Notes & Combos

This Thunder Dragon decklist is copied from Chinese player 'Meng Xiaoheng's' (梦小恒) public post on Baidu Tieba. He reached Master 1 with this identical build on May 1st. I believe this Thunder Dragon build demonstrates solid rationality.

This Thunder Dragon build's consistency has significantly improved since Thunder Dragon Colossus was moved to unlimited and Gold Sarcophagus semi-limited several months ago. More importantly, we can now consistently summon multiple Thunder Dragon Colossus going first to pressure opponents. The deck's core game plan revolves around establishing 2-3 Thunder Dragon Colossus on the first turn to completely lock down enemy searches. In the current meta, top-tier decks like Blue-Eyes and Mermail-Atlantean heavily rely on search effects to operate. Even Memento struggles to break through under complete search lockdown established by this build.I will explain the deck's construction.

1. 45-card build:

Most decks cap at 40 cards to maximize starter consistency, but Thunder Dragon requires 2+ card combinations for combos and lacks 1-card starters that build its full boards. Therefore, the build should prioritize balanced ratios of core components over rigidly trimming to 40. I consider 45 cards an optimal count - the expanded size preserves the Thunder Dragon and Bystial engines while accommodating essential Hand Traps and non-engine tech cards. In reality, I would argue Thunder Dragon builds remain viable even at 50-card counts.

2. 3x Chaos Space，1x White Dragon Wyverbuster and 1x Black Dragon Collapserpent

The deck includes 3x Chaos Space, 1x White Dragon Wyverburster, and 1x Black Dragon Collapserpent.This configuration aims to increase the probability of summoning Cross-Sheep when going first. Cross-Sheep can revive a Level 4 or lower Thunder monster from the GY after Fusion Summoning the first Thunder Dragon Colossus, enabling the summoning of a second Thunder Dragon Colossus. With Thunder Dragon Colossus now unlimited, Cross-Sheep's strategic value has risen exponentially compared to previous formats, justifying the inclusion of the Wyverburster/Collapserpent package.

3. 2X Thunder DragonMatrix

Thunder Dragonmatrix has been excluded from standard Thunder Dragon builds for years due to its underwhelming effect and competition with Solar Battery Man for the Normal Summon. However, its inclusion holds merit. As previously noted, Cross-Sheep is critical to the strategy. Thunder Dragonmatrix remains the only eligible low-level Thunder Dragon monster, directly boosting this play's consistency. While not essential, its inclusion can create unexpected advantages: enabling Thunder Dragon Colossus to exceed 3000 ATK and triggering Thunder Dragon Titan during the damage step to guarantee destruction effect resolution。

4. 3x Allure of Darkness and 2x Solemn Judgment

Allure of Darkness is a high-risk, high-reward card. When paired with DARK-Thunder Dragons, it activates the engine while potentially drawing into powerful non-engine cards. Combined with Branded Regained, Chaos Space, and Thunder Dragonhawk, it enables explosive draw phases. This justifies my inclusion of two Solemn Judgment as post-draw payoffs. When multiple Thunder Dragon Colossus are established turn one, opponents often rely solely on Forbidden Droplet - a threat Solemn Judgment uniquely counters. For alternative backrow, consider Iron Thunder: its drawback doesn't affect destruction-immune Thunder Dragon Colossus.

5. 0x Apollousa and Masquerena

With Thunder Dragon Colossus now unlimited, we generally convert excess low-Level Thunder monsters into the 2nd or 3rd Colossus, leaving insufficient materials for Apollousa or Masquerena. When facing a board of Cross-Sheep + Colossus + Solar Battery Man + Bystial, prioritize summoning a second Colossus and use remaining materials for LittleKnight rather than Apollousa/Masquerena.

Only four Extra Deck slots are flexible: Linkuriboh, Knightmare Unicorn, Accesscode Talker, Typhon

The other 11 slots are irreplaceable. Accesscode Talker remains the optimal option for breaking boards (alongside Underworld Goddess). Typhon can be summoned using expended Thunder Dragon Titan or another Colossus. For remaining flex slots, I recommend Azalea or Lyna the Light Charmer.