Executive Summary

The Yang Zing archetype is a Synchro-focused strategy composed of Wyrm-Type monsters, renowned for its resilient and reactive playstyle. The core philosophy revolves around a "floating" engine: when a Yang Zing monster is destroyed, it is replaced by another from the deck. This turns destruction into advantage and fuels their second unique mechanic: the ability to perform Synchro Summons during the opponent's turn. This combination allows for a deeply tactical approach, aiming to out-grind the opponent and disrupt their plays by summoning powerful Synchro monsters at key moments. Their strength lies in turning an opponent's turn into their own, a testament to the power of the celestial Yang Zing cards.

The Nine Sons of the Dragon

Main Deck Wyrms

Chiwen, Light of the Yang Zing

The heart of the engine. This Level 1 Tuner revives itself from the Graveyard whenever a Yang Zing is destroyed, providing endless material for Synchro Summons.

Jiaotu, Darkness of the Yang Zing

An explosive combo starter. By sending two Yang Zing cards from hand to GY, it summons two more from the deck, enabling instant Synchro plays.

Bi'an, Earth of the Yang Zing

A key non-Tuner that grants battle immunity to any Synchro Monster it's used to summon, creating incredibly resilient bosses.

Suanni, Fire of the Yang Zing

The primary beatstick of the main deck, granting a 500 ATK/DEF boost to the Synchro monster it helps create.

Spells of Creation & Synchro Apex Predators

Denglong, First of the Yang Zing

The central nexus of all combos. It searches, sends from deck to GY, modulates its level, and even floats into another Yang Zing when it leaves the field.

Baxia, Brightness of the Yang Zing

The primary board-breaking tool. Shuffles cards on the field back into the deck, bypassing most forms of protection.

Nine Pillars of Yang Zing

A powerful Counter Trap that negates any effect and then destroys one of your own Yang Zing cards, triggering their floating effects and starting your combos.

The Denglong Engine

The most fundamental combo revolves around summoning Denglong. This sequence transforms a simple Level 5 Synchro into multiple interruptions on the opponent's turn.

Denglong, First of the Yang Zing
Missing: 65536818
1

Summon & Search

Synchro Summon Denglong. Use its effect to search Nine Pillars of Yang Zing. Then, use its second effect to send Chiwen from your deck to the Graveyard.

Nine Pillars of Yang Zing
Missing: 57831349
2

Set the Trap

Set Nine Pillars of Yang Zing and pass your turn. On your opponent's turn, activate it to negate a key card of theirs.

Herald of the Arc Light
Missing: 79606837
3

Trigger the Cascade

Nine Pillars of Yang Zing destroys your Denglong. This triggers Denglong's effect to summon a Yang Zing from deck (e.g., Bi'an) and Chiwen's effect to revive itself. You can then immediately Synchro Summon a monster like Herald of the Arc Light for another negation.

The Celestial End Board

Baxia, Brightness of the Yang Zing

Baxia, Brightness of the Yang Zing
Missing: 83755611
  • Powerful Removal: Shuffles cards on the field back into the deck, bypassing destruction immunity.
  • Engine Starter: Can destroy a card you control (like another Yang Zing) to revive a monster from the Graveyard.

Chaofeng, Phantom of the Yang Zing

Chaofeng, Phantom of the Yang Zing
Missing: 19048328
  • Attribute Lock: Prevents your opponent from activating the effects of monsters with the same Attribute(s) as the Yang Zing monsters used for its summon.
  • Persistent Threat: Provides advantage when it is destroyed or when it destroys an opponent's monster.

Competitive Analysis

Strengths

  • Resilience: The floating mechanic makes the board incredibly difficult to clear with traditional removal.
  • Reactive Disruption: Summoning Synchros on the opponent's turn provides perfectly timed interruptions.
  • High Ceiling: Capable of producing powerful end boards with multiple layers of negation and disruption.

Weaknesses

  • Banishment: Cards like Dimension Shifter or Macro Cosmos completely shut down the floating engine.
  • Graveyard Negation: Effects that negate activations in the GY (like Called by the Grave on Chiwen) can stop combos.
  • "Missing the Timing": Some effects are optional "When... you can..." effects, which can be tricky for new pilots.

Powerful Synergies

  • Swordsoul Toolbox: The Yang Zing Synchros serve as a powerful toolbox in Swordsoul decks for board breaking and floodgating.
  • True King / Dinosaur: Historically one of the most powerful pairings, using True King effects to trigger Yang Zings in hand.
  • Zefra Integration: A true fusion of archetypes, using the Pendulum mechanic to swarm the field for explosive Synchro plays.

Banlist Impact

The Yang Zing archetype itself is largely untouched by the TCG banlist, but key synergistic cards it relies on are affected.

Affected Synergistic Cards

Limited

  • Herald of the Arc Light

Banlist Status Summary

+ analyzed • 0 archetype restrictions1 synergistic card restricted

Find Yang Zing Decks

Explore deck lists from the YGOProDeck community featuring Yang Zing. Find inspiration for your next build!