Ban List Analysis

Ban List Analysis

For the first time in memory, a satisfactory ban list has been put forth by the powers at be. While certain bastions of hatred remain untouched, most of the “broken” aspects of the main decks have been in some way hit. This analysis will inspect the reasons for changes, as well as predict their effects.

Monsters

Chaos Sorcerer

Reasoning: A tad surprising, considering how Chaos decks performed this format. This was likely aimed at the Lightsworn decks teching a pair. Looking at banned cards, limited seems to be the correct position for CS. He is a clearly powerful card, but can’t affect the game in the same way as cards like DMOC, Fiber Jar, and Magical Scientist.

Impact: This could possibly increase the amount of decks that CS sees play in. With Ryko gaining popularity, peoples’ continuing fascination with Thunder King Raioh, and Cyber Dragon back at 2, the 3-4 light monsters you need to run him are easy to find. BW and GB will likely forgo Chaos, but I can see a multitude of decks (Monarchs, Gadgets, Synchro Cat) finding a place for him somewhere between the main and the side. With 2 BTH and TT becoming competitive staples, immediate gratification of monster effects is extremely important.

Tragoedia

Reasoning: As has been noted by many, the “Summoning on attack” mechanic is one of dubious potential. It punishes any form of aggression, which is unhealthy for a balanced format. However, monsters like Tragoedia and Gorz are necessary evils considering the speed at which current decks function, and the ease with which they clear the field. As the aforementioned decks lose power, it is only fitting that counter measures like Tragoedia are simultaneously curbed. Between Trag and Gorz, a deck can run 2 outs to Blitzes without sacrificing much potential against slower strategies.

Impact: Tragoedia seems to parallel another card which went from 3 to 1 in the past year; Gale the Whirlwind. Before its limit, good players were abusing 3 copies and winning because of it. With the new limit, Trag will likely become an auto-include in decks that ran Gorz. People simply running it to escape OTKs will possibly turn to 1-2 copies of Battle Fader, which seems promising with tribute-oriented strategies.

Necro Gardna

Reasoning: I can see no possible explanation for this limit aside from kicking Lightsworn while it’s down. While annoying, Gardna rewarded advanced planning by letting players exert tempo control in exchange for card advantage. While taking relatively no skill to play in Lightsworn, it seems like the direct restrictions on that deck would have sufficed.

Impact: Dark Control strategies are significantly damaged by this. Armageddon Knight will see little to no play outside of dedicated combo decks. Necro Gardna will probably be regulated to Lightsworn decks and anything utilizing dark-mill engines. While its absence does speed the game up somewhat, it increases the utility of cards the can easily cause a reversal, like Mark of the Rose and Miracle Fusion. Since a leading player can’t simply shut down the battle-phase as easily, making a comeback through battle is much easier.

Necroface

Reasoning: Not very clear, considering how little play this card saw. The only decks which ran it were those that heavily abused it; perhaps Konami doesn’t want themes that rely solely on a single card.

Impact: Less Necroface decks. Not very profound, but as I said before, this card was almost never splashed. I suppose decks susceptible to mill and RFG strategies will benefit slightly.

Brionac, Dragon of the Ice Barrier

Reasoning: The simple answer is “because Japan.” But why was it originally limited there? The only synchro monsters we’ve seen limited so far are those who outclass all others in their level class (baring bait specific Synchros). You always want to bring out Goyo Guardian and Black Rose Dragon when you have six or seven stars on the field respectively. However, Brionac’s usefulness is far more dependent on what your opponent has. Ergo, this is the first time (excepting DSF) a synchro monster is limited for simply being too powerful. By repeatedly setting a single spell or trap, Brionac lets a player discard as much as they want. Furthermore, it bypasses traditional forms of protection like Stardust and My Body. While too powerful to be at 3, a single copy allows players an out to synchro monsters.

Impact: Very little, considering how infrequently games were where this monster would be summoned by one player twice. It may make players hesitant to summon Brionac unless they are fairly confident that they can OTK, which will be far more difficult this format.

Mezuki

Reasoning: Consider this card Konami’s failed experiment. By allowing players 2 copies, they hoped to promote the zombie theme as more than just Plaguespreader abuse. Obviously, that didn’t work out so well. One copy is best, as any more allows for heavy Brionac exploitation.

Impact: Zombies as a standalone theme are for the most part dead, unless someone can restructure them into a control strategy, given the lack of speed the archetype now possesses. Do expect to find a few players running a pseudo engine of Goblin Zombie, Plaguespreader, Spirit Reaper, and Mezuki. While not as potent, it could supplement Tomato Control decks.

Lumina, Lightsworn Summoner

Reasoning: We’re tired of Lightsworn, pure and simple. This card is so immersed in synergy it’s ridiculous. If you want to hurt Lightsworn, Lumina is obviously a good target.

Impact: Lightsworn players can no longer rely on their decks working like reverse-toolboxes. They’ll now have to give a damn about their monsters, considering they can’t just bring them back as easily. Obviously the speed of the deck will be tuned down, but so will its consistency. I expect to see the idea of “1 of each” die down in LS deck lists. Also, My Body as a Shield, Beckoning Light, and perhaps even Glorious Illusion will see rises in play.

Honest

Reasoning: Being able to win a battle and stop a battle phase without being on the field is a pretty impressive feat. Honest is an extremely powerful card, and Konami seems to be on the fence about whether or not it deserves to be limited.

Impact: Lightsworn will probably be forced to start maining more defensive traps, or 3 Beckoning Lights. Also, there will be fewer random anti-meta light decks.

Cyber Dragon

Reasoning: Ironically, more Cyber Dragons means a more controlled format. Using Cyber Dragon to go on the offensive, then setting a monster is a good way to load up the field and slow down the tempo.

Impact: Even slower decks can counter-attack now, so s/t protection is much more important. Expect to see 2 of these in non-oppression based Monarch decks. Also, adding 2 of these to anything that already runs 1 or more light monster makes Chaos Sorcerer a viable option. If you haven’t already, get a copy of Chimeratech Fortress Dragon.

Demise, King of Armageddon

Reasoning: Pushing the new ritual support? Without 3 Advanced Ritual Arts, this guy never really needed to be at 1. I’m not sure why he got semi’d at this moment in time, considering all the push we have for a slower format.

Impact: More Demise decks. Pretty simple. Unless someone finds another way to pile on damage after Demise gets summoned, this isn’t going to be anything like an OTK.

Dandylion

Reasoning: It seems like everyone always hypes Monarchs at the start of a new format, but this time, Konami really wants them to be right. With Foolish at one, having Dandylion at 2 is less problematic.

Impact: Debris Dragon has more potential now than ever. I think the largest effect of 2 Dandylion will be on synchros. Quickdraw and Debris both combo amazingly with it, as do Enemy Controller and Mark of the Rose. Given the assumed decline in format speed, expect to see the odd slow deck abusing the hell out of Dandylion.

Treeborn Frog

Reasoning: We get it. Konami likes Monarchs.

Impact: Being ignorant of Frog decks, I’m entirely unaware if this will affect them at all. To be honest, I don’t remember many people running 2 Treeborns before the limit. The only conceivable reasons to do so would be to protect yourself from RFG, and to get it in the grave faster. If you consider maining 2 of these, I would advise maining 1 and a foolish, and siding the second when you expect Kycoo/Crow. The only deck that could make a good case for 2 would be Absolute Zero Monarchs.

That’s all for now, check back in a few days for the spell and trap analysis.

-Halphon