The release of Dark Neostorm came with Dingirsu, the Orcust of the Evening Star and Orcust Crescendo, two new cards that propelled Orcust to top contenders in the OCG 2018.01.

Orcust is a combo deck that puts out multiple disruptions to deny the opponent from making their plays.

In Volume 1, we will explore some of these basic 2-cards combos.

Orcust Opening

The basis of Orcust combo is using Knightmare Mermaid to Special Summon Orcust Knightmare, and then using both monsters to Link Summon Galatea, the Orcust Automaton.

To Link Summon Knightmare Mermaid, you can either simply use Knightmare Corruptor Iblee, or use any 1-card → Link-2 combination to make Knightmare Cerberus or Knightmare Phoenix.

There are many different 1-card → Link-2 combination such as Speedroid Terrortop, Sky Striker Mecha – Hornet Drones or Trickstar Candina.

In this article, we will be sticking to Armageddon Knight and Destrudo the Lost Dragon’s Frisson.

Combo 1: Armageddon Knight + any 1 card

Normal Summon Armageddon Knight. Armageddon Knight ① effect, send Destrudo the Lost Dragon’s Frisson from deck to graveyard. Destrudo the Lost Dragon’s Frisson ① effect, pay half your LP, target Armageddon Knight, Special Summon itself from from graveyard. Armageddon Knight + Destrudo the Lost Dragon’s Frisson → Knightmare Cerberus. Knightmare Cerberus → Knightmare Mermaid. Knightmare Mermaid ① effect, discard 1 card, Special Summon Orcust Knightmare from deck. Knightmare Mermaid + Orcust Knightmare → Galatea, the Orcust Automaton. Orcust Knightmare ② effect, banish itself, target Galatea, the Orcust Automaton, send Orcust Harp Horror from deck to graveyard, Galatea, the Orcust Automaton +400 ATK. Orcust Harp Horror ① effect, banish itself, Special Summon Orcust Cymbal Skeleton from deck. Galatea, the Orcust Automaton ① effect, shuffle Orcust Harp Horror, set Orcustrated Babel from deck to Field Zone. Activate Orcustrated Babel. Galatea, the Orcust Automaton + Orcust Cymbal Skeleton → The Phantom Knights of Rusty Bardiche (Left EMZ). The Phantom Knights of Rusty Bardiche ① effect, send The Phantom Knights of Ancient Cloak, set Phantom Knights’ Fog Blade from deck to Spell/Trap Zone. The Phantom Knights of Ancient Cloak ② effect, banish itself, add The Phantom Knights of Silent Boots from deck to hand. Orcust Cymbal Skeleton ① effect, banish itself, Special Summon Galatea, the Orcust Automaton from graveyard. Galatea, the Orcust Automaton → Dingirsu, the Orcust of the Evening Star. Dingirsu, the Orcust of the Evening Star ① effect, attach Orcust Cymbal Skeleton as Xyz Material. Special Summon The Phantom Knights of Silent Boots from hand. Dingirsu, the Orcust of the Evening Star + The Phantom Knights of Silent Boots → Galatea, the Orcust Automaton (1st MMZ). The Phantom Knights of Silent Boots ② effect, banish itself, add Phantom Knights’ Fog Blade from deck to hand. Set Phantom Knights’ Fog Blade from hand to Spell/Trap Zone.

During the opponent’s turn,

Orcust Cymbal Skeleton ① effect, banish itself, Special Summon Dingirsu, the Orcust of the Evening Star from graveyard (3rd MMZ). Chain 2: Dingirsu, the Orcust of the Evening Star ① effect, send 1 card your opponent controls to the graveyard. Chain 1: The Phantom Knights of Rusty Bardiche ② effect, target 1 card on the field, destroy it.

This 2-card combo creates 4 disruptions:

Dingirsu, the Orcust of the Evening Star sends 1 card to the graveyard

sends 1 card to the graveyard The Phantom Knights of Rusty Bardiche destroys 1 card

destroys 1 card 2 Phantom Knights’ Fog Blade negate 2 monster effects

Additionally, Galatea, the Orcust Automaton ① effect can be activated during the opponent’s End Phase to set Orcust Crescendo onto the field, giving you a negation to protect your combo on the next turn.

Combo 2: Armageddon Knight + any 1 card

Normal Summon Armageddon Knight. Armageddon Knight ① effect, send Destrudo the Lost Dragon’s Frisson from deck to graveyard. Destrudo the Lost Dragon’s Frisson ① effect, pay half your LP, target Armageddon Knight, Special Summon itself from from graveyard. Armageddon Knight + Destrudo the Lost Dragon’s Frisson → Knightmare Cerberus. Knightmare Cerberus → Knightmare Mermaid. Knightmare Mermaid ① effect, discard 1 card, Special Summon Orcust Knightmare from deck. Knightmare Mermaid + Orcust Knightmare → Galatea, the Orcust Automaton. Orcust Knightmare ② effect, banish itself, target Galatea, the Orcust Automaton, send Orcust Harp Horror from deck to graveyard, Galatea, the Orcust Automaton +400 ATK. Orcust Harp Horror ① effect, banish itself, Special Summon Orcust Cymbal Skeleton from deck. Galatea, the Orcust Automaton ① effect, shuffle Orcust Harp Horror, set Orcust Crescendo from deck to Spell/Trap Zone. Galatea, the Orcust Automaton + Orcust Cymbal Skeleton → The Phantom Knights of Rusty Bardiche (Left EMZ). The Phantom Knights of Rusty Bardiche ① effect, send The Phantom Knights of Silent Boots, set Phantom Knights’ Fog Blade from deck to Spell/Trap Zone. The Phantom Knights of Silent Boots ② effect, banish itself, add Phantom Knights’ Fog Blade from deck to hand. Set Phantom Knights’ Fog Blade from hand to Spell/Trap Zone. Orcust Cymbal Skeleton ① effect, banish itself, Special Summon Galatea, the Orcust Automaton from graveyard (1st MMZ).

This 2-card combo creates 3 disruptions:

Orcust Crescendo negate 1 Spell/Trap card or monster effect

negate 1 Spell/Trap card or monster effect 2 Phantom Knights’ Fog Blade negate 2 monster effects

This is variation of Combo 1 that cuts 2 removal for 1 negation. The negation provides a hedge against board wipe such as Evenly Matched.

Combo 3: Armageddon Knight + any 1 card

Normal Summon Armageddon Knight. Armageddon Knight ① effect, send Destrudo the Lost Dragon’s Frisson from deck to graveyard. Destrudo the Lost Dragon’s Frisson ① effect, pay half your LP, target Armageddon Knight, Special Summon itself from from graveyard. Armageddon Knight + Destrudo the Lost Dragon’s Frisson → Knightmare Cerberus. Knightmare Cerberus → Knightmare Mermaid. Knightmare Mermaid ① effect, discard 1 card, Special Summon Orcust Knightmare from deck. Knightmare Mermaid + Orcust Knightmare → Galatea, the Orcust Automaton. Orcust Knightmare ② effect, banish itself, target Galatea, the Orcust Automaton, send Orcust Harp Horror from deck to graveyard, Galatea, the Orcust Automaton +400 ATK. Orcust Harp Horror ① effect, banish itself, Special Summon Orcust Cymbal Skeleton from deck. Galatea, the Orcust Automaton ① effect, shuffle Orcust Harp Horror, set Orcustrated Babel from deck to Field Zone. Activate Orcustrated Babel. Galatea, the Orcust Automaton + Orcust Cymbal Skeleton → The Phantom Knights of Rusty Bardiche (Left EMZ). The Phantom Knights of Rusty Bardiche ① effect, send The Phantom Knights of Ancient Cloak, set Phantom Knights’ Fog Blade from deck to Spell/Trap Zone. The Phantom Knights of Ancient Cloak ② effect, banish itself, add The Phantom Knights of Silent Boots from deck to hand. Orcust Cymbal Skeleton ① effect, banish itself, Special Summon Galatea, the Orcust Automaton from graveyard. Galatea, the Orcust Automaton → Dingirsu, the Orcust of the Evening Star. Dingirsu, the Orcust of the Evening Star ① effect, attach Orcust Cymbal Skeleton as Xyz Material. Special Summon The Phantom Knights of Silent Boots from hand. Dingirsu, the Orcust of the Evening Star + The Phantom Knights of Silent Boots → Galatea, the Orcust Automaton (1st MMZ). The Phantom Knights of Silent Boots ② effect, banish itself, add The Phantom Knights’ Rank-Up-Magic Launch from deck to hand. Set The Phantom Knights’ Rank-Up-Magic Launch from hand to Spell/Trap Zone.

During the opponent’s turn,

Orcust Cymbal Skeleton ① effect, banish itself, Special Summon Dingirsu, the Orcust of the Evening Star from graveyard (3rd MMZ). Dingirsu, the Orcust of the Evening Star ① effect, send 1 card your opponent controls to the graveyard. Activate The Phantom Knights’ Rank-Up-Magic Launch, target Dingirsu, the Orcust of the Evening Star, Special Summon True King of All Calamities (3rd MMZ), attach The Phantom Knights’ Rank-Up-Magic Launch and Dingirsu, the Orcust of the Evening Star as Xyz Materials. The Phantom Knights of Rusty Bardiche ② effect, target 1 card on the field, destroy it. True King of All Calamities ① effect, detach Dingirsu, the Orcust of the Evening Star, declare an Attribute.

This 2-card combo creates 4 disruptions:

Dingirsu, the Orcust of the Evening Star sends 1 card to the graveyard

sends 1 card to the graveyard True King of All Calamities prevents monsters with the declared Attribute from activating their effects

prevents monsters with the declared Attribute from activating their effects The Phantom Knights of Rusty Bardiche destroys 1 card

destroys 1 card Phantom Knights’ Fog Blade negate 1 monster effect

This is another variation of Combo 1 that cuts 1 Phantom Knights’ Fog Blade for True King of All Calamities. Although True King of All Calamities is certainly a much stronger play, this build is losing favor due to the risk of bricking with The Phantom Knights’ Rank-Up-Magic Launch in hand.

Combo 4: The Phantom Knights of Ancient Cloak + any 1 card

Normal Summon The Phantom Knights of Ancient Cloak. The Phantom Knights of Ancient Cloak → Salamangreat Almiraj. The Phantom Knights of Ancient Cloak ② effect, banish itself, add The Phantom Knights of Shade Brigandine from deck to hand. Set The Phantom Knights of Shade Brigandine from hand to Spell/Trap Zone. Activate The Phantom Knights of Shade Brigandine, Special Summon itself. Salamangreat Almiraj + The Phantom Knights of Shade Brigandine → Knightmare Cerberus. Knightmare Cerberus → Knightmare Mermaid. Knightmare Mermaid ① effect, discard 1 card, Special Summon Orcust Knightmare from deck. Knightmare Mermaid + Orcust Knightmare → Galatea, the Orcust Automaton. Orcust Knightmare ② effect, banish itself, target Galatea, the Orcust Automaton, send Orcust Harp Horror from deck to graveyard, Galatea, the Orcust Automaton +400 ATK. Orcust Harp Horror ① effect, banish itself, Special Summon Orcust Cymbal Skeleton from deck. Galatea, the Orcust Automaton ① effect, shuffle Orcust Harp Horror, set Orcustrated Babel from deck to Field Zone. Activate Orcustrated Babel. Galatea, the Orcust Automaton + Orcust Cymbal Skeleton → The Phantom Knights of Rusty Bardiche (Left EMZ). The Phantom Knights of Rusty Bardiche ① effect, send The Phantom Knights of Silent Boots, set Phantom Knights’ Fog Blade from deck to Spell/Trap Zone. The Phantom Knights of Silent Boots ② effect, banish itself, add Phantom Knights’ Fog Blade from deck to hand. Set Phantom Knights’ Fog Blade from hand to Spell/Trap Zone. Orcust Cymbal Skeleton ① effect, banish itself, Special Summon Galatea, the Orcust Automaton from graveyard. Galatea, the Orcust Automaton → Dingirsu, the Orcust of the Evening Star (3rd MMZ). Chain 2: Dingirsu, the Orcust of the Evening Star ① effect, attach Orcust Cymbal Skeleton as Xyz Material. Chain 1: The Phantom Knights of Rusty Bardiche ② effect, target Dingirsu, the Orcust of the Evening Star, destroy it.

During the opponent’s turn,

Orcust Cymbal Skeleton ① effect, banish itself, Special Summon Dingirsu, the Orcust of the Evening Star from graveyard (3rd MMZ). Chain 2: Dingirsu, the Orcust of the Evening Star ① effect, send 1 card your opponent controls to the graveyard. Chain 1: The Phantom Knights of Rusty Bardiche ② effect, target 1 card on the field, destroy it.

This 2-card combo creates 4 disruptions:

Dingirsu, the Orcust of the Evening Star sends 1 card to the graveyard

sends 1 card to the graveyard The Phantom Knights of Rusty Bardiche destroys 1 card

destroys 1 card 2 Phantom Knights’ Fog Blade negate 2 monster effects

When opening with Ancient Cloak, it is still possible to setup the standard 4 disruptions.

For certain builds that run Armageddon Knight without Destrudo the Lost Dragon’s Frisson, they are using a similar concept.

Armageddon Knight would send The Phantom Knights of Ancient Cloak, whose effect will in turn fetch The Phantom Knights of Shade Brigandine.

Then it is simply using Armageddon Knight + The Phantom Knights of Shade Brigandine → Knightmare Cerberus.

Combo 5: The Phantom Knights of Silent Boots + any 1 card

Normal Summon The Phantom Knights of Silent Boots. The Phantom Knights of Silent Boots → Salamangreat Almiraj. The Phantom Knights of Silent Boots ② effect, banish itself, add The Phantom Knights of Shade Brigandine from deck to hand. Set The Phantom Knights of Shade Brigandine from hand to Spell/Trap Zone. Activate The Phantom Knights of Shade Brigandine, Special Summon itself. Salamangreat Almiraj + The Phantom Knights of Shade Brigandine → Knightmare Cerberus. Knightmare Cerberus → Knightmare Mermaid. Knightmare Mermaid ① effect, discard 1 card, Special Summon Orcust Knightmare from deck. Knightmare Mermaid + Orcust Knightmare → Galatea, the Orcust Automaton. Orcust Knightmare ② effect, banish itself, target Galatea, the Orcust Automaton, send Orcust Harp Horror from deck to graveyard, Galatea, the Orcust Automaton +400 ATK. Orcust Harp Horror ① effect, banish itself, Special Summon Orcust Cymbal Skeleton from deck. Galatea, the Orcust Automaton ① effect, shuffle Orcust Harp Horror, set Orcustrated Babel from deck to Field Zone. Activate Orcustrated Babel. Galatea, the Orcust Automaton + Orcust Cymbal Skeleton → The Phantom Knights of Rusty Bardiche (Left EMZ). The Phantom Knights of Rusty Bardiche ① effect, send The Phantom Knights of Ancient Cloak, set Phantom Knights’ Fog Blade from deck to Spell/Trap Zone. The Phantom Knights of Ancient Cloak ② effect, banish itself, add The Phantom Knights of Silent Boots from deck to hand. Orcust Cymbal Skeleton ① effect, banish itself, Special Summon Galatea, the Orcust Automaton from graveyard. Galatea, the Orcust Automaton → Dingirsu, the Orcust of the Evening Star. Dingirsu, the Orcust of the Evening Star ① effect, attach Orcust Cymbal Skeleton as Xyz Material. Special Summon The Phantom Knights of Silent Boots from hand. Dingirsu, the Orcust of the Evening Star + The Phantom Knights of Silent Boots → Galatea, the Orcust Automaton (1st MMZ).

During the opponent’s turn,

Orcust Cymbal Skeleton ① effect, banish itself, Special Summon Dingirsu, the Orcust of the Evening Star from graveyard (3rd MMZ). Chain 2: Dingirsu, the Orcust of the Evening Star ① effect, send 1 card your opponent controls to the graveyard. Chain 1: The Phantom Knights of Rusty Bardiche ② effect, target 1 card on the field, destroy it.

This 2-card combo creates 3 disruptions:

Dingirsu, the Orcust of the Evening Star sends 1 card to the graveyard

sends 1 card to the graveyard The Phantom Knights of Rusty Bardiche destroys 1 card

destroys 1 card Phantom Knights’ Fog Blade negate 1 monster effect

When opening with Silent Boots, it is only possible to setup 3 disruptions.

But with Galatea, the Orcust Automaton on field, its ① effect can be activated during the opponent’s End Phase to set Orcust Crescendo onto the field.

Conclusion

The Orcust and Phantom Knights synergy has created these combos that turn 2 cards into 3/4 disruptions with a decent board.

These 2-card combos are extremely lenient too, especially since the 2nd card is just a discard fodder for Knightmare Mermaid and could be any card.

There are also plenty of 1-card → Link-2 combinations, allowing for many different variations.

In Volume 2, we will be covering the 3-card combos.

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