Executive Summary

The War Rock archetype is an army of EARTH Warrior monsters whose strategy is a throwback to a classic era of dueling, focusing almost exclusively on the Battle Phase to generate advantage. Their game plan is to build a formidable front, turning their field into a veritable War Rock Mountain that opponents must struggle to overcome. In the modern game, where most action occurs in Main Phase 1, War Rock's battle-centric philosophy presents a unique and challenging playstyle, forcing a direct confrontation where their power truly shines.

The War Rock Arsenal

Main Deck Warriors

War Rock Fortia

The core searcher. After an EARTH Warrior battles, it adds any "War Rock" card from the deck to the hand.

War Rock Gactos

A vital extender. Special Summons itself from the hand when you Normal Summon an EARTH Warrior.

War Rock Meteoragon

The archetypal boss monster. Cannot be destroyed by card effects and can make a second attack on a monster.

Field & Support Cards

War Rock Mountain

The heart of the deck. Searches a "War Rock" monster on activation and Special Summons one at the start of the Battle Phase.

War Rock Dignity

A searchable omni-negate. Provides crucial protection by negating a monster, Spell, or Trap effect during the Battle Phase.

War Rock Medium

A floodgate that can lock both players out of monster effects during Main Phase 1 and sets a "War Rock" Spell/Trap from the deck.

Blueprint for Battle

The archetype's main advantage engine is the "Mountain-Fortia Loop," a straightforward sequence designed to establish board presence and secure a key piece of interaction for the following turn.

War Rock Mountain
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1

Establish Your Ground

Activate War Rock Mountain. Use its effect to search War Rock Fortia from your deck.

War Rock Fortia
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2

Assemble the Troops

Normal Summon Fortia. If you have Gactos in hand, Special Summon it to build your board.

War Rock Dignity
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3

Engage and Reinforce

Enter the Battle Phase. Attack an opponent's monster with Fortia. After the battle, activate Fortia's effect to search for War Rock Dignity, giving you a powerful negate for your opponent's turn.

Establishing a Foothold

Going First End Board

Number 41: Bagooska the Terribly Tired Tapir
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  • Stall & Survive: Lacking strong in-archetype plays, the best option is a generic Rank 4 like Bagooska to force monsters into defense and slow the opponent down.
  • Minimal Interaction: Often ends with just one monster and a single set card like Dignity, aiming to survive until the next Battle Phase.

Going Second End Board

War Rock Meteoragon
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  • Break & Control: The goal is an OTK. If that fails, the board consists of the boss monster War Rock Meteoragon, which is protected from card effect destruction.
  • Secured Protection: A set War Rock Dignity (searched by Fortia) provides a crucial omni-negate to disrupt the opponent's comeback attempt.

Competitive Analysis

Strengths

  • Simple & Accessible: The deck's linear strategy is easy to learn, making it great for newer players.
  • Generic Warrior Support: Has access to a vast pool of powerful Warrior support cards like Reinforcement of the Army.
  • Surprising Resilience: The floating effects of the Level 4 monsters and the searchable negate from Dignity provide a solid defensive line.

Weaknesses

  • Battle Phase Reliant: Its entire engine is shut down if it cannot enter the Battle Phase and successfully attack.
  • Vulnerable to Disruption: A single negation on War Rock Mountain or the Normal Summon can end the turn.
  • Poor Going First: The deck has almost no proactive plays and struggles to build a meaningful board on turn one.

Key Tech Choices

  • Kaijus: Essential for a go-second strategy, allowing the deck to remove a problematic monster before the Battle Phase.
  • Utopia Double Package: A common OTK engine that leverages the deck's ability to easily make Rank 4 monsters.
  • DPE Engine: Can provide much-needed disruption and a recurring threat that the core archetype lacks.

Banlist Impact

Fully Unrestricted

As of the current TCG format, the War Rock archetype is entirely unrestricted, allowing it to operate at full capacity.

Maximum Consistency

Play any card at your preferred ratio without restrictions

Full Strength Plays

Access to all archetype synergies without limitations

Strategic Freedom

No banlist constraints holding back your strategy

Banlist Status Summary

+ analyzed • 0 restrictions found • All cards legal at 3 copies

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