Orcusts Hitting Tier 3
With the introduction of P.U.N.K and DPE in a recent selection pack, Orcusts have been pushed into tier 3 in the current MD meta. This guide will focus on multiple engines and variants that work well with Orcusts and push forward their gameplan that might not be possible in the current OCG or TCG meta as well as mentioning some cards that will affect Orcusts in the future.
About the Author
Hello my name is <component id="161"/>, I'm an active helper in the Orcust channel in the MD discord and I've been playing Orcust since the launch of Master Duel but haven't touched the deck previously. I've hit plat 1 multiple times with the deck before diamond was introduced and tested different Orcust variants up to that point. Orcust is a very complex deck and I've felt the need to make a guide to elaborate on the different possibilities the deck is capable of.
Current Play Style in MD
Orcust is a combo based archetype that makes use of graveyard effects in order to special summon multiple monsters in order to create boards with multiple disruptions. The Master Duel scene varies greatly from the TCG purely from the fact that we still have access to Orcust Harp Horror, an amazing extender who's only requirement is being able to send it to the graveyard.
Core Orcust Cards
All main deck Orcust's have an effect that locks the player into special summoning dark monsters for the rest of the turn with the exception of girsu when activating their grave effects.
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Girsu, The Orcust Mekk Knight x1
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Girsu can be considered as one of the strongest starters in the game. Not only can you send any orcust or world legacy card from your deck, you can also special summon a lvl 1 dark token to both players fields. Having a token on your opponent's side of the field has the benefit of preventing your opponent from using <component id="162"/> or <component id="163"/>. There's an additional effect where Girsu can become a tuner if summoned in a column with two or more cards for a possible <component id="164"/> play.
Orcust Brass Bombard X0-1
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The main purpose of brass is to special Orcust monsters that are stuck in your hand. Depending on the amount of methods you have in order to discard cards from your hand Brass can often be left out to make room for other cards. Even though Brass isn't Widely used in all Orcust decks, it definitely has it's uses as a <component id="165"/> target or in order to synchro into powerful synchros such as <component id="166"/> and <component id="167"/>.
Orcust Knightmare x1-3
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Orcust Knightmare is one of the reasons <component id="168"/> was banned and for good reason. Orcust Knightmare allows you to send any dark machine from deck by banishing itself and isn't limited but can be run at one to two copies as they are bricks without a way to send them from hand. Primary send targets for knightmare are <component id="169"/> and <component id="170"/> in order to continue your orcust combo and can send <component id="171"/> on your opponent's turn as disruption when we go over <component id="172"/> our boss monster
Orcustrated Return x0-2
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Orcustrated Return is our main archetypal discard outlet for our Orcust or World Legacy cards and can be great ash bait. You usually run more copies depending on your ratio of <component id="173"/> as the only other worthwhile target in <component id="174"/> is limited to 1.
Galatea, The Orcust Automaton x1
Dingirsu, the Orcust of the Evening Star x1-2
Orcust Harp Horror x1
Orcust Cymbal Skeleton x1-2
World Legacy - World Wand x1
Orcust Crescendo
Orcustrated Babel x1
Longirsu, The Orcust Orchestrator x1
One Card Starters for any Deck
Combos
Sample Deck
Scrap Orcust
Core Scrap Cards
Scrap Recycler x3
Scrap Raptor x3
Scrap Golem x1
Scrap Wyvern x1
Gilasaurus x1
Lib. The World Key Blademaster x1
World Legacy Succession x1
Crystron Rosenix/Mecha Phantom Beast O-Lion x1
Jet Synchron x1
Scrapyard x3
Fossil Dig x3
Scrap Factory x1
Combos
Sample Deck
Phantom Knight Orcust
Core Phantom knight Cards
The Phantom Knights of Torn Scales x2
The Phantom Knights of Silent Boots x1-2
The Phantom Knights of Ancient Cloak x1-2
The Phantom Knights of Shade Brigandine x1
Phantom Knights' Fog Blade x2-3
The Phantom Knights of Rusty Bardiche x1
The Phantom Knights of Break Sword x1
Tour Guide From the Underworld x3
Graff, Malebranch of the Burning Abyss x1
Cir, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss x1
Cherubini, Ebon Angel of the Burning Abyss x1
The Phantom Knights' Rank-up-magic Launch x1
True King of All Calamities x1
Raider's Knight x1
Arc Rebellion Xyz Dragon x1
Combos
Sample Deck
Sky Strikers
Core Sky Striker Cards
Sky Striker Engage! x2
Sky Striker Hornet Drones x1
Sky Striker Widow Anchor x1-2
Sky Striker Shark Cannon x1-2
Sky Striker Afterburners! x0-1
Sky Striker Ace Kagari x1
Sky Striker Ace Kaina x0-1
Sky Striker Ace Hayate x0-1
Combos
Sample Deck
Lunalight
Core Lunalight Cards
Lunalight Tiger x3
Lunalight Kaleido Chick x3
Lunalight Yellow Marten x2
Lunalight Emerald Bird x0-1
Luna Light Perfume x3
Lunalight Serenade Dance x1
Curious, The Lightsworn Dominion x1
Cyber Dragon Infinity x1
Blackwing -Zephyros the Elite x1
Raidraptor - Singing Lanius x1
Raidraptor - Raider's Wing x1
Raidraptor - Force Strix x2
Raidraptor - Wise Strix x1
Rank-Up-Magic Soul Shave Force x1
Foolish Burial Goods x3
Magicians' Souls x1-3
Apprentice Illusion Magician x1
Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Tiger King x1
additional synergy
Combos
Sample Deck
Thunder Dragon
Core Thunder Dragon Cards
Thunder Dragondark x3
Thunder Dragonhawk x1
Thunder Dragonroar x2
Thunder Dragon x3
Thunder Dragonmatrix x0-3
Aloof Lupine x3
White Dragon Wyverburster x1
Black Dragon Collapserpent x1
Thunder Dragon Fusion x1
Thunder Dragon Colossus x1
Thunder Dragon Titan x2
Chaos Space x3
Allure of Darkness x3
Combos
Sample Deck
Rokket
Rokket Tracer x3
Rokket Recharger x1
Striker Dragon x1
Quick Launch x3
Boot Sector Launch x1
Chaos Ruler, the Chaotic Magical Dragon x1
Additional synergy
Combo
Sample Deck
Danger!
Danger!? Jackalope x2
Danger!? Tsuchinoko x3
Danger! Nessie! x0-3
Combo
P.U.N.K
Core P.U.N.K Cards
Noh-P.U.N.K. Ze Amin x2-3
Noh-P.U.N.K. Foxy Tune x3
Joruri-P.U.N.K. Madame Spider x1
Noh-P.U.N.K. Ogre Dance x0-3
Joruri-P.U.N.K. Dangerous Gabu x1
Emergency Teleport x2
Other P.U.N.K. Cards
Ukiyoe-P.U.N.K. Sharakusai x1
Ukiyoe-P.U.N.K. Rising Carp x1
Noh-P.U.N.K. Dia Note x1
Combos
Sample Deck
Warrior Orcust
Core Cards
Sublimation Knight Starter
Neos Space Connector Starter
Vision HERO Vyon Starter
Phantom Knight Starter
Lib Package
Fire Flint Lady x3
Armageddon Knight x1
Dark Grepher x1
Isolde, Two Tales of the Noble Knights x1-2
Useable Equips
Combos
Sample Deck
Mekk Knight Orcust
Core Cards
Mekk-Knight Blue Sky x1
Mekk-Knight Purple Nightfall x3
Mekk Knight of the Morning Star x1-2
Mekk-Knight Indigo Eclipse x1
Mekk-Knight Yellow Star x1
World Legacy's Secret x0-1
Tenyi Package
Sample Deck
Our Boss Monster DPE
The DPE Package
Predaplant Verte Anaconda x1
Fusion Destiny x2
Destiny HERO - Destroyer Phoenix Enforcer x1
Destiny HERO - Celestial x1
Destiny HERO - Dasher x1
Other Variants
Extenders
Hand Traps
Useful Techs