The Battleguard archetype, originating from the earliest days of the TCG, has evolved from a simple beatdown strategy into a specialized engine for summoning Rank 5 Xyz monsters. The modern strategy hinges on Battleguard Cadet to search the key spell, Feast of the Wild LV5. This combo transforms generic Warrior extenders into powerful, disruptive Xyz monsters, a far cry from the original tribal skirmishes of the Swamp and Lava Battleguards.
The heart of the engine. On summon, it searches for "Feast of the Wild LV5" to kickstart the main combo.
A pair of Level 5 Warriors that can easily summon themselves, providing instant material for a Rank 5 Xyz.
The key combo spell. It Special Summons two Level 5 Warriors from the hand or GY to be used as Xyz material.
The generic Warrior Link monster that provides the most reliable path to summoning Battleguard Cadet from the deck.
This walkthrough demonstrates the primary combo line to establish a disruptive Rank 5 monster on Turn 1.
Isolde is currently banned. Modern Battleguard builds use alternative summoning methods for Cadet.
Use two Warrior monsters to Link Summon Isolde. Use her effect to send four Equip Spells to the GY to Special Summon Battleguard Cadet from your Deck.
Cadet's effect triggers, searching Feast of the Wild LV5. Activate it to Special Summon two Level 5 Warriors from your hand or GY.
Overlay your two Level 5 Warriors to Xyz Summon a powerful Rank 5 monster like Constellar Pleiades, which provides a Quick Effect bounce.
The final board state shifts dramatically depending on whether the player is going first or second.
The primary goal is to end on a Rank 5 Xyz monster that can interrupt the opponent's turn. Constellar Pleiades (Quick Effect bounce) or Artifact Durendal (negation) are the optimal choices.
Going second, the deck aims to break the opponent's board with aggressive Rank 5s like Number 61: Volcasaurus (monster destruction and burn damage), then follow up with Divine Arsenal AA-ZEUS - Sky Thunder to clear the rest of the field.
The Battleguard archetype itself is largely untouched by the TCG banlist, but key synergistic cards it relies on are affected.
Banlist Status Summary
Core cards checked:
• Battleguard Cadet
• Battleguard Echoes
• Battleguard Howling
• Battleguard King
• Battleguard Rage
• Lava Battleguard
• Swamp Battleguard
+ Related cards checked:
• Constellar Pleiades
• Feast of the Wild LV5
• Isolde, Two Tales of the Noble Knights
• Number 61: Volcasaurus analyzed •
0 archetype restrictions •
1 synergistic card restricted
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