For as long as the Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game has been around, naturally, fans would be right to expect a vast library of cards at their disposal upon picking up Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel. However, since Master Duel has only recently been released, everyone is new to the game, and they all have to start somewhere. Upon completing the tutorial, fans already have a tough choice to make by picking their first Starter Deck.
As they advance through the tutorial, players may see the reward for completing their first duel is called the "Starting Deck," but this isn't the only deck players can obtain. They'll also have the option of picking three other decks using familiar archetypes to many Yu-Gi-Oh! players shortly after. The Starting Deck actually holds a few cards within it that can assist any of the three starter decks as well.
Yu-Gi-Oh Master Duel Starter Decks
The starting decks players have to choose from are called Power of the Dragon, Synchro of Unity, and Link Generation. Power of the Dragon is a Fusion Summon-themed Deck featuring older cards such as the Blue-Eyes White Dragon, Lord of D., and fitting supports. Synchro of Unity is more Synchro Summoning-focused, using cards such as Speed Warrior for more simplistic coverage. Link Generation features Link Summoning and Cyberse-type monsters such as Decode Talker from recent card sets.
The difference between these decks is important, as they're designed to match players' skill levels or even possible familiarity with the game. Fans of the original Yu-Gi-Oh!, or fans who may be newer to the game, may gravitate towards the Blue-Eyes deck, built with simple cards that can search for the stronger ones. Whereas those more familiar with the game, or even the Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS anime, may resonate with Link Generation, as it features the latest cards and, therefore, more detailed effects, upping its difficulty curve to learn it.
Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel: Best Starter Deck
The best starter deck overall for those unsure is Synchro of Unity, which sits in the middle and boasts the best of both. With more effect monsters in it than in Power of the Dragon, players can have more strategic choices regarding how their cards are played, and the effects are more simplistic than Link Generation's cards. Many of Synchro of Unity's cards are perfect examples of being easy to learn yet challenging to master, making it an excellent choice for those wanting to learn as they go.
Players should pick between the options based on their skill level and which deck is pleasing to them personally, rather than which performs better. In the end, the choice is purely up to the player, as choosing one only leads to the other options to be locked in the game's missions to be earned as they play through modes like Master Duel's Story mode. Each of the starting decks has cards featured in one of the current Selection Packs, Revival of Legends, so each deck has the ability to grow and change with their player's libraries and skills as they play with ease.
Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel is available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. A mobile release is currently in development.