How to Build a Good Yu-Gi-Oh! Deck

Gather and survey your cards. Organize your cards into three stacks–monster, trap and spell. The more cards you have, the better selection.

Format your deck into a theme. While it is easier to make an element-heavy deck, type decks are strong. If you do not have the cards to build a type deck, consider purchasing more cards to help round out your collection.

Choose your monster cards on the basis of skill, attack and defense. The total number of monster cards in your deck will be determined by availability, but try to set aside around 20.

Choose your spell cards. Gather your strongest spell cards, but also match them to your monsters' abilities. Because spell cards affect your monsters and your opponents, pick out spells that are powerful, but not as effective against your monsters. You will want around 10 total spell cards.

Choose a selection of trap cards. Trap cards benefit or summon your monsters. Trap cards should cause damage to your opponent and prevent them from making moves that will damage you. Gather at least 10 trap cards.

Narrow your deck down to 40 or fewer cards. You can carry a greater variety of cards with a larger deck, but smaller decks increase the probability that you will draw combo building cards.

Try your deck in competition. Play with the deck a few times before altering it to get a good idea of what you need to improve.