Whether you're a fan of the anime, the video games, or want to join your friends who play the card game, playing Yu-Gi-Oh! the card game can be a great way to connect with the fandom and have fun with friends. However, all of the different card types, effects, and strategies can look pretty intimidating when players are just starting to learn about the game.
Don't get discouraged during the learning process though, as the game isn't as hard as it might seem. For those just starting out, here are some tips to help you learn how to play.
10 Ignore The Early Anime Rules
If players have an interest in learning how to play Yu-Gi-Oh! because they're fans of the first anime series or Yu-Gi-Oh! GX, know that the real game won't play exactly as it does in the anime versions. Basically, if players think that they'll be able to make a whole army of Kuriboh that multiply forever, they will be disappointed.
Some of the newer versions of the Yu-Gi-Oh! anime universe have been more accurate with how the game actually plays in real life. So, if new players want to watch the anime for some ideas on how the game works, anything from Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexel onwards wouldn't throw them off too much.
9 Get A Starter Or Structure Deck
Starter and Structure decks are some of the best ways for new players to get a full deck that usually have cards that work together pretty well. These decks aren't perfect, but they create a decent foundation for players to start with and they can always be modified later when players are more comfortable with them.
Starter decks tend to be used to teach specific skills, like certain ways to summon special monsters, but the cards themselves can seem random in the deck. Structure decks are more focused around a specific archetype with cards that work together pretty well. If players are concerned about which of these decks would fit them best, it can be helpful to look up reviews about these decks before buying one.
8 Read The Rulebook
When players get a starter or structure deck, they'll always get a booklet in the box that explains the rules of the game and even gives tips and strategies on how to use specific cards in that deck. While these books can be pretty helpful, depending on how old the deck is, the book might be outdated.
For new players, it's a good idea to look up the official Yu-Gi-Oh! rulebook online to get the most up-to-date instructions on how to play. If the rules still don't make sense, don't worry because there are still plenty of ways to learn how to play.
7 Watch How-To Videos
Some of the most useful resources when learning how to play Yu-Gi-Oh! are the videos made by Yu-Gi-Oh! players online. A lot of these players play competitively and are almost always trying out new cards in their decks, so they have a lot of knowledge about the game.
New players can look up any specific questions, rules, or cards that they are confused about, and there is a good chance that there will be a video explanation about it. Not only is this a good way to become a part of the Yu-Gi-Oh! community, but it can be more helpful to watch someone play the game instead of just reading the rules.
6 Research Beginner Decks
Even if you already have a starter or structure deck, the deck can always be improved. Players shouldn't try to jump into complicated archtypes and deck lists too soon though, and that's where beginner decks can help.
Good decks for beginners can usually be found online in Yu-Gi-Oh! database or deck creation websites, and some people make video versions of these decks too. One big tip for how to improve a deck more as a new player is to look up beginner decks that improve any starter or structure deck that they already have so that new players don't have to get as many new cards.
5 Ask Questions About Rules And Cards
Yes, Yu-Gi-Oh! can seem confusing for the first few times that players duel someone, but that's where the community can help a lot. If new players know anyone that plays Yu-Gi-Oh!, it's a good idea to ask them questions about the rules or how their deck works if needed.
For those who need more help or a second opinion, there are numerous different spots to talk to the Yu-Gi-Oh! community online. Whether new players seek help on specific forums or on a more popular platform like Reddit, there's plenty of ways to get advice from real players.
4 Figure Out What Cards You Like In Your Deck
After players have tested out their deck, done more research, and gotten advice about their cards, it's pretty likely that they'll realize that their current deck might need some work to make it better. However, this doesn't mean that players have to start from scratch (unless they want to).
A good starting point for improving a deck that players already have is to look through the deck and figure out what cards are the most useful. These are cards that should stay in the deck, and players might want to buy more copies of them too. Then, figure out what cards aren't as useful and think about taking them out of the deck.
3 Update Your Deck
Once players know what they like and don't like in their deck, it's time to update. With the help of online guides and videos, figure out which cards would help the deck be more powerful and consider ordering those specific cards online.
There are some popular card-buying websites online so that players can buy individual cards that they need instead of having to buy a whole mystery pack of cards and hoping that they get the one that they need. Make sure that the deck has at least 40 cards in it and has no more than 60 cards.
2 Practice Using Your Deck
Practice makes perfect and this saying applies to Yu-Gi-Oh! too. The best way to know if a deck is effective in a duel is to duel someone with it. While playing, be sure to look out for areas of improvement.
Is the deck effective at going first and second, or does it need help in one of these areas? Do you draw enough monsters, or do you have too many spells or traps that lower your chances? These are just some of the questions that players should ask during and after a duel, and it doesn't hurt to ask their opponent about how good the deck played after the duel is over.
1 Try Video Game Versions
After making a deck in real life, it can be easy to feel the need to get a lot of new cards and decks, but some cards can be expensive. If players are looking for ways to try out cards and decks without breaking the bank on cards that they might potentially wind up disliking, they should try some of the video game versions of Yu-Gi-Oh! for a while.
Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Links and Yu-Gi-Oh! Legacy of the Duelist are some of the best options for making practice decks online. While Duel Links is free, it can take some time to earn the cards that a player wants, and they don't always have newer cards. Legacy of the Duelist can be more helpful as it's easier to get cards and it follows more of the rules of the real game. Either way, it's a good idea to try to make whatever deck you want in a virtual world before possibly moving on to more complicated decks that might cost more money.