![[Archetype Discussion] Sylvan Empty](https://2img.net/i/empty.gif)
Introduction
Sylvan" (Japanese: 森しん羅ら Shinra) is an archetype of Plant-Type monsters that debuted in Legacy of the Valiant.
In the TCG, "Sylvan" cards pioneered a new game term, "excavate".
Archetype Cards :
Sylvan Hermitree :
![[Archetype Discussion] Sylvan 300?cb=20140908004220](http://vignette1.wikia.nocookie.net/yugioh/images/7/7e/SylvanHermitree-MP14-EN-UR-1E.png/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/300?cb=20140908004220)
Once per turn: You can excavate the top card of your Deck, and if it is a Plant-Type monster, send it to the Graveyard, and if you do, draw 1 card. Otherwise, place it on the bottom of your Deck. If this card is excavated from the Deck and sent to the Graveyard by a card effect: Look at up to 3 cards from the top of your Deck, then place them on the top of the Deck in any order
Sylvan Safequoia :
![[Archetype Discussion] Sylvan 300?cb=20150920181704](http://vignette4.wikia.nocookie.net/yugioh/images/a/a0/SylvanSagequoia-MP15-EN-UR-1E.png/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/300?cb=20150920181704)
When a "Sylvan" monster is sent to the Graveyard (except during the Damage Step): You can Special Summon this card from your hand. Once per turn: You can excavate the top card of your Deck, and if it is a Plant-Type monster, send it to the Graveyard. Otherwise, place it on the bottom of your Deck. If this card is excavated from the Deck and sent to the Graveyard by a card effect: You can target 1 "Sylvan" Spell/Trap Card in your Graveyard; add that target to your hand.
Sylvan Guardioak :
![[Archetype Discussion] Sylvan 300?cb=20140908003706](http://vignette1.wikia.nocookie.net/yugioh/images/3/36/SylvanGuardioak-MP14-EN-C-1E.png/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/300?cb=20140908003706)
Once per turn: You can choose a number from 1 to 3, then excavate that many cards from the top of your Deck, send any excavated Plant-Type monsters to the Graveyard, also place the other cards on the bottom of your Deck in any order. If this card is excavated from the Deck and sent to the Graveyard by a card effect: You can target 1 other Plant-Type monster in your Graveyard; place that target on the top of your Deck.
Sylvan Lotuswain :
![[Archetype Discussion] Sylvan 300?cb=20150920222633](http://vignette2.wikia.nocookie.net/yugioh/images/8/8b/SylvanLotuswain-MP15-EN-C-1E.png/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/300?cb=20150920222633)
Once per turn: You can excavate a number of cards from the top of your Deck, equal to the number of cards your opponent controls, send any excavated Plant-Type monsters to the Graveyard, also place the other cards on the bottom of your Deck in any order. If this card is excavated from the Deck and sent to the Graveyard by a card effect: You can target up to 5 "Sylvan" cards in your Graveyard, except "Sylvan Lotuswain"; place those targets on the bottom of your Deck in any order.
Sylvan Bladefender :
![[Archetype Discussion] Sylvan 300?cb=20140908003101](http://vignette4.wikia.nocookie.net/yugioh/images/7/75/SylvanBladefender-MP14-EN-SR-1E.png/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/300?cb=20140908003101)
When this card destroys an opponent's monster by battle and sends it to the Graveyard: You can excavate the top card of your Deck, and if it is a Plant-Type monster, send it to the Graveyard. Otherwise, place it on the bottom of your Deck. If this card is excavated from the Deck and sent to the Graveyard by a card effect: You can add this card from your Graveyard to your hand.
Sylvan Flowerknight :
![[Archetype Discussion] Sylvan 300?cb=20140908003653](http://vignette2.wikia.nocookie.net/yugioh/images/d/db/SylvanFlowerknight-MP14-EN-SR-1E.png/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/300?cb=20140908003653)
When this card is Normal Summoned: You can excavate the top card of your Deck, and if it is a Plant-Type monster, send it to the Graveyard. Otherwise, place it on the bottom of your Deck. If this card is excavated from the Deck and sent to the Graveyard by a card effect: You can choose 1 "Sylvan" card from your Deck and place it on top of your Deck.
Sylvan Marshalleaf :
![[Archetype Discussion] Sylvan 300?cb=20140908003641](http://vignette2.wikia.nocookie.net/yugioh/images/f/fc/SylvanMarshalleaf-MP14-EN-UR-1E.png/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/300?cb=20140908003641)
When this card is Normal Summoned: You can choose either 1 or 2, then excavate that many cards from the top of your Deck, send any excavated Plant-Type monsters to the Graveyard, also place the other cards on the bottom of your Deck in any order. If this card is excavated from the Deck and sent to the Graveyard by a card effect: You can target 1 monster on the field; destroy that target.
Sylvan Mikorange :
![[Archetype Discussion] Sylvan 300?cb=20140908010256](http://vignette3.wikia.nocookie.net/yugioh/images/6/68/SylvanMikorange-MP14-EN-R-1E.png/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/300?cb=20140908010256)
When this card you control is destroyed by your opponent's card (either by battle or by card effect) and sent to your Graveyard: You can excavate the top card of your Deck, and if it is a Plant-Type monster, send it to the Graveyard. Otherwise, place it on the bottom of your Deck. If this card is excavated from the Deck and sent to the Graveyard by a card effect: All Plant-Type monsters you currently control gain 300 ATK and DEF.
Sylvan Komushroomo :
![[Archetype Discussion] Sylvan 300?cb=20140908003626](http://vignette1.wikia.nocookie.net/yugioh/images/e/e8/SylvanKomushroomo-MP14-EN-R-1E.png/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/300?cb=20140908003626)
When this card is flipped face-up: You can choose a number from 1 to 5, then excavate that many cards from the top of your Deck, send any excavated Plant-Type monsters to the Graveyard, also place the other cards on the bottom of your Deck in any order. If this card is excavated from the Deck and sent to the Graveyard by a card effect: You can target 1 Spell/Trap Card on the field; destroy that target.
Sylvan Peaskeeper :
![[Archetype Discussion] Sylvan 300?cb=20140908003552](http://vignette3.wikia.nocookie.net/yugioh/images/7/71/SylvanPeaskeeper-MP14-EN-R-1E.png/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/300?cb=20140908003552)
When this card is Normal or Special Summoned: You can excavate the top card of your Deck, and if it is a Plant-Type monster, send it to the Graveyard. Otherwise, place it on the bottom of your Deck. If this card is excavated from the Deck and sent to the Graveyard by a card effect: You can target 1 Level 4 or lower Plant-Type monster in your Graveyard; Special Summon that target. You can only use this effect of "Sylvan Peaskeeper" once per turn.
Sylvan Snapdrassinagon :
![[Archetype Discussion] Sylvan 300?cb=20150920185550](http://vignette3.wikia.nocookie.net/yugioh/images/d/d0/SylvanSnapdrassinagon-MP15-EN-R-1E.png/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/300?cb=20150920185550)
If this card is sent from the field or the hand to the Graveyard: You can excavate the top card of your Deck, and if it is a Plant-Type monster, send it to the Graveyard. Otherwise, place it on the bottom of your Deck. If this card is excavated from the Deck and sent to the Graveyard by a card effect: You can excavate the top card of your Deck, and if it is a Plant-Type monster, send it to the Graveyard. Otherwise, place it on the bottom of your Deck.
Sylvan Cherubsprout :
![[Archetype Discussion] Sylvan 300?cb=20150920222554](http://vignette1.wikia.nocookie.net/yugioh/images/f/f6/SylvanCherubsprout-MP15-EN-C-1E.png/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/300?cb=20150920222554)
When this card is Special Summoned: You can choose either 1 or 2, then excavate that many cards from the top of your Deck, send any excavated Plant-Type monsters to the Graveyard, also place the other cards on the bottom of your Deck in any order. If this card is excavated from the Deck and sent to the Graveyard by a card effect: You can Special Summon 1 Level 1 Plant-Type monster from your Deck. You can only use this effect of "Sylvan Cherubsprout" once per turn.
Sylvan Princessprout :
![[Archetype Discussion] Sylvan 300?cb=20150920184537](http://vignette1.wikia.nocookie.net/yugioh/images/1/17/SylvanPrincessprout-MP15-EN-SR-1E.png/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/300?cb=20150920184537)
You can only activate each effect of "Sylvan Princessprout" once per turn.● You can Tribute this card; excavate the top card of your Deck, send it to the Graveyard, then you can place 1 "sprout" monster in your Graveyard on top of your Deck.● If this card is excavated from the Deck and sent to the Graveyard by a card effect: You can declare a Level from 1 to 8; Special Summon this card from the Graveyard, and if you do, it becomes that Level.
Mount Sylvania :
![[Archetype Discussion] Sylvan 300?cb=20140908004830](http://vignette4.wikia.nocookie.net/yugioh/images/8/8d/MountSylvania-MP14-EN-SR-1E.png/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/300?cb=20140908004830)
You can send 1 Plant-Type monster from your hand or face-up from your side of the field to the Graveyard; choose 1 "Sylvan" card from your Deck and place it on top of the Deck. You can only use this effect of "Mount Sylvania" once per turn. Once per turn, during your opponent's End Phase: You can excavate the top card of your Deck, and if it is a Plant-Type monster, send it to the Graveyard. Otherwise, place it on either the top or bottom of your Deck.
Sylvan Charity :
![[Archetype Discussion] Sylvan 300?cb=20150920183004](http://vignette2.wikia.nocookie.net/yugioh/images/6/66/SylvanCharity-MP15-EN-UR-1E.png/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/300?cb=20150920183004)
Draw 3 cards, then, if you have a "Sylvan" card in your hand, reveal 2 cards from your hand including at least 1 "Sylvan" card, then place them on the top of the Deck in any order. Otherwise, reveal your entire hand, then place it on the top of the Deck in any order. You can only activate 1 "Sylvan Charity" per turn.
Sylvan Waterslide :
![[Archetype Discussion] Sylvan 300?cb=20150920222717](http://vignette3.wikia.nocookie.net/yugioh/images/c/c7/SylvanWaterslide-MP15-EN-C-1E.png/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/300?cb=20150920222717)
Each time an opponent's monster declares a direct attack: You can excavate the top card of your Deck, and if it is a Plant-Type monster, send it to the Graveyard. Otherwise, place it on the bottom of your Deck. During your Draw Phase, instead of conducting your normal draw: Excavate the top card of your Deck, and if it is a Plant-Type monster, send it to the Graveyard. Otherwise, add it to your hand.
Sylvan Blessing :
![[Archetype Discussion] Sylvan 300?cb=20140908005248](http://vignette2.wikia.nocookie.net/yugioh/images/7/7e/SylvanBlessing-MP14-EN-C-1E.png/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/300?cb=20140908005248)
Place 1 card from your hand on either the top or bottom of the Deck, and if you do, Special Summon 1 "Sylvan" monster from your hand or Graveyard. It is unaffected by other card effects this turn. Place it on either the top or bottom of the Deck during the End Phase.
Alsei, the Sylvan High Protector :
![[Archetype Discussion] Sylvan 300?cb=20140908004634](http://vignette2.wikia.nocookie.net/yugioh/images/e/e1/AlseitheSylvanHighProtector-MP14-EN-UR-1E.png/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/300?cb=20140908004634)
2 Level 8 monstersOnce per turn: You can declare 1 card name; excavate the top card of your Deck, and if it is the declared card, add it to your hand. Otherwise, send it to the Graveyard. If a card is sent from your Deck to the Graveyard by a card effect (except during the Damage Step): You can detach 1 Xyz Material from this card, then target 1 card on the field; place that target on either the top or bottom of the Deck. You can only use this effect of "Alsei, the Sylvan High Protector" once per turn.
Orea, the Sylvan High Arbiter :
![[Archetype Discussion] Sylvan 300?cb=20150920181827](http://vignette1.wikia.nocookie.net/yugioh/images/6/69/OreatheSylvanHighArbiter-MP15-EN-ScR-1E.png/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/300?cb=20150920181827)
2 Level 7 monstersOnce per turn: You can send 1 Plant-Type monster from your hand or face-up from your side of the field to the Graveyard; look at a number of cards from the top of your Deck equal to the Level that the sent monster had in the hand or on the field, then place them on the top of the Deck in any order. Once per turn: You can detach 1 Xyz Material from this card; choose a number from 1 to 3, then excavate that many cards from the top of your Deck, send any excavated Plant-Type monsters to the Graveyard, and if you do, return up to that many cards on the field to the hand (min.1), except this card. Also, place the other cards on the bottom of your Deck in any order.
Sylvan Princessprite :
![[Archetype Discussion] Sylvan 300?cb=20150718081427](http://vignette4.wikia.nocookie.net/yugioh/images/1/1b/SylvanPrincessprite-DOCS-JP-R.png/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/300?cb=20150718081427)
2 Level 1 monstersYou can only use each of these effects of "Sylvan Princessprite" once per turn.You can detach 1 Xyz Material from this card; excavate the top card of your Deck, and if it is a Spell/Trap Card, add it to your hand. Otherwise, send it to the Graveyard.You can send 1 other Plant-Type monster from your hand or face-up from your side of the field to the Graveyard, then target 1 "Sylvan" monster in your Graveyard; Special Summon it.
Playing Style
All monsters introduced thus far, except for "Alsei, the Sylvan High Protector", have the common effect of excavate a number of cards from the top of the Deck, and sending any excavated Plant-Type monsters to theGraveyard. In turn, the other effects of the Main Deck "Sylvan" monsters activate when they are excavated from the Deck and sent to the Graveyard.
Their basic playing style involves excavating other "Sylvan" monsters from the Deck and sending them to the Graveyard, in order to activate their effects, ranging from card destruction to monster revival. Their effects also let you, if no Plant-Type monsters were excavated, send potentially dead draws to the bottom of the Deck, thus allowing good draw advantage.
When playing "Sylvans", there is a tendency not to rely on Normal Summons, facilitating the use of "Miracle Fertilizer" without heavy repression. Such plays could include dropping a "Sylvan Hermitree" with "Mount Sylvania" and then having the advantage placing the card desired by its owner. Then activate "Miracle Fertilizer" to revive "Hermitree" to draw and activate a "Sylvan" effect.
One of the advantages of "Sylvan" is the lack of adding cards to the hand, instead of adding cards to the hand "Sylvan" cards put desired cards on the top of the Deck. While this may seem disadvantageous, by using cards such as "Shared Ride" or "Mistake" one can punish the opponent for adding cards or stopping them altogether, thus keeping with the pace of the Duel or slowing the opponent down without affecting the playing style of "Sylvan" player. This advantage becomes apparent against Decks that rely on adding cards to the hand, such as "Madolche" or "Bujin", or lockdowns involving "Thunder King Rai-Oh". "Fragrance Storm" also works very well in this Deck; you destroy one of your own Plants, but you draw 1 card and if it was a monster you can reveal it to draw one more card.
Their basic playing style involves excavating other "Sylvan" monsters from the Deck and sending them to the Graveyard, in order to activate their effects, ranging from card destruction to monster revival. Their effects also let you, if no Plant-Type monsters were excavated, send potentially dead draws to the bottom of the Deck, thus allowing good draw advantage.
When playing "Sylvans", there is a tendency not to rely on Normal Summons, facilitating the use of "Miracle Fertilizer" without heavy repression. Such plays could include dropping a "Sylvan Hermitree" with "Mount Sylvania" and then having the advantage placing the card desired by its owner. Then activate "Miracle Fertilizer" to revive "Hermitree" to draw and activate a "Sylvan" effect.
One of the advantages of "Sylvan" is the lack of adding cards to the hand, instead of adding cards to the hand "Sylvan" cards put desired cards on the top of the Deck. While this may seem disadvantageous, by using cards such as "Shared Ride" or "Mistake" one can punish the opponent for adding cards or stopping them altogether, thus keeping with the pace of the Duel or slowing the opponent down without affecting the playing style of "Sylvan" player. This advantage becomes apparent against Decks that rely on adding cards to the hand, such as "Madolche" or "Bujin", or lockdowns involving "Thunder King Rai-Oh". "Fragrance Storm" also works very well in this Deck; you destroy one of your own Plants, but you draw 1 card and if it was a monster you can reveal it to draw one more card.
Weaknesses
As with most Decks nowadays, "Sylvan" Decks rely a lot on the Graveyard, so cards like "The End of Anubis", "Soul Drain" and "Macro Cosmos" will cripple the Deck and are to be prepared against if using a "Sylvan" Deck.
Since a main strategy of "Sylvan" Decks is to put needed cards on top of the Deck so that effects that rely on excavating the top card of the Deck can lead to an advantage, cards like "Card Shuffle", "Grave Protector" and "Peeking Goblin" can mess up this stacking. "Ancient Telescope" and "Convulsion of Nature" are superb assists here as one can better time when to use such card effects to shuffle or re-locates "Sylvan"s in a Deck. If "Convulsion's" not being used, "Grave Lure", combined with "Sylvan" monster top-decking tactics and a good eye, can also interdict "Sylvan"s by not only also sending would be "Sylvan" monsters further down a Deck but also discarding the excavated "Sylvan" via the said Trap as soon as it is drawn. To similarly cease and desist their use this way, "Sylvans" can also be intercepted in the hand with cards like "Card Destruction", "Dragged Down into the Grave", "Drop Off" and "Moulinglacia the Elemental Lord" before they are Summoned and their effects trigger.
"Sylvan" Decks will also have a hard time facing Decks focused on milling. With all self milling, Decks using a deck destruction tactic will have an easier Duel; to counter this, cards like "The Transmigration Prophecy" and "Sylvan Guardioak" can help you recycle milled cards.
Finally, "Sylvan" monsters have very assorted Attributes, making it a cinch to cripple their field presence via "Gozen Match" and "Battle of the Elements".
Since a main strategy of "Sylvan" Decks is to put needed cards on top of the Deck so that effects that rely on excavating the top card of the Deck can lead to an advantage, cards like "Card Shuffle", "Grave Protector" and "Peeking Goblin" can mess up this stacking. "Ancient Telescope" and "Convulsion of Nature" are superb assists here as one can better time when to use such card effects to shuffle or re-locates "Sylvan"s in a Deck. If "Convulsion's" not being used, "Grave Lure", combined with "Sylvan" monster top-decking tactics and a good eye, can also interdict "Sylvan"s by not only also sending would be "Sylvan" monsters further down a Deck but also discarding the excavated "Sylvan" via the said Trap as soon as it is drawn. To similarly cease and desist their use this way, "Sylvans" can also be intercepted in the hand with cards like "Card Destruction", "Dragged Down into the Grave", "Drop Off" and "Moulinglacia the Elemental Lord" before they are Summoned and their effects trigger.
"Sylvan" Decks will also have a hard time facing Decks focused on milling. With all self milling, Decks using a deck destruction tactic will have an easier Duel; to counter this, cards like "The Transmigration Prophecy" and "Sylvan Guardioak" can help you recycle milled cards.
Finally, "Sylvan" monsters have very assorted Attributes, making it a cinch to cripple their field presence via "Gozen Match" and "Battle of the Elements".
My opinion about the deck
Sylvans are my favorite deck. They're not only having 2 powerful Boss monsters but their synergy is amazing. Take a look at my deck:
![[Archetype Discussion] Sylvan WaGNVGd](https://i.imgur.com/WaGNVGd.png)
I run every card in the deck for a reason. I don't like the Synchro version (with Ultra Plant and Spore). I focus more my strategy on bringing the Tree's and possibly go for OTK with the help of Orea. Traps aren't really needed. I'm running Royal Decree and Trap Stun (+Denko Sekka's in side) to shut my opponents backrow since the deck can get shut down with Traps.
Let me know what you think about the deck!
![[Archetype Discussion] Sylvan 3974120512](/users/3215/23/26/64/smiles/3974120512.png)
![[Archetype Discussion] Sylvan 645542675](/users/3215/23/26/64/smiles/645542675.gif)
