A Word From , TPC Manager
Hello all, in light of the recent balance update, we're going to be posting a TPC reaction to the Balance Changes and how the current Tier List is affected. Due to the balance changes, the next Tier List will be delayed until March 10th.
Deck Changes
Tachyon received Limit 2 restrictions to Loading... and Loading... . This will not prevent Tachyon players from doing what they were already doing, since the Skill provides consistency while maintaining the ability to use techs. Tachyon might actually be better in the new format since I expect Branded to lose competitive viability.
Tachyon's power-level is also pretty much the same. However, once you use your first and only copy of Loading... , you do not have to luxury of searching a second copy to protect your Loading... on Turn 3 (so your grind game becomes slightly weaker).
Branded Despia received a huge hit. Forget about Loading... being put to Limit 3 with Loading... ; the Theater of the Branded's Opening changes make the deck much less consistent and much easier to interrupt. It won't be able to make the same boards it used to, since the Skill makes you choose between Loading... and the added monster. Branded will definitely need to change its build in order to combo without brick hands.
Theater of the Branded's Opening 's hit alone will probably force everyone to play the deck ddifferently. The easiest examples for experimentation will Predaplant, Red-Eyes, and Intertwining Memories . Despite the nerfs, the Branded engine is still very strong and has a chance to exist in this upcoming format.
Branded Despia received major consistency hits, but its overall power level is still similar to before. However, with Theater of the Branded's Opening no longer searching the Loading... for free, you're less likely to access Loading... , which makes the deck more vulnerable to handtraps. To compensate for the consistency loss, most builds will likely max out on Loading... and Loading... . There’s also a real possibility that, despite how strong the Field Spell is, switching to a different Skill could end up being the better option.
Beetrooper received Limit 1 hits to Loading... and Loading... , which will slightly impact the consistency and power of its endboards. However, since Retaliating "C" was primarily used to deal with Branded Despia (a deck that has lost much more), this particular loss doesn't like that big a deal.