Template:Infobox archetype
"Gravekeeper's", known as "Gravekeeper" (
The monsters of this archetype are all Spellcaster-Type and almost all DARK Attribute, with "Gravekeeper's Commandant" the only known exception, being an EARTH Attribute. The "Gravekeeper's" Deck usually revolves around "Necrovalley" and gains power from it, while using loopholes to avoid being affected by its drawbacks. This Deck tends to prevent the opponent from affecting cards placed in the Graveyard, as well as keeping field control with its ability to swarm.
They were introduced in Pharaonic Guardian as one of the first true archetypes. The "Gravekeeper's" have powerful effects for Level 4 monsters, but more importantly, when they have "Necrovalley" on the field (which is ideal, and very likely), most of the monsters will have 1700-2200 ATK.
The Gravekeeper's Chief and Assailant were present in the anime. He Duels against Jaden Yuki, giving the Duelist a hard time, but eventually Jaden manages to beat him. After the defeat, he gave Jaden one half of the Shadow Charm pendant, telling him that another person (Atticus Rhodes) has the other half.
The "new" Gravekeepers that were released in later sets bear an uncanny resemblence to members of the Ishtar family, likely because they were Tomb Guardians, as the Gravekeepers are supposed to be.
Play style
Strategy
The key card to the "Gravekeeper's" Deck is "Necrovalley", a Field Spell Card that increases the ATK and DEF of "Gravekeeper's" monsters by 500. "Necrovalley" also stops effects from affecting cards in the Graveyard, like "Monster Reborn" and "Call of the Haunted", and prevents either player from banishing from their Graveyards with cards like "Soul Release". However, "Necrovalley" does not prevent effects that activate in the Graveyard, so cards like "Mystic Tomato" and "Pyramid Turtle" still activate.
Because of the effects of "Necrovalley", this Deck tends to be somewhat anti-meta, countering "Zombie", and to a certain extent, "Psychic" monsters, "Inzektor", and "Chaos Dragon". It is therefore an ideal anti-meta Deck. Because most of the "Gravekeeper's" monsters are DARK they can also use "Allure of Darkness", and other DARK Attribute support cards.
Although "Necrovalley" stops most Graveyard related effects, "Gravekeeper's" have their own support that are unaffected by "Necrovalley", namely "Rite of Spirit" and "Gravekeeper's Stele". "Gravekeeper's Chief" enables your graveyard to be unaffected by "Necrovalley". This enables the use of the effect of "Dark Armed Dragon". Your opponent is also allowed to target your graveyard however, so this could become a disadvantage.
With the Starstrike Blast set release came one of the most important members of the archetype with "Gravekeeper's Recruiter". This monster acts like a "Gravekeeper's" exclusive "Witch of the Black Forest", allowing the player to add a "Gravekeeper's" monster with 1500 or less DEF from the Deck to the hand. The multiple combinations possible with this creature to generate advantage and thin the Deck adds much needed consistency to the "Gravekeeper's" archetype.
With the release of Legacy of the Valiant, the "Gravekeeper's" lockdown becomes even more fearsome. "Gravekeeper's Shaman" can protect "Necrovalley" and at the same time prevent effects that activate in the Graveyard, completely locking down the Graveyard. "Gravekeeper's Nobleman" can call out any "Gravekeeper's" in face-down defense position; it can help bring out "Gravekeeper's Spy" or "Gravekeeper's Guard" and use their Flip Effects, allowing "Spy's" effect to be used to Special Summon high level Gravekeeper monsters without tribute. "Gravekeeper's Ambusher" can recycle "Necrovalley". "Gravekeeper's Oracle" can destroy any annoying Flip Effect Monster and is a great beatstick with an ATK ranging from 2400 to over 3000. Finally, the "Gravekeeper's" field control is complete with "Gravekeeper's Heretic" who is not effected by any card effects as long as "Necrovalley" is on the field, even "Necrovalley".
To protect the main card in the Deck, "Necrovalley", you can use "Gravekeeper's Shaman", "Field Barrier", "Malefic Stardust Dragon" or "Number 66: Master Key Beetle"
Recommended cards
- Gravekeeper's Oracle
- Gravekeeper's Visionary
- Gravekeeper's Priestess
- Gravekeeper's Chief
- Gravekeeper's Heretic
- Gravekeeper's Ambusher
- Gravekeeper's Commandant
- Gravekeeper's Descendant
- Gravekeeper's Spear Soldier
- Gravekeeper's Guard
- Gravekeeper's Recruiter
- Gravekeeper's Spy
- Gravekeeper's Nobleman
- Malefic Cyber End Dragon
- Malefic Stardust Dragon
Optional support
- "Tsukuyomi" can recycle the effects of "Spy" and "Guard"; this is particularly useful with ones activated during your opponents turn. Additionally, it can flip the opponent's monsters face-down so they are unable to use effects, or to make it easily destroyed by battle.
- "Gagagashield" can make any "Gravekeeper" invulnerable to attacks and card effects twice per turn. This card combos well with "Gravekeeper's Descendant" to strengthen the "Spy-Descendant-Recruiter" combo, making this card a +1.
- "Inari Fire" is useful if you want an Xyz Material that can be freely Special Summoned from the hand. He also has a nice effect that allows him to Special Summon himself from the Graveyard if destroyed by an effect.
- "The End of Anubis" is useful in this deck as it works like "Necrovalley" with the added bonus of negating effects in the graveyard.
Strengths and weaknesses
The use of "Necrovalley" in this archetype prevents the opponent from using the Graveyard as a resource. Therefore, a very large number of opposing strategies will be at a severe disadvantage while this card is on the field (Zombie, "Infernity", "X-Saber", Dragon, "Blackwing", "Inzektor", etc.).
They also have excellent search capabilities, as exemplified by "Gravekeeper's Spy" "Gravekeeper's Nobleman" and "Gravekeeper's Recruiter". "Recruiter" is especially useful in this respect, creating fantastic combinations with "Gravekeeper's Descendant".
Their intense reliance on "Necrovalley" and their own effects makes them very vulnerable to opponents who enjoy using Spell and Trap destroying effects and monster card negating effects, so cards to protect "Necrovalley" (such as "Malefic Stardust Dragon"), and traps that can help the player maintain a field and hand advantage over a stronger opponent despite losing access to Monster Card effects amid other things are highly recommended.
"Consecrated Light" is another weakness of this Deck because it is almost entirely made up of DARK monsters. The only good thing is that it still allows you to Set DARK monsters. Luckily, it is only found in the Side Deck of most Decks and cards like "Cyber Dragon" and "Fissure" can be sided to eliminate it. Also, "Gravekeeper's Commandant" can destroy it by battle and you can flip "Gravekeeper's Descendant" and activate its effect.
"Shadow-Imprisoning Mirror" can also be very troublesome for "Gravekeeper's" Decks as it stops the effects of all "Gravekeeper's" monsters other than "Gravekeeper's Commandant" from being used. "Last Day of Witch" and other anti-Spellcaster cards can also cause problems for "Gravekeeper's", since all of them are Spellcaster-Type.
Your opponent may use "Mind Control" on your face-down "Spy" or "Guard" and then Flip Summon them on their side of the field, which is especially deadly in the mirror match as "Spy" will provide field advantage for your opponent. "Guard" could also decrease your field presence and leave you open for an attack.
Keep in mind that cards in the Graveyard that have an ability that Special Summons them to the field will not be negated by "Necrovalley". Cards that Special Summon them, like "Monster Reborn", will be negated, but cards that Special Summon themselves, such as "Treeborn Frog", can still activate.
"Gravekeeper's" Decks most destructive weapon, "Royal Tribute", can put you at a severe disadvantage when Dueling a "Dark World" Deck, as these gain powerful effects from being discarded by a card effect, particularly an opponent's effect. This can be partly solved by siding them out for Anti-Meta cards, such as "The End of Anubis", "Dimensional Fissure", "D.D. Crow", or "Secret Village of the Spellcasters".
Notes
- ↑ The archetype was originally known as Hakamori no (
墓 守 の), but the wording of "Gravekeeper's Priestess" in Advanced Tournament Pack 2013 Vol.4 and subsequent support in Legacy of the Valiant refer to it simply as Hakamori (墓 守 ).
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