The Shark archetype is a WATER-attribute, Xyz-focused strategy. Its game plan revolves around rapidly swarming the field with Level 3, 4, and 5 Fish monsters. This board presence is the foundation for a cascading series of Xyz Summons, building an imposing endboard from a minimal starting investment. The deck is primarily a "going-first" combo strategy aiming to establish a multi-faceted, interactive board. However, its explosive special summoning and high-ATK boss monsters also grant it significant One-Turn Kill (OTK) potential. While its power ceiling is high, the deck's linear combo structure creates distinct vulnerabilities, positioning it as a high-risk, high-reward "rogue" strategy.
The engine consists of Initiators that start combos, Swarm monsters that extend them, and Utility Fish that enable powerful interactions.
The premier 1-card starter. On Normal Summon, it summons a Level 4 Fish from the Deck and can modulate its Level for Xyz Summons.
A critical extender and searcher. Special Summons itself from hand and searches for another Fish monster to continue combos.
Functions as an in-archetype extender, special summoning a WATER monster from hand on its own summon.
A sub-engine providing extension and powerful destruction protection for the Xyz monster that uses them as material.
A Graveyard-focused extender that revives itself by halving a WATER monster's ATK, turning one monster into two.
A secondary starter. When Normal Summoned, it can be banished to Special Summon a Level 4 or lower Fish monster from the Deck.
This walkthrough demonstrates how a single Buzzsaw Shark can generate a formidable board.
Normal Summon Buzzsaw Shark and use its effect to Special Summon Surfacing Big Jaws from the Deck.
Xyz Summon Bahamut Shark. Use its effect to Special Summon LeVirtue Dragon, which then searches Virtue Stream.
Rank-Up into Xyz Armor Fortress. Use its effect to search the "Armored Xyz" engine pieces, extending into your full board.
Provides powerful, non-targeting monster removal by attaching an opponent's monster as material.
Applies continuous pressure with a floodgate effect and recurring, non-targeting monster destruction.
An indestructible boss monster that offers a recurring monster effect negate and steals the negated monster.
While the Shark core remains untouched, the archetype's Extremely dependent on resolving Normal Summon of key starters (Buzzsaw Shark, Beautunaful Princess), with combo lines heavily reliant on uninterrupted Special Summon chains to access critical Extra Deck monsters means restrictions on generic support cards do have an impact.
Meta Implications: Despite restrictions on support cards, Shark's Forced to adapt around Bahamut Shark and Toadally Awesome bans by pivoting to Armored Xyz engine lines, offering alternate combo routes but with increased vulnerability to disruption allows the deck to remain viable with alternative tech choices.
Banlist Status Summary
Core cards checked:
• Corroding Shark
• Crystal Shark
• Cutter Shark
• Drake Shark
• Dream Shark
• Great White
• Hydrojet Shark
• Hyper-Ancient Shark Megalodon
• Number 32: Shark Drake
• Number C32: Shark Drake Veiss
• Shark Caesar
• Shark Cruiser
• Shark Fortress
• Shark Stickers
• Veiss Shark
+ Related cards checked:
• Ash Blossom & Joyous Spring
• Bahamut Shark
• Buzzsaw Shark
• Called by the Grave
• Evenly Matched
• Full Armored Dark Knight Lancer
• Full Armored Xyz
• Gozen Match
• Ice Barrier
• Infinite Impermanence
• Minairuka
• Nibiru, the Primal Being
• Number 4: Stealth Kragen
• Number F0: Utopic Draco Future
• Number F0: Utopic Future
• Rivalry of Warlords
• Silent Angler
• Stealth Kragen Spawn
• Toadally Awesome
• Utopic Draco Future
• Xyz Armor Fortress
• Xyz Armor Torpedo analyzed •
0 archetype restrictions •
4 synergistic cards restricted
Explore deck lists from the YGOProDeck community featuring Shark. 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.