NEXUS

Executive Summary

The Fishborg archetype is a compact and highly efficient engine of WATER Fish monsters designed to operate primarily from the Graveyard. Its core function is to facilitate and extend Synchro Summoning plays, serving as a potent support system within broader WATER-based strategies like Ghoti. The engine has evolved from the legacy of the now-forbidden Fishborg Blaster (currently banned) into a balanced, resource-generating toolset that provides consistent, turn-over-turn setup, perfectly adapted for modern dueling.

The Fishborg Roster

Each Fishborg monster has a distinct role in facilitating WATER Synchro strategies. Understanding their specific functions and activation conditions is critical to maximizing the engine's potential.

The Tuner Corps

Fishborg Harpooner

The modern vanguard. A Level 4 Tuner that starts plays from the hand, sets up the Graveyard, and provides negation when used for a WATER Synchro Summon.

Fishborg Launcher

The successor to Blaster. A recursive Level 1 Tuner that revives itself from a Graveyard containing only WATER monsters, extending combos.

Fishborg Archer

A Level 3 Tuner designed for recovery. It revives itself from the Graveyard if you control no monsters, making it excellent for rebuilding a board.

Support Units

Fishborg Planter

A recursive Level 2 non-Tuner. It can revive itself from the Graveyard by sending the top card of your Deck to the GY, provided it's a WATER monster.

Fishborg Doctor

A highly restrictive Level 4 extender that requires all monsters you control to be "Fishborg" monsters, making it impractical for competitive use.

Core Combo: The Harpooner Extender

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This walkthrough shows how Fishborg Harpooner can build a formidable board without a Normal Summon, making it resilient to hand traps.

Fishborg Harpooner
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1

Initiate from Hand

Activate Fishborg Harpooner's effect in hand, revealing it and another WATER monster (e.g., Nimble Angler). Special Summon Harpooner and discard the other monster.

Nimble Angler
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2

Trigger Graveyard Effect

The discarded Nimble Angler triggers, Special Summoning two "Nimble" monsters from your Deck, flooding the field with materials.

Adamancipator Risen - Dragite
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3

Synchro Climb

Use Harpooner and a "Nimble" monster to Synchro Summon a Level 6 WATER monster like Coral Dragon. Then, use Coral Dragon and the remaining material to summon a powerful Level 8 Synchro like Adamancipator Risen - Dragite for a Spell/Trap negate.

Typical End Board

When combined with the Ghoti archetype, the Fishborg engine aims to create a board that disrupts the opponent during their own turn. This makes the strategy incredibly resilient against many board-breaking cards.

Ghoti of the Deep Beyond

Ghoti of the Deep Beyond
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  • Field Wipe: When Synchro Summoned, it can banish all cards on the field.
  • Recursive Power: Returns to the field during the next Standby Phase after being banished.

Askaan, the Bicorned Ghoti

Askaan, the Bicorned Ghoti
Missing: 46815301
  • Targeted Removal: On summon, you can banish one of your Fish monsters and one card your opponent controls.
  • Float Effect: If destroyed by an opponent's card, it banishes itself and summons another banished Fish.

Competitive Analysis

Strengths

  • High Ceiling: Coelacanth combos can create nearly unbreakable boards.
  • Strong Recursion: The engine excels at reusing resources from the Graveyard and banished zone.
  • Opponent's Turn Interaction: Synergy with Ghoti allows for disruption during the opponent's turn.

Weaknesses

  • Choke Points: The Normal Summon of a starter like Lifeless Leaffish is a key point of vulnerability.
  • Graveyard Hate: Highly vulnerable to cards like Dimension Shifter and D.D. Crow.
  • Floodgates: Can be shut down by continuous traps like Skill Drain or There Can Be Only One.

Key Synergies

  • Ghoti: The primary partner, enabling Synchro plays on the opponent's turn.
  • Coelacanth Turbo: An explosive, all-in strategy to swarm the field for a game-ending Synchro combo. Their power is enough to overcome even colossal, earthbound threats.
  • Icejade & White Aura: Provide access to additional powerful WATER Synchro monsters and support spells.

Banlist Impact

SIGNIFICANT IMPACT: The Fishborg archetype faces significant restrictions on the TCG banlist with Fishborg Blaster forbidden.

Archetype Cards

Forbidden

  • • Fishborg Blaster

Meta Implications: The loss of Fishborg Blaster significantly impacts the archetype's power level and consistency. Players will need to adapt their strategies accordingly.

Banlist Status Summary

+ analyzed • 1 total restriction found • 1 archetype card