We've got some really tough new toys: MIRRORJADE THE ICEBLADE DRAGON and BRANDED FUSION – the ones we've been waiting for. This deck isn't just powerful, it's a work of art in its brutality. So, let's dive right in!

How to play Branded Despia
Sections covered in this guide:
Skill
Theater of the Branded's Opening (Skill Card) (100%)




Theater of the Branded's Opening (Skill Card)
ATK:
0
DEF:
0
You can only use this Skill's second and third effects once per Duel. 1: You cannot Special Summon any monsters with a Level, except "Fallen of Albaz", "Despia" monsters, and DARK and LIGHT Level 8 or higher monsters. 2: Reveal 1 "Despia" monster or "Branded Opening" in your hand, then add 1 "Despia" monster or "Branded Opening" from your Deck to your hand. Then, you can add 1 "Despia, Theater of the Branded" from your Deck to your hand. 3: If only your opponent controls a monster, send 1 "Despia" monster from your Deck to the Graveyard. Then, you can add 1 "Branded in Red" from your Deck to your hand.
Although not a new skill, it's the reason why Branded Despia is currently dominating the game. This skill not only unbricks bad hands but also provides a ton of free advantages.
1. "Switch Track" & "Take the Field" Effect (Turn 1 & 2)
Instructions: Show one Despia or Branded Opening monster from your hand, then return any card from your hand to your deck.
Award:
Add 1 Despia or Branded Opening monster from your deck to your hand (Optional).
AUTOMATICALLY add the Field: Despia, Theater of the Branded cards from the deck to your hand.
Why is it so powerful? You trade one junk card for one core combo card AND get an extra Environment card as a bonus. It turns "dead" hands into full-field combos.
2. The "Going Second Boost" Effect
Instructions: If you move second (your opponent has a monster), you are allowed to activate an additional effect.
Reward: Send 1 Despia monster from your Deck to Graveyard -> Instantly add Branded in Red from outside (or from your Deck) to your hand.
=> This is really dirty play. You've just set up the graveyard (throwing Tragedy or Ad Libertum into it), and you immediately have the strongest Quick Spell card in the game to "turn the tide" during your opponent's turn.
3. Conditions (Restriction)
You cannot Special Summon monsters with a Level, EXCEPT: Fallen of Albaz , Despia monsters, and Level 8 or higher Light/Dark monsters.
In simpler terms: Playing pure Branded Despia won't affect anything. Feel free to play!
In short: This skill ensures you'll never be short of Fusion environments, and when you're behind, it gives you the key to destroying your opponent's altar. Don't forget to activate it every game!
Monsters in the Main Deck
Despian Tragedy (x3)




DARK
1Despian Tragedy
ATK:
400
DEF:
400
If this card is sent to the GY, or banished, by a card effect: You can add 1 "Despia" monster from your Deck to your hand, except "Despian Tragedy". You can banish this card from your GY, then target 1 "Branded" Spell/Trap in your GY; Set it to your field. You can only use 1 "Despian Tragedy" effect per turn, and only once that turn.
Aluber the Jester of Despia (x2-3)




DARK
4Aluber the Jester of Despia
ATK:
1800
DEF:
0
If this card is Normal or Special Summoned: You can add 1 "Branded" Spell/Trap from your Deck to your hand. If a face-up Fusion Monster you control is destroyed by battle, or leaves the field because of an opponent's card effect, while this card is in your GY: You can target 1 Effect Monster your opponent controls; Special Summon this card, and if you do, negate the targeted monster's effects until the end of this turn. You can only use 1 "Aluber the Jester of Despia" effect per turn, and only once that turn.
Ad Libitum of Despia (x2-3)




DARK
8Ad Libitum of Despia
ATK:
1500
DEF:
2000
During your Main Phase: You can make all monsters currently on the field gain ATK equal to their own Level x 100, until the end of the opponent's turn. If this card in your hand or field is used as Fusion Material, and sent to the GY or banished: You can target 1 of your "Despia" monsters or Level 8 or higher Fusion Monsters, that is banished or in your GY, except "Ad Libitum of Despia"; Special Summon it. You can only use each effect of "Ad Libitum of Despia" once per turn.
When sent to the graveyard or banished after being used to summon Fusion, allows you to Special Summon a Level 8 or higher Fusion monster or a Despia monster. From the graveyard, the chances of resurrection increase.
Dramaturge of Despia (x1)




DARK
8Dramaturge of Despia
ATK:
3000
DEF:
1500
If a Fusion, Synchro, Xyz, or Link Monster is Special Summoned (except during the Damage Step): You can target 1 Effect Monster on the field; negate its effects until the end of this turn. If this card in your hand or field is used as Fusion Material, and sent to the GY or banished: You can Special Summon this card. You can only use each effect of "Dramaturge of Despia" once per turn.
Negates the effects of an affected monster on the field when Fusion, Synchro, Xyz, or Link Summoned. If banished or sent to the graveyard after being used to Fusion Summoned, it performs a free Special Summon that disables an opponent's monster.
Despian Comedy (x1)




DARK
1Despian Comedy
ATK:
0
DEF:
2000
When your opponent activates a card or effect that targets a face-up "Despia" card(s) you control (Quick Effect): You can discard this card; negate that effect. If this card is in your GY (Quick Effect): You can Tribute 1 Fusion Monster; Special Summon this card. You can only use 1 "Despian Comedy" effect per turn, and only once that turn.
Tri-Brigade Mercourier (x1)




DARK
4Tri-Brigade Mercourier
ATK:
800
DEF:
0
When your opponent activates a monster effect, while you control a Fusion Monster that mentions "Fallen of Albaz" as material (Quick Effect): You can send this card from your hand or face-up field to the GY; negate that effect. If this card is banished: You can add from your Deck to your hand, 1 "Fallen of Albaz", or 1 monster that mentions it, except "Tri-Brigade Mercourier". You can only use each effect of "Tri-Brigade Mercourier" once per turn.
Fallen of Albaz (x2)




DARK
4Fallen of Albaz
ATK:
1800
DEF:
0
If this card is Normal or Special Summoned (except during the Damage Step): You can discard 1 card; Fusion Summon 1 Fusion Monster from your Extra Deck, using monsters on either field as Fusion Material, including this card, but you cannot use other monsters you control as Fusion Material. You can only use this effect of "Fallen of Albaz" once per turn.
Albion the Shrouded Dragon (x1)




DARK
8Albion the Shrouded Dragon
ATK:
2500
DEF:
2000
This card's name becomes "Fallen of Albaz" while on the field or in the GY. If this card is in your hand or GY: You can send 1 "Fallen of Albaz" or 1 "Branded" Spell/Trap from your hand or Deck to the GY; apply the following effect based on where you sent it from. ● Hand: Special Summon this card. ● Deck: Place this card on the bottom of the Deck, then, if you placed this card from your hand, draw 1 card. You can only use this effect of "Albion the Shrouded Dragon" once per turn.
Spell/Trap
Branded Fusion (x3)




Spell
NormalBranded Fusion
Fusion Summon 1 Fusion Monster that mentions "Fallen of Albaz" as material from your Extra Deck, using 2 monsters from your hand, Deck, or field as material. You cannot Special Summon from the Extra Deck, except Fusion Monsters, the turn you activate this card. You can only activate 1 "Branded Fusion" per turn.
This card accomplishes two extremely important things:
Discard one card from your hand (ideally, discard TRAGEDY ) to Special Summon ALUBER from your deck. (Combo: Discard Tragedy -> Summon Aluber -> Aluber summons Spell -> Tragedy summons a monster. Great deal!).
Protection: If one of your Fusion Monsters is about to be destroyed by a effect, you can banish this card from the Graveyard to save it. This is extremely important when battling BLUE-EYES (blocks MAJESTY ) or in deck-matching matches.
Branded in Red (x2)




Spell
QuickBranded in Red
Target 1 "Despia" monster or "Fallen of Albaz" in your GY; add it to your hand, then you can apply the following effect. ● Fusion Summon 1 Level 8 or higher Fusion Monster from your Extra Deck, by banishing Fusion Materials mentioned on it from your hand or field, but it cannot attack directly this turn. You can only activate 1 "Branded in Red" per turn.
Despia Theater of the Branded (x1)




Spell
FieldDespia, Theater of the Branded
During your Main Phase: You can Fusion Summon 1 Level 8 or higher Fusion Monster from your Extra Deck, using monsters from your hand or field as Fusion Material. If a face-up non-Fusion Fairy monster you control leaves the field by an opponent's card effect, or is destroyed by battle: You can target 1 Level 8 or higher Fusion Monster in your GY; Special Summon it. You can only use each effect of "Despia, Theater of the Branded" once per turn.
As a powerful Field Spell, if a Fairy monster leaves the field due to an opponent's effect or is destroyed in battle, you can Special Summon a Level 8 or higher Fusion monster from the graveyard. Supports reviving multiple cards.
Branded Opening (x2)




Spell
QuickBranded Opening
Discard 1 card, then take 1 "Despia" monster from your Deck, and either add it to your hand or Special Summon it in Defense Position, also for the rest of this turn after this card resolves, you cannot Special Summon monsters from the Extra Deck, except Fusion Monsters. If a Fusion Monster(s) you control would be destroyed by card effect, you can banish this card from your GY instead. You can only use each effect of "Branded Opening" once per turn.
Branded Retribution (x1)




Trap
CounterBranded Retribution
When a Spell/Trap Card, or monster effect, is activated that includes an effect that Special Summons a monster(s): Return to the Extra Deck, 1 face-up Fusion Monster you control, or 2 Fusion Monsters in your GY, that mention "Fallen of Albaz" as material, and if you do, negate the activation, and if you do that, destroy that card. You can banish this card from your GY, then target 1 "Branded" Spell/Trap in your GY, except "Branded Retribution"; add it to your hand. You can only use 1 "Branded Retribution" effect per turn, and only once that turn.
Branded Lost (x1)




Spell
ContinuousBranded Lost
The activation of your cards and effects that include an effect that Fusion Summons a Fusion Monster cannot be negated, also your opponent cannot activate cards or effects when a monster is Fusion Summoned this way. If you Fusion Summon a Fusion Monster: You can add 1 "Fallen of Albaz", or 1 monster that mentions it, from your Deck to your hand. You can only use this effect of "Branded Lost" once per turn.
Combo
COMBO 1: "BRAIN HACK": SELF-EXPELLING TO BECOME STRONGER (TURN 1)
This is the standard combo to help you set up the "6 Disruptions" stage. It sounds crazy, but please be patient and watch me perform.
Step 1: Start up
Activate BRANDED OPENING , discard TRAGEDY -> Call ALUBER .
Tip to counter Skull Meister: Activate TRAGEDY (Chain 1) then ALUBER (Chain 2). Your opponent will be unable to negate Tragedy.
ALUBER searches for BRANDED FUSION (or BRANDED LOST if Fusion is already present). TRAGEDY searches for AD LIBITUM .
Step 2: Use BRANDED FUSION
Send FALLEN OF ALBAZ and NIBIRU (or a Light monster) from your Deck to the Graveyard.
Summon ALBION THE BRANDED DRAGON .
Step 3: ALBION Effect
The main banishment is ALBION on the field and FALLEN OF ALBAZ in the grave.
Summon MIRRORJADE THE ICEBLADE DRAGON .
Step 4: The "Infinite IQ" processing phase
Activate MIRRORJADE 's effect: Send 1 Fusion from the Extra Deck to the Graveyard (select the 2nd ALBION ) to banish 1 monster.
But wait! We're going to DEPORT our MIRRORJADE MAINLY .
Why? Sounds silly, right? But we need to send ALBION to the Graveyard to activate the End Phase effect, and we need MIRRORJADE in the banishment zone to revive it (reset its effect).
Step 5: Activate the THEATER Environment
Combine ALUBER on the field + AD LIBITUM in hand.
Summon MASQUERADE THE BLAZING DRAGON .
Step 6: Resurrect the Boss
When used as Fusion material, AD LIBITUM activates: Revives 1 Level 8+ Fusion that has been banished.
Welcome back, MIRRORJADE ! (Its banishment effect has now been reset, ready to fire another shot).
Step 7: End Phase
ALBION from Graveyard activated: Directly place BRANDED RETRIBUTION (or BRANDED IN RED ) from the Deck onto the field.
END BOARD ANALYSIS - "A NIGHTMARE"
At the end of your turn, what do you have? A disgusting "garbage dump" for your opponent with 6 interruptions :
MIRRORJADE (On the field): Banish 1 opponent monster (non-target).
MASQUERADE (On the field): Each time an opponent breathes (activating the effect), they lose 600 LP. Burn health to death!
BRANDED RETRIBUTION (Set): Negates a Special Summon (by returning 2 Fusion cards from the graveyard to the Extra Deck - we already have plenty of Fusion cards in the graveyard).
TRI-BRIGADE MERCOURIER (In hand): If you find this card (via BRIGRAND or BRANDED LOST ), you gain 1 Monster Negate from your hand.
PREDAPLANT DRAGOSTAPELIA (Potential): If you have BRANDED IN RED , on your opponent's turn, use Mirrorjade + Ad Libitum to summon this monster (adds 1 negate).
Second Revive: After releasing Predaplant, AD LIBITUM revives MIRRORJADE once more to banish it again.
GOING SECOND & DUPLICATE PLAYING RACE
Don't think this deck only knows how to go first. Going last is even more "dirty".
Support skill: As mentioned, going after you gets you thrown TRAGEDY or AD LIB into the graveyard and immediately gets BRANDED IN RED .
Mirror Match:
Opponents will often use THE FIRST DARK LORD to blast the field. Don't worry! BRANDED OPENING in the graveyard will protect your monster from being blown up.
Tip: When your opponent activates Field Explosion, Chain MIRRORJADE to banish their main DARK LORD (or other monster) first, then Chain BRANDED IN RED to dodge and counterattack.
In mirror matches, finding BRANDED RETRIBUTION is more important than finding Hand Trap, because you need to block their Fusion spell.
Extra Deck
Albion the Branded Dragon (x2)




DARK
8Albion the Branded Dragon
ATK:
2500
DEF:
2000
"Fallen of Albaz" + 1 LIGHT monster If this card is Fusion Summoned: You can Fusion Summon 1 Level 8 or lower Fusion Monster from your Extra Deck, except "Albion the Branded Dragon", by banishing Fusion Materials mentioned on it from your hand, field, and/or GY. During the End Phase, if this card is in the GY because it was sent there this turn: You can add to your hand or Set 1 "Branded" Spell/Trap directly from your Deck. You can only use each effect of "Albion the Branded Dragon" once per turn.
Mirrorjade the Iceblade Dragon (x1)




DARK
8Mirrorjade the Iceblade Dragon
ATK:
3000
DEF:
2500
"Fallen of Albaz" + 1 Fusion, Synchro, Xyz, or Link Monster You can only control 1 "Mirrorjade the Iceblade Dragon". Once per turn (Quick Effect): You can send 1 Fusion Monster from your Extra Deck to the GY that mentions "Fallen of Albaz" as material; banish 1 monster on the field, also this card cannot use this effect next turn. If this Fusion Summoned card in its owner's control leaves the field because of an opponent's card: You can destroy all monsters your opponent controls during the End Phase of this turn.
Lubellion the Searing Dragon (x1)




LIGHT
8Lubellion the Searing Dragon
ATK:
2500
DEF:
3000
1 DARK monster + "Fallen of Albaz" If this card is Fusion Summoned: You can discard 1 card; Fusion Summon 1 Level 8 or lower Fusion Monster from your Extra Deck, except "Lubellion the Searing Dragon", by shuffling Fusion Materials mentioned on it into the Deck, from your monsters on the field, GY, and/or face-up banished cards. For the rest of this turn, this card cannot attack, also you cannot Special Summon from the Extra Deck, except Fusion Monsters. You can only use this effect of "Lubellion the Searing Dragon" once per turn.
Masquerade the Blazing Dragon (x1)




DARK
8Masquerade the Blazing Dragon
ATK:
2500
DEF:
2000
1 "Despia" monster + 1 LIGHT or DARK monster While you control this Fusion Summoned card, your opponent must pay 600 LP to activate cards or effects. If your opponent controls a Ritual, Fusion, Synchro, Xyz, or Link Monster, while this card is in your GY (Quick Effect): You can Special Summon this card, but banish it when it leaves the field. You can only use this effect of "Masquerade the Blazing Dragon" once per turn.
Predaplant Dragostapelia (x1)




DARK
8Predaplant Dragostapelia
ATK:
2700
DEF:
1900
1 Fusion Monster + 1 DARK monster Once per turn (Quick Effect): You can target 1 face-up monster your opponent controls; place 1 Predator Counter on it, and if it is Level 2 or higher, it becomes Level 1 as long as it has a Predator Counter. Negate the activated effects of your opponent's monsters that have Predator Counters.
Brigrand the Glory Dragon and Titaniklad the Ash Dragon (x1)




DARK
8Brigrand the Glory Dragon
ATK:
2500
DEF:
2000
"Fallen of Albaz" + 1 Level 8 or higher monster Cannot be destroyed by battle. While you control this Fusion Summoned card, your opponent cannot target other monsters you control with monster effects. During the End Phase, if this card is in the GY because it was sent there this turn: You can add to your hand, or Special Summon, 1 "Tri-Brigade" monster or 1 "Fallen of Albaz" from your Deck. You can only use this effect of "Brigrand the Glory Dragon" once per turn.




DARK
8Titaniklad the Ash Dragon
ATK:
2500
DEF:
2500
"Fallen of Albaz" + 1 monster with 2500 or more ATK Gains ATK equal to the combined original Levels of the monsters used for its Fusion Summon x 100. After this card is Fusion Summoned, for the rest of this turn, it is unaffected by the activated effects of any other monsters Special Summoned from the Extra Deck. During the End Phase, if this card is in the GY because it was sent there this turn: You can add to your hand, or Special Summon, 1 "Fallen of Albaz" or "Dogmatika" monster from your Deck. You can only use this effect of "Titaniklad the Ash Dragon" once per turn.
- Titaniklad: Use monsters with 2500 ATK or more and Fallen of Albaz (well, it searches for Fallen of Albaz, not Dogmatika at this level).
- Brigrand: Fallen of Albaz and level 8 or higher monsters search for Fallen of Albaz and Tri-Brigade Mercourier.
Despian Quaeritis (x1)




LIGHT
8Despian Quaeritis
ATK:
2500
DEF:
2500
1 "Despia" monster + 1 LIGHT or DARK monster During the Main Phase (Quick Effect): You can change the ATK of all monsters currently on the field to 0 until the end of this turn, except Level 8 or higher Fusion Monsters. If this face-up card in its owner's control leaves the field because of an opponent's card effect: You can add to your hand, or Special Summon, 1 "Fallen of Albaz" or 1 "Despia" monster, from your Deck. You can only use each effect of "Despian Quaeritis" once per turn.
Borreload Furious Dragon and Starving Venom Fusion Dragon (x1)




DARK
8Borreload Furious Dragon
ATK:
3000
DEF:
2500
2 DARK Dragon monsters (Quick Effect): You can target 1 monster you control and 1 card your opponent controls; destroy them. You can banish this card from your GY, then target 1 DARK Link Monster in your GY; Special Summon it, but it cannot activate its effects this turn. You can only use each effect of "Borreload Furious Dragon" once per turn.




DARK
8Starving Venom Fusion Dragon
ATK:
2800
DEF:
2000
2 DARK monsters on the field, except Tokens If this card is Fusion Summoned: You can make this card gain ATK equal to 1 opponent's Special Summoned monster, until the end of this turn. Once per turn: You can target 1 Level 5 or higher monster your opponent controls; until the End Phase, this card's name becomes that monster's original name, and replace this effect with that monster's original effects. If this Fusion Summoned card is destroyed: You can destroy all your opponent's Special Summoned monsters.
2 additional Fusion leaves
CARD ODDS & DECK BUILD OPTIONS
Here is my recommended list (after thoroughly testing the device):
Monster:
NIBIRU (x2): Light material for BRANDED FUSION . In this meta, everyone summons 5 times (Branded, Blue-Eyes, Drytron), Nibiru is the "king".
ALUBER (x2-3): Must be present.
AD LIBITUM (x3): 3 is a lucky number.
TRAGEDY (x3): No argument.
FALLEN OF ALBAZ (x2): Primarily thrown into the graveyard using Fusion.
MERCOURIER (x1): Hand trap search enabled.
DRAMATURGE (x1): Negate more if desired.
DESPIAN COMEDY (x1): Guardian for Environmental leaves (against MST/Cosmic).
Spell/Trap:
BRANDED FUSION (x3): Mandatory. Don't play with 2, it's too weak.
BRANDED OPENING (x3): Activate skill + Protection.
BRANDED IN RED (x2): A tool to turn the tables.
BRANDED LOST (x1): Protects Fusion from being negated + Free Search.
INFINITE IMPERMANENCE (x3): Optional staples, but I like them.
BRANDED RETRIBUTION (x1): Extremely powerful Trap Counter.
Conclusion
LET'S GET TO WORK, COMRADES!
Essentially, it's BRANDED DESPIA . It's incredibly powerful when going first (as I showed off the 6-yard disruption above), and also perfectly fine when going second thanks to Mirrorjade's burst damage and Masquerade's tenacity.
To be honest with you guys, I'm still missing 2 BRANDED FUSION cards and 1 ALUBER to play on my main account (it's hurting my wallet!). Now I have to go back to grinding to climb the ranks.
Good luck and see you in the next tutorial!




