Executive Summary

The Metaphys archetype is a unique control strategy centered on banishing its own monsters to trigger powerful effects during the Standby Phase of the next turn. This patient, "delayed gratification" playstyle excels in a long grind game, aiming to out-resource the opponent through a recurring loop of advantage. Success with Metaphys requires foresight, predicting the opponent's plays a turn in advance to counter them before they even begin. These truly are dimensional phantoms, operating on a different strategic timeline.

Foundational Mechanics

The Standby Phase Payoff

Metaphys monsters trigger their primary effects when banished, activating during the next Standby Phase. They shuffle themselves back into the Deck to search, summon, or disrupt, creating a sustainable loop of advantage.

War of Attrition

The deck's win condition is to outlast the opponent. By repeatedly clearing the board with cards like Metaphys Daedalus and controlling resources with Metaphys Dimension, the deck grinds down opponents over multiple turns.

The Ethereal Pantheon: Core Cards

Metaphys Nephthys

Metaphys Nephthys
Missing: 72355272

The primary searcher. When banished, it adds any "Metaphys" card from Deck to hand. When Special Summoned by a Metaphys effect, it banishes all set Spells/Traps.

Metaphys Tyrant Dragon

Metaphys Tyrant Dragon
Missing: 18743376

The main summoner. When banished, it Special Summons a "Metaphys" monster from hand. When summoned by a Metaphys effect, it's a powerful, Trap-immune attacker.

Metaphys Daedalus

Metaphys Daedalus
Missing: 45960523

The board wipe. When Special Summoned by a Metaphys effect, it banishes all other face-up Special Summoned monsters. A devastating reset button.

Asymmetaphys

Asymmetaphys
Missing: 66719533

A key enabler. Lets you banish a "Metaphys" card from hand to draw a card, setting up your plays while maintaining hand advantage.

Metaphys Dimension

Metaphys Dimension
Missing: 52714670

The core control card. When another "Metaphys" card is banished, you can banish one card your opponent controls. Turns every play into disruption.

Aloof Lupine

Aloof Lupine
Missing: 92998610

The best starter. Normal Summon it to banish a Wyrm from your hand and another from your Deck, perfectly setting up a two-monster Standby Phase.

The Ideal Endboard State

Unlike combo decks, the Metaphys "endboard" is not a static field of negates but a recurring state of control. The goal is to establish a loop that dismantles the opponent's resources every turn.

Key Components of Control:

  • Metaphys Dimension (Field): Turns every banish effect into a piece of removal.
  • Metaphys Nephthys (Banished): Ready to search for any answer during the opponent's Standby Phase.
  • Metaphys Tyrant Dragon (Banished): Ready to summon a disruptive monster like Daedalus from hand.
  • Metaphys Horus (Extra Deck): A flexible Synchro that can negate effects or steal an opponent's monster, providing an immediate on-field threat.
Metaphys Horus
Missing: 36898537
Metaphys Daedalus
Missing: 45960523

Live TCG Banlist Status

Banlist Impact

While the Metaphys core remains untouched, the archetype's The deck relies on banish-enabling cards and anti-meta Traps to survive until its effects activate. means restrictions on generic support cards do have an impact.

Affected Synergistic Cards

Limited

  • Gold Sarcophagus

Meta Implications: Despite restrictions on support cards, Metaphys's Metaphys excels in grind games with its recursive banish-and-return loop for sustained advantage. allows the deck to remain viable with alternative tech choices.

Banlist Status Summary

+ analyzed • 0 archetype restrictions1 synergistic card restricted

Deck Search Resources