NEXUS

Executive Analysis: The King's Return

The September 15, 2025 banlist was a monumental event for the True Draco archetype. The restoration of its two most critical cards, Dragonic Diagram and Master Peace, the True Dracoslaying King, from Limited to Unlimited (three copies) has returned the deck to its full 2017-era power.

The new support must be analyzed through this lens. The new cards are not a "fix" for a broken deck, but rather supplementary tools that must compete for space in a now-perfected engine. The primary drivers of the deck's resurgence are its original, unlimited power cards, now supported by key new additions.

The Draconic Arsenal (Full Power)

The True Draco Engine

A "grind game" engine that Tributes Continuous Spells/Traps for its monsters, generating card advantage and disruption.

Draco Awakening (New!)

A 1-card starter that searches any 'True Draco' monster on activation. Creates a "6-Starter" deck alongside Diagram, ensuring hyper-consistency.

Dragonic Diagram

The heart of the engine, now at 3. Searches any archetype card by destroying another card, enabling all combos.

Dinomight Knight, the True Dracofighter

The primary Trap searcher, providing disruption and a body.

The True King Engine

Comprised of Level 9 Wyrm monsters that Special Summon themselves by destroying other monsters. While historically used for Xyz plays, this engine is now secondary to the main True Draco control strategy.

True King Bahrastos, the Fathomer

Destruction effect can trigger Diagram or other True Draco cards.

True King of All Calamities

The historical boss monster of the "True King" variant, but is Forbidden and no longer a part of the deck's strategy.

Impact Verdict: The New Support

With the deck restored to full power, the new support cards are judged by their ability to support this already-powerful engine.

Draco Awakening

Draco Awakening
Missing: 66092596
Verdict: Play 3 (Mandatory)

This is the single most powerful new card. It's a 1-card starter that searches any monster, enabling a "6-Starter" deck (3 Diagram, 3 Awakening). It provides unprecedented consistency and enables 1-card combos.

Master Peace, the True Dracoverlord

Master Peace, the True Dracoverlord
Missing: 12800564
Verdict: Play 1 (Toolbox Target)

This is the "Bodyguard," not the "King." It's a 3-Tribute monster (never good to draw) but provides a powerful, searchable monster negate. Its job is to create a "layered lockdown" with floodgates, negating hand/GY effects that `The Monarchs Erupt` misses.

Mariamne Paradox, the True Dracophoenix Knight

Mariamne Paradox, the True Dracophoenix Knight
Missing: 58205203
Verdict: Play 0 (Do Not Play)

A "bait" card. Its Special Summon effect conflicts directly with core draw spells like `Pot of Duality` and `Card of Demise`. Its banish effect is detrimental, and its only niche combo is now obsolete thanks to the original `Master Peace` being at 3.

Blueprint: The New 1-Card Starter

Thanks to Draco Awakening, the deck now has a hyper-consistent 1-card opening that sets up a monster, a live trap for the opponent's turn, and a hand full of floodgates.

Draco Awakening
Missing: 66092596
1

Activate Awakening

Activate Draco Awakening. Use its on-activation effect to add Dinomight Knight, the True Dracofighter from your Deck to your hand.

Dinomight Knight, the True Dracofighter
Missing: 58984738
2

Tribute Summon

Tribute Summon Dinomight Knight by Tributing your face-up Draco Awakening (which is a Continuous Spell).

True King's Return
Missing: 35125879
3

Search and Set

Dinomight Knight's effect activates. Add True King's Return from Deck to hand. Set it alongside your other floodgates.

End Board: A monster on field, a live disruption, and a clear path to summon `Master Peace` on the opponent's turn.

The End Board: The Layered Lockdown

Master Peace, the True Dracoslaying King

Master Peace, the True Dracoslaying King
Missing: 21377582
  • The King (Proactive Win-Con): The deck's primary, 2-Tribute boss monster.
  • Tailored Immunity: Unaffected by the card types (Monster, Spell, Trap) used for its Tribute Summon.
  • Quick-Effect Destruction: Can banish a Continuous Spell/Trap from the GY to destroy one card on the field.

Master Peace, the True Dracoverlord

Master Peace, the True Dracoverlord
Missing: 12800564
  • The Bodyguard (Reactive Support): A 3-Tribute, searchable "silver bullet."
  • Monster Negate: (Quick Effect) Negates a monster effect in the hand or field and destroys it.
  • Layered Lockdown: Used with floodgates like `The Monarchs Erupt`. `Erupt` stops field monsters, and this card stops hand/GY effects.

Banlist Impact

SIGNIFICANT IMPACT: The True King True Draco archetype faces significant restrictions on the TCG banlist with True King of All Calamities forbidden.

Archetype Cards

Forbidden

  • • True King of All Calamities

Meta Implications: The loss of True King of All Calamities significantly impacts the archetype's power level and consistency. Players will need to adapt their strategies accordingly.

Banlist Status Summary

analyzed • 1 total restriction found • 1 archetype card