Should I study the meta game?

[IamFallen]

Okay, so I just joined up with YCM after a long absence from Yugioh itself. I'm back now, but I know close to nothing about the current cards and meta. So, is there an easy way to "catch up"? Please don't reply Google, because that's pretty obvious. I just want to understand the TCG more, as most of the archetypes I know and understand are from years ago. Thanks in advance!

[Snatch Steal]

Are you intent on making cards? Do. Without knowledge of the meta, your cards will be really bad; however, you can make very good cards based on what is good currently.

 

Are you intent on playing the game? Don't. The meta is really stale right now, as it has been since, say, New Challengers? Actually, Extreme Victory is closer to it. To say the least, It's been rock paper scissors or scissors paper scissors the whole way through.

 

 

I honestly didn't know what Pendulums were until recently. I'm extremely far back, so I'll probably just pick up some information here and there.

 

 

eek.

 

You've got a lil research to do buddy.

[Flash Flyer - Sakura]

You should get a general idea of what to expect in the current card game from TCG, but otherwise you don't have to be a complete master at it. 

That in mind, how far back are you in terms of cards? Right now, Pendulums exist and the power level is extremely different than from the past. 

 

Blue-Eyes got a major boost in Shining Victories, Performapals/Magicians are still running (despite some nerfs), Monarchs are around locking up the Extra Deck with their new Field Spell and a few other things. I know Winter posted a little pie chart earlier, but I think that was the OCG/Japan one, which I assume you aren't too interested with at present. 

[IamFallen]

I honestly didn't know what Pendulums were until recently. I'm extremely far back, so I'll probably just pick up some information here and there.

[Flash Flyer - Sakura]

http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/Pendulum_Monster

http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/Pendulum_Summon

 

Read these two threads for Pendulum Summoning, but yeah you should know how they function.