Analysis of a Spirit & Ritual Strategy
The Shinobird archetype is a Ritual-based strategy centered on WIND Winged-Beast Spirit monsters. Historically, it was a "going-second" deck focused on board-breaking. However, support from the Age of Overlord (AGOV) set fundamentally redesigned its playstyle, introducing a powerful "going-first" combo engine. A complete analysis requires categorizing the cards by their strategic function, from their new combo-enabling Rituals to their classic board-breaking boss monsters.
The 1-card starter. Ritual Summon to search Stars Align Above the Shrine. Returns to hand in the End Phase, triggering your Field Spell.
The combo pivot. Summoned from the Deck, it Tributes itself to search a Spirit monster (like Amano-Iwato) and a Ritual Spell.
The "Monster Breaker." Bounces up to 3 opponent's monsters, then Special Summons a Spirit from your hand (e.g., Amano-Iwato).
The "Backrow Breaker." Shuffles up to 3 opponent's S/T into the Deck, then Special Summons a Spirit from your Deck'?the original Amano-Lock.
This is the deck's primary "going-first" combo, using the "Nephthys" archetype to create a multi-interruption endboard from a single starter.
Ritual Summon Shinobaroness Shade Peacock. Her effect searches Stars Align Above the Shrine.
Activate Shrine. Use its effect, Tributing monsters (e.g., from Aratama + Sakitama) to Ritual Summon Conductor of Nephthys from the Deck.
Conductor summons Devotee of Nephthys. Link them into Nephthys, the Sacred Preserver, which searches your L8 Shinobaroness Peacock for follow-up.
A detailed overview of the most critical cards in the strategy.
Ritual/Spirit/Effect
The 1-card starter. Searches the Field Spell. Name becomes "Shinobaroness Peacock" on field/hand, making it searchable by Preparation of Rites.
Field Spell
Ritual Summons a WIND Ritual from the Deck. When a Spirit returns to hand, it sets Milky Way from Deck and recurs a resource.
Spirit/Effect
The floodgate. Permanently stops monster effects. Only returns to hand if Normal Summoned, which the deck bypasses via Special Summon.
Ritual/Spirit/Effect
The original Amano-Lock enabler. Shuffles 3 S/T, then Special Summons a Spirit from the Deck. Searchable by Pre-Preparation of Rites.
As of the current TCG format, the Shinobird 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:
• Shinobaron Peacock
• Shinobaron Shade Peacock
• Shinobaroness Peacock
• Shinobaroness Shade Peacock
• Shinobird Crane
• Shinobird Crow
• Shinobird Pigeon
• Shinobird Power Spot
• Shinobird Salvation
• Shinobird Token
• Shinobird's Calling
+ Related cards checked:
• Amano-Iwato
• I:P Masquerena
• Nephthys, the Sacred Preserver
• Stars Align Above the Shrine analyzed •
0 restrictions found •
All cards legal at 3 copies
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