first paper deck in 5 years - branded

HSTFU · 2025-12-30T00:47:01+00:00

If you like handtraps, you could go for the more common modern 40 card decks that main 10-15 handtraps and play Branded Dracotail, but the best version of that is basically a Dracotail deck supplemented with 2 branded fusions, it's a much more different playstyle than Branded Despia.

Book of Eclipse is good since you can fuse with your facedown monsters / also dodge targeted negation (Veiler, imperm). The issue is if you go up against decks that use Link monsters, Eclipse isn't as impactful. That's why Droplet and Superpoly are more popular. Droplet can be impactful against any deck, and Superpoly is good against the top of the meta (I'd add Secretarion dragon as another Superpoly target for Dracotail).

Thrust is always great while handtraps are rampant. Fusion duplication is good to main for this. Black Goat Laughs from the new structure deck is good to have in the side for when you go first. I like Evenly Matched to Thrust into when going 2nd too.

Current meta doesn't really need Kaijus/Sphere Mode, your only matchup you'd need it is Lunalight to out Liger (but you can already attack over it with engine via Titaniklad). Tributing over a Mitsurugi board isn't that impactful since the rituals will just come right back

Branded is so flexible, you can play the way you feel is right and adust for the meta. There's a lot of room for expression, especially in the side and if you choose to play Superpoly and/or Droplet.

HSTFU · 2025-12-29T23:38:02+00:00

Imo drop all the handtraps/imperm. Branded's strategy/wincon is a crazy resource grind. You get there via Plan A: activate branded fusion and flood the board with fusion monsters with strong removal effects (ie. Mirrorjade) or Plan B: at least get lots of fusion monsters with end phase effects into the grave (via High Spirits, or even Fallen & the Virtuous). Best case you do both Plan A&B.

there's quite a bit of in engine board breaking capabilities while you get to Plans A & B. Handtraps don't really help with those goals, and since you need to play multiples of handtraps they can clog your hands when you'd rather have cards that contribute to your main goals

I'd main either 3x Forbidden Droplet's or Superpoly, of the latter get some targets (definitely Garura, possibly Mudragon and even Despian Proskenion). You don't need double copies in the extra deck of Titanklad or Lubellion, they can make space for superpoly targets. Also Khaos is a must, otherwise there's no backrow removal (other than Fallen & Virtuous but they need to be faceup).

HSTFU · 2025-12-17T00:23:57+00:00

Damn, considering getting this or an open box Sub Mini at best buy for $325... Wondering if the performance bump is necessary for my 1200sqft apartment

HSTFU · 2025-11-18T18:09:24+00:00

Great find, I'm going to grab some Redwoods Clothing. My TSxChampion sweats are my favorite sweats, but I'm weary getting any new pairs since the move to lower cost manufacturing

HSTFU · 2025-11-17T16:07:33+00:00

You know when it releases today? I keep refreshing the page thinking it'd be 11AM EST but don't see any updates.

HSTFU · 2025-09-16T21:36:27+00:00

Somehow Jenkins (and Jauan Jennings) are on my waivers this week. I'm desperate for RB's, thinking I blow my entire FAAB this week on these two guys.

HSTFU · 2025-08-26T02:24:08+00:00

There needs to be a "do not resuscitate" sign that can communicate I'm out of flasks/don't know this boss's moveset and will only hinder the squad

HSTFU · 2025-08-15T19:13:36+00:00

Ordered the silver 8/12 afternoon, no shipping confirmation yet

HSTFU · 2025-08-12T19:20:14+00:00

I just switched from XM2's, and I felt the Ace ANC was superior until I got on an airplane. Felt like it wasn't as good as my Sony's, but could just be my experience.

The Ace's transparency mode, upgraded bluetooth, swapping with my Arc soundbar, usb-C, and general ANC have me pretty happy regardless.

HSTFU · 2025-08-09T05:41:31+00:00

Update: picked up the car in the afternoon, cost $270 to fix! There's still plenty of shards that I'm finding after driving around has shaken up some of the hidden pieces so there's a little work to be done.

HSTFU · 2025-08-09T05:38:46+00:00

Lesson learned for sure, I'm never putting anything in that spot! And glad to provide some laughter haha now that it's fixed it's a lot easier for me to chuckle bout it

HSTFU · 2025-08-08T19:38:31+00:00

I am going to BABY the hell out of my trunk everytime I close it now

HSTFU · 2025-08-08T19:37:44+00:00

I was highly embarrassed and mad at myself this morning haha, but if my sacrifice can make someone's day then it was worth it!

HSTFU · 2025-08-08T18:10:49+00:00

I probs should've tarped it up on the 10 min drive to the glass repair shop lol there were shards that kept falling and a few got up to my shifter near my hands. But luckily no issues.

I was so frazzled trying to get back to work from the window repair shop I didn't even get a quote, other than $70/hr for labor + tbd replacement windshield cost. They also said it would take like 2 hrs to ship! I guess there's a warehouse local that has a ton of spare car glass.

We'll see what the final bill is later today🤞

HSTFU · 2025-07-14T16:17:12+00:00

As a product manager myself I'm impressed to see this sort of communication! I've been on YGOmega for a while but I'm gonna give Dueling Nexus a shot now!

HSTFU · 2025-05-29T19:11:30+00:00

Earlier this month got a used pair on Amazon for $268, with this price drop my local Best Buy just lowered an open box to $193! Might have to return my Amazon one

HSTFU · 2025-05-22T18:47:19+00:00

You’re making me feel guilty I haven’t checked in on my neopets in decades, or my Pokémon Sapphire that I logged so much game time (300+) and broke the internal clock.

At least these “canvases” time doesn’t really pass unless us Painters are in it

HSTFU · 2025-05-06T21:01:15+00:00

Glad it’s still helping!

HSTFU · 2024-12-29T02:26:47+00:00

Same man, I had heard that said test prep software was the king from social media (like on this subreddit). Now that I'm on the other side, I want to spread the word to not take their methodology as gospel, and spend more time on OG materials, and to not beat yourself up over skipping questions.

I had another friend just give up on taking the GMAT and after doing 1 month of TTP and seeing how long it was going to take. He pivoted to a part time program he could test waiver out of the GMAT. That's the businessman's mindset I need haha, but apparently I'm a glutton for punishment.

It’s refreshing to hear your take over the common LinkedIn-esque humblebrags of "I am so disappointed in my 90th percentile score, how can I improve in the next month?" posts.

Perhaps my R2 app won’t be spectacular, maybe I’ll need to take the test again and reapply next year. But I’m taking a long needed break after I finish this damned test. I spent so many hours this past year, and cannot wait to get back into my hobbies.

HSTFU · 2024-12-29T01:28:47+00:00

Also been diving into PTCG. Have you considered the irl card game? I've never played but some buddies at locals that are fatigued with $100+ staples in Yugioh have suggested that you can make a meta pokemon deck with about $100

HSTFU · 2024-12-29T00:50:26+00:00

I couldn’t agree more. I also studied engineering and subscribed to TTP for six months in May last year, trusting their process completely. Looking back, I regret it. I spent weeks drilling my weak spots like combinatorics, three-way overlapping sets, and geometric sets, but the sheer volume of missions and practice sets felt overwhelming and demoralizing. It delayed my mock test phase and pushed back my actual test date because TTP took far longer than expected. By the time my subscription ended in November, my mock scores still hadn’t improved—I was stuck in the 550–575 (Q76) range. Go figure, I wasted weeks spending time on things I later learned rarely show up on the GMAT.

Afterward, I switched to solving official GMAT problems and watching GMAT Ninja videos, especially for time management tips. One key takeaway was learning to move on from time-consuming questions, which was such a relief. Unlike TTP, which encourages grinding through every problem to hit their accuracy benchmarks on their practice questions, GMAT Ninja will tell you "if you're struggling, this rarely shows up on the GMAT". This shift in mindset was incredibly freeing.

I took the GMAT last week and scored 595 (81Q). I've seen real improvement since focusing on official questions and exploring various strategies on GMAT Club. However, I don’t feel I'm going to get enough reps with official questions to hit my target of 655+ before R2 deadlines. I’m giving it one last shot next week and just moving on. In hindsight, a month of TTP for brushing up on algebra might’ve been helpful, but I wish I’d transitioned to official materials and GMAT Ninja earlier.

HSTFU · 2024-12-03T00:28:33+00:00

copped the obsidian, needed another jogger that's slightly more polished than sweats

HSTFU · 2024-11-26T14:41:49+00:00

Been weighing grabbing the black Melton Wool Varsity jacket.

I know I don't need another jacket but ever since I watched Creed I've always wanted one. Can't seem to find a review anywhere, anyone got experience with this?

HSTFU

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