Lesson 01: Qliphort 101

Hello and greetings students and members of North Academy. Today marks my first official day as a teacher here and I hope to be the best I can for you all. That said, let's get right to it. As many may know, I posted a poll for what my first lesson should be about yesterday. The results of that poll have said that I should post a deck guide and I thought to myself: What better deck to cover than one of the biggest decks in the metagame?

That's right, Qliphort. Also referred to as "Qli," this archetype of EARTH Machine-type monsters has been a force to be reckoned with ever since it was released. I'll be covering the essential deck rather than a full look at the archetype.

What are Qliphorts?

The Qliphort archetype are made up of EARTH attribute, Machine-type monsters that focus on Pendulum Summoning to be used for Tribute Summon. The Pendulum monsters in this archetype tend to be levels 5 - 8 and their Pendulum Scales are 1 or 9.

Each of the Qli Pendulum monsters  have 2400 or 2800 ATK and 1000 DEF (Except for Scout who's stats are reveresed) and share the same unique effects. As a Pendulum Scale, they lock you from Special Summoning anything that isn't a "Qli" monster and as a Monster, they have an effect that allows them to be Normal  Summoned without a Tribute, however they are reduced to Level 4 monsters with 1800 ATK if they are Summoned in such a way OR if they are Special Summoned. Basically if you don't Tribute Summon them, they're gonna get a bit weaker. They also share the ability that make them unaffected by monsters' activated effects that have an original Level or Rank lower than themselves.

Also, each Pendulum Qli monster affects the ATK of the monsters in play. The scale 1 Qli raise the ATK of all your Qli monsters by 300 while the Scale 9's lower your opponent's monsters by 300 ATK. Handy for when you don't Tribute Summon your Qliphorts~

The Cards

Let's take a moment to examine each of the cards seen in the deck. First up are the Qliphort cards that make the cut.

"Qliphort Scout"


The one card that every Qliphort player will tell you to max and if you don't have it...you're doing it wrong. As a Pendulum, this little beauty lets you search your deck for any "Qli" card and add it to hand or the low low price of 800 LP! (Yes it says LP on the card now). This guy is one of the most, if not THE most, important monsters in the deck.

Run 3

"Qliphort Disk"


One of the Qliphorts that can be Normal Summoned without a Tribute, so its has that snazzy effect as mentioned above but if Disk is Tribute Summoned by tributing a "Qli" monsters, you can Special Summon 2 "Qli" from your deck! They explode at the end of the turn, but if they're your Pendulum Monsters then they just go sit pretty in the Extra deck until you can Pendulum Summon next~

Run 3

"Qliphort Carrier"


Another Pendulum who can be summoned without having Tribute but this guy has a spiffy effect that goes off if it gets used for a Tribute: It bounces a monster! Not too shabby. Monarchs are considering a lawsuit soon.

Run 2-3

"Qliphort Shell"


One of the big monsters in the deck. If he's Tribute Summoned by tributing a "Qli" monster, then he can make 2 Attacks a Battle Phase AND inflicts Piercing Damage (for those who don't know, that's when you can still do damage to DEF monsters)

Run 0-2

"Qliphort Helix"


Sort of the counterpart to Carrier. When Helix is used as a Tribute, you get to pop a backrow. Yep, Monarchs are REALLY looking into a lawsuit now.

Run 2-3

"Apoqliphort Towers"


Considered the "boss" monster of the archetype but rarely sees a lot of play. Its not a terrible card per se, but its not worth running more than 1. Towers cannot be Special Summoned (So no Pendulum) and requires 3 tributes to summon...specifically 3 tributed Qli monsters. On the plus side: Towers lowers all Special Summoned monsters' ATK and DEF by 500, is immune to Spells and Traps as well as activated monster effects with a lower Level/Rank than itself. (He's a Level 10 btw). It also can force your opponent to send 1 Monster card from their field or hand to the Graveyard. Pretty good for control.

Run 0-1

"Saqlifice"


This handy equip spell gives a "Qli" monster 300 ATK and lets you use the equipped monster as 2 tributes for a "Qli" monster. Oh, and once "Saqlifice" goes to the Grave from the field, you can fetch a "Qli" monster.

Run 3

"Laser Qlip"


The Field spell, because all good archetypes need their own Field Spell. Laser Qlip gives you an extra Normal Summon of a "Qli" during your Main Phase once a turn and the normal summons of your "Qli" monsters cannot be negated. Not too shabby.

Run 1

"Qlimate Change"


If you have any "Qli" Pendulum monsters in your Extra deck but need them back in your hand, this little number can snag up to 3 of them. Limit of one "Qlimate Change" per customer.

Run 0-1

Other Cards to Run

The following are cards you should really considering using in a Qliphort deck (apart from the usual staples like MST).

"Summoner's Art"


Normal Spell that adds 1 Level 5 or higher Normal Monster to hand, which lets you have quick and easy access to Scout.

Run 3

"Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon"
Fits within the scales made by Qliphorts AND can also help you search for Scout via its own suicide effect. Plus, his ability to deal double the battle damage is pretty sweet~
Run 0-2

"Skill Drain"


What was that about my Level and ATK going down for not being Tribute Summoned?

Run 3

"Forbidden Chalice"


Absolutely amazing for this deck. Can get rid of pesky effects while at the same time can be used to surprise an attacker by resetting your Qli monsters' stats!

Run 2-3

Weaknesses

Like many of the big decks today, Qliphorts can struggle if they can't Special Summon. They don't NEED to Special as much as Shaddolls or Burning Abyss, but in a pinch, cards like "Vanity's Emptiness" will hurt them.

Their bigger weakness is losing their Pendulums, particularly Scout. Stopping their ability to search is a problem for them and one that they sometimes can't fix. A great counter card is "Anti-Spell Fragrance" which will stop their ability to even play their Pendulums. "Spell Shattering Arrow" and "Fairy Wind" are common solutions as well. If you're the type to Side "Prohibition," then you're likely to gun for Scout.

"Destiny HERO - Plasma" is another good option. Most of the Qliphorts are under level 8 which means his field-blanketing effect will still hit them."Outer God Nyarla" has an ability which can increase its own Rank, so it can make itself a challenge for the Qliphorts if needed.


Closing

Qliphorts are one of the stronger decks of this format and probably the most expensive one currently. I myself have spent some time recently trying to learn more about them and even how to play with and against them. They've proven to be a good challenge.

Assignment

For this lesson's assignment, I'd like for you to come up with a deck that you think can best Qliphorts, duel against them and come out on top! Burning Abyss and Shaddolls will not be permitted for this assignment however. Please post your deck list and each Duel Result Screen. You'll be rewarded DP based on the deck you chose and the Match

results.
2-0 will earn you 500 DP
2-1 will earn you 300 DP
Decks can earn up to 500 DP

I look forward to seeing your wins. If anyone has questions, comments or concerns regarding this lesson and/or assignment, please post or PM me. See you next time!

I'd like to also suggest considering Trampolynx as a card.



It's a card that facilitates Scout searches very well, allowing you to use Scout's effect twice once you pendulum summon with both cards in the pendulum zone. It also allows you to go into your extra deck for XYZ utilities like Dark Rebellion XYZ Dragon, Abyss Dweller, Ragnazero, Castel, or Giant Hand for that matter. I'd consider running 0-2, but I personally run 2 in my deck.

In addition to this, ratio corrections:
Some play no shell, so 0-2
Some don't play Qlimate Change, so 0-2
Odd-Eyes isn't sometimes even played, so 0-3 (though I think 2 is the better cut-off)
Skill Drain is 2-3
Chalice is 0-2

Most importantly: Vanity's Emptiness. 2-3.

bes tlesson ever made im relally proud on you and i hope youu will make more

I will read them all over and over and well i think i will start to play Qli now too

Ty for tyour amazing lesson yu are the best teacher NA ever had and no one wil be better

really you helped me out alot ty so much <3

Shiki wrote:

Ty for tyour amazing lesson yu are the best teacher NA ever had and no one wil be better

psshshhh
 
ur forgetting that my awesomeness outshines all

https://i.imgur.com/CjgHADx.png - Infernity vs Qli 

do you require the decklist?

Nice debut.

(All Stars) Pharaoh wrote:

https://i.imgur.com/CjgHADx.png - Infernity vs Qli 

do you require the decklist?

that guy was a scrub

Still prolly better than you.

KidChaos wrote:

(All Stars) Pharaoh wrote:

https://i.imgur.com/CjgHADx.png - Infernity vs Qli 

do you require the decklist?

that guy was a scrub

Just because i didn't use the current "anti-meta" or "meta" doesn't mean my opponent is a scrub. As i say a good player can look at the format and innovates around the format out of what is considered the "meta". An average player will use the "meta".

I think the term "meta" is misused. The original definition was the most competitive deck, its current definition is most popular. The two are completely different. 

Just because an Archetype comes out in the latest set doesn't mean its more competitive than what's currently out, however it will be most popular. The two get too easily confused in the modern game. 

An Archetype is what Konami make, the deck is what the player makes. Its up to the player to use the resources that's available. A good player will use the resources to make a competitive deck, an average player will use the most popular archetype.

(All Stars) Pharaoh wrote:

KidChaos wrote:

(All Stars) Pharaoh wrote:

https://i.imgur.com/CjgHADx.png - Infernity vs Qli 

do you require the decklist?

that guy was a scrub

Just because i didn't use the current "anti-meta" or "meta" doesn't mean my opponent is a scrub. As i say a good player can look at the format and innovates around the format out of what is considered the "meta". An average player will use the "meta".

I think the term "meta" is misused. The original definition was the most competitive deck, its current definition is most popular. The two are completely different. 

Just because an Archetype comes out in the latest set doesn't mean its more competitive than what's currently out, however it will be most popular. The two get too easily confused in the modern game. 

An Archetype is what Konami make, the deck is what the player makes. Its up to the player to use the resources that's available. A good player will use the resources to make a competitive deck, an average player will use the most popular archetype.

No I'm saying that because Qli's either bricked or you got a godlike hand. Doesn't matter if your using tiers or not. A good Qli player doesn't lose to infernity. That fact was proven IRL and on DN countless and many times.

Noble Magician Girl wrote:

(All Stars) Pharaoh wrote:

https://i.imgur.com/CjgHADx.png - Infernity vs Qli 

do you require the decklist?

Yes, decklist is to posted along with all screenshots of your match. You DID do a match against that person and not just a single duel, yes?

Yh i did a match, i won 2-1. However i don't have the other screenshots. 

Decklist: https://i.imgur.com/eIEpkqm.png

just thing....why do u run not only 3 upstart but 3 instant fusions

its like a rule to never have more instant fusions than u have targets so you can reduce the dead draws....also especally with all the qliphort crap upstart gives them more searches with scout...dnt give them more of an advantage....#NoMSTInMainCancer #NoLanceInMainCancer

backrow will destroy this deck JS

KidChaos wrote:

just thing....why do u run not only 3 upstart but 3 instant fusions

its like a rule to never have more instant fusions than u have targets so you can reduce the dead draws....also especally with all the qliphort crap upstart gives them more searches with scout...dnt give them more of an advantage....#NoMSTInMainCancer #NoLanceInMainCancer

backrow will destroy this deck JS

I run 3 and 3 to increase the consistency of the deck and too make sure i draw what i need to go off first turn. I focus more on the FTK than stun control.

Noble Magician Girl wrote:

KidChaos makes several good points, (though you could be a bit nicer about it KidChaos.)

At any rate, Pharaoh will earn 300 DP for the match, and 200 for the deck used. So 500 Total.

Well done~

i always make good points. though your right i am sorta mean .

anyway

if you focus on the otk and they stop you... your pretty fucked. even in its nerfed state stun control still is the better infernity. the slowness of stun infernity actually is what makes them thrive due to how slow they develop plays. late game you'll be really fast but early game it will play to your advantage.

In either case your relaying on drawing your combo cards, or your stun cards to stop your opponent while you build up your plays. So either way your relaying on drawing the correct cards.

imo this bulid suks coming from a qli player dissponted y not 3 helix bruh 3 helix 3 disk 3 carrier 1 shell and 3 squot 3 skill drain 3 vanitys are the musts killer no need 1 challice is enough u need the performal to bounce scout and use the eff twice

Pharaoh has been awarded.

kirito wrote:

imo this bulid suks coming from a qli player dissponted y not 3 helix bruh 3 helix 3 disk 3 carrier 1 shell and 3 squot 3 skill drain 3 vanitys are the musts killer no need 1 challice is enough u need the performal to bounce scout and use the eff twice

well uh.....hes got a point lawl