Shadowverse Evolve - Overall Game and Meta Discussion For 2023
Savvas Matthaiou - 09 January 2024
Shadowverse Evolve english TCG was released on June 30, 2023. Since then 2 booster sets and 1 crossover set have been released. Numerous cards, decks, mechanics and strategies have shaped the meta in these 6 months and it's time to do a debrief on how Shadowverse Evolve has fared so far.
From the most powerful and popular decks and fan-favorite cards to the competitive scene and the evolution of game mechanics, in this article we will take a deeper look at Shadowverse Evolve in 2023.
Without any further ado, let’s create an overview of Shadowverse Evolve’s first year in the English TCG scene.
The Evolution of Gameplay Mechanics
Let's start with the game mechanics. We have seen numerous mechanics of different classes that have changed or improved in these months thanks to the new releases of the game.
Mechanics like storm, aura, spellchain and more have seen a big boost thanks to the next 2 sets released after Advent of Genesis. The discard playstyle, for example, combined with mechanics like storm and aura, has managed to create a tier 1 Dragoncraft meta deck after the release of Reign of Bahamut and is still one of the best decks in the competitive scene.
We have also seen some mechanics that don’t work the way we imagined at the beginning of the game. For example, the drain mechanic found in Abysscraft decks hasn’t been played much in the meta over the past few months.
Of course, we can’t be sure how future sets will affect these mechanics. For example, a booster set released a year from now could spawn a great meta deck with drain as the main mechanic.
Meta Shifts and Deck Archetypes
Now it's time to talk a little more about the best meta decks as of today. The 4 decks we will talk about in this article are not only the most popular, but also the decks that have performed the best in recent regional tournaments around the world.
Discard Dragon
Starting with the discard dragon, this dragoncraft deck has been among the top meta decks several months now and more specifically since the release of the second booster set, Reign of Bahamut. With some key cards like Dragomancer’s Rites, Dragonsong Flute and Trail of Light, this deck has managed to become pretty consistent when it comes to top 8 finishes.
However, after the release of the Umamusume Pretty Derby crossover set, we have seen a little drawback performance wise. This is also due to the restriction of Shenlong to only 1 copy in the deck. Shenlong was also a key card for this deck as it worked both as a great ward monster and as discard mechanic.
In short, discard dragon is still a great meta deck but now it has been more balanced with the other meta decks of the game.
Leonidas Sword
The Leonidas Swordcraft deck is another top-tier meta deck that came to light after the release of the second booster set, Reign of Bahamut. This swordcraft deck is actually a great option for numerous players out there, as it is very consistent when it comes to always having the best possible cards in hand, as it has numerous searchers in the deck.
Cards like Gemstaff Commander and Maid Leader can help you get certain cards from your deck into your hand, and this is one of the most important mechanics of this deck. Of course, all of these cards are needed to execute the deck’s key mechanic, which is the Leonidas Resolve token that comes onto the field after the fall of Leonidas.
With this token giving +3/+3 to each swordcraft follower that enters the field, and along with the Storm mechanic in many followers like Novice Trooper and Albert, Levin Saber, you can have a lethal option in just 1 turn.
Pure Uma
The Pure Uma deck is definitely a thing and we already saw some great performance from this meta deck in the last big events across the world. Despite the restriction of Trial Initiation and Ikuno Dictus to 1 copy in the deck, this pure Daiwa uma deck is among the best Shadowverse Evolve meta decks today.
The combo of Daiwa Scarlet and Vodka is definitely one of the best combos we have seen so far in the game and if you add Agnes Tachyon to the equation, then you have a really powerful strategy that can overcome many difficult situations.
To summarize, this pure Uma deck is considered a tier 1 meta deck for good reason. Even though the consistency of the deck is not the same due to the restriction, this deck is definitely one of the best choices you can make today.
Dirt Rune
To be fair, there could be several decks in this last spot of important meta decks of 2023. However, Dirt Rune is definitely one of the best decks out there right now. Dirt Rune has one big weakness and it is the amount of time it needs to set up his gameplay.
However, when it comes against other Tier 1 decks like Leonidas Sword and Pure Uma, Dirt Rune can create the circumstances where it can maintain the balance of the battle until its field and cemetery is ready to take the upper hand on the battle.
In addition, if we add the fact that “Rimewind” has become a great removal for all umamusume followers who can’t evolve but only racing, then we have in front of us a deck that can really stand out.
Community Picks: Favorite Cards
When it comes to the most favorable cards of the community, then some picks were pretty easy. We will start this small list with Dark Dragoon Forte. Forte is among the most popular and sought after cards of Shadowverse Evolve.
Except for her powerful impact in the game, this card also comes with an incredible art design. Of course, if the Ultimate version of Dark Dragoon Forte is something every Shadowverse Evolve player wants to have in his collection.
The next pick is not a Legendary card but a Gold card. From the first set, Advent of Genesis, with no attack power but with great game impact and beautiful art, we have Bellringer Angel. Bellringer is a neutral card and therefore can be played from every Shadowverse Evolve class (except Umamusume pure decks).
Of course, there are numerous other choices for this small list like Dark Angel Olivia, Daiwa Scarlet, Agnes Tachyon, etc.
Balancing Act: Cards and Classes
Well, we were waiting for some restrictions to come sometime and these first limitations have really made the meta more balanced. First and most important for many, Shenlong is now restricted to 1 copy per deck in his uninvolved form.
This limitation didn’t just hurt the healing option of Dragon decks but also damaged the consistency of the Discard Dragon. Shenlong’s restriction is a really big hit for all Dragoncraft players as they now have to opt for different gameplay strategies because they just can’t wait to draw the one Shenlong in each game.
Moving forward with the restrictions, we have the limitation to 1 copy of Ikuno Dictus and Trial Initiation for Umamusume decks. With a first look you may think that these restrictions aren’t very important, but the truth is that these two cards are crucial for Pure Uma decks.
Ikuno Dictus and Trial Initiation made Pure Uma decks amazingly consistent and with this restriction the search engine of Umamusume decks is weaker. Of course, as we said before, Pure Uma decks will continue to be a possible Tier 1 option for a long time.
Competitive Scene: Tournaments and Events
The competitive scene of Shadowverse Evolve was a real mystery as a new TCG in the industry. However, the regionals across the world were organized with top-notch standards and the open regionals already have numerous applications.
In a few words, the English version of Shadowverse Evolve may have only a few months in his back but it has already managed to attract the attention of multiple TCG players across the globe.
The first World Championship will be held in Tokyo, Japan on February 3, 2024 and the anticipation is rising.
Future of Shadowverse: Anticipating Sets
When it comes to the next booster sets, we have Flame of Laevateinn that will be released on February 2, 2024 and Cosmic Mythos that will be released on April 12, 2024. As we already know numerous facts for these next sets thanks to the CCG and the Japanese version of the TCG, we expect that these sets will alter the meta after their releases.
From the Laevateinn the Dragon to Masquerade Ghost, we will be waiting to see a lot of cards to take part in the meta from these 2 new sets. In addition, when it comes to the art of these sets, it is announced that Cosmic Mythos booster set 4 will contain alt-art cards featuring Code Geass Lelouch of the Rebellion illustrations.
Find Out Everything You Need to Know About Shadowverse Evolve at Our Local Events in Thessaloniki
As Black Flame Collectibles, we waited a year before giving our honest opinion on Shadowverse Evolve. In a few words, we can now safely say that the game has great potential. It's a fun and fairly straightforward game with lots of play styles available and top-notch anime card art. Therefore, we will continue to fully support it for all TCG enthusiasts.
Shadowverse Evolve remains a new TCG in the industry and if you want to take part and play some battles in this game, our local events in Thessaloniki are exactly what you are looking for.
Our Shadowverse Evolve community will help you with every question you may have and will teach you everything there is to know about the game. Come to our physical shop in Thessaloniki and participate in our local tournaments to win amazing prizes from all Shadowverse Evolve sets like Advent of Genesis, Reign of Bahamut and Umamusume Pretty Derby.
For the latest updates on our events and offerings, make sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram.