nekroz

Nekroz is a term most often associated with a family of ritual monster cards in the Yu-Gi-Oh! trading card game. The name, stylized as Nekroz, draws on necromantic connotations, reflecting the undead-themed visuals and lore of the cards.

The archetype centers on ritual summoning: players use a set of ritual spell cards to summon Nekroz monsters by tributing monsters that satisfy level requirements, often pulling materials from the hand or graveyard. The Nekroz monsters themselves typically have effects that control the flow of play, such as negating effects, enabling multiple summons, or providing protection, with many cards offering recursion or draw power. Support cards in the archetype facilitate searching for Nekroz pieces, recycling ritual spells, and extending plays through additional ritual summons during the same turn.

In terms of strategy, Nekroz decks aim to execute rapid ritual summons to bring out powerful boss monsters, then leverage their effects to gain card advantage and disrupt the opponent’s plans. The archetype was notable for its consistency and flexibility during its peak in the mid-2010s, achieving a prominent presence in competitive play.

Over time, Nekroz received further support and was subject to balance adjustments as the Yu-Gi-Oh! metagame evolved. The archetype remains a notable part of the franchise’s history of ritual-themed decks, and it is frequently cited in discussions of ritual summoning mechanics within the game.