Instructions for playing Photon

By Tyler10nyson Published Nov 16, 2021 Updated May 21, 2022

Photon is an XYZ-oriented deck due to the use of many level 4 Light-attribute monsters that have good special summoning abilities for the main purpose of special summoning Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon . The deck has good consistency to bring out key monsters quite often, and Kite Tenjo's ability provides the added bonus of ensuring that you can get Photon Stream of Destruction to pair with Galaxy-Eyes when you need.

Sections covered in this guide:

1/ Skill

2/ Core Cards

3/ Core Cards (Extra Deck)

4/ Tech Cards

5/ Tech Cards (Extra Deck)

6/ Combos

7/ Matchups

Skill

Currently, the Skill that is considered the most stable for the deck and can also be used to compete in Rank tournaments is also Skill Galaxy Photon . There is also the skill A Cosmic Scourge: Galaxy-Eyes that newbies can receive for free in advance to use in some farming decks. But in the end, if you want to play Photon, using Skill Galaxy Photon is the most reasonable and stable.

Galaxy Photon (Skill Card) (100% used)

This skill helps the deck to be less likely to brick hands. In fact, it makes your deck smoother by allowing you to trade a Photon monster card for a Photon spell (usually Photon Stream of Destruction ). As a prime example of how great it is, if you summoned Starliege Lord Galaxion , then put a Galaxy-Eyes (GE) in your hand, instead of using Starliege's effect to bring GE onto the field, you can You can use Skill to change GE into the Photon Stream of Destruction card , then set up your backrow and use Starliege to bring GE onto the field. At that time, your field is almost invulnerable (unless your opponent has other cards). remove your backrow but it's almost rare).

Core Cards

Most of Photon's Core cards belong to their own card line, which can be found mainly in Photon of Galaxy boxes and Kite Tenjo farms. For this reason, Photon is also considered one of the best FTP (free to play) decks you should have.

Photon Advancer (3x (100%))

A monster with great summoning. Photon Advancer is more flexible than Thrasher and Vanisher because you actually have the choice to Normal Summon or Special Summon Advancer, so he will never be a dead card. You can Normal Summon Advancer then Special Summon Vanisher, or you can Special Summon Thrasher then Special Summon Advancer; both lead to playing your main Rank-4.

Photon Thrasher (2x (100%))

Start your combo by Special Summoning Thrasher while you control no monsters. If you don't have Thrasher, look for it with Lizard 's effect.

Photon Vanisher (2-3x (100%))

Once Thrasher is on the field, you can special summon Vanisher and inter-summon Advancer and search for Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon . At this point, you can summon Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon and 1 Rank-4. Or you can activate the Galaxy Photon Skill to start combos to create your invincible field.

Photon Orbital (3x (100%))

A pretty good search as well as an addition to Lizard 's article search capabilities. Imagine this, you have 3 cards to search for Lizard, now you have 3 more cards (to search and protect GE at the same time), this is a really good deal. Usually, there will be some newbies using Orbital 7 but it is not as effective as PO because PO's combo support is better than O7. It is recommended to use it early in the combo when you only have one monster in case your opponent uses something like Treacherous Trap Hole.

Photon Lizard (2-3x (100%))

Lizard is used to find Photon monsters very effectively in exchange for you having to Normal Summon. Since all your other Main Deck monsters have their own Special Summoning conditions, losing your Normal Summon isn't really an issue. If your field is empty, Normal Summon Photon Lizard then look for Thrasher to continue your combo. If you already have Thrashe r then look for Vanisher .

Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon (1-2x (100%))

Key monsters in your deck. Depending on your luck when playing cards, it's up to you to put one or two GE cards in. But to be optimal, it should be one because you will have Photon Orbital to protect GE or if GE is expelled, you still have your powerful Extra Deck to stay on the field.

Most of your low-level monsters have 2000 ATK and can Special Summon themselves, so they can easily complete the summoning cost of Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon . But a better way to summon Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon is through Galaxion .

Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon 's effect itself is quite strong as non-target removal cannot be destroyed. The monster returns at the end of the Battle Phase, but this can give you enough time to attack directly with your other monsters. It's clear that Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon is aimed against Xyz monsters. Even temporarily banishing an Xyz monster will remove all of its materials, and Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon gains ATK for each of these materials.

Photon Stream of Destruction (3x (100%))

Photon Stream of Destruction is a powerful removal card that doesn't require any cost. The fact that it's a Quick-Play Spell makes it much more versatile as you can use it during your opponent's turn when they play a strong monster. Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon is your main carry monster so the second condition is not a problem, not only that, if you want to play in the direction of using Neo Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon then it is even better for you to use Use Photon Stream of Destruction .

Find the Photon Stream using your Galaxy Photon Skill.

Eternal Galaxy (1x (100%))

Use this card on your XYZ Rank 4 to special summon Neo Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon .

A bit slow compared to other plays the main deck can do. but its nature as a trap card also means you can use it for additional attacks or to dodge targeting card effects.

Galaxy Cyclone (1-2x (100%))

According to the old meta, some people use this card to multiply 3 hearts. However, I recommend that you only play 1 of these cards in your deck. It is both possible to remove the opponent's backrow because most of them are face down cards, and can also be used for the opponent's next turn if they activate another card face up to target our monster. Therefore, the ability to both remove backrows and protect your monsters is not a bad choice, plus it is called Galaxy, suitable for using Skill to search for this card.

Core Cards (Extra Deck)

The Core cards in the Extra Deck of the Photon series are not difficult for newbies to find because most of them are in the Photon of Galaxy box and through leveling up Kite Tenjo and most of them are Rank 4 Xyz monsters, which is convenient. for your deck full of level 4 monsters.

Twin Photon Lizard (0-1x (45%))

A fusion card specifically for the Photon series with an ATK of 2400. Although it does not have high ATK, it has useful functions such as:

Just contributes to the conditions for special summoning your main monster, Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon , but the ability is almost useless.
This card can be Tributed to special summon 2 Photon cards used to summon it that are in the Graveyard. However, if it was a Quick Effect, this would definitely be a very important card, but in reality it is not. That's why many people only use this card for fun in their decks, but it's not very competitive when used in Rank matches.

There will be some newbies who think this card is quite useful but in reality it is not. However, using it to bring out your main monster is also a good way. In general, if you don't have enough Gems to fully exploit the Photon deck's potential, you should use this card as a replacement for future "Photon bosses".

Starliege Lord Galaxion (2x (100%))

Having the ability to quickly bring key monsters to the field, Galaxion is an essential card for your deck. Especially this is a Rank 4 card, convenient when most of the monsters in your Main Deck are level 4.

Many people think that keeping a material on Galaxion will be more convenient in bringing your main monster to the field again from the deck, but to do that you need to wait until the next turn, while Your opponent will probably destroy your field before you can do it. But using up two materials on Galaxion is also very dangerous because it means you won't be able to bring GE back to the field if it is destroyed. Therefore, to avoid the above situations, carrying 2 Galaxions is not a bad idea, and you should be careful in using Galaxion ingredients.

Starliege Paladynamo (1x (100%))

Summon Paladynamo and use its effect to completely paralyze a powerful enemy monster. This works to remove threats that are immune to the removal effect. After the effect ends, Paladynamo will become a bag of meat , then you will be compensated for the cost of summoning him when he leaves the field, you will be drawn a card. Or you can simply use Paladynamo after using his ability as your GE summoning material.

Neo Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon (0-1x (100%))

Kite's main Xyz monster in the anime, looking at the conditions, it's difficult to bring it onto the field. However, it is possible to special summon using Eternal Galaxy traps instead of 3 level 8 monsters. This can be a winning card due to its high attack and strong effects.

Since it is summoned using a trap, you will not be able to use its first effect to negate cards. However, you can use a second effect during your turn to keep some matches safe.

After all, you can choose to put it in the Extra Deck or not, because either way your Photon deck retains its inherent power.

Photon Papilloperative (1x (100%))

A card with the word Photon in its name. Once you have the upper hand in a Duel, your opponent can play more defensively and place their monsters face down. Having this option is a good monster to spawn when you have Photon Dragon on the field. It also allows you to use Photon Stream in your opponent's backrow more safely.

Tech Cards

Most of Photon's Tech arrays should be destructive or prevent the opponent's monsters from using their effects. However, you can add some cards to remove your opponent's backrows or protect your monsters when you no longer have resources to protect, but most Photon matches end very quickly thanks to Photon Stream should not necessarily remove backrow leaves.

Book of Moon (2-3x )

With the recent launch of boxes including Book of Moon, it is normal for players to push this card to multiply by 3. The effect not only prevents the opponent's monster from activating its effect, but also protects the monster on its side from targeted effects (because most target face-up monsters), and can also defend is great and essential for your Photon deck. And if I remember correctly, Kite also uses this card quite a lot in Duel, newbies, you can try using it to enjoy Kite's Voiceline which is also a good idea. In general, this card is not located in the Selection Box and is difficult to find, so newbies can access it easily and for free.

Forbidden Lance (2x)

The ability to protect your monsters is something that current players really need because the density of the opponent's backrow will cause you to encounter many difficulties. However, it is recommended to use this card at two cards because you already have Photon Stream of Destruction to protect your GE.

Drowning Mirror Force (1-2x)

This card can shuffle all attack position cards on your opponent's field into the deck. This is a combat trap, and you need to have an empty field, but it's a good card to use if you have nothing else.

Treacherous Trap Hole (2x)

The only useful trap card for your Photon deck, which can both be used to destroy enemy monsters (not just one but two) and can help you survive the next turn. However, its only weakness is that it cannot be used anymore if there is a trap card in your Graveyard , so you should consider letting it multiply by 2 in your deck. However, with this deck's extremely high brick hand rate, I recommend using 2 to increase your survival rate. After all, due to its strength, this card is Limited 2.

Polymerization (0-1x)

A small suggestion for newbies if you don't forget the T win Photon Lizard card that I mentioned in Core Cards (Extra Deck ). It's easy to find in Card Trade r and upgrade DM and GX characters, you can add this card to your unconditional version of Photon. But in the end, this is just an option, you can use it or not, that decision lies in testing your deck in Duels.

Necrovalley (1x)

A perfect choice for a deck that barely touches your Graveyard. You will lock your opponent's grave and you can also make your opponent think about destroying this card or the Photon Stream set up on your field.

Photon Cerberus (1x)

For some newbies just starting to play, if you don't have a good backrow set like I mentioned above, protecting your monsters from trap cards is also a great function. Therefore, most newbie Photon decks should add 1 or 2 of these cards to facilitate field protection and summon Xyz Rank 3.

Mystical Space Typhoon (1-2x)

Eliminate backrows like Galaxy Cyclone . You can use this card instead of Forbidden Lance . You can also set it up so that you can use it during your opponent's turn, unlike the Galaxy Cyclone. I suggest using it in 1 or 2 copies.

Photon Lead (1-2x)

Now, this card isn't as good as the others, since Photons can special summon themselves, but if you have an incomplete deck or you're making a "F2P" deck, you can use it. I recommend using this card in 1 or 2 copies.

Fiendish Chain (1x)

This card is a trap, so you must place it face down, and the opponent's monster must be an effect monster, and you can negate its effects and prevent it from attacking. I would recommend this card at 1 copy if you really need to use it.

Tech Cards (Extra Deck)

There will be many options to add to your Extra Deck because the game currently has many very strong Rank 4 monsters. However, to be able to combine your Skills with your deck, your Extra Deck must only have LIGHT-attribute monsters or Number monsters.

Heroic Champion - Excalibur (1x)

This deck can summon Rank 4 XYZ very easily, so this is just another option when your other Rank 4s are used up. Excalibur can help overcome high ATK monsters as it can reach 4000 ATK.

Most of the time it only works once as most decks will find a way to deal with this when it's their turn, so don't expect this to last that long.

Number C39: Utopia Ray (1x)

A LIGHT monster is a perfect addition to your LIGHT monster deck. Additionally, you can use Number 39: Utopia to summon this card.

Since you can only use Utopia Ray 's effect down to your last 1000 LP, it's best to use him to capture and turn the fight. Increasing your ATK can help you escape from your opponent's powerful monsters and deal great damage. Remember that this effect can be activated multiple times per turn as long as you have materials left.

Number 39: Utopia (1x)

Use Utopia to protect your side of the field from your opponent's attacks if you lose your main monster. From there, you will be better prepared to bring out other powerful monsters from your Extra Deck.

A small note is that you should protect Utopia until you intend to summon Utopia Ray.

Number 91: Thunder Spark Dragon (1x)

Useful for untargetable monsters, but needing 3 levels of 4 means you have to use it in the early turns instead of Photon Dragon. Therefore, you should consider using this leaf. After all, this is also a card that changes the outcome of your match.

Constellar Omega (1x)

A decent alternative if you run out of resources to protect your monsters. In terms of summoning conditions, using the Photon deck is too stable for this monster. For newbies, accessing this card is very easy through opening the Infinite Ray box.

Number 18: Heraldry Patriarch (1x)

The summoning conditions for this card are not too difficult for your deck. Additionally, this card can be useful when decks that often use monsters of the same name become popular in the meta. Decks like Harpies or Cyber Dragon are examples where Heraldry Chief can be effective.

Bujintei Tsukuyomi (1x)

The Deck's combos can quickly use up your resources, and you don't really have many ways to get these resources back. Tsukuyomi helps replenish your cards, but you should only use its effect when you only have your last card left. You can get it at the same time as hunting Utopia in the Shining Hope box.

Vylon Disigma (1x)

For those rare situations where you find yourself unable to overcome your opponent's monsters. Requiring a monster in the attacking position to lie Face Up is easy enough that Vylon Disigma can be used most of the time. But it can be a risk as it requires 3 monsters and your opponent can circumvent this by using spells/traps, which are also ineffective against untargetable cards.

Number 70: Malevolent Sin (1x)

The change to the Galaxy Photon Skill allows you to use this card more often and also easily get it because it is in the Photon of Galaxy box. With the effect of removing an opponent's monster, you will OTK quite easily. In addition, if your attack is disabled, Number 70 can increase ATK by 300 for each attack, making it a special powerful monster for you.

Combos

Photon's combo is very simple and easy to use for newbies. Let's take a look at some combos

Photon Vanisher, Starliege Lord Galaxion and Photon Thrasher (Combo #1)

Galaxion quickly brought Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon onto the field. So your main combo will be as follows:

Special Summon Thrasher .
Special Summon Vanisher and search for Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon .
Use your Skill to get the Photon Steam of Destruction .
Summon Galaxion and use its effect to Special Summon Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon .

Sometimes it's better to Special Summon Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon from your hand. This way, Galaxion will have one material left to Special Summon a spare Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon.

Neo Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon and Eternal Galaxy (Combo #2)

This combo is only used when you want to OTK but the opponent prevents your attack. You can use Eternal Galaxy to bring Neo GE onto the field and continue your OTK turn quickly.

Note: There must always be a "Photon" or "Galaxy" monster on the field, so protecting your monsters is important.

Photon Orbital and Photon Lizard (Combo #3)

This is your main search combo. Equip the Orbital to the Lizard so it won't be destroyed by combat. You can then take Orbital to the grave first, put a Photon or Galaxy card in your hand, and continue to sacrifice Lizard to bring another Photon card to your hand from the deck. If you continue like this, you will have up to 2 searches at a time.

Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon, Twin Photon Lizard and Photon Sabre Tiger (Combo #4)

A combo using Twin Lizard to bring out Photon Dragon if you accidentally hit it on the first turn or you can summon Normal Tiger first to bring out another Tiger , then fuse 2 Tigers together to bring out Twin Lizard , then donate Cultivate Twin Lizard to yield 2 Tigers , you can either use them to summon Rank 3 Xyz or use them as materials to special summon Photon Dragon .

This is a combo for newbies who want to play Photon before other lines, a pretty reasonable combo, right?

Matchups

For most matchups, whether going first or going behind, you should follow these steps.

If you go first, make sure to summon Galaxion and GEPD set up all your PSoDs.
If you go second and your opponent has a backrow, it's better to activate the Galaxy Cyclone search skill rather than PSoD. Even though you can't OTK, at least your monster is still safe.

If they put a few cards face down, that's usually the best time to use Galaxy-Eyes and Skill, because you can OTK.

If you fight Blue-Eyes and you go second, you'll want to destroy their backrow and banish their monsters.

If you fight against Melodious , you'll want to destroy and banish their cards with effects to avoid Score .

If your opponent brings a monster like Lunalight Saber Dance to the field, you'll want to use cards like Excalibur to take it down. You can also use Utopia Ray (if you're at 1000 LP) to take down Saber Dancer.

If your opponent plays monsters with the same name, you'll want to use cards like Heraldry Patriarch and prevent them from summoning those monsters.

The best matchup decks are those that can't handle disruption like Synchron .

The worst matchup decks are those that can prevent OTK or play hand traps like Yosenju or Thunder Dragon . An even more nightmare deck is Buster Blader as they can easily hold back your Photon Dragon .

Winning conditions:

You'll want to use your cards like Photon Stream of Destruction and Galaxy Cyclone to clear the field so you can attack with Galaxy-Eyes. If your field is cleared and you still have resources in hand, you can use one of your Xyz monsters to play next, like Excalibur or Utopia Ray.

Part of Photons (and Yu-Gi-Oh in general) is knowing when to interrupt your opponent. For example: If you're playing against D/D/D, you want to interrupt Contracts first, or you want to get rid of a pesky monster, like Genghis , before they can continue with the rest of their strategy. .

Weaknesses:

Photons are very easily interrupted, if your opponent clears your field, the match is usually over. Backrow removal cards like MST or Galaxy Cyclone and protection like Forbidden Lance are very important for this deck. Another problem is recovery because you use a lot of resources during your turn so you will often run out of resources very quickly.