The Maliss archetype (stylized M?LICE) is a sophisticated DARK Cyberse Link strategy that redefines resource management. It establishes a "banishment-centric" economy, treating the "Underground" (banish zone) as a second hand. The core mechanic mirrors computer malware: executing rapid code (Traps from Set position) and creating persistent threats that are difficult to delete. Monsters banish each other to activate effects, then Special Summon themselves from the banished zone by paying 300 LP, creating a recursive loop of "cost" becoming "advantage."
The premier one-card starter. Its Ignition Effect banishes any "Maliss" monster from the Deck, initiating the core combo. When banished itself, you can pay 300 LP to Special Summon it.
The secondary starter. On summon, it Sets a "Maliss" Trap from the Deck, providing access to extenders or disruption. Revives from banish by paying 300 LP.
A key extender and consistency tool. It allows you to banish a "Maliss" card from hand to draw two cards, improving hand quality and triggering banished effects.
The engine's regulator. Link Monsters that point to March Hare gain targeting protection. Extends by banishing a Maliss from hand/GY (Quick Effect), and recycles banished resources to hand.
The Environmental Engine. This Field Spell is the deck's CPU. Upon activation, it banishes a "Maliss" card from Deck, Hand, or GY. Since Maliss monsters summon themselves when banished, this effectively acts as a "Special Summon from Deck" for a cost of 300 LP.
Bonus: If you have 3+ banished Maliss Traps, Link Monsters gain 3000 ATK.
The Interface of Disruption. Targeted effect negation that banishes a Maliss monster for cost (triggering its effect). In the GY, it can banish a Maliss card to add a card of the same type from Deck to Hand, recycling your resources.
These Traps can be activated the turn they are Set by banishing a face-up Maliss monster.
Recursion. Special Summons a Maliss from GY/Banishment and gains LP. Critical for recovering from board wipes.
Search & Destroy. Adds a Maliss monster from Deck to hand, then can non-target banish a card on the field.
The Cheat Code. Special Summons a Maliss from Deck OR cheats out a Maliss Link Monster from the Extra Deck if the opponent controls 3+ cards.
Normal Summon Dormouse. Activate its effect, banishing White Rabbit from your Deck.
White Rabbit's banished effect triggers. Pay 300 LP to Special Summon it. Now with two monsters, begin your Link climb into your boss monsters.
Summon Maliss Red Ransom to search for the Field Spell, Maliss in Underground, which further extends your plays by providing another banish (acting as a second starter).
A typical Maliss endboard generated from one card aims to establish multiple points of interaction to control the opponent's turn.
The board's primary problem-solver. Provides an un-negatable, non-targeting banish to remove any threat.
Offers graveyard disruption on summon and sets a "Maliss" Trap from the deck for an additional interaction.
A versatile trap that searches a follow-up "Maliss" monster while also providing another banish.
A generic Link monster that provides a Quick Effect bounce, dealing with monsters that can't be destroyed or targeted.
LOW IMPACT: The Maliss archetype has been moderately restricted by the TCG banlist, with Maliss Dormouse limited.
Meta Implications: Thanks to its Exceptional resilience due to constant recursion from the banished zone. The archetype is difficult to permanently stop since removed monsters simply revive themselves. The Field Spell "Maliss in Underground" provides additional banish effects and protection. However, cards that prevent banishing (Artifact Lancea) or lock out Special Summons shut down the strategy., Maliss remains playable despite the limitation.
Banlist Status Summary
Core cards checked:
• Maliss Chessy Cat
• Maliss Dormouse
• Maliss GWC-06
• Maliss Hearts Crypter
• Maliss MTP-07
• Maliss March Hare
• Maliss Red Ransom
• Maliss TB-11
• Maliss White Binder
• Maliss White Rabbit
• Maliss in Underground
• Maliss in the Mirror
+ Related cards checked:
• Accesscode Talker
• Artifact Lancea
• Borreload Dragon
• Code Talker
• Firewall Dragon
• I:P Masquerena
• Linkuriboh
• Mathmech Circular
• Nibiru, the Primal Being
• S:P Little Knight
• Small World
• Splash Mage analyzed •
6 total restrictions found
• 3 archetype cards
• 3 synergistic cards
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