A Strategic Analysis of the Bushido Archetype
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 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 premier modern starter. On Link Summon, discards 1 card to search for Gateway of the Six.
Searches any Level 3 or lower "Six Samurai" monster, providing access to starters like Kageki or tuners.
The most important extender. Special Summons itself from the hand if you control another "Six Samurai". Not once per turn.
A versatile Quick-Play Spell that Special Summons a monster from the deck with the same ATK as a targeted "Six Samurai".
This walkthrough demonstrates how two warriors can forge a path to the deck's most powerful engine piece.
Normal Summon Kageki, using its effect to Special Summon Kizan from hand.
Link Summon Battle Shogun of the Six Samurai. Its effect activates, letting you discard a card to search for Gateway of the Six.
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.
A standard, non-infinite combo aims to establish multiple layers of disruption, creating a formidable board that can control the opponent's turn.
Provides a recurring once-per-turn negation for a Spell or Trap card.
Offers a Quick Effect to negate a monster effect once per turn.
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.
LOW IMPACT: The Six Samurai archetype has been moderately restricted by the TCG banlist, with Gateway of the Six limited.
Banlist Status Summary
Core cards checked:
• Anarchist Monk of the Six Samurai
• Asceticism of the Six Samurai
• Backs to the Wall
• Battle Shogun of the Six Samurai
• Breakthrough!
• Chamberlain of the Six Samurai
• Cunning of the Six Samurai
• Double-Edged Sword Technique
• Elder of the Six Samurai
• Enishi, Shien's Chancellor
• Gateway of the Six
• Grandmaster of the Six Samurai
• Great Shogun Shien
• Hand of the Six Samurai
• Kagemusha of the Six Samurai
• Legendary Ebon Steed
• Legendary Lord Six Samurai - Enishi
• Legendary Lord Six Samurai - Kizan
• Legendary Lord Six Samurai - Shi En
• Legendary Secret of the Six Samurai
• Legendary Six Samurai - Enishi
• Legendary Six Samurai - Kageki
• Legendary Six Samurai - Kizan
• Legendary Six Samurai - Mizuho
• Legendary Six Samurai - Shi En
• Legendary Six Samurai - Shinai
• Musakani Magatama
• Return of the Six Samurai
• Secret Skills of the Six Samurai
• Shadow of the Six Samurai - Shien
• Shien's Advisor
• Shien's Castle of Mist
• Shien's Dojo
• Shien's Footsoldier
• Shien's Scheme
• Shien's Smoke Signal
• Shien's Squire
• Six Samurai United
• Six Scrolls of the Samurai
• Six Strike - Triple Impact
• Six Style - Dual Wield
• Spirit of the Six Samurai
• Swift Samurai Storm!
• Swiftstrike Armor
• Tactical Trainer of the Six Samurai
• Temple of the Six
• The Six Samurai - Irou
• The Six Samurai - Kamon
• The Six Samurai - Nisashi
• The Six Samurai - Yaichi
• The Six Samurai - Yariza
• The Six Samurai - Zanji
• The Six Shinobi
+ Related cards checked:
• Gateway of the Six
• I:P Masquerena
• Isolde, Two Tales of the Noble Knights
• Reinforcement of the Army analyzed •
4 total restrictions found
• 1 archetype card
• 3 synergistic cards
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