Breakdown: Ban List Aftermath

Now that the dust has settled and the intense ban list wait of this quarter is over, we can review the changes that Konami decided to make and how they affect the game, for better or for worse.  Before looking at the impact, let us have a look at what they decided to change on the list this time.

Newly Forbidden:

• None

Newly Limited:

• Glow-Up Bulb
• Infernity Archfiend
• Raigeki
• Soul Charge
• Super Polymerization

Newly Semi-Limited:

• Blackwing – Gale the Whirlwind
• Gorz the Emissary of Darkness
• Ceasefire
• The Transmigration Prophecy

No Longer on List:

•         Coach Soldier Wolfbark
•         Magician of Faith
•         Formula Synchron
•         Reinforcement of the Army

So clearly this is the most impactful forbidden list changes of recent memory. 

Glow-Up Bulb: Probably the most significant change is the limitation of Glow-Up Bulb.  Glow-Up Bulb’s impact on the game upon release was felt almost immediately, by giving plants a significant boost.  It is one of the most versatile tuners ever created, and will undoubtedly impact the game.

Infernity Archfiend: Konami not only smacked the Soul Charge out of the deck, they also smacked a couple of Archfiends out for good measure.  The Infernity Archfiend limitation is probably long over-due, but should entirely decimate the deck as we know it.

Raigeki: To me this is the strangest part of this list.  It makes very little sense to limit both Raigeki and Dark Hole to one.  Why not just semi-limit Dark Hole?  Regardless, Raigeki is back and may not actually be that relevant this format.  I mean, a lot of decks have kept to cutting Dark Hole, many will keep this fashion with Raigeki as well.  A point can be made, however, that Raigeki allows for a lot more OTK potential, as you can already have monsters on the field play it and deal damage through your opponent’s monsters.  I am just uncertain with Burning Abyss and Shaddolls being the mainstays of the format currently, how effective that will be versus them.

Soul Charge: I preferred Soul Charge at three or zero than at one.  This is a major component as to why I did not limit it at all on my mock list.  At three, Soul Charge is fairly easy to get into your hand for both you and your opponent, and you can both use it effectively.  At one, Soul Charge is merely a sack card that if you got it, you got it, meaning that only one player is likely to draw it, and the one who does, has a much greater chance of winning the game.

Super Polymerization: I was really glad that this happened, and was not really convinced that it would, because Konami is normally pretty slow to act on cards like this in most formats.  Super Polymerization is a really disgusting card, and deserves every bit of the limit it got here.  This will make many Shaddoll matchups much easier, and with the additional elements coming, Super Polymerization was only going to get better.

Blackwing – Gale the Whirlwind: As I had mentioned in a previous article, Blackwings have been a bit stale for a while now.  They were in need of a pick-me-up and got it in the semi-limit of Gale.  While it will not make the deck tier one, it will make them a solid tier two choice if piloted properly.

Gorz, the Emissary of Darkness: While this is probably fine at the moment, in the long run the game probably does not want Gorz at two.  The card is obscenely powerful with the power to change games significantly.  I would be interested in someone running a build of a deck with two of these and a few less traps, because many players would run right into it now, as it has been pretty insignificant for a while now.

Ceasefire: While I’m not entirely sure how much of an immediate impact this will have on the game, I feel like Chain Burn is cheering on the sidelines, which is not something I am happy about.

The Transmigration Prophecy: This card could probably go to three now theoretically.  By actually playing three of this card, you affect your deck’s consistency pretty significantly in most decks.  There is not a huge reason why this had to stay on the list at all, but it will not have a major impact at two either.

Coach Soldier Wolfbark: Without Wolfbark, Fire Fists were pretty much irrelevant.  Obviously, Fire Fists exist again with this change.  The fact that Fire Fists are able to play pretty much every floodgate, gives them significant playability potential.

Magician of Faith: This will have literally no effect on the game.

Formula Synchron: I am pretty happy to see this card back at three, if only for nostalgic reasons.  I do not for see Formula having a dramatic effect on the format, because most extra decks will not have room to play three anyways.  The decks that play it will likely only play two regardless of it being on the list or not.

Reinforcement of the Army: If you had asked me prior to the existence of Satellarknights if this could happen, I would have said absolutely.  The only thing that it would have done back then is maybe given a small boost to Noble Knights.  Now, Satellarknights and Noble Knights get a boost and Noble Knights will be getting another one with the release of Merlin.  Although Merlin’s effect has not been 100% confirmed, if it is as expected, Noble Knights would be able to play a lot fewer monsters with three tutors in Reinforcement of the Army.

The list affects many “fringe” decks from the previous format.  With Coach Soldier Wolfbark going to three, Fire Fists get better.  With Soul Charge going to one, Sylvans, Infernities, and Dragon Rulers are all severely hit.  With Super Polymerization being limited, Shaddolls get slightly worse, and many others get better, probably most noticeably Bujins as they were the most effected by Super Polymerization.

Off the hop, it seems pretty obvious that the best decks immediately will remain both Shaddolls and Burning Abyss.  It will be interesting to see whether or not another deck will be catapulted into the fray after YCS Dallas.  We all know by now, with the release of the New Challengers coming November 7, 2014, that Qliphorts are on their way soon for us to see first hand at YCS Anaheim.  There remains little doubt that Qliphorts will instantly become another tier one deck in the format.

I am actually pretty excited about this upcoming format, especially with Glow-Up Bulb coming back.  Normally, I give Konami a lot of crap for not doing everything that I feel they should, but from what I have come to expect, this is pretty damn good.  Enjoy the format, it is here to stay.