A Technical Analysis of Red Dragon Archfiend & Resonators
While the "Archfiend" name encompasses a vast history of cards, its modern competitive identity is defined exclusively by the Red Dragon Archfiend (RDA) Synchro strategy. This explosive combo deck leverages the highly efficient "Resonator" engine to rapidly climb into powerful Level 8, 9, and 12 DARK Dragon Synchro monsters. Through a redundant and powerful search chain, the deck transforms a single starter card into a formidable endboard featuring multiple negations, inherent protection, and overwhelming offensive pressure.
The heart of the deck, "Resonator" Tuner monsters facilitate a rapid Synchro ladder. Starters like Soul Resonator search extenders, while cards like Crimson Resonator flood the field with Tuners to enable high-level Synchro Summons.
The deck's core combo involves "climbing" through Synchro monsters. An intermediary like Red Rising Dragon revives Tuners, which are then used with other monsters to summon progressively stronger bosses, culminating in game-winning threats.
This walkthrough demonstrates how a single Soul Resonator can generate a powerful endboard with multiple interruptions.
Normal Summon Soul Resonator to search for Bone Archfiend. This initiates the primary combo sequence.
Use Bone Archfiend to send Crimson Resonator to the GY, then Synchro Summon Red Rising Dragon, which revives the Crimson Resonator.
Crimson Resonator summons two more Tuners from the deck, allowing you to Synchro climb into powerful monsters like Hot Red Dragon Archfiend Abyss and Red Supernova Dragon.
A detailed overview of the key monsters and spells that fuel this infernal strategy.
The primary 1-card starter that searches any Level 4 or lower Fiend monster.
A key extender that Special Summons itself and sets up the Graveyard with a Fiend Tuner.
The main combo extender that summons two additional Resonators from the deck.
The crucial Level 6 Synchro bridge that revives a Resonator from the GY to start the combo.
The ultimate boss monster with built-in protection and a devastating field-wiping Quick Effect.
A powerful Continuous Spell for searching, recursion, and follow-up plays.
As of the current TCG format, the Resonator archetype is entirely unrestricted, allowing it to operate at full capacity.
Play any card at your preferred ratio without restrictions
Access to all archetype synergies without limitations
No banlist constraints holding back your strategy
Banlist Status Summary
Core cards checked:
• Barrier Resonator
• Chain Resonator
• Clock Resonator
• Creation Resonator
• Crimson Resonator
• Dark Resonator
• Double Resonator
• Flare Resonator
• Force Resonator
• Mirror Resonator
• Red Carpet
• Red Resonator
• Red Rising Dragon
• Red Warg
• Resonant Destruction
• Resonator Call
• Resonator Command
• Resonator Engine
• Soul Resonator
• Synkron Resonator
• Vision Resonator
+ Related cards checked:
• Hot Red Dragon Archfiend Abyss
• Red Supernova Dragon analyzed •
0 restrictions found •
All cards legal at 3 copies
Explore deck lists from the YGOProDeck community featuring Resonator. Find inspiration for your next build!
We respect your right to privacy. You can choose not to allow some types of cookies. Your cookie preferences will apply across our website.