Ancient Gears Guide

By Ljkad Published Jun 9, 2025 Updated Jun 22, 2025

Hello everyone, welcome to the Ancient Gear guide . In terms of Duel Links, Ancient Gear is a deck that has gone through many forms over the years:

Originally a traditional Beatdown strategy when Ancient Gear and related cards were released in November 2016 , focusing on summoning Ancient Gear Golem as soon as possible using the Middle Age Mechs Skill.
Then there was a gimmick OTK deck using Ancient Gear Ultimate Golem when the card was released in February 2018 .
Next is the transition to a powerful offensive deck , focusing on calling Ancient Gear Reactor Dragon as soon as possible , thanks to Structure Deck EX: Ancient Gear released in February 2019 .

Things have changed dramatically with the release of the new minibox: “ History of the Victor ” in April 2025. This minibox breathes new life into the archetype , introducing a host of modern support cards along with a completely new ability to the deck.

Sections covered in this guide:

1/ Skill

2/ Main Deck Monsters

3/ Spell/Trap

4/ Extra Deck

5/ Support leaves

6/ Strategy + Strengths & Weaknesses

7/ Summary

Skill

Ancient Gear Engineering (Skill Card) (100%)

With the current Ancient Gear , you need to understand this skill to grasp the new gameplay so I will talk about it first . So what does Ancient Gear Engineering have?

First of all, the 2nd and 3rd effects of this skill can only be used once per turn , but there is no limit to the number of times per battle – which by current standards is quite normal.
First effect : you cannot normal or special summon monsters other than EARTH Machines or monsters from the Extra Deck . This makes perfect sense since Ancient Gear is an EARTH Machine monster .
Second effect : you can show your opponent an Ancient Gear Golem (or a monster that mentions it) in your hand , then shuffle any card from your hand into your deck to add an Ancient Gear monster from your deck to your hand . This is an advanced version of Switcheroo (you can shuffle any card , not necessarily the one you just revealed).
Final Effect : If your opponent activates anything during your turn , you place 1 copy of “ Ancient Gear Duel ” from your hand or deck onto the field (face up) , and it is summoned once more during that turn .

This effect is extremely powerful – any ability that gives you an extra summon is already very good, this one also comes with a very important trap that we'll see why it's worth it later.

Bottom line: if you want to play Ancient Gear in the 2025 Duel Links environment, this skill is a must.

Main Deck Monsters

Ancient Gear Golem (x1)

The deck's signature monster with LV8, 3000 ATK/DEF, EARTH Machine type. Has a defense-piercing effect and when attacking, it prevents the opponent from activating trap/spell. Although it looks old-fashioned, it still has a role in combos and is a skill target. Only play 1 copy.

Ancient Gear Dark Golem (x2)

Improved version of AGG. When summoned, add up to 2 Ancient Gears or Geartowns from your deck, then discard 1 card. Cannot be folded that turn and still disables backrow when attacking. Important for combos, ability targets, but no need to play more than 2 copies.

Ancient Gear Statue (x3)

LV2 EARTH Machine, can summon itself if your opponent has more monsters than you. Can Tribute itself to summon AGG or a monster mentioned by AGG from hand/deck, ignoring summoning conditions. Very strong – always play 3 copies.

Ancient Gear Commander (x1-2)

LV4 EARTH Machine, allows you to Normal Summon 1 more time if you send an AG from your hand, deck, or field to the graveyard. You can also call an AGG from your hand or graveyard, regardless of the condition. Additionally, banish it from the graveyard to set another continuous trap AG.

Combo is very strong, should play 1-2 copies.

Ancient Gear Tanker (x3)

LV4 EARTH Machine. When summoned, Special Summon 1 AG from the hand (ignores the condition), or from the Graveyard if your opponent has a monster on the field. Can destroy a face-up card you control to increase the ATK of all AGGs or monsters that mention AGG by 600.

As starter, extender, and skill target – 3 copies recommended.

Ancient Gear Wyvern (x1-2)

When Summoned, search for any Ancient Gear card, but cannot set that turn. When attacking, prevent opponent's monsters from activating effects until the end of the Damage Step.

Not a skill goal, so only play 1–2 copies .

Ancient Gear Dragon (x0-1)

Cannot be special summoned.

Can be summoned without a Tribute if you have no monsters or only control EARTH Machine. When your opponent activates a spell/trap/effect, you can send 1 machine from your hand/field or AGG from your deck to negate.

Optional – no obligation to play.

Ancient Gear Box (x0-1)

When added from the deck or graveyard to your hand (except draw), you can find an EARTH Machine with 500 ATK or DEF. Targets include: Commander, Statue, Dragon . But you have to find a Box first to activate it, so it's usually not worth playing - 1 copy max if available.

Ancient Gear Frame (x0)

Can discard 1 card to find AGG or cards that mention AGG, and prevent backrow activation when attacking. If left off the field by an opponent's card, you can call up to 3 AGG or AGG Ultimate Pound from your hand. Although it is a target skill, it is far inferior to Dark Golem in combo efficiency - not recommended.

Ancient Gear Reactor Dragon (x0)

While it used to be a mainstay, it is now incompatible with AGG-centric gameplay and should not be used in the current meta.

Ancient Gear Hunting Hound (x0)

Deals 600 damage when normal summoned and can be fusion summoned from hand/field. However, Ancient Gear has better spell fusion. Not recommended .

The remaining Ancient Gears

Most are not worth worrying about because they are too weak or unrelated to AGG.

Spell/Trap

Ancient Gear Fortress (x2)

The most important card in the deck. This continuous spell prevents Ancient Gear from being targeted or destroyed by effects during the turn it is summoned. Additionally, your opponent cannot react to Ancient Gear effects or cards, and if this card is destroyed in the Spell/Trap Zone, you can summon 1 AGG from your hand or Graveyard, but cannot special summon monsters other than Ancient Gear that turn. Very powerful, need at least 2 copies to play seriously.

Ancient Gear Advance (x2-3)

Another Continuous Spell, when activated, can search for 1 Ancient Gear trap from the deck. Additionally, tribute 1 monster to draw 1 card and summon AGG or a level 5+ monster mentioned AGG without being tributed.

Limitations: cannot fold during activation turn – need to consider when building deck. Very strong, should play 2–3 copies .

Geartown (x1)

Although not named “Ancient Gear”, this is a very good support field spell. Allows you to summon an Ancient Gear with less than 1 Tribute, and when destroyed, you can summon 1 Ancient Gear monster from your hand, deck, or graveyard. Can be found with Dark Golem . Play 1 copy and be careful about activation timing.

Ancient Gear Fusion (x2)

Spell fusion helps you call Ancient Gear fusion. But if you control AGG or AGG Ultimate Pound , you can use monsters from your deck as material, turning this card into an AG version of Shaddoll Fusion . Extremely powerful when fully set up – only use when you already have AGG on the field.

Ancient Gear Catapult (x1)

Normal spell, can destroy 1 face-up card you control to summon 1 Ancient Gear from your deck (ignores conditions). If in the Graveyard, can banish to destroy 1 face-up card you control and summon Ancient Gear Token . However, the first effect can only be used when you control no monsters, so it may be stuck.

Still worth playing 1 copy though because it can be setup easily from Dark Golem .

Ancient Gear Duel (x1)

Continuous Trap is extremely strong so it can be limited to 1, and can be set for free by skill.

Makes AGG and its reference monsters immune to your opponent's monster effects. If your opponent has a monster on the field, you can fusion summon the AGG monster from your Extra Deck by banishing materials on the field or Graveyard, including 1 AGG , and that monster can attack 3 times per battle phase. Can be found by Dark Golem + Commander if not using skills. Must play 1 copy.

Ancient Gear Reborn (x0)

Helps revive 1 Ancient Gear if you have no monsters, and increases ATK by 200. However, not worth playing – too weak and has no real value

Other AG cards

No practical use – NOT recommended

Extra Deck

Ultimate Ancient Gear Golem (x1)

One of the strongest bosses. Requires 1 AGG + 2 other Ancient Gear monsters to fusion summon. Has a defense piercing effect, prevents backrow attacks, and if destroyed summons AGG from the grave (ignores conditions). Has 4400 ATK and should be summoned with Ancient Gear Duel to attack 3 times per turn. Should only play 1 copy due to Extra Deck restrictions.

Chaos Ancient Gear Giant (x1)

Second boss with 4500 ATK, requires 4 Ancient Gear as materials, is completely immune to backrow, prevents monster effects from activating during the battle phase, attacks all opponent's monsters once per turn, and has penetration.

Not summoned by Duel due to no mention of AGG, but still incredibly strong and hard to deal with. Play 1 copy.

Ancient Gear Howitzer (x1)

Fusion with 2 Ancient Gears, immune to all effects, burn 500 each turn, and if destroyed by battle, summon 1 Ancient Gear from deck ignoring the condition. Good for stopping bleeding and counterattacking next turn. Play 1 copy.

Ancient Gear Megaton Golem (x0)

Fusion from 3 Ancient Gear, prevents backrow, can be played as many times as AGG/Ultimate Pound used as materials, and if removed from the field by opponent's effect, summons Ultimate AGG from Extra. However, difficult to OTK and weaker than Ultimate AGG . Not recommended even though it looks cool

Ancient Gear Ballista (x1)

Link-2, requires 2 machines (does not have to be Ancient Gear). When linked, find 1 Ancient Gear or Geartown , then destroy 1 backrow you control to reduce the ATK of the opponent's monster to 0. Good for clearing the field and supporting combos, especially when dealing with bosses like Red Nova . Play 1 copy.

Support leaves

Abyss Dweller, Full Armored Utopic Ray Lancer and Gear Gigant X (XYZ rank 4)

Gear Gigant X : Can search for Kiteroid to protect the first turn.
Abyss Dweller : Almost auto-wins against many graveyard-dependent decks.
Utopia the Lightning : To counter Lyrilusc (very hard for Ancient Gear).

Weak Rank 4s like Castell or Malevolent Sin are not recommended because Ancient Gear can punch hard and is immune.

Hieratic Sky Dragon Overlord of Heliopolis and Number 68: Sanaphond the Sky Prison (XYZ rank 8)

Sky Prison Salafon : Can win match-ups by recovering from the grave and surviving Dark Hole.
Helios – Dragon Overlord : Good against Exosister, but not worth much investment.

Urgent Schedule (x0-2)

Quick-play allows summoning 1 Machine 4 stars or lower and 1 Machine 5 stars or higher if opponent has more monsters. Can brick if you go first and combine poorly with many Ancient Gear spells. Optional, not required.

Gizmek Taniguku the Immobile Intellect (x0-1)

Can be used with Urgent Schedule. Summon, stack Ancient Gear on top of deck, then revive from graveyard. However, combo requirements are difficult so it is optional.

Effect Veiler and Droll & Lock Bird (Hand trap)

Hand Trap :
- Effect Veiler : Always a safe choice.
- Droll & Lock Bird : Reduces pressure against Lyrilusc.
Note : Many Ancient Gear decks prevent folding, so avoid playing Book of Moon, Book of Eclipse . Prioritize using hand traps instead of folding traps.

Kiteroid (x0-3)

Helps live longer.

Strategy + Strengths & Weaknesses

Ancient Gear – Strategy & How to Play

Ancient Gear 's gameplay is extremely simple and effective:

If you go first , the goal is to build a board that survives until the next turn – where you can OTK your opponent with powerful Fusion monsters.
If you go behind , the job is to OTK the opponent immediately – preferably with a Fusion that punches a lot and penetrates , but if not, just do enough damage.

The ideal board to go first would be a combination of monsters like:

Howitzer (immune to almost everything + restores monsters when destroyed),
Abyss Dweller (locks opponent's grave),
Salafon (good if opponent is leaning on grave).

When following , you must:

Activate Ancient Gear Fusion or Ancient Gear Duel ,
Summon a large Fusion that can attack multiple times , ending the battle instantly.

You have a lot of combos, search cards, support cards , but they all have the same goal : destroy your opponent as quickly as possible .

Suggested Core Deck List

Here is a suggested framework for you to build your deck:

1 Commander + 1 Wyvern : Can be upgraded to 2 if needed.
3 Statue , 2–3 Tanker , 2 Dark Golem , 1 Golem (OG), 1–2 Fortress , 2–3 Advance , 1 Duel , 1 Fusion , 1 Gear Town , etc.

Note : This is not a complete list , but a starting point for you to test, optimize, and personalize.

Strengths & Weaknesses

Advantage:

OTK is extremely easy : You very quickly release Fusion 4400 attack, attack 3 times.
Extremely strong protection from Fortress & Duel: Hard to interrupt.
High stability : Thanks to the skill, you can almost always get the same combo.

Disadvantages:

The first turn is still quite weak : Even with Howitzer + Dweller + Salafon, it's still hard to defend.
Howitzer does not activate when destroyed by Red Dragon Archfiend due to the shield breaking battle effect.
Too reliant on "coin flips" : If you go later, you can win immediately, but if you go first and meet a strong deck, it's easy to cook.
Some bets are too difficult :
- Lyrilusc – Independent Nightingale almost completely blocks this deck because Ancient Gear has no real way to out in the archetype.

Summary

Ancient Gear is currently in Tier 3 in the Meta, which is good enough to compete quite well in rank. It could be a great pick for King of Games , and will likely be popular in the upcoming KC Cup , as long as it doesn't get nerfed soon .

Have fun playing Ancient Gear – and hope your opponents have no fun facing this deck!

I know this is a pretty divisive deck, so let me be blunt: I will love and defend Ancient Gear to my last breath xD