Matt Bahamut's Nightmare of the Diablos Deck

[Bahamut - Envoy of the End]

After weeks of tough development and many shameless plugs, I release my third completed Deck on YCM, and I've unleashed a nightmare! This is my first time I've made a Deck that actually has a specific strategy in mind, something I've never tried before, a total lockdown Deck, which has made things a lot easier in fairness. This set is probably not my most creative but hopefully my most consistent and most usable.

The Diablos are a set of Fiends that utilize 'Fear' Counters, which paralyze weaker monsters and then destroy them to activate various effects that shut down your opponents options. If there are no Diablos on the field, there is nothing to Fear. Think of them as a cross between Naturia, Aliens, and Inverz. The word 'Diablos' is Spanish for Devil, and after a look around on translators, thought Spanish names look incredibly cool.

Enjoy.

[spoiler=Monsters (10)]
[img]http://img836.imageshack.us/img836/9657/258150n.jpg[/img]

Lore: When this card is summoned successfully, place 1 'Fear' Counter on a face-up monster your opponent controls with ATK lower than this card (max 1). When this card destroys a monster with a 'Fear' Counter by battle, your opponent cannot activate Spell Cards, and the effects of their face-up Spell Cards are negated, until your next Standby Phase. (A monster with a 'Fear' Counter cannot attack or change it's Battle Position, except by card effect. If there are no 'Diablos' Monsters on the field, remove all 'Fear Counters' on the field).

[img]http://img820.imageshack.us/img820/7412/258150i.jpg[/img]

Lore: When this card is summoned successfully, place 1 'Fear' Counter on a face-up monster your opponent controls with ATK lower than this card (max 1). When this card destroys a monster with a 'Fear' Counter by battle, your opponent cannot Special Summon monsters until your next Standby Phase. (A monster with a 'Fear' Counter cannot attack or change it's Battle Position, except by card effect. If there are no 'Diablos' Monsters on the field, remove all 'Fear Counters' on the field).

[img]http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/2804/258150.jpg[/img]

Lore: When this card is summoned successfully, place 1 'Fear' Counter on a face-up monster your opponent controls with ATK lower than this card (max 1). When this card destroys a monster with a 'Fear' Counter by battle, your opponent cannot conduct their Draw Phase during their next turn. (A monster with a 'Fear' Counter cannot attack or change its Battle Position, except by card effect. If there are no 'Diablos' Monsters on the field, remove all 'Fear Counters' on the field).

[img]http://img836.imageshack.us/img836/990/258150z.jpg[/img]

Lore: When this card is summoned successfully, place 1 'Fear' Counter on a face-up monster your opponent controls with ATK lower than this card (max 1). When this card destroys a monster with a 'Fear' Counter by battle, your opponent cannot Set cards until your next Standby Phase. (A monster with a 'Fear' Counter cannot attack or change it's Battle Position, except by card effect. If there are no 'Diablos' Monsters on the field, remove all 'Fear Counters' on the field).

[img]http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/7106/258150v.jpg[/img]

Lore: When this card is summoned successfully, place 1 'Fear' Counter on a face-up monster your opponent controls with ATK lower than this card (max 1). If this card was summoned by Tributing a 'Diablos' monster, while this card remains face-up on the field, your opponent cannot Special Summon Monsters from or activate the effects of Monsters in the Graveyard. (A monster with a 'Fear' Counter cannot attack or change it's Battle Position, except by card effect. If there are no 'Diablos' Monsters on the field, remove all 'Fear Counters' on the field).

[img]http://img251.imageshack.us/img251/3826/258150na.jpg[/img]

Lore: When this card is summoned successfully, place 1 'Fear' Counter on a face-up monster your opponent controls with ATK lower than this card (max 1). If this card was summoned by Tributing a 'Diablos' monster, while this card remains face-up on the field, your opponent cannot use Monsters with Fear Counters on as Tributes or as Fusion or Synchro Materials. (A monster with a 'Fear' Counter cannot attack or change it's Battle Position, except by card effect. If there are no 'Diablos' Monsters on the field, remove all 'Fear Counters' on the field).

[img]http://img577.imageshack.us/img577/2804/258150.jpg[/img]

Lore: When this card is summoned successfully, place 'Fear' Counters on up to 2 face-up monsters your opponent controls with ATK lower than this card (max 1). If this card was summoned by Tributing 2 'Diablos' monsters, while this card remains face-up on the field, your opponent cannot activate Spell or Trap Cards. (A monster with a 'Fear' Counter cannot attack or change its Battle Position, except by card effect. If there are no 'Diablos' Monsters on the field, remove all Fear Counters on the field).

[img]http://img691.imageshack.us/img691/3849/258150p.jpg[/img]

Lore: As long as you control 1 other 'Diablos' monster(s), this card cannot be selected as an attack target. A Synchro Monster that uses this card as a Synchro Material gains 500 ATK. If this card is sent to the Graveyard as the result of a Synchro Summon, you can Special Summon this card in your opponent's empty Monster Card Zone.

[img]http://img836.imageshack.us/img836/8130/258150j.jpg[/img]

Lore: Once per turn, you can equip this card to a 'Diablos' monster you control, OR un-equp it and Special Summon it to your side of the field. If the equipped monster destroys a monster with a 'Fear' Counter on in battle, increase it's ATK by 500. (A monster can only be equipped with 1 Union Monster at a time. If the equipped monster would be destroyed, destroy this card instead.)

[img]http://img822.imageshack.us/img822/7106/258150v.jpg[/img]

Lore: Once per turn, you can equip this card to a monster your opponent controls, OR un-equp it and Special Summon it to your side of the field. While equipped to a monster, this card is treated as a 'Fear' Counter. (A monster with a 'Fear' Counter cannot attack or change it's Battle Position, except by card effect. If there are no 'Diablos' Monsters on the field, destroy this card.) (A monster can only be equipped with 1 Union Monster at a time. If the equipped monster is destroyed, this card is destroyed as well.)[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Spells & Traps (10)]
[img]http://img801.imageshack.us/img801/29/258150bi.jpg[/img]

Lore: All 'Diablos' Monsters on the field and in your hand gain 200 ATK x the number of 'Fear' Counters on the field. Once per turn during your Main Phase, you can pay 500 Life Points to increase the ATK of 1 'Diablos' Monster on the field or in your hand by an additional 500 until the End Phase.

[img]http://img840.imageshack.us/img840/3472/258150h.jpg[/img]

Lore: Pay 500 Life Points. Remove from play 1 Fiend-type Monster on your side of the field. Then Special Summon 1 'Diablos' Monster from your Deck that is the same Level as the Monster that was removed from play. During your End Phase, remove from play the Monster that was summoned by this effect.

[img]http://img577.imageshack.us/img577/4929/258150o.jpg[/img]

Lore:Discard 1 'Diablos' Monster from your hand. Draw 2 cards from your Deck. You take 500 points of Damage for every Spell Card drawn by this effect.

[img]http://img835.imageshack.us/img835/3231/258150d.jpg[/img]

Lore: Pay 500 Life Points. Select 1 Monster your opponent controls that has a 'Fear' Counter on it. Decrease the selected monsters ATK and DEF by 500 until the End Phase.

[img]http://img837.imageshack.us/img837/6296/258150g.jpg[/img]

Lore: Pay 500 Life Points. Select 1 monster your opponent controls that has a 'Fear' Counter on it. Change the Battle Position of the selected monster.

[img]http://img827.imageshack.us/img827/2154/258150t.jpg[/img]

Lore: Add 1 Level 2 Union Monster from your Deck to your hand. Then shuffle your Deck.

[img]http://img801.imageshack.us/img801/2190/258150y.jpg[/img]

Lore: You can only activate this card when you recieve damage from a direct attack. Discard 1 card from your hand. Special Summon as many Fiend-type monsters with the same name with DEF equal to or lower than 500 for your hand and Deck as possible, in face-up Defence Position.

[img]http://img835.imageshack.us/img835/1785/258150s.jpg[/img]

Lore: You can only activate this card when a 'Diablos' monster you control is sent to the Graveyard as a result of battle. Send the monster to your opponent's Graveyard. While that card is in your opponent's Graveyard, decrease the ATK of all monsters on your opponent's side of the field by 300.

[img]http://img826.imageshack.us/img826/2154/258150t.jpg[/img]

Lore: You can activate this card when your opponent declares an attack. Discard 1 'Diablos' Monster from your hand to negate the attack, and place a 'Fear' Counter on the attacking monster. (A monster with a 'Fear' Counter cannot attack or change it's Battle Position, except by card effect. If there are no 'Diablos' Monsters on the field, remove all 'Fear Counters' on the field).

[img]http://img820.imageshack.us/img820/4929/258150o.jpg[/img]

Lore: You can only activate this card if you control a Level 4 or higher 'Diablos' monster. As long as this card is face-up on the field, your opponent cannot Set Monster Cards face-down. Monsters Set in Defense Position are Normal Summoned in face-up Defense Position.[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Synchro (1)]
[img]http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/4196/258150xd.jpg[/img]

Lore: 1 Fiend-type Tuner monster + 1 or more Fiend-type non-Tuner monsters
This card can only be Special Summoned by Synchro Summon. When this card is summoned successfully, place 'Fear' Counters on up to 2 face-up monsters your opponent controls with ATK lower than this card (max 1). If this card battles with a Defence Position Monster with a 'Fear' Counter on, Piercing Damage is applied. A Monster with a 'Fear' Counter on that battles with or is destroyed in battle by this card has it's effect negated. (A monster with a 'Fear' Counter cannot attack or change it's Battle Position, except by card effect. If there are no 'Diablos' Monsters on the field, remove all 'Fear Counters' on the field).[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Deck Setup]

Monsters(20): Hechicero x3, Barbero x3, Maligno x2, Cucaracha x2, Supultera x2, Reina x2, Marques x1, Vacio Alma x3, Thunderbug x1, Buzzshock x1

Spells (14): Haunted House x3, Gateway x3, Tainted x1, Overcome x3, Manipulated x2, Summon x2

Traps (: Swarm, Curse, Mark, Nightmare all x2 [/spoiler]

All comments appreciated.

Matt Bahamut

[Lexadin]

Mhhh, intersting to see a Lockdoen Deck in this way. Though it might be hard to preform, it might be fun to use.

But overal it looks quite good.

A 8/10

[Bahamut - Envoy of the End]

Thanks Lex.

Seriously only 1 reply though...

[Bahamut - Envoy of the End]

I'm gonna bump this quickly, before I type something I'll regret.

[Lexadin]

That's what you should expect when posting an thread in the Finished Set Section.

[Bahamut - Envoy of the End]

[quote name='Lexadin' timestamp='1288889791' post='4761162']
That's what you should expect when posting an thread in the Finished Set Section.
[/quote]

I put it in here because I didn't think I'd be online often enough to keep retriving it from page 4 of the RC section. Let's face it, I doubt I would have got many more comments in there. 130+ views and 1 person replies is still frankly a pathetic ratio.

Given recent activity on this forum, I will just have to logically assume that these cards are near-perfect, and nobody is posting because there are no flaws to shoot holes in them. After all, perish the thought of praising good cards on here, people seemingly just want to bully the newbies.

[Embittered Moon]

it is pretty good, but there is ocg. 8.5/10.

[Barian Warlord]

Diablos Marques' effect is a bit OPed, maybe it should mess with it but shouldn't seal spell and traps completely, besides that they all look good, but a power deck would crush the monsters at least I'll have to read the Spell and Traps now.

It looks to me like a good power deck could really mess up this archetype plus a lot of the spells take LP from you for their effects so even a moderate burn deck might kill you, but if played right you could make some ridiculously awesome moves, I would look at some Archfiend support to counteract or help this.

[Bahamut - Envoy of the End]

Finally provoked some comments (although I know why Trimage is looking )

[quote name='BROOKLAN RAGE!' timestamp='1289072819' post='4766443']
it is pretty good, but there is ocg. 8.5/10.
[/quote]

Thanks, please point out OCG though for future reference.

[quote name='Trimage' timestamp='1289175277' post='4770323']
Diablos Marques' effect is a bit OPed, maybe it should mess with it but shouldn't seal spell and traps completely, besides that they all look good, but a power deck would crush the monsters at least I'll have to read the Spell and Traps now.

It looks to me like a good power deck could really mess up this archetype plus a lot of the spells take LP from you for their effects so even a moderate burn deck might kill you, but if played right you could make some ridiculously awesome moves, I would look at some Archfiend support to counteract or help this.
[/quote]

Thanks. Got the effect of 'Naturia Bamboo Shoot', maybe I should force it to be Tribute Summoned with both Tributes to be Diablos?

As for the power you're right, I thought any more ATK/DEF with those effects would be OPd. Life Points payment seemed to fit the theme more than anything Think I'll be making more Trap support for the RP, possibly a Ritual as well, in order to address what you've said.

[Brimtosis]

This is a very good set. many of the cards here have lock-down effects I could only wish to think of. But, they are very conditional. If your opponent plays counter cleaner, your effects are nul. More over, they only target face up cards. This means that Man-Eating bug, Stealth Bird, Golem Sentary and Hane Hane, as well as others, can abuse this deck easily. And, if your opponent manages to over rule these effects, you could be in a bit of a problem. But, with the ammount of abuse these cards give out, they may run out of time to do so quite early on.

I'd say that some pyro decks may get the better of this one. But most pale in comparison. Some OCG, and am I the only one t notice that two of the monster/spell/trap pics are missing(Buzzshock and Overcome)? So, in conclusion, I say that it is worthy of a position on the best set's list. And if it is already there, I wouldn't be surprised. Bravo.

[Bahamut - Envoy of the End]

[quote name='Lerahk174' timestamp='1289240326' post='4771780']
This is a very good set. many of the cards here have lock-down effects I could only wish to think of. But, they are very conditional. If your opponent plays counter cleaner, your effects are nul. More over, they only target face up cards. This means that Man-Eating bug, Stealth Bird, Golem Sentary and Hane Hane, as well as others, can abuse this deck easily. And, if your opponent manages to over rule these effects, you could be in a bit of a problem. But, with the ammount of abuse these cards give out, they may run out of time to do so quite early on.

I'd say that some pyro decks may get the better of this one. But most pale in comparison. Some OCG, and am I the only one t notice that two of the monster/spell/trap pics are missing(Buzzshock and Overcome)? So, in conclusion, I say that it is worthy of a position on the best set's list. And if it is already there, I wouldn't be surprised. Bravo.
[/quote]

Oh WOW. Thank you so much.

Never heard of 'Counter Cleaner' but you're right it would be pretty horrible to run into, there are lot of pros and cons to this Deck, though of course we can only speculate, only real-life play would truly determine their full potential. Just tried to make them as balanced as possible.

Regarding two missing pics, I wanted to release on Halloween (so cliche ) and I don't like shoving any old pic in for the sake of it, have forgotten to keep looking. For Buzzshock want something similar to Thunderbug, Overcome I thought would be easy to find a good pic of someone cowering. Thanks for reminding me (oh and to all any suggestions for these pics are appreciated).

Really really good of you to give such in depth and positive feedback. Thanks.

Ps. regarding Marques, would something along the lines of 'all opponent's Spell and Trap cards that would have an effect on 'Diablos' Monsters are negated and destroyed' make it more balanced. That and/or enforcing effect only works if 2 Diablos Tributes were used (even though that renders Manipulated almost totally obsolete.)

[Chancellor]

Very welldone, these cards would work well together and i can find no flaws. I really like the pictures you used, so keep up the good work!
(p.s thanks for the help on my deck, the archetype you suggested is on its way.)

[sebihp2007]

I like the idea of s\the Set, as it is original and I find it quite interesting
I also like the pictures very much, well fitting together

I can find some errors in texts like "change it's battle position" (it's "its", not "it's") or "except by card effect" and there should be "a card effect", but that's negligible...

When it comes to balance, most of the card are OK, however I keep staring at "Diablos Maligno", which (if equipped with some cards to get to over 2000 ATK), is the kind of "You either summon a monster, let me kill it and skip your next Draw Phase, or you don't summon anything and let me win" card .. Diablos Spultura would be OK if you changed it to either "neither players can Special Summon monsters" or "a player controlling a monster with a "Fear Counter" on it can not Special Summon monsters".. Same thing with Diablos Reina .. although she (I'll assume it's a she) is perfectly balanced the way it is, it doesn't really have any uses of itself to the Fear Counter it places; but, then again, the card is balanced and this is more of a suggestion than a comment .. Marques sounds a little too OP (especially when compared to Horus Dragon and the likes); maybe make him use Fear Counters or something ... Regarding "Thunderbug Fiend", I'm not really sure if its meant to be like that, but from the card text, it is understood the ATK increase stays even after the Union has been destroyed; it may be left like that, as it is not overpowered or anything, but it seems.. awkward

Tainted Draw is OK, but it would have to be Semi-Limited or Limited (by comparasion to Cards for Black Feathers or Solar Recharge, which have more of a major drawback; Destiny Draw, which doesn't have one is Semi).. Moving on to "Manipulated by Fear" (I recognize the image, it's from the DM card, Proclamation of Death, fits nicely ): it's a full-time monster control with an only 500 LP cost; needless to say more; also, it should be an Equip Spell card (it's Normal). Sininster Swarm (DM card, again, but I have nothing against that ); not overpowered, but it falls under the Semi/Limited category

Diablos Grande Lucerno: (DM card ); no objections; nicely done, espcially considering it's a Synchro (and usually these monsters tend to be OP)

An overall rating of 8.5 (or maybe even 9) out of 10

I've really enjoyed looking through these cards. Very nicely done

[Bahamut - Envoy of the End]

[quote name='Chancellor' timestamp='1289374617' post='4775327']
Very welldone, these cards would work well together and i can find no flaws. I really like the pictures you used, so keep up the good work!
(p.s thanks for the help on my deck, the archetype you suggested is on its way.)
[/quote]

Thanks dude, usually I really struggle for 'themed' pictures for 20+ sets, but these turned out nice. I like it how purple has become a recurring colour in almost all the images.

[quote name='sebihp2007' timestamp='1289415033' post='4775974']
I like the idea of s\the Set, as it is original and I find it quite interesting
I also like the pictures very much, well fitting together

I can find some errors in texts like "change it's battle position" (it's "its", not "it's") or "except by card effect" and there should be "a card effect", but that's negligible...

When it comes to balance, most of the card are OK, however I keep staring at "Diablos Maligno", which (if equipped with some cards to get to over 2000 ATK), is the kind of "You either summon a monster, let me kill it and skip your next Draw Phase, or you don't summon anything and let me win" card .. Diablos Spultura would be OK if you changed it to either "neither players can Special Summon monsters" or "a player controlling a monster with a "Fear Counter" on it can not Special Summon monsters".. Same thing with Diablos Reina .. although she (I'll assume it's a she) is perfectly balanced the way it is, it doesn't really have any uses of itself to the Fear Counter it places; but, then again, the card is balanced and this is more of a suggestion than a comment .. Marques sounds a little too OP (especially when compared to Horus Dragon and the likes); maybe make him use Fear Counters or something ... Regarding "Thunderbug Fiend", I'm not really sure if its meant to be like that, but from the card text, it is understood the ATK increase stays even after the Union has been destroyed; it may be left like that, as it is not overpowered or anything, but it seems.. awkward

Tainted Draw is OK, but it would have to be Semi-Limited or Limited (by comparasion to Cards for Black Feathers or Solar Recharge, which have more of a major drawback; Destiny Draw, which doesn't have one is Semi).. Moving on to "Manipulated by Fear" (I recognize the image, it's from the DM card, Proclamation of Death, fits nicely ): it's a full-time monster control with an only 500 LP cost; needless to say more; also, it should be an Equip Spell card (it's Normal). Sininster Swarm (DM card, again, but I have nothing against that ); not overpowered, but it falls under the Semi/Limited category

Diablos Grande Lucerno: (DM card ); no objections; nicely done, espcially considering it's a Synchro (and usually these monsters tend to be OP)

An overall rating of 8.5 (or maybe even 9) out of 10

I've really enjoyed looking through these cards. Very nicely done
[/quote]

Thanks for the detailed feedback. Maligno I can see where you're coming from, but the way 'Fear' Counters work is that they only activate upon summoning, so kinda hoping that limits abuse. It certainly prevents several lockdown effects all being used in one turn anyway. May have to go over him a bit.

Sepultura and Reina - again see what you mean in regards they have more continuous effects (Reina is a she, it is Spanish for queen ) felt I needed some more long term effects but you've got a point. Marques I do need to do something with. Thunderbug shouldn't be a permanent increase, I'll get round to re-wording that, thanks for the point out.

Tainted is intended to be limited, I only got 1 in my deck list. That kinda makes the additional drawback pointless but ah well, I only made that one cuz of the cool pic. Manipulated isn't as overpowered as initially thought, bearing in mind a monster with a Fear Counter can't attack, and using them for Tributes renders Sepultura/Reina/Marques effects null. Was going for a 'Brainwashing Beam' effect but hasn't worked as well. Sinister Swarm is the only non-Diablos specific card here so you're probably right about it's limiting, it's something certainly Inverz and maybe other Decks can use.

Need to do some editing before RP use, but thanks.

EDIT: Ok I've had a play, I've changed Maligno to only stopping the Draw Phase, so the opponent can still use drawing cards, but things like Heart of the Underdog still get messed with. I've made Marques effect only activated if 2 Diablos are used as Tributes, and he's a bit weaker in ATK, meaning Sepultura is now the 'enforcer' so to speak. Not sure how well that's sitting with me. Will do S/T's in a bit.

May also make more cards for this set ahead of this RP, especially Traps as I think my character may involve that sort of thing. Also fancy making a Ritual but only if it fits in with the rest.

[Daigusto Sphreez]

Hardly in a position to give critique as you have better skills at making cards, but I like this deck and will comment (:

I give this deck 9/10

Good Points:
Love the pictures, I could imagine Konami actually using them.
I like how your spells and traps turn some of your monsters low ATK + DEF into an advantage
Great imaginaton in effects used, with some complex effects experimented with
Realistic, as in, not to Overpowered. I like that it has strengths and weaknesses in power (as a deck should be).
Mostly sound OCG
An actual decent set, it makes a deck, some 'sets' hardly live up to the name.
Nice theme, Diablo/spanish etc.

Bad points:
Some cards don't have pictures (but you already explained that)
It would take a lot of trial and error to master this decks advantages (not neccessarily bad though)
The deck looks hard to pick up power, only specific cards can substantially delay your opponent
A bit sensible, as in no super amazing cards that make your jaw drop.

But overall, well done. I would consider buying this deck if it was on sale.

[Bahamut - Envoy of the End]

Thanks for the positive feedback everyone.

I've made a few changes: Maligno now only stops the draw phase, and Marques can only access his effect by Tributing 2 Diablos monsters.

Vacio Alma has undergone a complete overhaul.

Tainted Draw has been modified, and Manipulated has been changed to a position change rather than control, as it's more useful given the nature of this Set.

[Bahamut - Envoy of the End]

Bump for anyone else who's interested.