Evilswarm Guide

I - Introduction

II -The Evilswarm

III -Off-Themed Support

IV -Deck Skeleton




Hello and welcome to the Verz discussion thread! The Verz, known as the Evilswarm in the TCG, is an archetype of DARK-Attribute monsters which was introduced in Duel Terminal - Sacred Star Knights!!, and were introduced to the TCG in Hidden Arsenal 7/Duel Terminal 7. Their most significant feature is that their ATK/DEF end with 50. Despite being released prior to this one, the "Steelswarm" archetype (which is known as "Inverz" in the OCG) is a sub-archetype of the Verz. Thus, all "Steelswarm" monsters are supported by "Verz" and "lswarm" support cards.

The Verz consist of previous DT archtype members corrupted by the Verz virus that is the only thing left from the dead Inverz. For example, Verz Bahamut is an infected Brionac, Nightmare is an infected Boggart Knight, Zahak is an infected Aklys and Heliotrope is an infected Gem-Knight Emerald.

Keep in mind that cards that support Verz also support the Inverz(Steelswarm). So we can use some of the better Inverz(Steelswarm) to make the archetype-specific Xyz, and can use them with the Infection spells and traps. Have a nice read and I hope you like the guide. Feel free to point out any mistakes/give suggestions!




Evilswarm Heliotrope
Level 4 / DARK / Rock
1950 / 650
"ytilaer a maerd rieht ekam thgim yeht taht os ydob a rof gninraey ,sluos mrawsleetS gniregnil fo sthguoht eht era esehT "!etanimretxE !etacidarE !etanimilE"

Note: The flavor text shows the inability of the Verz to communicate properly. The entire blurb is reversed.An infected Gem-Knight Emerald. He's big. He's grabbable with Rescue Rabbit. Even without Rabbit, his 1950 attack makes him a very powerful beater.

Evilswarm Castor
Level 4 / DARK / Warrior
1750 / 550
During the turn this card was Normal Summoned, you can Normal Summon 1 "lswarm" monster in addition to your Normal Summon/Set. (You can only gain this effect once per turn.)

Castor is the twin brother of Constellar Pollux. Great stats, puts your drawn Heliotropes to use, poops out your 2x4s easily. He is not affected by Effect Veiler, as he applies a condition to the field as soon as he is summoned. If he is summoned while Skill Drain is active, however, his effect will be negated. Please keep this in mind, and don't get cheated by people trying to Veiler him. If a judge tries to tell you that you're wrong, cite Dodger Dragon, link him to http://www.konami.com/yugioh/articles/?p=4956, and then ***** slap him.

Evilswarm Kerykeion
Level 4 / DARK / Spellcaster
1600 / 1550
You can banish 1 "lswarm" monster from your Graveyard to target 1 "lswarm" monster in your Graveyard; add that target to your hand. You can only use this effect of "Evilswarm Kerykeion" once per turn. During your Main Phase, if you used this effect this turn: You can Normal Summon 1 "lswarm" monster in addition to your Normal Summon/Set. (You can only gain this effect once per turn.) Once during the turn this card was sent to the Graveyard, you can Tribute Summon 1 "lswarm" monster with 1 less Tribute than required.

Constellar Sombres' Evilswarm counterpart. Its first effect is usually live after a single Xyz (you can banish a dead Ophion to fuel its effect so that you'll have food for your 2nd and 3rd Kerykeion drops). Its second effect is similar to Castor's effect, but it works like Ultimate Offering in that you activate it after using the first effect and you pick a monster in your hand and plop it on the field, which is treated as a Normal Summon (because of this difference, you can gain an additional from both Castor and Kerykeion each turn). Its last effect is garbage. One of the best cards in the archetype, since he makes Rank 4s on his own after setup and is easily searchable by Infestation Infection. Don't use him in anything with Macro Cosmos though.

Evilswarm Mandragora
Level 4 / DARK / Plant
1550 / 1450
If your opponent controls more monsters than you do, you can Special Summon this card (from your hand).

Cyber Dragon-esque effect, good for dropping Xyz quickly. He's an infected Naturia Cosmobeet.

Evilswarm Thunderbird
Level 4 / DARK / Thunder
1650 / 1050
During either player's turn, when a card or effect is activated (except during the Damage Step): You can banish this card you control. During the next Standby Phase, Return this card banished by this effect to the field, and if you do, it gains 300 ATK. You can only use the effect of "Evilswarm Thunderbird" once per turn.
Note: This card is named after the mythical Thunderbird of Native American legend.

Our very own Wind-Up Rabbit! Be aware that your opponent can just run him over by Normal Summoning something bigger, so be sure to back him up with backrow so you can chain his effect to your own backrow (he'll survive your own Torrential Tributes, as well as any non-Counter Trap S/T your opponent will throw at him). However, after he uses himself once, he'll be able to hold his own against the likes of Thunder King Raioh. Keep in mind that he can only activate once per chain, so your opponent can chain Veiler/an additional trap to get rid of it. This is an infected Mist Valley Apex Avian.

Evilswarm O'Lantern
Level 4 / DARK / Pyro
1650 / 1250
You can Tribute this card to target 1 face-up monster your opponent controls; destroy that target.

A bigger, searchable Exiled Force that is also an Evilswarm. An infected Laval Cannon. A good tech at 1. Seriously consider keeping one in your side.

Evilswarm Azzathoth
Level 4 / DARK / Reptile
750 / 1950
FLIP: Target 1 Special Summoned monster on the field; shuffle that target into the Deck.

An infected pile of Worm monsters trying to look like a Worm Zero. Can be an interesting tech with its huge DEF and ability to bounce away problem Xyz. Is also searchable with King of the Feral Imps.

Evilswarm Obliviwisp
Level 4 / DARK / Pyro
450 / 2050
After damage calculation, if this card battles a monster: Negate the effects of that monster (including in the Graveyard).

Note: This card is based on the swamp/marsh phenomenon Will o' the Wisp.
Very interesting card. Its huge defense gives it great survivability, but its effect isn't very useful. Run Snowman Eater before him. He's an infected Neo Flamvell Origin.

Evilswarm Hraesvelg
Level 4 / DARK / Winged-Beast
1150 / 1850
FLIP: Target 1 face-up card your opponent controls; Return it to the hand.

Decent card with great survivability, allowing you to Normal Summon another Evilswarm on your turn for an Xyz. Note that it's a Winged-Beast. This is an infected Daigusto Falcos.

Evilswarm Ketos
Level 4 / DARK / Aqua
1750 / 1050
You can Tribute this card to target 1 Spell/Trap Card your opponent controls; destroy that target.

Good card, but we dont need it right now with 3 MST and Heavy floating around. He's an infected Gishki Shadow.

Evilswarm Salamandra
Level 4 / DARK / Dinosaur
1850 / 950
Up to twice per turn: You can banish 1 monster from your Graveyard; this card gains 300 ATK until your opponent's next End Phase.

Note: This card is based on the mythical Salamander elemental of fire.
Infected Jurrac Titano. It's an Evilswarm and a Dinosaur at the same time, which gives you the option to go into either Ophion/Bahamut or the Evolzars with him; however, his effect clashes with Macro Cosmos.

Evilswarm Coppelia
Level 6 / DARK / Machine
2450 / 2050
Cannot be Special Summoned. When this card leaves the field because of your opponent's card (either by battle or by card effect): You can target 1 face-up monster your opponent controls; take control of that target until your next End Phase.

An infected Locomotion R-Genex. First line kills this card. Not that gaining control of a monster for a turn (likely your opponent's) by losing a 6* would help anyway.

Evilswarm Golem
Level 5 / Dark / Rock
2150 / 1250
Once per turn: You can target 1 Level 5 or higher non-DARK monster on the field; destroy that target.

Note: The Golem is a legendary entity made of clay, from legends of the city of Prague.Infected Ally of Justice Catastor. Redundant when Ophion is a thing.

Evilswarm Zahak
Level 4 / DARK / Dragon
1850 / 650
When this face-up card on the field is destroyed by your opponent's card (either by battle or by card effect) and sent to the Graveyard: Target 1 face-up Special Summoned Level 5 or higher monster on the field; destroy that target.

An infected Dragunity Aklys. Redundant when Ophion exists.

Evilswarm Ophion
Rank 4 / DARK / Dragon
2550 / 1650
2 Level 4 "lswarm" monsters
While this card has Xyz Material, Level 5 or higher monsters cannot be Special Summoned. Once per turn: You can detach 1 Xyz Material from this card; add 1 "Infestation" Spell/Trap Card from your Deck to your hand.

Note: Ophion is a primordial serpent from Greek Mythology. This is the Rank 4 you'll be going for most of the time, our infected Gungnir. Searches out Pandemic Contagion Infestation (the Evilswarm's blanket Lance), stops Gorz/Trag from being dropped, blocks Mermail Abyssmegalo, Chaos Dragons, BLS and Judgement Dragon, NO WHITE CARDS ALLOWED. Back him up with backrow and watch your opponent weep.

Evilswarm Ouroboros
Rank 4 / DARK / Dragon
2750 / 1950
3 Level 4 Monsters
Once per turn: You can detach 1 Xyz Material from this card to activate 1 of these effects. Each effect can only be used once while this card is face-up on the field.
● Target 1 card your opponent controls; Return that target to the hand.
● Send 1 random card from your opponent's hand to the Graveyard.
● Target 1 card in your opponent's Graveyard; banish that target.

Note: This card refers to the mythical Ouroboros, depicted as a snake or dragon eating its own tail. Solid card when you happen to have 3x4 and need a body bigger than Shock Master's. He also gets the extra added benefit of being protected by Pandemic Contagion Infestation. He's an infected Trishula, as you may have guessed from his effect.

Evilswarm Bahamut
Rank 4 / DARK / Dragon
2350 / 1350
2 Level 4 "lswam" monsters
Once per turn: You can detach 1 Xyz Material from this card to target 1 face-up monster your opponent controls; discard 1 "Verz" monster from your hand and take control of the target.

The last of the infected Ice Barrier Dragons, Brionac. A great card when you can't get over a monster, but its cost is steep. Keep at least one copy in your Extra. He absolutely WRECKS in mirror matches though.

Evilswarm Thanatos
Rank 4 / DARK / Fiend
2350 / 1350
2 Level 4 DARK monsters
Once per turn, during either player's turn: You can detach 1 Xyz Material from this card; this face-up card is unaffected by other monster effects this turn.

Note: Thanatos is the Greek embodiment and word for Death. An infected Fabled Ragin riding an infected Fabled Unicore. Protects itself from everything that Pandemic Contagion Infection doesn't. Run 1 max, Extra space is tight.

Evilswarm Nightmare
Rank 4 / DARK / Fiend
650 / 1950
2 Level 4 DARK monsters
When your opponent Special Summons a monster: You can detach 1 Xyz Material from this card; change the Special Summoned monster into face-down Defense Position.

Infected XX-Saber Boggart Knight. Wrecks Constellar Pleiades, Wind-Ups and the mirror. Just remember that he'll be a 650/1950 vanilla after he's done his job. NOTE: All of the following S/T can be searched by Evilswarm Ophion.


Infestation Pandemic
Quickplay Spell
All "lswarm" monsters you currently control are unaffected by the effects of other Spell and Trap Cards this turn.

Blanket searchable Lance to keep Ophion on the field forever, or to keep your Level 4s from dying before you can stack them. Quickplay makes it chainable to your opponent's S/T, effectively wasting them.
Run 1-3 depending on how many Evilswarms you run and how fast you can make Ophion. If you're not sure, try 2.

Infestation Infection
Continuous Trap
Once per turn: You can shuffle 1 "lswarm" monster from your hand or face-up from your side of the field into the Main Deck; add 1 "lswarm" monster from your Deck to your hand.

You can not shuffle monsters into the Extra Deck, as the cost of this card is shuffling a monster into the Main Deck so the monster MUST reach the Main Deck.
The effect of this Trap can be activated on EITHER PLAYER'S TURN, it's a Trap and therefore its effect is Spell Speed 2 (Monster Effects that say "Once per turn" are Ignition effects and Spell Speed 1, but ALL TRAP EFFECTS ARE SPELL SPEED 2 BY DEFAULT.) Shuffles in your dead Heliotropes for Rabbit, and pulls your Cercyons straight out of the deck. Is also chainable, so you can chain it to shuffle back an Evilswarm that's about to get Bottomlessed or Prisoned, etc. Run 0-1.


Infestation Terminus
Normal Trap
Target 1 "lswarm" monster you control and 2 cards your opponent controls; banish your target and Return the opponent's targets to the hand.

Your monster must be banished in order to Return your oppponent's cards to the hand, even though everything happens at once. Using up two cards for a double Compulse isn't so great.


Number 66 - Master Key Beetle
2 Level 4 DARK monsters
Once per turn: You can detach 1 Xyz Material from this card to target 1 other card you control; while this card is face-up on the field, that target cannot be destroyed by card effects. If this card would be destroyed, you can send 1 of those targets to the Graveyard instead.

2500 stick that protects Ophion from monster destruction just by existing. Oh look it requires DARK materials too it's like Konami wanted us to use it or something

Kagetokage

This is a rank 4 toolbox deck and Kagetokage is one of Key Beetles favorite minions

King of the Feral Imps

Grabs Kagetokage, Evilswarm Azzathoth, & Reptilianne Vaskii.

Safe Zone

My Beetle is invincible. Well, almost. Your opponent can get around this lock by using a card that doesn't target and bounces, banishes, or sends Key Beetle to the Graveyard or Deck. Or they may try and bounce the Safe Zone itself by making a Ouroboros. Safe Zone also offers Ophion swell protection.

Vanity's Emptiness

I heard you were mad that you couldn't special summon level 5's and higher against Ophion. I decided that wasn't evil enough, so I've made it to where you cant special summon at all.

Rescue Rabbit

Heliotrope is a Normal Monster. Summon this fluffy bunny and make it explode in a cloud of Evilswarm virus for an instant Ophion or Key Beetle. Run as many as your deck calls for, usually the maximum legal amount, which is 2 at the time of writing.

Dark Armed Dragon

Run in builds that use Kerykeion, it controls the grave well enough for Dark Armed to be live even if you don't open it.

Kycoo the Ghost Destroyer

A very good card against the current meta and as a dark monster can be used to make Key Beetle.

Reinforcement of the Army

Run this if you like seeing Castor in your hand, which should be most of the time.

Allure of Darkness

Up to you rather you run this or not.

Forbidden Lance

Good with Guaiba. Also protects your Ophion from being destroyed in battle, and provides it with additional S/T protection if you run out of Pandemics. A little redundant if you're already using 3 Pandemic though.

Forbidden Chalice

Negates effects, which Infestation will not stop. Also makes Ophion 2950 to prevent it from getting run over by opposing monsters, covering basically all of Ophion's weaknesses. Run at your own discretion.

Forbidden Dress

Protects Ophion from destruction effects than Pandemic cannot stop, such as Atlantean Heavy Infantry, Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Bear, and recently, Blaster, the Elemental Dragon of Calderas. The targeting prevention is rather useless as it must be used prior to a targeting effect to be of any use, but that doesn't make it completely bad. Also sports an ATK decrease to help Ophion run over things. Recommended at 2-3.

Macro Cosmos

This card barely affects us since none of our major cards rely on the Graveyard other than Cercyon, and screws up a lot of other decks. This card also blocks annoying handtraps such as Effect Veiler and Maxx "C".

Shadow-Imprisoning Mirror

B-BUT WHY IS HE TELLING ME TO RUN THIS IN A DARK DECK
Shadow-Imprisoning only stops effects that ACTIVATE. Castor and Ophion's continuous effect are both left untouched, while Inzektors and Dark World cry. Don't maindeck this though, obviously, but consider it for your Side.


Generic Rank 4 Xyz Monsters

Having more options is always great when you find yourself with a field of 2-3 Level 4s all the time. Don't put too many 3 material Rank 4s in though.

Blade Armor Ninja and Heroic Champion - Excalibur

Castor is a Warrior how about that.

Deck Devastation Virus/Eradicator Epidemic Virus

Locks your opponent out of either tiny monsters or your choice of either spells or traps for 3 turns. Great against some matchups such as Mermail Atlantean, Chain Burn, and Prophecy, but keep these in the side deck as you generally don't want to be tributing Ophion.

Effect Veiler/Breakthrough Skill/Fiendish Chain

Because Monster Effects are DUMB and Ophion HATES THEM
Main 2-3 Veiler in builds not maindecking Macro Cosmos. Use Breakthrough Skill/Fiendish Chain in everything else.

Gozen Match

Everything in the deck is DARK, so it doesn't affect us at all other than Xyz options. Don't maindeck this though, Fire Fists and Mermails are things

Soul Drain

Shuts down Mermails and PUBLIC ENEMY NUMBER ONE, Elemental Dragons. Doesn't affect any of our plays, but watch out for Blaster (use Mind Drain for that).

Dimensional Fissure

Blocks Mermails from doing anything as long as Armor Kappa isn't out here. Also shuts down hand traps for both players. It doesn't really affect us because Xyz Materials will go to the Graveyard, which is where Kerykeion needs them to be.




Monsters:
1 Rescue Rabbit
3 Heliotrope
3 Castor
3 Kerykeion
3 Mandragora
0-3 Thunderbird (depends on if you wanna run Kagetokage - Key Beetle build)
0-1 O'Lantern (Preference, but searchable )
0-1 Azzathoth (A good tech if you run King of the Feral Imps and Kagetokage)
0-3 Kagetokage (only run if your build focuses on Key Beetle)
0-3 Veiler (Breakthrough Skill can be run instead)
0-3 Maxx "C"
0-1 Dark Armed Dragon (Player preference)

Spells:
1 ROTA
2-3 Pandemic (dependant on meta and if you run the beetle build or not)
0, 2-3 Dress (Run 2-3 if your build doesn’t focus on Key Beetle; but if it does, drop these for Safe Zones)
Staples

Traps:
0-3 Vanity's Emptiness (Dependant on if your build focuses on Key Beetle or not.)
0-3 Safe Zone (2-3 if you run Beetle.dek)
0-3 Imperial Iron Wall (Very good card for the current meta and Beetle makes it better, at least side these)
1 Infection
Staples
Mirror Forces and/or D-Prisons

Extra:
1-2 Bahamut (unless you somehow have space issues, it's good to run 2)
2-3 Ophion (dependent on how many Beetles you want to run)
1 Nightmare
1 Ouroboros
0-1 Thanatos (Not really needed, but it's good against Fire Fist)
1-2 Key Beetle (2 for builds that focus on the Beetle)
0-1 King of the Feral Imps (Run in Beetle builds since it searches for Kagetokage and  Azzathoth, or run if you like Reptilianne Vaskii)
Staples: Cowboy, Blackship, Maestroke, etc.