VoxPopulii's Ban list Analysis
Let me applaud you, Konami. You have finally come to your senses in realizing how to construct a good ban list. Don't get me wrong, there are always going to be questionable changes; but over all, a job well done!
Overall, this list exceeded beyond my expectations. The meta will change drastically with Dragon Rulers taking their final bow and making room for the next decks to step up. The question is, though, what deck will it be? Most people believe with all the new support coming out, Bujins, Gravekeepers and Lightsworn have the most potential to be the best decks of this format. Only time will tell.
Let me applaud you, Konami. You have finally come to your senses in realizing how to construct a good ban list. Don't get me wrong, there are always going to be questionable changes; but over all, a job well done!
Dragon Rulers Suffer a Coup D'etat! :
The dark ages are over! The bigger they are, the harder they fall - and how the mighty have fallen! At last the Dragon Rulers have met their Judgement Day! For two long, terrible formats, Dragon Rulers had a vice grip on the dueling world mercilessly taking YCS after YCS with no end in sight. They have had their hits prior to this list with losing Super Rejuvenation, Card Destruction and the "Baby" Rulers, yes, but people adapted and learn how to use the "Mother" Dragon Rulers as a deck. Alas, the "Mother" Dragon Rulers have been brought down and limited to one along with
Debris Dragon and Sacred Sword of the Seven Stars following close behind. There is reason to cheer! No longer will there be a One-Deck Tier 1 anymore! Creativity and variation will finally come back to the game!
Aside from hitting dragons, two widely disliked cards have also met their maker and have been sentenced to the Shadow Realm. Sixth Sense left as fast as it was brought back for the help to sell "Legendary Collection 4: Joey's World". Return From the Different Dimension was also banned for it's ability to steal games from opponents! It was about time!
Debris Dragon and Sacred Sword of the Seven Stars following close behind. There is reason to cheer! No longer will there be a One-Deck Tier 1 anymore! Creativity and variation will finally come back to the game!
Aside from hitting dragons, two widely disliked cards have also met their maker and have been sentenced to the Shadow Realm. Sixth Sense left as fast as it was brought back for the help to sell "Legendary Collection 4: Joey's World". Return From the Different Dimension was also banned for it's ability to steal games from opponents! It was about time!
Fate Limited, but Still Lingers. :
Spellbooks also got a small kick in the rear with Spellbook of Fate being Limited to one, but the recycling ability that Spellbooks have, it isn't too damaging.
Troll Decks :
Konami also decided to wise up in hitting two particular "troll decks" by limiting Final Countdown as well as banning Self-Destruct Button. Although neither of these decks really compete in tournaments, they're still annoying to play against and needed their swan songs. Sadly, Burn and Exodia still lurk about.
Two is Better Than One :
In the semi-limited section, two cards that were once limited have come back. Lonefire Blossom has made its return to help push the new plant-type support coming out (Shinra's) as well as Chaos Sorcerer getting the nod for coming back, giving Chaos decks a chance to return!
Welcome back Magician of Faith! :
Two some-what surprises that shot out at me were the limiting of once banned Magician of Faith as well as the limiting of Divine Wind of Mist Valley. I understand that Divine Wind of Mist Valley had good combinations with cards like Harpie Dancer, but the amount of times the card saw the field, it was not too large of a threat. Magician of Faith has been banned for quite some time. I don't feel it will make too much of a difference being limited. The amount of power Magic cards have dwindled with Monster Reborn and Heavy Storm being banned, but can still see some type of play within Spellbooks and Chaos Piper Decks.
Three is Company! :
Alas, a big welcome back to all the cards becoming unlimited: Archlord Krystia, Mezuki, Plaguespreader Zombie, T.G. Striker, Constellar Ptolemy M7, and Fire Formation - Tenki. With Krystia being unlimited, Herald and Agent decks have a chance to become viable in the meta-game once again. Mezuki and Plaguespreader Zombie will continue to help Zombie and Chaos decks more competative. T.G. Striker I don't see making much of a change, nor Ptolemy M7, so bringing them back is alright with me. Fire Formation - Tenki was alright being at two, but Fire Fist's became quiet, and will help bring the deck back out of hiding with the consistency it helps create as well being used for other decks such as Gladiator Beasts, Bujins, and Constellars.
Dragon Ravine, the end of Dragunities? :
There was one card I wanted to hold off to the end for certain reasons, and that card is Dragon Ravine. I understand how this card helped bring Dragon Rulers the extra push it needed to be the dominant deck, but this is the one card I feel should not be on the list. Why? In order for Dragunities to work as well as they can, they need the ability to deck thin and ditch/add cards to their hand which Dragon Ravine brought to the table for them. With Dragon Ravine being banned, Dragunities will be a lot more complicated to play at the quick pace it is supposed to be played at but knowing the creativity of some duelists out there, they will make it possible.
Overall, this list exceeded beyond my expectations. The meta will change drastically with Dragon Rulers taking their final bow and making room for the next decks to step up. The question is, though, what deck will it be? Most people believe with all the new support coming out, Bujins, Gravekeepers and Lightsworn have the most potential to be the best decks of this format. Only time will tell.