Table of Contents
Goku Universe 7 is one of the most popular decks you'll see on the ranked ladder. The deck's ability to set an aggressive playstyle gives it a fighting chance against the majority of the meta.
I've picked up Goku7 for my ranked ladder climb and have found success with this list. So I'll go through everything I've learned, explain the game plan, various cards to include, and how to approach different matchups.
Gameplan
Leader Goku's strength lies once awakened, giving all Universe 7 Battle cards a +5,000 Power boost. This means the list needs to have as many Universe 7 Battle cards as possible.
Goku Universe 7 is an aggressive deck that looks to Awaken Goku as fast as possible to get access to that 5,000 Power boost. With a wide board of attackers, the Power boost will force more Combo resources out of the opponent.
To ensure your Leader awakens, the list includes a couple of Battle cards that can damage your own leader, allowing you to self-awaken and start your aggressive game plan.
If the swarm of attacks isn't enough to close out the game, a 5c Goku should be enough to seal the deal with a Double Strike attack.
Early Starters
Master Roshi offers the valuable card draw and can later be used as a Combo card either offensively or defensively.
On the other hand, Whis can pick off low Power Battle cards with their ability or drop them down enough for your attackers to KO it. Although Whis only has 10,000 Power, the buff from an Awakened Son Goku can turn into a 15,000 Power attacker, just enough to represent a threat to the opponent.
Tien Shinhan is a 1-cost 15,000 Power attacker who finds use in both early and late games. The +5000 Power makes sure Tien's attack still goes through if the opponent's Leader is awakened.
Self Awaken
You heavily rely on Son Goku awakening to start unleashing a barrage of powerful attacks that force Combo cards out of the opponent. Logically, your opponents will likely do anything to delay your awakening. This is why we need self-awakening Battle cards to help us get there if we're missing a life or two of damage.
Krillin is an early drop that can threaten to damage the opponent's leader with his 20,000 Power. However, he loses 5,000 Power on defensive turns, making him more vulnerable to Leader attacks.
As for Android 17, he serves a similar purpose to that of Krillin, which is damaging our own Leader. The only difference is that Android 17 can be quite difficult for the opponent to KO with his 25,000 Power on defense.
Situational Cards
2c Son Goku can KO units with 10,000 Power or less. This can get rid of a blocker/combo card or an opponent's Whis. You can also combine the play with a -5,000 Power reduction from Whis to deal with 15,000 Power Battle cards.
As for the Tournament of Power Arena, it can slow down your board development but the +5,000 Power every turn will be worth it in the long run. You can also opt to use the Power boost defensively rather than offensively, helping you keep things alive without expending Combo cards.
The Heavy Hitters
Son Gohan: Adolescence can be a nuisance for opponents with his Critical attack, so you'll always prioritize targeting their Leader. The -10,000 Power ability can remove a blocker or a Combo card, weakening opponents' defensive turns.
4c Son Goku can get a hit on their Leader through other means. Reducing the Power of one of the opponent's rested Battle cards and targeting it with Son Goku can threaten to KO a Battle card and damage their Leader. This might force more Combo plays out of them, expending card resources and making it easier for you to get other attacks through.
5c Son Goku acts as your finisher play. You want your opponent down to 2 health and the Double Strike attack should do the job. In most cases, you'll opt to go for a full-on attack, using up your Combo cards if you feel it's enough to close out the game. You could give Son Goku a Power boost with FS01-15-kamehameha or FB01-030-assemble-representatives-of-universe-7.
Extra
Both cards provide a 15,000 boost in Power to either your Leader or one of your Battle cards. Although Assemble Representatives of Universe 7 will draw you a card, Kamehameha can be used on defensive turns to protect a key card.
Techs and Options
Frost is more of a meta call if Yellow decks are getting popular. He's Universe 6 so he won't benefit from Goku's +5,000 Power boost, but the ability to shut down a swarm of 20,000 Power attackers can be enough to win you games.
Acts as a Self Awakener for only 1 Energy. You might need to add more Extra cards to take advantage of Master Roshi's cost reduction.
Vegeta is a Critical attacker that will force opponents to use a Combo card to avoid the hit.
General Tips
- Avoid initiating early attacks with your Battle cards, as you'll want to take a few hits to your Leader to help awaken him. 20,000 Power Battle cards could swing in for early aggression if you're not against a Leader with 20,000 Power capable of targeting them.
- Your main goal is to put as much pressure as possible in the mid-game and force out the opponent's Combo cards. This makes it easier for you to finish the game with 5c FS01-08-son-goku.
- If possible, protect key Battle cards like FS01-09-son-gohan-adolescence, FB01-139-son-goku, and FS01-08-son-goku since they're pretty difficult for opponents to deal with and pose a threat on offensive turns.
Mulligan
Look for early cards like Master Roshi or Whis to start your turns. Self-Awaken Battle cards like Krillin or Android 17 are great to have in the early hand as they facilitate your Leader's Power boost domination.
Matchups
Green Gohan
- The plan is to go wide on the board and start swinging aggressively on their Leader.
- Don't attack with 15,000 Power Battle cards like Krillin on to their Leader. You want to force Gohan to attack your Leader so you get to Awaken.
- 20,000 Power Battle cards like Android 18 can go for the attack since it'll force a Combo play to KO her.
- Protect your Battle cards early on with Combo cards. You want to unleash more attacks on them before they get to play FB01-078-android-17android-18.
- FB01-087-son-goku is a problem since he allows Leader Gohan to activate his ability with no downside. The only way for you to deal with him is through 5c Goku + Whis ability. (If they don't attack with FB01-087-son-goku). You could add a God Kamehameha to the list to deal with a FB01-087-son-goku.
Red Beerus
- It's a difficult matchup since Beerus' 20,000 Power can pick off your attackers easily.
- 5c Beerus can wipe out most of your board. Make sure to get the most out of your attackers before they have 5 Energy.
- You don't have reliable tools to deal with their FS01-08-son-goku outside of reducing his Power with the help of Son Gohan: Adolescence, 4c Son Goku, or 5c Son Goku.
Yellow Cooler
- Cooler decks can go wide on the board and match your aggression. However, your attacks pack a heavier punch with Leader Goku's ability. You'll end up forcing more Combo resources out of them.
- If you're running Frost in the list you can shut down most of their attackers and dominate the game.
- They have self-awakening Battle cards like FS04-12-frieza.
- Watch out for a double FB01-129-frieza with Cooler's ability.
- You mustn't allow them to win the board's presence. Focus on KOing their rested Battle cards and weakening their upcoming turn.
Blue Goku Black
- They'll focus on KOing your Battle cards over your Leader. Goku's Leader effect can be brutal for them.
- They want to prolong the game until Goku Black drops on the board and they start the outvalue plan.
- Set an aggressive mid-game, you want to close out the game before they outvalue you.
- Most lists aren't running tools to deal with your board. Protect your Battle cards with Combo plays to keep the barrage of attacks alive.
Closing Words
Goku Universe 7 is one of my best decks for a serious ladder climb. Every matchup feels winnable if you manage to build up the board and awaken Goku as soon as possible, you'll stomp most of the decks you go up against.
This is it from me! Hopefully, you found the guide useful, I'll see you in the next one!
