Slifer Class #3 - Side Deck

This was posted by The_Batt.

During my last lesson in this series of deck based lessons (which you can find here: https://phoenixdueling.forumotion.com/t180-batt-s-class-1-deck-consistency), I talked about the consistency of a deck. On the same topic of deck creation, I have prepared an explanation of the side deck, and how to use it effectively.

Now first off, the Side Deck is a group of fifteen cards that, during a match, you can switch out with cards from your Main Deck (or Extra Deck) between games. If you add a card to your deck from the Side Deck, then you have to take a card out from whichever deck you sided into, and vice versa. The number you should choose for each card in your side deck is similar to that in lesson 1(I don't feel like explaining that again). Now, there are 3 general ways to side deck which can be seen in this video (he's slightly silly, but he the stuff he's saying is very helpful):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVUkgSzHPh4

A general rundown of this is that there are, as previously stated, 3 different ways to side deck:

1. Siding against what you're opponent will play:
This is usually what's done in tournaments and such, where mostly meta decks are played. If you know what's in the meta, you can side against it to have a better chance of emerging victorious. Another way to look at it is that if there is a deck or group of decks that give you trouble, you can have cards in your side deck that counter those decks (it doesn't help much to counter a deck that you can already easily beat )

2. Siding against what you're opponent will side against you:
This is thinking a bit too far ahead, however, it works for several types of decks. Say there's a certain card that destroys your deck. You can put a card in your side deck that counters that, just in case your opponent has it in their side deck. This usually takes a bit of research into what cards are normally sided against your deck, and/or what is normally in side decks during that format.

3. Siding to completely change your deck/strategy:
This is probably one of the more underused and more unconventional ways of using the side deck, but it can be effective if used correctly. This is usually used in decks with low monster counts, and has little to no specific spells and traps. You basically take all of the cards in your side deck, and swap them with cards from your main deck to create an entirely different deck/strategy. You can go from Mill to Exodia, or from generic rank 4 spam to Evilswarms. Again, this is very unconventional, but can greatly disrupt your opponent.

On a final note, in general, in helps to know what type of decks you usually go against in order to create an effective side deck. If you don't ever duel meta decks, don't create a side deck that shuts them down. If you notice that someone is using Ice Barriers, and you can't beat them, put some counters to Ice Barriers. It's all about knowing your deck's weaknesses, as well as the decks you usually play against.

Now, after you've read my giant wall of text (get used to it, I'm a perfectionist who likes to go into detail), time for the Challenge. This Challenge is meant for you to take a deeper look into an existing side deck, or one that you are in the process of making.

1. Pick a deck, any deck, (with a side deck) and state the name and/or strategy of that deck(aka, Blackwings, Darkworlds, Utopia Rank-Up, etc).
2. State 3 different cards in that deck's side deck, as well as how many of each card there is.
3. State why those cards are in your side deck. I want specific details (don't just repeat what I put in the lesson )

Example:

1. Pure Noble Knight
2. System Down(2)/Mistake(2)/Prohibition(2)
3. I side System Down mainly for match-ups against Geargia Karakuris. I usually am unable to get around the speed that this deck runs at, so I side in this card in an attempt to slow/shut them down.

I side in mistake mostly for the matches against Spell Book Prophecy decks. This deck specifically hurts Noble Knights with it's removal tactics and high sustainability. This card gets rid of that sustainability while keeping them from searching for their removal cards.

I believe Prohibition is a great side deck card for many decks. It allows you to shut down decks that require a specific combo to work, or decks that rely on one "boss monster." If you can understand what deck the other person is using, than you can get rid of a major part of their strategy and, ultimately, slow them down enough to win.

And that's it. Again, I apologize for the giant wall of text. As usual, PM the Challenge to Mnslayer27 or HAIR. Feel free to ask any questions that you have.

This is the second lesson in my deck making series. The next one will probably be on Creativity/Card Variation, unless I decide to take a small break from this series. As stated in my last lesson, if you feel there is any topic that you would like to see/learn about or go more in depth about, contact me either on here or on dn. If it is simple, I can tell you on the spot, or if it is a complicated subject, I may make it into a lesson (these lessons are for you to learn about things that need to be known. It is more effective if I know in advance what you are struggling with, so I know what I need to focus on).