Heya! Arcknight here. Today, I'm going to share my personal thoughts on the October 2023 OCG Forbidden & Limited List or the banlist and how it might impact the current state of the OCG meta.
To recap, below is the newest OCG Banlist:
Let's discuss the affected cards per column.
Forbidden:
Agido the Ancient Sentinel and Kelbek the Ancient Vanguard
Two of the most broken cards ever created in 2022. Not only does it help you mill important cards in your combo, it also does give the owner an insight on the opponent's deck as it can reveal what the opponent might be playing when you mill 5 cards on the top of their deck.
Even on limited status, we witnessed how Tearlaments maximized these cards to their full potential and I'm pretty sure, you have those days where you can really feel how broken these are especially when they mill something useful and the 5262727 chain link starts building. I can say that this is a well deserved and long overdue hit. It affects Tearlaments and Adamancipator Vernusylph, who both rely on further extending their plays with the help of the GY.
Chaos Ruler, the Chaotic Magical Dragon
When Tearlaments Kitkallos became forbidden and Tearlaments Kashtira was released, it opened the possibility of the synchro route and Chaos Ruler became the key player. Not only does it search and/or mill 5 cards, it also unlocks Hot Red Dragon Archfiend Abyss with the help of a level 1 tuner. It can also revive itself making it as a free level 8 material. This hit affects Tearlaments, Dragon Link, and even Valmonica, to name a few. Without this card, Tearlaments may need to resort to other cards that could replicate the advantage that this card offers.
Number 86: Heroic Champion - Rhongomyniad
TCG has this forbidden for a while and OCG, for some reason, still has this hanging around. This is one of the strongest XYZ that has ever been released, even more annoying and game-ending than Expurrely Noir. The banning of this XYZ is quite a surprise to many simply because it's quite rare to see this card being played in most topping lists. While we still don't know what likely triggered OCG to ban it, we can all agree how crippling it is to face Number 86 most especially if a card like Numbers Evaille can basically summon it for free.
Limited:
Tearlaments Kashtira
This monster opens the possibility to easily access Chaos Ruler with the help of 1 lv1 tuner, as well as function as an extra mill when sent to the GY by a card effect or when summoned. I am surprised that this card survived the July OCG 2023 List but it looks like it is receiving the same fate now as the other main decked Tearlaments monsters. This additional hit will definitely hamper the Tearlaments strategy.
Block Dragon
After becoming semi-limited in July, it is now on its limited status. It is again, one of those cards, that you can't help and say "why is this even card alive in ocg?". The unlimited revive (so long as you have a banish fodder) is just too good. It's ban-worthy to be honest. Putting this card to 1 may reduce the consistency of opening it on your first five, but cards like Gallant Granite, Vernusylph engine, and Foolish burial can still access it. For the most part, you will only need one anyway once you gather enough fodder. We'll see in January 2024 if this card still survives.
Semi-Limited:
Girsu, the Orcust Mekknight
It's one of those last wave supports of Orcust that became instant limited the following format due to how consistent Orcust back then vs.the format. It's OCGs way of testing the waters to see if Orcust can shake the meta like it used to.
Supreme King Dragon Darkwurm
Definitely a boost to help the new Supreme King cards in AGE OF OVERLORD as well as the overall Pendulum strategy.
Rescue Ace Air Lifter
Not sure how semi-limiting this card will prevent Rescue Ace from dominating the meta but this sends a strong message that Konami OCG is aware. Air Lifter opens the infamous one card combo that can lead to numerous card advantages and control strategies for Rescue Ace. Semi-limiting it will just tickle a little. Anticipate that Season 2 will still be a Rescue Ace heavy format until a new dominant deck in PHNI arrives.
Dragonic Diagram
True Draco rejoice. This is also a boost in Dinosaur decks. Let's see if one of the strongest stun decks will come back.
Floowandereeze and the Magnificent Map
Normal summoning intensifies. An instant boost to Floowandereeze consistency. Semi-limiting this will allow another anti-meta contender to appear. I wonder if this is a sign of a new Floo support? (Cope)
Purrely Delicious Memory
Another Purrely hit. This means that Purrely will only have 66% chance rather than 100% on My Friend Purrely. It definitely hurts the deck's consistency. (I played Purrely before)
Rivalry of Warlords
After the limiting of Skill Drain, Rivalry of Warlords joined the club but in semi-limited status only. Not sure how that affects stun decks like Runick.
No Longer on the List:
Armageddon Night
This will definitely boost Orcust strategy once again.
Superheavy Samurai Motorbike
In just one format, it's now back to unlimited status. It's one of the most broken supports created for Superheavy Samurai but it's generic enough to be used in other decks sadly.
Prank-kids Meow-Meow-Mu
The cat is back at 3 copies! :O
Trickstar Lightstage
Trickstar is finally on the roll with their field spell back at 3 copies! Will this hint new Trickstar support in the future?
Summary:
The latest OCG banlist hit the majority of the most wanted cards in everyone's prediction, but still failed to tame decks like Rescue Ace, Centurion, Labrynth, or even Runick.
This list is focused on weakening the Tearlaments strategy to an extent and we'll see if the OCG community still finds a way to make it playable. There may be other tech cards that can replicate the mill of Kelbek, Agido, Tearlaments Kashtira, and Chaos Ruler but I feel it'll never be as consistent as the pre-OCT OCG list.
Let's see if the meta will remain the same 'til the end of the year or PHANTOM NIGHTMARE (PHNI) is cooking something big that can shake this meta. Stay tuned!
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