Executive Summary

The Metalfoes archetype is a versatile FIRE Psychic-Type strategy that masterfully blends Pendulum and Fusion Summoning. Its defining feature is a philosophy of constructive self-destruction: every Pendulum monster shares an effect to destroy another face-up card you control to Set a "Metalfoes" Spell/Trap directly from the Deck. This core engine converts on-field presence into a toolbox of powerful cards, creating a consistent and adaptable gameplay loop. By destroying cards that benefit from being sent to the Graveyard, the deck generates immense value, making it a powerful standalone strategy and one of the most splashable Pendulum engines in the game's history. You can find a full list of the alchemical artists here.

The Alchemical Arsenal

The Metalfoes strategy is built on a foundation of Normal Pendulum Monsters and a searchable toolbox of potent Spell and Trap cards.

The Pendulum Engine: Scales of Power

Scales 1 & 8

Core monsters like Metalfoes Goldriver (Scale 1) and Metalfoes Steelen (Scale 8) establish a wide Pendulum range, enabling summons of monsters from Level 2 to 7.

Shared Destruction Effect

The heart of the deck. Destroy any face-up card you control to Set a "Metalfoes" Spell/Trap from your Deck. This converts any card into a specific resource.

The Spell & Trap Toolbox

Fusion Spells

Metalfoes Fusion for grinding, Fullmetalfoes Fusion for disruption, and Parametalfoes Fusion for recovery.

Combination & Counter

Continuous Traps that provide recursion. Metalfoes Combination searches when destroyed, while Metalfoes Counter summons from the Deck.

Core Combo: The Fundamental Loop

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This walkthrough demonstrates the basic "Pop and Set" sequence that drives every Metalfoes play.

Metalfoes Steelen
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1

Establish Scales

Place a Scale 1 and a Scale 8 Metalfoes monster, such as Metalfoes Silverd and Metalfoes Steelen, in your Pendulum Zones.

Metalfoes Combination
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2

Pop for Advantage

Activate one scale's effect to destroy the other. This lets you Set a key card like Metalfoes Combination or a Fusion Spell directly from your Deck.

Metalfoes Mithrilium
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3

Pendulum & Fusion Summon

Replace your scale, Pendulum Summon your monsters (including the one from your Extra Deck), then activate your Set Fusion Spell to summon a boss monster like Metalfoes Mithrilium.

Typical Endboard: Alkahest Disruption

Fullmetalfoes Alkahest

Fullmetalfoes Alkahest
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  • Quick Effect Removal: During your opponent's turn, it can equip one of their monsters to itself, providing powerful, non-destruction removal.

Set Fusion & Combination

Fullmetalfoes Fusion
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  • Turn 2 Disruption: A face-down Fullmetalfoes Fusion allows you to summon Alkahest on your opponent's turn.
  • Resource Loop: Metalfoes Combination will trigger on the Fusion Summon, reviving another Metalfoes from the GY to extend your board presence.

Foundational Mechanics

Strengths

  • High Consistency: The core engine is simple and provides easy access to the entire archetype's toolbox.
  • Recursive Power: Cards like Metalfoes Fusion and Metalfoes Mithrilium create a sustainable resource loop.
  • Highly Splashable: The engine synergizes with any archetype that benefits from its cards being destroyed (e.g., Yang Zing, Kozmo).

Weaknesses

  • Pendulum Hate: Vulnerable to common anti-Pendulum floodgates like Anti-Spell Fragrance.
  • Choke Points: Relies on resolving its Pendulum effect; a well-timed negation can disrupt the entire turn's setup.

Live TCG Banlist Status

Banlist Impact

While the Metalfoes core remains untouched, the archetype's Moderate reliance on generic Pendulum support - the deck benefits significantly from cards like Heavymetalfoes Electrumite (Forbidden) for consistency and advantage generation. Synergizes exceptionally well with other Pendulum archetypes like Zefra, Endymion, and Mythical Beast for hybrid strategies. means restrictions on generic support cards do have an impact.

Affected Synergistic Cards

Limited

  • Astrograph Sorcerer

Meta Implications: Despite restrictions on support cards, Metalfoes's Extremely high adaptability - Metalfoes can function as a pure Pendulum/Fusion deck or as a compact engine (6-9 cards) splashed into mixed Pendulum strategies. The self-destruction effects allow setting defensive traps or Pendulum support, making it versatile for both aggressive and control-oriented builds. allows the deck to remain viable with alternative tech choices.

Banlist Status Summary

+ analyzed • 0 archetype restrictions • 1 synergistic card restricted

Deck Search Resources