Continuing from the last post, we're going to dive into the most complicated section, the Restrict List. A fair number of cards could swing either way from here to either being banned outright to becoming Semi or Unrestricted. Like last time, let's get the easy ones out of the way.
Call of the Haunted; Card Destruction; Ceasefire; Crush Card Virus; Elemental Hero Stratos; Exodia the Forbidden One; Future Fusion; Gravity Bind; Green Baboon, Defender of the Forest; Jinzo; Left Arm of the Forbidden One; Left Leg of the Forbidden One; Level Limit - Area B; Mage Power; Magic Cylinder; Magical Stone Excavation; Neo-Spacian Grand Mole; Night Assailant; Pot of Avarice; Premature Burial; Protector of the Sanctuary; Right Arm of the Forbidden One; Right Leg of the Forbidden One; Spirit Reaper; Swords of Revealing Light; Torrential Tribute; Twin-Headed Behemoth; Ultimate Offering; United We Stand.
They're all staying where they are. The Exodia Limbs have an outside chance of becoming Semi/Unrestricted one day because of UDE's efforts, but chances are they'll stay where they are. The rest pretty much are just following status quo.
As for the rest, this will be fairly tricky. There are a lot of different possibilities that could change a card's future as of September. That said, let's tackle the rest.
Book of Moon - A lot of people want to see this card become unrestricted once again and view it as a solution to the rampant Brain Control usage in many decks. Many also view it as a solution to combatting Monarchs due to their weak defense. If Tsukuyomi comes off the restrict list, this card will likely stay at 1. If Magician of Faith comes off, this card will likely stay at 1. If Brain Control is restricted, this card will likely stay at 1. Otherwise at best, you're looking at Semi-Restriction.
Chain Strike - When run in 3, this card helped anchor a very quick and powerful (though not always consistant) Burn deck. After restricting it, the deck type has about disappeared, though some still try their hand with it since its potential for damage is stronger than most other cards out there. While likely to stay where it is, a Semi-Restriction would not be that surprising to get give the deck a little more strength, while still not making it as easy to pull 2 at the same time.
Confiscation - This card could be viewed as one of the "necessary evils". It trades the advantage of Delinquent Duo for the knowledge of the player's hand and its cost makes it more prohibitive than The Forceful Sentry (though barely at that). The fate of this card is somewhat tied to how they want to handle Trap Dustshoot and Mind Crush. If Mind Crush becomes Semi/Unrestricted, Confiscation could return back to being Banned. That's also a possibility if they decide they don't want practically free looks at the hand with this being Banned again and Trap Dustshoot becoming Restricted. Most likely though, this will stay where it is.
D.D. Warrior Lady - Could she be in for a Semi-Restriction like D.D. Assailant was on the last list? Probably not. Since you control her when to use her effect, she's an effective tool for removing cards you don't want to see come back while D.D. Assailant is far more limited in that regard. Further with Exiled Force being playable in 3s again, other options are available (though perhaps not as permanent). While she and the other Warriors have seen less play over the past few seasons, I believe the changes that will be made could cause them to reappear as a strong theme type (and admit it, they're not bad now, just other things run faster). Making her more playable in this case will likely have a negative effect so, she'll be staying here.
Dark Magician of Chaos - A few months ago I would have said this card was a lock to being banned. Now, it's not quite as likely anymore. If he is banned, it would likely be because they wanted to wipe out all easy Spell Retrieval cards. With the arrival of new Dark Magician support cards, he could appear in more dedicated and theme decks so he may stay restricted just for that facet. It's about 50-50 right now that he could take a short hiatus or simply stay where he is.
Dimension Fusion - A few months ago, I was even more likely to say this card would have been banned than even Dark Magician of Chaos. With Sky Scourge Norleras not quite lighting the meta on fire and DDT themed decks all about disappeared, that would seem to give this card a little more life. However, Return decks could return to high level play easily enough (depending on other changes) anchored by this card and Dark Magician of Chaos. I have a strong feeling that one of these 2 are going to disappear for awhile and I would say it would be this one.
Giant Trunade - Initially Semi and then Fully Restricted because of its ease in helping OTKs. The fate of this card will rest solely on the fate of Heavy Storm and Harpie's Feather Duster. (See Heavy Storm for more info).
Heavy Storm - Some could view this as another "necessary evil". Some think this will get banned so Harpie's Feather Duster could come back. Other's think it could get banned altogether, which in turn should Semi/Unrestrict Giant Trunade (since there would be no other mass non-themed S/T removal, albeit temporary). Structure Decks have often been a way to predict what could be banned and such based on the cards in them. Heavy Storm is not in the the forthcoming SD13. Granted, there was 1 other Structure Deck where it did not appear, but it just feels different this time. This would be a radical move that would give players far more freedom to overextend in the back should this card be banned without a replacement. Because of that, it may end up staying put. Don't be suprised to see this card become banned sooner than later though.
Jinzo - 99% likely to stay where he is, but it's possible that he could have a status change just to shake things up a little.
Limiter Removal - There are so many annoying things with Machine Decks right now and this card can easily be included in that list. Given that Machines include some of the most played cards right now, this card makes an already strong batch of monsters OTK powerhouses. Machines are going to take a hit in some form this list so seeing this card move to banned would not be a suprise.
Mind Crush - As stated with Confiscation, this card's status could depend a lot on what happens to the cards around it. The fact that it potentially can be a 3 for 1 card and its comboability with cards like Confiscation and Trap Dustshoot will likely keep this card where it is. I see the safe approach being taken here.
Mirror Force - With the release of Radiant Mirror Force in Force of the Breaker, I would have sworn this card would be banned last list. It survived then, but can it do so again? Usually weaker versions replace the originals and the originals stay banned for life. However, Mirror Force is one of the few Mass Removal cards left in the game (with a minimal timing requirement). In decks that run few traps, Mirror Force is still the preferred choice. Radiant Mirror Force and Justi-Break seem to want to replace it, but like a few other cards, Mirror Force is a "necessary evil". Unless they seriously push for more of a 1 for 1 set of trades (back when Sakuretsu Armor and Widespread Ruin were both run in 3s), there isn't anything that can quite fill the place of Mirror Force. I would almost say that this card could earn a "permanent" place on Restrict List.
Morphing Jar - Most of the Jar cards have the ability to reset the game to some sort of a level playing field. Fiber Jar is the most obvious. Cyber Jar clears the field and gives both players 5 cards between the field and hand. Morphing Jar resets both player's hands to 5 cards. Like the other Jars, this can help and hurt you potentially at the same time. Because of the mass drawing power that this card offers, some are thinking this could be banned. I don't see that happenning. Maybe it might trade places with Cyber Jar, but other than that, it should simply stay here.
Mystical Space Typhoon - This card will be gone. With what I said about Heavy Storm and Structure Decks is more true here as it was in every Structure Deck from 1 through 12. We're getting Twister in SD13 instead. It's the simplest 1 for 1 Spell/Trap Removal card in the game. With the fact that they gave us 3 scaled back versions of this card (1 each in the last 3 sets), not to mention still having Dust Tornado and Nobleman of Extermination as far as non-theme specific cards, if there was ever a card that seemed to be a lock for going away, it is this one. The only thing that could possibly save this from being with the Ban Mallet is if Heavy Storm is banned and Harpie's Feather Duster stays banned as well. However, it genuinely feels that this one is gone.
Nobleman of Crossout - This card feels like it should stay at one. With the impending arrival of Shield Crush though, it's entirely possible that in order to make FLIP monsters more playable (as if they're really not already), this card could be banned and allow Shield Crush to fill that place. That would be a mistake though. It has it's own place in the game that it fills nicely. 1 is perfectly sufficient for this card.
Overload Fusion - Let's face it. This card isn't the problem. Chimeratech Overdragon was the problem. Even with Future Fusion (which is good in its own right in any fusion deck which is why it should stay restricted) and this restricted, Chimeratech Overdragon found a nice spot in machine decks as part of a game winning swing. Ban that card, and Overload Fusion should drop to Unrestricted as the only other cards it can fetch are Labyrinth Tank, Gatling Dragon, and Cyberdark Dragon (none of whom I'd call game breaking). It should be unrestricted but we all know this card's fate is totally dependant on Chimeratech Overdragon.
Ring of Destruction - Unbanned to help offset Cyber-Stein and even after that, it's still around. This card helps make games go very fast. While I get the feeling it will return back to being banned (as more than few are clamoring for), this stands a good chance at staying here. This will genuinely depend on which other cards they want to rotate off the list.
Sangan - Probably will still be here for 6 more months. While it is the best playable all-purpose searcher in the game, a number of decks have succeeded without using him. Not going anywhere unless they decide to do something crazy like switch it with Witch of the Black Forest.
Scapegoat - For everyone and their fantasy lists that say this should be unrestricted, get over it! Considering how much the OCG works on limiting stall cards, they're not about to make this card more playable. In a worst case, it functions as an alternative to Waboku. In a best case, it will function as a Waboku for 2-3 turns. Unless trample (sorry, piercing) ends up dominating, perhaps they'll do something with this card (though players would likely have abandoned it altogether). 1 is way more than enough for this.
Snatch Steal - You could hear the gnashing and crying when it was announced this card would be playable last ban list. Well, just lump it under Dark Hole as a card that got rotated off for some play and should be banned again once the season leaves. At least it wasn't Yata-Garasu. If you miss Snatch Steal that much, run Archfiends + Falling Down.
Treeborn Frog - That cry you might hear will be the collective disbelief (and disappointment) from the TCG if this card is not banned. It is the anchor card for just about every Monarch deck out there. The sad thing is that Treeborn Frog does give Tribute decks legitimate options. However, it appears the only option people chose was the Monarch option. Even if it is banned though, people will find other options though none are as useful as this one. In the end though, the Frog should end up keeping the Serpent company in the pond.
Lots of options as I said, and it really is hard to predict which way some cards can go. The ones most likely to be banned from this list: Mystical Space Typhoon, Snatch Steal, and Treeborn Frog. As far as cards becoming Semi/Unrestricted, there really isn't much here that looks like it would go that way. D.D. Warrior Lady and Overload Fusion probably are the most likely, but those will highly depend on other cards instead.
Discuss!
Call of the Haunted; Card Destruction; Ceasefire; Crush Card Virus; Elemental Hero Stratos; Exodia the Forbidden One; Future Fusion; Gravity Bind; Green Baboon, Defender of the Forest; Jinzo; Left Arm of the Forbidden One; Left Leg of the Forbidden One; Level Limit - Area B; Mage Power; Magic Cylinder; Magical Stone Excavation; Neo-Spacian Grand Mole; Night Assailant; Pot of Avarice; Premature Burial; Protector of the Sanctuary; Right Arm of the Forbidden One; Right Leg of the Forbidden One; Spirit Reaper; Swords of Revealing Light; Torrential Tribute; Twin-Headed Behemoth; Ultimate Offering; United We Stand.
They're all staying where they are. The Exodia Limbs have an outside chance of becoming Semi/Unrestricted one day because of UDE's efforts, but chances are they'll stay where they are. The rest pretty much are just following status quo.
As for the rest, this will be fairly tricky. There are a lot of different possibilities that could change a card's future as of September. That said, let's tackle the rest.
Book of Moon - A lot of people want to see this card become unrestricted once again and view it as a solution to the rampant Brain Control usage in many decks. Many also view it as a solution to combatting Monarchs due to their weak defense. If Tsukuyomi comes off the restrict list, this card will likely stay at 1. If Magician of Faith comes off, this card will likely stay at 1. If Brain Control is restricted, this card will likely stay at 1. Otherwise at best, you're looking at Semi-Restriction.
Chain Strike - When run in 3, this card helped anchor a very quick and powerful (though not always consistant) Burn deck. After restricting it, the deck type has about disappeared, though some still try their hand with it since its potential for damage is stronger than most other cards out there. While likely to stay where it is, a Semi-Restriction would not be that surprising to get give the deck a little more strength, while still not making it as easy to pull 2 at the same time.
Confiscation - This card could be viewed as one of the "necessary evils". It trades the advantage of Delinquent Duo for the knowledge of the player's hand and its cost makes it more prohibitive than The Forceful Sentry (though barely at that). The fate of this card is somewhat tied to how they want to handle Trap Dustshoot and Mind Crush. If Mind Crush becomes Semi/Unrestricted, Confiscation could return back to being Banned. That's also a possibility if they decide they don't want practically free looks at the hand with this being Banned again and Trap Dustshoot becoming Restricted. Most likely though, this will stay where it is.
D.D. Warrior Lady - Could she be in for a Semi-Restriction like D.D. Assailant was on the last list? Probably not. Since you control her when to use her effect, she's an effective tool for removing cards you don't want to see come back while D.D. Assailant is far more limited in that regard. Further with Exiled Force being playable in 3s again, other options are available (though perhaps not as permanent). While she and the other Warriors have seen less play over the past few seasons, I believe the changes that will be made could cause them to reappear as a strong theme type (and admit it, they're not bad now, just other things run faster). Making her more playable in this case will likely have a negative effect so, she'll be staying here.
Dark Magician of Chaos - A few months ago I would have said this card was a lock to being banned. Now, it's not quite as likely anymore. If he is banned, it would likely be because they wanted to wipe out all easy Spell Retrieval cards. With the arrival of new Dark Magician support cards, he could appear in more dedicated and theme decks so he may stay restricted just for that facet. It's about 50-50 right now that he could take a short hiatus or simply stay where he is.
Dimension Fusion - A few months ago, I was even more likely to say this card would have been banned than even Dark Magician of Chaos. With Sky Scourge Norleras not quite lighting the meta on fire and DDT themed decks all about disappeared, that would seem to give this card a little more life. However, Return decks could return to high level play easily enough (depending on other changes) anchored by this card and Dark Magician of Chaos. I have a strong feeling that one of these 2 are going to disappear for awhile and I would say it would be this one.
Giant Trunade - Initially Semi and then Fully Restricted because of its ease in helping OTKs. The fate of this card will rest solely on the fate of Heavy Storm and Harpie's Feather Duster. (See Heavy Storm for more info).
Heavy Storm - Some could view this as another "necessary evil". Some think this will get banned so Harpie's Feather Duster could come back. Other's think it could get banned altogether, which in turn should Semi/Unrestrict Giant Trunade (since there would be no other mass non-themed S/T removal, albeit temporary). Structure Decks have often been a way to predict what could be banned and such based on the cards in them. Heavy Storm is not in the the forthcoming SD13. Granted, there was 1 other Structure Deck where it did not appear, but it just feels different this time. This would be a radical move that would give players far more freedom to overextend in the back should this card be banned without a replacement. Because of that, it may end up staying put. Don't be suprised to see this card become banned sooner than later though.
Jinzo - 99% likely to stay where he is, but it's possible that he could have a status change just to shake things up a little.
Limiter Removal - There are so many annoying things with Machine Decks right now and this card can easily be included in that list. Given that Machines include some of the most played cards right now, this card makes an already strong batch of monsters OTK powerhouses. Machines are going to take a hit in some form this list so seeing this card move to banned would not be a suprise.
Mind Crush - As stated with Confiscation, this card's status could depend a lot on what happens to the cards around it. The fact that it potentially can be a 3 for 1 card and its comboability with cards like Confiscation and Trap Dustshoot will likely keep this card where it is. I see the safe approach being taken here.
Mirror Force - With the release of Radiant Mirror Force in Force of the Breaker, I would have sworn this card would be banned last list. It survived then, but can it do so again? Usually weaker versions replace the originals and the originals stay banned for life. However, Mirror Force is one of the few Mass Removal cards left in the game (with a minimal timing requirement). In decks that run few traps, Mirror Force is still the preferred choice. Radiant Mirror Force and Justi-Break seem to want to replace it, but like a few other cards, Mirror Force is a "necessary evil". Unless they seriously push for more of a 1 for 1 set of trades (back when Sakuretsu Armor and Widespread Ruin were both run in 3s), there isn't anything that can quite fill the place of Mirror Force. I would almost say that this card could earn a "permanent" place on Restrict List.
Morphing Jar - Most of the Jar cards have the ability to reset the game to some sort of a level playing field. Fiber Jar is the most obvious. Cyber Jar clears the field and gives both players 5 cards between the field and hand. Morphing Jar resets both player's hands to 5 cards. Like the other Jars, this can help and hurt you potentially at the same time. Because of the mass drawing power that this card offers, some are thinking this could be banned. I don't see that happenning. Maybe it might trade places with Cyber Jar, but other than that, it should simply stay here.
Mystical Space Typhoon - This card will be gone. With what I said about Heavy Storm and Structure Decks is more true here as it was in every Structure Deck from 1 through 12. We're getting Twister in SD13 instead. It's the simplest 1 for 1 Spell/Trap Removal card in the game. With the fact that they gave us 3 scaled back versions of this card (1 each in the last 3 sets), not to mention still having Dust Tornado and Nobleman of Extermination as far as non-theme specific cards, if there was ever a card that seemed to be a lock for going away, it is this one. The only thing that could possibly save this from being with the Ban Mallet is if Heavy Storm is banned and Harpie's Feather Duster stays banned as well. However, it genuinely feels that this one is gone.
Nobleman of Crossout - This card feels like it should stay at one. With the impending arrival of Shield Crush though, it's entirely possible that in order to make FLIP monsters more playable (as if they're really not already), this card could be banned and allow Shield Crush to fill that place. That would be a mistake though. It has it's own place in the game that it fills nicely. 1 is perfectly sufficient for this card.
Overload Fusion - Let's face it. This card isn't the problem. Chimeratech Overdragon was the problem. Even with Future Fusion (which is good in its own right in any fusion deck which is why it should stay restricted) and this restricted, Chimeratech Overdragon found a nice spot in machine decks as part of a game winning swing. Ban that card, and Overload Fusion should drop to Unrestricted as the only other cards it can fetch are Labyrinth Tank, Gatling Dragon, and Cyberdark Dragon (none of whom I'd call game breaking). It should be unrestricted but we all know this card's fate is totally dependant on Chimeratech Overdragon.
Ring of Destruction - Unbanned to help offset Cyber-Stein and even after that, it's still around. This card helps make games go very fast. While I get the feeling it will return back to being banned (as more than few are clamoring for), this stands a good chance at staying here. This will genuinely depend on which other cards they want to rotate off the list.
Sangan - Probably will still be here for 6 more months. While it is the best playable all-purpose searcher in the game, a number of decks have succeeded without using him. Not going anywhere unless they decide to do something crazy like switch it with Witch of the Black Forest.
Scapegoat - For everyone and their fantasy lists that say this should be unrestricted, get over it! Considering how much the OCG works on limiting stall cards, they're not about to make this card more playable. In a worst case, it functions as an alternative to Waboku. In a best case, it will function as a Waboku for 2-3 turns. Unless trample (sorry, piercing) ends up dominating, perhaps they'll do something with this card (though players would likely have abandoned it altogether). 1 is way more than enough for this.
Snatch Steal - You could hear the gnashing and crying when it was announced this card would be playable last ban list. Well, just lump it under Dark Hole as a card that got rotated off for some play and should be banned again once the season leaves. At least it wasn't Yata-Garasu. If you miss Snatch Steal that much, run Archfiends + Falling Down.
Treeborn Frog - That cry you might hear will be the collective disbelief (and disappointment) from the TCG if this card is not banned. It is the anchor card for just about every Monarch deck out there. The sad thing is that Treeborn Frog does give Tribute decks legitimate options. However, it appears the only option people chose was the Monarch option. Even if it is banned though, people will find other options though none are as useful as this one. In the end though, the Frog should end up keeping the Serpent company in the pond.
Lots of options as I said, and it really is hard to predict which way some cards can go. The ones most likely to be banned from this list: Mystical Space Typhoon, Snatch Steal, and Treeborn Frog. As far as cards becoming Semi/Unrestricted, there really isn't much here that looks like it would go that way. D.D. Warrior Lady and Overload Fusion probably are the most likely, but those will highly depend on other cards instead.
Discuss!
