Thank you Japan!
Since the beginning of February, we duelists have been bombarded by fake list after fake list. Each, somehow, increasing in credibility but ultimately being outed as a Photoshop mockery – Japan gets first dibbs on the list through their monthly V-Jump magazine – or a blatant impossibility.
Many of us saw the “fake” (but actually legit) banned list that was posted on Shriek. Even though Shriek is one of the most reliable sources we have for early info, not even they could escape the chaos. The discussion that followed in the comments was pretty wild.
Analysis of the image appeared almost immediately. Someone had scrutinized the image and found clear markings of how the image was modified. That, coupled with the startling appearance of the TCG Exclusive card “Reborn Tengu”, was too much and many duelists refused to believe. In the end, Shriek was forced to pull the list from their site.
After pulling the list, Shriek explained that the list’s posting was a mistake, and that it was only intended to be a draft so that they could post it quickly if it was verified. A reasonable explanation, but quite an inconvenient time. That’s the only time, ever, that my trust in Shriek was challenged. But, Shriek has done an outstanding job regardless, this one little incident is quite insignificant compared to the great service they provide.
Our meta is very hyped right now. We have Inzektors, Wind-Ups, Dino-Rabbit, Chaos, Plants, Agents and a handful of other decks we lovingly refer to here as “those ones that have been swept under the rug.” Everyone hoped something was going to be done about those broken strategies, like the Wind-Up loop, that robs players of their hand early-game. Cards like Black Luster Soldier – Envoy of the Beginning, Mind Control, Dandylion have been considered banned by many duelists as soon as those early “What do you think is getting hit” discussions took place.
I’ve noticed that, at the end of each format, I settle into a groove where I’m content with how things are. Maybe that’s because I know things are about to change, and I realize that all the knowledge of the format I have will mean little soon. But it allows me to afford Konami the benefit of the doubt when it comes to new formats, and so far, they have yet to let me down. So, with each coming list, I don’t fear the change that it will bring, I look forward to the new possibilities and challenges I’ll have adapting it to my play-style.
That’s why, despite the utter destruction of the plant engine that I use for my Lightsworn Synchro deck (goodbye, two spores), I think this list is refreshing. If you listened to our latest podcast “Reasons Behind Limited Cards“, you’ll find that Kyle and I discuss some of the reasons why those hot cards were not hit, and why the Wind-Up strategy remains.
But, I’ve rambled long enough, here’s the March 2012 Banned List.
BANNED
LIMITED
SEMI-LIMITED
UNLIMITED
Sorry about your Lightsworn synchro deck Matt, can’t wait to see what you will proxy instead of the spores.
I’m lucky my current deck didn’t get hit.
Sacrifices had to be made, it’s alright!
I’m really really happy TT and Call went up. I’m weaning my way into traps again, and that is exactly what I was looking for.
As far as my LS Synchro, the extra Lumina might convince me to put in a Judgement Dragon, and it will make the plays from the LS side a tad more consistent. I’ll have to find a new way to get free synchros (since 1 for 1 is pretty dead now, just realized that D:). The only replacement is Unknown Synchron, which I’m not a fan of, but it’s a Dark, an extra target for Tuning, and a potential back-up for next turn. Lots to think about!
NOOOOOO! Why’d they hit Agents, when they should have hit 1. Inzektors 2. Wind-Ups Loop, and 3. Dark Worlds.
Agents where a necessary hit considering how bad they ravage the OCG meta. The only deck that was really coming close to competing with it was Inzectors and they aren’t exactly the best thing ever anyways.
And also, the Wind-Up loop isn’t mega-broken in Japan because they don’t have Shark.
The Wind-Up Loop isn’t mega broken in America either. In fact the Wind-Up decks that top are not Loop based, they’re just “plain” Wind-Ups.
Konami will probably realize what they need to hit when they take a good look at the YCS results. If I could have a say, they need to put Hunter, Shark, Maity, Rat, and Maines at 1 for Wind-Up. For Inzektors, Dragonfly and Leviar at 1. And now what are Agents supposed to synchro with?!? Plaguespreader? It would be more fair to leave either Earth or Striker at 2 and limit the other. I actually wouldn’t mind them putting Hyperion at 1 or 2 instead of hiting Striker or Earth. ]
Plain Wind-Ups are what i run, no need for 3 Rats, 3 Zenmaitys, or any Hunters. Everyone who wasn’t running them was siding aganst them. The least Konami can do is ban Hunter.
That’s way too much to hit on Wind-Ups. Maity at 2 would really be all that’s needed. Most decks only run 1 Hunter and Zenmaines, and Shark and Rat have way more versatility if people would look outside the loop.
o it is mega broken and while the decks aren’t marauding capt/gilasaurus/spell striker type focused, the goal is still very much to loop you asap. the only difference is now the deck is built to better handle what happens afterward. both versions have been topping all over the place and i’ll bet both versions dominate the next ycs.
It seems like Konami is hitting what they should have hit last September 🙁 They need to look at the now. I don’t want to have to play Inzektors, Wind-Up loops, and Rabbit Laggia for the next six months. Do you?
So right my friend, but they were never going to hit new products with this banlist- that would hurt sales.
ORCS and Dark world were untouchable.
Dunno about Dino-rabbit though, maybe they just thought it was a flavour of the month deck.
But hey in about 6-months time the might just touch grapha, hunter and hornet.
By then Hieroglyph Dragons will be broken. 🙁