Executive Summary

The Chimera archetype is a Fusion-based, mid-range strategy that masterfully blends resource generation with multi-layered disruption. A modern reimagining of classic monsters, the deck introduces the resilient "Illusion" monster type and centers its entire game plan around a powerful recursive loop involving its key spell, Chimera Fusion. Rather than building an unbreakable board of negations, Chimera excels at out-valuing the opponent over several turns, using a compact engine to maintain card advantage and present threats from the field, hand, and Graveyard.

Anatomy of the Engine

The Mythical Beasts & Illusions

Mirror Swordknight

The premier one-card starter. Tributes itself to summon a core combo piece from the deck and provides a monster negate from the Graveyard.

Cornfield Coatl

A vital consistency tool. Discards to search a starter and offers targeting protection from the Graveyard.

Big-Winged Berfomet

The central combo extender. Searches both a Beast monster and "Chimera Fusion," setting up the entire Fusion play.

Fusions of Legend

Chimera Fusion

The heart of the deck. A Quick-Play Spell that recurs itself from the Graveyard every turn, ensuring constant access to Fusion Summons.

Chimera the King of Phantom Beasts

The main Turn 1 playmaker. Rips a card from the opponent's hand and enables all the archetype's Graveyard effects.

Guardian Chimera

The primary disruption tool. Summoned on the opponent's turn to destroy their cards and draw new resources, generating a massive swing in advantage.

The One-Card Combo Blueprint

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Mirror Swordknight
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1

Initiate the Play

Normal Summon Mirror Swordknight. Tribute it to activate its effect, Special Summoning Big-Winged Berfomet from your Deck.

Big-Winged Berfomet
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2

Assemble Materials

Berfomet's effect activates, adding Gazelle the King of Mythical Claws and Chimera Fusion from your Deck to your hand.

Chimera the King of Phantom Beasts
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3

Fusion Summon & Recur

Activate Chimera Fusion, using Gazelle and Berfomet as material to summon Chimera the King of Phantom Beasts. Their GY effects trigger, reviving Swordknight and searching Cornfield Coatl.

The Distributed Threat End Board

The standard combo creates a seemingly simple board that holds multiple layers of powerful interaction for the opponent's turn. This setup is also resilient to Nibiru, the Primal Being as it requires only four summons.

Chimera the King of Phantom Beasts
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On-Field Presence

Layers of Interaction:

  • Hand Rip: King of Phantom Beasts forces the opponent to discard a random card during the End Phase.
  • Monster Negate: Mirror Swordknight can be banished from the GY to negate a monster effect on the field.
  • Targeting Negate: Cornfield Coatl can be banished from the GY to negate and destroy a card that targets yours.
  • Board Wipe & Draw: A set Chimera Fusion can summon Guardian Chimera on the opponent's turn, destroying their cards and drawing you more.

Competitive Analysis

Strengths

  • Incredible Consistency: Numerous one-card starters make the core combo highly reliable.
  • Resource Loop: The ability to recur Chimera Fusion every turn allows the deck to out-grind many opponents.
  • Resilience: The main combo line stays under five summons, making it naturally resistant to Nibiru.

Weaknesses

  • Key Choke Points: A well-timed hand trap on the Normal Summon of Mirror Swordknight can be crippling without an extender.
  • Graveyard Hate: Cards like Dimension Shifter or Macro Cosmos completely shut down the deck's recursive engine.
  • Anti-Fusion: Floodgates like Dimensional Barrier calling "Fusion" are often game-ending.

Synergistic Engines

  • Branded Engine: A single Branded Fusion can start both the Branded and Chimera combos simultaneously, leading to incredibly powerful boards.
  • Fiendsmith Engine: Provides additional Fiend and Illusion monsters that synergize perfectly with the deck's Fusion requirements and strategy.

Current TCG Banlist Status

FULL POWER: The Chimera archetype and its core support are completely unrestricted on the current TCG banlist.

Meta Implications: With no hits to its engine, Chimera can operate at maximum consistency and power. Its ability to run a high number of non-engine "hand traps" alongside its compact, one-card starter engine makes it a formidable and adaptable contender in the current metagame.

Banlist Impact

Fully Unrestricted

As of the current TCG format, the Chimera archetype is entirely unrestricted, allowing it to operate at full capacity.

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