(Custom art comission by SuperNerdSam)
Hey guys and welcome back! Today I am joined by one of the most renowned Gladiator Beast players in the Yu-Gi-Oh! scene, Anthony Murray. Known for his mastery of this iconic archetype, Anthony has consistently proven his expertise, blending strategy and innovation in every match. Today, we’ll dive deep into his journey with Gladiator Beasts, explore his deck-building philosophy, and get his thoughts on the current state of the Edison format. Whether you’re a Gladiator Beast enthusiast or just curious about competitive Yu-Gi-Oh!, this conversation promises valuable insights and some untold stories from one of the best. Lets get into it!
(Anthonys Decklist from RBET Maryland & New York)
Q&A
#1 Why do you like Gladiator Beasts as a deck?*
"What makes Gladiator Beasts so unique in the format is their ability to toolbox and outmaneuver the opponent. You have your standard 1800 beater with Laquari, recursion with Darius, and utility cards like Bestiari and Murmillo, which can easily deal with cards like Royal Decree or large threats that are difficult to swing over. And that’s not even counting Gyzarus in the Extra Deck."
#2 What is your favorite card in the Gladiator Beast deck, and why?
"Gladiator Beast Heraklinos is my favorite. Its powerful effect locks the opponent out of activating spells and traps, not to mention it has awesome artwork and high attack points."
#3 How do you deal with difficult matchups using Glad Beasts?
"It’s well-known that when Gladiator Beasts have a favorable matchup, they really dominate (like against Amaryllis or Frogs). So, I make sure to dedicate my side deck and parts of my main deck to combat more challenging decks, like Blackwings and Hero Beat, to level the playing field."
#4 What cards or tech choices do you include in your deck to counter the meta?
"One of the biggest advancements in Gladiator Beast siding is the inclusion of Ancient Forest. It’s great for preventing flip effects like Ryko and Hamster, which come up often, and it makes it awkward for your opponent to declare attacks with their high-attack monsters."
#5 Would you say that you play more offensively or defensively with this deck? Is there anything notable that influences your playstyle?
"Gladiator Beasts can switch between both playstyles very effectively. You can play more conservatively, but Glads are also a deck that can put up big threats quickly if your opponent gives you too many opportunities to get ahead."
#6 What spells and traps do you find to be the most useful in your games?
"Dust Tornado and Shrink are easily the most useful. Gladiator Beasts excel at making one-for-one trades, and Dust Tornado clearing the way for your plays just makes sense. It ensures your summons and attacks go through while dealing with threats like Black Whirlwind and Royal Oppression."
"Shrink is essential for reducing large monsters into manageable threats. There are also niche interactions where you can use Shrink on your Bestiari or Gyzarus to protect them from Bottomless Trap Hole."
#7 How has the deck evolved for you over time?
"Looking at Gladiator Beast lists from the early days of revisited Edison format, the deck is constructed very differently now. Notably, the inclusion of a second copy of Retiari and the previously mentioned Ancient Forest have become popular picks, and some might even consider them staples."
#8 Are there any non-Gladiator Beast monsters you include when building your deck?
"D.D. Warrior Lady is always a solid choice. She handles heavy hitters from Blackwing and Hero Beat decks while also banishing key cards used for follow-up plays, like Blizzard targets, Hero Blast targets, and making it harder to resolve Miracle Fusion."
#9 Do you think Gladiator Beasts is a good choice in the current Edison format meta?
"Absolutely! The deck is well-positioned in the meta, but it requires grinding matchups repeatedly to develop a deep understanding of how the other decks operate. The more practice, the better."
#10 As our last question for the day, can you share some of your favorite tech choices for handling the top-tier decks?
"The standout choices are three Trap Holes for Blackwing matchups. They’re excellent for denying the opponent's normal summons, often leaving Black Whirlwind defenseless. It’s a great choice against decks reliant on normal summons. The other is Ancient Forest, which I’ve praised throughout this article. It’s a pivotal card for navigating the Vayu Turbo matchup."
Well, here you have it, folks—a full Q&A session with one of the premier Gladiator Beast players in the format! Of course, there are still plenty of questions left unanswered, so if you’re eager to learn more about Gladiator Beasts, be sure to subscribe to Anthony’s YouTube channel, “Murray”!
You’ll find a wealth of valuable resources there!
That’s all for today. Until next time!
Much love,
Mike 🫶
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