dragon Rulers and Machina Gadgets, Royal Tribute is a loaded win condition against a wide variety of decks.
2 Safe Zone—Protects Evilswarm Ophion and Master Key Beetle from card effects. Makes the Beetle a win condition.
Side Deck Tech:
3 Eradicator Epidemic Virus—Tribute 1 Dark monster with 2500 or more attack to destroy all enemy Spell/Trap cards. Affects the opponent’s field and hand for 3 turns. When coupled with Evilswarm Ophion or Number 66: Master Key Beetle, EEV obliterates Prophecy and other decks that rely on spells and traps.
2 Light-Imprisoning Mirror – Stops enemy LIGHT-based decks, like Bujins, Agents, and most importantly, the Herald of Perfection.
3 Maxx “C” – Leverages the power of special-summon-heavy decks like Karakuris and Six Samurais. Because Maxx “C” lets me draw a card whenever my opponent special summons a monster, it discourages my opponent from making massive one-turn plays (especially in Dragon Ruler match-ups).
2 Soul Drain—a Continuous Trap that stops card effects that activate in the Graveyard and in the Banished Zone. An extra barrier against opposing Dragon Rulers and Mermails.
Extra Deck Tech:
2 Evilswarm Ophion – The boss monster that prevents Level 5 or higher monsters from being special summoned, Ophion pushes Necroswarm over the top.
2 Number 66: Master Key Beetle –The other boss monster that protects the cards of your choice from card effects. Can instantly create wins with Necrovalley and Safe Zone.
1 Stardust Dragon—to protect against card destruction on my side of the field. Stardust is also a target for the Starlight Road in the Main Deck.
Subject: Necroswarm Lockdown 
