by Gold Pride debuted a while ago in the TCG and generated high expectations. In combination with the P.U.N.K. engine, it got to see competitive play with decent results. However, it didn’t perform as well as people anticipated. Kashtira and Branded still dominated the meta and were better options in the competitive scene overall. But this doesn’t mean the deck doesn’t have the potential to succeed.
Main [40]
[6]
[14]
[20]
Extra [15]
[3]
[3]
[6]
[3]
Side [15]
[3]
[3]
[9]
Although the P.U.N.K. variant may have more advantages and tools, the pure variant is also very capable. The requirement for this deck to work is having lower Life Points than your opponent, something P.UN.K. helps well. Fortunately, the archetype has cards like Gold Pride – The Crowd Goes Wild to get the necessary cards and lower your Life Points. Plus, it gives you a free special summon, too! The best starter, however, is Gold Pride – Better Luck Next Time. Whereas “Crowd Goes Wild” requires you to reveal a Gold Pride in your hand to resolve, this one allows you to search for any piece you want. In addition, it gives you an extra draw when an Extra Deck Gold Pride goes back to the deck.
SPICY TECHS
Since we need to lower Life Points, here are some cool techs to use. Let’s start with Dr Frankenderp. On summon, you pay 500 LP and get to look at the top card of your deck. You can add it to your hand and skip your next Draw or send it to the bottom of the deck. Life Points are lower, and you get an extra card! Don’t worry too much about the next turn’s draw. Thanks to “Better Luck Next Time,” you won’t even notice. Additionally, as level 3, it helps you overlay into Gold Pride – Chariot Carrie to search for your Gold Pride spells.
Here’s a card many people don’t know about, but it fits perfectly into the deck. Lullaby of Obedience allows you to declare a monster name by paying 2000 LP. Then, if your opponent has a monster with that name in their deck, they add it to your hand or summon it to your field. This could be helpful when you know what you are against, like “Kashtirar Fenrir.” If you control no monsters, it doesn’t matter if it’s added to your hand or field. However, even if you don’t know what you are up against, calling out staples like Ash Blossom Joyous Spring is beneficial, too. It will help stop your opponent if it’s added to your hand or summoned to your field. You already have a level 3 ready for “Chariot Carrie”!
Key Cards
Gold Pride – Chariot Carrie is important since it lets you access your set-up cards. Once you have your spells going, it’s very easy to get the engine going. Gold Pride – Start Your Engines is a trap that helps you interrupt your opponent. While putting Gold Prides, you might need to set up further interruptions, like Gold Pride – Roller Baller. Once he’s on the field, you can summon Gold Pride – Pin Baller to take monsters your opponent might need, non-targeting! Non-engine cards like the almighty Psychic End Punisher will help you close games and impose powerful pressure on the field.
Weaknesses
Not having lower Life Points will make the deck struggle since most effects are more beneficial when you do. At the same time, you have the constant risk of losing in time, hence why it should be played reasonably fast, and know when to make decisions to close games or scoop. Droll Lock Bird is a prevalent hand trap in the current meta and significantly damages the deck. Unlike the P.U.N.K. variant, you can still make some decent plays for the next turn.
Overall, the deck has a decent match-up against most decks. Personally, Kashtira is not the most challenging match-up, especially when you leave a token on their field with Gold Pride – Nytro Head. Hopefully, it will receive more support in the future, which will boost the deck and unleash its potential.