Lore Archive

"The Six Samurai are feudal warriors bound by bushido, their swarming capabilities legendary in competitive history. Gateway of the Six amplifies their presence exponentially, while Shi En negates Spells and Traps with shogunate authority. Each Samurai protects the others—destroy one, and another steps forward."

In an age of chaotic wars, Shien stood up to bring peace to the people, and the mighty samurai called the Six Samurai ride at his side. In their younger years, those who helped him fought beside him as the Legendary Six Samurai, the predecessors of today's Six Samurai, and each now holds an important post. Pick a samurai to see them then and now (Master Guide 2 and 3).

The Legendary Six Samurai
The Six Samurai
Shien's court
Legendary Six Samurai - Shi En
Shi En

  1. Shi En charged across the battlefield at the heart of the Legendary Six Samurai, leaving many severed heads in his wake, and the young warrior climbed his way up with inborn craftiness and cunning. It is said his crimson armor is dyed with the blood of every enemy commander he cut down, and grows redder as time goes on.

    He came to call himself "Shien". His sharp eyes freeze men's blood, and people know he's in charge just by being in his presence. Unlike Kizan and Enishi, he doesn't age alongside his friends. Is he a Demon King?

    Great Shogun Shien with his armor off. Even without it he is incredibly strong, and with his western-style clothing and the family crest on his forehead, he looks incredibly intimidating.

  2. With his keen eye and elegant swordsmanship, he rescued Shi En from disaster many times. It is rumored that those he slays only notice once "their soul is slain alongside them", and enemy ranks tremble at having to face the Legendary Six Samurai.

    He sparred constantly with his friendly rival Enishi, and by showing off his power before Shien he became the Grandmaster, who now guides the current Six Samurai.

  3. Mocked for his recklessness, he was known as "The Daredevil".

    Having known Shi En since their days as the Legendary Six Samurai, he isn't intimidated by him, and by offering his own opinions he became the Chancellor who supports Shien.

  4. With mechanical arms installed on his back, he was feared as the "Four-Armed Demon God".

    When he lost both arms in battle, he had two artificial arms installed, left the front lines, and became the chamberlain who protects Great Shogun Shien.

  5. The samurai Shi En trusted most: a heroic warrior who could escape the jaws of death, no matter what.

    He died in the later years of the great war, and his soul came to dwell in the armor he died in. Now it protects the current generation of the Six Samurai.

  6. The lone woman of the Legendary Six Samurai, married to Shinai.

    After Shinai died she joined a religious order, but her skills haven't changed since her days on active duty: she serves as Shien's hand made flesh, striking down those who would harm him.

  7. The military commanders who fight directly at Shien's side. Each has their own weapon and leads their own troops, and all have sworn an eternal oath of loyalty to their liege. When they join forces, there is no enemy in this world that can beat them.

  8. He supported the Legendary Six Samurai from the shadows, calmly weighing the terrain and the difference in military power.

    Retired from the front line, he enjoys watching his pupil Enishi work.

  9. The Six Samurai's body double. It is said he can copy them entirely, down to their voice and mannerisms.

  10. Shien relies on close aides as his envoys, and thanks to their information, and the men he uses as his hands and feet, he has won one victory after another. He gives anyone with true talent a post that fits it, even a mere soldier, so many want to serve him.

    A rank-and-file soldier treated as a pawn on the battlefield, with great faith in master Shien.

Executive Summary

The Six Samurai archetype is a venerable and complex Warrior-based strategy renowned for its capacity for explosive, game-ending turns. At its core, the deck's philosophy is built upon generating Bushido Counters and swarming the field with multiple monsters. What elevates this engine is a crucial design detail: key spell cards like Gateway of the Six lack a "hard once per turn" restriction, enabling the infamous infinite combos that define the archetype's identity among the many legendary warriors in the game.

The Roster of Warriors

The strength of the Six Samurai lies in the specialized roles of its members. Each card contributes to a complex network of searching, summoning, and control.

The Vanguards (Starters)

Battle Shogun of the Six Samurai

The premier modern starter. On Link Summon, discards 1 card to search for Gateway of the Six.

Shien's Smoke Signal

Searches any Level 3 or lower "Six Samurai" monster, providing access to starters like Kageki or tuners.

The Reinforcements (Extenders)

Legendary Six Samurai - Kizan

The most important extender. Special Summons itself from the hand if you control another "Six Samurai". Not once per turn.

Asceticism of the Six Samurai

A versatile Quick-Play Spell that Special Summons a monster from the deck with the same ATK as a targeted "Six Samurai".

The Art of War: Gateway Combo

Combo Guide
These combos may contain errors or use banned cards. If you spot an issue, submit a replay to help keep this guide accurate.
Know a better line? Submit a Replay

This walkthrough demonstrates how two warriors can forge a path to the deck's most powerful engine piece.

Legendary Six Samurai - Kageki
Missing: 2511717
1

The First Move

Normal Summon Kageki, using its effect to Special Summon Kizan from hand.

Battle Shogun of the Six Samurai
Missing: 74752631
2

Summon the Shogun

Link Summon Battle Shogun of the Six Samurai. Its effect activates, letting you discard a card to search for Gateway of the Six.

Gateway of the Six
1LIMITED
3

Open the Gates

Activate Gateway of the Six. From here, each "Six Samurai" summoned generates Bushido Counters, which Gateway can use to search for more monsters, creating a self-sustaining loop.

The Final Stand: Typical End Board

A standard, non-infinite combo aims to establish multiple layers of disruption, creating a formidable board that can control the opponent's turn.

Legendary Six Samurai - Shi En

Legendary Six Samurai - Shi En

Provides a recurring once-per-turn negation for a Spell or Trap card.

Legendary Lord Six Samurai - Shi En

Legendary Lord Six Samurai - Shi En

Offers a Quick Effect to negate a monster effect once per turn.

I:P Masquerena

I:P Masquerena

Enables a Link Summon on the opponent's turn for reactive disruption.

When the infinite loop is achieved, the end board can be far more devastating, including a full hand loop with Trishula, Dragon of the Ice Barrier or an FTK.

Competitive Analysis

Strengths

  • Explosive Ceiling: Capable of creating game-winning boards, hand loops, or FTKs.
  • High Consistency: Numerous in-archetype and generic searchers make accessing starters reliable.
  • Resilience to Maxx "C": Can often "win the challenge" by decking out the opponent.

Weaknesses

  • Glass Cannon: Extremely fragile and vulnerable to a single, well-timed hand trap.
  • Poor Going-Second: Struggles to break established boards without specific side deck cards.
  • Choke Points: Key monsters like Isolde and Battle Shogun are major points of failure if negated.

Synergistic Engines

  • Isolde, Two Tales: The premier generic Warrior support, turning any two warriors into a full combo starter.
  • True Draco Alliance: Uses Dragonic Diagram to destroy Fuma for a search and a Special Summon.

Banlist Impact

LOW IMPACT: The Six Samurai archetype has been moderately restricted by the TCG banlist, with Gateway of the Six limited.

Archetype Cards

Limited

  • • Gateway of the Six

Synergistic Cards

Forbidden

  • • Isolde, Two Tales of the Noble Knights

Limited

  • • Reinforcement of the Army
  • • Gateway of the Six

Banlist Status Summary

+ analyzed • 4 total restrictions found • 1 archetype card • 3 synergistic cards