There Is No Better Title Than This One

Well, the end of July is near and that marks one more month before the announcement of the next banned list. I am quite unsure how Konami plans to shape the next format but there are a few things they absolutely need to address despite popularity and commercial purposes. Do remember like many other bloggers my version of the banned list is based on what I want to see happen and not to predict what Konami is going to do exactly. No point in playing their guessing game. Before going into today’s topic, Ventus from No Names has presented an idea to me about hosting a bloggers’ tournament using the WC format. It seems like an interesting thing to keep us occupied until the next format. Let me know what you guys think. Now, going into today’s topic. 

Forbidden:

Sangan

Wind-Up Hunter

Brionac, Dragon of the Ice Barrier

Leviair the Sea Dragon

Mind Control

Monster Reborn

WIND-UP HUNTER

This is probably the only problem card in Wind-Ups. Technically, without Hunter, Wind-Ups are no different from any other spam-and-OTK decks out there. Of course, limiting Zenmaighty is another solution but it is most unlikely due to the fact that Shark and Rabbit has yet to be released in the OCG. Banning Hunter is a controversial call but it is the best way to cut of Wind-Ups unfair advantage in Turn 1. Effect Veiler factor aside that is.

BRIONAC, DRAGON OF THE ICE BARRIER

Besides Trishula, Brionac is probably the next in line for the most symbolic card to represent Synchro Monsters. Although it has been seeing less and less play in this format, Brionac is still a very strong representation for the Synchros and extremely easy to include in any sort of combos. There is no reason to ban this card but based on gut feeling Konami might take this away from us to further push the Exceed Era. 

LEVIAIR THE SEA DRAGON

While this might look like a weird and uncalled for choice, Leviair is very much similar to Brionac when it comes to enabling combos. Putting this card at two or one does not do any good as most players only use a copy of it. Leviair is a big factor in terms of reviving combos and such. Plus, if combined with Gold Sarcophagus and Tour Guide From the Underworld, this Exceed Monster is probably the most broken one among all. May it be in Dino Rabbits, Inzektors or even Agents. Though it is unfair to immediately banned Leviair, it is something I feel necessary before it becomes much more of a problem. I doubt this will happen so soon.

Limited:

Inzektor Centipede

Rescue Rabbit

Miracle Fusion

E-Emergency Call

Premature Burial

Ultimate Offering

INZEKTOR CENTIPEDE

Hitting Centipede is probably more painful compared to having Damsel at one. To effectively push Inzektors’ dominance away, the card that needs to be reduced is definitely Centipede because he is the one fueling all the right pieces for Inzektors. Even though Damsel is the initiator of combos in the deck, Centipede is the required gear to keep the combo going by giving the deck the ability to search out whatever they need to close the game. So, based on that Centipede should be the candidate to go to one and not Damsel.

RESCUE RABBIT

Rabbit has done enough damage in both sides of the game. In OCG, Verz Rabbits and in TCG as one of the famous Big Three, Dino Rabbits. While this is an unlikely turn of event, we all know Rescue Rabbit needs to either be at 1 or be banned straight up. Despite Dolkka and Tour Guide not reaching OCG yet, Konami has no reason to not touch this furry fucker.

PREMATURE BURIAL

With Monster Reborn and Brionac gone, Premature Burial is an easier to cope with version of monster revival that the game needs. This card comes with a cost and is very vulnerable to everyone’s best friend Mystical Space Typhoon making it similar to Call of the Haunted. Without Brionac around to loop, Premature Burial is a stable choice when it comes to a form of staple. Constellar Pleiades? Maybe and maybe not.

Semi-Limited:

Inzektor Hornet

Mezuki

Blackwing-Kalut the Moon Shadow

Pot of Duality

Book of Moon

Mirror Force

MEZUKI and KALUT

Time to show more love to older archetypes! Bringing part of the older decks back is always a good thing for this game. Everyone has their own reasons for this but it is safe to say everyone wants more variety in the game, especially right now. 

POT OF DUALITY

I am not trolling. While there is nothing wrong with this card existing in the Meta, POD has become sort of a parasite that seeps away deck slots and creativity. There is no doubt that this card is very much stable, however, seeing it splashed in every deck kinda makes one wonder what happens if Duality goes to two. Now the only reason why I am naming this card is because the majority of players include POD in everything they build. It’s not wrong to do so but at the same time it is not right. Depending on each individual’s point of view, I feel that POD has defined part of the game enough and should go to two to allow the Meta to grow after it. Players need to evolve beyond POD. Personal pick, you can agree or disagree.

BOOK OF MOON

With so many combo decks and OTKs running rampart, it is necessary to bring back another copy of Book of Moon to slightly slow down the game. With Effect Veiler being at her limit, Konami giving us another copy of Book will definitely provide positive changes to the game. While this card has always been a wild card in different formats, having it back at two certainly does more good than bad at the moment. Is Book of Moon going to destroy the Meta by being at two? That I leave it up to you guys to decide. 

MIRROR FORCE

It’s about time Mirror Force goes back to two with the existence of countless OTK-decks. With bugs hurt, cards like Mirror Force and Dimensional Prison will see more play I hope as they are required to best the game itself. Similar to Torrential Tribute at two, Mirror Force would provide a healthier environment being at two. I wouldn’t say a stable environment but at least players have better chances to deal with random onslaughts compared to how it is now. Perhaps this card might make a change? I feel there is a 50/50 chance for Mirror Force to be Semi-Limited.

Unlimited:

Destiny Hero-Malicious

Necro Gardna

DESTINY HERO-MALICIOUS

Dark Armed Dragon is at one and Synchros are dying of day by day, I just do not see why Malicious should continue to be in the list. For now, Malicious is not as broken as it is before. A being a part of bring back variety to the game, I think Malicious does more good for the game compared to the Tele-DAD format. There are many ways one can utilize this card. Maybe Konami should give this a try.

I have come to the end of my opinions regarding the next banned list. There are certain cards which I did not explain because those are self-explanatory and many bloggers out there have covered on them. Now, in this banned list you do not see Hieratics and Chaos Dragons being mentioned. I am not being bias to the deck I am running instead I feel like both decks should be given a chance to shine in the next format. Hieratics obviously have not seen much play in the TCG side and with the recent announcement of Gustav Max I don’t see why Konami will touch them, yet. For Chaos Dragons, this deck is slowly gaining popularity in my country and probably around other OCG-based countries so Konami might let them live another format just to see what is going to happen. So, that’s all for today and hopefully you have found my version of the banned list entertaining. Bloggers remember to leave a comment on what you think of the tournament idea. Thank you for spending time here!