How I see it, the foundation of Archetypes.

[Cofvy]

So I am kinda new here but I have been snooping in peoples Sets and Archetypes. And then it came to my attention that people who are Senior Card makers make small focused Archetypes where as newer people, Looks in mirror, often make 20+ card archetypes with no aim in mind. So while snooping, Looking at real world archetypes and making my own. I found a few things that could help newer people to Archetype making.

 

First off, Gimmick. What will your cards do? What aim will they have in a game? How will it run? Will it be Field, Grave,Deck or Banished based? These are the questions you have to ask your self when going in to make a archetype.

 

Boss monster(s), this will be the start of your deck. If you are going to have multiple boss monsters make them not to powerful on there own. All that I can say is that if you are only having one boss monster start with 2500 ATK and 700 DEF or vise versa. And add or subtract 100 from each side depending on how good the effect is. But in some cases it is good to have a low attack monster.

Eg. Fire Level 8 Pryo Atk 800 Def 300, Once per turn, Banish 1 Pryo-Type monster from your grave. this card gains ATK equal to half the original ATK of the banished monster.

This is where a High attack is easily gained but starting with high attack make the card broken. So say you banish a 3000 ATK monster the attack becomes 2300 ATK. Most cards at the moment can get over a 2300 ATK monster.

So with boss monsters make sure the attack is not to high and the effect fits the archetype and the effect is not stupidly good. It can be good but just put a lid on the effect and make it not to explosive.

 

Searcher, This card should be under level 4 and should only search cards in the Archetype, the only exception is if it supports a type. There should not be more that 2 searches.

 

The Game maker, This card make the deck work. If you don't draw it you may lose. this card should be searchable and should support the boss monster(s).

 

Fillers, These are Monsters, spells and traps that are not vital to the deck. But finding a balance with these cards is the hardest thing. Usually go for a mini-boss, a Dark horse (A card that will make the deck top YCS but not untill some one finds a stupid combo, this is usually the card that will be hit in a ban list) and others to make the archetype a unique thing of your imagination.

 

You will however find that you will make a Spellbook of Judgement(Broken card) or The Agent of Wisdom - Mercury(Really bad card) But dont be put down when you make these and use a bit of common sense when making cards. 

 

Good luck and have fun.

 

P.S. As said I am new here but I am just trying to give a helping hand to people who are just starting. Also there were no sections to put this so I'm sorry if it breaks any rules and I hope it helps in some way.

[Trebuchet MS]

Could we get this refined and pinned to help members make quality archetypes?

[宇佐見 蓮子@C94]

This topic is already discussed in the RC Guide and the Cardmaking Guide.