Executive Summary

The 2026 Maze of Muertos expansion has successfully retrofitted the iconic trap card, Call of the Haunted, into the engine of a sophisticated Zombie strategy. Drawing heavy inspiration from the "Bonz" character of the Duelist Kingdom era, this archetype modernizes the "set-and-pass" obsolescence of 2002 into a high-octane 2026 engine.

By turning the trap card into a pseudo-Quick-Play spell via Pumpking the King of Grave Ghosts, the deck bridges the gap between GY recursion and board breaking. For a full list of the restless dead involved in this strategy, you should consult the Tomes of the Departed in the official database.

The Graveyard Shift

I. The Reanimated (Monsters)

Pumpking the King of Grave Ghosts
Missing: 81684048

Pumpking the King of Grave Ghosts

Level 6 / Zombie

The Starter. Reveals itself to Set "Call of the Haunted" from Deck. Allows it to be activated the turn it is Set.

Stare of the Snake Hair
Missing: 54077752

Stare of the Snake Hair

Level 6 / Zombie

The Lock. Discards to search Field Spell. On revival: Negates and Material Locks an opponent's monster.

Army of the Haunted
Missing: 18078153

Army of the Haunted

Level 6 / Zombie

The Recycler. Self-summons if you control the Trap. Resets "Call of the Haunted" from GY when sent there.

Great Mammoth of the Netherworld
Missing: 80461466

Great Mammoth of the Netherworld

Level 6 / Zombie

The Muscle. Destroys a card on summon. Grants +1000 ATK to any Xyz using it as material.

II. The Incantations (Spells & Traps)

Call of the Forgotten
Missing: 80749819

Call of the Forgotten

Field Spell

The Engine. Sets up to 3 "Call of the Haunted" from Deck/GY. Non-targeting send to GY when a trap activates.

Call of the Haunted
Missing: 97077563

Call of the Haunted

Continuous Trap

The Icon. The centerpiece. Revives monsters to trigger "On Summon" effects. Functions as a Quick-Play due to Pumpking.

Ectoplasmic Fortification
Missing: 16734927

Ectoplasmic Fortification

Continuous Spell

The Draw. Adds a Level 6 Zombie if field is empty, or draws cards equal to "Call of the Haunted" you control.

III. The Bosses (Extra Deck)

Pumpking the Great Ghost King
Missing: 17856505

Pumpking the Great Ghost King

Rank 6 Xyz

Provides blanket targeting protection for Zombies. Detach to bounce 2 cards. Searches "Call" cards on summon.

The Undying Legion
Missing: 43355214

The Undying Legion

Rank 7 Xyz

Rank-Up Boss. Overlays on any Rank 6 Zombie. Quick Effect: Attach opponent's monster (Field or GY) as material. Non-destructive removal.

Ritual of Resurrection

The "One-Card" Pumpking Sequence

Minimal Committment

  1. 01. Reveal Pumpking in hand. Set Call of the Haunted from Deck.
  2. 02. Activate the Set Trap immediately. Revive Pumpking from GY (discarded as cost).
  3. 03. Pumpking Effect: Special Summon Changshi the Spiridao from Deck.
  4. 04. Changshi dumps Glow-Up Bloom. Bloom banishes to add Stare of the Snake Hair.
  5. 05. Overlay Pumpking + Changshi -> Pumpking the Great Ghost King.
  6. 06. Ghost King Effect: Add Call of the Forgotten. Activate Field Spell -> Set 3 Traps.
  7. RESULT: Rank-Up into Undying Legion. 3 Set Traps. Field Spell active.

End Board: "The Necropolis"

M1
M2
M3
Undying Legion
2 Materials
M4
M5
S1
Call of the Haunted
(Set)
S2
Call of the Haunted
(Set)
S3
Call of the Haunted
(Set)
S4
S5

Call of the Forgotten

Active Field Spell. Triggers non-targeting removal when any Trap is activated.

Competitive Analysis

Strengths

  • ▪ Interaction Bypass: Activating traps the turn they are set bypasses "Turn 0" hand traps that target monster effects.
  • ▪ Material Locking: Stare of the Snake Hair creates "dead zones" on the opponent's board, effectively countering Link strategies.
  • ▪ Resource Loop: Army of the Haunted creates an infinite grind game by constantly resetting traps.

Weaknesses

  • ▪ Backrow Hate: Harpie's Feather Duster is devastating if the Ghost King is not established.
  • ▪ Bystials: Because the strategy relies on reviving DARK/Zombies from GY, Bystials can banish key targets in response to "Call of the Haunted".
  • ▪ Time Rules: The grind nature of the deck can lead to losses in time due to LP deficits if not careful.

Synergies

  • ▪ Eldlich: Natural synergy. Eldlich sends the Continuous Traps to GY for cost; Army resets them.
  • ▪ Vampires: Perfect Level 6 synergy facilitates Rank 6 plays without consuming the Normal Summon.
  • ▪ Ryzeal Matchup: Favorable. Trap-based removal bypasses Ryzeal's monster-heavy protection.

Banlist Impact

Fully Unrestricted

The Haunted Zombie archetype, with its Trap Recursion & GY Special Summoning, operates at full power with no restrictions on the current TCG banlist.

Maximum Consistency

Play any card at your preferred ratio without restrictions

Full Strength Plays

Access to all archetype synergies without limitations

Strategic Freedom

No banlist constraints holding back your strategy

Banlist Status Summary

analyzed • 0 restrictions found • All cards legal at 3 copies