by CYAC Broke boundaries, and now duelists are setting standards
Mikanko was introduced in early January with the release of the Amazing Defenders booster pack for the TCG. The archetype came with a totally new way to play, with themes surrounding Equip-Spells and Ritual Monsters, two irrelevant playstyles since Noble Knights and Nekroz fell behind the increasingly turbulent first-turn metaplay.
However, while the playstyle of constantly bashing your opponent’s monster for reflected battle damage was an interesting concept, that wasn’t enough for up-and-comers such as Kashtira, Purrely, Rescue-ACE, Runick, and Labrynth. This caused the deck to fall into a deep depression for lack of usefulness unless going for a core go-second OTK strategy that could backfire if you didn’t have the right cards in hand.
Fast-forward four months later to the release of Cyberstorm Access, which changed the playstyle with the additional support cards “Hu-Li the Jewel Mikanko” and “Mikanko Dance – Mayowashidori.” With these new installments, Mikanko had the tools it needed to become a self-sufficient deck that paired ideally with cards such as Lava Golem or the “Kaiju” archetype for disrupting the enemy’s first-turn board (though for effectiveness, was still used for a while).
Around this time, you saw the general go-second OTK playstyle used in pro-play. Some of the most accurate representations are players like “Bluestar899,” winning Top 4 at a Regina WCQ Regional, and Dylan Grundstrom obtaining Top 8 at a Fargo WCQ Regional. These decks allowed the public to take interest in the deck, but not enough buzz for it to be approved as “meta.”
Mikankos were slowly being tested to be a powerful combo deck. Along with the fact that around this time, the September Banlist became effective, causing meta decks like Kashtira, Runick, and Purrelly to be dysfunctional — It was the perfect time to test out meta-busting strategies.
Then, on the brisk morning of October 1st, Robert Asatryan utilized a Mikanko-Noble Knight hybrid that had the ability to go first at YCS Dortmund, getting him Top 32 at the event. It was unthinkable, a perturbed concept at best!
Why would I risk going second for my board to be broken? Mikanko’s have the best chances of going second for a swift yet deadly OTK, right?
Wrong. With Cecilia Graham winning Top 8 at the Niagara Falls WCQ Regional, the crazed first-turn Mikanko-Infernoble set was far from over. This time, utilizing important cards such as Immortal Phoenix Gearfried and Sublimation Knight in the Main Deck to capitalize on Mikanko’s Equip Spells and Ha-Re The Sword Mikanko being a Fire Monster.
While, of course, the usage of Isolde, Two Tales of the Noble Knights was varied among decks for its ability to send Mayowashidori to the GY along with other various Equip Spells for use later, there were still variables that couldn’t allow the deck to play at a high enough level to break the meta.
That was until YCS Indianapolis, where Ed Acepcion played a Mikanko deck featuring new tech cards from Age of Overlord. Named “Sinful Mikanko” due to a combo utilizing Ken the Warrior Dragor and Gen the Diamond Tiger that allowed him to get Infernoble Knight – Renaud. This actively enabled a follow-up with cards Change of Heart, Geonator Transverser + Number 30: Acid Golem of Destruction for a devastating board blow-out “Acid Golem Lock.”
Both great for going first and second; this was what the Mikanko players wanted to see. It was a genuinely innovative decklist with a playstyle that wasn’t far from what was seen in the meta but kept true to utilizing the Mikankos.
However, this wasn’t the end, as just a few days ago at YCS Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Michel Verissimo DaMichel Verissimo Da Silva won 1st place with “Diabellstar Mikanko.” While Rescue-Ace Sinful Spoils was one of the most represented decks during the tournament, ultimately, Sinful Spoils played prominently with the Mikanko archetype.
Here’s the deck list and link if you want to try it yourself!
Main [41]
[1]
[22]
[3]
[15]
Extra [15]
[8]
[6]
[1]
Side [15]
[3]
[5]
[7]
With the ability to get Ken/Gen on the field, obtain them with Triple Tactics Thrust, go into a Geonator Transverser for a switch, then end with a Number 30: Acid Golem of Destruction was phenomenal to watch. Even if the deck doesn’t open with either Ken or Gen, the Diabellestar package allows you to obtain a Warrior monster. Even going into an Isolde will allow this, so going second or first isn’t a problem as long as you know how to pilot around the opposing deck. And the five Thrust/Talent cards in the deck make it so that you’ll be able to out your opponent for consistent play afterward. It’s a very straightforward playstyle with leniency to opted thinking.
Where will Mikankos go next?
Who’s to say? There are a bunch of interesting Mikanko decks floating about, with the usage of the Infernobles, Armored Car (from AGOV Armored Xyz), and Psychic tech cards that are inspiring, to say the least. And with a Mikanko Deck winning a YCS, I’m sure there’ll be a lot more people looking toward finding new ways for the deck to prosper.
Thanks for reading!