Dislaimer
This Tier List Update is being made with the KC Cup format in mind. In additon, the following week's Tier List update is going to be replaced with a "Banlist Reaction" later on in the week (and will simply be omitted in the case there are no Balance Updates in the week following the KC Cup). This is done to allow the TPC to properly compete without being distracted by Tier List construction.
TPC Comments
, World ChampionThe current meta seems to be mostly decided by non-engine. Shaddoll is the best deck, but just like every other deck, it loses to a silver bullet (Loading... ) unless it "draws the out". It will be interesting to see to what extent players adopt these counter-strategies, as there will always be a dead matchup (For example, Sky Striker loses has its own silver bullet in Loading... which does little to faze Shaddoll).
It's really hard to say how decks will perform in this upcoming KC Cup: it all depends on representation. On one hand, we have Shaddoll, which is the best deck in the format that boasts a favourable matchup against almost anything. Howver, the deck's difficulty may persuade players to opt for different options like Despia (which currently has the best Shaddoll matchup). That being said, if Shaddoll doesn't end up being popular, then decks like Resonators, Salamangreat and Crystal Beasts (decks that have good matchup spreads if you ignore their poor Shaddoll matchup) might rise. There also exists decks outside this dynamic like Sky Striker, which is generally solid but less consistent and weak to silver bullet cards like Loading... . To round out the meta, we have our collection of "coinflip decks" (like Chimera) that can almost guarantee a win if they go first (while struggling going second, making most matchups 50/50).
Tier 1
TPC Comments
Despia has some difficult matchups in the format, but it's the only deck with a favorable Shaddoll matchup. Depending on Shaddoll's popularity, Despia could either do extremely well or underperform in this upcoming KC Cup. Against Shaddoll, the Loading... line that ends on no monsters seems to be the best option (and opening Loading... will break their entire board and force a grind-game). Despia's playstyle is fairly linear and reliant on Loading... and Loading... , which makes Quick Effect GY Banishes like Loading... and destruction protection from the likes of Salamangreat and Resonators quite effective.
Despia has switched focus onto techs to combat Turn 1's from the likes of Sky Striker and Chimera. This leads to less copies of Loading... and added copies of Loading... or Loading... . The result is a deck with a higher ceiling but less access to its core plays for the Shaddoll match-up and the mirror.
Shaddoll remains the best deck in the current format, and its also most suitable for the KC Cup, with the deck's ability to break boards using only engine. However, since we're in a Loading... format, Sky Striker becomes harder to break if you don't hard draw the Loading... . As such Loading... might arise as a solid tech choice to handle floodgates while also being serviceable against Loading... and Loading... .