NEXUS

Executive Summary

The Fossil archetype is a Fusion-based strategy that weaponizes the Graveyards of both players. Its core identity is that of a "parasitic" deck, thriving by banishing monsters to fuel its powerful Fusion summons. This allows a Fossil player to turn an opponent's spent resources into game-ending threats, unearthing ancient power from the graveyard. The archetype excels as a "blind second" OTK deck but can pivot to a formidable control strategy through integration with synergistic engines like Adamancipator.

Foundational Mechanics

Graveyard Weaponization

The deck's primary mechanic involves using Fossil Fusion to banish monsters from either player's Graveyard as Fusion Material. This serves as both a powerful summoning method and a potent form of disruption.

Strategic Duality

While its main focus is a "go-second" OTK strategy, the archetype can create powerful, disruptive boards when going first, typically by integrating with the Adamancipator engine to establish negations and interruptions.

The Excavation Crew: Core Cards

Main Deck Enablers

Weathering Soldier

The primary searcher. When sent to the Graveyard by a card effect, it adds Fossil Fusion or a related card from the Deck to the hand.

Shell Knight

A powerful starter and extender. It can Special Summon itself from the GY and can also send a high-level Rock from Deck to GY to search for Fossil Fusion.

Flint Cragger

A versatile combo piece. On Special Summon, it can send a "Fossil" Fusion monster from the Extra Deck to the GY, triggering their powerful GY effects to search for engine pieces.

Essential Spells

Fossil Fusion

The heart of the archetype. It exclusively uses materials from the Graveyards, offers protection to the summoned monster, and can recycle itself from the GY.

Miracle Rupture

The main consistency tool. It sends a Level 4 or lower Rock monster (usually Weathering Soldier) from the Deck to the GY to start your plays.

Time Stream

The archetype's evolution tool. It Tributes a "Fossil" Fusion to summon a stronger one from the Extra Deck that is 2 Levels higher, enabling access to the Paleozoic bosses.

Core Combo: The OTK Blueprint

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This walkthrough demonstrates the "go-second" strategy to achieve a One-Turn Kill.

Miracle Rupture
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Engine Activation

Activate Miracle Rupture to send Weathering Soldier from your Deck to the Graveyard. This triggers its effect, adding Fossil Fusion to your hand.

Fossil Fusion
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The Fusion Summon

Activate Fossil Fusion. Banish a Rock monster from your GY and a high-level monster from the opponent's GY to summon Fossil Dragon Skullgios.

Fossil Dragon Skullgios
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Inflict Lethal Damage

Attack an opponent's monster (ideally a Link monster with 0 DEF) with Skullgios. Activate its effect to inflict massive piercing damage, which is then doubled for an easy OTK.

The Paleozoic Era: Level 8 Boss Monsters

The deck's ultimate goal is to summon its powerful Level 8 Fusion monsters, each serving as a distinct win condition.

Fossil Dragon Skullgios
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Fossil Dragon Skullgios

The primary OTK enabler. It doubles any battle damage it inflicts and can manipulate the ATK/DEF of monsters it battles.

Fossil Warrior Skull King
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Fossil Warrior Skull King

The main disruption and control tool. Its Quick Effect can steal a monster from the opponent's Graveyard during their turn.

Fossil Machine Skull Convoy
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Fossil Machine Skull Convoy

A powerful board-wiping monster that can attack multiple times and reduces the ATK of all opposing monsters.

Competitive Analysis

Strengths

  • Explosive OTK Potential: Can end games abruptly with Skullgios.
  • Graveyard Disruption: Banishing opponent's resources is a powerful, built-in form of interruption.
  • Rogue Factor: Many opponents are unfamiliar with the deck's choke points and win conditions.

Weaknesses

  • Graveyard Dependency: Extremely vulnerable to cards like Macro Cosmos or Dimensional Fissure.
  • Fragile Choke Points: A single well-timed hand trap on Miracle Rupture can end the turn.
  • Engine Reliance: Can "brick" if it doesn't open with its key engine starters.

Synergistic Engines

  • Adamancipator: The premier partner, providing a powerful "go-first" board and filling the GY with Rock monsters.
  • Vernusylph: Offers excellent GY setup and recursion for key Rock monsters.
  • Horus: Provides a stream of high-level bodies for Extra Deck plays and discard outlets.

Banlist Impact

Fully Unrestricted

As of the current TCG format, the Fossil 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