Noble Knight
A Tale of Two Round Tables
Lore Archive
"The Noble Knights are the Knights of the Round Table brought to life—Artorigus, Borz, Medraut, and their brethren wield sacred Noble Arms equip spells that re-equip themselves when destroyed. Their quest for the Holy Grail of competitive viability has produced some of the most beautifully designed Xyz monsters in the game's history."
The Noble Knights are the Knights of the Round Table, and their artworks tell the legend of King Arthur card by card, from the sword in the stone to the Lady of the Lake. Follow a marked name to walk the trail.
Artorigus pulls Noble Arms - Caliburn from the rock. The art is by Joe Ng, colored by the Chilean artist Genzoman: one of the few cards not drawn by a Japanese artist. He appears in Noble Knights of the Round Table and Until Noble Arms are Needed Once Again.
From left to right: Eachtar, Medraut, the Brothers, Gawayn, Artorigus, Borz, Laundsallyn, Gwalchavad, Drystan and Peredur.
In legend, Gawain's strength peaks at noon, hence his LIGHT Attribute and the sun in his art. He carries Noble Arms - Gallatin, and turns up again in Artorigus, King of the Noble Knights.
Medraut is the Welsh name of Mordred, who betrayed King Arthur; the shadow behind him hints at it. The sword in his hand is Noble Arms - Clarent.
Most likely Sir Agravain, Sir Gaheris and Sir Gareth, brothers of Gawain and half-brothers of Mordred: they stand beside both at the Round Table.
Peredur is Sir Percival. Gwalchavad (Galahad) and Borz (Bors) appear with him: the three knights of the Grail quest.
Sir Bors the Younger achieved the Holy Grail, and here it is in his hands. Konami described his effect, turning DARK when equipped with Noble Arms, as Borz succumbing to the dark side.
Laundsallyn carries Noble Arms - Arfeudutyr. The lake may refer to the Lady of the Lake, who raised Lancelot. His upgraded form, Ignoble Knight of High Laundsallyn, wields red versions of Arfeudutyr and Noble Arms - Excaliburn.
The ghost of Laundsallyn hangs over Eachtar, manipulating him in revenge for his death. Eachtar's reflection appears in Last Chapter of the Noble Knights.
Artorigus crowned, with an enhanced Caliburn, and in the upper left, the shadowy figures of Gawayn and Laundsallyn.
Bedwyr, Sir Bedivere, returns Excaliburn to the Lady of the Lake, while the reflections of Eachtar and a red Arfeudutyr show in the water.
Despite the English name, this is King Artorigus himself, in a more powerful form, holding both Caliburn and Excaliburn. He appears in Avalon and Heritage of the Chalice.
Executive Summary
The "Noble Knight" archetype is a thematically rich saga within Yu-Gi-Oh!, split into two distinct factions. The original LIGHT Warrior "Noble Knights" are based on Arthurian legend, focusing on a resilient, control-based Xyz strategy. In contrast, the FIRE Warrior "Infernoble Knights," inspired by the Paladins of Charlemagne, employ an explosive, combo-heavy Synchro strategy. Both factions revolve around the "Noble Arms" Equip Spells, which grant powerful effects and can re-equip from the Graveyard. This page explores the strategies, key Noble Knight cards, and competitive standing of this dual-natured archetype.
Part I: The Court of Camelot
The original Arthurian Knights, a strategy of attrition and board control.
The Knights of the Round Table
Noble Knight Medraut: The premier one-card starter, capable of summoning another Knight from the deck to initiate Xyz plays.
Noble Knight Borz: Manages resources by sending "Noble Arms" from the Deck to the Graveyard, setting up recursion.
Noble Knight Drystan: Provides disruption by destroying a face-up card when a "Noble Arms" is equipped to him.
The "Protect the King" End Board
Missing: 21223277
The classic end board establishes a resilient fortress. It centers on Artorigus, King of the Noble Knights equipped with multiple "Noble Arms" from the Graveyard. This creates a powerful boss monster protected from targeting (Excaliburn) and destruction (Destiny), capable of clearing the opponent's backrow.
Part II: The Paladins of Charlemagne
The modern Infernoble Knights, a fast-paced Synchro combo strategy.
Charlemagne's Champions
Infernoble Knight Ogier: A starter that sends any FIRE Warrior or "Noble Arms" from the Deck to the GY.
Infernoble Knight - Renaud: The key extender, Special Summoning itself and recurring a FIRE Warrior or Equip Spell from the GY/banished pile.
Infernoble Knight Emperor Charles: The primary boss monster, capable of destroying cards on the field and equipping resources from the Deck during the End Phase.
The Modern Synchro End Board
Missing: 77656797
The goal is a multi-interruption board. This is anchored by Infernoble Knight Emperor Charles, whose destruction effect can be triggered on the opponent's turn by Infernoble Knight Captain Roland from the GY. This is often supplemented with generic powerhouses like Baronne de Fleur for an omni-negate or Emperor Charles the Great for a Spell/Trap negate.
Core Combo Walkthroughs
Classic Combo: Medraut to King
1. The Opening Move
Missing: 59057152
Normal Summon Noble Knight Medraut and equip him with any "Noble Arms".
2. Summon from the Deck
Use Medraut's effect to Special Summon Noble Knight Borz from the deck, destroying the equip spell which then re-equips to Borz.
3. Assemble the King
Missing: 21223277
Use Borz to fill the Graveyard with "Noble Arms", then use Medraut and Borz to Xyz Summon Artorigus, King of the Noble Knights and equip him for protection and removal.
Modern Combo: Ogier to Emperor
1. Graveyard Setup
Normal Summon Infernoble Knight Ogier to send an extender like Renaud from Deck to Graveyard.
2. Extend and Recur
Special Summon extenders and Renaud to get back resources and place multiple FIRE Warriors on the field.
3. Synchro Climb
Missing: 77656797
Use your monsters to Synchro climb through Captain Roland into Infernoble Knight Emperor Charles, setting up his disruption for the opponent's turn.
Competitive Analysis
Strengths
- High Combo Ceiling: The Infernoble engine can produce powerful Synchro boards with multiple interruptions.
- Powerful Boss Monsters: Cards like Emperor Charles the Great offer both destruction and negation, making them difficult to out.
- Resource Loop: The deck has a potent resource loop that gives it staying power in longer duels.
- Recursive Protection: The "Noble Arms" mechanic of re-equipping from the Graveyard provides resilience against removal.
Weaknesses
- Vulnerable to Hand Traps: Extremely susceptible to cards like Ash Blossom & Joyous Spring on key starters like Ogier or Renaud.
- Combo Reliant: The post-Isolde strategy relies on multi-card combinations, leading to inconsistency.
- Inconsistent Hands: The "Equip Paradox" still exists, where drawing too many "Noble Arms" without a Knight can result in an unplayable hand.
- Known Choke Points: As a linear combo deck, its key strategic points are well-known and easy for opponents to disrupt.
Alliances & Synergies
- Fighting Flame Swordsman: This FIRE Warrior engine provides extenders and equip spells, boosting consistency.
- Battlin' Boxer: Can be used to quickly summon monsters and search for key spells to facilitate plays.
- Generic Warrior Support: Cards like Reinforcement of the Army are essential for searching key combo pieces.
Live TCG Banlist Status
Banlist Impact
While the Noble Knight core remains untouched, the archetype's The deck historically relied on Isolde, Two Tales of the Noble Knights for unparalleled consistency and combo extension in the "Infernoble" strategy. means restrictions on generic support cards do have an impact.
Affected Synergistic Cards
Forbidden
- Isolde, Two Tales of the Noble Knights
Limited
- Reinforcement of the Army
Meta Implications: Despite restrictions on support cards, Noble Knight's The archetype was redefined by Isolde's introduction, and her banning forced the deck back to less efficient, multi-card combos. allows the deck to remain viable with alternative tech choices.
Banlist Status Summary
Core cards checked:
• Emperor Charles the Great
• Fire Flint Lady
• Infernoble Knight - Renaud
• Infernoble Knight Oliver
• Infernoble Knight Turpin
• Noble Arms - Arfeudutyr
• Noble Arms - Caliburn
• Noble Arms - Gallatin
• Noble Knight Artorigus
• Noble Knight Borz
• Noble Knight Drystan
• Noble Knight Medraut
+ Related cards checked:
• Isolde, Two Tales of the Noble Knights
• Reinforcement of the Army analyzed •
0 archetype restrictions •
2 synergistic cards restricted