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"Alien" (Japanese: エーリアン Ērian) is an archetype of Reptile monsters with various Attributes (primarily LIGHT). 

They were introduced in Power of the Duelist, with further support added in Cyberdark Impact, Strike of Neos, Force of the Breaker, Tactical Evolution, Gladiator's Assault, Crimson Crisis and Raging Battle.

"Alien" Decks focus heavily on exploiting A-Counters, which weaken opposing monsters when they battle "Alien" monsters and facilitate the effects of "Alien" cards and related support.

Design[]

Appearance[]

They seem to be based on many science-fiction views of aliens, and the way they operate in stories, making use of such tropes as brainwashing, genetic manipulation, and biological experimentation (as evidenced by "Interplanetary Invader "A"", which appears to be a mutated, living, or even intelligent form of an A-Counter). Their appearance seems to draw inspiration from these as well, like big eyes, tails instead of feet, large claws, long tentacles, slender bodies, multiple arms, etc. Some "Alien" monsters resemble the stereotypical Grey aliens, while others are more reptilian in appearance.

Etymology[]

The archetype's name comes from the term: "Space Alien", an extraterrestrial being from outer space.

Playing style[]

"Aliens" have a variety of lower-Level monsters, such as "Alien Warrior" and "Alien Grey", that generate those essential A-Counters. However, prior to Crimson Crisis, they suffered from a distinct lack of effects to exploit these counters once created. Cards like "Alien Telepath", "Alien Hypno", and "Alien Mars" have potentially disruptive, yet situational, effects. The powerful field-clearing effect of "Cosmic Fortress Gol'gar", as well as the revival engine provided by "Code A Ancient Ruins", lends the Deck a more reliable means of converting A-Counters into Card Advantage. "Crimson Crisis" introduced "Planet Pollutant Virus", a card which doubles as mass-removal and lingering A-Counter generation. Cards like "Alien Overlord" from "Crimson Crisis" and "Alien Dog" from the subsequent Raging Battle also gave "Aliens" a bit of swarming power.

There are several different builds and play styles for the archetype. The "Alien" cards prior to "Crimson Crisis" emphasized lower-Level effect monsters like "Alien Psychic" and "Alien Hunter", and monster manipulation in the form of "Brainwashing Beam" and "Mass Hypnosis". A viable strategy, it is distinctly suboptimal when compared to modernized builds that emphasize "Gol'gar" and the easy destruction and revival it supplies through its quick counter generation for "Code A Ancient Ruins". "Gol'gar" can further be paired with powerful Continuous Spell Cards like "Prohibition" or "Burden of the Mighty", along with cards like "Ancient Forest" and "Swords of Revealing Light," to create a strong control archetype that excels at A-Counter generation via the effect of "Gol'gar".

No monster in the archetype has over 2600 ATK, a value shared by "Gol'gar" and its underrated predecessor, "Cosmic Horror Gangi'el", together the so-called "boss monsters" of the "Aliens". The Reptile "Evil Dragon Ananta" is often included as a third "boss monster" and can often turn the tide of a duel via its field clearing abilities. None of these monsters count as "Alien" monsters, per se, and hence do not weaken opposing monsters burdened with A-Counters. This drawback is largely irrelevant, however, especially in the case of "Gol'gar", which is the highest ATK Level 5 Monster Card in the game and able to eliminate most threats from the field either by its effect or its disproportionately high ATK.

All "Alien" Decks ultimately rely on A-Counters to operate. A swarming "Alien" Deck needs ample A-Counters to Special Summon "Overlord" and activate "Code A Ancient Ruins". "Alien" Decks that manipulate the opponent's monsters via "Alien Hypno", "Brainwashing Beam", and "Mass Hypnosis" require A-Counters to maintain control of pilfered monsters. Another important effect of an "Alien" Deck is the A-Counter's ability to reduce the ATK and DEF of a monster by 300 points for every counter on it. The effect reduces the ATK of Monsters fighting "Aliens" for each "Alien" with that effect on the field. More easily explained, (Number of monsters with ability) X (Number of counters on monster fighting an "Alien") X 300 = Amount of ATK lost. Most "Alien" monsters have this effect built in. Some "Aliens" with powerful effects, like "Alien Hypno" and "Alien Dog", do not.

Gol'gar control variants obviously exploit the effect of "Gol'gar" to both generate A-Counters and to instantly convert those counters into free removal. A popular combo involves "Cosmic Fortress Gol'gar" and "Swords of Revealing Light": By using the effect of "Gol'gar" to return face up Spell and Trap cards of your choosing back to the owner's hand, you can return your "Swords of Revealing Light" back to your hand and play it back on the field. By repeating this you'll have unlimited "Swords of Revealing Light". Also you'll put A-counters on all face up monsters on the field including your own, and destroy pesky cards that your opponent controls (you can only use this combo once per-turn).

Recommended cards[]



Weaknesses[]

"Aliens" are weak against Decks with superior speed, such as "X-Saber", "Legendary Six Samurai" or "Blackwing". The Deck itself has little draw power outside of "Grey", which causes it to have trouble against faster Decks. Specialized searchers such as "Gold Sarcophagus", "Oshaleon", "Snake Whistle", and "Damage = Reptile" can partially alleviate this problem by letting you retrieve your combo pieces more efficiently, but not all of them fit comfortably into the archetype and many of them can be situational as draws. You can also add "Pot of Duality" for more consistency to the deck.

The deck is also weak against "Fire King" Decks, as Fire Kings rely upon the destruction of cards and Special Summoning from the Graveyard, as well as clearing the field of monsters and Spells, which can force Aliens to stall. It is difficult for Aliens to overcome a card with high ATK and no DEF.

The "Alien"-based Deck is also bad against "Gladiator Beast", as they constantly tag out, preventing A-Counters from piling up. In this matchup, Aliens have to rely on pure power, which is not generally their focus. You can put a "G.B. Hunter" in your Side Deck to counter this.

"Aliens" aren't much use against "Ghostrick" Decks, as most "Ghostricks" have the ability to flip themselves facedown, clearing away any counters on them and preventing more from being added. Additionally, their low attack power means it will be difficult to do damage even while a "Ghostrick" Field Spell Card is active.

"Aliens" also have no native, major offensive threat outside of "Gol'gar". Although "Warrior" and "Shocktrooper" boast high ATK for Level 4 Monster Cards, they quickly lose value after the few first turns of the game, when Fusion Monsters, Synchro Monsters, Xyz Monsters and other powerful cards begin hitting the field. Gol'gar helps to keep "Aliens" in the race. Other Synchros, like "Ally of Justice Catastor" (instantly Summonable by "Ammonite" and useful against "Lightsworns" in particular), also help the Deck to keep a solid footing against speedy Decks. "Counter Cleaner" and "Enervating Mist" can also seriously hamper "Alien" Decks if used correctly due to their high reliance on A-Counters.


Six Attributes
DARK DARK EARTH EARTH FIRE FIRE LIGHT LIGHT WATER WATER WIND WIND
/Assault Modes Red Dragon Archfiend / Colossal Fighter Hyper Psychic Blaster / T.G. Halberd Cannon Doomkaiser Dragon Arcanite Magician n/a Stardust Dragon
@Ignisters
Base forms
Evolved forms
Doyon
Dark Templar
Doshin
Earth Golem
Achichi
Fire Phoenix
Pikari
Light Dragon
Hiyari
Water Leviathan
Bururu
Wind Pegasus
Alchemy Beasts
Summoners
(Normal Spell Cards)
Moonface the Silver
Silver Key
Leon the Lead
Lead Compass
Salamandra the Steel
Steel Lamp
Ouroboros the Bronze
Bronze Scale
Ekenas the Mercury
Mercury Hourglass
Aretos the Tin
Tin Spell Circle
Aliens Overlord / Mother / Psychic Shocktrooper / Infiltrator / Warrior Mars / Telepath Ammonite / Dog / Grey / Kid / Shocktrooper M-Frame Hunter / Hypno Skull
Altergeists Primebanshee / Multifaker / Kidolga / Fifinellag / Dragvirion / Memorygant / Pookuery Kunquery Hexstia Marionetter Meluseek / Fijialert Silquitous / Pixiel
Aromages Marjoram Cananga Bergamot Jasmine Rosemary Laurel
Attribute Boosters (500 ATK▲/400 DEF▼)
Link Monsters
(500 ATK▲/500 DEF▲)
Field Spells
(500 ATK▲/400 DEF▼)
Equip Spells
(400 ATK▲/200 DEF▼)
Witch's Apprentice
Wee Witch's Apprentice
Mystic Plasma Zone
Sword of Dark Destruction
Milus Radiant
Missus Radiant
Gaia Power
Invigoration
Little Chimera
Duelittle Chimera
Molten Destruction
Burning Spear
Hoshiningen
Hip Hoshiningen
Luminous Spark
Elf's Light
Star Boy
Mistar Boy
Umiiruka
Steel Shell
Bladefly
Greatfly
Rising Air Current
Gust Fan
Attribute Knights Armageddon Dust Brushfire Dawn Shore Altitude
Attribute Reptiles Umbral Soul Raging Earth Firestorm Prominence Radiant Spirit Silent Abyss Destruction Cyclone
Attribute Sorcerers
(4/1500/0/Spellcasters)
Dark n/a Fire Light Aqua n/a
Attribute Spirits Luna the Dark Spirit The Rock Spirit Spirit of Flames Diana the Light Spirit Aqua Spirit Garuda the Wind Spirit
Attribute Summoners Mystic Tomato Giant Rat UFO Turtle Shining Angel Mother Grizzly Flying Kamakiri #1
B.E.S. Big Core Covered Core / Blaster Cannon Core Big Core MK-2 Big Core MK-3 Crystal Core Tetran
Barrier Statues Abyss Drought Inferno Heavens Torrent Stormwinds
Beast Gear World Catapult Devilkong Motor Wolf / Trike Fox / King Convoy Ligeon Buggy Dog n/a n/a Gyro Jackal
Charmers
Familiar-Possessed
Cataclysmic Charmers
Spiritual Arts
Familiar
Possessed Familiars
Dharc
Dharc
n/a
Greed
Meda Bat
n/a
Aussa
Aussa
Avalanching Aussa
Kurogane
Marmot
Nefarious
Hiita
Hiita
Blazing Hiita
Kurenai
Fox Fire
Inari Fire
Lyna
Lyna
n/a
Hijiri
Happy Lover
n/a
Eria
Eria
Raging Eria
Aoi
Gigobyte
Jigabyte
Wynn
Wynn
Storming Wynn
Miyabi
Petit Dragon
Ranryu
Chrysalis
Neo-Spacians
Evolved forms
Contact Fusions
Evolved forms
Advanced Contact Fusions
Pantail
Dark Panther
n/a
Dark Neos
n/a
Chaos Neos
Mole
Grand Mole
n/a
Grand Neos
n/a
Nebula Neos
Larva
Flare Scarab
n/a
Flare Neos
n/a
Magma Neos
Pinny
Glow Moss
Twinkle Moss
Glow Neos
n/a
Cosmo Neos
Dolphin
Aqua Dolphin
Marine Dolphin
Aqua Neos
Marine Neos
n/a
Chicky
Air Hummingbird
n/a
Air Neos
n/a
Storm Neos
Code Talkers
(Link-3)
Decode
(Extended)
Transcode Powercode Encode Shootingcode Excode
Color Ninjas
Dragon Ninjas
Strike
Black
Senior Silver
n/a
n/a
Red
White
White
n/a
Blue
Yellow
Yellow
Cubic Vijam / Crimson Nova (Trinity) Dark Garnex Blade Garoodia Duza / Buster Gundil / Indiora Doom Volt n/a Geira Guile
CXyz Dark Fairy Cheer Girl / Mechquipped Djinn Angeneral Comics Hero Legend Arthur / Battleship Cherry Blossom / Zubaba Saikyo General Coach Lord Ultimatrainer Simon the Great Moral Leader / Barian Hope N.As.Ch. Knight Skypalace Babylon
Dice Roll Archfiends Terrorking / Masterking Vilepawn Infernalqueen Desrook Darkbishop Shadowknight
Double Tributers
Effigies
Double Coston
Dark
The Trojan Horse
Earth
Flame Ruler
n/a
Kaiser Sea Horse
Light
Unshaven Angler
n/a
Whirlwind Prodigy
Wind
Dragonmaids
Human forms
Dragon forms
Chamber
n/a
Nurse
Ernus
Kitchen
Tinkhec
House
Sheou
Laundry
Nudyarl
Parlor
Lorpar
Dustons
(1/0/1000/Fiends)
Star Yellow Red House / White Blue Green
Elemental HERO
Fusion Monsters
(1 "HERO" + 1 matching Attribute)
Escuridao Gaia Nova Master The Shining Absolute Zero Great Tornado
Elemental Lords
Elementsabers
Umbramirage
Molehu
Grandsoil
Aina
Pyrorex
Malo
Phosphorage
Lapauila (Mana)
Moulinglacia
Nalu
Windrose
Makani
Empowered Warriors
Summoners
Dragonox
n/a
Terratiger
White Tiger
Arnis
Red Sparrow
Dragodies
Golden Dragon
Hydrortoise
Green Turtle
Ventdra
Blue Dragon
Endymion Master Magician / Mighty Master of Magic Magister Rogue Crusader / Reflection Magistus of Mastery Servant
Entities Azathot Nyarla Cthugua N'tss Norden Hastorr
Fortune Fairies
Fortune Ladies
Ann
Dark / Past
Chee
Earth
En
Fire
Hikari
Light / Every
Swee
Water
Hu
Wind
Fur Hire Seal / Folgo Beat / Dyna Bravo Rafale Helmer / Wiz Donpa / Recon / Sagitta
Generaiders Hela / Harr Dovelgus / Jormungandr Naglfar / Loptr Mardel / Utgarda Nidhogg Frodi
Gizmek Orochi Uka Kaku Yata Okami Mikoto
Guardians
Weapons
(Equip Spell Cards)
Baou / Dreadscythe
Wicked-Breaking Flamberge / Reaper Scythe
Grarl
Gravity Axe
Ceal
Shooting Star Bow
Tryce
Twin Swords of Flashing Light
Kay'est
Rod of Silence
Elma / Eatos
Buttefly Dagger / Celestial Sword
Invoked
(1 "Aleister the Invoker" + 1 matching Attribute)
Caliga Magellanica Purgatrio Mechaba Cocytus Raidjin
Kaiju Radian Kumongous Dogoran Jizukiru / Mecha-Dogoran / Thunder King / Mecha-Thunder-King Gameciel Gadarla
Knightmare Iblee / Unicorn / Orcust / Idlee Cerberus Phoenix Gryphon Mermaid Goblin
Legendary Planets Sun / Jupiter / Saturn / Pluto Terra Firma Mars Venus / Uranus Mercury / Neptune n/a
Masked HEROes Dark Law / Anki Dian Goka Koga Vapor / Acid Divine Wind / Blast
Magician Girls (Toon)
Dark
(Dragon Knight)
Berry Apple Lemon Chocolate Kiwi
Magikey Clavkiys / Batosbuster / Ansyalabolas Garesglasser Transfurlmine Mafteal Vepartu Andrabime
Magistus Grimoire Crowley Goddess Ninaruru Flame Zoroa / Dragon Vafram Verre Cendrillon / Maiden Artemis Master Endymion Saint Aiwass
Mirror Force Dark Quaking Blazing Radiant Drowning Storming
Monarchs
Mega Monarchs
Related "Monarch" Spell/Trap Cards
Vassals
Caius / Erebus
Caius the Mega
Tenacity / The First
Lucius / Eidos
Granmarg
Granmarg the Mega
Return
Landrobe / Samsara Kaiser
Thestalos
Thestalos the Mega
Erupt
Berlineth
Zaborg / Ehther
Zaborg the Mega
Strike / The Prime
Mithra / Edea
Mobius
Mobius the Mega
Awaken
Escher
Raiza
Raiza the Mega
Stormforth
Garum
Musical Djinns Maestroke Temtempo n/a Melomelody Humhumming Muzurhythm
Mythyrian Numbers Djinn Buster Lion Heart / Ronin Raccoon Sandayu n/a Sky Pegasus / Dragluon Abyss Splash / Crystalzero n/a
Nemeses Protos Keystone Flag Eschatos Umbrella Corridor
Number 10X
Number C10X
n/a
Umbral Horror Masquerade
Giant Hand
Giant Red Hand
Battlin' Boxer Star Cestus
Battlin' Boxer Comet Cestus
Star Seraph Sentry / Masquerade / Galaxy-Eyes Tachyon Dragon
Archfiend Seraph / Neo Galaxy-Eyes Tachyon Dragon
Silent Honor ARK / Ragnazero
Silent Honor DARK / Ragnafinity
n/a
n/a
Odd-Eyes Dragons Odd-Eyes / Pendulum / Rebellion (Overlord) / Persona / Phantom / Mirage / Performapal Metal Claw / Raging / Supreme King / Wing / Venom / Arc Pendulum / Advance / Wizard Gravity Meteorburst Saber / Lancer / Revolution / Pendulumgraph Absolute Vortex
Pendulum Magicians Stargazer / Timegazer / Xiangke / Timebreaker / Acrobatic / Dragoncaller / Harmonizing / Double Iris / Black Fang / Purple Poison / Performapal Celestial Dragonpulse Nobledragon Wisdom-Eye / Xiangsheng / Dharma-Eye / Performapal Five-Rainbow Dragonpit Oafdragon / White Wing
Prediction Princesses Astromorrigan / Tarotreith Coinorma / Petalelf / Bibliomuse n/a Tarotrei Crystaldine Arrowsylph
Resonators Dark / Synkron / Crimson / Vision Clock Flare / Red / Double / Net / Soul Barrier / Chain / Mirror Force Creation
Road Magic N/A Diastrophism Explosion Rays Alter Backflow Tempest
El Shaddoll
Fusion Monsters
(1 "Shaddoll" + 1 matching Attribute)
Winda Shekhinaga Grysta Construct Anoyatyllis Wendigo
Signer Dragons Red Archfiend / Black-Winged Life Stream Black Rose Ancient Fairy n/a Stardust
Six Samurai
Legendary Six Samurai
Secret Six Samurai
Irou
Shi En
Doji
Yariza
Kizan
Kizaru
Kamon
Mizuho
Genba
Zanji
Enishi
Rihan
Yaichi
Shinai
Hatsume
Nisashi
Kageki
Fuma
Sky Striker Ace Raye / Zeke Kaina Kagari Roze Shizuku Hayate
Sushi Angels Spider Roll Monkey Roll n/a Garibel / Agaribel Tiger Roll Dragon Roll
Synchro Warriors
Tuner Synchrons
Junk / Satellite
Junk / Satellite
Drill
Drill
Nitro / Jet
Nitro / Jet
Road
Road
n/a
Steam
Turbo
Turbo
Tenyi Spirits Vishuda Adhara Mapura Ashuna / Sahasrara Sthana Nahata
The Weathers
Canvas
(Continuous Spell/Trap Cards)
Aurora / Moonbow
Auroral
Snow
Snowy
Sun
Sunny
Thunder / Rainbow
Thundery / Rainbowed
Rain
Rainy
Cloud
Cloudy
Timelords Vorpgate Kamion / Hailon Metaion / Lazion / Michion Sephylon / Sandaion Zaphion / Gabrion Sadion / Raphion
True Draco and True King All Calamities Lithosazim / Dreiath III Agnimazud / Ignis Heat Master Peace (King) / Metaltron XII Bahrstos / Dinomight Knight Majesty Maiden / Mariamne
Witchcrafters Haine Potterie Schmitta Edel / Madame Verre / Golem Aruru Pittore Genni
World Chalice World Legacy Beckoned / Ningirsu Chosen / Auram Lee Crowned / Ib (Priestess/Justiciar) Guardragon / Imduk / Almarduke
Yang Zing Taotie / Jiaotu / Yazi Bi'an / Zefraxi / Zefraniu Suanni Chiwen / Baxia / Chaofeng / Denglong Bixi Pulao
Yo-kai Girls Ghost Reaper & Winter Cherries Ghost Belle & Haunted Mansion Ash Blossom & Joyous Spring Ghost Ogre & Snow Rabbit Ghost Sister & Spooky Dogwood Ghost Mourner & Moonlit Chill
ZW - Chimera Clad / Dragonic Halberd Ultimate Shield Phoenix Bow / Asura Strike Unicorn Spear / Lightning Blade / Leo Arms / Sleipnir Mail / Fenrir Sword / Pegasus Twin Saber / Sylphid Wing n/a Tornado Bringer / Eagle Claw
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