Zoodiac

Zoodiac has been performing extremely well since their debut in Raging Tempest.

They can set up a strong board with just a single card, or dish out 9000 damage with just 2 cards.

This article will showcase some of the core combos for Zoodiac.

 


Speedroid Terrortop

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On an empty board, Speedroid Terrortop could be Special Summoned, and fetch for Speedroid Taketomborg, which could then be Special Summoned.

Speedroid Terrortop and Speedroid Taketomborg could be used to Xyz Summon M-X-Saber Invoker, which could then Special Summon a Zoodiac monster.

Essentially, Zoodiac Barrage does the same, but ends with 1 less M-X-Saber Invoker.

Some of the following combos will be using Zoodiac Barrage, but it could be substituted with Speedroid Terrortop.

 


Combo 1: Zoodiac Barrage

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  1. Play and activate Zoodiac Barrage, Special Summon Zoodiac Ratpier.
  2. Using Zoodiac Ratpier, Xyz Summon Zoodiac Boarbow.
  3. Activate Zoodiac Boarbow‘s Ratpier effect, Special Summon Zoodiac Ratpier.
  4. Using Zoodiac Boarbow, Xyz Summon Zoodiac Tigermortar.
  5. Activate the effect of Zoodiac Tigermortar, detach Zoodiac Boarbow, and attach Zoodiac Ratpier as an Xyz Material.
  6. Activate Zoodiac Tigermortar‘ Ratpier effect, Special Summon Zoodiac Ratpier.

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  1. Using Zoodiac Tigermortar, Xyz Summon Zoodiac Broadbull.
  2. Activate the effect of Zoodiac Broadbull, add Coach Captain Bearman from deck to hand.
  3. Using Zoodiac Broadbull, Xyz Summon Zoodiac Drident.
  4. Normal Summon Coach Captain Bearman.
  5. Activate the effect of Coach Captain Bearman, making both Zoodiac Ratpiers become Level 8.

There are two possible plays after this step –

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Play #1:

  1. Using Coach Captain Bearman + Zoodiac Ratpier + Zoodiac Ratpier, Xyz Summon Coach King Giantrainer.
  2. Activate the effect of Coach King Giantrainer 3 times, draw 3 cards.

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Play #2:

  1. Using Zoodiac Ratpier + Zoodiac Ratpier, Xyz Summon Number 38: Hope Harbinger Dragon Titanic Galaxy.

This 1-card combo is an ideal opening that end with a Zoodiac Drident, Coach King Giantrainer and 3 additional cards.

Alternatively, You can go for Zoodiac Drident, Coach Captain Bearman and Number 38: Hope Harbinger Dragon Titanic Galaxy instead, cutting card advantage for a stronger board presence.

 


Combo 2: Zoodiac Ratpier

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  1. Normal Summon Zoodiac Ratpier.
  2. When Zoodiac Ratpier is successfully summoned, trigger its effect to send Zoodiac Thoroughblade from the deck to the graveyard.
  3. Using Zoodiac Ratpier, Xyz Summon Zoodiac Boarbow.
  4. Using Zoodiac Boarbow, Xyz Summon Zoodiac Drident.
  5. Activate Zoodiac Drident‘s Ratpier effect, detach Zoodiac Boarbow, and Special Summon Zoodiac Ratpier.

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  1. Using Zoodiac Drident, Xyz Summon Zoodiac Broadbull.
  2. Activate Zoodiac Broadbull‘s Ratpier effect, Special Summon Zoodiac Ratpier.
  3. Activate the effect of Zoodiac Broadbull, add Zoodiac Whiptail from deck to hand.
  4. Using Zoodiac Broadbull, Xyz Summon Zoodiac Tigermortar.
  5. Activate the effect of Zoodiac Tigermortar, detach Zoodiac Broadbull, and attach Zoodiac Thoroughblade as an Xyz Material.
  6. Using Zoodiac Ratpier + Zoodiac Ratpier, Xyz Summon Brotherhood of the Fire Fist – Tiger King.

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  1. When Brotherhood of the Fire Fist – Tiger King is successfully summoned, trigger its effect to set Fire Formation – Tensu from the deck to the Spell & Trap Zone.
  2. Activate Fire Formation – Tensu.
  3. Using the effect of Fire Formation – Tensu, Normal Summon Zoodiac Whiptail.
  4. During the Battle Phase, attack with Brotherhood of the Fire Fist – Tiger King, and deal 2200 + 100 = 2300 damage.
  5. Attack with Zoodiac Whiptail, and deal 1200 + 100 = 1300 damage.
  6. Activate the effect of Zoodiac Whiptail, attach itself to Zoodiac Tigermortar as an Xyz Material.
  7. Attack with Zoodiac Tigermortar, and deal 1600 + 1200 + 100 = 2900 damage.

2300 + 1300 + 2900 = 6500.

If you started with Fire Formation – Tenki to search for Zoodiac Ratpier, then your final damage would be 2400 + 1400 + 3000 = 6800.

 


Combo 3: Zoodiac Barrage

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  1. Play and activate Zoodiac Barrage, Special Summon Zoodiac Ratpier.
  2. Using Zoodiac Ratpier, Xyz Summon Zoodiac Boarbow.
  3. Activate Zoodiac Boarbow‘s Ratpier effect, Special Summon Zoodiac Ratpier.
  4. Using Zoodiac Boarbow, Xyz Summon Zoodiac Tigermortar.
  5. Activate the effect of Zoodiac Tigermortar, detach Zoodiac Boarbow, and attach Zoodiac Ratpier as an Xyz Material.
  6. Activate Zoodiac Tigermortar‘ Ratpier effect, Special Summon Zoodiac Ratpier.

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  1. Using Zoodiac Tigermortar, Xyz Summon Zoodiac Broadbull.
  2. Activate the effect of Zoodiac Broadbull, add Zoodiac Whiptail from deck to hand.
  3. Normal Summon Zoodiac Whiptail.
  4. Using Zoodiac Broadbull, Xyz Summon Zoodiac Drident.
  5. Using Zoodiac Ratpier + Zoodiac Ratpier, Xyz Summon Brotherhood of the Fire Fist – Tiger King.

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  1. When Brotherhood of the Fire Fist – Tiger King is successfully summoned, trigger its effect to set Fire Formation – Tenki from the deck to the Spell & Trap Zone.
  2. Activate Fire Formation – Tenki, add Zoodiac Whiptail from deck to hand.
  3. Activate the effect of the Zoodiac Whiptail in hand, attach itself to Zoodiac Drident as an Xyz Material.
  4. During the Battle Phase, attack with Brotherhood of the Fire Fist – Tiger King, and deal 2200 + 100 = 2300 damage.
  5. Attack with Zoodiac Whiptail, and deal 1200 + 100 = 1300 damage.
  6. Activate the effect of Zoodiac Whiptail, attach itself to Zoodiac Drident as an Xyz Material.
  7. Attack with Zoodiac Drident, and deal 1200 + 1200 + 100 = 2500 damage.

2300 + 1300 + 2500 = 6100.

If you started with Speedroid Terrortop, and used M-X-Saber Invoker to Special Summon Zoodiac Ratpier, then your final damage would be 2300 + 1300 + 2500 + 1600 = 7700.

 


Combo 4: Zoodiac Ratpier + Zoodiac Barrage

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  1. Normal Summon Zoodiac Ratpier.
  2. When Zoodiac Ratpier is successfully summoned, trigger its effect to send Zoodiac Thoroughblade from the deck to the graveyard.
  3. Using Zoodiac Ratpier, Xyz Summon Zoodiac Boarbow.
  4. Play and activate Zoodiac Barrage, Special Summon Zoodiac Whiptail.
  5. When Zoodiac Barrage is destroyed and sent to the graveyard, activate its effect and attach it to Zoodiac Boarbow as an Xyz Material.
  6. Activate Zoodiac Boarbow‘s Ratpier effect, detach Zoodiac Barrage, and Special Summon Zoodiac Ratpier.
  7. Using Zoodiac Boarbow, Xyz Summon Zoodiac Broadbull.
  8. Activate Zoodiac Broadbull‘s Ratpier effect, Special Summon Zoodiac Ratpier.
  9. Activate the effect of Zoodiac Broadbull, add Zoodiac Whiptail from the deck to hand.

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  1. Using Zoodiac Broadbull, Xyz Summon Zoodiac Tigermortar.
  2. Activate the effect of Zoodiac Tigermortar, detach Zoodiac Broadbull, and attach Zoodiac Thoroughblade as an Xyz Material.
  3. Using Zoodiac Tigermortar, Xyz Summon Zoodiac Drident.
  4. Using Zoodiac Ratpier + Zoodiac Ratpier, Xyz Summon Brotherhood of the Fire Fist – Tiger King.

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  1. When Brotherhood of the Fire Fist – Tiger King is successfully summoned, trigger its effect to set Fire Formation – Tensu from the deck to the Spell & Trap Zone.
  2. Activate Fire Formation – Tensu.
  3. Using the effect of Fire Formation – Tensu, Normal Summon Zoodiac Whiptail.
  4. During the Battle Phase, attack with Brotherhood of the Fire Fist – Tiger King, and deal 2200 + 100 = 2300 damage.
  5. Attack with the 1st Zoodiac Whiptail, and deal 1200 + 100 = 1300 damage.
  6. Activate the effect of the 1st Zoodiac Whiptail, attach itself to Zoodiac Drident as an Xyz Material.
  7. Attack with the 2nd Zoodiac Whiptail, and deal 1200 + 100 = 1300 damage.
  8. Activate the effect of the 2nd Zoodiac Whiptail, attach itself to Zoodiac Drident as an Xyz Material.
  9. Attack with Zoodiac Drident, and deal 1600 + 1200 + 1200 + 100 = 4100 damage.

2300 + 1300 + 1300 + 4100 = 9000.

If you started with Fire Formation – Tenki + Zoodiac Barrage, then your final damage would be 2400 + 1400 + 1400 + 4200 = 9400.

 


Combo 5: Zoodiac Ratpier + Speedroid Terrortop

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  1. Special Summon Speedroid Terrortop.
  2. When Speedroid Terrortop is successfully summoned, trigger its effect to add Speedroid Taketomborg from the deck to hand.
  3. Special Summon Speedroid Taketomborg.
  4. Using Speedroid Terrortop + Speedroid Taketomborg, Xyz Summon M-X-Saber Invoker.
  5. Activate the effect of M-X-Saber Invoker, Special Summon Zoodiac Thoroughblade.
  6. Normal Summon Zoodiac Ratpier.
  7. When Zoodiac Ratpier is successfully summoned, trigger its effect to send Zoodiac Thoroughblade from the deck to the graveyard.

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  1. Using Zoodiac Thoroughblade + Zoodiac Ratpier, Xyz Summon Zoodiac Broadbull.
  2. Using Zoodiac Broadbull, Xyz Summon Zoodiac Boarbow.
  3. Activate Zoodiac Boarbow‘s Ratpier effect, detach Zoodiac Broadbull, and Special Summon Zoodiac Ratpier.

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  1. Using Zoodiac Boarbow, Xyz Summon Zoodiac Broadbull.
  2. Activate Zoodiac Broadbull‘s Ratpier effect, detach Zoodiac Boarbow, and Special Summon Zoodiac Ratpier.
  3. Activate the effect of Zoodiac Broadbull, detach Zoodiac Ratpier, and add Zoodiac Whiptail from deck to hand.
  4. Using Zoodiac Broadbull, Xyz Summon Zoodiac Tigermortar.
  5. Activate the effect of Zoodiac Tigermortar, detach Zoodiac Broadbull, and attach Zoodiac Thoroughblade as an Xyz Material.
  6. Using Zoodiac Ratpier + Zoodiac Ratpier, Xyz Summon Brotherhood of the Fire Fist – Tiger King.

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  1. When Brotherhood of the Fire Fist – Tiger King is successfully summoned, trigger its effect to set Fire Formation – Tensu from the deck to the Spell & Trap Zone.
  2. Activate Fire Formation – Tensu.
  3. Using the effect of Fire Formation – Tensu, Normal Summon Zoodiac Whiptail.
  4. Using Zoodiac Tigermortar, Xyz Summon Zoodiac Drident.
  5. During the Battle Phase, attack with Brotherhood of the Fire Fist – Tiger King, and deal 2200 + 100 = 2300 damage.
  6. Attack with Zoodiac Whiptail, and deal 1200 + 100 = 1300 damage.
  7. Activate the effect of the Zoodiac Whiptail, attach itself to Zoodiac Drident as an Xyz Material.
  8. Attack with Zoodiac Drident, and deal 1600 + 1600 + 1200 + 100 = 4500 damage.
  9. Attack with M-X-Saber Invoker, and deal 1600 damage.

2300 + 1300 + 4500 + 1600 = 9700.

If you started with Fire Formation – Tenki + Speedroid Terrortop, then your final damage would be 2400 + 1400 + 4600 + 1600 = 10000.

 


Conclusion

 
The strength of Zoodiac lies in its ability to build up a strong board with just 1 card.

Zoodiac can run 3 Zoodiac Ratpier and another 3 different cards that can fetch for Ratpier – Speedroid Terrortop, Zoodiac Barrage, Fire Formation – Tenki. Essentially, Zoodiac has 12 cards to start its combo, and this translates to sheer power and consistency.

When going second, Zoodiac is also able OTK with just 2 cards.

All these contributes to make Zoodiac the most dominant deck in the current OCG metagame (post-Raging Tempest).

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20 Responses

  1. Uh…how are you meant to end with a giantrainer, number 38 and 3 extra cards if you have used the 3 marmorat’s and bearman?

  2. EDIT: Uh…how are you meant to end with a giantrainer, number 38 and 3 extra cards if you have used the 2 marmorat’s and bearman?

    • Akira says:

      After Step 11, there’s a fork for 2 different possible plays.

      You can either go for Drancia, Giantrainer and +3 cards,
      or
      you can go for Drancia, Bearman and Number 38.

    • Just re read it and I completely misread bearman as giantrainer so it read that I would have drancia, number 38 and giantrainer which confused the heck out of me as to how

    • Akira says:

      No worries. I think it was poorly written as well, so I had it rewritten. Hopefully the fork is much clearer now. Cheers!

  3. marroque says:

    I must say: i already knew that it would be easy for the deck to make strong boards turn 1, but im quite surprised by the otk potencial of zodiac beast. Great post as always

  4. marco11 says:

    What deck profile should I use?

  5. Sakura Hime says:

    I think it will be good to indicate which viper either from hand/field to trigger its effect under combo 3 step 14 though your illustration clears it up.

    Great explanation, keep it up!

  6. Xiyan says:

    To stop Zodiac Beast’s combos, it is common to use Maxx “C”, so there is a risky combo:
    if the opponent plays Maxx “C”, summon 2 copies of Bull with 1 special summoned Rat, use both Bull’s effect to search 2 copies of Manticore of Darkness, advance summon one of them, and use Drancia’s effect to destroy it.

    In the end phase, the destroyed Manticore can revive by costing the other copy in hand. Then this two Manticore of Darkness can form a loop to special summon infinite times until the opponent run out of deck and lose, as long as the opponent’s deck does not have D.D Crow.

    As a result, some players may add 1 D.D Crow to prevent this. Therefore, D.D Crow is possible to present. Some of the combos list above detach Rat at the first XYZ and have to use Tiger’s effect to attach Rat again, which gives opponent a chance to use D.D Crow to stop your combo. A better option should be using the Rat’s gift effect at or after the second XYZ, so you can detach the XYZ Zodiac Beast to keep Rat as XYZ material and use the gift effect again with the coming XYZ.

    • Akira says:

      The other argument is that you would lose an additional Zodiac Beast Xyz monster if you are hit by a Ghost Ogre & Snow Rabbit. Having 1 less Zodiac Beast Xyz monster in your Extra Deck might limit your options in the later turns.

      I believe there are merits to both plays. It all boils down to making a good read and then playing around D.D. Crow or Ghost Ogre & Snow Rabbit accordingly.

      That’s a fantastic point that you brought up. Cheers!

  7. R. S. says:

    Most list have been transitioning to Daigusto Emeral as an end to the rat combo and using Gagaga Samurai as extra damage to push for game. You might want to update those in, for future reference.

    • Akira says:

      Some have tried Gagaga Samurai, but eventually dropped it. Because Brotherhood of the Fire Fist – Tiger King does almost the same amount of damage. (Base assumption is that you will always have a Zodiac Beast Xyz monster when you do the double Marmorat combo.)

      Gagaga Samurai = 1900 × 2 = 3800.

      Brotherhood of the Fire Fist – Tiger KingFire Formation – TenkiZodiac Viper = (2200 + 100) + 1200 = 3500.

      Brotherhood of the Fire Fist – Tiger KingFire Formation – TensuZodiac Viper = (2200 + 100) + (1200 + 100) + 1200 = 4800.

      Daigusto Emeral is a good point. Some players have dropped Coach Captain Bearman and focused on just Rank 4. Cheers!

  8. I’m curious about what a standard deck list would look like for Zodiac Beasts. It looks like there’s so many other cards that can be in this deck outside of the main core needed for these combos.

  9. very risky to build this deck…..although its a teir 0 deck…limiting momorat to 1 kills the deck….might only last 2 banlist….unlike nekroz and burning they dont rely on one card and they last over a year in meta…

    • Pepe Zap says:

      yeah, but it is way to unlikely to limit momorat, since juunishishi are splashble in pretty much anydeck cause of him, it would be like banishing metalfoes scales. Now what do could fall into banlist is M-X-Invoker; terrortop; maybe even tenki (something that would ruin many cool decks like bujin or yosenju)

  10. huy says:

    If boardbull atk is 2400 why can’t make Drident atk to 4800 because effect boardbull don’t said : If this card is a material atk to be 0 . So atk Boardbull + Wiptail + Wiptail = 2400 + 1200 + 1200 = 4800

    • Hel says:

      Because boardbull lost all his effect (of course the effect which say it gain an atk equal to the atk of zoodiac monsters attached to it) when he become a xyz material (and his attack is ?, the rulebook say that his original attack is then 0)

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