The first core set of 2026 is here with Yu-Gi-Oh! Burst Protocol. Coupled alongside the most recent Forbidden and Limited List, we'll look to see if this set can shake up the meta in exciting ways. Let's take a look at what decks you're likely to see at the height of competition this format.

Radiant Typhoon

The Radiant typhoon archetype, released in Doom of Dimensions, gets new support in Burst Protocol that positions it to be in a great spot to challenge the meta. Three new cards are released that directly help aid the strategy.

First is the new Spell Radiant Typhoon Ascendance, which allows you to summon a level 6 Radiant Typhoon monster from the Graveyard (GY) or grab a Mystical Space Typhoon (MST) from deck or GY. Having more ways to search MST, which is the heart and soul of the deck, or revive Radiant Typhoon Krosea, the best searcher in the deck, can have a strong impact on the game.

Next is the new Link monster, Radiant Typhoon Varuroon, the Marine Eidolon. We were confident that Radiant Typhoon would end up getting some sort of Extra Deck monster and boy this is a good one. Varuroon, the Marine Eidolon adds yet another way to grab or recycle Mystical Space Typhoon. It also has a removal effect that places monsters in their owner's Spell and Trap card zones, making it useful to deal with your opponent's monsters you don't want in the GY.

Perhaps most importantly, it lets you place Radiant Typhoon Mandate face-up on your field. Since Mandate lets you negate face-up cards, playing into a Radiant Typhoon board just became significantly more difficult since it will almost always be online turn one.

Lastly, there is the new honorary Radiant Typhoon card in Shiina, Twin Tempests of Celestial Thunder. While not Radiant Typhoon in name, its Wind Attribute lets it fit right into the strategy. It acts as a Hand Trap that lets you either bounce all monsters or Spells and Traps back to the hand in response to your opponent's card effect.

Obviously having what is essentially a Storming Mirror Force or Giant Trunade waiting in your hand to use on your opponent's turn is strong. Timing Shiina's effect can be the difference between winning and losing the Duel, so plan carefully.

Branded Dracotail

Branded Dracotail is a powerful deck that was already competing for the top spot in the meta, winning or topping several regional and YCS tournaments. You could say that the hits on the January Forbidden and Limited List only slightly decreased the power and consistency of the strategy. With Dracotail Mululu and Ketu Dracotail now limited to one copy each, it perfectly frees up space for the new additions to the Branded package that arrived in Burst Protocol.

Fallen of the White Dragon is a new starter that is always treated as "Fallen of Albaz." Its effect allows you to quickly Synchro Summon into the new Ecclesia and the Dark Dragon card, which can give you access to your fusion plays via Blazing Cartesia, the Virtuous and provides some removal utility from the Graveyard. These 2 incredible new cards bring more versatility and power to the deck and have the potential to take it to even greater heights.

Let's also not forget Dracotail received a new card out of Burst Protocol as well in Dracotail Shaulas. This new Fusion Monster gives Dracotail a new form of removal by shuffling a face-up card on the field back into the deck while simultaneously recycling 2 of your own Dracotail cards in the GY. Unlike Dracotail Arthalion, Shaulas can be used to target a face-up Spell and Trap if you're really in a pinch.

Duelists will need to be careful, however, since using Fallen of the White Dragon's had effects locks you into only level 8 Fusion and Synchro Monsters for the turn. With so many options now, it'll be fun to see which cards duelists choose to fill their Main and Extra Deck.

Honorable Mentions - Magistus, Yummy, and K9 Vanquish Soul

The Magistus cards offer another splashable engine you'll likely see paired with the Branded and Dracotail cards. The new Invoked Magistus Omega offers a way to bridge into the Dracotail line with its effect that can Special Summon 1 Level 4 Spellcaster monster from your Deck, such as Dracotail Lukias. Zoroa, the Magistus Conflagrant Calamity is a floodgate end board piece you can summon using the new Albaz. The Magistus cards add more depth but require a tighter Extra Deck.

Yummy may have gotten hit harder than Dracotail on the most recent Forbidden and Limited List (F&L) but don't count them out from the competition. Without Mitsurugi to back up the Yummy strategy, new variants of the deck such as Radiant Typhoon, Tri-Brigade, Fur Hire, and Solfachord add their own spice. Without Herald of the Arc Light, the deck won't be as powerful so we may see more iterations of the strategy down the road.

K9 Vanquish Soul decks seeing a resurgence thanks to the F&L changes. Two more copies of Vanquish Soul Razen means your less reliant on Saryuja Skull Dread to get your VS combo going. The deck always shined for its ability to play around traditional hand traps while also punishing your opponent for using them. K9-X "Ripper/M" is a new tool used for Graveyard hate plus being a potential board wipe.

Wrapping Up

Burst Protocol brings a lot of high-quality cards that give a number of decks an opportunity to challenge the meta. Some decks that were already strong get stronger, while others take a back seat. As usual, duelist's innovation and creativity may lead to other big changes in the format.

Have fun and thanks for reading!