Introduction to Phantom Knights
Introduction
Overview
Phantom Knights is an archetype that focuses on its GY effects to generate advantage via searching cards, sending them to the GY, or Special Summoning from the GY, and a secondary gimmick of trap monsters (which are rarely used outside one monster in particular). They primarily focus on making Rank 3 and 4 Xyz monsters in addition to providing materials to summon Link monsters.
One option is to use Artifact Scythe to lock the opponent out of using the Extra Deck. Since the addition of Destiny HERO - Destroyer Phoenix Enforcer, this option has become much stronger, since you don't have to rely on just The Phantom Knights of Rusty Bardiche to destroy Scythe, and can setup the lock much easier even if you get hit by interruptions. The Adventure Engine also can help in insulating your plays from interruption.
For non-Adventure versions of the deck, turn 1, Phantom Knights put up negates with monsters like Apollousa, Bow of the Goddess, Loading..., or Dark Requiem Xyz Dragon, while on subsequent turns, you want to OTK by using monsters like Arc Rebellion Xyz Dragon or Accesscode Talker. If you really want to, the deck can technically still make Loading... with 4 materials, but it no longer is an effective auto-victory, especially against decks like Eldlich, and thus, is not included in this article.
Core Monsters
The Phantom Knights of Torn Scales
The most important main deck Phantom Knights monster. It is a Foolish Burial for any Phantom Knights, it discards for cost, which means you can get Phantom Knights cards from your hand into the GY, and it revives itself when a Phantom Knights card is banished as another extender.
The Phantom Knights of Silent Boots
Silent Boots is our typical extender from the hand, since it can be Special Summoned whenever there is a Phantom Knights on your side of the field. In the GY, it searches for a Phantom Knights Spell/Trap, which is usually used to search for Phantom Knights' Fog Blade.
The Phantom Knights of Ancient Cloak
Ancient Cloak is our monster searcher. We need to get it to the GY, which is usually achieved via the Foolish Burial effect of The Phantom Knights of Rusty Bardiche or The Phantom Knights of Torn Scales. It is also a decent Normal Summon if we happen to have another Level 3 extender in the hand.
The Phantom Knights of Ragged Gloves
Ragged Gloves is basically any Phantom Knights card in the GY. It can be used as a stepping stone to send a Phantom Knights trap to the GY with The Phantom Knights of Rusty Bardiche, and is also a good way to trigger the GY effect of The Phantom Knights of Torn Scales without wasting another card in the GY.
The Phantom Knights of Stained Greaves
Stained Greaves is another extender in your hand if you Special Summon a Phantom Knights monster, and can be used to Special Summon a Phantom Knights from your hand if it is in the GY.
For Adventure variants of the deck, some people elect to cut this card, because it can be kind of a brick in your opening hand, and weaving it into combos can be awkward at times.
Core Spells
Reinforcement of the Army
Since Phantom Knights are Warriors, and Loading... is a free card, there is really no reason not to run this card to serve as an extra copy of any Phantom Knight you might need.
Foolish Burial
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Foolish Burial sends any monster from the deck to the GY, which can be used to send a Phantom Knights monster you need to the GY, or to send Water Enchantress of the Temple to the GY to get the Adventurer engine online.