Waking The Dead - The Complete Zombie Guide

Zombies are an archtype that needs no special introduction. They use grave to it's full capacity, however Zombies as their name suggests don't like being there too much. That is why they are packed with amazing amount of cards that revive them and they themselves can come back on their own will. If you're not careful enough they will destroy you in a flash. Some of you may remember the time when Zombies were the lords of the game. Zombie Master has brought revolution to Zombies, and then Mezuki made them a force like no other. Well Limiing of Mezuki and Plaguespreader Zombie has been a painful experience. However Zombies are immortal and whatever you do they keep coming back.

Plaguespreader Zombie
Zombie/Tuner
DARK
Level 2
ATK/DEF - 400/200

You can return 1 card from your hand to the top of the Deck to Special Summon this card from your Graveyard. If you do, remove this card from play when it is removed from the field.

Our main tuner, it's the best way to set up quick synchro summons with. Problem is he would get banished once his effect is used and Zombies had no internal way of getting him back from there. Well that is all about to change
Run 1 Always

Zombie Master
Zombie/Effect
DARK
Level 4
ATK/DEF - 1800/0

Once per turn: You can send 1 Monster Card from your hand to the Graveyard, then target 1 Level 4 or lower Zombie-Type monster in either player's Graveyard; Special Summon that target. This card must remain face-up on the field to activate and to resolve this effect.

This along with Mezuki was why Zombies were such a force. Letting you discard cards like Mezuki, Plaguespreader Zombie or perhaps Dandylion and Glow-Up Bulb or Spore in Debris-Zombie decks. In order to summon LV4 or lower Zombie from EITHER player graveyard makes it absolutely devastating in Mirror Matches.

Run 2-3

Goblin Zombie
Zombie Effect
DARK
Level 4
ATK/DEF - 1100/1050

When this card inflicts Battle Damage to your opponent, send the top card of their Deck to the Graveyard. When this card is sent from the field to the Graveyard, add 1 Zombie-Type monster with 1200 or less DEF from your Deck to your hand.

The main searcher for our Zombies that can search ANY Zombie from your deck as long as it has less than 1200 DEF. Our Main targets are Zombie Master and Mezuki. The best thing about this guy is that his effect is mandatory and means it can't miss timing and that he does't need to be destroyed but simply sent from field to grave for his effect to activate.
Run 2-3.

Pyramid Turtle
Zombie/Effect
EARTH
Level 4
ATK/DEF - 1200/1400

When this card is destroyed by battle and sent to the Graveyard, you can Special Summon 1 Zombie-Type monster with 2000 or less DEF from your Deck.

If Goblin Zombie is Sangan for Zombies than this is their Mystic Tomato. This card goes even further than Goblin Zombie letting you summon a monster straight onto your field instead of adding it hand. It's prime Target is Blue-Blooded Oni that can't be searched through Goblin Zombie.
Run 2-3. Recommend 2

Mezuki
Zombie/Effect
EARTH
Level 4
ATK/DEF - 1700/800

You can remove from play this card from your Graveyard to Special Summon 1 Zombie-Type monster from your Grave

This is probably the best way to make +1 in this deck. However much like Plaguespreader Zombie once used there was no way to return him.
Run 1 Always

Spirit Reaper
Zombie/Effect
DARK
Level 3
ATK/DEF - 300/200
This card cannot be destroyed by battle. Destroy this card when it is targeted by the effect of a Spell, Trap, or Effect Monster. If this card successfully attacks directly, your opponent randomly discards 1 card.

This card can do more than one would think at first look. You can overlay two of these into Empty Space Sear Serpent Levaiel. Use it to buy yourself some time and summon it in case you're sure you can get a dirrect attack with him to knock off a card from your oponents hand.

Run 0-1 if running Tour Guide Engine.Run 2 in pure Zombies

Blue-Blooded Oni
Zombie/Effect
DARK
Level 4
ATK/DEF - 1000/1700

When this card is Normal or Flip Summoned: Change it to Defense Position. Once per turn: You can detach 1 Xyz Material you control to target 1 Level 4 or lower Zombie-Type monster in your Graveyard; Special Summon that target.

This card right there is the new star of the deck. Take a good look at it, read it's effect few times. And if you still don't understand why this card is so good
you should probably quit playing while you're ahead. Remember how I said Mezuki was the best way to make +1 in this deck? Well I lied, this is the absolutely best way to +1 in Zombies. This card is absulutely ridiculusly good. Combine it with Levaiel for some serious swarming.
Run 2-3. This + Zombie Master shouldn't take more than 4 slots in you deck

Pain Painer
Zombie/Tuner
DARK
Level 2
ATK/DEF - 400/200

While this card is face-up on the field, its name is treated as "Plaguespreader Zombie". Once per turn: You can target up to 2 face-up Zombie-Type monsters you control, except this card; they become Level 2 until the End Phase. They cannot be used as Synchro Material Monsters except for the Synchro Summon of a Zombie-Type monste

This is the 2nd Zombie tuner. And the whole purpose if this card is to Special Summon Archfiend Zombie Skull. Hence his effect. However you can always choose to overlay it for some Xyz like Daigusto Phoenix for potential 3000 of damage.
Run 0-2

Doomkaiser Dragon
Zombie/Synchro/Effect
DARK
Level 6
ATK/DEF - 2400/1500

"Plaguespreader Zombie" + 1 or more non-Tuner Zombie-Type monsters
When this card is Special Summoned, you can select 1 Zombie-Type monster in your opponent's Graveyard and Special Summon it to your side of the field in Attack Position. Destroy it when this card is removed from the field.

This card here is absolutely horrible in any type of Competitive Zombies. It has mediocre effect and stats you don't wanna waste your summon on this. The only place this card can work are Zombie World and Zombie Assault Mode decks.
Run 0. Run 1-3 in Zombie World and Zombie Assault Mode decks.

Revived King Ha Des
Zombie/Synchro/Effect
DARK
Level 6
ATK/DEF - 2450/0

Plaguespreader Zombie" + 1 or more non-Tuner Zombie-Type monsters.
Negate the effects of Effect Monsters destroyed by battle with Zombie-Type monsters you control.

Now this card is worth Synchro Summoning, Spore,Sangan,Tengu,Treeborn Frog, T.G Monsters you name it. This card stops all that, but not him alone all the zombies gain this additional effect and bring even more suffering to your opponent.
Run 0-2

Archfeind Zombie Skull
Zombie/Synchro/Effect
DARK
Level 6
ATK/DEF - 2500/1200

"Plaguespreader Zombie" + 2 or more non-Tuner Zombie-Type monsters
Face-up Zombie-Type monsters you control cannot be destroyed by card effects.

Previously competitive Zombie decks never stood a chance to summon this guy due to lack of Level 2 Zombie non-tuner monsters. However Pain Painter changes all that and he is the one who brings this card back from dead not Ha Des. Now you can summon this card with ease. And once this card hits the field there is almost nothing that can stop your Zombies. Cards like Bottomless Trap Hole,Dark Hole,Mirror Force or Black Rose Dragon, Scrap Dragon...etc can't touch you and you can proceed to Rape Phase with no worries.
Run 1-2

Book Of Life
Normal Spell Card

Special Summon 1 Zombie-Type monster from your Graveyard and remove from play 1 monster from your opponent's Graveyard.

Another great card to support Zombies not only does it revive any Zombie you want but it also removes from play one monster from your opponent's graveyard and disrupts their plans even further.
Run 1-3.

Foolish Burial
Normal Spell Card

The card dumps “Mezuki” or Plaguespreader to the graveyard. It basically speeds up the deck.

Basicaly a staple to speed up the deck.
Run 1

Allure Of Darkness
Normal Spell Card

Draw 2 cards, then remove from play 1 DARK monster from your hand. If you don't have any DARK monsters in your hand to remove, send all cards in your hand to the Graveyard.

Extra speed and Banishing that monster can actually speed you up even more.
Run 1

Ryko, The Lightsworn Hunter
Beast/Effect
LIGHT
Level 2
ATK/DEF - 200/100

FLIP: You can destroy 1 card on the field. Send the top 3 cards of your Deck to the Graveyard.

Nice destruction eff. Searchable by Charge Of The Light Brigade. Speeds up the deck.
Run 0-3

Lyla, Lightsworn Sorceress
Spellcaster/Effect
LIGHT
Level 4
ATK/DEF - 1700/200

You can change this card from face-up Attack Position to face-up Defense Position and destroy 1 Spell or Trap Card your opponent controls. If you activate this effect, this card's battle position cannot be changed until the end of your next turn, except with a card effect. During each of your End Phases, send the top 3 cards of your Deck to the Graveyard.

Again backrow hate and more speed to the deck
Run 0-2

Chare Of The Light Brigade
Normal Spell Card

Send the top 3 cards of your Deck to the Graveyard. Add 1 Level 4 or lower "Lightsworn" monster from your Deck to your hand.

Searches out your Rykos and Lylas and mills. Pretty self-explanatory.
Run 0-1

Card Trooper
Machine/Effect
EARTH
Level 3
ATK/DEF - 400/400

Once per turn, you can send up to 3 cards from the top of your Deck to the Graveyard. This card gains 500 ATK for each card sent to the Graveyard, until the End Phase. When this card you control is destroyed and sent to the Graveyard, draw 1 card.

Adds speed. And it's Level 3 perfect for Overlaying to summon Levaiel.
Run 0-2

Glow-Up Bulb
Plant/Effect
EARTH
Level 1
ATK/DEF - 100/100

You can send the top card of your Deck to the Graveyard and Special Summon this card from the Graveyard. Each player can only use the effect of "Glow-Up Bulb" once per Duel.

This is as self-explanatory as it gets.
Run 1

Empty_Space_Sea_Serpent_Levaiel
Aqua/Xyz/Effect
WIND
Rank 3
ATK/DEF - 1800/1600

2 Level 3 monsters
Once per turn: You can detach 1 Xyz Material from this card to target 1 Level 4 or lower banished monster; Special Summon it to your side of the field.

This is another card beside Blue-Blooded Oni that can give you crazy advantage. And the best thing is it cambos with Blue-Blooded Oni perfectly. From now on you don't have to worry about your Mezuki or your Plaguespreader Zombie being removed from play casue you can summon them back with this guy and keep the cycle going. The problem is that Zombies lack decent Level 3 monsters beside Spirit Reaper.
Run 2-3. 3 is recommended

Beast Of The Pharaoh
Zombie/Effect
EARTH
Level 3
ATK/DEF - 400/600

If this card is sent to the Graveyard for a Synchro Summon, you can Special Summon 1 Level 4 or lower Zombie-Type monster from your Graveyard.

With the release of Pain Painter this card has gained much more potential. However the fact this card is level 3 is what makes it so special right now. Cause you can synchro summon with this Bring it back and overlay it for Lavaiel.
Run 0-2

Ryu Kokki
Zombie/Effect
DARK
Level 6
ATK/DEF - 2400/2000
If this card battles a Warrior or Spellcaster-Type monster, destroy that monster at the end of the Damage Step.

This card doesn't look like much and it isn't. It is target for Pyramid Turtle to establish some early control however outside of certain builds not rellying on Synchro/Xyz this card isn't useful at all.
Run 0-1

Tour Guide From The Underworld
Fiend/Effect
DARK
Level 3
ATK/DEF - 1000/600

When this card is Normal Summoned, you can Special Summon 1 Level 3 Fiend-Type monster from your hand or Deck. Its effects are negated, and it cannot be used as a Synchro Material Monster.

This card is your engine for bringing out Levaiel with simple Normal Summon. However the deck even with all it's reviving power has no way to Re-use this.
I'd say you're best bet would be to Synchro this card with Tuner and Beast Of The Pharaoh than bring back Beast Of The Pharaoh and overlay it for Levaiel.
Run 2.

Burrial From A Different Dimension
Quick-play Spell Card


Select up to 3 Monster Cards that are removed from play, and return them to their owners' Graveyard.

If you happen to end up without Levaiel. You can use this to bring back Plaguespreader Zombie and Mezuki for another loop of Synchro/Xyz summon.
Run 1

Pot Of Avarice
Normal Spell Card

Select 5 Monster Cards in your Graveyard. Shuffle those cards into the Deck, then draw 2 cards.

Your Zombies are always more comfortable in grave but if you find yourself in the corner this card can be game breaking. Works specially well in Debris-Zombies.
Run 0-2

Pot Of Duality
Normal Spell Card

Reveal the top 3 cards of your Deck, add 1 of them to your hand, then shuffle the rest back into your Deck. You can only activate 1 "Pot of Duality" per turn. You cannot Special Summon a monster(s) during the turn you activate this card.

Good card is good. Even in Zombies.
Run 0-2

Chaos Sorcerer
Spellcaster/Effect
DARK
Level 6
ATK/DEF - 2300/2000

This card cannot be Normal Summoned or Set. This card can only be Special Summoned by removing 1 LIGHT and 1 DARK monster in your Graveyard from play. Once per turn, you can remove 1 face-up monster on the field from play. If you activate this effect, this card cannot attack during this turn.

Not the best card in Zombies to be honest but can be used as tech in ZombieSworn variants.
Run 0-1

Sangan
Fiend/Effect
DARK
Level 3
ATK/DEF - 1000/600

When this card is sent from the field to the Graveyard, add 1 monster with 1500 or less ATK from your Deck to your hand.

Generic searcher not that the deck needs it. However it cambos with Tour Guide From The Underworld and can search out monsters in Debris-Zombies.
Run 0-1

Red-Eyes Zombie Dragon
Zombie/Effect
DARK
Level 6
ATK/DEF - 2400/2000

You can Tribute Summon this card in Attack Position by Tributing 1 Zombie-Type monster. When this card destroys a Zombie-Type monster by battle and sends it to the Graveyard, you can Special Summon that monster to your side of the field.

Searchable by Pyramid Turtle another card beside Ryu Kokki to allow you some early control. It has potential in Zombie World Builds as well mirror matches. However in the competitive play it's outclassed by other more popular choices.
Run 0-1. Run 2-3 in Zombie World Build

Zombie World
Field Spell Card

All monsters on the field and in any Graveyard become Zombie-Type monsters. Neither player can Tribute Summon monsters, except Zombie-Type monsters.

This card is great...untill you try it yourself. Even tho it sounds like it has much more potential then it actually does, this card just isn't what Zombies need. Sure you can abuse Zombie Master some more with it but other than that there isn't manny benefits this card has to offer.
Run 0. Run 3 in dedicated build.

Daigusto Phoenix
Pyro/Xyz/Effect
WIND
RANK 2
ATK/DEF - 1500/1100

2 Level 2 Monsters
Once per turn, you can detach 1 Xyz Material from this card to select 1 face-up WIND monster you control. That monster can attack twice during this turn's Battle Phase.

This card cambos with Pain Painter being able to hit your opponent hard with 3000 of damage or take out those pesky tokens. You can also double Levaiel ATK.
Run 0-1


I'm sure while you were reading through all this(If you actually did) you thought to yourself. Well that's all great but how do you turn the tables on all this.

Dimensional Fissure
Normal Spell Card

Any monster sent to the Graveyard is Banished instead.

Well this is pretty much what jumps to your mind straight away. Kill of the grave and you kill the deck, or at least slow it down.

Macro Cosmos
Normal Trap Card

Any card sent to the Graveyard is Banished instead.

Same as Dimensional Fissure.

Royal Oppression
Continous Trap Card

Either player can pay 800 Life Points to negate the Special Summon of a monster(s), and/or an effect that Special Summons a monster(s), and destroy those cards.

Obvious Resons

Thunder King Rai-Oh
Thunder/Effect
LIGHT
Level 4
ATK/DEF - 1900/800
Neither player can add cards from their Deck to their hand except by drawing them. You can send this face-up card to the Graveyard to negate the Special Summon of 1 of your opponent monsters, and destroy it.

Stops your Goblin goblin from Searching and can run over every monster in your main deck.

Fosil Dyna Pacychepalo
Rock/Effect
EARTH
Level 4
ATK/DEF - 1200/1300

Neither player can Special Summon monsters. When this card is flipped face-up, destroy all Special Summoned monsters on the field.

If you set this chances are you'll wipe out whole field of Zombies.

Skill Drain
Continous Trap Card

Pay 1000 Life Points. The effects of all face-up Effect Monsters are negated.

Stops the core of the deck Zombie Master and Blue-Blooded Oni. As well as Levaiel.

Maxxx C
Insect/Effect
EARTH
Level 2
ATK/DEF - 500/200

You can activate this effect during either player's turn by sending this card from your hand to the Graveyard. This turn, each time your opponent Special Summon a monster(s), draw 1 card. You can only activate "Maxx "C"" once per turn.

This card will most likely stop zombies from going all out in case they can't finish you off since you'd probably plus of this card way to much for them to risk it.

Shadow-Imprissioning Mirror
Continous Trap Card

When the effect of a DARK monster activates on the field or in the Graveyard, negate it.

Even tho a number of Zombies are EARTH the most important ones are DARK and this card shuts the deck down.

Necrovalley
Field Spell Card

All "Gravekeeper's" monsters gain 500 ATK and DEF. Cards in either player's Graveyard cannot be removed from play. Cards in either player's Graveyard cannot be affected by card effects, except for their own effects.

Well this card just makes you suffer. You're so close to your monsters yet you can't use them. This is the of the biggest threats.


I hope that I've managed to assure you that Zombies are once again going to be a force to be reckoned with. With the new support and new Xyz monsters they are bound to be back among the top decks.

Standard Build Engine

2x Zombie Master
1-2x Blue-Blooded Oni
1x Mezuki
1x Plaguespreader Zombie
2x Goblin Zombie
2x Pyramid Turtle
2x Spirit Of The Pharaoh
1x Spirit Reaper
1x Glow Up Bulb
2x Ryko, The Lightsworn Hunter
1x Lyla, The Lightsworn Sorceress
1x Pain Painter

1x Allure Of Darkness
1x Foolish Burial
2x Book Of Life
1x Charge Of The Light Brigade
1x Dark Hole
1x Monster Reborn
1-2x Pot Of Avarice
1x Book Of Moon
2x Mystical Space Typhoon
1x Giant Trunade

2x Solemn Warning
1x Solemn Judgment
1-2x Seven Tools Of The Bandit
1x Mirror Force
2x Fiendish Chain <---- Just my preference
1x Call Of The Haunted
1x Torrential Tribute

2x Empty Space Sea Serpent Levaiel
1-2x Steelswarm Roach
2x Number 39: Utopia
1x Vylon Disgma
1x Number 10: White Knight Illuminator
1x Stardust Dragon
1x Scrap Dragon
1x Brionac, Dragon Of The Ice Barrier
1x Revived King Ha Des
1x Archfiend Zombie Skull
1x Trishula, Dragon Of The Ice Barrier
1x Gaia, Knight The Force Of Earth

Debris - Zombies


2x Debris Dragon
1x Zombie Master
2x Blue Blooded Oni
1x Mezuki
1x Plaguespreader Zombie
2x Pyramid Turtle
2x Goblin Zombie
2x Lonefire Blossom
1x Glow-Up Bulb
1x Spore
1x Dandylion
2x Ryko, The Lightsworn Hunter
1x Spirit Reaper
1x Card Trooper

1x Dark Hole
1x Monster Reborn
2x Pot Of Avarice
2x Pot Of Duality
1-2x Book Of Life
2x Mystical Space Typhoon
1x Allure Of Darkness
1x Foolish Burial

2x Solemn Warning
1x Solemn Judgment
1x Call Of The Haunted
1x Torrential Tribute
1x Mirror Force
2x Fiendish Chain

2x Empty Space Sea Serpent Levaiel
1-2x Steelswarm Roach
1x Vylon Disgma
1x Number 39: Utopia
2x T.G Hyper Librarian
1x Black Rose Dragon
1x Trishula, Dragon Of The Ice Barrier
1x Brionac, Dragon Of The Ice Barrier
1x Gaia Knight The Force Of Earth
1x Scrap Dragon
1x Stardust Dragon
1x Ally Of Justice - Catastor