So, for story, im thinking this as a set-up.

"Duel Monsters. Created by Maximillian Pegasus as a game to entertain children, but ended up practically subsuming culture. What few know is the fact that the game was merely rediscovered and patented. Descended from the ancient art known as "Shadow Games" the spirits of another realm were captured in large stone tablets and used to Duel each other. Duel Monsters is merely a more convenient version of it. But the world from which these spirits came still exists. And the humans who are capable of commanding them. Their descendants still exist in the modern world.

Seto Kaiba, the man who brought the Duel Monsters to the masses, Yugi Moto, the King of Games were but two of the descendants. But family trees branch and there are plenty of others out there. Those who find themselves inextricably called to this world.

Now, that world is under attack. Dark forces move within. A virus that corrupts any and all it touches. Creating a swarm of evil..."

As i said, im still thinking of what makes the gang so super-special-awesome. I'm thinking that maybe each character is chosen by a creature to be their patron. I kinda want to emphasise the OG style of "2-3 Archetypes per deck" kind of story.