NEXUS

Executive Summary

The "Doll Monster" engine is a specialized strategy focused on the synergy between Box of Friends and Grandpa Demetto. It transforms often-overlooked Level 4 Normal Monsters with 0 ATK or DEF into highly efficient fuel for a versatile Rank 4 Xyz toolbox. This stitched-together strategy excels at creating stable resource loops and escalating threats, pivoting from utility plays into powerful Rank 8 Xyz boss monsters, all while protecting its fragile components with a layered defense system.

The Cast of Creations: Core Cards

The Controllers

Princess Cologne

The central Rank 4 Xyz hub. She recycles Box of Friends and revives Normal Monsters, maintaining the field presence crucial for both offense and defense.

Grandpa Demetto

The key to the deck's power plays. He transforms Level 4 Normal Monsters from the GY into Level 8s, enabling access to the Rank 8 Xyz toolbox.

The Engine & Fuel

Doll Happiness

The 1-card starter. This Continuous Spell searches for either Grandpa Demetto or Box of Friends and provides a way to proactively destroy your cards to trigger their effects.

Box of Friends

The primary swarming tool. When this trap is destroyed, it summons two 0 ATK/DEF Normal Monsters from the deck, instantly setting up a Rank 4 Xyz play.

Core Combo: The 1.5-Card Rank 4 Sequence

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This combo line is AI-generated and may contain errors or illegal plays (e.g., banned cards).
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This walkthrough demonstrates how Doll Happiness and a discard can generate immediate field presence.

Doll Happiness
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1

The Opening Act

Activate Doll Happiness to search for Box of Friends from your deck. Set the trap card.

Box of Friends
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2

Proactive Destruction

Use the effect of Doll Happiness to destroy your set Box of Friends. This triggers its effect.

Princess Cologne
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3

Swarm and Summon

Box of Friends summons two Level 4 Normal Monsters from the deck. Use them to Xyz Summon Princess Cologne, which then retrieves Box of Friends from the GY to start the loop again.

The Final Performance: Endboards

The Control Board (Rank 4)

Currently Banned in TCG

Abyss Dweller is currently banned. Use Bagooska or Tornado Dragon as alternatives.

Abyss Dweller
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  • Princess Cologne Lock: With Doll Happiness active, Cologne is protected from targeting, and your 0 ATK monsters are protected from attacks.
  • Generic Disruption: Summon a utility Rank 4 like Abyss Dweller (currently banned) to shut down opponent's Graveyard-reliant strategies.

The Power Play (Rank 8)

Number 22: Zombiestein
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  • Grandpa Demetto Conversion: Use Grandpa Demetto to turn your GY Normal Monsters into two Level 8 materials on the field.
  • Boss Monster Threat: Summon a powerful Rank 8 like Number 22: Zombiestein for high ATK and negation, or other utility Rank 8s for removal and control.

Director's Cut: Competitive Analysis

Strengths

  • Resource Loop: The engine excels at recycling its key pieces, providing sustained field presence.
  • Toolbox Access: Can easily pivot between a wide range of generic Rank 4 and Rank 8 Xyz monsters.
  • Resilient Defense: The Cologne/Happiness lock creates a surprisingly sturdy defensive wall against targeting effects and attacks.

Weaknesses

  • Choke Points: Negating the initial Doll Happiness search can often end the turn.
  • Graveyard Hate: The Rank 8 play is entirely dependent on having Normal Monsters in the GY, making it vulnerable to cards like D.D. Crow.
  • Non-Targeting Removal: Board-wipes like Raigeki or Lightning Storm bypass the entire defensive setup.

Key Tech & Support

  • Rescue Rabbit: A powerful, non-archetypal 1-card starter that directly summons two Normal Monsters for an instant Rank 4.
  • King of the Feral Imps (currently banned): A generic Rank 4 that can search for extenders like Chamenleon to enable recursion.
  • Suship Engine: Can be integrated to increase the density and power of Rank 4 plays, as Suship Normal Monsters are valid targets.

Banlist Impact

The Doll monster archetype itself is largely untouched by the TCG banlist, but key synergistic cards it relies on are affected.

Affected Synergistic Cards

Forbidden

  • Abyss Dweller

Banlist Status Summary

+ analyzed • 0 archetype restrictions1 synergistic card restricted