Update Deck: Claret

Weakness is a sin

So. Claret's got some new toys.

The support that Claret has gotten from GBT-06 is good. Really good. Claret finally gets a Glimmer Breath clone, along with a great new starter and dedicated unflipper. Shadows in general even have a great new Effect Stand Trigger. And hey, it's cheap as hell. 

I've found that a Claret deck can get HUGE amounts of card advantage and deck cycling when built right, even without Aurageyser. This helps make a budget Claret deck actually quite viable. Of course we'll be sacrificing a bit aggressive power, but the deck functions perfectly fine. Crit pressure with Claret and PBDiablo will make up for it.

Anyways, let's get on with the blog!

Grade 0

Babysitting is a sin

It might seem odd, starting off a blog with Grade 0's, but they play a major part in how the deck runs. They are also great targets for the plethora of tutoring skills we have in the deck.

There are two obvious starter options for Claret decks: Oscar and David. David, now that Mage of the Rogue Eye, Arsur is a thing, is completely unnecessary. Oscar can search out Grade 1's so that they can be added to hand. Stride Fodders, Perfect Guards, whatever you need. It also Counter Charges 1 to top it all off.

Claret's Heart Thump clone goes so well with the deck. It can draw the card that was placed on top of the deck by Oscar and when used right will give you a huge lead card advantage. Couldn't ask for more from a Critical Trigger.

Shadow's two effect stand triggers, Cursed Eye Raven and Arsur, help to mitigate retire costs; Raven by calling two new units to replace it and Arsur by acting as two units. They also help to stop deck out and cause the deck to be chock-full of triggers after enough tutoring and filtering.

On the topic of decking out, don't run draws. You're asking for it if you do. I've ended games with one card left in deck. Repeatedly. Don't run draws.

Grade 3

9k Base is a sin

So four Claret Sword Dragon. That's obvious enough. Crit Pressure and quality Grade 1 tutoring all in one card.

Great Caar has an awesome on-hit tutor skill. Pressure units are always good, especially since it will work as a vanguard or rearguard.

Fodla's skill tutors out all of the amazing Grade 0's in the deck, but the 9k base is a pain in the ass if you ride it.

Shadow Blaze Dragon, when combined with Arsur, can make your opponent lose out on card advantage relatively quickly. Losing two rearguards every turn isn't fun.

Deathspray Dragon serves a similar purpose and has a similar skill to Shadow Blaze, albeit a bit weaker, but is easier to obtain. It also works on the Rearguard and has great synergy with PBDiablo

Vortimer "Diablo" is a solid option if you have a full playset lying around. If you like Vortimer but can't get your hands on any, Totwachter is a good replacement.

Grade 4

Outrageous Prices are a sin

Let's talk about Aurageyser Dragon. It's a great stride. It clears up your field, it cycles through your deck, and if Aurageyser Doomed is used can retire problematic rearguards. It also helps that Oscar can stack the deck for a guaranteed +5000 or retire. And it's price?

-$35

-$70 for a playset

-+$10 if you want to run Doomed

-Outrageous

Go ahead and get it if you can. IF you can.

Since we don't have Aurageyser to enable GB2 we're going to have to use Blizza.

Efnysien and Grim Recruiter apply good pressure and can get rid of Perfect Guards early on.

Phantom Blaster "Diablo" is the main stride and best finisher. He applies awesome Crit Pressure and when he attacks will force your opponent to take 2 damage or take a huge hit in card advantage. In some cases the attack can be completely unguardable. As the main offensive stride, run 4.

Spectral Blaster "Diablo" is a pretty good restander and look! He can flip any card in the G-Zone for cost! Unfortunately he's $20, but try to add in a copy if you can afford him.

Grade 2

Ugly 10k Vanillas are a sin

Greymyu is a really cheap on-call +1. He can make easy columns with Night Sky Eagle and tutor out any Grade 1 you need for the job. And he's common. My favorite 6-letter word.

Macha, like Greymyu, can tutor out any Grade 1 that you need. She doesn't have as much utility as Greymyu, since she calls during the battle phase, but she works without a Claret vanguard in case you misride.

Your choice between 10k Vanillas and 12k GB Beaters. Both are used to make columns. Take your pick.

Nemain or Gyva are good cards at 1, but no more than that.

The Darkpride/Darkquartz engine is great, but it takes a lot of space. If you can find the room, go ahead and fit them in.

Grade 1

Inconsistency is a sin

For PGs, Nemain still reigns supreme as the cheapest. Perfect.

Run 4 Branwen. You're gonna be striding a lot and you want to ensure that you ride Claret.

Abyss Summoner frees up Counterblast and pumps up the Soul when another rearguard is retired. He also becomes a 10k booster to top it all off.

Night Sky Eagle is MVP. He makes columns and hits stages. Pure power. Nothing else to say. Bolfri's good too, but doesn't receive the power when he boosts. They aren't exactly mandatory, but help give the deck some much needed aggression.

Decipherer of Prohibited Books tutors out Grade 0's if you feel like you need more calling.

If you can afford a Swordbreaker or two fit them in.
                                                                                   

Decklist:
NOTE: This is only an example decklist and should only be used as a base. I recommended that you create your own decklist through your own testing. I found this decklist to fit me, but it is up to you to find a decklist that fits you.

Grade 0
1x Bassinet Knight, Oscar
4x Taboo Mage, Cafar
4x Mage of the Rogue Eye, Arsur
0-2x Cursed Eye Raven
6-8x Triggers of Choice

Grade 1
4x PG of Choice
4x Cherishing Knight, Branwen
3-4x Abyss Summoner
0-4x Night Sky Eagle
0-2x Black-winged Swordbreaker/Decipherer of Prohibited Books

Grade 2
4x Greymyu
3-4x Dark Night Maiden, Macha
3x 10k Beater/Knight of Solemnity,Balberith


Grade 3
4x Supremacy Dragon, Claret Sword Dragon
4x Dark Great Mage, Badhabh Caar

Grade 4
1x Snow Element, Blizza
4x Dark Dragon, Phantom Blaster "Diablo"
0-1x Dark Dragon, Spectral Blaster "Diablo"
1-2x Dark Knight, Grim Recruiter
1-2x Dark Knight, Efnysien
0-1x Dark Dragon, Distress Dragon
3x Dark Knight, Ludvik
1x Air Element, Sebreeze
1x Dark Element, Doxic
1x Metal Element, Sycrew

                                                                                

Effectiveness: 8.5/10

Price: $60-100

Competitive: Yes

Final Words: This deck is just amazing. The HUGE amount of pressure and card advantage pulls through. Although the deck is a bit slow, being a GB deck and all, it can't stop once it gets rolling. Autopilot? It'll take getting used to, but the deck is fairly simple. It's more of knowing what to do against the clan you are facing. Shadow Paladins are an awesome clan and I'm happy to see that Bushiroad's giving them some great, cheap support.

Side Notes: Thanks to those who posted a comment on "Something New". It got me to create such an amazing deck. If you want to see a clan or build featured in the next blog please comment below! I know not many people read this blog, but it would be a great help if you posted a comment. I'd like to know what you guys want to see.

Anyhow, see you on the next one!

-Robot