The Science of Sideboarding Part 2: Tuning Methodology

So I’ve done all this grandstanding and now you have a vague idea of what to prioritize when, but you still don’t have a sideboard! Theory can only take you so far, so here is how I go about building and tuning a sideboard:

Step 1: Build a Preliminary Sideboard

Combining all the previous considerations about siding, I create a preliminary sideboard aimed at removing threats and answers ineffective for a matchup and replacing them with more effective cards. When considering how many cards I need for each matchup, I combine my understanding of the fundamental assumptions with the order of priorities listed above. How good am I against Turbo? Can I remove spells and traps easily? How is my Warrior/Earth matchup? Burn? Goats/Meta? And so on.Since the priority list is basically always the same, all I need to focus on is how my deck functions against these matchups before siding and how they need to function after siding. This makes it extra easy to choose cards that will be applicable in multiple matchups! These “crossover” cards are great because they allow you to focus on more priorities at once while using less slots. ​

A great example of a crossover card is King Tiger Wanghu. It is good against Goat/Meta decks, Panda Burn, and the OTK decks. Why play 2 Mystik Wok, an Asura Priest, and 2 Threatening Roar when I can just slam a Wanghu with Solemn Judgement as backup for the same effect? As you play Goats and put this guide into practice, you will get better at identifying good crossover cards. Other easy examples are Dust Tornado, Book of Moon, Solemn Judgement, and Royal Decree.​Lastly, keep in mind there may be other factors for a certain event that may change your side. If your tournament is swiss or otherwise timed rounds, consider how often your deck/your play brings you to time. Do you go to time often? How well can

your deck win in time? You may want some sideboard cards to make this easier. Other circumstances to think about are if the tournament is in person (more diverse meta + larger skill/knowledge deficit on average) and a tournament that is invite-only (you can gauge exactly who will play and what they might bring and adjust priorities accordingly).

Step 2: Solo Mode Mode Math

For all its problems, I maintain that Duelingbook has a lot of great tools for getting better at Yugioh. When sideboarding at a high level, it is important to know exactly what your plan will be against the most common matchups. It is also important to know that plan makes sense! Using Solo Mode and screenshots, this step does both at once!​First, go into Solo Mode with Siding and go straight to siding. Now, side your deck for each matchup in order of the priority list: Turbo, Warrior/Earth Aggro, Burn, Goat/Meta decks*, OTK decks, other combo decks. Each time you do this, take a screenshot to save for later. For each matchup’s side plan, ask yourself these questions: