Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG - May 2023 Banlist Review and impacts

Although a little later than expected, the list of banned and limited cards for the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG has been updated once again, and will be effective on June 5.

The new format promises to change a lot in relation to the post Cyberstorm Access and Pre-banlist format, which lasted about 1 month. Since the banlist had small and big hits on several decks in the meta and also on decks with the potential to take over its post after a nerf.

Check out all the changes from the new Yu-Gi-Oh! banlist.

Cyber-Stein is a somewhat unexpected ban, but very welcome, as the card has always been involved in FTK combos throughout the game's history, which is why it was limited.

The FTK at the time was performed by Superheavy Samurai, and although it wasn't relevant in large tournaments, it is quite healthy for the game that this possibility ceases to exist.

Here we have another hit on Superheavy Samurai, and this time it's quite heavy and unexpected. The deck's consistency was directly related to its link-1, which was an easy way to send Superheavy Samurai Soulpiercer from the field to the graveyard. With its banning, I believe the deck will lose its competitive relevance, which only lasted a month.

The banning of Number 89: Diablosis the Mind Hacker was already expected and has been requested since Kashtira's release, since the card was largely responsible for the full lock of the deck, in addition to allowing deckout victories.

In addition, the "Mind Hacker" forced players to increase the amount of certain cards in their extra deck, in order not to run the risk of being banned during the match, which limits the options for players.

Despite being a side deck card, Appointer of the Red Lotus was growing in popularity, and because it had a very strong mechanic, which is to remove cards from the opponent's hand, it became one of the unfair iterations of the format. Furthermore, its limitation was not even felt, as it could be accessed through the Triple Tactics Thrust.

Branded Expulsion is another one of the cards that have been requested on the banlist, since it is responsible for the dreaded FTK on Branded, which summons Ra's Disciple or Gimmick Puppet Nightmare on the opponent's field, to prevent them from performing Special Summons.

Despite the "good will" to banish this card, the hit loses impact, since the same lock can be performed through the recently released Albion the Sanctifire Dragon.

The return of Blaster, Dragon Ruler of Infernos to the game has been expected for some time by many players. And since we're looking forward to the release of Duelist of Explosion in August, which will support fire attribute archetypes, its limitation is very welcome.

I believe that the card won't cause major impact on the Metagame, but that it will be well-used in rogue decks.

Despite not being at the top of the format's problematic cards, I believe the Mathmech Circular limitation is fair, as the card alone requires at least 2 interactions from the opponent to interrupt its combo. The deck will most likely lose some relevance due to this hit, but I believe it will still be hanging around the meta as a tier 2.

The PSY-Framegear Gamma limitation is one of the most controversial points on this banlist, as it is a handtrap, which in theory serves to help you stop the opponent's combos, which are increasingly resilient. However, despite not agreeing with this hit, I understand its logic.

Something very popular in the format was the use of “Gamma” to protect one's own combo from opponent's handtraps. Also, after resolving its effect, it was common to use PSY-Framegear Gamma and PSY-Frame Driver to summon Accel Synchro Stardust Dragon and scale into a Baronne de Fleur .

Another very controversial card, but this time returning to the game, "Denglong" is a very generic synchro and capable of becoming an engine in several decks, giving them access to the powerful interaction of Nine Pillars of Yang Zing. In addition, it is also possible to use a larger engine of "Yang Zing" monsters to summon Herald of the Arc Light during the opponent's turn.

Because it is the boss monster of the format's best deck, in addition to being quite oppressive, Kashtira Arise-Heart is one of the most requested cards to be banned. However, its limitation is enough for now, since it is unlikely that a deck like Kashtira to have its main card banned so early.

Although it doesn't make the deck unfeasible, this limitation weakens its ability to grind.

This is another one of the surprise hits on the banlist, since the deck only became relevant with the most recent supports released in May, and even then, it didn't show enough strength to be a tier 1.

Apparently, this was a preventive limitation, since Purrely is one of the decks that could grow in popularity after the banlist, and the choice of this card is due to its interaction with Epurrely Plump, which is essential in the deck's strategy.

Another unexpected hit is the limitation of Naturia Sacred Tree. However, despite being unexpected, I see it as a good hit, since it is a seeker that can be activated several times in the same turn. And although the deck has dropped considerably in popularity after Superheavy Samurai's presence in the format, it is one of the candidates to appear in the meta after the new banlist comes into effect.

Herald of Orange Light was limited due to its use with the Ishizu engine during Tearlaments' tier 0 format, and since all Ishizus were limited and the deck is no longer in the meta, having 1 more copy shouldn't impact the format negatively.

Kashtira Unicorn is another one of the most requested cards to be part of the banlist and its semi-limitation is a low in Kashtira's consistency, but despite hurting, it's not enough to kill the deck for good.

Lightning Storm's semi-limitation doesn't make much sense. Despite being a card with great impact, it is a side card which isn't that great right now. As a result, it is a hit that doesn't generate great impacts.

Runick Fountain's semi-limit could be more of a preemptive hit on Naturia Runick, but it's actually more of a pointless ban. Despite being the most important card in the deck, the main decklists already ran only 2 copies, so it doesn't interfere with the deck at all.

Sky Striker Mobilize - Engage! is a seeker that can be activated multiple times in the same turn, but unlike the previous one, it is getting 1 more copy. I consider a somewhat dangerous return, not because of the Sky Striker deck, but because it allows the card to be used as an engine in other decks, as has happened before.

The hit on Spright Starter is one more among those already expected for this banlist, however, it turned out to be even weaker. Its semi-limitation will definitely reduce the consistency of the deck a little, but I believe it will still be among the top of the format.

Blackwing - Steam the Cloak is one of the Tuners that was banned because of Crystron Halqifibrax and returned to limited play after “Halq” was banned.

Genex Ally Birdman was limited by being involved in FTK combos in the past. I believe that its release will not be relevant, since its combo is no longer viable by the current game's standards.

Samsara Lotus is another card that allows an FTK, and this time, something with greater ability to influence the decks that are currently playing, so much so that it was banned and not just limited like the previous card.

SPYRAL Quik-Fix is a win for those who like the deck, and could be a viable option for casual players. Despite the deck being a tier 0 at its best and now only having a single card on the banlist, I don't see it strong enough to compete at a high level against the top decks without being able to rely on the SPYRAL Master Plan.

Lyrilusc - Recital Starling was already expected, since its deck always used only 2 copies of it on the main decklists. Furthermore, the deck was not even relevant enough to stand out at the high competitive level, despite being a good rogue.

The return of Draco Face-Off can even be a reinforcement for the Dracoslayer deck to improve its consistency, but I think that in some lists it will not be used. So, I believe this is a return without major impact on the format.

Sky Striker Mecha Modules - Multirole is a great boost for Sky Striker as it is a protection card and also serves to recover your spells. I see its return as healthier than "Engage", since it is a less generic card which should only be used on its archetype.

The expectation for this banlist was that it would kill off older decks to make room for new archetype candidates for the Metagame. However, what happened was that several decks were tweaked, including those that only saw play in the meta during this month.

The main deck of the format has had few cards changed, but it can have a big impact on your game. With the banning of "Mind Hacker" its full lock no longer exists, and with only 1 Kashtira Arise-Heart the "Arise pass" becomes much more vulnerable. I believe that Kashtira remains among the best, but that it will need to adapt.

Superheavy Samurai, which forced all decks to use specific techs against it, was the biggest loser on this banlist, due to the banning of Superheavy Samurai Scarecrow. I believe it is the death of the Superheavy Samurai as a competitive deck, but I still see use of some of its cards as an engine in other strategies.

Another deck that should drop a bit is Mathmech, which while still a viable option, loses a lot of its consistency and resilience with the Mathmech Circular limitation. However, I believe that the deck remains as a tier 2 due to the Firewall engine that can easily access its Mathmechs.

Decks like Labrynth, which passed the banlist unharmed, and Spright, which had a very light hit compared to what it suffered in previous banlists, should remain on the top of the new format. In addition to them, Branded Despia appears as another candidate for this post.

I consider this banlist to be average. Despite having affected several decks that roam the meta, it performed some illogical and even contradictory hits. In addition, of course, to bringing back cards with the potential to negatively impact the Metagame.

But what about you, what did you think of the banlist? Did you miss any card? Leave your opinion in the comments.

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